The hololive EN branch building hummed with its usual afternoon energy. The modern facility, with its sleek design and state-of-the-art streaming equipment, had become a second home to the English-speaking idols of the agency. Sunlight streamed through the large windows, illuminating the common areas where several members lounged between their scheduled activities.
In the spacious lobby, Kronii sat on one of the plush couches, scrolling through her phone with an air of cool indifference. Nearby, IRyS practiced vocal runs, her voice echoing softly through the space as she prepared for an upcoming recording session. Bae bounced past them, full of chaotic energy as always, clutching a energy drink and humming one of her original songs.
"Bae, that's your third one today," Kronii commented without looking up from her phone.
"Fourth, actually!" Bae chirped, taking a defiant sip. "I need the power!"
IRyS laughed, shaking her head. "You're going to be bouncing off the walls during the meeting later."
"That's the plan!"
The building's interior was designed with the idols' needs in mind—multiple streaming rooms, a recording studio, a dance practice area, and most importantly, a gaming lounge that had become the unofficial hangout spot. The walls were decorated with promotional posters of various members, and the air always carried a mix of excitement and creativity.
In their respective streaming rooms, the five members of HoloMyth were wrapping up their individual broadcasts.
Mori Calliope leaned back in her gaming chair, adjusting her headset as she addressed her chat. "Alright, dead beats, that's gonna be it for today's stream. Thanks for hanging out while I worked on these new lyrics. I'll catch you guys in the next one—stay cool, stay you." She threw up a peace sign to her camera before ending the stream with a practiced motion.
Down the hall, Takanashi Kiara was in full idol mode, her energetic voice filling her streaming room. "Okay, KFP employees! Time to clock out for today! Remember, work hard, play hard, and don't forget to stay hydrated! Kikkeriki~!" Her signature sign-off came with an enthusiastic wave before she clicked the end stream button.
In another room, Ninomae Ina'nis stretched her arms above her head, her tentacles swaying gently behind her. "Wah... that was a good art stream. Thanks for keeping me company, everyone. I'll see you all next time. Take care!" Her gentle smile remained as she shut down her broadcast.
Watson Amelia adjusted her detective hat, grinning at her camera. "Alright, gumshoes, mystery solved—for now. Same time next week? Maybe. Probably. We'll see. Ame out!" She gave a casual two-finger salute before ending her stream.
Finally, in the smallest streaming room, Gawr Gura was wrapping up a karaoke session. "Thanks for singing with me, shrimps! That was super fun! Remember to brush your teeth and... um... stay sharky? Yeah! A!" She flashed her signature shark-tooth grin before disconnecting.
One by one, the members of HoloMyth emerged from their respective rooms, each looking slightly worn but satisfied with their work. They naturally gravitated toward the lobby, drawn together by the unspoken camaraderie that came from being the first EN generation.
Calli was the first to collapse onto one of the lobby couches, her long legs sprawled out in front of her. She tilted her head back and stared at the ceiling with a deep sigh. "I'm bored..."
"You're always bored," Kiara immediately shot back, settling onto the couch beside her. She crossed her legs elegantly and pulled out her phone. "You literally just finished a three-hour stream."
"Yeah, and now I'm bored," Calli repeated, turning her head to look at Kiara. "That's how it works."
Ina emerged next, still in her comfy streaming hoodie, and claimed an armchair nearby. "Wah... maybe we should find something to do together?"
"I could go for some snacks," Gura announced, appearing from around the corner. Despite being the shortest member, her presence was always immediately noticeable. She hopped over the back of the couch and landed between Calli and Kiara with surprising agility.
"Gura, there's a gap right there you could have walked through," Ame pointed out, gesturing to the obvious space between furniture pieces.
"But where's the fun in that?" Gura stuck her tongue out playfully.
Kiara laughed, reaching over to ruffle Gura's hair. "Never change, shark."
The five of them settled into comfortable chatter, discussing their streams and sharing funny moments from their chats. The atmosphere was relaxed and familiar—the kind of easy dynamic that came from years of working together and becoming genuine friends.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the building, the members of hololive Advent were making their way through the corridors toward the gaming room. The four of them walked together, their conversation animated and full of the energy that characterized their generation.
Shiori Novella led the pack, her novelist persona evident in the way she dramatically gestured as she spoke. "So I told my chat, 'Listen, you can't expect me to remember every single lore detail I've created,' and they just started spamming the timestamps of when I contradicted myself!"
"That's what you get for making your lore so complicated," Koseki Bijou teased, her petite frame somehow radiating confidence. The purple-haired idol had a mischievous glint in her eye.
Nerissa Ravencroft laughed, her elegant demeanor softening with genuine amusement. "At least your chat pays attention to the lore. Mine just keeps asking me to sing."
"Because you have the voice of an angel, obviously," Shiori replied with a knowing smirk.
"Bau bau!" Fuwawa chimed in enthusiastically, her twin pink hair bouncing as she walked.
"Yeah, bau bau!" Mococo echoed, completing her twin's thought as she always did.
The four of them shared a collective laugh. Despite being the newest generation, Advent had quickly found their rhythm together, their personalities complementing each other in unexpected ways.
"So, how did everyone's streams go?" Nerissa asked as they turned down another corridor.
"Pretty good!" Bijou pumped her fist. "I finally beat that boss I've been stuck on. Chat went wild."
"I finished another chapter," Shiori added. "The angst was peak."
"Bau bau success!" Fuwawa announced.
"We played games with our floofballs!" Mococo clarified.
As they approached the gaming room, Bijou suddenly stopped, causing the others to nearly bump into her. She spun around with a grin spreading across her face. "Hey, I just had an idea!"
"Oh no," Shiori said, though her smile suggested she was intrigued.
"We should play some League of Legends! Custom game!" Bijou's eyes sparkled with competitive fire. "I've been practicing, and I think I could take on anyone in this building."
Nerissa raised an eyebrow. "Bold claim, gem girl."
"I'm serious! It would be fun! We could—" Bijou paused, her eyes widening slightly as she spotted the five members of HoloMyth lounging in the nearby lobby. A truly devious idea formed in her mind. "Wait. What if we challenged Myth?"
Shiori's interest was immediately piqued. "Now that could be entertaining."
"Bau bau challenge!" Fuwawa barked excitedly.
"Myth versus Advent!" Mococo added, pumping her fist.
Nerissa crossed her arms, considering. "Do you think they'd be up for it?"
"Only one way to find out," Bijou said, already marching toward the lobby.
The four Advent members approached the Myth corner of the lobby with varying degrees of confidence. Bijou led the charge, her small stature doing nothing to diminish her presence.
"Hey, Myth!" she called out, catching their attention.
Calli lifted her head from the couch back. "Sup, Advent."
"We're heading to the gaming room to play some League," Bijou announced, cutting straight to the point. "Custom game. And we thought—why not make it interesting? HoloMyth versus hololive Advent. What do you say?"
There was a moment of silence as the five Myth members processed the challenge. Then Gura's eyes lit up like someone had just offered her a lifetime supply of Red Bull.
"Oh, you're ON!" the shark idol jumped up from the couch, pointing dramatically at Bijou. "I've been waiting for a chance to show everyone my skills!"
Ame stood up, adjusting her detective hat with a competitive gleam in her eye. "I'm in. Time to show the new generation how it's done."
"Oh, it's the 'new generation' now?" Shiori challenged, her novelistic flair coming through. "Careful, Watson, your dinosaur is showing."
"Hey!"
Kiara laughed, rising gracefully from her seat. "This could be fun! I'm definitely in. Plus, someone needs to keep Calli alive."
"I don't need protecting," Calli grumbled, but she was already standing up, clearly interested despite her cool demeanor. "But yeah, sure. Could be entertaining."
Ina was the last to rise, her expression serene as always. "Wah... a friendly competition sounds nice. Count me in."
"Bau bau! Let's go!" The twins were already heading toward the gaming room, their excitement infectious.
The ten idols made their way to the gaming lounge—a spacious room filled with high-end gaming PCs, comfortable chairs, and multiple monitors. The room had been designed specifically for moments like this, with enough space for all of them to set up comfortably.
The gaming room was impressive by any standard. Ten identical gaming stations were arranged in two rows facing each other, each equipped with top-of-the-line hardware, mechanical keyboards, and professional-grade gaming mice. RGB lighting cast a soft glow throughout the room, and the air conditioning kept everything at the perfect temperature for long gaming sessions.
The idols claimed their seats, Myth on one side and Advent on the other, with friendly trash talk already beginning.
"Prepare to be demolished," Bijou announced confidently as she booted up her PC.
"Big words for someone I could use as a footrest," Calli shot back with a smirk.
"Height jokes? Really?" Gura jumped to Bijou's defense. "That's my thing to be self-conscious about!"
Everyone laughed as they logged into their accounts and set up the custom game. The atmosphere was competitive but friendly—the kind of rivalry that only existed between friends who genuinely enjoyed each other's company.
"Okay, so how are we doing this?" Ame asked, navigating to the custom game lobby. "Draft or blind pick?"
"Blind pick," Bijou decided. "More chaos that way."
"I like how you think," Shiori approved.
The teams joined the lobby, and the champion select screen appeared. This was where strategy met personality, where each idol's preferences and playstyle would shine through.
On the Myth side, Gura was the first to start talking about champion selection. She leaned forward in her chair, her eyes scanning through the available options with laser focus.
"Okay, okay," she muttered, mostly to herself but loud enough for her teammates to hear. "I'm gonna pick someone water-based! This is my moment!"
Kiara rolled her eyes affectionately. "Of course you are."
"Ooh, what about Nami?" Gura's mouse hovered over the Tidecaller.
"She's a support," Ame pointed out.
"Yeah, oh never mind." Gura's mouse moved on, scanning through the options. "I'm gonna pick Fizz! Gonna go jungle!"
"Let me guess," Calli drawled, "because that trickster's got a trident? Yeah, it fits. And he's short too."
"OY!" Gura spun in her chair to glare at Calli, though the smile tugging at her lips betrayed her amusement. "Why does everyone gotta bring up my height today?"
"Because it's funny," Ame supplied helpfully.
"Traitor," Gura muttered, but she locked in Fizz anyway, clearly pleased with her choice.
Calli scrolled through the tank options, her expression thoughtful. "I'm feeling like being a tank today. Someone's gotta be the frontline."
Before she could lock in her choice, Kiara leaned over with a teasing smile, her fingers already hovering over Caitlyn. "Gonna protect me, Calli?"
There was a beat of silence. Calli's face remained impassive, but there was a slight tint of color on her cheeks. "Whatever. Just don't get caught out."
"That's a yes!" Kiara sang, locking in the Sheriff of Piltover.
Ina had been quietly browsing through the champion roster, her expression peaceful as always. When her turn came, she locked in Aurelion Sol without hesitation.
"Ina..." Ame started, her voice filled with concern.
"No..." Gura added, turning to look at their teammate.
"Oooh..." Kiara drew out the word, somewhere between impressed and worried.
"Why though?" Calli asked bluntly.
"Hush," Ina said with a serene smile, her tone allowing no argument. "I like Sol."
"The space dragon is a bold choice," Ame admitted. "Respect, I guess."
"Wah~" Ina's contentment was palpable.
Finally, Ame studied the remaining options for her role. She needed someone who could get in, cause disruption, and get out. A fighter would do nicely. After a moment's consideration, she locked in her choice with a satisfied nod.
On the Advent side, champion select was equally entertaining.
Shiori cracked her neck from side to side, a smirk playing on her lips as she browsed through the mage roster. "Time to remind everyone why you don't mess with a novelist who knows all the plot twists."
She locked in her mage choice with dramatic flair, clearly ready to control the battlefield with zone control and poke damage.
Nerissa, meanwhile, was hovering over Ahri, the Nine-Tailed Fox. Her choice was perhaps the most predictable one possible.
"Really, Nerissa?" Shiori didn't even look over. "The fox waifu? Could you be any more on brand?"
"She's elegant, she's powerful, and she's beautiful," Nerissa defended, though she was already moving her mouse away. "What's not to love?"
"We have two mages now," Bijou pointed out. "We need balance."
"Ugh, fine." Nerissa scrolled to a different section and locked in Riven, the Exile. "I'll go exp lane then. Hope you appreciate my sacrifice."
"Your sacrifice is noted and appreciated," Shiori said solemnly.
Bijou had been waiting for this moment. Her fingers flew across the keyboard as she locked in Yasuo without a moment's hesitation. "Time to show these senpais what's up."
"Yasuo jungle?" Ame called from across the room. "That's... actually pretty creative."
"I've got a special build," Bijou replied mysteriously. "Just wait."
Finally, the demon dog twins made their selections. Fuwawa carefully chose a tank support, something that could peel and protect while setting up plays. Mococo, naturally, went for a marksman champion that could deal consistent damage from range.
"Bau bau ready!" they announced in unison.
"This team comp is either genius or disaster," Shiori observed. "I'm excited to find out which."
The loading screen appeared, showing both team compositions. In the lobby chat, there were a few final messages:
GawrGura: get ready to lose >:3
KosekiBijou: big words from a small shark
MoriCalliope: can we just start already
ShioriNovella: the anticipation is half the fun
TakanashiKiara: may the best generation win!
NerissaRavencroft: it will be us, obviously
NinomaeInanis: wah... good luck everyone
WatsonAmelia: no mercy
Fuwawa: bau bau!
Mococo: bau bau!!
Then the game loaded, and the Summoner's Rift appeared on all their screens. The familiar terrain, the three lanes, the jungle paths—all of it ready to become a battleground between friends.
"Alright, everyone knows their roles?" Ame asked, taking on the unofficial shotcaller position for Myth.
"Born ready," Gura replied, already moving her Fizz toward the jungle.
"Let's show them what the first generation can do," Kiara added.
On the other side of the room, Bijou was giving similar encouragement. "Remember, early aggression. Don't let them settle into their comfort zones."
"Bau bau aggressive!" Fuwawa barked.
The game timer started counting down: 0:15... 0:10... 0:05...
And then they were off.
The first few minutes of any League match were crucial, and this game was no exception. Both teams spread out across the map, heading to their respective positions.
Gura's Fizz started at the bottom-side jungle, her movements efficient as she cleared the camps. "Okay, smooth clear so far. This is going great!"
In the top lane, Ame and Nerissa faced off, both cautiously farming minions while eyeing each other for any opening. The tension was palpable.
"Come on, Watson," Nerissa called across the room. "Are you just going to farm, or are we going to make this interesting?"
"Oh, you want interesting?" Ame's eyes gleamed behind her glasses.
What happened next could only be described as organized chaos. Ame's champion suddenly lunged forward, abilities flying. Nerissa responded in kind, and within seconds, both champions were locked in an intense duel. Health bars dropped rapidly as both players went all-in, completely committed to the fight.
"AME, IT'S LEVEL 2!" Kiara shrieked from mid lane.
"I KNOW WHAT I'M DOING!" Ame shouted back.
"DO YOU THOUGH?" Calli questioned.
The exchange was brutal and fast. Both champions traded blow for blow until finally, simultaneously, they fell.
First Blood!
An enemy has been slain!
1-1.
"BRO, IT'S JUST EARLY GAME!" Gura's voice echoed through the gaming room, a mix of disbelief and amusement.
"The violence!" Kiara exclaimed, though she was laughing.
Ina, calmly last-hitting minions in the mid lane, let out a soft giggle. "Wah... we're off to an interesting start."
On the Advent side, Shiori was cackling. "That's what I'm talking about! Setting the tone early!"
"Both of you are ridiculous," Bijou muttered, but she was smiling as she cleared her jungle camps.
The aggressive start set the pace for the entire early game. Both teams played with an unusual intensity, each member determined to prove themselves against their generational rivals.
Gura finished clearing her bottom jungle and started moving toward the top side. As she approached, her shark senses tingled—something felt off. She cautiously moved into the river, and that's when she saw her.
Bijou's Yasuo, trying to sneak through the top-side jungle.
"Eh," Gura vocalized her surprise.
"A!" Bijou responded, equally startled.
For a split second, neither moved. Then, as if by mutual agreement, they both lunged at each other.
"BIJOU IN TOP JUNGLE! BIJOU IN TOP JUNGLE!" Gura called out to her team, her fingers flying across her keyboard as Fizz and Yasuo traded abilities.
Ina heard the call and smoothly rotated from mid lane. "That was her biggest mistake," she said with uncharacteristic confidence, her Aurelion Sol gliding toward the skirmish.
Bijou saw Ina incoming and her eyes widened. "AAAAH! HELP! SHIORI, NERISSA, SOMEONE!"
But the backup didn't arrive in time. The 2v1 was swift and decisive.
An enemy has been slain!
"Wah, Got her," Ina said simply, already returning to her lane as if nothing had happened.
"Wah, indeed," Calli commented appreciatively.
Bijou groaned in her seat, respawning back at the fountain. "Okay, that was embarrassing."
"It's fine, it's fine," Shiori reassured her. "It's still early. We can come back from this."
The early game continued with both teams trading advantages. Minions fell, gold accumulated, and experience was gained. Despite the chaotic start, both teams were playing surprisingly well.
As the game progressed into the mid game, the real strategy began to reveal itself. Both teams had champions coming online with their power spikes, and objectives became increasingly important.
"We need to start making plays," Ame announced to her team, pinging the top-lane tower. "That tower is low. Let's pressure it."
"On it," Calli responded, her tank champion lumbering up toward the top lane.
But Advent had similar ideas. Nerissa had successfully pressured the bottom lane, and with Fuwawa and Mococo's coordination, they had whittled down Myth's bottom tower to nearly nothing.
"Push, push, push!" Bijou encouraged from the jungle. "Let's get all the outer towers!"
The result was a fascinating exchange. Within minutes, Advent had claimed the top and bottom outer towers for Myth, while Myth had secured the top and bottom outer towers from Advent.
"It's still even," Kiara observed, studying the map. "This is actually really close."
"Too close," Gura muttered, still farming her jungle. "We need to make a move."
The mid lane became the focal point. Neither team had managed to take the middle outer tower yet, and now both sides recognized its importance. It was time for a team fight.
"Everyone, collapse on mid," Ame ordered. "We're taking this tower."
"Same plan," Shiori told her team. "If they want mid, they're gonna have to fight for it."
Both teams began converging on the middle lane, champions from all corners of the map rotating toward the center. The tension in the gaming room was palpable—this fight would likely determine the momentum for the rest of the game.
"Where's Gura?" Kiara asked, noticing their jungler's absence.
"Bijou, come here!" Nerissa called for her own jungler.
But neither jungler appeared.
Where were they?
Meanwhile, in a completely different part of the map, two small champions were engaged in their own private war.
Gura's Fizz and Bijou's Yasuo had encountered each other near the river—specifically, near a Rift Scuttler that had just spawned. That crab-like creature, usually an afterthought in most games, had become the focus of an intense rivalry.
"It's mine, crystal!" Gura declared, trying to land her abilities on both Bijou and the scuttler.
"You took one last time!" Bijou shot back, her Yasuo dashing around with the champion's signature mobility. "This is karma!"
"Take that!" Gura's Fizz launched a tidal wave.
"Wind wall!" Bijou's Yasuo erected a barrier, blocking the projectile.
The scuttler, forgotten in the chaos, slowly walked away as the two champions battled.
"Have some tidal waves!"
"Here's some sword!"
"AAAAAAAH!" they both screamed simultaneously, completely absorbed in their 1v1.
Back in the mid lane, Ina casually glanced at the minimap and saw both junglers' icons in the river. "Wah... what are those shorties up to?"
"Don't ask!" Ame called out, desperately trying to hold the line against Advent's push. "We're literally losing here, Ina!"
The mid-lane fight erupted into full chaos. Abilities flew back and forth, champions danced around each other, and the sound effects of combat filled the gaming room.
"Keep shooting!" Mococo called to her twin.
"Bau bau power!" Fuwawa responded, her support abilities keeping Mococo alive through Myth's assault.
Calli's tank charged into the fray, trying to disrupt Advent's formation. Kiara's Caitlyn dealt damage from range, her shots precise and calculated. But Shiori's mage control was excellent, forcing Myth to navigate around her area-denial abilities.
The fight was incredibly close, with both teams' health bars dropping into dangerous territory. It looked like it could go either way.
And still, in the river, two small champions continued their private duel, completely oblivious to the major team fight happening without them.
The game dragged into the late game, and by now, everyone was fully invested. The friendly trash talk had evolved into focused concentration, with only occasional comments breaking the silence.
"All our towers are gone," Kiara observed, noting that Myth's outer and middle towers had all fallen. "We need to be careful."
"They're going to push for the win soon," Ame agreed, studying the enemy team's movements.
The gold was fairly even, but Advent had a slight advantage in map control. The game was balanced on a knife's edge.
And yet, incredibly, Gura and Bijou were still fighting.
"You're not getting this red buff!" Gura declared, her Fizz engaging Bijou's Yasuo yet again.
"Watch me!" Bijou countered.
"HOW ARE THEY STILL FIGHTING?" Calli yelled from across the room. "IT'S BEEN FIFTEEN MINUTES!"
"It's personal now," Ina said wisely.
Meanwhile, the remaining eight players had converged near the Baron pit. This objective could turn the entire game—whoever secured Baron would gain enough of an advantage to potentially end the match.
Calli, Kiara, and Ame were doing their best to hold the line against the Fuwawa-Mococo combo, with Shiori providing poke damage and Nerissa looking for an opportunity to engage. The Baron's health slowly decreased as both teams danced around it, nobody willing to fully commit to the fight.
That's when the notification appeared on everyone's screen:
[Myth] Ninomae Ina'nis has slain Baron Nashor!
"WHAT?!" Bijou's voice cracked with surprise.
"HOW?!" Shiori spun in her chair to look at Ina.
Ina, serene as ever, flashed a peace sign to her webcam. "Wah... Sol is the best."
"That's a mage! A MAGE!" Nerissa protested. "How did you out-smite our jungler?"
"His damage sucks at securing objectives!" Fuwawa added.
"Fools," Ina said, uncharacteristically confident. "I've just been waiting for my late-game items to come online."
And with that, Aurelion Sol unleashed his full power. The space dragon's abilities lit up the river, stars swirling in devastating patterns. Ina dove into the Advent formation with surprising aggression.
"CALLI! ULT! ULT!" Kiara called out.
"I'm going!" Calli's tank used her ultimate ability, locking down key targets.
The Baron-empowered Myth pushed forward with renewed confidence. Advent tried to hold them back, but the buff was too significant. Myth began steamrolling through Advent's remaining defenses.
But in the bottom lane, the saga of the two shortest idols continued.
Gura and Bijou had been fighting for so long that both were running low on resources. Their health bars were in dangerous territory, and one mistake would end it.
They circled each other warily, waiting for an opening.
Then Gura's mouse slipped.
It was just a tiny movement, barely noticeable, but in a game decided by milliseconds, it was everything. Her Fizz moved slightly out of position, and Bijou saw her chance.
"GOT YOU!" Bijou's Yasuo dashed forward, unleashing a perfect combo.
An enemy has been slain!
"NO!" Gura slumped in her chair dramatically. "MISCLICK! THAT WAS A MISCLICK!"
"Doesn't matter!" Bijou was already moving, her Yasuo racing down the bottom lane. "I'm ending this!"
With Gura down, Bijou had a clear path to Myth's base. She pushed past the outer tower remnants, her champion moving with singular purpose. The inhibitor fell quickly, and then she was in the base proper.
Calli and Kiara, seeing the threat, disengaged from the Baron fight and rushed toward the bottom lane.
"She's gonna backdoor us!" Kiara warned.
Ame tried to cut Bijou off, but the Yasuo player was too skilled. She dodged around Ame's champion with perfect spacing, using her mobility to stay just out of reach.
The base turrets fired at Bijou's champion, but she pressed forward. One more hit on the Nexus. Just one more hit and Advent would win.
But then a familiar peaceful figure materialized in the base.
Ina had recalled at just the right moment, her Aurelion Sol appearing directly between Bijou and the Nexus.
"Hi," Ina said simply, her voice carrying across the gaming room.
"AAAAAH!" Bijou's scream of frustration echoed through the space as she desperately tried to maneuver around Ina.
But there was no escape. Ina's stars shredded through Yasuo's remaining health.
An enemy has been slain!
"THE INTERCEPTION!" Ame called it like a sports announcer. "INA WITH THE CLUTCH DEFENSE!"
With Bijou down, Myth had their opening. The four remaining members—Calli, Kiara, Ame, and Ina—grouped up and pushed as one unstoppable force. The Baron buff still glowed around them, amplifying their strength.
Advent tried to defend, but without Bijou and with their base already compromised, they couldn't hold. One by one, the defensive structures fell.
Gura, respawned but too far away, could only watch as her team pushed into Advent's base.
"Finish it!" Calli commanded.
The Myth team attacked the Nexus in unison. Its health dropped rapidly—75%, 50%, 25%—
VICTORY
The word appeared across Myth's screens while DEFEAT showed on Advent's.
For a moment, there was silence in the gaming room. Then, almost simultaneously, everyone started talking at once.
"THAT WAS INSANE!" Gura jumped out of her chair, her competitive energy still burning. "Bijou, you almost had us!"
"I ALMOST HAD YOU!" Bijou agreed, though she was laughing. "If Ina hadn't recalled at that exact moment..."
"Wah~ I'm glad my timing was good," Ina said modestly, though there was a hint of pride in her smile.
"That was way closer than it should have been," Ame admitted, pulling off her detective hat to run a hand through her hair. "Good game, seriously."
"The fact that you two spent the entire game fighting each other in random parts of the map," Shiori gestured between Gura and Bijou, "is both the funniest and most on-brand thing I've ever witnessed."
"The scuttler," Nerissa said solemnly, "died for nothing."
"Actually, neither of them got it," Kiara pointed out. "It just... walked away while they fought."
This sent everyone into a fresh round of laughter.
Calli stood up and stretched, her joints popping audibly. "Not bad. You actually had us worried for a while there."
"'Not bad'?" Shiori scoffed playfully. "We had you on the ropes! If our junglers had actually helped with objectives—"
"Hey!" Bijou and Gura protested simultaneously, then looked at each other and laughed.
"Bau bau good game!" Fuwawa stood up and walked around to Myth's side, offering fist bumps to each member.
"Really good game!" Mococo echoed, following her twin.
The competitive tension had completely evaporated, replaced by the warm camaraderie that came from a well-played match between friends. They all stood up from their gaming stations, stretching and chatting animatedly about specific plays and moments.
"That Baron steal was actually insane," Nerissa admitted to Ina. "I didn't even see you in the pit."
"Wah~ I've been practicing Sol," Ina replied. "His burst damage in late game is really underestimated."
"I'm making a note to ban Sol next time we play," Bijou declared, pointing at Ina with mock severity.
"Totally worth it then," Ina smiled.
Ame walked over to the Advent side, offering handshakes. "Seriously though, you guys have gotten really good. When did you all start practicing together?"
"We haven't, really," Shiori admitted. "We just kind of winged it."
"You WINGED it?" Calli's eyebrows shot up. "And you almost won?"
"Almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades," Kiara quoted, then paused. "Wait, did I say that right?"
"Close enough," Ame confirmed.
Gura had migrated over to Bijou, and the two shortest idols were engaged in an intense discussion about jungle pathing and optimal gank timing. Despite having spent the entire game fighting each other, they were now comparing notes like old friends.
"So if you start red buff instead of blue," Bijou was explaining, "you can gank mid at level 2 before they expect it."
"But then you're on the wrong side for scuttler," Gura countered. "Unless—oh, wait, that's actually smart."
"I have my moments," Bijou grinned.
"Still salty about that misclick though," Gura grumbled.
"Victory is victory~" Bijou sang.
"We won the match!"
"I won our personal duel!"
"Because of a MISCLICK!"
The others watched the two of them bicker affectionately, shaking their heads with fond amusement.
"They're going to be fighting about this for weeks," Kiara predicted.
"Absolutely," Nerissa agreed.
As the nine idols began filtering out of the gaming room, heading back toward the lobby or their individual spaces, the conversation continued. Plans were already being made for a rematch, with various stipulations and challenges being thrown around.
"Next time, no Aurelion Sol," Shiori declared.
"Next time, junglers have to actually participate in team fights," Ame countered, looking pointedly at Gura and Bijou.
"Hey, I participated!" Gura protested.
"You participated in your own private side quest," Calli corrected.
More laughter echoed through the hallways of the hololive EN building as the group made their way through the facility. Other members poked their heads out of rooms, curious about the commotion.
"How'd it go?" IRyS asked as they passed.
"Myth won, but barely," Kiara reported.
"We'll get them next time," Bijou promised.
"Bau bau rematch!" the twins chorused.
The sun had started to set outside the building's windows, casting long shadows across the modern interior. The day's streams were done, but the memories created would last far longer. This was what it meant to be part of hololive—not just the performances and the streams, but these moments of genuine connection and friendship.
As they settled back into the lobby, someone suggested ordering food, and the conversation shifted to debating between pizza and sushi. The gaming session had reminded them all why they loved not just being idols, but being part of this particular group of idols.
"Same time next week?" Ame proposed.
"Absolutely," Shiori agreed immediately. "But we're practicing first. No more winging it."
"Bau bau training arc!" Fuwawa announced dramatically.
"The redemption arc," Mococo added with equal drama.
"You're all ridiculous," Calli said, but she was smiling. "But yeah, I'm in."
Gura and Bijou were still deep in conversation about optimal jungle builds, their earlier rivalry completely forgotten—or rather, transformed into the foundation of what would likely become a strong friendship built on mutual respect and love of competition.
Ina had pulled out a tablet and was sketching something, probably inspired by the game they'd just played. Kiara was showing Nerissa something on her phone, their heads bent together in shared interest. The Fuwawa and Mococo duo had claimed a couch and were already planning their next stream.
The hololive EN building continued its usual hum of activity, but the gaming room behind them stood quiet now, waiting for the next clash of idols, the next friendly competition, the next memory to be made.
And in that moment, standing in the lobby surrounded by friends and colleagues, every one of them knew they were exactly where they were supposed to be.
And miraculously.
Not a single explosion occurred that day.
Because it's Friday…