Chapter 6

"Will I... stream with you in a guild...?"

"Yes!"

In response to Goushi's confusion, an energetic reply came back.

As Goushi readjusted the greatsword he had been swinging around during the stream, the blonde beauty Mizuri smiled brightly at him.

—Goushi's first impression was that she was a cute girl.

She looked to be in her mid-teens.

"Sorry, I'm just so taken aback by this sudden proposal... I don't know how to react. Besides, why are you asking me this?"

"Oh, right. I'm sorry. Actually, I've known about you, Goushi, for a while now. Since the days of the *Flame Serpent*."

"...So, you know about when I was fired, too?"

"Yes, I do. Right after that stream, I went to the guild, but you were already gone... It was really terrible! It's all that flashy guild leader's fault!"

Mizuri's voice grew harsh with indignation, deepening Goushi's confusion.

That stream was orchestrated by the guild leader, Aselus, but from an outsider's perspective, it would be natural to think poorly of Goushi.

However, it seemed Mizuri was convinced that the expulsion stream was a setup.

"Hehehe. You can't fool my eyes. I've been watching you for a long time. Your streams, I mean."

"Huh...?"

"Goushi, you joined the monster hunting streams a few times, right? You were always in the corner of the screen, but you were amazing!"

"Amazing? Me...?"

"Yes!"

Mizuri leaned in close to Goushi, her breathing heavy.

Mizuri, being petite, was at about chest level with Goushi, but it's not every day someone experiences a beautiful girl like her getting this close. Goushi felt flustered and his face tensed up.

"A foreign saying, but it's true that only the true strong can be a lord. The *Flame Serpent* was popular for its monster hunting streams, but the real star was Goushi!"

"Wow..."

"You were erasing monsters that were sneaking up from behind, completely unnoticed by that flashy guild leader... Without you, many situations would have been dangerous."

"..."

"Anyway, it didn't seem like someone who supports others from the shadows would do something despicable. I think Goushi was the real star of the *Flame Serpent*!"

Mizuri spoke excitedly to Goushi, who was deeply moved.

He didn't particularly want recognition from anyone, but the fact that this girl, Mizuri, had been watching him made his heart warm strangely.

"I've wanted to meet you for a while, but I didn't know where you were... But I saw your stream yesterday and found out you were in Mosrif. So, even though I thought it might be rude, I came to meet you."

"Yesterday's stream?"

"Yes. The one where you cut down the World Tree."

"It wasn't the World Tree, but I see..."

In yesterday's stream, Goushi had cut down a large tree, claiming it was firewood. It was a unique feature of the land of Mosrif, and Mizuri must have identified his location from that.

"Still, it's impressive that you came to meet me with just that information."

"Hehe. I really want to stream with Goushi. As proof, I made this."

"Th-this is..."

Mizuri took something out of the burlap bag she was holding. It was a large stack of papers titled "100 Reasons Why I Want to Scout Goushi."

Skimming through the contents, Goushi saw endless praise for him. Just a quick look revealed "How I Became Interested in Goushi," "The Secrets of the Ancient Martial Arts Only Goushi Can Use," "Everyone Missed It! Goushi's Achievements in the *Flame Serpent*," and "Goushi's Character as Seen in Streams from Mosrif."

(Too embarrassing...!)

Goushi felt like covering his face with the overwhelming praise. In fact, he did.

It was more shocking than when he saw the summary articles on Fairy Tube.

The document also detailed the video streaming market and trends, showing that Mizuri was more than just a casual fan. Her enthusiasm was on par with a "video streaming otaku."

"Did you do all this for me?"

At Goushi's words, Mizuri nodded.

"Thanks to you, I fell in love with video streaming. So, I think it would be fun to stream with you."

"..."

"Besides, if we're going to do it, we might as well aim for the top. And for that, I need Goushi!"

Goushi thought she was a straightforward girl. At the same time, he remembered a certain feeling inside him.

"What do you think? I know you have your current life, of course."

"..."

Just as Goushi was about to answer Mizuri's question,

"Ah... It's raining."

"It's rain, huh..."

Raindrops began to fall from the sky, soaking Goushi and Mizuri.

It was a heavy downpour, making it clear that continuing the conversation outside wasn't a good idea.

Goushi put Mizuri's homemade materials back into the burlap bag to keep them from getting wet.

Not wanting to leave the girl standing there, Goushi spoke up.

"Let's move to my place. There's no point in getting wet."

"To your place!? Is that okay!?"

"Yeah. I can't promise much in terms of hospitality, though."

"Please, I'd really appreciate it!"

Smiling wryly at her enthusiasm, Goushi decided to take Mizuri to his home.