Chapter 1 — Neh
The camera turns on.
—Hey, hey, people. Kaori here again —she says with a practiced smile—. We’re up early today. I’m gonna keep playing this game for now… how’s your week been?
The chat moves fast. Too fast.
Emojis, laughs, spam.
Kaori tries reading until one message stays still, like it weighs more than the others.
"Bro really doesn’t wanna be forgotten”
She sees it.
Processes it.
Ignores it.
Her smile doesn’t change, but something tightens in her chest.
Hours later, the stream ends.
The room falls silent.
—What the hell am I doing wrong…? —she mutters, staring at the ceiling.
A long sigh.
She’s hungry.
She puts on sneakers, a dark sweater, black glasses, and a mask the same color. The door closes behind her.
Walking around in her anti-paparazzi uniform.
Am I really being forgotten…?
---
Outside the store, she sees a boy.
Around fourteen years old.
Sitting on the curb, watching a video on his phone.
I saw him here yesterday too.
She doesn’t think much of it and walks inside… until she hears:
—Neh…
The boy closes the video. Starts playing a game instead.
Internally, Kaori explodes.
WHAT? HOW THE HELL “neh.”? THAT VIDEO WAS GOOD.
She says nothing.
Swallows it.
Buys her stuff quickly. Goes to the register. Waits for the cashier.
I said I wouldn’t follow trends… but…
She pulls out her phone. Starts checking the biggest streamers at the moment.
Duos.
Reaction content.
Collaborations.
Her eyes widen slightly.
I just need ONE partner. Just one.
—Ah… how much is it? —she asks when she reaches the register.
—Ten dollars.
She pays and leaves.
But… who?
A gust of wind.
—What the…?
Her mask flies off. Her glasses fall.
SHIT, FUCK, I HOPE NOBODY SAW ME.
She quickly grabs them.
The boy is staring at her.
Kaori freezes.
She looks at him.
He looks at her.
Then he looks away.
How did he not notice? The video he was watching was mine! Dumbass—
The boy thinks something else.
It’s the girl from the video. Should I tell her it sucked?... Nah. She can do whatever she wants.
Looks like she’s trying to hide.
He pulls another mask from his pocket and hands it to her.
—It sucked.
Kaori’s brain shuts off.
What? WHAT? WHAAAT?
—T-thanks… —she says automatically.
WHY DID I SAY THANKS
An idea appears.
—Ah, yeah… it sucked, right? —she says—. Think you could make a better video?
—Yeah.
—Name.
—Acter.
—Age.
—Fourteen.
Kaori takes a deep breath.
—I’m streaming later. Come with me and show me what you can do.
—Call my parents first.
—Number?
While Acter gives it to her, Kaori thinks quickly.
People will think anyone has a chance to stream with me… that’ll bring more subscribers… good plan…
—Hey.
—What?
—I already gave you the number.
She calls.
After a long conversation —explanations, promises, awkward silences— she hangs up.
—Done —says Acter.
Damn it… you always say no. Why now?
---
They walk.
—So… do you like cats or dogs? I have a cat, his name is—
—Yeah.
Kaori waits.
Yeah what?
Silence.
They arrive.
—This it? —Acter asks.
—Yeah. Come in.
Inside.
—Why do you think my videos suck? —Kaori asks.
—Basic humor. Bad editing. Feels planned.
—It’s not planned —she protests—. But whatever… I’ll start streaming soon. Do what you can.
The stream starts.
And then it happens.
Acter talks.
Little by little. Naturally.
Like he’s talking to one person instead of thousands.
He reads chat quickly. Replies just enough. Corrects Kaori with jokes that don’t attack, they just flow. Plays well. Explains things without yelling.
Everything feels… alive.
The views go up.
—Alright, people, that’s all for today —Kaori says—. I’m Kaori and I’ll see you tomorrow.
—Just say “bye.”
The camera turns off.
—Damn… you’re talented —she says—. We got double the usual viewers.
—Thanks. I’m leaving.
—Wait, I told your parents I’d walk you home.
---
They walk again.
—Do you wanna work with me, Acter?
—No thanks. I’m busy.
Kaori blinks.
—I mean… someone like you would really help me out.
—You already have my parents’ number.
They arrive.
—This is it. Thanks.
He stops.
—If you really want someone like me… call me at the start of next month.
He walks inside.
Kaori stays still.
—At the start of next month…?
She looks at her phone.
Tomorrow.
She laughs a little.
---
On the way home, Acter checks the stream.
Clips.
Comments.
His voice.
Hope my face never shows up… I’d die from embarrassment if people recognized me.
---
End of Chapter 1
