"I'm an otaku too. That's why getting this figure from you… makes me so happy I could die."
Yuria Ichinose murmured with a bashful smile.
Yuria Ichinose, the downer gal, is actually an otaku… I always thought she was quite different for watching something as intensely erotic as Chichikyun. Still, I never expected her to be an otaku.
"So, you've been a closet otaku all this time?"
"It's not like I was hiding it on purpose. It's just… it's a bit tough to be open about this hobby in front of Airi and Rui."
That makes sense. Perfect superhuman Rui Kuroki is a Yamato Nadeshiko (a perfect standard for a woman in Japan), entirely disconnected from otaku culture. And Airi Miyama, the bubbly, big-breasted beauty (though she's had her share of hardships), is always in pursuit of cuteness and acknowledged as a true beauty by everyone… It's understandable why revealing herself as an otaku to these two would be a high hurdle.
Even Ichinose, who is equally, if not more, beautiful and has a perfect figure with ample chest and thighs, might find it hard to talk about it precisely because she is such a perfect being.
Once you're in a group, exposing a different side of yourself can be frightening. This isn't just about being an otaku; it's the tricky part of human relationships. It's natural to fear that revealing an unexpected side of yourself might disrupt your relationships.
"I don't want to lose precious friends just because I like anime… I never want that again. That's why I'm hiding it."
Ichinose said this meaningfully. Her eyes were fixed on the high school girls having fun at the photo sticker booth.
(I don't know the details, but Ichinose must have had some painful experiences in the past.)
It's inevitable for otaku to find it hard to live freely, and maybe that can't be helped. That's why one question remained.
"If you love it so much, didn't you ever think about quitting being a Gyaru gal?"
"Absolutely not."
Ichinose turned the back of her hand towards me, showing off her nails.
"I love nails, cosmetics, and fashion, and I'm committed to them because I love them. I like both my otaku hobby and flashy fashion."
"…I see. Sorry, I might have said something thoughtless."
I'm the one who said there's no need to hide what you love. Ichinose takes pride in her cosmetics and fashion as a gal. It's only natural for someone who reigns at the top of the class hierarchy.
"Your name is Izumiya, right?"
"Y-yeah."
Like with Airi, my name isn't remembered because I'm at the bottom of the class hierarchy.
"Izumiya, please. Don't tell anyone that I'm an otaku. Especially not Airi or Rui."
Airi said something similar to me before…
It's only natural for them to react like this after having their secrets known by someone like me, their nearby classmate. Plus, I'm a shady, unknown otaku. They must think I'd use their secrets to do something sleazy.
"I-I'm not planning to tell anyone."
"Really?"
"Yeah. Besides, no one would believe me even if I said something."
"…Yeah, that's true. You're probably right."
"What do you mean by 'Yeah, that's true'!"
Even though I said it, that reaction hurts…
"Well, that makes me feel relieved. It would have been my end if my otaku side was exposed."
Ichinose suddenly returned to her usual downer, monotone way of speaking.
"But that means I don't have to hide it from you anymore, right?"
"Huh?"
Ichinose slowly opened her bag and took out a book to show me.
"I bought this earlier. It's the first volume of the light novel you were reading this morning, 'Sucking S-Class Beauties' Boobs in Another World and Absorbing Their Cheat Skills'."
"M-My breast-sucking novel!? How do you remember… wait, what!"
Could it be… when she said she remembered this morning…
"I remembered the light novel title you were reading this morning. So, I bought it at the bookstore in this shopping mall. It was the last copy."
As expected, the popularity of the breast-sucking novel is amazing… no, that's not it!
"I-Ichinose, are you going to read that too?"
"Of course. I was looking for a new light novel."
So, she picked the title I was reading in the classroom. This is too good to be true, but now I understand Ichinose's secret and the meaning behind what she said this morning.
"Hey, give me your Lime account. I want to discuss the light novel with you."
"Huh? Why all of a sudden?"
"Since I can't usually engage in otaku activities, I've decided you will be my partner for otaku discussions."
Ichinose said this as if it were the most natural thing.
"T-That's too selfish!"
Even I have to protest. If I get any closer to the top three beauties of the class, my peace will… no, I've already been on a path to ruin since getting close to Airi…
"Come on, be more agreeable."
"It's not about being agreeable…"
"If you don't agree, I'll tell everyone you look at me with lewd eyes."
"L-Lewd eyes?"
"Just so you know, I've noticed you sneakily glancing at my thighs during class."
(Nnghh!? She noticed…?)
Let's be honest. Although I have a hard time with those three, I've been looking at Airi's chest with a sexual gaze, and actually, I've been doing the same with Ichinose too.
There have been times when I glanced at Ichinose's big thighs next to me, thinking how much I'd love to be squeezed by them… apparently, it was very obvious.
"You keep my secret, and I'll keep yours. That's the kind of relationship we have from now on."
Ichinose smirked mischievously.
"So, nice to meet you, Izumiya."
"Y-Yeah…"
Thus, I established a unique kind of relationship with Yuria Ichinose, the gal on the top of the class hierarchy, which was different from my relationship with Airi Miyama.