Gura flopped onto the big, cushy beanbag in her dressing room, huffing. “I *told* them, I’m not giving these up!” she grumbled, kicking her feet as her shark tail swished in annoyance.

A soft knock came at the door. Manager-chan peeked in nervously, holding a clipboard. “Gura… can we talk?”

Gura folded her arms. “If it’s about the diapers, you can forget it!” she snapped, puffing her cheeks out. “I’m comfy, they’re part of my *aesthetic*, and my fans think it’s cute!”

Manager-chan sighed. “Gura, please. We’ve been over this. There’s a line between cute and… unprofessional. Sponsors are starting to notice, and some internal staff are worried about the image.”

Gura stuck out her tongue. “Bleeeh! Who cares about ‘image’? I’m Gawr Gura! The number one shark idol! I decide what’s cute!” She hugged a plushie tightly, her voice dropping to a mutter. “They don’t understand… it’s not just for fun, it’s part of me.”

There was a long pause.

“Look, Gura,” Manager-chan said softly, “we’re asking you to compromise. Just for public events. You can still be yourself in private.”

But Gura’s face hardened. “No.” She sat up, eyes glimmering. “I’m not going to change just because some suits are scared. My fans love me for me! If Hololive wants me to stop being myself…” Her voice trembled slightly, but she lifted her chin. “Maybe I *shouldn’t* be here anymore.”

Manager-chan’s eyes widened. “Wait, Gura — let’s not jump to—”

“I’m serious!” Gura shot to her feet, cheeks flushed with stubborn anger. “I won’t be told how to act. If Hololive won’t let me be me… then I’ll graduate!”

The room fell silent.

Outside, the quiet murmur of the studio could be heard — the world moving on, unaware of the storm brewing inside.

Manager-chan’s shoulders sank. “Gura, think carefully. You don’t have to do this.”

But Gura only smiled — a little sad, but defiant. “I’ve thought about it. I want to leave before they take away the things that make me happy.”

And just like that, the decision was made.

**A few weeks later…**

The graduation stream was packed. Fans flooded the chat with hearts, waves, and crying emotes. Gura smiled at the camera, voice cracking with emotion.

“I’ll miss you guys so much,” she whispered, pressing her fingers to her eyes. “But don’t worry! I’ll still be swimming out there somewhere, okay?”

She gave a little spin, showing off her favorite shark hoodie — and yes, her stubborn little accessory. “Thank you for loving me, even when I’m a brat.”

With one last bright grin, Gura waved.

“Okay, chumbies…
Sayonara!”

The stream faded to black.