Chapter 16 - Fashion Street

There's only two days between me and my meeting with Ironmouse, and I have a problem.

As much as I go out, I can't deny that I've become quite the shut-in since I began streaming. My outings are mostly limited to my neighborhood, my in-person interactions only consist of my semi-routine meetings with Kson, and most of my time is spent holing up in my apartment room.

Which all results in an absolute empty wardrobe. Sure, I have the plain shirt and the shorts I often wear when I'm streaming. I also have the pair of jeans I wore when I went out to record my collab-song with Fubuki.

But this is an interview, and one that'll be broadcasted live to tens of thousands. 

It might be vain, but I want to look good.

And there's the problem: how? I have not a single fashionable bone in my body, and Kson is still out of reach—as she's been for the past few weeks. I don't really have a friend I can rely on, nor even an acquaintance I might be able to ask help from.

Or do I?

I turn to my laughably short contact list on my phone, and my gaze lingers on one particular name.

My heartbeat speeds up in panic at the idea. I mean, I know she told me that I can call her anytime, but can I really? She's always so busy, and I don't want to be a bother. 

But what other choice do I have? 

None. I have no more time. Entirely my fault—I was an idiot and procrastinated on the idea, hoping that Kson would return before my meeting with Ironmouse.

So I take a deep breath, and my phone begins to ring as a call is patched through.

…

"This one's a little different..." I mutter, staring at the unfamiliar girl in the mirror. 

"Mm, I knew it," Fubuki grins. "Aiko-chan looks perfect in a suit!"

I look down at the sleek black suit I'm wearing. It's…something, alright. I've never worn something like it. Nor have I ever worn something this expensive. It makes me look like some kind of important official about to head to their meeting. Which I am, I suppose.

I do a little twirl, and I pretend not to hear Fubuki softly squeal as I give the mirror a practiced smile. It comes out a little awkward and more wry than I intended.

Truth is, it's been almost two hours since I met up with Fubuki in the heart of Tokyo. We've gone through seven different stores, and I've tried on dozens of different clothes. Skirts, dresses, tops, heels, stockings—the whole schtick. But nothing's ever felt quite right. They were all too…cutesy.

This black suit's the first thing that actually feels somewhat comfortable. And though the price tag is making me cringe the more I look at it, it's not the worst option I can take. It's not like the other things I've tried were any cheaper.

Well, whatever the case, I should probably just buy this suit and get this day over with.

I take a quick glance outside the dressing room Fubuki and I are in, and I grimace at the small crowd gathering outside the store.

When I asked Fubuki to help me find some clothes to wear, I didn't really consider what that actually meant. Shirakami Fubuki is a massive figure in the world of streaming, and she's known to a lot of people. It shouldn't have been a surprise to find Fubuki swamped by her fans when I arrived at our place of meeting.

That attention swiftly got shared with me when Fubuki called out to me. And it took me all my effort to keep my jaw from falling when people started asking me for signatures and pictures. 

Because 700,000 Subscribers might not be much compared to almost 3 million, but 700,000 is still 700,000. 

In the end, our meeting sort-of turned into an impromptu meet-and-greet with the people of Tokyo. Thankfully, Fubuki is a veteran at this kind of thing, and she led me by the hand as she helped me not make a fool of myself as we interacted with our fans.

It took us half an hour to escape from the crowd, and even then a crowd still followed us from a distance as we went through several different stores.

"A-Are we being a bother…?" I can't help but whisper.

Fubuki giggles. "Don't worry. I already told all the store owners that we'd be carrying a crowd with us." She gives her hands a playful twirl. "All the employees have been ready for us."

"...huh." No wonder none of the employees we met were surprised at the crowd that waited outside their stores. "Y'know, I'm really glad you're used to this." I smile wryly. "I would've probably tripped and looked like an idiot in front of everyone."

Fubuki gives me a comforting pat on the shoulder. "You're still new, Aiko-chan. And you're still an indie." She winks. "Even I didn't know what to do when I was starting out. We just have to keep learning!"

I sigh. "Where am I supposed to even learn this kind of stuff from, anyway?"

A strange gleam shines from Fubuki's eyes. "Well, why don't we have an off-collab then?"

"Off-collab?"

She blinks, and then grins. "An offline collab."

My brain stutters for a good moment before I finally realize what Fubuki is suggesting. My train of thought proceeds to slip off its tracks and slam into a mountain. "Wait, are you-?" Fubuki's giggles are a clear answer, and I can't help but ask, "I mean, is that okay? It's not like I'm a part of Hololive."

Fubuki shrugs. "If I want, I can ask for anyone." She says, and then quickly adds, "If they and their company agree, of course. I can't just kidnap someone."

I give her an odd look. Fubuki glances away and whistles.

"Well," I shrug. "I mean, if you don't mind, I'd love to have another collab." I tilt my head. "Where should we meet?"

Fubuki leans back against the wall. "Hmm, I'm not sure yet. Maybe a karaoke booth?" She smiles brightly. "Singing with Aiko-chan again would be awesome!"

I smile back. "I'm down with that."

Some time later, I exit the dressing room with Fubuki just behind me, having changed back to the casual clothes I wore. The black suit is neatly folded in my arms, and it doesn't take long before I'm standing behind the cashier, cringing slightly as I fork out all the Yen I need.

We head out of the store, and are immediately met with the crowd waiting outside. They'd seen me try out all sorts of different outfits, and their curiosity has only grown. After all, it's not like I've ever expressed any desire to buy any clothes, and suddenly here I am forking out quite the bank for some clothes.

Obviously, I can't just say that I'll be having an interview with Ironmouse. But I'll feel like a bit of an ass if I don't give them something. And also because I can see some Hololive staff in the distance gesturing for us to follow them, likely to a nearby car or something.

So, in the end, I decide to give them a small teaser.

"It'll be for a special collab." I say. "I can't say much more, but I'll be making an announcement about it tomorrow." I wink. "So keep an eye out, okay?"

And while everyone's still excited at the small teaser drop I did, Fubuki and I quickly make a break for it. The Hololive staff are quick to lead us away, and we give the crowd one last farewell before we're ferried into a car and driven off.

The tension in my body settles, and I practically sink into the chair as I sigh. Fubuki giggles as she watches me melt. "You'll get used to it."

"I don't know if that's a good thing."

Fubuki just continues to giggle.

…

Hours later, after an early dinner with Fubuki and some of Hololive's staff, I finally make it back into my apartment room. I gently place the paper bag I've been carrying on my desk, before I practically leap straight onto my bed. My social battery's been completely drained, and I'm more than ready to just take a nap.

And I then remember I still need to stream tonight.

I spend the next minute wallowing in slight despair.

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Author's Note:

I really should stop falling into rabbit holes. They're unhealthy for me. 

Watching VTubers already sapped my time, and now Fear and Hunger is there to make sure my free time is null. Like, gods, I already have +70 hours of Fear and Hunger: Termina in my Steam account. Genuinely afraid for my future rn.