LIGHTNOVELONLINE Chapter 323
After the summer descent.
I decided to get a job at an organization called Star’s Flow…
Is the job a VTuber? A virtual idol?
That’s what they call it, but honestly, even after listening to Renka’s explanation, I still don’t quite get it.
“Is it that I should change into such a form when I broadcast? But to do that, I have to use divine powers…”
“It’s alright. Even though divine powers are prohibited in the world below, they’re permitted if they are absolutely necessary for work.”
“Hmm…”
“If Ms. Izumi wants to be on stage with Natsune Nanase, it’s something you have to do.”
“…I see. So, the meaning is to freely imagine based on the appearance written on this paper?”
“Yes.”
After nodding in agreement, I glanced again at the paper Renka handed me.
[Black hair flowing down to the shoulders and beautiful ruby-red eyes.]
[A girl wearing a choker adorned with silver jewels, with a notable snaggletooth when she smiles.]
As I slowly envisioned the girl’s appearance described alongside the image, I released my divine aura and used my powers.
Normally, I would have been forcefully sent back for violating the ‘rules’ at this moment, but… just as Renka mentioned, there were no signs of that.
After a moment, a blue light surrounded me, then gradually faded away.
“Ugh….”
This feeling when using my powers never gets familiar.
To be precise, it’s the category of powers that changes my appearance.
When I use this ability, it gives me an eerie sensation, making me feel uncomfortable.
Even if I change my appearance like this, gods can easily recognize who I am since the divine aura of the person is visible to them, rendering it pointless anyway.
I once transformed to avoid being called “Hikikomori NEET Loli Big Breasts Avatar,” but everyone saw through it in an instant, and the teasing just got worse, which is a trauma I still carry…
“…Hmm.”
Anyway, after the use of my powers ended, I felt that my appearance had changed.
Of course, at this moment, I couldn’t see myself, so I needed a mirror to check if it worked out well.
It’s so inconvenient to have to borrow tools just to check this; living without being able to use my powers really makes me feel frustrated.
But then again, I think that makes it more fun.
“So, how do you feel?”
“…Ah. I’m sorry. I was momentarily lost in thought because of your beauty.”
“W-Well, even if you praise me like that, I can’t really do anything for you. Hehe…”
“I mean, I didn’t say that expecting anything specific. But anyway, I think it’s perfect… Although you chose a school uniform, huh?”
“Ah, um. Yes.”
I recalled the school uniform after they said I could freely choose what I wanted to wear.
Gods don’t really have to attend the ‘school’ that exists in the realm below.
To be precise, there’s not entirely no institution of that concept, but only the weirdos go there.
However, I personally have a little curiosity about this ‘school’ institution in the lower world.
Many children gathering together, wearing the same outfits, studying knowledge, and fostering friendships.
What a wonderful story…
Well, I can’t attend school in the lower world, so I’ll be satisfied with this for now.
“Alright, then since today’s schedule is pretty much wrapped up… you can just wait at home until we send out the schedule.”
“Hmm. Ah, I understand.”
★
The entertainment of the lower world is truly incredible.
From games to manga, novels, and more.
Everything I’ve enjoyed in the divine realm until now was nothing more than child’s play.
No wonder those who have been sent back keep crying about wanting to return to the lower world.
As I indulged in a snack while feeling such thoughts, the phone provided by the company vibrated.
[Manager: There’s a gathering for the second generation of Star’s Flow today.]
[Manager: If possible, please attend.]
“…Ah.”
Now that I think about it, it is today.
The day I would meet my fellow newcomers who will debut alongside me.
I wonder what kinds of kids they are.
Honestly, the thought of meeting someone unknown makes me hesitant, but still, a new encounter is always something to look forward to.
Star’s Flow is linked to the country to discern “Mystique,” but they also operate as a regular VTuber agency…
So, it’s unlikely that anyone would apply for this line of work because they dislike meeting strangers like me.
Then maybe they would be just normal kids in that case.
With such expectations, I quietly changed my clothes.
★
…Huh? There’s no one here.
This is clearly the place where I was supposed to meet my fellow newcomers…
Huh?
“Hmm…”
There are supposed to be four of my fellow newcomers.
And yet, there are only four of us gathered here.
But they are all… Mystiques who have descended from the lower world?
I slowly shifted my gaze to check their faces.
First.
A girl with violet ponytails and black eyes.
She has a sharp impression and is shorter than me.
And her race is… Angel.
Second.
A girl with pink blonde half-twin tails.
Her light brown eyes are impressive.
She is slightly taller than me.
Her race is Witch.
Third.
A girl with deep orange hair in pigtails and green eyes.
She seems to have a really dazed atmosphere and looks sleepy.
With a gentle impression, she is notably taller than me.
Her race is Cat Beastkin.
Last.
A girl with brown ombre long hair and deep brown eyes.
Her aura is both gentle and lively.
She’s tall and well-endowed.
Her race is Human… but she is definitely not a child of the lower world.
Chosen by the gods… in the terms of the lower world, she is a Saint.
Of course, if we talk in terms of Mystique, I am literally a ‘god,’ so there’s a difference in rank.
To put it bluntly, children from the lower world and these girls are all the same to me.
But in the end, this is the lower world.
The distinctions of Mystique and divine powers mean nothing here…
To children from the lower world, these girls and I would certainly all belong to the same Mystique category.
“Then since everyone is gathered, shall we start with simple introductions?”
The one who started the conversation was the angel girl.
Taking the lead with ease, she smiled gently and slightly tilted her head.
“My name in Japanese is Komachi Yuyika. I’ll be active under the name Koga Suzuha in Star’s Flow. As you can see, I’m an angel.”
The girl… Suzuha said that and gave a slight flap of her pure white wings behind her.
…So cute.
Angels are truly wonderful.
Those pure white wings, the innocent atmosphere, and her adorable appearance…
Sometimes, there are those from the divine realm who wander into the angelic realm just because they want to meet an angel.
Of course, every time they do that, they get severely scolded by the archangels.
Being expelled with remarks like, “No matter how divine you are, randomly wandering into the angelic realm is a threat to balance!”
Well, the ones who do that usually find those appearances cute anyway.
“Hmm. Even though you all are younger than me, I hope you don’t feel burdened and treat me comfortably. You can call me sister.”
“Pfft!”
“Huh? Is there a problem?”
“Ah, n-no… it’s just that something got caught in my throat for a moment.”
“I see. Anyway, let’s all get along well from now on.”
If Suzuha were a normal child of the lower world, she’d probably have quickly realized I was a god.
Children from the lower world generally have no connection to Mystique.
No matter how much I try to conceal it, parts of my divine aura would slip out.
But these girls here are all familiar with Mystique.
Thus, they likely wouldn’t even notice the tiny bits of my divine nature that leak out.
Looking at how the other three aren’t reacting, it seems they all view me as a regular child of the lower world.
What kind of reaction would they have when I reveal my true identity later on…
Just thinking about it is enjoyable.
“Now, let’s move on to me…”
Next to speak was the witch girl.
“Ahak! My name in Japanese is Akasaki Sakura! I’ll be active under the name Akabane Yukari in Star’s Flow! You can tell just from my overflowing magical energy that I’m a world-famous Scarlet Witch!”
Whoa… That’s some serious middle school syndrome.
Those who act like that in the divine realm would have been teased for at least 500 years.
But then again, many witch characters out there tend to have that kind of personality, so it would be the standard way for them to act.
And there are many gods who actually like that spirited demeanor.
“Then… it’s my turn now, but I’m feeling a bit sleepy…”
Next was the cat beastkin.
“My name in Japanese is Hagiwara Ruka… Here, I’ll be using the name Aki Nekoto. I’m not sure about this ‘Nekoto’ name, but I think I’ll probably instinctively call myself Ruka, which scares me. Keep it easy for me.”
Her perked cat ears look so tempting; I want to touch them but can’t figure out how to.
Beastkin’s ears are incredibly sensitive, so you can’t touch them unless you’re someone very close to them.
…Hmm. For a while, let’s make it my goal to befriend that cat beastkin… Nekoto.
Not that I know whether I can do that.
“Now it’s my turn! I’m Utakawa Ren! I’ll be using the name Utsumi Ayaka in Star’s Flow. I’ve been active as a teacher in the Starlight Cult in the other world! Nice to meet you!”
…Just by that introduction, I could tell.
This girl, Ayaka, is the most popular one I’ve ever met in the lower world.
She’s the kind of person I could never get close to in my lifetime.
Just coming near her could melt me away….
As a Water Avatar, I could technically melt away just by approaching her…
Why is there such a social butterfly among my fellow newcomers?
Could it be that Renka had some ill feelings toward me?
“Ughhh…”
“Um… It’s your turn now…”
“Eeeek…!”
As I despaired at that realization, Suzuha tapped my hand lightly.
W-What a surprise.
As I shrank away and turned my gaze, Suzuha was looking at me with an awkward smile.
No, to be precise, all my fellow newcomers were looking at me.
Ah, I see. It’s my turn.
“I-I am… Kayanoh Mina. Here, I will be using the name Kainoh Izumi. I-I beg you to treat me well…”
I finished my self-introduction like that.
With this, surely I can get rid of that absurd nickname, “Hikikomori NEET Loli Big Breasts Avatar.”
A god who can proudly introduce herself before people can’t possibly be called a hikikomori neet, right?
“So, you’re Izumi.”
“So cute…!”
“Eeeek?!”
And the girl I thought I would never get close to, Ayaka, was already hugging me from behind.
Then she started nuzzling her cheek against mine.
Isn’t this a bit too intimate for meeting someone for the first time?!
“Uwaaa….”
“Izumi! Are you perhaps shy? Do you want to live with big sis? I’ll take care of you for life!”
Who’s the big sis here?!
I’ve lived at least a few thousand years longer than you!
Trying to push Ayaka away, I found myself utterly powerless in this form due to my inability to use divine powers.
In the end, despite my best efforts, I couldn’t shake her off, and all I could do was hang limply in her grasp.
“Uwaaa….”
…Still, none of these girls seem to be dull.
They are all bright, kind girls.
Given that I am now as weak as a girl from the lower world without divine powers, I’m really glad to meet such nice girls.
So let’s allow this skinship for now.
“Then we have one Mystique and one from the lower world, huh. It might be a bit burdensome for Izumi.”
“Huh? I’m a human too!”
“Ren… no, Ayaka. You’re not an ordinary human either.”
“…Well, that’s true!”
“Then Izumi is the youngest…”
But no matter what, I cannot accept that.
“Uggggh! Who’s the youngest?!”
“Huh? Izumi?!”
Even if Suzuha is an angel, she has to be at least a thousand years younger than me!
I won’t accept being treated like the youngest!
“I’m not young enough to be treated like the youngest! In the first place, I’m the oldest here!”
“Eh? But Izumi is… a human, right? The other three can be, but saying you’re older than me…”
“Who are you calling a child of the lower world?! I never once mentioned such a thing!”
“…Children of the lower world?”
The first one to react to my words was Yukari.
That’s because saying “children of the lower world” is only said by one type of person.
Normal “Mystiques” tend to refer to them as “Children of the lower world.”
“Could it be that Izumi…”
“That’s right! I’m not a child of the lower world! I’m a god!”
At that statement, I released a tiny bit of my divine aura.
When I asked Renka about it, she said it was fine to reveal a little divine aura to prove one’s identity.
Of course, normally no one would ever dare impersonate a god, but occasionally there are those fools who do so.
“W-Wait a moment? Is that really true?!”
As soon as I released my divine aura, the expressions of the four of them stiffened instantly.
It would only make sense that the one they were just about to pamper as the youngest would shockingly be a god.
“C-Could you tell me what god you belong to?”
The first to speak was Suzuha.
She seemed to have some knowledge about the divine due to being an angel.
And since I am a Water Avatar, my divine aura and powers are somewhat stronger than general gods or avatars, so she must have felt a familiar feeling when I briefly released my divine aura.
“Water Avatar.”
“M-Mock… Water Avatar?! Then could it be… the, the….”
“Shh. Don’t say that name.”
That name is currently borrowed by someone else now.
“Phew…”
Anyway, after shouting all that, my excited mind calmed down a bit.
…But wait a minute.
Did I just yell about being a god to kids I met for the first time?
A-A-ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!
I’ll surely be bullied because of this…!
“Did you see that brat who came here as a god?”
“That’s such a downer~.”
“Totally agree….”
“That’s ridiculous. Just looking at her, she seems like she’d lose to the kids in a fight.”
For sure, I would hear remarks like that…!
“Ugggh…”
It’s over.
My company life is doomed…
“Uuuuu…. W-What should I do…”
As I wrapped my head in despair while snuggled in Ayaka’s arms.
“So cute!!!”
“Whaaa?!”
For some reason, Ayaka squeezed me tightly again with extraordinary strength.
“What are you doing?!”
“But Izumi, you’re just too cute! Let’s really live together!”
“Y-You idiot! I just said I’m a g-g-g-god! I’m not your little sister! I should be respected by you…!”
“Eh? But we’re in the lower world, right?”
…Huh?
“Izumi, you can’t use your divine powers or any kind of force, can you? So isn’t it okay to think of you as my little sister? Just looking at your appearance, anyone would see you as my little sister, right? You’re the youngest! Just look at Suzuha, she does look younger, but you can realize she’s an angel because of her wings… but you have none.”
“…I suppose that’s true.”
“That’s a reasonable argument.”
Don’t accept that, you guys!!!
I am a god, dammit?! How dare you disrespect me?!
“Ayaka… if you keep holding Izumi like that…”
Despite that, the angel Suzuha seemed to be trying to stop Ayaka from doing that…
“What’s it like?”
Huh?
“It’s super warm and feels nice. It’s like holding a little kid… It also has a sweet fragrance.”
“Then I too….”
“D-Don’t come any closer…!”
I tried to scream at the top of my lungs to stop them.
“Whaaa?!”
But no one listened to me.