This is a place that's always full of energy. A cheerful office where the singing and dancing VTuber Beat Mario and his friends gather.
Beat Mario is the boss of the doujin music circle Cool&Create. He's a singer famous for Touhou arrangements. His Live2D body was specially made based on his beloved wife. That's why 'I love my wife' is his catchphrase, his morning greeting is 'Konyome,' and his evening greeting is 'Otsuyome.' He doesn't use a voice changer and uses his natural voice. He's easyg
Beat Mario and Friends' Hilarious Daily Life - Kon'yome! ~The Laid-Back Sports Festival Begins~
Good morning, my wife!
A cheerful voice echoed through the morning streaming booth.
Illustrations covered the entire wall. In the center, smiling gently, was a Live2D character of a woman with black hair reaching her shoulders. It was a one-of-a-kind avatar modeled after Beat Mario's beloved wife.
She's so cute today too... I love my wife so much.
Mario narrowed his deep brown eyes dreamily as he gazed at the wall. He lightly swept back his short black hair, making the headphones around his neck sway. His casual outfit of a white T-shirt and jeans was his usual pre-stream style.
This was the third floor of a certain building in Tokyo. The streaming booth of "Cool and Create," a doujin music circle and VTuber agency. A soundproofed four-and-a-half tatami mat room. No windows. But to Mario, it was the most calming place in the world.
Alright, let's go with my real voice again today. Don't need any voice changer. This voice of mine is what makes everyone smile.
Mario lightly tapped the mic and began his final checks for the stream.
That's when it happened.
Knock, knock.
A modest knock echoed.
Mario-san, are you in?
A clear voice, yet somehow businesslike.
Oh, Amane-chan. Come on in.
Click.
The door opened, and a girl stepped inside.
Long, purple-tinted hair tied in two low pigtails. Her silver, narrow eyes held a cold, sharp glint. She stood at 152 centimeters—small in stature, but her posture was perfectly straight. A black cardigan over a checkered skirt. She carried an air of composure that belied her fourteen years.
Cool and Create's vice president, Amane.
You were staring at the wall illustrations again. Is your stream prep going well?
She narrowed her silver eyes and fixed Mario with a sharp look.
Whoops, caught me. Man, my wife's just too cute. I can't help but get lost in her.
I've heard that many times.
Amane let out a small sigh.
More importantly, please look at this.
She held out the envelope in her hands toward Mario.
A cream-colored envelope. On the back was a sticker reading "V-Festa Executive Committee."
...What's this?
Mario took the envelope, flipping it over and back.
It's an invitation to the VTuber Agency Showdown! Laid-Back Sports Festival. We got one last year too.
Oh! That thing!
Mario's face lit up.
That was so fun! Last year's ball toss was insane. Even though I didn't get a single ball in.
That's not something to brag about.
Amane continued matter-of-factly.
This year's event is on October 22nd. The location is Riverside Plaza along the Tama River. The events are ball toss, bread-eating race, and scavenger hunt. The grand prize is apparently a giant trophy-shaped body pillow.
A giant trophy-shaped body pillow!? I want that! I definitely want that! I mean, it's a body pillow! And trophy-shaped on top of that. That's the best!
Mario's eyes sparkled. His fang peeked out.
But that smile quickly froze.
He looked at the date written on the registration form inside the envelope once more.
October 22nd.
...Huh?
Did I have something that day?
A calendar flipped rapidly through Mario's mind.
And then he remembered.
October 22nd was the day of an important promise with his wife.
...Ah.
Mario's face grew visibly pale.
Mario-san?
Amane tilted her head.
U-um, Amane-chan. When did this arrive?
This morning. Tsumugi-san brought it in from the mailbox.
Tsumugi-san did... Ah, I see...
A thin layer of sweat formed on Mario's forehead.
This is bad.
What do I do?
October 22nd was a day he absolutely couldn't free up.
But no—he was looking forward to the sports festival too. Last year was so much fun, and everyone wanted to participate.
His mind spun in circles.
Unaware of Mario's state, Amane continued.
Twelve agencies are participating. Four more than last year. Since Cool and Create participated last year, if we don't show up this year, strange rumors will start.
Rumors? What kind?
For example, "Cool and Create ran away," or "Mario-san is actually bad at sports, so he's not showing up."
Bad at sports!? No, well... yeah, I mean, that's true, but—
Mario's shoulders slumped.
Then another voice chimed in.
Oh my, what are we talking about? I'd love to join in~
Turning around, a woman with a jade-green short bob stood at the entrance of the streaming booth.
Golden, drooping eyes. Smiling warmly. She stood at 165 centimeters. A loose white knit sweater over a long skirt. At first glance, she had a soft, fluffy aura—but deep within those golden eyes, something sharp gleamed.
Mario-san's manager, Tsumugi.
Tsumugi-san, good morning.
Amane gave a polite bow.
Good morning, Amane-chan. So, is this about the sports festival?
Tsumugi smiled as she glanced at the envelope.
Yes. Mario-san looked at the date and froze for some reason.
Oh my, oh my.
Tsumugi approached Mario.
Her golden eyes peered intently into his face.
Mario-san, what's wrong? You look pale, you know?
Eh? Ah, no, it's nothing. Just... a bit bright in here.
Bright?
Like, the morning sun. You know. Even though there's no window. Just... the vibe.
Mario stammered.
Tsumugi blinked for a moment, then grinned.
Hmm. Well, whatever. So, about the sports festival—we're participating, right?
Uh, well...
Last year was fun, and the viewers are looking forward to it. Plus, you know. The grand prize is a body pillow, right? Mario-san, you love body pillows, don't you?
Body pillow! Yes, body pillow! A giant trophy-shaped body pillow! It's the best!
Mario's eyes lit up.
But they quickly clouded over.
October 22nd.
His wife's smiling face surfaced in his mind.
That day, he had promised to go out with his wife, just the two of them.
...But, that day, I, uh, have plans...
Mario muttered under his breath.
Plans? Did you have something scheduled?
Amane immediately pulled out her smartphone.
I manage all of Mario-san's schedule. On October 22nd, your morning is free. Your afternoon is open too. Nothing is scheduled until night.
No, it's not a work thing... it's more like, private...
Mario hung his head.
He gently pinched the edge of the envelope with his fingertips.
Private? Ah, plans with your wife?
Straight to the point.
Bwuh!?
Mario choked.
H-how did you know?
When Mario-san can't bring himself to mention his plans, it's almost always related to his wife. I've analyzed this from past data.
Amane said it flatly.
Oh my, as expected. Mario-san, you have a promise with your wife, don't you?
Tsumugi grinned.
Her golden eyes sparkled mischievously.
Hey, Mario-san. Why don't you just invite your wife to the sports festival?
...Eh?
Mario stared blankly.
Invite your wife to the sports festival venue. That way, you keep your promise and you can participate in the festival. Two birds with one stone.
Th-that's...
Mario's words caught in his throat.
My wife... she's really bad with crowds...
Mario hung his head and spoke in a small voice.
And besides, that day, I wanted to, you know, spend it quietly, just the two of us...
Oh my, how lovey-dovey.
Tsumugi giggled.
But in that case, the solution is simple: move your plans.
Amane pulled the registration form out of the white envelope.
Mario-san, please move your promise with your wife to a different day. Then there's no problem. The sports festival date cannot be changed, after all.
No, wait. Amane-chan, hold on...
Mario waved both hands.
That promise—it has to be that day.
Why is that?
Th-that's...
Mario trailed off.
...I can't say it.
How important October 22nd was to his wife.
Even though they were his colleagues, he felt it wasn't something to casually share.
Anyway, that day—just that day—I can't.
Mario hung his head and spoke in a voice so faint it nearly disappeared.
The air in the streaming booth froze.
Amane stared at Mario with silver eyes. Tsumugi stared at Mario with golden eyes. Mario looked back and forth between their faces.
Silence.
That's when it happened.
Bzzzzzzzt.
Static crackled from the speakers.
...Chapter 1 has begun.
A low voice, somehow amused, of unknown origin.
Oh? Mario-san, you're not looking well? My, my, what a turbulent start to our story.
It's Nazo no Koe-san again...
Amane let out a deep sigh.
Amane-chan, how cruel. I am the self-proclaimed partner of Mario-san, in charge of narration. I work day and night to make this story more exciting, you know.
Could you stop commentating without permission?
I will not.
Nazo no Koe said it flatly.
Because, right now, Mario-san is making a very interesting face, isn't he? So, Mario-san. What will you do about the promise with your wife?
H-how do you even know about that?
Mario turned toward the speaker.
I am in charge of narration, after all. I have access to all information in this story. Yes—the synopsis, the ending, I know everything. But I won't tell, you know? Spoilers are against the rules.
What is that? Then just stay quiet from the start.
Tsumugi glared at the speaker.
Tsumugi-san, how scary. But if I go silent, this story will lose its narrator. And wouldn't that be a problem for Mario-san?
Not really.
Mario muttered.
Ouch, how harsh. Well, no matter. At any rate, Mario-san—you can dodge it now, but eventually, the time will come when you must decide. Well then, until next time.
Bzzzzzzzt.
The static faded.
Silence returned to the streaming booth.
...It's nothing! Come on, the sports festival is fun, right! I'm definitely getting at least one ball in this year!
Mario forced a smile.
But that smile was unnaturally twisted.
Amane and Tsumugi watched him, saying nothing.
They simply exchanged a quiet glance.
Evening.
Left alone in the streaming booth, Mario stared at his phone.
The lock screen showed a photo of him and his wife together.
A picture of the two of them laughing in some park.
His wife leaned against Mario's shoulder, smiling shyly.
Mario gently traced the photo with his finger.
...What should I do?
Mario muttered.
I want to see my wife. That day, I absolutely want to see her. But everyone's looking forward to the sports festival too. Last year was so fun, and I want to participate together again this year. Both are important to me.
His voice trembled.
Amane-chan and Tsumugi-san both tried to help me. And yet I couldn't tell them the real reason. I dodged it. I ran away. How pathetic...
Mario grabbed his own hair.
On the wall of the streaming booth hung the Live2D illustration of his wife.
Her smile seemed tinted with the colors of the sunset.
My wife... or my friends... Both are precious, so I can't choose. I can't choose.
Mario's voice quietly faded into the dark soundproofed room.
That day ended just like that.
The next morning.
Cool and Create's shared space.
A whiteboard hung on the wall of the twelve-tatami-mat room.
On it were the streaming schedule and Amane's meticulous handwriting.
And Soyo's weather forecast memo.
"Next week will be sunny. But the week after might rain. Bring an umbrella."
As always, a strange memo.
Mario opened the fridge and took out the rice ball his wife had made for him.
The scent of kombu gently wafted through the air.
...Mm, delicious.
Mario took a bite of the rice ball.
Just then, Tsumugi poked her head in.
Good morning, Mario-san. Well then, I'm off to submit our sports festival registration~
Eh?
Mario's hand stopped.
Amane-chan told me that Mario-san would figure out the thing with his wife. So I'll just go ahead and submit the registration first.
Tsumugi smiled cheerfully.
W-wait a second. I haven't decided anything yet...
Mario panicked, rice ball in hand.
But there's no time to decide. The registration deadline is this weekend. Everyone's looking forward to Mario-san participating.
Tsumugi's golden eyes gazed at Mario.
Me, Amane-chan, Soyo-chan. And the viewers too.
Mario was at a loss for words.
...Eh, ah, yeah...
Mario nodded, mumbling.
Well, I'm off. Oh, Soyo-chan said she's coming by later. She wants to talk about the weather. Looking forward to it.
Tsumugi wa
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