Himmel On The Run!

Thanks so much for joining me again today, my lovely Himmelites!

Oh my gosh, there's so many comments! You guys, you really are the best!

"Your cute face always brightens my day!" Teehee, thank you!

"I wanna see a collab soon!" Oh my gosh, great idea! I'd love to hang out with some other streamers! Maybe we could have some kind of competition? You want to hear me sing? Okay, I better get rehearsing!

Oh my gosh, you guys, I'm getting so sleepy! I think I'm gonna have to call it a day here! Thanks so much for tuning in! Okay, you know the drill by now... See ya Himmelater!

Phew!

*cough cough*

Man, my throat is killing me!

*sigh* Speaking in that high-pitched voice all the time really is brutal on the ol' vocal cords. I never had to worry about these things before my voice started breaking...

Just because I look a certain way doesn't mean my voice is gonna match the illusion...

Uh-oh! It's from the office! Gotta get myself back into gear!

Ahem! Heya! How's it going?

You were flawless tonight, absolutely flawless!

Awww, thank you so much!

By the way, there was something I wanted to ask you.

I was looking through the banned comments on your stream... And there were an alarming number saying they know where you live. Have you noticed any stalkers lately? Or registered your personal info on any suspicious sites?

No, not that I can think of... ......

(It's probably just another hater or attention seeker, but what if it's a time hound?) (I can't run that risk. I'll have to go hide in another time layer...)

Um, actually, I've been meaning to talk to you. I haven't been feeling so good lately. My throat's been killing me... I'd like to take some time off.

What? A-Are you okay?

I'll be fine. Sorry to be a bother!

Well, if you need some time off, you need some time off. Take care of yourself, okay?

I will, thank you! See ya!

Okay, time to go into hiding...

Now, which time layer to go to? I streamed with an avatar here. Let me see...

This is the time layer I used for ASMR, this is the one I used to livestream games... And I'm pretty sure I did private streams in this one...

Aha! How about this time layer?

But before I go, I better start hinting on social media that I'm not feeling so well... I gotta post something before it's all announced officially. Hmm, maybe "I haven't been sleeping well..."

Arrived in one piece. Love it when that happens. Right, I should head to the room I was renting in this time layer. It was in the Gamma District, I think.

...It's been a while, huh? I should probably do some vacuuming first...

I'll spruce the place up, then start prepping for my comeback stream.

Well, well, well. Look who's back.

A time hound! Didn't realize you knew about this time layer...

Hm. Though this is my first time meeting you, it appears that you remember us.

An outfit as dumb as yours really sticks with you, you know?

But then, I guess you can't help it. Why would a dog need a sense of fashion?

Charming. But I think it's high time you and I had a little chat, don't you?

Himmel the streamer...or should I say, Ciel the fugitive.

What was that? Sorry, I don't speak dog.

No? Then I'll just have to get my point across another way.

Ugh! You've gotta be kidding me!

Ouch!

Hey! Watch it, will ya!

Ow! H-Hey!

A-Aldo?

Ahhh!

Huh?

Oh. My. Gosh. Are you Himmel? You are, aren't you?

Hey, you're right! It's her... It's really her!

(Great. Of all the times to get caught by fans.) (I'll just have to give them a little fan service...)

Oh my goodness, my lovely Himmelites! You want to hear my catchphrase? See ya Himmelater!

Wow, wow, wow! I can't believe I just heard that in person! This is too much!

...What is going on here?

What, have you been living under a rock? You've never heard of the streamer Himmel? She's a goddess of a woman! She's the sweetest, bubbliest streamer around! With our minds polluted by the stream of sewage that is the internet, only Himmel can make us clean again!

She went on a break a little while ago, but she still rakes in views and new subscribers!

Oh my gosh, stop! You're making me blush!

You said on your stream that you weren't feeling so well. Are you feeling better now?

(Oh yeah... I used health issues as my reason for taking a break in this time layer too.) Yup! And I'll be recording a comeback stream soon, so make sure to tune in!

I wouldn't miss it for the world! I'll be glued to my screen just waiting for that notification!

(Uh-oh...he's caught up to me already!)

Oh my gosh, is that the time? I'm so sorry, you guys, but I need to get going.

But spread the word that I'm back, okay? Let's create some real buzz about my return!

Huh? She dropped something...

There's no time to lose! We gotta let the other Himmelites know about this, like, yesterday!

It's some kind of device?

Today's your lucky day. I'm gonna introduce you to the wonderful world of Himmel.

Yeah! A life without Himmel is no life at all!

Hold on, you really don't need to...

Come on, don't be shy now! You're gonna love it!

Okay, this is my favorite video...

(Oh boy, what did I ever do to deserve this? How am I going to return this lost device at this rate?) (I guess I can look around Route 99...)

Okay. *huff* I think I've given him the slip...

Grr, how could I get it so wrong? I never imagined a time hound would be waiting for me in this time layer. Guess I just gotta find myself another time layer to hide in. I'll just get my time layer transporter...

Huh? Where'd it go? I could've sworn I had it right here.

Could that be the device I picked up earlier?

Phew, you saved me. I didn't realize I'd dropped it... All right, time to head to another time layer...

No, wait. I told my fans I'd be making a comeback soon. I can't leave!

But I can't let myself get caught by that time hound.

Was that man from before really that dangerous?

Well, yeah! He's been trying to track me down ever since I escaped from my stupid world.

Huh? Wait a minute... Ain't you the guy I bumped into before?

Wait, I mean, um... Ahem!

Heya, stranger! You been there long?

Huh? Aldo?

Ah! Hngh! *cough*

Heya, Aldo! You been there long?

I've been here ever since you came out from behind that rock, I guess.

So you heard all that?

......

Oh, forget it. It didn't seem like you'd even heard of Himmel anyway.

I might as well save my throat the pain and talk in my normal voice.

R-Right...

So who was that guy?

What's it to you? It's none of your business!

You just looked like you were in trouble, and I was wondering if I could help.

Oh, please. You can't be for real. What's your scheme here?

My scheme? Nothing, I just want to help.

Hmm. Okay, I'll take your word for it. You don't seem the type who'd try to pull a fast one on others.

Fine, I'll tell you. But you're not gonna believe me...

Thanks. It's Himmel, right?

Uh... It's weird getting called that when I'm not streaming.

...I don't usually share this info, but you can call me Ciel.

(Ciel? But they're so different from the Ciel I know... Could it just be a coincidence?)

(Ciel? But they're so different from the Ciel I know... Maybe they're from a different time layer.)

Ciel, huh? I'm Aldo.

Nice to meet ya, Aldo. Now, promise you won't go leaking my real name all over the internet, okay?

You just looked like you were in trouble, and I was wondering if I could help.

Geez, you and your bleeding heart. Fine, I'll tell you.

Really? Thanks, Himmel.

Oh, right. Guess I never told you.

Himmel is my streamer name. You can call me Ciel when I'm offline.

What?! You mean Himmel isn't your real name?!

Uh, yeah? Who uses their real name online? Might as well put a target on your back.

Anywho. Enough about my name. We've got more pressing matters to deal with.

You see, I was born in the future in another time layer. Basically another world, to put it simply.

It was awful there. So I ran away.

Problem is, my awful world is filled with awful people who decided that all escapees must be arrested... And these time hounds who do their bidding have been chasing me all the way to this time layer.

Oh...

And well, I stole a device thingy off of one of these time hounds that lets me travel between time layers...

It can jump between time layers?!

Yep. That's the device you found. I've been using it to travel to different time layers and evade their pursuit.

What happens if they capture you?

Who knows. Maybe they'll kill me, maybe they won't.

Best-case scenario, they erase my memories and send me back to my original world.

Well, you seem to be taking all this surprisingly well. I didn't expect you to accept all this so readily.

Well, the truth is, I'm no stranger to traveling across time and space myself.

No way! I guess that explains the medieval getup you're rocking.

Hey, can I ask you something?

Your fans showed me some of your videos, and, well, you seemed like a whole other person.

Like, the way you talked, even the pitch of your voice, was all different.

Ah. You had to bring that up, didn't you?

The thing is, that's just my persona as Himmel, the live streamer.

I'm pretty cute, right?

So I wanted to make the most of my stunning good looks. I researched the most attractive vocal and behavioral patterns... And that's how the character of Himmel was born. (Well... Before my voice dropped, Himmel's voice was pretty much my normal one...)

So basically, it's all just an act?

In a nutshell, yeah. That's why I do those stupid streams.

I didn't think they were stupid...

Honestly, I was so surprised seeing my first live streams after coming to this time layer. Everyone was flocking to watch a bunch of ordinary people ramble on about absolutely nothing.

It's entertainment for them somehow. What a ridiculous, spoiled world this is!

Why did you decide to put yourself out there then? Won't it make it easier for them to track you down?

Target locked.

Darn it! Now he's using drones to search for me?!

There's gotta be somewhere to hide in those ruins. Come on, let's go!

This is bad. Looks like we're surrounded!

Ah, I see you've made yourself a little friend in this time layer. Won't do you any good, though. There's nowhere left to run now.

Damn!

You have given us headache after headache...but that all ends today.

Don't be so sure!

Still not giving up, huh?

Your fate is in my hands now, Ciel. But I can give you a way out.

The hound's throwing me a bone, huh? Okay, let's hear it. What do you want?

If you want my help...

Then go out with me!

......

WHAT?

Did I just hear that right?

Erm...I'm confused. WHAT?

It's not complicated. I want us to date.

Is this some kind of joke?

Nope, I'm dead serious.

When I heard a fugitive was streaming in this time layer, I checked all the streamers to hunt for clues. And then, before I knew it, I was hooked on watching them...

And I'm so grateful. I was born in a time layer with no entertainment.

Thanks to you, I get what it means to be a fan. I understand the value of having an idol. I get it!

Right...

And then, it was love at first sight. I saw Himmel. Such a bubbly, positive character. So pure, like a gentle soul sheltered away from the world. So modest and reserved, as if holding something back from the viewers...

(Yes! With so many brash streamers around, I knew I was right to play up the pure and innocent image.)

I was so captivated that I would watch Himmel's livestreams devotedly to show my support...

Does the handle "Ball D. Boy" mean anything to you?

Wait, you mean the account that always drops me long comments and huge tips every video?

Yep, that was me. As my feelings grew more and more intense, eventually I realized I was in love.

And I started thinking. If I were going to be Himmel's number one... I'd have to be more than just a fan, more than just another Himmelite. I'd have to be Himmel's boyfriend!

......

What are you talking about?

You must feel pretty disillusioned to find out that your perfect Himmel is actually just a foul-mouthed dude.

Wait. So you're a guy?!

(Come to think of it, I think I had a similar exchange with the other Ciel...)

Why are you so shocked by that? I mean, I guess I am pretty cute, whatever my gender.

Exactly! There's so much debate among the Himmelites as to whether you're a boy or a girl, but it's all pointless.

Gender doesn't matter to me. Your bad personality behind the scenes, your fake high voice, it all makes sense.

Oh, ouch...

You understand now, don't you? You understand how much I love you.

So yes or no, "Himmel"? What's it going to be?

Great. Another fan who's gone and fallen in love with me.

Turn me down, and you'll leave me no choice but to capture you.

Look, I'm no expert on love or anything...

But you can't go around trying to force people to date you!

Run, Ciel! Back the way we came!

All right, then... Let's split!

Oh no you don't!

Darn it, there's no end to them!

Because there is no end to my love for Himmel!

Maybe not, but we're not giving up! Are we, Ciel?

......

Enough, Aldo. Put down your weapon and let me handle this.

Huh?

You'll finally accept my love?

Nope, not a chance. I can't even understand your feelings, let alone accept them.

You think you know what it means to be a fan, and that you get the value of having an idol? Don't make me laugh. You're one of them, from that rotten void of a world. You don't understand the value of anything.

That's not true! I have to be your boyfriend! Only then can I truly be your biggest supporter!

There's no ranking among fans. Doesn't matter how close you get or how much you donate.

Anyone who supports me as best they can is my number one Himmelite.

Dunno where you got the idea that my number one fan must be my boyfriend, but it's the dumbest thing I ever heard. Does a boyfriend somehow increase my view count or fill up a huge real-world venue? No, they do not. But a fan can. It's my fans and their passion that keep me popular. A boyfriend doesn't have that kind of power, do they?

Uhh...

Every one of my Himmelites dreams of me, and thanks to them, I am able to dream.

That is the value of a fan. You really think a boyfriend comes above them in the pecking order?

......

...It looks like I messed up.

I didn't realize that was the relationship between fans and their idols. It's a confusing world for someone like me who isn't used to the entertainment industry. I'm very sorry.

If you really are sorry, we're good. Just leave me alone now. There's more I wanna do as Himmel.

Even if I let you escape here and now, can you really trust that I'll leave you alone for good?

Of course I can. I trust my Himmelites, always and forever.

Oh, Himmel!

But, erm...do me a favor and try to forget about the offline me. Not that I'd blame you for switching fandoms after all this.

Never! I'm a Himmelite for life!

Terminating the pursuit. I've lost sight of the fugitive Ciel...

Okay then, Himmel... See ya Himmelater!

Yep! See ya Himmelater!

Phew, that was close! Thank goodness he was a fan, or I dread to think what would've happened!

(But you were only in danger BECAUSE he was a fan!)

Well, I'm glad it's all over now.

And you know, it sounds like you don't think your streams or fans are so stupid after all.

No, I do think they're stupid. It's just...

I absolutely love stupid things, I guess.

Haha...

Now, that just leaves one problem. And that's you, Aldo.

Huh?

Now that you know the regular me, what can I get you to do for me? You're not a fan, so batting my eyelids as Himmel ain't gonna have any effect...

Ah! I know! I'm about to start a huge streaming project, and I need an assistant.

So come help out a guy in need? You know you want to...

Y-You can't be serious...