NOVEL WEB Chapter 12
Oh no, the introverted loser usually never goes out.
That’s the perception ordinary people have.
Well, it’s not like I think it’s wrong to say that.
Basically, it’s true.
Right now, I haven’t even had plans or the will to go out since the vacation started.
…It’s not that I can’t go out because I don’t have friends.
I just don’t like going out alone in the first place…
Anyway, it’s impossible for a person to never go out at all.
Even if I were called the king of introverts.
[Finally, my first merchandise is coming out!]
And the reason for my outings is mostly determined by this.
★
“…It’s hot.”
After about an hour’s travel, arriving at Akihabara, it was indeed hot.
This is why I especially don’t want to go out in summer.
In winter, at least layering helps a bit.
Well, I freeze easily anyway…
“I’m sure it was Tokubukiya.”
The reason I went out on this hot day.
Needless to say, it was to buy Natsune’s merchandise.
To be precise, I came to apply for a pre-order.
…To be honest, I obviously wanted to reserve it from home online.
But Tokubukiya at Akihabara has additional perks if you reserve directly at the location, so I had no choice.
“So hot…”
As I grumbled and made my way to Tokubukiya,
“Hey…”
Someone grabbed my shoulder from behind.
And without hesitation,
“Oh no?!”
I ran away at full speed.
Gasp.
Catching my breath, I looked around, and it seemed everyone was just staring at me oddly, no one looking like they were out to get me.
This is why I don’t like going out.
Because every time I do, there are sometimes guys wanting my number.
Well, I totally understand your feelings of wanting to get to know me since I’m like a super- cute girl, considering I was a guy in my previous life.
But still, I can’t help but feel it’s a bit much for me.
Haa…
The first time I experienced anything like this, I was incredibly flustered.
But after going through it several times, I eventually found the perfect solution.
I just have to bolt the moment someone tries to strike up a conversation!
If I try to reject with words, it just makes my head freeze and wastes my time.
However, if I sprint away without saying a word, they get startled and worry about the gazes around them so they can’t follow me.
How perfect is this plan?
Hoo.
I took a deep breath and surveyed my surroundings once again.
I’ve moved a little away from Tokubukiya, but it’s only about a five-minute distance.
There’s no problem walking back.
If anything, my back is soaking wet with sweat.
Sweat from a cute girl is a bonus, but since it’s my own sweat, I don’t feel that way at all.
“It feels gross…”
“Uh, hey?”
“Wahhh??!!!”
That guy from earlier chased me all the way here?!
I’m already exhausted to run again.
Feeling a mix of anxiety, surprise, and fear, I turned my gaze quietly.
“Looks like it’s really Kayanoh!”
There stood a bright blonde, frightening gal…
“I never thought I’d see Kayanoh here! How have you been?”
Wait, why is the most popular girl in our class, Tateyama, looking at me and smiling?
W-why is someone like Tateyama in Akihabara…?
“When I saw you, I thought you were Kayanoh, but you ran away without looking back, and it really surprised me!”
“Um, um, Tateyama, w-why are you in, in Akihabara?”
The communication monster, Tateyama, closing the distance with zero hesitation, was killing my vibe.
“Me? I’m here with Chicchan, Satchin, and Myan for our plans.”
…Who are Chicchan, Satchin, and Myan?
Since she said it like that, they must be nicknames of our classmates, but I don’t know any of them.
“You know Chicchan? She found a cafe called Owl Cafe online, so we came! Owls are seriously cute! How about you, Kayanoh? Want to go check it out together? I don’t mind going again!”
Words poured out like a rapid-fire waterfall.
Is this for real? High school girls do this?
Then what exactly was I?…
“Um, I…”
“Oh, Kayanoh must have something to do here in Akihabara. What’s your reason?”
“W-well, it’s…”
“Yep!”
Tateyama’s eyes sparkled, as if she absolutely needed an answer from me.
What pure eyes!
I felt like the introvert part of me was being purged.
That being said, since she keeps talking to me like this, I started to feel nauseous…
I was trying my best to avoid her gaze, but I was reaching my limit.
“I was, uh, going to Tokubukiya.”
But a super cute girl stuttering on the street is unacceptable.
Holding back my bubbling nausea, I tried to continue the conversation.
“Tokubukiya?”
Then, after hearing my words, Tateyama fell into thought for a second.
“Oh, that’s where the otaku go!”
She hit me with a lethal blow while smiling.
I don’t hide the fact that I’m an otaku.
I mean, it’s not like I have someone to hide it from in the first place, and I’ve kept a belief from my previous life that I should proudly speak about what I enjoy.
So even when someone makes fun of other people’s hobbies, I’ve never really felt hurt.
But.
‘Oh, that’s where the otaku go!’
I finally realized today that saying something with no ill intent while smiling can sting.
“I’ve never been to a merchandise shop! I’ve only heard Satchin say he goes there a lot because he’s an otaku, but every time I ask him to come along, he always refuses.”
That reminds me, Tateyama?
Why are you following me so naturally?
Of course, I didn’t have the courage to ask directly, but isn’t it something popular people can figure out when I give them hints?
“Wow! There are so many maid sisters here! They’re all so pretty!”
It seemed like my secret telepathy was blocked by Tateyama’s popularity shield.
Ugh, is this a barrier…?
“Have you ever been to a maid cafe, Kayanoh?”
“Uh? W-well…”
“I heard otaku often go to maid cafes!”
“I-I have been.”
I had gone to a maid cafe once in my previous life and once in this one, for a total of two times.
The first time left a pretty good memory, but when I went this time…
How should I put it…?
I felt kinda let down.
After more than ten years, not much really changed.
Sure, I get that since a maid cafe is a service industry, it’s natural for things to stay the same, but how should I express this feeling?
To be exact, it’s like I came from the past to the future, and it’s somewhat disappointing that people’s lives haven’t really changed.
We still can’t go to Mars, AI hasn’t taken over human labor, and we still don’t have full-dive VR games.
The only technological advancements I could feel were really just computers or smartphones with better specifications.
If I had to mention something, the quality of VTubers has skyrocketed beyond imagination.
Well, while that’s more than enough, it’s still a bit disappointing that the dream future remains a dream.
“How interesting.”
“…Yeah?”
“I never thought someone like Kayanoh would go to a maid cafe. I would’ve understood if it was for a job. But Kayanoh, you’re so cute!”
An introvert like me in the service industry?
I can just imagine me dying and them not feeling bad at all.
Or maybe?
Do otaku really like it if a gloomy cute girl works up the courage to be a maid in a cafe?
Well, I have no plans to find out since I really don’t want to see that.
“So? Tokubukiya, where is it?”
“Uh, um, if you turn around this corner and go straight, you’ll reach it.”
“Hmm, I see!”
“…Huh?”
Suddenly, my thoughts froze.
I glanced over, and Tateyama, who had been walking to the side, naturally linked arms with me, pulling me closer to her.
Thud, something soft brushed against my elbow…
“Hmm? Kayanoh, your face suddenly turned red, are you alright?”
“W-well, um, it’s because your elbow, um, touched my chest…”
After overcoming my embarrassment and finally saying that, Tateyama looked at me for a moment and then started covering her mouth with laughter.
“Ahahaha! What’s that, Kayanoh! It’s just girls, so what’s so embarrassing? Or are you saying Kayanoh might be into girls?”
“Eh? N-no, that’s not…”
“Hmmm, maybe if you’re as cute as Kayanoh, I might be okay with it?”
“W-what?!”
“Just kidding! Just kidding! Kayanoh, you’re such a dork!”
Tateyama laughed as if it was nothing.
They say girls have no resistance to skinship among friends, and it really seems to be true.
I learned something good.
From now on, I shouldn’t be shy and should confidently enjoy this sensation.
“Oh, by the way. Kayanoh, I don’t know anything about subculture, so explain everything well?”
“…Um, okay.”
Tateyama said this while looking down at me and smiling mischievously.
By the way, Tateyama’s chest feels ridiculously soft.
But seriously, I’m starting to feel dangerously nauseous.
★
[Sorry for being late. #KainohIzumi#StarsFlow#ApologyBroadcast]
– So what happened?
– Just overslept casually?
– They’ll explain a bit later in the Nator, remember?
“Uh, um, w-well, I went out today, and somehow I got, got caught by a classmate…”
Of course, I planned to just do my pre-order and head back for the broadcast.
But since I ran into Tateyama in such a casual way, I couldn’t reject her when she suggested we pop into a cafe for coffee…
I was totally flustered seeing Natsune’s bikini figure photo at Tokubukiya, and then she makes that suggestion!
Is this the real communication skill of popular people?
As a social mess, I had no choice but to accept.
– Classmate?
– Is it a guy?
– Is it bullying?
“A-ahn’t it?! It’s a girl, okay?! No one would dare bully someone as popular and vibrant as me!”
– Lol
– Let’s leave it at that…
– The extremely popular vibe-maker calling a fellow classmate a classmate, the IN-CRO-EI-TE-CHT!
– But lately, Mei-chan hasn’t been stuttering as much.
– Mentally, you still mess up in communication, but the feeling of impact stays the same.
– People really do grow… it’s touching (つω`｡)
– So what were you doing with your classmate?
“Um, well… we just held hands while walking around. Oh, by the way, you know? A girl with a huge chest and gentle to otaku really exists!”
– ?
– What on earth is this…
– Mei-chan, are you sleepy?
– Is the whole day out a lie? Did you just oversleep?
“I swear it’s true!!”