Alpha stared at the wall monitor, watching as the chat slowly faded away, along with the background that she had used for the song. The broken city reclaimed by mother nature, the skyscrapers covered in green moss and ivy. All of it vanished, replaced by a reflection of the streaming studio.
Alfi was standing there, tears still glistening on her cheeks.
Seeing that, Alpha smiled and brushed them off, shaking her head. Staring at Alfi, she gently placed her hands over her chest and said, "Thank you, Alfi. For letting me be you."
The silver-haired young woman smiled back. But she didn't respond. Of course she couldn't. After all, the person standing behind the monitor there didn't exist. Even so, watching the cool young woman who looked similar to herself, Alpha still felt like she could hear her respond. That she could hear a faint voice echo in her heart of hearts.
'And thank you, Alpha. For helping Papa and bringing me to life.'
Alpha's smile widened. But then she decided to turn away. Now that the stream was over, it was time to face the results.
How did she do? Were they disappointed? What did Papa think? And Beta? And Rin? And even Asako?
With a quick deep breath to calm herself, Alpha spun around and said, "H-How did I do?"
Silence.
Alpha blinked and quickly realized the cause of that silence.
In her spot on the chair in the corner, Beta had lowered her head, hiding her eyes beneath her crimson bangs. There were also a few wet drops on her laptop.
At the opposite corner, sitting on the bed, Asako covered her face with her right hand, her shoulders quietly moving with silent sobs.
Rin, who had managed to arrive a few minutes before the stream started, was seated next to John at the central desk. She was using Alpha's laptop to interact with the chat and watch the stream. But that had been long forgotten. Instead, her gaze was raised, staring at Alpha with watery eyes and a bright smile.
And then there was John. Alpha's father.
Like the others, he was silent. But unlike the others, his face was inscrutable. A blank expression, somewhat intimidating.
When Alpha met his gaze, she tensed. Instinctively, she wondered if she had done something wrong.
John stood up without a word and walked over.
Alpha tensed and lowered her head. "S-Sorry, Papa. I didn't... I did poorly, didn't I? I knew I should have picked a different-"
Before she could finish, a pair of firm and warm arms embraced her.
Alpha froze, dazed at the unexpected action. And then she felt it. Soft droplets, splashing against her shoulders. Tears.
Alpha's eyes widened and she looked up.
John was smiling. He was smiling, but he was also crying.
"P-Papa?"
John shook his head. "You did great. No, you've always done a great job, Alphy. I'm proud of you, no matter what. Never forget that, okay?"
Alpha tensed and then her eyes started to tear up again. "Papa..."
John patted Alpha's back and then stepped to the side. But the moment he did, Rin ran over to take his place.
"Nee-chan!" She pulled Alpha in a quick hug.
"R-Rin?!"
Rin stepped back, her eyes wide and with a bright smile. "You did great! Super good! So don't cry, okay? You won't be alone now or in the future!"
"T-Thank you?" Alpha blinked, unsure of how to react with the sudden praise.
"Rin is correct, Eldest Sister." Beta walked over as well, idly brushing away tears from her eyes. With a determined gaze, she looked at Alpha and said, "Even if you have no one else, I will not leave you alone." She smiled and said, "We'll always be together. Okay?"
"B-Beta?" Alpha was flustered and didn't know what to say. She scanned around the room, looking for support and guidance. And by chance she caught Asako walking over.
The Seiryuu Heiress rubbed the back of her neck and said, "Not sure what to say since I'm still new here and all... But cheer up? I didn't think you had it rough too, but it'll get better."
"U-Um..." Alpha's head spun.
Everyone was staring at her with reassuring smiles and bright eyes. There was nothing but encouragement in their gazes.
But why?
Alpha frowned and said, "I'm... grateful for everyone's kind words. But, um... Why is everyone cheering me up? Did I... do that poorly?"
"NO!"
A unanimous shout from all four of them.
Alpha flinched and subconsciously took a step back.
Rin shook her head and then pulled out her phone. "Alpha nee-chan did a wonderful job! Here, let me go to the comments... Ah! See?" She held out her phone to Alpha, showing the comments section on the UTube video.
[melbisbelbis - props to the guy tryna go through the boss rush for the main prize]
[commandergenerals - this is cool!]
[genericuser - No! I missed it! at least I died midway...]
[habidude - ALFI-CHWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNN!!!!!!!!!!!! AAAAAAHHHHH~~~]
[Wkppp - Alfi!! ~I'm melting... Send help!]
[Alvonvo2121 - I want MORE, THANK YOU FOREVER!!!!]
[BenchHunter - SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY.]
[faisale - holy shiet]
[Draconite - Can i sue MirAIs for making me have diabetes?]
Alpha blinked and looked up at Rin. "T-They're... talking about me?"
"Mmhm!" Rin nodded and then navigated to Alfi Titor's home page. "And see? You've already got a hundred thousand subscribers!"
"A-A hundred thousand?! Already?!"
Alpha felt her head spinning.
So many people... But she didn't even do that good. Her intro was messed up, she completely forgot to talk about how she liked pandas, and she even messed up the ending of her song by breaking into tears.
"I-I don't think I deserve that-"
"You do!" Rin cut her off and gave a firm nod. "Nee-chan captured everyone's hearts! And if you keep bringing yourself down like that... I'm going to beat you up, Nee-chan!"
"W-What?"
Beta walked over and lightly smacked Alpha's head with her hand.
"Ow!" Alpha winced and then glared at Beta. "What was that for?!"
"For being silly, Eldest Sister." Beta glanced at Rin and then nodded before turning back to Alpha. "You were terrific."
"...Really?"
"Really."
"...Honestly?"
Beta rolled her eyes. "Honestly, why is it that I seem to be the older one here, Eldest Sister? Did you know that you acting this way has caused Rin to adopt me as her own 'Eldest Sister?'"
"Eh?" Alpha blinked and looked at Rin. "You did?"
Rin nodded. "Mmhm! Eldest Sister is Eldest Sister and Alpha nee-chan is nee-chan! You don't mind, right?"
"N-Not in particular. But..."
"Then it's settled!" Rin smiled and pointed at Alpha. "Alpha is my Nee-chan." She pointed at Beta. "Miss Beta is Eldest Sister. And..." She turned around and pointed at Asako. "Miss Asako is Aneue!"
Asako flinched. "W-What? I-I mean, that's not wrong... B-But Rin, calling me that..."
John chuckled and said, "Enough standing around. This isn't the place for a chat like this." He smiled and looked at Alpha. "How about we head out and celebrate Alfi's debut stream, my eldest daughter? Anything you want."
Alpha's eyes widened. "Really?"
"Of course!"
Beta cleared her throat and then gave John a sideways glance. "Father. Have you already forgotten what occurred the *last* time you took us out to celebrate the debut stream?"
John coughed. "O-Of course not. But don't worry, I'm sure that I haven't upset another young woman out there-" He paused, suddenly going quiet. And then he said, "On second thought, I suppose it wouldn't hurt to be careful. At least for the time being."
Beta nodded. "I thought so."
"I-In any case." John turned back to Alpha and said, "Do you have anything in particular you want to do to celebrate, Alphy?"
"Celebrate...?"
Alpha paused to think.
She... was already happy. Seeing everyone around cheer her up and being in such a warm atmosphere was more than enough for her.
But... if there was one thing she could ask for...
"U-Um... I don't want to make too much of a fuss, Papa. But..." She poked her fingers together and said, "...Would you cook for me?"
John blinked. "Cook? For you?"
Alpha nodded, blushing. "Y-Yes. Nothing too big! But... I think a small party with all of us would be fun."
"Say no more!" John smacked his chest and said, "Leave it to your Papa!"
"Ooh, a party!" Rin smiled and turned towards Alpha. "Then do you want to play some games, Nee-chan? We can play with Eldest Sister and Aneue too!"
Beta smiled. "That would be fun."
"W-Wait." Asako pointed at herself and said, "Me too?"
Beta glanced at her and said, "Of course you are included. After all, you are the next in line to debut."
"Seriously? Mister John, that's a joke, right? Nothing against the business, but... Do I have to?"
John rubbed the back of his neck. "Unfortunately... yes. You signed the contract to be a talent rather than a manager, after all."
"The hell? You mean I had a choice?!"
Beta blushed and looked away.
Asako groaned and covered her face. "Fuck my life..."
Rin's eyes widened. "A-Aneue?!"
Asako coughed. "I didn't say nothing."
Watching everything play out, Alpha smiled and gently placed her hands on her chest.
It was warm. A gentle warmth in her chest, and a soft pulse that reminded her she was alive. That this was reality.
And that was all she could ever ask for.