Himmel On Air!

Ahhh!

Was I dreaming? I must've fallen asleep...

Yeah, it was just a dream. I'm in a whole other world now. Keep calm. Everything's okay. I'm not in that world anymore.

So, what's going on? Why did you call me out here?

Simple, really. I felt like exploring this abandoned theme park and streaming it on my channel.

Then...should I bring a camera or something? I'm not exactly great with technology, but I guess I could...

Relax, that's what the drone's for. You're here as my errand boy and bodyguard.

Why do you need a bodyguard? Are you expecting danger out here?

Nah. Well, not in the way you think, at least.

It's just, ever since my comeback stream, I've been getting so many haters and extreme comments. I can handle that when I'm behind a screen, but being outside, someone might try something more, um, direct.

And I'm such a delicate, cute little thing...

Come to think of it, I do remember one of your fans saying you were good at handling folks with bad intentions.

You gotta learn to ignore these people if you wanna be a content creator... But deep down, they make my blood boil.

I get more comments than I can count, but the thing is, I wanna try to give each one the response they deserve.

But before, when I was helping with your stream...

Erm... "Life is so painful"? "I wish I was dead"? Why would you say that?

"Me too"? "I get it"? "I've lost hope"? Uhhh...

Just don't get so down about things! It'll all work out somehow!

Oh, I forgot to tell you all! Next week it's Sunny's...

I mean, that was a little cold, don't you think?

You could have been more supportive, you know? Like, ask them why they felt that way. That sort of thing...

Hey, I WAS being supportive in my own way. Got a problem with the way I do things?

Oh, um, of course not...

Okay, should we get this show on the road? Where do you want to start?

I wanna try the Haunted Chateau. We'll start shooting outside it.

Got it! I'll go on ahead and set up!

Tch... He just ran off.

This abandoned amusement park... It's giving me major déjà vu...

Okay, should we start recording?

Yeah...

(Seems he's not in the best mood now. Is this really the best time to be recording?)

Oh my gosh, hiya guys!

Is the stream up? Heya! Today we're gonna do something a little different! As you can see, I'm out in the real world today!

Any of you recognize my backdrop?

That's right, it's Toto Dreamland! It's been closed a while, but you hear all kinds of scary stories about it online!

Today, as promised, we're doing a spooky livestream! Let's head into the Haunted Chateau!

(Wow, Ciel flips a switch and is like a whole different person. Talk about a pro streamer!)

Do I spook easily? Oh, don't you worry about me! Come on, let's go!

Oh my gosh, it's sooo dark in here! By the way, I put this outfit together using Toto Dreamland merch, and...

Huh? What's that? "Don't push yourself too hard"? Oh, you guys! I'm totally...

Eeek!

Oh, thank goodness! It's just a mirror! Silly me!

What....the... D-Did you guys just see that?

I-I can't shake this feeling like I'm being watched!

But...I guess I am livestreaming right now. That must be all it is.

Okay, I just gotta keep this up a little longer and I can get out of here in one piece!

Hey, did you guys know that ghosts like to gather around negative emotions?

That means someone as sweet and lovely as me must be pretty much immune to them!

"You don't need to act tough for us"? "Himmel, look behind you"? Oh my gosh, stop trying to scare me! This stream is exciting enough as it is. No need to add in extra frights!

Huh?

Gaaahhh!

Gh-Gh-Ghooossst!

Phew, I made it! That place was so scary!

"Can't wait for episode 2"? No, don't even joke about that! I'm not putting myself through that ever again!

Okay, I'm absolutely exhausted, so I think we'll end it there!

Now make sure you watch out for ghosties, my lovely Himmelites! Okay, you know the drill...

See ya Himmelater!

*cough* Ahh, my throat!

Great job, Ciel! Your viewers seemed to love it. But are you okay?

I'll be fine.

(He looks exhausted. I never expected Ciel to be so scared of ghosts.)

I know you said you wanted to record another video after this, but maybe you should take a break.

Pfft, I'll be fine.

This place is an absolute goldmine for content, and I ain't letting it go to waste.

Now where should we start...

Huh?

What is he doing?

I don't know. Let's go find out.

Hey, you! Whatcha doin'?

Eeek! N-No way, i-is that you Himmel? I don't believe this...

Oh my gosh, are you a Himmelite? You wanna hear my catchphrase? See ya Himmelater!

S-See ya Himmelater!

I can't believe I'm actually speaking to Himmel! So crazy! Am I in heaven? I must be... Wait, am I already dead?!

Um, no? You're very much alive?

H-Himmel is with a man? NO! This isn't heaven, it's hell! Wait, am I dead already?

This is my big brother. He's helping me out with some filming.

Ciel? What are you doing?

Trust me, I know what I'm doing. Any time there's a guy in the picture, always tell 'em he's your brother.

Anywho, calm down will ya? You're very much alive.

I-I am? I'm not dead yet?

If you don't mind me asking, why the fixation with death?

......

......Well I, um, I came here to end my life.

End your life?!

What?!

I hate this life. There's nothing good in it, absolutely nothing. So I decided to attach a rope to this ride and, you know...

You can't think like that!

Nobody can change my mind on this, not even you!

If you're gonna try and stop me, I'll just find somewhere else to finish the job! Now leave me alone!

Hey!

Aldo, we have to go after him!

Sure!

You know, I'm not used to seeing you so serious. Do you know that guy or something?

Nope, never met him before in my life. But...

I can't let him die.

Hold up!

*huff* *huff*... There's nowhere left to run...

Hey, just leave me alone already! This has nothing to do with you!

Maybe not, but we still can't let you do this! Please don't throw your life away!

Tell me, why do you want to kill yourself? Did something happen?

...... No, it was no one thing in particular.

Huh?

Listen, I just don't enjoy my life...

I never had any talent, ever since I was a kid. The older I get, nothing gets better. Life just never went the way I wanted it to.

......

I keep messing up at work, I don't have my own place, my stress and anxiety are through the roof. I may look fine on the outside, but it's like there's a noose around my neck that gets tighter each day.

It's too much to bear. It's so exhausting that I just want to put an end to it.

But that doesn't mean you should just die!

I'm sure this world still has something to offer!

Oh, not this again.

Again?

I commented on your stream the other day, saying how I wanted to die...

And all you had to say was the same meaningless lip service you're touting now.

Do you really think those words do anything to help someone who's truly suffering?

It's not lip service! I truly do believe this!

Compared to the world where I was born...

Enough, I don't wanna hear it! I just wanna hurry up and die already!

You and your perfect life... You'd never understand my pain anyway!

What?

So leave me alone! Just let me die!

Eeep!

Eeek! Wh-What the?!

Whoa! Is this the phenomenon you mentioned earlier?

Are the ghosts gathering around his negative emotions?

I had my doubts, as I didn't think that was actually a thing...

Wh-What?!

Although...if they steal my soul and kill me, that wouldn't be so bad...

Are you out of your mind? No!

If that ghost really is after his soul, then we're going to have to chase it away!

(But Ciel is terrified of ghosts. I'm going to have to do this alone!)

Hiyaah!

Wait a minute? I thought you were scared of ghosts?

Oh, that? That was just for show.

But you looked so worn out after you finished filming.

Yeah, but not 'cause I was scared. It's just exhausting putting on that high-pitched voice all the time.

So, you gonna bust some ghosts with me or what?

Sure. Let's do this!

Okay, I think that's all of them!

Oh. Shame...

Aldo... I'm gonna do something now, and I want you to promise not to interfere, okay?

No matter what happens.

Okay, I promise.

Hey, d'you still wanna hang yourself?

Huh? What happened to your voice? You're talking so...

Oh, never mind that. Do you wanna die or not?

I-I do! Of course I do!

I see. Then let me be the one to take your breath away.

Wh-What the?

Ciel? What are you doing?

I got this, just watch!

I'm a frail, delicate little thing. My hands are so light and weak... So what I want to know is, am I squeezing as tight as that noose around your neck?

Nngh...gh...

Oh? Too tight? Does it hurt? Well, at least you have the time to feel the pain.

Where I come from, we had no hope. No nothing. Some were wiped from existence without ever having time to regret or contemplate their circumstances.

(What a bleak place Ciel's world must be...)

So? Does it hurt?

Yes, but... *huff*...

Oh? You feeling something else?

Y-Yes! It hurts, but... I don't hate it...

My point exactly. And the same can be said for this world you live in.

(Really?)

Sure, maybe your life is an endless struggle. But you've survived this long, right? Watching my silly little streams, enjoying yourself in the moment... You must've been able to feel some joy or pleasure that helped ease your suffering, right?

Well...I guess...

*cough* *splutter*...

We didn't have any small pleasures like that in the world where I was born.

Here, the most unremarkable person can ramble on about nothing at all, but it makes people happy. It gives them a reason to live.

And it's for that reason that I envy and adore this spoiled little world.

If you die, it's like you don't care about any of that. And as my fan, that cuts me deep, y'know?

H-Himmel!

When you're having a hard day, just watch my videos. Maybe it's just lip service to you, but I'll always be there, cheering you on.

I-I...

Still unsure whether to live or die?

Then I have some magic words for you.

Magic?!

You were just strangled by your idol. How many other fans out there d'you think can say the same?

......

Eh?

Y-You're right!

I can be proud of this moment for the rest of my life! I have something that puts me above everybody else!

I gotta get home and catch up on your stream from today!

Thank you so much! You've got a fan for life in me! See ya!

Phew...

I guess...it worked? I don't know how to process what just happened...

I have to hand it to you, though. That was impressive. So streamers deal with this on a regular basis?

Nah, that one was way outside the norm, even for me.

In any case, I'm glad I managed to get through to him.

Man, that absolutely wiped me out! I think we should call it quits for the day, don't you? You mind escorting me back to the main gate?

Sure.

What a desolate place. A graveyard of laughter and happiness...

......

Can I ask you something, Ciel? What was your world like?

It was once a perfectly normal world, they say.

But then, there was a global food shortage. Wars broke out... Then, someone had the bright idea to go back in time and change history.

The wars ended, but other problems appeared instead. So, they altered history again in order to fix these new issues. But humans are so greedy. Over and over, they kept changing history... Always aiming for that better future, and then a better one, and then a better one.

......

As soon as one problem was solved, another would take its place. So history was changed again...

Naturally, the world descended into chaos. And we were caught in the middle of it.

In a world without hope, there is no fun; there's simply no place for it. There's no nurturing of the soul.

By the time I was born, it had become a wasteland... And the people were robbed of all freedoms...

There wasn't even any form of entertainment. And that makes for a miserable world.

......

When I was young, there were these ruins near where I lived. I dunno if they were created by a change in history, or if they were simply left to fall to ruin... But my sister and I always used to play hide 'n' seek there away from the watchful eyes of the authorities.

It was only when I came here that I realized. That place was an abandoned theme park.

You have a sister? Where is she now?

I dunno. I remember her telling me to flee to another time layer...

But history's been altered since. For all I know, she might not even exist anymore.

......

Whoa, that got pretty heavy, huh? My point is, I don't ever wanna go back to that time layer...

And I don't want this world to end up like that. I wanna live in a place where I can get through to people and give them a reason to live another day.

Yes, I agree.

'Kay, let's check out the response to today's stream.

Huh?!

WHAT? No! This cannot be happening!

Wh-What's wrong?

A video of me choking that fan has gone viral! And you can hear me talking in my real voice!

My cutesy image is ruined! RUINED!

Who would do that?

Oh, who even cares about that right now? I'm gonna get canceled!

This is the end of Himmel!