Chapter 43

Ranking Predictions

Translated by NotBlueYet

Edited by Kingavent

The good times with Rio went by quickly.

And my dad is completely drunk.

It’s no wonder, he kept drinking highballs after that.

“I think I’d better go home.”

“I’ll walk you home.”

It was already dark outside.

“Thank you.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

I left the apartment and walked Rio to the station.

“I was so glad to see you today. Your father and sister are both very nice and easy to talk to.”

“I’m glad you feel that way.”

“I feel that Ryo’s life today is possible thanks to your father and sister.”

“Thank you.”

When we were talking about such things, we arrived at the station.

“Thank you for sending me to the station. See you later.”

Rio gave a small wave.

“Yeah, see you soon. My father said that too, so if you feel like it, come and eat again.”

“Thank you. I’ll take your word for it.”

I waved back at her and she disappeared into the ticket gate.

Looking at that smile, I think it was a good idea to invite her today.

It was a few hours after I left Rio at the station.

It was less than two weeks before the Pro-hopple Japan Tournament.

The official announcement of the ranking predictions was made.

The ranking was determined by the votes of ordinary fans.

The first place was occupied by the names of “Takamori and Rio Natsume.”

Below them were the names of Vtubers who are active in the video game industry.

They are two people of solid ability.

As soon as the rankings were announced, I received a call from Rio.

“You came in first, didn’t you?”

“I thought we’d come in third or so.”

We were the first entrants in the duo division.

We are newcomers in the duo division.

Considering that, I thought we would be a little lower in the rankings.

However, I was naive in my thinking.

If we are the winning pair in the competition, our ranking will jump up.

“They’re expecting a lot from us, aren’t they?”

“I guess so.”

We have been pushed out by the officials as the hottest pair in the tournament.

Tomorrow, there will be a pre-tournament interview.

The first-place finishers were the obvious choice for the interview.

“I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s interview, aren’t you?”

“I’m still nervous about showing my face, though.”

I’ve done a number of face-only broadcasts, and I’ve shown my face in front of hundreds of thousands of people.

I’m not afraid to show my face.

But there was a part of me that was nervous.

“It’s okay! Because Ryo is cool.”

“You say that so sweetly. I’m glad you said that.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Rio sends me a mysterious stamp.

“Then I’ll see you tomorrow at our usual studio.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow at our usual studio.”

After sending the stamp there, I closed my phone and went to my computer.

I wanted to practice before the tournament as much as possible.

I watched videos of the other contestants playing, but I knew that there was a good chance that I would lose to them.

Pride is the worst enemy of all.