Just A Normal Guy In A World Of Idols (Hololive Friend SI)

Chapter 1

"Kid, could you please go help out in the front!" A tired voice echoed through the hallway into the worn-out break room. Although there were no employees of that age, he was referring to one person staring into space.

"Yeah, old man," I shouted into the void as I snapped and moved up from my cozy stool in the break room. Looks like the pack in my pocket won't be used right now.

Stepping out to the now quiet front of the cafe, I was met by the charming individual waiting behind the counter while Tamao man the registers, whose glare can light up a forest with just one look.

The grumpy old man beckoning me was Tensei Hiroshi, somewhere in his late sixties or early seventies, with black hair flecked with white at the tips, stood there in his usual faded navy-green button-up shirt, always ironed and tucked into his pants no matter the weather. Despite his hard front, I knew he cared about me.

After all, who else would have shown me a gaijin like me who appeared out of nowhere with compassion, offered me a job, and allowed me to rent one of his apartments after my accident? Even if he shouts to high heaven if I don't stop then he kicks me out of the apartment.

He probably did it out of pity...

The cafe he owned was a small place on the outskirts of Tokyo, with only a few customers scattered throughout, lost in their laptops or smartphones—just the usual crowd of salesmen and college students. It was the only job I could do with my background and being familiar with working in a cafe in my old life.

I greeted him warmly, letting my smile melt away the tiredness in my body. "Hey old man, what do you need now?"

"I need you to toss some trash in the back," Tensei said, pointing to the bin that resembled a volcano on the brink of eruption. Glancing at the overflowing bin before turning back to Tensei, I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow in response.

"Come on, old man. Why can't Tamao handle it?" I asked sweetly, hoping to lighten the mood with a smile. As said brown brown-haired girl was humming to some random idol song while ringing a customer up. Tensei's frown deepened and look like he was going to have some creative words for me. However, a rough chuckle escaped him, a fleeting glimpse of joy flickering across his seasoned features.

"Tamao's good with numbers, not trash. Besides, you could use the exercise for smoking all those death sticks," he replied gruffly.

"Please make smart choices, Walker, for my sake," he said before retreating into his office. I watched him go, fully aware of his concern.

"Could you not smoke in the break room?" Tamao's voice broke away from humming another generic idol song, her green eyes staring at me with playful annoyance. She was always quick to criticize my habits, trying to pressure me into looking like a delinquent in front of our customers. The joke was on her; I didn't judge her for her habits.

"Come on, Tamao," I replied with a sheepish grin, pulling out a cigarette from the pack in my pocket. "You know I try to keep it outside as much as possible."

She rolled her eyes, but there was a flicker of understanding in her gaze. "Just don't let Hiroshi-san catch you sneaking a smoke in the break room again," she warned.

"It's hard to think straight when the room feels like a sauna!"

her voice softening slightly. I feel as though my sister has returned to criticize me and my life choices once again. he can't throw me out since I do my job and help pay for the upkeep of the cafe through my hard-earned rent money

"The old man needs to relax about me. I am older and more reasonable than you. Don't forget about yourself and your little idol habit." I ended with a sneer. If she is ready to pull that card against me, I might spill her little secret about where some of her tuition goes.