Although Eriri was trying hard to hide her low spirits, her unintentional movements still betrayed a sense of dejection. Jhin, noticing this keenly, took out a napkin and wiped the corner of his mouth.
I can't believe I ran into Otaku-Riri. No wonder she looked so familiar. Wait, could the person seen from behind in that photo of Bocchi-chan's street performance also be her?
"Miss Eriri, is something on your mind?"
Eriri thought that since these two were just strangers she'd met by chance, and they both seemed nice, it wouldn't hurt to confide in them a little, right?
She put down the spoon she was using for her porridge and leaned back in her chair, her small frame sinking into the soft cushion. Eriri asked tentatively, "What are your thoughts on 'otaku'?"
"Otaku? You mean like Yumiko, who holes up in her room all day and never comes out?"
Yumiko? Jhin glanced at Komine Sachi in surprise. Didn't you always call her Miss Sakaki before? Is this the progress in your relationship after coming to an understanding?
No, that's not right. During her date, Yumiko still addressed you all the same way as before.
"No, that's not it. It's not about being a homebody..." Eriri refuted Komine Sachi's statement, a hesitant look on her face. Even her small hands resting on the table clenched subconsciously. Should I explain what I really mean by 'otaku'?
She was afraid of encountering the same reaction she got at school.
Jhin stepped in to help Eriri out. "Sachi, Miss Eriri is probably talking about the kind of 'otaku' who likes anime and novels."
"Oh, I see," Komine Sachi said, clasping her hands with an apologetic expression. "I don't know much about that, so I can't really comment on them."
Yes! That's how a normal person should react! Eriri was so moved that she was on the verge of tears. Now, she was even more eager to hear the opinion of Jhin, who seemed to understand what she meant.
"Actually, you could say I'm an otaku myself," Jhin began. "It's just a shame there aren't any like-minded people in my class. Occasionally, a few classmates might read some of the currently popular novels."
"Jhin is an otaku?" Komine Sachi was thoroughly shocked!
Jhin was speechless. "Is it really that surprising? It's perfectly normal for me to have hobbies you don't know about. I mean, doesn't even Homelander have a little quirk for Getsuga Tenshou?"
"Homelander?"
"Getsuga Tenshou?"
Having accidentally mentioned works from his past life, Jhin couldn't easily explain their real meaning and quickly steered the conversation back on topic. "Personally, I'm actually very grateful to otaku—I'm referring to the majority who are decent people, not the morally corrupt ones."
"Think about it. Without these otaku who love the culture and quietly support the works they like with their actions, would latecomers like me really have the chance to experience the vast and flourishing world of anime, novels, and manga we see today?"
"I think it would probably be like some fad that becomes popular for a short while and is then completely forgotten. Like fireworks—a moment of brilliance, then cast aside and left behind."
Jhin's words caused Eriri's favorability towards him to skyrocket, elevating him from a random stranger to a kindred spirit she could talk to.
Although Jhin was speaking about mainstream works on the market, his words also applied to Eriri, who draws doujinshi. It is precisely because of people's support and love that the grand winter and summer Comiket events are held twice a year.
"So, even if society and schools still hold many prejudices against otaku, I'm still very grateful to this group. What you love is your life, isn't it?"
Eriri could hardly contain her impulse. Every word Jhin said struck a chord deep in her heart. With tears welling in her eyes, she stood up and tightly grasped Jhin's hand. "Comrade!"
Jhin's hand was being shaken up and down by Eriri. He had no idea what had set her off to have such a strong reaction. "Miss Eriri, calm down, calm down."
"Ah? Oh! I'm sorry, Miss Komine." Eriri finally realized that in her excitement, she had grabbed another girl's boyfriend's hand right in front of her. She awkwardly released Jhin's hands, sat back down, and tried to resume the posture of a refined young lady, though it clashed badly with her green tracksuit.
"It's fine." Komine Sachi wasn't bothered by it; it was just a handshake. Compared to the girls back at the dorm, this was nothing. The content of their recent conversations would need to be completely bleeped out if it ever got out.
"Ahem," Jhin coughed to ease the awkward atmosphere. "Getting back to the topic, I really wish there was a fellow otaku in my class. At least then we could talk about topics we both enjoy."
Eriri tried her best to put on an indifferent expression as she suddenly asked him, "What if people in your class found out you were an otaku, or what if someone was isolated or bullied because of it?"
Jhin frowned. He felt there was something off about the way Eriri said that, but he didn't dwell on it and continued expressing his thoughts. "Given the rumors about me at school, I don't think I'd run into that kind of situation..."
What kind of reputation do you even have at school to be so confident you wouldn't be bullied?
Eriri, of course, had no idea that the rumor of Jhin taking down some thugs at Shuka High School had since evolved into him single-handedly destroying an entire gang.
"But if a situation like that really did happen in class—no, before it could even start, I would nip it in the bud," Jhin said resolutely. "Hobbies and interests shouldn't be judged as superior or inferior."
"Thank you for your thoughts..." Eriri left with those words. After finishing her meal, she said goodbye to Jhin and Komine Sachi. It was easy to tell from her much lighter steps that she had relaxed considerably and lost the tense feeling she had before.
"Jhin, you're unintentionally charming another girl again," Komine Sachi said in a faint voice, slipping her soft little hand into his palm.
Jhin didn't think he could win Eriri over with just a few words. "Uh... I don't think so. I was just speaking my mind."
Komine Sachi was about to let it go. She had just lifted her little foot, clad in a black round-toed leather shoe, when she suddenly remembered what Kazami Kazuki had told her in private not long ago.
"Sachi, if you learn how to act jealous, you might get some unexpected results."
Isn't now the perfect time to be jealous!?
Realizing this on the spot, Komine Sachi immediately put on a jealous act. Her brows furrowed slightly, her eyes held a faint hint of grievance, and she pouted her pink lips. "I'm jealous."
Even though the shopping mall was bustling with people, including many girls who were more stylishly dressed, Komine Sachi throwing a little tantrum in the crowd was like a gemstone shining with its own unique brilliance in a river of sand—so dazzling you couldn't look away.
Well, this...
To be honest, Jhin never expected Komine Sachi to openly say she was jealous. Most of the time, she was more like a maid, suppressing all her emotions deep down and standing silently behind her master.
Jhin realized his own attitude might have been a bit off and decided to make it up to her. "Sachi, I remember you really like Shark Man, don't you?"
"Yes! I love Shark Man, and Makina loves Tuna Man." As soon as the topic turned to the children's anime she and Irisu Makina liked, Komine Sachi became like a child who had just gotten her favorite new toy, excitedly explaining and showing it off.
"Let's go check out the toy store. If they have a Shark Man, I'll buy it for you."
"Really?!"
"Of course," Jhin said, stroking her hair apologetically. "You don't have to suppress your feelings in front of me. Just be honest and say what's on your mind. I like it when you're willful with me."
Komine Sachi smiled sweetly. "I have a willful thought..."
___
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