Behind the screen

Meet-and- greet

As Yuki and her friends reached the front of the line, the energy around them was palpable. Pluto, Starlet, and Jazz could hardly contain their excitement as they approached the table where Kodzuken was seated, signing autographs and chatting with fans.

Yuki was mentally preparing herself to meet the enigmatic streamer her friends idolized. She had seen him online before but had never paid much attention. Now, standing just a few feet away, she found herself unexpectedly curious.

When they finally stepped up to the table, Yuki's eyes widened in shock. Sitting there, with his trademark hoodie and a mischievous smile, was the same guy she had bumped into at the party and seen around the tournament. It was the guy who had been rude to her, the one who had sparked arguments and frustration.

"Kodzuken," Jazz said, practically vibrating with excitement, "it's such an honor to meet you!"

The guy looked up, his expression shifting from a practiced smile to something more genuine as he greeted Jazz. "Hey, thanks for coming out. Glad you could make it."

Yuki stood frozen, her mind racing. She couldn't believe what she was seeing. This guy, the one who had been nothing but a nuisance to her, was Kodzuken? She felt a wave of confusion and disbelief. How could someone who seemed so unpleasant in person be so adored by millions online?

Pluto and Starlet eagerly handed over their items for him to sign, chatting animatedly about their favorite streams and moments. Yuki remained silent, her eyes fixed on Kodzuken as she tried to process the situation.

Then, Kodzuken's gaze shifted to her. For a brief moment, his eyes widened, clearly recognizing her. His expression quickly returned to the friendly persona he maintained for his fans, but Yuki could see a flicker of something else—annoyance, perhaps, or maybe even curiosity.

"Hey," he said to her, his tone neutral. "I think I've seen you around."

Yuki's throat tightened. "Yeah, we've... bumped into each other a couple of times," she managed to say, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her.

Her friends were too engrossed in their conversation with Kodzuken to notice the tension between them. Yuki felt a mix of emotions—anger at the rude encounters, confusion at the revelation, and an unexpected curiosity about this guy who led such a double life.

As they finished their meet and greet, Kodzuken signed their items and posed for a quick photo. Yuki stood next to him, trying to keep her expression neutral, but she could feel his eyes on her, as if he was trying to figure out what she was thinking.

"Thanks for coming," he said, his voice friendly but with an edge that only she seemed to notice.

"Sure," Yuki replied, stepping back with her friends. As they walked away, she couldn't help but glance back at Kodzuken. The mystery surrounding him had only deepened, and she knew that this was far from over.