On the other side of the screen, nearly a hundred viewers were waiting for me. In the darkened room, the computer display was like a gateway to another world. The familiar streaming software on the screen showed a list of scenes, a list of sources, the audio mixer, and an image of the stream. In a corner of the screen, the time remaining counted down second by second. There were still two minutes remaining until the start of the stream.


    “… Phew.”


    I looked at the remaining time and breathed deeply. I’ve been streaming for about … half a year now? I had tried to avoid getting involved with other people, but it has been half a year since I started interacting with people over the internet. Thanks to that, I’ve gotten quite used to talking to other people. I’m rarely at a loss for words anymore, and I’ve even started to attract some regular listeners. Even so, this feeling of nervousness right before the stream starts never changes. That’s why──


    “… Okay.”


    ──like always, I began my “routine”. I quickly organized my desk, and placed things in their designated places one by one. The streaming equipment and accessories in their rightful places almost felt like reassuring friends protecting me.


    After completing the routine, I performed a final status check1.


    “… Mic OK, headphones OK, application OK, tea OK. Hmm … Throat also OK.”


    ──With that, my preparations were complete.


    By the time I looked at the clock, there were less than ten seconds until the start of the stream. The number of people waiting for the stream had reached 150. It was time to get started.


    “Okay …”


    I reached for the mouse and took a deep breath. And then──


    “… Start”


    With my index finger, I started the stream.


    ──Now, let’s talk about love again tonight.


    Translator Notes:


    1. The original text uses 指さし確認, which refers to pointing and calling. I don’t think that term is used often colloquially so I replaced it.