Pretentious adults claim that since humans have inherent strengths and weaknesses, we should develop our strengths rather than try to fix our weaknesses.
Everyone, get in line and face right. I saw a video on WayTube talking about how we should break away from schooling that aims to create the stereotypical student. And I totally agree.
You see, I’m Gakuto Ikebukuro. An asshole and dropout NEET who struggles with social interaction. I’m no good at the kinds of things they grade you on in school, like studying and sports. Some might ridicule me for my lack of effort, but I’d tell them: Hey, jerks, effort isn’t a skill I have in the first place.
I embrace mediocrity. I live for escapism. My few pleasures in life are eating three square meals a day and gaming with online friends.
And up until this spring, I immersed myself fully in that lazy lifestyle.
However.
June 24. Two months into the school year. I checked the clock, and saw it was eleven PM.
“Ah, Mr. Zeke. It’s about time for me to hit the hay, so I’m logging off now,” I said.
“What, again, Lord Gaku-Gaku?”
Through my headphones, I heard the man sigh with regret. Zeke—an online handle, of course. Real name…unknown. He’s a buddy from the battle-royale FPS game known as EPEX. We play together almost every day, chatting via Wizcode.
“Yeah, well. Tomorrow’s another early day.”
“Hmm. You used to hang out with me all night long. You haven’t been playing much lately.”
“Well, school life is tiring, y’know.”
“Could it be that you plan to abandon me in favor of making the most of your youth, or something like that?”
“Give me a break. I’m not made for that.”
I smiled wryly.
It’s true that I’ve been busy with real life lately, so I’ve been spending less time playing games, but it’s not like people can change that easily.
“And our diva, Seeker, hasn’t been uploading any new videos. I may sink into an ocean of despair. Sob, sob.”
“Cut the fake crying. I’m sure Seeker is just busy, too.”
I rolled my eyes, listening to my online buddy sniffle.
Seeker is the name of a Vsinger, or virtual singer, who posts on the video-hosting site WayTube.
She uses a 2D anime avatar, and neither her real name nor her actual face has been disclosed.
Despite that, I had a pretty good idea of what this Seeker was up to.
That’s because the true identity of Seeker is that of my younger sister, Shiika Ikebukuro. And she’s a fledgling pop star who, starting in the spring this year, has joined me at the private performing arts high school known as Ryouran High.
She’s been busy with school activities, so the frequency of her I Tried Singing videos under her Seeker persona has decreased considerably. Mr. Zeke would no doubt be relieved if I explained the circumstances, but unfortunately, the connection between Shiika and Seeker remains a trade secret. I can’t even tell close friends.
“Well then, it’s about that time.”
“Wait! Don’t leave me! I’m a lonely bachelor!”
“I’m logging off.”
“How horrib—”
I ruthlessly ended the call, ignoring my friend who wailed in a villain’s dying voice.
Sorry, Zeke. Can’t stay up late, not with my new lifestyle.
After a moment of sorrowful reflection, I turned off my PC, got up from my gaming chair, and left the room.
I went straight to the next room over: the room of my sister, Shiika.
When I opened the door, what caught my eye first were the clothes strewn about on the floor.
Roughly rolled-up printouts, a plastic bottle (with a little liquid left at the bottom), and a bag of sweets also lay on the ground.
Immutable proof that one’s habits and personality don’t change even if their life does.
It was a filthy room that embodied the personality of the lazy layabout who was Shiika.
“Can you stop leaving sweets and drinks lying around? It’s so dirty. Oh, how depressing. I’ll have Akiba clean this room, too…”
Akiba—Mana Akihabara—is our maid. Of course, maid is just what I call her in my own mind. I believe in the saying that if you lie a hundred times, it becomes the truth. See, in my own way, I’m working hard.
I’ll do whatever I have to in order to live a comfortable life! That’s my philosophy.
In fact, thanks to Akiba, the environment in our home has improved considerably.
The living room is now clean and tidy, the sink is spotless and shiny, and occasionally she comes to make nutritious dishes, which is just awesome. She’s just a classmate and friend from Ryouran High School, but she takes such good care of us that I sometimes convince myself she really is our maid.
Of course, Akiba wasn’t working for free. She was trying to get Shiika to be in her debt, since among the students in the Music Department at school, Shiika showed great promise. That Akiba, she’s a shrewd businesswoman.
“Hey, Shiika? It’s time for our pre-bedtime arrangement.”
I called out to the closet door.
But there was no response…just silence.
“Tsk, don’t tell me… Again?!”
I had a bad feeling.
Getting impatient, I yanked open the closet door.
“Zzz…”
With headphones on, Shiika was asleep at her desk inside the airtight, self-made recording studio that was practically steaming with the hot humid air of early summer.
She looked so cute and happy, sleeping away… No, never mind that!
“Hey, wake up! It’s time for bed, but you can’t go to sleep yet!”
“Hmm… Hmm? Nyam…”
“You haven’t brushed your teeth yet! Brush your teeth before you go to bed! A pop star’s teeth are everything!”
“Hmm… Ahhh… Zzz.”
I grabbed her shoulders and shook her this way and that. Her long hair fluttered.
“Myam… Gak?”
“Ah! You’re awake, Sis!”