"I’m an otaku, too. That’s why... I’m so happy I could die that you gave me this figure."
Ichinose muttered the words softly, a bashful smile playing on her lips.
To think that Yuria Ichinose, the downer gyaru herself, was actually an otaku...
I’d figured she was pretty eccentric the moment I realized she watched borderline-pornographic anime like Breast-Kyun, but I never imagined she was a full-blown otaku.
"So, you mean you’ve been a closet otaku all this time?"
"It’s not like I specifically wanted to hide it. It’s just... being open about this hobby in front of Airi and Rui is... a bit much, I guess."
Well, that made sense.
Rui Kuroki was a "perfect human," a traditional Japanese beauty who lived a life completely removed from otaku culture. Then there was Airi Miyama, the bubbly, busty beauty who—despite being a secret hard worker—was known by everyone for her constant pursuit of "cuteness." Coming out as an otaku to those two seemed like a dauntingly high hurdle.
In reality, Ichinose was just as beautiful as they were—perhaps even more so—with a perfect figure and stunning features. But maybe it was precisely because of her status that she felt she couldn’t speak up.
Once you’ve settled into a specific social group, it's terrifying to reveal a side of yourself that doesn't fit the established mold.
Regardless of whether it involved being an otaku or not, that was just one of the many exhausting aspects of human relationships. Fearing that your social life might collapse because someone saw an unexpected side of you was a perfectly natural human response.
"I only like anime, but the thought of losing precious friends over something like that... I never want to go through that again. That’s why I keep it hidden."
Ichinose spoke with heavy significance. As she muttered those words, her gaze drifted toward a group of high school girls frolicking near the photo sticker machines.
I didn’t know the details, but it was clear that Ichinose had likely suffered a painful experience in the past.
The feeling that it was difficult to live openly as an otaku was a path everyone in this hobby walked at some point. Perhaps it couldn't be helped. Still, one question remained.
"If you love it that much, did you never think about just... not being a gyaru?"
"That’s absolutely out of the question."
Ichinose turned the back of her hand toward me, showing off her intricate nails.
"I’m particular about my nails, my makeup, and my fashion because I love them. I happen to love both otaku hobbies and flashy fashion. I won't give up either."
"...R-Right. You’re right. Sorry, that was an insensitive thing to say."
I was the one who had just told her there was no need to hide what she liked, after all. As a gyaru, Ichinose had genuine confidence in her style. It was only natural, considering she reigned at the very top of the class hierarchy.
"Your name was Izumiya, right?"
"Y-Yeah."
Just like with Miyama, it seemed my name hadn't even registered with her. I suppose that was the reality of being at the bottom of the social ladder.
"Izumiya, I'm asking you. Don’t tell anyone I’m an otaku. Especially not Airi or Rui. Absolutely never."
Miyama had told me something almost identical. I guess anyone would react this way if a guy like me—who just happened to sit nearby—stumbled onto a secret like this. Besides, to them, I was just some unrecognizable, gloomy otaku. She probably worried I’d hold this over her and demand something perverted.
"I-I don’t plan on telling anyone."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Besides, even if I did say something, it wouldn't sound realistic. I don't think anyone would believe me anyway."
"...Ah, I guess you’re right."
What do you mean, "I guess you're right"?! That reaction actually stung a little...
"Well, that’s a relief. It would’ve been game over for me if my otaku side got out."
Ichinose suddenly reverted to her usual downer, monotone way of speaking.
"But if that’s the case, it means I don’t have to hide it in front of you anymore, right?"
"Huh?"
Ichinose slowly opened her bag, pulled out a book, and held it up for me to see.
"I just bought this. Volume one of that light novel you were reading this morning, 'In Another World, I Sucked the Breasts of S-Rank Beauties and Sucked Up Their Cheat Skills Too.'"
"Th-The Opa-sui I was reading?! Why did you remember th—Wait, oh!"
Could it be...? That "I memorized it" she’d said this morning was...
"This morning, I memorized the title of the light novel you were reading. So I just bought it at the bookstore inside this mall. It was the last copy they had."
As expected, the popularity of Opa-sui was incredible... No, that wasn't the point!
"I-Is Ichinose going to read that too?"
"Of course. I happened to be looking for a new light novel anyway."
And that was why she had checked the title of the book I, an otaku, had been reading in class. It was an incredible stroke of luck, but I had managed to figure out not only Ichinose’s secret but also the real meaning behind her cryptic words from this morning.
"Hey, I want to swap thoughts on the story, so give me your LIME."
"H-Huh? Why so sudden?"
"Since I can’t usually do otaku activities in public, I’ve decided you’re going to be my partner for otaku talk from now on."
Ichinose stated it as if it were a foregone conclusion.
"T-That’s way too selfish!" I protested.
Even I had to draw the line somewhere. If I got any closer to the "Three Great Beauties" of our class, my peaceful life would—well, it was already on a one-way trip to disaster the moment I got involved with Miyama, but still...
"Good grief, have a little spirit, will you?"
"It’s not a matter of spirit or whatever."
"Fine. If you won’t go along with it... I’ll tell everyone that Izumiya looks at me with lewd eyes."
"L-Lewd eyes?"
"I might as well tell you now—I’m fully aware that you’re constantly ogling my thighs out of the corner of your eye during class, okay?"
(Gugh...?! Sh-She knew...?!)
I have to be honest. Despite my aversion to those three, my eyes had a mind of their own. I’d been looking at Miyama’s breasts with interest, and the truth was, it was the same for Ichinose. There were several times I’d glanced at the shapely thighs to my left while thinking about how I wouldn't mind being squeezed by them... Apparently, it had been painfully obvious.
"You keep my secret, and I’ll keep yours. That’s the deal from here on out."
Ichinose curled the corners of her mouth into a smirk, smiling like a mischievous child.
"So, looking forward to it, Izumiya."
"H-Huh..."
And so, I ended up building yet another complicated relationship—one slightly different from the one I had with Miyama—with the girl at the top of the class hierarchy, the gyaru Yuria Ichinose.