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It was during the following day that a nice reply came back from the administrator of the group 'Get Together, Otaku Girls'.
After coming home from school, I was dragged into Kirino's room like usual, and now I'm reading the response from the community's current administrator, nicknamed 'Saori'.
"Nice to hear from you, Kiririn-sama. I am 'Saori', the administrator of the community 'Get Together Otaku Girls'. Please allow me to get straight to the point. Thank you for sending in the entry application letter for our community. We gladly accept it. We will surely become great friends, since our ages and hobbies are similar. If you’d like, we’d be pleased if you participated in the tea party we are planning to have in a few days. We hope to have a nice chat with you. I hope for a good response. We wish you the best."
"Nickname 'Saori'-san, eh? Hmm... This person seems to be really well mannered."
From reading her message, I got the impression that she is a high classed lady. How should I put it... she has this dignity that you can smell. There's also this frail kind of feeling... My instinct tells me she must be a very cute girl.
By now, I noticed that Kirino was looking at me as if she was looking at animal droppings.
"Disgusting... What are you smiling about?"
"I'm not smiling. I am just relieved she seems to be a good person."
"Well... somewhat. She's the high classed, good mannered lady type? ...I can't imagine one. We don't have that kind of person in my classroom."
That's right. Your friends are all showy, just like you. They might be attractive and nice looking, but they still have an aura that makes them difficult to approach. It's like how they fend off all but similar types of people. They have thorns that prick you when you come by.
"S-So, you are joining, right?"
"Y-Yes... I will."
Kirino nods with a somewhat troubled expression. Jeez... She's been like this since last time... It's like something's worrying her, but she can't say it in words and is hiding it. The issue about meeting older men was solved. What else can it be...? It bothers me, and I try to ask but...
"Hey, you have something bothering you, right?"
"Not really."
You see? She's like this. Looks like she really doesn't want to tell me. If that's how she is, I can't really do anything. I do feel uneasy though... Heh... I'll encourage her, at least.
"Oh well. Do your best then."
"Huh? Why are you saying it like it's not your business?"
Kirino stabs me with her eyes that seem to be saying 'pigs should die'. Why do I get these horrific taunts when I gave her warm words of encouragement? Why is this exchange so wrongly equal?
While I'm frowning, Kirino goes on.
"Life Counselling, the continuation."
She cuts up words and mutters. She continues ordering me like that's something natural for her.
"Come along with me."
...She's telling me something bizarre.
"... Explain how I, a male, should participate in a girls only meeting?"
"Why don't you just cross-dress?"
"I won't! Don't say it so simply! If they found out, I will be known as some perverted dude who took such a risk just to participate in a girls only offline meeting!"
"It's fine. I've considered those risks."
"That's only your risks! I'm talking about mine! I’m not prepared to be given the title 'hentai'! I'm not all right at all!"
More importantly...
"If I cross-dress, they'll find out in an instance!"
"Oh yes... That's true."
Kirino seems to understand finally. She nodded a few times, understanding the issue, and then blurted out demonically.
"Why weren't you born with good looks?"
"I'll fucking kill you! Out of all the things you said to me, that hurt me the most! Quit looking at me like you're watching something pitiful! Immediately!"
Only after all this complaining, Kirino took her eyes off me and made a small clicking sound with her tongue.
"All right then... We'll use a more normal method."
"You're making it sound like I really want to go to the meeting and I'm begging you to let me go. Oh well... I'll at least hear what you got to say. What do you mean by a more normal method?"
"How about I send 'Saori'-san a message now, saying that someone who I know (male, age 17) desperately wants to go to a girl filled tea party and keeps begging me. I pity him too much, so can take him along."
"That only makes the distinction between 'a sneaky hentai' and a 'proud and grand hentai'."
Rather, she'd decline it naturally, since it's a girls only meeting. It will ruin the mood completely.
After telling her that, Kirino became unhappy. She bit her lip and stared at me.
"Then what are you going to do?"
"Like I said, it's impossible for me to participate... Oh come on stop staring at me. I get it..."
I place the pointer at the topic for the offline meeting and click. The details are displayed.
"Look at this place... Is it some cafe? They didn't rent the whole place out or anything, right? Then I'll sit in a seat nearby. Well, I won't be able to get into the conversation, but I will watch over you." I notice while I'm telling her this, but I've just been sitting close by.
I, of course, expected some cursing from Kirino but...
"All right, that will do."
I don't know why, but Kirino nodded obediently. My eyes are wide open in surprise.
"I-I see..."
Come to think of it, why did she ask for me to go along? I didn't have the chance to ask her but... Just me being beside her is fine...? I don't get it at all...
In any case, next Sunday I will have to hide in the corner and watch my sister on her sortie at the 'Get Together Otaku Girls' offline meeting.
The date for the meeting came within moments.
An hour and a half on the train from the station close by. My current coordinates are... Akihabara Station, Electronics Street Entrance.
For a weekend afternoon, I expected the famous Akiba to be more crowded, but it wasn't as bad as I expected. From the looks of the station and the station square, it looked rather well maintained and clean.
"Oh wow! The Radio Department! The Gamers Head Store!"
Though she kept her tone down, Kirino seemed to be unable to hide her feelings.
...She sure looks excited. It looks like it wasn't only me who's never been to Akiba before. Her usual territory in Tokyo would be Shibuya or Harajuku. She did have all the merchandise, but maybe she's still a beginner otaku. I check the time with my phone.
"Hey Kirino. We don't have much time left. If you want to go to the shops, then make that after the offline meeting is finished."
"I know. Hey, will you keep away from me? I don't want them to get the wrong idea that we're on a date or something."
"..."
While Kirino was giving me such harsh comments, it was still her first offline meeting. So she was dressed up with the best clothes she could find; adult looking clothes that reveal her shoulders with a mini skirt and boots. She had expensive looking charms at the right places too.
Even I can see that her fashion is outgoing.
She's dressed in the way that you'd almost want to tell her to go to Odaiba or Shibuya.
True, she doesn't match up with me, who's wearing a plain shirt with jeans.
But still, it's too late now so I won't tell her this but... You're going to go into this meeting dressed like that...? Sure, you look cute but... Oh well... I wonder if you'll be all right.
"All right. We'll split up for now. You're meeting up here, right? I'll be going to the shop directly and standby for you."
"Huh? Oh, yes I got it."
"Don't look so worried. I'll be watching over you."
"I-I'm not looking worried! Just go already, idiot!"
"Yeah, fine. Later."
I wave my hand and turn my back around.
Going past the shop that Kirino called the 'Gamers Head Store', I get to the main street. The shops nearby have games and wires and such put in a huge mess. You don't really understand what they're trying to sell at first glance. It resembled the candy stores I used to go when I was small. It was this feeling of getting excited even though I had nothing I wanted in particular.
...There sure are a lot of people here.
This area really gets crowded. But from what I hear, when Akihabara was the most crowded, they used to have unauthorized concerts on this main road. Maybe Akihabara has calmed down from those days... ...It's like some festival.
It was still lively enough to make me feel that way.
Impressed, I take out the map I printed out from my shoulder bag and take a look.
...Oh I wasn't supposed to come this way. It was the other way around.
I looked behind to turn the other way, where I saw Kirino still standing there.
Since I walked off like that, I can't just turn back. I took a left turn and left the large streets filled with electronics shops. I made another left turn, and then went straight ahead, going past the rail tracks. There, I found a narrow building to the right.
It's the Shosen Book-tower, according to the map. After coming all this way, it doesn't look too much like a city of Otaku, but rather like an area around any other ordinary station.
I cross the street and stop at the entrance of the Book-tower.
...Uhh, I am going the right way... right?
I keep following the road. After a few minutes walking, the cityscape changed into a quiet neighbourhood. If this map is correct, there should be a cafe around here...
"Ah hah, here!"
I stop walking and look up at the building resembling a lodge.
Cafe Pretty Garden looks like a cosy white shed from outside. I walk up the short steps and open the wooden door. The door opened with a nice ring of bells.
*Ring* *Ring*
“Welcome back, my Master!”
Maids in French maid outfits greeted me all at once.
I closed the door pretending to have seen nothing.
"... ... W-Wh-Wha-What was THAT?!"
I held the door closed tight with my hands and murmur. Well I should understand. I do understand. ...But still, give me some time. My brain needs some time to digest what just happened. Even though the cityscape looked normal, I should have known since I am still in Akiba...
I heard rumours about it... It's what they call...
This place was a Maid Cafe?!
After my brain finally digested the situation, my brain was able to produce some response.
I take a deep breath, and open the door again with deep fear.
*Ring* *Ring*
“Welcome back, my Master!”
The scene I saw just now came back... Damn it. It wasn’t an illusion after all. Maids come up to me cutely to greet me.
A white apron with frills, skirts that are way too short, and long socks...
Their outfit was surely for cuteness only.
I really wanted to go home, but since I promised to be here ahead of her, there's no way I can turn back. I prepare myself and take a step forward.
Kousaka Kyousuke, age 17. My first maid cafe experience...
"Are you here alone, my Master?"
"Uh huh..."
"All right, then please follow me this way."
The maid leads me to one of those seats for singles. The cafe was decorated like any other cafe on the inside. Orange lighting lit up the rather dark interior, with the somewhat old western furniture reproducing a western mansion well. By the way, even though it's lunchtime, there aren't many guests. Did those people reserve this place for the offline meeting?
"Will this seat be fine for you?"
"Oh yes, sure."
The maid pulls the chair out for me and I take a seat. It still doesn't feel natural to me after all.
All the maids have pretty cute faces.
"This is our menu here. My master, do you have any order on how would you like to be addressed?"
"H-Huh? What is that?"
"Oh, please decide how we should call you~ By the way, we have on order 'My master', 'Dear sir', '-kun', '-chan', 'oniichan', 'oniisama' and many others."
...Maid cafes sure are something. It isn't something an ordinary high school student like me can easily conquer.
I guess I have no choice but to smile. Be as it may. I make a fearless smile and tell her.
"...Well, I don't really care about it."
"Oh really? Then I'm going to call you 'oniichan' then, Oniichan!"
Her attitude suddenly becomes needlessly friendly. Already, she doesn't sound like a maid. Maybe I'm not supposed to make remarks like that. Well, this maid is apparently over 20 years old...
"Did you say something, oniichan?"
"Oh no, nothing!"
How scary! I thought she could read my mind. As I wiped the sweat off my forehead with my hand, the maid brings me water. I gulp it down to relieve my thirst and take a look at the menu.
Well, I haven't had any lunch yet so... Something that would fill me up...
"...?"
I look down at the list of items with a puzzled expression. Why you ask?
Well, how should I describe it... Why don't I give some examples instead?
<3 Lunch <3
Lovelove Rice Omelette from the Maid (with Ketchup of Otafuku) 900 Yen
Imouto's Handmade Curry (Parupunte Flavour, Begiragon Flavour, Zaraki Flavour) 1000 Yen[1]
Special made ramen from your Tsundere Class-rep 800 Yen
<3 Drinks <3
Spirit of Saiyan 300 yen[2]
Choushinsui 300 yen[3]
Shinseijyu Juice 300 yen[4]
...See, it's really hard to figure out what they are. At least the lunch items sound like food. I don't have any idea what I'll be served if I order these drinks. What am I supposed to do here?
I had no choice but to ask the maid.
"Excuse me, what is this... uhh... Spirit of... Saiyan?"
"Oh, that's vegetable juice, oniichan!"
Then just write that down will you? ...Of course I wouldn’t say that aloud. This must be how it works here so...
By the way, Choushinsui was 7Up and Shinseijyu Juice was mixed juice.
"Have you decided, oniichan?"
"Not yet. I'm sorry."
Embarrassingly I'm so nervous I'm speaking formally.
"By the way, my recommendation is Imouto's Handmade Curry. I'm going to make it myself, oniichan!"
"Then I will order that."
That bitch! She chose the most expensive one with no hesitation! ...Wait, I'm at fault for being controlled by her so easily...
"We got an order! Imouto's Handmade Curry, Zaraki Flavour please!"
What... Zaraki flavour? It sounds like the craziest one already. Damn it. Let it be!
They won't give me something that's completely inedible, will they?
"Oh whatever..."
I'm already tired just from ordering something. Anyhow, I can take some rest for now.
I make my chair creek and look up at the ceiling.
It was then, that a group of customers appeared.
*Ring* *Ring*
“Welcome back, my Master!”
Now they've come. I take a cap out from my bag and put it on tight.
I looked at the entrance pretending it to be natural.
A pack of girls come in. I don't see Kirino yet. Heh, they are quite plain as I thought. I know this is rude, but most look quite geeky.
There are a few that seem to be wearing those cosplay costumes. Huh?
Whoa... There's one amazing one.
Even though I'm keeping this to myself, you might think I'm really rude. But well... Would you still be able to say that after seeing that? I looked carefully at the girl who lead the group.
Well, you see... She's huge. I mean really huge. She's just really huge.
She’s maybe around 180cm. Well... if you only note that, she'd sound like some super model. But it's also how she's dressed that's amazing. She's visibly otaku.
She has a bandana on her hair, wears those round spectacles, her long sleeved plaid shirt is tucked into her pants, and she carries a rugged backpack.
What's more, the backpack has posters sticking out of it.
...In short, she's dressed like the typical Otaku that comes up on TV, but has a super model like body.
I'm not lying. I can't even believe it, but there she is before my eyes so I just have to believe it.
Shit... I'm so surprised my throat is dry.
Phew... Tokyo is a scary place after all. This taught me something...
My head's quite confused, so I gulp down the water to try and calm myself.
In front my sight was the huge girl I described just now. She seems to be talking to the maid.
"I reserved for 1300 de gozaru"[5]
This jumbo is speaking in an outrageous way.
The maid doesn't seem even a bit surprised. She's pro.
"All right. May I ask for your name?"
"Saori Bajeena"[6]
*PFFT* I spat out the water, coughing and choking.
*cough cough cough cough cough*
"Oh my, a-are you all right, oniichan?"
The maid pats my back as I'm in pain. Shit... it's gone into my windpipe... *Cough*cough* Damn it... I'm dying but...
Let me make this comment before I die.
You're the nickname 'Saori'-san?! And what Bajeena? Aren't you Japanese? Oh right... The community name was strange from the start so...
Well you see... it isn't unusual when the internet personality doesn't match the real life personality. I accept that. But you see, this is what you can call fraud!
I didn't expect the high-class pretty girl I imagined to come up...
Still, you're more like completely diagonal than the opposite of expectations! I've never had anything more surprising than this in my 17 years of life.
Maybe this is some really badly done comedy. Damn it. I'm seriously doing tsukkomi with someone I haven't ever talked to...[7]
*cough cough* "I'm sorry to cause trouble..."
"Oh don't worry. I'll bring some more water. But oniichan, I'll be mad if you do it again."
The maid knocks my head lightly. She isn’t surprised by unexpected events and still continues with the serving attitude. She really has the professional spirit.
"Really, I'm sorry."
I am blushing with tears. And with the commotion I caused just now, it seems like I got the attention of everyone in the hall.
The few male customers stare at me with sharp eyes that silently say "Damn, I envy you so much". No no, I didn't do that on purpose! Damn it. I feel so out of place.
I glance at the entrance again, and there I see Kirino with her arms crossed and giving me a look that's telling me "What the fuck you standing out for? Wanna die?". Sorry, but I couldn't help it. It's Bajeena's fault!
I try to explain that to her with my eyes only.
"Heh!"
I don't know if my eye contact worked or not, but Kirino looked aside.
But really, she's standing out badly.
That's nothing unexpected, as the other members of the Get Together Otaku Girls were (other than the jumbo one) a little plain looking, and a few quiet looking girls in cosplay. Hair dying is rare.
In a group like that, a teenage fashion magazine model (hair dyed brown) with full fashion coordination comes up. It's no wonder she would stand out.
Two maids come up and bow to the community members gathered around the entrance waiting to be escorted.
"We are sorry to have made you wait. Let us take you to your seats."
The group of girls move in one by one behind the maids.
Kirino and the others were led to the corner of the restaurant. They put a few tables together to make seats for the group.
The approximately ten members split into smaller groups naturally and take seats, chatting to each other. From what I hear them talking about, it seems like this is their first offline meeting. So that means, all of them have met each other for the first time. But...
"..."
K-Kirino has become isolated...
She's sitting in the corner all by herself. She's looking around the room, sitting strangely stiff. She's just like the kid who’s left all alone in elementary school when the teacher asked the people to split up in groups.
This is pitiful... I held my chest tight and watched.
"Umm..."
Kirino, frightened, tries to speak up, but only after exchanging two or three words, they stop talking. It's like they're scared of each other. They're supposed to be a group of people with the same hobby, yet they don't look like that at all. It's like they aren't speaking the same language, or like there is some invisible wall...
I clicked my tongue.
Right... I had a slight feeling things might turn out like this...
Kirino emits this princess-like aura that tells commoners to stand back.
She's pretty, cute, and has the thorns that keeps away all others who don't have the similar traits. Of course, that works fine at school. There are many types of people at school, so those with the same traits get together and form a group.
And Kirino had been the center of the most gorgeous group, and there all she had to do was dress extra fashionably, and act cute.
That princess-like, thorny aura worked as charisma to lure those with the similar properties. But here, it doesn't work like that. The people Kirino wants to get along with have absolutely different traits compared to those who she gets along with at school. If I were to relate this situation to something...
Well, it's like throwing a 'wolf that wants to be friends with sheep' in a herd of sheep. However hard the wolf tries to talk to the sheep, they will all be freaked out and think "Why is she in our herd?"
"..."
I bite my lips out of frustration. Oh, they ran away from Kirino again. They really only last exchanging two or three words. At first they will respond, but soon they shift to another group's topic, and leave Kirino.
...Rather, I don't understand a thing about what I can hear them speaking.
It's like I've wandered into some foreign country...
I face palm and sigh. That was when Kirino looked at me with a look seeking help.
...Don't make an expression like you're about to cry. That's not how you usually are.
I was gripping my hand tight, and that was when...
"Sorry for the wait. Here's Imouto's Handmade Curry, Oniichan!"
"Oh thanks."
This damn maid... you brought it at the worst possible timing! My sister saw me make a maid call me oniichan! I'm screwed!
Kill me please... I am shaking in embarrassment, but still looked at Kirino. Kirino wasn't looking at me anymore, but that doesn't matter. I grip my hand tight, and look at her sharply.
Hey Kirino, I can't do anything for you. But I'm still looking after you here.
So work hard, Kirino. Work hard, Kirino. Work hard! I send her meaningless telepathy.
Damn it.
What part of this is handmade? This taste is obviously pre-packaged...
The offline meeting continued for two more hours, and they finally did some gift exchange thing to wrap it up.
Kirino was unable to make any proper communication, and of course didn't make any friends either...
Even worse, whoever brought it, the gift Kirino got was some cheap expandable hand thing.
Hey, that's unacceptable. This is too cruel.
They have proper prizes for losers in bingo...
My sister, who's playing with that hand thing all alone, looks too pitiful.
...Man I'm actually crying.
Has there ever been a sight that was more teary than this in my 17 years of life?
By the way, I'm outside the shop now, standing a little away from the group.
That was when the administrator of the community and the organizer of this offline meeting, 'Saori' made the closing speech.
"Thanks to your cooperation, our commemorative first tea party has concluded without trouble. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart."
A happy cheer comes up. That's how a community representative should be. Even though she looks like that and talks in ninja-speak, she’s strangely popular among the otaku girls. Since she's standing out physically, it's like she's a teacher escorting a group of middle-schoolers.
"The tea party is finished for now, but those who still have time and those who want to talk more with the new friends you made, please head off on your own to the second and third parties. I'll be writing up another post about the next event, so everyone be sure to participate! Now scram!"
Another huge cheer. Everybody starts saying their goodbyes, and then invitations like "Hey let's go to Tora no Ana." and "Where should we go next”? and "Hey, let's have some deep conversation about couplings in Gundam Seed.”
But my sister, Kirino, is not in the ring of them having fun conversation. The offline party members leave in groups of two and three.
By the way, after making the closing comments, 'Saori' ran off quickly.
Did she have some urgent business?
...And after people have gone away, Kirino was standing there all alone. It's like she still can't give up the hope that someone might still invite her. She looks exhausted and her shoulders are slouching. Her cute clothes she put all the effort to coordinate only add to her misery now. That was completely counterproductive.
She was like a soldier from a losing country with broken sword and no more arrows. What's worse, she has the hand toy in her hand.
I took my cap off and slowly went towards my lonely sister.
"...Say no word. You worked hard."
I put my hand on her head, but she slaps it away quickly.
Ah right. No need for pity.
Kirino was looking down and doesn't want to show me her expression but...
If she can stay strong like that, it's fine. You failed this time, but if you reflect on your mistakes and stand up again, you can challenge as many times you want, right?
"All right Kirino, since you came all the way to Akiba, why not go sightseeing?"
I give her a back slap, and she responds with a nasty tone.
"That hurts, idiot. But really, what was that. Suddenly spraying water..."
"But really, I couldn't help that."
As we continued with this needless talk, Kirino makes a huge sigh.
"... I couldn't talk at all."
"That's right. But things start off like that. No need to worry."
"Not really. Wh-Why... I-I acted like normal... but why do they avoid me? Damn it's so annoying! So annoying!"
She stomps and bites hard out of frustration.
"..."
I can't tell her to stop, since I have experience with that too. Having times when I could only transform sadness into anger to disperse it...
My sister, I understand you are pissed, but I don't think it's right to kick your brother out of anger. I'm not just some wall. You know I feel pain when I get kicked?
Well I won't get mad. Even though it hurts for me, it must hurt for you too, so I'll bear it for today.
"Ouch! You bitch! Using the heel is out of the question! Damn! How can I keep taking this! I'm not that accepting!"
As I was taking my sister's raging attacks...
Someone unexpected appeared.
"Hey! Kiririn-shi! Phew! So good you were still here!"
"Y-You're... S-Saori-san?"
Panting from the run was the administrator of the community, Saori.
"Oh my, all the formalities. No need. It's between you and I. Nevertheless, really, I’m glad. I was just about to call you up."
Saori makes a smile. But she's really outgoing. Her ninja speak is also weird. I thought I got used to it already from hearing it from far, but now that she’s speaking to us, I really don't know how to respond.
It seems Kirino isn't good at dealing with this either, and only managed to ask shyly.
"S-Something to do with me?"
"Uh huh!"
Saori nodded making a ω like expression. She makes a strangely cute expression despite her huge body. The thick round glasses cover half of it but her face does look quite decent up close. Unlike someone I won't name, maybe she is a beauty without her glasses.
All of that aside, Saori raised a finger up and said.
"Well actually, I was going to ask you out to the secondary party."
"Huh?"
Kirino is confused by the unexpected offer. Before she replies, the thick glasses locked onto my face.
"Kiririn-shi, who is the man by the way? If it's not my misunderstanding, I must have seen him in the restaurant... Oh I see."
Saori seems to have arrived at some conclusion.
"He must be your boyfriend."
"NOOOOO!"
We both deny at the exact same time. What kind of misunderstanding can you make out of all the choices?
"Oh you say it's not like that? Excuse me. But I found him watching Kiririn-shi closely in the restaurant. I thought those eyes were with love."
"Hell no! Quit it please! I feel sick already just from imagining."
Damn this sister is annoying. Isn't there any better way to fix her misunderstanding?
While thinking so, I add to her.
"I'm called Kousaka Kyousuke. I'm her genuine brother. Don't get me wrong."
"Ah huh! So you must be Kiririn-shi's look unlike brother."
...Leave us alone.
After nodding, Saori makes a light bow to me.
"Well then, let me introduce myself formally. You must know already but I go by the name Saori Bajeena.
Call me 'Saori'."
"Thank you for being so proper."
And what was that ninja speak for. You really do sound otaku. You know you keep switching the way you address yourself?
I make those comments in my heart, and bow back.
"So then, Kyousuke-shi, uhh is it alright to call you Kyousuke-shi? How about you join in, Kyousuke-shi?"
"Join...? To that secondary-party thing?"
"Of course. What's your answer?"
Whoa, don't suddenly come up close to me. You surprised me.
I pull myself back a step, and that was when Kirino spoke up in a little worried fashion.
"Umm... will many others be coming?"
So that means she doesn't want to go. Of course I understand why. If she knows she's going to be treated as an outcast again if she goes, then of course she won't find that fun.
Since Kirino has been treated well elsewhere, she must find it even more unpleasant.
But Saori shook her head, and sticks four fingers up.
"It will be four people including Kiririn-shi and Kyousuke-shi. I want to invite you because I wasn't able to talk to you much back there. Well, it's not anything major. I thought we might just go to McDonalds or something and talk, and then go shopping or something."
"Well, hmm..."
After hearing the details, Kirino is apparently interested in it, and starts thinking. If it's something like that, then I know I won't be excluded, so maybe it's all right for me to go.
That's what she must be thinking.
It's a great chance. What's there to think about?
So I thought I should push Kirino, and told this to Saori.
"I don't mind, that is, if she says she's all right with it."
"So, how is it, Kiririn-shi?"
"Hmm..." Kiririn tried to look like she was thinking more, and after taking so long, she made her cheeks pink and...
"F-Fine. If you insist on it, then I'll go..."
She said it so childishly it was hard for me not to laugh.
She doesn't look younger than me normally, but occasionally she makes this little sister like expression, and that cuteness makes me smile.
"Oh that's great! Then let's go you two! The other one is already waiting at McDonalds."
Saori unsheathes the posters in her backpack like a light sabre and points at the direction.
This jumbo otaku looking girl who talks in ninja speak and is the administrator of a community...
Honestly, she only looks like a weirdo who's thinking of nothing... But maybe...
She has something that allows her to gain admiration among the otaku as their leader.
After meeting the final participant of the secondary party, that suspicion changed into conclusion.
We are sitting in the corner sofa seat on the second floor of the closest McDonalds from Pretty Garden.
Two tables are put together to make a seat for four.
I sit besides Kirino, facing me is Saori, and facing Kirino is the final participant. We have drinks in front of each of us. Kirino, Saori and I bought drinks downstairs before coming up, and just a few seconds ago, we first met the final participant.
By the way, ever since the four of us met up, no one spoke a word.
But really, she's dressed really amazing in a different way from Saori.
After seeing the final participant, I opened my eyes wide.
Oh yeah, I didn't really see this person's face much but... She was sitting in the opposite corner from Kirino all alone and fiddling with her mobile.
Since she is looking down the whole time, I can't see her face, but she has some beautiful black hair.
And I guess you call this... cosplay...
The clothes she was wearing was a dress in midnight black too. Many rose flower petal-like frilly things were attached to it, making it seem gorgeous. She can probably participate in a ball with this.
"It's been bothering me forever but, looking at it from close, she looks very much like... Suigintou."
That was Kirino's comment. But you see Kirino, this stands out in another sense different from you, eh?
I don't know what role she was cosplaying, but this is apparently putting in too much effort. It's too serious.
After checking that everyone has taken their seats, Saori introduced us.
"These two are, Kiririn-shi, and our special guest, the big brother, Kyousuke-shi. This is our community member..."
"...Nickname, 'Kuroneko'[8]" The final one finally raised her head and introduced herself randomly.
It was a blank emotionless tone.
"U-Um, I'm Kiririn. N-Nice to meet you."
Kirino spoke nervously. It's somewhat unfitting for her, but she was like this the whole time during the offline meeting.
"I'm Kousaka Kyousuke. Excuse me for suddenly participating."
I follow my sister and introduce myself. A response comes in a dark voice.
"...Right. Well, nice to meet you, for now."
I'll keep it simple but, that Goth-Lolita woman was a hell of a beauty.
That said, she was quite a different type from Kirino.
Long straight black hair neatly cut at the forehead, white skin, pointed eyes, and a birthmark under her left eye.
I don't know if it’s the right way to describe the woman in the dress but, she's a ghost-like Japanese style beauty.
I guess the red color contact lenses are part of her cosplay.
The looks of her told she was mean and gloomy... Like she would start using black magic anytime. She is beautiful, but had none of the glamour Kirino had. It's like a black aura of negative vectors were streaming from all over her body.
"It looks like everyone's arrived, so I'm going to ask now. What was your intention of luring me into some place like this, administrator?"
"Haha! I told you back then. I wanted to invite you into the secondary party. But it really was close. The instant I finished talking, you started off, so I had to chase you like crazy. You didn't even give me time to invite you!"
Saori elbows the Goth-loli woman lightly, but she stays expressionless. She hasn't changed her expression a bit since she appeared, which is way too creepy.
But now I know why Saori was running off.
...Ah hah. Now I start to understand this Saori woman's intentions.... The reason why she chose the two, Kirino and the Goth-loli woman...
This secondary party must be held with the purpose of inviting those who had been excluded in the offline party just now, and have them enjoy themselves too.
That's why no one else is here.
... "I'd like to get friendlier with those who I didn't have the chance to talk to as much." She says.
That's a good way of wording it. Despite how she looks, she can think for others quite well.
Maybe she sensed our situation when she didn't ask any reason why I was to come along with Kirino, and let me participate here as a special guest.
Then, maybe like she looks, she has some huge generosity.
*sip*
Kirino looks like she still isn't feeling secure, and sips her cola frantically.
She doesn't seem to notice, but the 'Kuroneko' seems to have noticed.
I guess that's why she had been looking unhappy ever since the first meeting.
Well, we're thankful of them in a sense, but we feel somehow uneasy as she is being merciful to us, since we can see her intentions. Well, I really can't do anything about that.
Kuroneko must feel quite troubled too, since I feel quite troubled myself.
But you see, if I were the administrator, I wouldn’t make the effort to specially invite those that got excluded. Those who didn't fit in with the atmosphere of a first time meeting would probably not come to the next meeting, so Saori could have just forgotten about them.
So this is what I believe. This strange fashion jumbo woman is a good person.
"By the way, Kuroneko-shi, there’s no need to address me formally as 'administrator'. You can just call me 'Saori'. Since we're all here, no need to be polite, all we need is to do have fun."
"You've got some nerves to call yourself 'Saori' with a body like that."
This Goth-loli... the moment she said we don't need to worry about being polite, what could she be saying?
"Oh my, no one ever told me that before."
"Of course not. Since your nickname fits perfectly with your internet personality, you were acting like some high-class lady. But the real deal is like this. This is nothing other than fraud. It's even bad as a joke. I'll give you some good advice. You can start calling yourself 'Andre' or something. Then people won't get confused. Oh yeah... your weird way of speaking, and how you're dressed... you're..."
"Some Ugly-Otaku from what era?"
Sudden honest words came out of Kirino, who had been all frightened and small.
"H-Hey! Not needing to be polite doesn't mean you can say whatever horrible stuff you like!"
Well, I did think stuff like that too... but you're not supposed to say it aloud!
She invited you two, who were excluded. What kind of horrible way to return the favour was that?
Especially you there, Kirino! You've been all quiet until now, and that was your first comment? Kneel down and apologize!
Don't just be looking aside and drinking cola!
But Saori, who was humiliated like that, seemed not to mind.
"Well well, Kyousuke-shi, no need to be so serious. I do appreciate you standing up for me, but such words like that are only as effective as a light breeze. Rather, I would say it feels nice. So don't mind it, really. You can humiliate me all you want too."
"I was about to think you were a really good person, but with your final line, now I don't really understand."
How tolerant can you be of people bad mouthing you?
As I was looking at the situation dimly, Saori puts up a finger and swings up to the table.
"And so, now that we've become comfortable, how about we introduce ourselves once again?"
"Though I don't really think that conversation we had now justifies as becoming comfortable..."
That wasn't a bad proposal. But Saori's remark made everyone silent.
"..."
Come on you two... say something will you? It's uneasy now.
With no other option, I tried to persuade them.
"Don't you think that's a good plan?"
"..."
Still no response. It looks like that Kuroneko and Kirino are confused.
Kuroneko probably isn't really into this kind of thing, and for Kirino the failure she had back then must be affecting her. Hmm... If they make you introduce yourself out of nowhere, then it's quite difficult... Though outsiders shouldn't speak up like this, I guess it can't be helped here. I made a proposal.
"Then, how about we ask a question one at a time to the person being introduced? Then it will be easier to speak up. Oh yeah, passing is fine, so go on take turns!"
"Hmm great idea! As expected of Kyousuke-shi. So then, let's begin with questioning time for Kuroneko- shi!"
"...Yeah being so bossy."
Saori tries with obvious gestures to calm Kuroneko down who was eyeing her sharply.
Kuroneko blows on her hot coffee, takes a sip, and murmurs something like it didn't really matter.
"Well it's fine then. And so, I did reveal my name. What else am I to say?"
"Well, then my question is... let me see..."
I expected she would ask 'the easiest question', but she didn't.
"How about, 'what freaked you out the most in your life'?"
"...Don't you have any questions that are normally for introductions? Why are you asking stuff they would ask during interviews for game show TV program participants?"
I have to agree with that. I can't expect what this jumbo will say... But Kuroneko didn't ask any further.
You're quite calm now.
And the conversation went more and more smooth.
"So what was it, the moment in life I was freaked out the most? That will be..."
Kuroneko was thinking with a plain expression, and then continued talking blankly.
"Oh yes, it was when I was dancing Caramelldansen with cat ears and a tail to upload to Nicovideo, and my little sister saw me. Even I was freaked out that time."
I don't know what the Nicovideo stuff is, but I now know you aren't the silent type like you look at all.
Since half of what you said is like encrypted to me, I can't really make any comment.
"Oh Kuroneko-shi, you have quite a cute personality. And you also have a little sister?"
"Yes. Her jaw was dropped like she saw something impossible."
Of course. Just like I am now. I would understand how she felt exactly.
And we went on talking about Kuroneko's sister, but for the whole time, Kirino didn't speak a single word. I guess she's still nervous.
But with great timing, Saori asked Kirino to speak up.
"So then, next is your turn, Kiririn-shi. Ask some questions to Kuroneko-shi."
"Oh, eh? Me? Umm..."
Suddenly being pointed at by Saori, Kirino blinks.
"N-Nothing much... I guess? Let me pass..."
...Stupid Kirino! What the heck are you doing? Saori was being considerate of you and didn't ask the most obvious question to make! Ask it! Ask about her clothes!
"..."
It looks like my wishes didn't get through to Kirino, she looks down and shrinks.
I guess it's like her getting excluded back there traumatised. That's why...
What should we do... I scratch my cheek and ask a random question to Kuroneko.
"What's your favourite food?"
"Fish. Is this enough?"
Kuroneko blurts out like she finished her duty.
Damn... this woman doesn't seem to know proper manners addressing an elder...
"So then, next is Kiririn's turn to introduce herself."
"Oh... Me...? Umm... Well... I'm Kiririn..."
Kiririn is all stiff. Though she gave her name again, she's still looking down.
As if she won't allow the atmosphere to get dark, Saori speaks out at a great timing.
"So then, questioning time for Kiririn-shi! Go on, Kuroneko-shi!"
"Why are you dressed so awkwardly? I would understand if you were going to some mass date in Shibuya, but it's just wrong to dress like that when you're going to an offline meeting in Akiba."
This Goth-loli asks the most sensitive question without hesitation.
She's almost getting traumatized, so don't ask that!
Yeah, I did send telepathy to ask about the clothes, but that was not for you!
"Mmm...."
It seems like Kirino who had been all gloomy felt offended by this, and talked back at Kuroneko.
"Sorry for that. But I couldn't help it. These clothes suit me. Y-You yourself are..."
"...You are what? Say it out louder will you?"
Kuroneko whispers like she's sneering. Whoa... Amazing. It seems like we are being looked down on.
"Grr..."
Blood was rushing into Kirino's forehead veins. Uh oh... She's trying to hold herself back...
Kirino, who is normally short tempered, is using her normally nonexistent self-restraint ability, and takes a deep breath.
She must be raging inside, but didn't show it from the outside.
But something small would trigger her to explode. I'm so worried...
Hoping she would do something about the heightened tension, I eye Saori but...
Saori makes a face like she's saying 'Is anything wrong?' And cocks her head sideways cutely.
It looks like she will keep silent on this and do nothing. Geez... What is she thinking?
With the smell of black powder in the air, their conversation continues.
"Let me revoke that pass I did before. Let me ask you a question. What kind of cosplay is that dress for? It isn't Suigintou, is it?"
"Oh, this? Of course it isn't Suigintou. It's so different. Do you even have eyes? It's the Queen of the Night from maschera. Don't tell me you don't know it?!"
I don't. Even if you seem surprised that we don't, that doesn't make a difference. It looks like Kirino didn't know either.
"Hmm? Maybe I might have heard the name before... Was it an anime?"
"Yes. '~maschera~ Lament of the Fallen Beast'. It's an action anime with the best story and animation this season. They air it on Thursday evenings, so be sure to watch it."
"Oh that's umm... Meruru's back-program.[9] If I remember, they call it a fail style, horrible drawing, jakigan[10], chuunibyou,[11] anime."
I imagine a button with a skull and bones being pressed right now.
"I heard something I can't ignore. What did you say? Meruru? You aren't talking about "Stardust Witch Meruru" are you? Heh! Battle Magical Girl anime are so out of style! Those are for retarded children and stupid men who only care about moe. It’s just a crappy anime. Look at the viewer percentages. That program is more like the back program. Now quit talking about your delusions."
"Viewer percentages? What the heck are those for? Understand this. The program I watch is the front- program, and all the others are back-programs. This is the law in this world, so remember. From what I can tell, you don't even watch Meruru! If you saw the final battle in the first season, you would never make such stupid remarks! Oh how pitiful... You didn't watch that... The animation was intensive and matched the super cool insert song! Don’t underestimate kid's anime!"
"You're the one who should shut up! What did you call it? Chuunibyou? I hate everything about that word! Every time works have any element that's considered so, they criticize it with that word without any discussion about the real content. What a bunch of tasteless idiots! And you're just one of those pigs too?”
What is this? Why are they suddenly fighting now?
"Hey... Wait, wait, wait a second... Don't stand up you two, take your seat! Calm down, it's just anime."
"JUST ANIME?"
Kirino and Kuroneko both look at me at once.
"S-Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
Shit... Anime otaku are scary when they’re serious. I look to Saori seeking help, but she's sipping orange juice like she doesn't have anything to do with it. I whisper to her.
"Do something about it, will you..."
"They've become so comfortable with each other. Haha. It looks like they were unexpectedly a good match."
"Do you have eyes or what?"
Since no one stops them, their argument continues.
"Heh, you've got a great personality. That's why you were ignored by everyone in the offline meeting. Do you understand?"
"Look who's talking. I saw you all alone, playing with your mobile. Soooo gloomy. No one will dare to strike up a conversation with you."
"Shut up... I suddenly felt like looking at some funny images about Asame-Shimbun" [12]
The two glare at each other standing up. Both of them are beautiful... But what a low-level argument this is...
Honestly, both are pointless. Geez... Why do beauties always have some problem with their personality? Thanks to you people, my prejudice against beauties has become even worse. Normal is the best after all... Ah, I want to see my childhood friend for no reason now...
As I kept trying to ignore reality like that, Saori snuck in to break the ugly argument.
"Well then, since the talking has finally gotten somewhere, why don’t we shift to the next topic. Oh yes, it's my turn now."
As Saori's voice goes through, everyone here focuses on her. She smiles with her cheeks up.
"So then formally again, I am 'Saori' Bajeena. I am the administrator of the 'Otaku Girls Get Together' community. As I've written in my profile page, I'm 15 years old. A 9th grade student. If I remember right, I'm the same age as Kuroneko-shi."
She was carefully trying to open up a conversation, but Kuroneko makes no reaction and ignores her completely.
Oh so these two are one year older than Kirino. I expected Kuroneko to be around that age but... Saori... she's younger than me...?
I looked at Saori thinking it's unbelievable.
"By the way, my three sizes from top to down are, 88, 60..."
"No need to tell me that."
"Heh. They're the same as Fujiwara Norika."
"Listen to me! Don't say it so proudly!"
Damn it. Why am I making all the comments alone...?
This is becoming way too much now.
I didn't come here to practice my tsukkomi skills...
"Someone please hurry up and ask her a question..."
Out of energy, I ask for help. Unexpectedly, it was Kuroneko who responded.
"Then, the question everyone must have wanted to ask, I will ask. Saori-san, what is that ugly otaku fashion and way of speaking?"
I really wanted to ask that! I praise her in my heart, but I was worried she might just respond by saying that's her natural self. If that happens, should I pull my sister and run off from this pervert?
My worries did not come true. This is the response Saori gave.
"Oh my how embarrassing... Actually, this is my first time organizing an offline meeting. I put in a lot of effort to make up a personality that suits as a leader so that I will be liked by everyone as much as possible. ...So I'm a more quiet girl normally."
Err... Are you seriously saying that? Is how you speak part of acting and not just how you dress?
There's tons of things I want to ask but... I still can't believe the part about her being normally a quiet girl.
That's only what she believes herself.
Kuroneko, who asked the question, blinks her red eyes from surprise.
"I don't understand why putting in effort results in that. Heh, but it must be better than misunderstanding and fully equipping herself with brand name clothes, only to fail and get excluded."
"What the heck? So annoying... You can't argue about that can you? What is with that overkill Goth-loli dress? I didn't think someone would wear something like that to an offline meeting, even in Akiba!"
"What did you say?"
Kirino and Kuroneko again glare at each other. I guess I'll leave these two alone.
By the way, I noticed one thing.
There’s Kirino who dressed up cute with the most trendy brands,
Kuroneko who cosplayed super seriously,
And Saori dressed in ugly-otaku clothes.
Three people with three different styles. Even though their personality and fashion is completely different, there is something shared between these three. It's that they all put in effort to dress up in the hope for the offline party to go well.
"Hmm..."
While hearing the argument between Kirino and Kuroneko, which made no sense, I review the past couple of hours.
Today, Kirino was able to meet otaku besides her for the first time, but honestly they were much different from what she expected. By otaku, I mean the more narrow meaning of otaku, subculture maniacs into games and anime.
I'll say the most obvious, but it's that they all have a hobby they love so much. Yes, that's it. Loving R&B, loving basketball, loving mystery books, loving Japanese calligraphy, it's no different from that. But until now, I didn't think like that. I thought differently of otaku. Even though I didn't know much about them.
Right now, Kirino and Kuroneko are talking about anime in an arguing tone. But what difference does that have to high school girls talking about how crazy they are about their favourite idol inside a karaoke box? How different is it than celebrities talking about love stories in the corner of a fancy cafe? Maybe... Just maybe, there is no difference. Am I wrong?
Kirino said she couldn't reveal her hobby because of society's views. I understand that. Considering the image I had until yesterday, it's obvious how much prejudice society has against otaku. That's especially strong among middle school and high school kids.
...And not all of it is prejudice...
Since THEY are weird. They aren't normal, at least. I, who had prejudice, will speak out now that I was underestimating them. You people are weirder than I imagined!
Well anyhow, there are only three otaku I know now, so there might be the opinion that I shouldn't use these three as model examples. Maybe they are quite different from the model otaku figure.
So from here on, this is my comment I had at this instance, with heavy prejudice.
Otaku aren't that bad, are they? Though they are strange.
I look at the huge spectacled woman in obvious otaku fashion.
For example, she's nearly the same age as Kirino, but is great at making relationships smooth. She's strange in every kind of way, but she's praiseworthy in that she fulfills the role of the leader well, helping everyone enjoy themselves.
It's not only her who isn't bad.
You'll realize if you recall all the events today.
The maid cafe they had the offline meeting in, and that huge street that seemed like some festival... This secondary party too. Other than the fact that Kirino had been excluded and left alone, which was pitiful, there's nothing to have a bad image about. It’s because they seem to be having fun.
They get together with those who like the same thing, and play around...
It even makes me frustrated that I can't join in.
They care about how people look at them? They're afraid of prejudice? Then just come to this side. Now make some huge noise together with us! ...I feel like they are lending a hand out like that. Who exactly is? I don't really know.
If you insist on an answer, then I would say everyone. Even I don't know what I'm talking about though.
That’s why they are all here, doing so out of their own will.
Just like Kirino, who came here in search of friends.
Just look at this noisy argument between Kirino and Kuroneko.
Don't you think it's great that they can have such a heated argument like this on the very first day they met? That means they have 'something important' between them that resonated between the two.
From an outsider’s perspective, it might look strange at times.
But it's not something bad, that’s for sure. It's not something you can easily look down on or throw away.
Regardless of how strange it might look.
"Haha... You have said many things, you damn human... Fine. Let's go outside bitch! I shall teach your body the true meaning of fear! You can cry in your next life!"
"Shut up! That's enough, you jakigan dempa woman!" [13]
"J-J-Jakigan... D-D-Dempa?! Hahaha... you said something you shouldn’t have said! Aww, so pitiful. I can't save you no matter what happens. It’s too late to be sorry. This negative aura, I can't stop anymore..."
"Are you stupid or what? Don't you feel embarrassed just being alive? How about you just die now?"
Err... Can I take back my comments from before?
Otaku, you see... Not all of them are good...
And after a while, we left McDonalds and, as Saori had planned, we did some light shopping in Akihabara. This incident (let me word it as incident for now) will be a long winding story, and I don't even want to look back at it, so I'll omit it. Rather, you understand, right? If you visit around Akiba with these members, what will happen? Just imagine!
You did? Right? Okay. If you add 150% to the damage I received in your imagination, then that will be quite close to what happened in reality.
Geez. I'm praiseworthy to not have run away.
By the way, Kirino and Kuroneko were dissing each other the whole time. And it almost always had some otaku talk in it. It began with anime, then went into games and manga, about how the couplings are whatever, and how the animation was blah, and how DVD prices are something... Really, I'm impressed at how much stuff they could insult each other with.
As evening began to creep up, and even after the secondary party was finished, it's still like that. They did exchange goodbyes, but still kept hostile about jakigan vs. magical girl anime.
"Hahaha, Kiririn-shi and Kuroneko-shi really seem to have gotten friendly."
"What part of today makes you say that? Maybe you need new glasses."
I'm saying that, but I understand.
Watching Kirino and Kuroneko argue, I raise my cheeks a bit.
Good for you, Kirino. You’ve now found someone you can shout about your hobby to in such a loud voice. I’m sure you will deny that, saying "Not at all" though...
But that's what you call a friend.
"...Well then."
Me and Saori are standing back a little to avoid becoming victims of the ongoing anime otaku battle.
We’re right outside the Akihabara Washington Hotel on the sidewalk. A crossroad is right in front of us.
...As Kirino's brother, there's something I have to say.
With as much heart as I can put in, I bow down to Saori. "Thank you."
"Oh? Did I do something that deserves being appreciated?"
With a question mark above her head and her mouth in a ω shape, Saori cocks her head sideways.
She probably understands it. But exchanging any more words about it is just uncool.
I said what I should say. I can only hope she understood my feelings. I smiled lightly.
"You are a good person after all. Kirino and I were lucky."
"I don't understand what you mean at all, but I'm not such a great person. I've been doing whatever I like. If you believe I am so, then it must be that Kyousuke-shi, you yourself are a good person. They say, other people are mirrors showing yourself."
Saying all that, Saori unsheathes the poster from her backpack and thrusts it like a light sabre.
The poster shines in the setting sun. Looking at the tip shown in front of me, I let my shoulders down.
"Heh, Just say whatever."
"And I shall."
Saori smiled and showed her back to me. She must actually make very nice expressions normally. The smile was charming enough to make me believe so.
Thick glasses and a bandana on her head with a plaid shirt tucked into her pants...
It's one hell of an ugly otaku fashion. There's nothing that can be uglier.
Saori swings the sabre once and sheathes it back into her bag.
"Well then, see you again sometime."
The light turns green. Akihabara station shines in the twilight.
The large back walking off showing no hesitation looking proud.
I won't lose to that, and proudly walk towards Kirino.
After coming home from school, I was dragged into Kirino's room like usual, and now I'm reading the response from the community's current administrator, nicknamed 'Saori'.
"Nice to hear from you, Kiririn-sama. I am 'Saori', the administrator of the community 'Get Together Otaku Girls'. Please allow me to get straight to the point. Thank you for sending in the entry application letter for our community. We gladly accept it. We will surely become great friends, since our ages and hobbies are similar. If you’d like, we’d be pleased if you participated in the tea party we are planning to have in a few days. We hope to have a nice chat with you. I hope for a good response. We wish you the best."
"Nickname 'Saori'-san, eh? Hmm... This person seems to be really well mannered."
From reading her message, I got the impression that she is a high classed lady. How should I put it... she has this dignity that you can smell. There's also this frail kind of feeling... My instinct tells me she must be a very cute girl.
By now, I noticed that Kirino was looking at me as if she was looking at animal droppings.
"Disgusting... What are you smiling about?"
"I'm not smiling. I am just relieved she seems to be a good person."
"Well... somewhat. She's the high classed, good mannered lady type? ...I can't imagine one. We don't have that kind of person in my classroom."
That's right. Your friends are all showy, just like you. They might be attractive and nice looking, but they still have an aura that makes them difficult to approach. It's like how they fend off all but similar types of people. They have thorns that prick you when you come by.
"S-So, you are joining, right?"
"Y-Yes... I will."
Kirino nods with a somewhat troubled expression. Jeez... She's been like this since last time... It's like something's worrying her, but she can't say it in words and is hiding it. The issue about meeting older men was solved. What else can it be...? It bothers me, and I try to ask but...
"Hey, you have something bothering you, right?"
"Not really."
You see? She's like this. Looks like she really doesn't want to tell me. If that's how she is, I can't really do anything. I do feel uneasy though... Heh... I'll encourage her, at least.
"Oh well. Do your best then."
"Huh? Why are you saying it like it's not your business?"
Kirino stabs me with her eyes that seem to be saying 'pigs should die'. Why do I get these horrific taunts when I gave her warm words of encouragement? Why is this exchange so wrongly equal?
While I'm frowning, Kirino goes on.
"Life Counselling, the continuation."
She cuts up words and mutters. She continues ordering me like that's something natural for her.
"Come along with me."
...She's telling me something bizarre.
"... Explain how I, a male, should participate in a girls only meeting?"
"Why don't you just cross-dress?"
"I won't! Don't say it so simply! If they found out, I will be known as some perverted dude who took such a risk just to participate in a girls only offline meeting!"
"It's fine. I've considered those risks."
"That's only your risks! I'm talking about mine! I’m not prepared to be given the title 'hentai'! I'm not all right at all!"
More importantly...
"If I cross-dress, they'll find out in an instance!"
"Oh yes... That's true."
Kirino seems to understand finally. She nodded a few times, understanding the issue, and then blurted out demonically.
"Why weren't you born with good looks?"
"I'll fucking kill you! Out of all the things you said to me, that hurt me the most! Quit looking at me like you're watching something pitiful! Immediately!"
Only after all this complaining, Kirino took her eyes off me and made a small clicking sound with her tongue.
"All right then... We'll use a more normal method."
"You're making it sound like I really want to go to the meeting and I'm begging you to let me go. Oh well... I'll at least hear what you got to say. What do you mean by a more normal method?"
"How about I send 'Saori'-san a message now, saying that someone who I know (male, age 17) desperately wants to go to a girl filled tea party and keeps begging me. I pity him too much, so can take him along."
"That only makes the distinction between 'a sneaky hentai' and a 'proud and grand hentai'."
Rather, she'd decline it naturally, since it's a girls only meeting. It will ruin the mood completely.
After telling her that, Kirino became unhappy. She bit her lip and stared at me.
"Then what are you going to do?"
"Like I said, it's impossible for me to participate... Oh come on stop staring at me. I get it..."
I place the pointer at the topic for the offline meeting and click. The details are displayed.
"Look at this place... Is it some cafe? They didn't rent the whole place out or anything, right? Then I'll sit in a seat nearby. Well, I won't be able to get into the conversation, but I will watch over you." I notice while I'm telling her this, but I've just been sitting close by.
I, of course, expected some cursing from Kirino but...
"All right, that will do."
I don't know why, but Kirino nodded obediently. My eyes are wide open in surprise.
"I-I see..."
Come to think of it, why did she ask for me to go along? I didn't have the chance to ask her but... Just me being beside her is fine...? I don't get it at all...
In any case, next Sunday I will have to hide in the corner and watch my sister on her sortie at the 'Get Together Otaku Girls' offline meeting.
The date for the meeting came within moments.
An hour and a half on the train from the station close by. My current coordinates are... Akihabara Station, Electronics Street Entrance.
For a weekend afternoon, I expected the famous Akiba to be more crowded, but it wasn't as bad as I expected. From the looks of the station and the station square, it looked rather well maintained and clean.
"Oh wow! The Radio Department! The Gamers Head Store!"
Though she kept her tone down, Kirino seemed to be unable to hide her feelings.
...She sure looks excited. It looks like it wasn't only me who's never been to Akiba before. Her usual territory in Tokyo would be Shibuya or Harajuku. She did have all the merchandise, but maybe she's still a beginner otaku. I check the time with my phone.
"Hey Kirino. We don't have much time left. If you want to go to the shops, then make that after the offline meeting is finished."
"I know. Hey, will you keep away from me? I don't want them to get the wrong idea that we're on a date or something."
"..."
While Kirino was giving me such harsh comments, it was still her first offline meeting. So she was dressed up with the best clothes she could find; adult looking clothes that reveal her shoulders with a mini skirt and boots. She had expensive looking charms at the right places too.
Even I can see that her fashion is outgoing.
She's dressed in the way that you'd almost want to tell her to go to Odaiba or Shibuya.
True, she doesn't match up with me, who's wearing a plain shirt with jeans.
But still, it's too late now so I won't tell her this but... You're going to go into this meeting dressed like that...? Sure, you look cute but... Oh well... I wonder if you'll be all right.
"All right. We'll split up for now. You're meeting up here, right? I'll be going to the shop directly and standby for you."
"Huh? Oh, yes I got it."
"Don't look so worried. I'll be watching over you."
"I-I'm not looking worried! Just go already, idiot!"
"Yeah, fine. Later."
I wave my hand and turn my back around.
Going past the shop that Kirino called the 'Gamers Head Store', I get to the main street. The shops nearby have games and wires and such put in a huge mess. You don't really understand what they're trying to sell at first glance. It resembled the candy stores I used to go when I was small. It was this feeling of getting excited even though I had nothing I wanted in particular.
...There sure are a lot of people here.
This area really gets crowded. But from what I hear, when Akihabara was the most crowded, they used to have unauthorized concerts on this main road. Maybe Akihabara has calmed down from those days... ...It's like some festival.
It was still lively enough to make me feel that way.
Impressed, I take out the map I printed out from my shoulder bag and take a look.
...Oh I wasn't supposed to come this way. It was the other way around.
I looked behind to turn the other way, where I saw Kirino still standing there.
Since I walked off like that, I can't just turn back. I took a left turn and left the large streets filled with electronics shops. I made another left turn, and then went straight ahead, going past the rail tracks. There, I found a narrow building to the right.
It's the Shosen Book-tower, according to the map. After coming all this way, it doesn't look too much like a city of Otaku, but rather like an area around any other ordinary station.
I cross the street and stop at the entrance of the Book-tower.
...Uhh, I am going the right way... right?
I keep following the road. After a few minutes walking, the cityscape changed into a quiet neighbourhood. If this map is correct, there should be a cafe around here...
"Ah hah, here!"
I stop walking and look up at the building resembling a lodge.
Cafe Pretty Garden looks like a cosy white shed from outside. I walk up the short steps and open the wooden door. The door opened with a nice ring of bells.
*Ring* *Ring*
“Welcome back, my Master!”
Maids in French maid outfits greeted me all at once.
I closed the door pretending to have seen nothing.
"... ... W-Wh-Wha-What was THAT?!"
I held the door closed tight with my hands and murmur. Well I should understand. I do understand. ...But still, give me some time. My brain needs some time to digest what just happened. Even though the cityscape looked normal, I should have known since I am still in Akiba...
I heard rumours about it... It's what they call...
This place was a Maid Cafe?!
After my brain finally digested the situation, my brain was able to produce some response.
I take a deep breath, and open the door again with deep fear.
*Ring* *Ring*
“Welcome back, my Master!”
The scene I saw just now came back... Damn it. It wasn’t an illusion after all. Maids come up to me cutely to greet me.
A white apron with frills, skirts that are way too short, and long socks...
Their outfit was surely for cuteness only.
I really wanted to go home, but since I promised to be here ahead of her, there's no way I can turn back. I prepare myself and take a step forward.
Kousaka Kyousuke, age 17. My first maid cafe experience...
"Are you here alone, my Master?"
"Uh huh..."
"All right, then please follow me this way."
The maid leads me to one of those seats for singles. The cafe was decorated like any other cafe on the inside. Orange lighting lit up the rather dark interior, with the somewhat old western furniture reproducing a western mansion well. By the way, even though it's lunchtime, there aren't many guests. Did those people reserve this place for the offline meeting?
"Will this seat be fine for you?"
"Oh yes, sure."
The maid pulls the chair out for me and I take a seat. It still doesn't feel natural to me after all.
All the maids have pretty cute faces.
"This is our menu here. My master, do you have any order on how would you like to be addressed?"
"H-Huh? What is that?"
"Oh, please decide how we should call you~ By the way, we have on order 'My master', 'Dear sir', '-kun', '-chan', 'oniichan', 'oniisama' and many others."
...Maid cafes sure are something. It isn't something an ordinary high school student like me can easily conquer.
I guess I have no choice but to smile. Be as it may. I make a fearless smile and tell her.
"...Well, I don't really care about it."
"Oh really? Then I'm going to call you 'oniichan' then, Oniichan!"
Her attitude suddenly becomes needlessly friendly. Already, she doesn't sound like a maid. Maybe I'm not supposed to make remarks like that. Well, this maid is apparently over 20 years old...
"Did you say something, oniichan?"
"Oh no, nothing!"
How scary! I thought she could read my mind. As I wiped the sweat off my forehead with my hand, the maid brings me water. I gulp it down to relieve my thirst and take a look at the menu.
Well, I haven't had any lunch yet so... Something that would fill me up...
"...?"
I look down at the list of items with a puzzled expression. Why you ask?
Well, how should I describe it... Why don't I give some examples instead?
<3 Lunch <3
Lovelove Rice Omelette from the Maid (with Ketchup of Otafuku) 900 Yen
Imouto's Handmade Curry (Parupunte Flavour, Begiragon Flavour, Zaraki Flavour) 1000 Yen[1]
Special made ramen from your Tsundere Class-rep 800 Yen
<3 Drinks <3
Spirit of Saiyan 300 yen[2]
Choushinsui 300 yen[3]
Shinseijyu Juice 300 yen[4]
...See, it's really hard to figure out what they are. At least the lunch items sound like food. I don't have any idea what I'll be served if I order these drinks. What am I supposed to do here?
I had no choice but to ask the maid.
"Excuse me, what is this... uhh... Spirit of... Saiyan?"
"Oh, that's vegetable juice, oniichan!"
Then just write that down will you? ...Of course I wouldn’t say that aloud. This must be how it works here so...
By the way, Choushinsui was 7Up and Shinseijyu Juice was mixed juice.
"Have you decided, oniichan?"
"Not yet. I'm sorry."
Embarrassingly I'm so nervous I'm speaking formally.
"By the way, my recommendation is Imouto's Handmade Curry. I'm going to make it myself, oniichan!"
"Then I will order that."
That bitch! She chose the most expensive one with no hesitation! ...Wait, I'm at fault for being controlled by her so easily...
"We got an order! Imouto's Handmade Curry, Zaraki Flavour please!"
What... Zaraki flavour? It sounds like the craziest one already. Damn it. Let it be!
They won't give me something that's completely inedible, will they?
"Oh whatever..."
I'm already tired just from ordering something. Anyhow, I can take some rest for now.
I make my chair creek and look up at the ceiling.
It was then, that a group of customers appeared.
*Ring* *Ring*
“Welcome back, my Master!”
Now they've come. I take a cap out from my bag and put it on tight.
I looked at the entrance pretending it to be natural.
A pack of girls come in. I don't see Kirino yet. Heh, they are quite plain as I thought. I know this is rude, but most look quite geeky.
There are a few that seem to be wearing those cosplay costumes. Huh?
Whoa... There's one amazing one.
Even though I'm keeping this to myself, you might think I'm really rude. But well... Would you still be able to say that after seeing that? I looked carefully at the girl who lead the group.
Well, you see... She's huge. I mean really huge. She's just really huge.
She’s maybe around 180cm. Well... if you only note that, she'd sound like some super model. But it's also how she's dressed that's amazing. She's visibly otaku.
She has a bandana on her hair, wears those round spectacles, her long sleeved plaid shirt is tucked into her pants, and she carries a rugged backpack.
What's more, the backpack has posters sticking out of it.
...In short, she's dressed like the typical Otaku that comes up on TV, but has a super model like body.
I'm not lying. I can't even believe it, but there she is before my eyes so I just have to believe it.
Shit... I'm so surprised my throat is dry.
Phew... Tokyo is a scary place after all. This taught me something...
My head's quite confused, so I gulp down the water to try and calm myself.
In front my sight was the huge girl I described just now. She seems to be talking to the maid.
"I reserved for 1300 de gozaru"[5]
This jumbo is speaking in an outrageous way.
The maid doesn't seem even a bit surprised. She's pro.
"All right. May I ask for your name?"
"Saori Bajeena"[6]
*PFFT* I spat out the water, coughing and choking.
*cough cough cough cough cough*
"Oh my, a-are you all right, oniichan?"
The maid pats my back as I'm in pain. Shit... it's gone into my windpipe... *Cough*cough* Damn it... I'm dying but...
Let me make this comment before I die.
You're the nickname 'Saori'-san?! And what Bajeena? Aren't you Japanese? Oh right... The community name was strange from the start so...
Well you see... it isn't unusual when the internet personality doesn't match the real life personality. I accept that. But you see, this is what you can call fraud!
I didn't expect the high-class pretty girl I imagined to come up...
Still, you're more like completely diagonal than the opposite of expectations! I've never had anything more surprising than this in my 17 years of life.
Maybe this is some really badly done comedy. Damn it. I'm seriously doing tsukkomi with someone I haven't ever talked to...[7]
*cough cough* "I'm sorry to cause trouble..."
"Oh don't worry. I'll bring some more water. But oniichan, I'll be mad if you do it again."
The maid knocks my head lightly. She isn’t surprised by unexpected events and still continues with the serving attitude. She really has the professional spirit.
"Really, I'm sorry."
I am blushing with tears. And with the commotion I caused just now, it seems like I got the attention of everyone in the hall.
The few male customers stare at me with sharp eyes that silently say "Damn, I envy you so much". No no, I didn't do that on purpose! Damn it. I feel so out of place.
I glance at the entrance again, and there I see Kirino with her arms crossed and giving me a look that's telling me "What the fuck you standing out for? Wanna die?". Sorry, but I couldn't help it. It's Bajeena's fault!
I try to explain that to her with my eyes only.
"Heh!"
I don't know if my eye contact worked or not, but Kirino looked aside.
But really, she's standing out badly.
That's nothing unexpected, as the other members of the Get Together Otaku Girls were (other than the jumbo one) a little plain looking, and a few quiet looking girls in cosplay. Hair dying is rare.
In a group like that, a teenage fashion magazine model (hair dyed brown) with full fashion coordination comes up. It's no wonder she would stand out.
Two maids come up and bow to the community members gathered around the entrance waiting to be escorted.
"We are sorry to have made you wait. Let us take you to your seats."
The group of girls move in one by one behind the maids.
Kirino and the others were led to the corner of the restaurant. They put a few tables together to make seats for the group.
The approximately ten members split into smaller groups naturally and take seats, chatting to each other. From what I hear them talking about, it seems like this is their first offline meeting. So that means, all of them have met each other for the first time. But...
"..."
K-Kirino has become isolated...
She's sitting in the corner all by herself. She's looking around the room, sitting strangely stiff. She's just like the kid who’s left all alone in elementary school when the teacher asked the people to split up in groups.
This is pitiful... I held my chest tight and watched.
"Umm..."
Kirino, frightened, tries to speak up, but only after exchanging two or three words, they stop talking. It's like they're scared of each other. They're supposed to be a group of people with the same hobby, yet they don't look like that at all. It's like they aren't speaking the same language, or like there is some invisible wall...
I clicked my tongue.
Right... I had a slight feeling things might turn out like this...
Kirino emits this princess-like aura that tells commoners to stand back.
She's pretty, cute, and has the thorns that keeps away all others who don't have the similar traits. Of course, that works fine at school. There are many types of people at school, so those with the same traits get together and form a group.
And Kirino had been the center of the most gorgeous group, and there all she had to do was dress extra fashionably, and act cute.
That princess-like, thorny aura worked as charisma to lure those with the similar properties. But here, it doesn't work like that. The people Kirino wants to get along with have absolutely different traits compared to those who she gets along with at school. If I were to relate this situation to something...
Well, it's like throwing a 'wolf that wants to be friends with sheep' in a herd of sheep. However hard the wolf tries to talk to the sheep, they will all be freaked out and think "Why is she in our herd?"
"..."
I bite my lips out of frustration. Oh, they ran away from Kirino again. They really only last exchanging two or three words. At first they will respond, but soon they shift to another group's topic, and leave Kirino.
...Rather, I don't understand a thing about what I can hear them speaking.
It's like I've wandered into some foreign country...
I face palm and sigh. That was when Kirino looked at me with a look seeking help.
...Don't make an expression like you're about to cry. That's not how you usually are.
I was gripping my hand tight, and that was when...
"Sorry for the wait. Here's Imouto's Handmade Curry, Oniichan!"
"Oh thanks."
This damn maid... you brought it at the worst possible timing! My sister saw me make a maid call me oniichan! I'm screwed!
Kill me please... I am shaking in embarrassment, but still looked at Kirino. Kirino wasn't looking at me anymore, but that doesn't matter. I grip my hand tight, and look at her sharply.
Hey Kirino, I can't do anything for you. But I'm still looking after you here.
So work hard, Kirino. Work hard, Kirino. Work hard! I send her meaningless telepathy.
Damn it.
What part of this is handmade? This taste is obviously pre-packaged...
The offline meeting continued for two more hours, and they finally did some gift exchange thing to wrap it up.
Kirino was unable to make any proper communication, and of course didn't make any friends either...
Even worse, whoever brought it, the gift Kirino got was some cheap expandable hand thing.
Hey, that's unacceptable. This is too cruel.
They have proper prizes for losers in bingo...
My sister, who's playing with that hand thing all alone, looks too pitiful.
...Man I'm actually crying.
Has there ever been a sight that was more teary than this in my 17 years of life?
By the way, I'm outside the shop now, standing a little away from the group.
That was when the administrator of the community and the organizer of this offline meeting, 'Saori' made the closing speech.
"Thanks to your cooperation, our commemorative first tea party has concluded without trouble. I thank you all from the bottom of my heart."
A happy cheer comes up. That's how a community representative should be. Even though she looks like that and talks in ninja-speak, she’s strangely popular among the otaku girls. Since she's standing out physically, it's like she's a teacher escorting a group of middle-schoolers.
"The tea party is finished for now, but those who still have time and those who want to talk more with the new friends you made, please head off on your own to the second and third parties. I'll be writing up another post about the next event, so everyone be sure to participate! Now scram!"
Another huge cheer. Everybody starts saying their goodbyes, and then invitations like "Hey let's go to Tora no Ana." and "Where should we go next”? and "Hey, let's have some deep conversation about couplings in Gundam Seed.”
But my sister, Kirino, is not in the ring of them having fun conversation. The offline party members leave in groups of two and three.
By the way, after making the closing comments, 'Saori' ran off quickly.
Did she have some urgent business?
...And after people have gone away, Kirino was standing there all alone. It's like she still can't give up the hope that someone might still invite her. She looks exhausted and her shoulders are slouching. Her cute clothes she put all the effort to coordinate only add to her misery now. That was completely counterproductive.
She was like a soldier from a losing country with broken sword and no more arrows. What's worse, she has the hand toy in her hand.
I took my cap off and slowly went towards my lonely sister.
"...Say no word. You worked hard."
I put my hand on her head, but she slaps it away quickly.
Ah right. No need for pity.
Kirino was looking down and doesn't want to show me her expression but...
If she can stay strong like that, it's fine. You failed this time, but if you reflect on your mistakes and stand up again, you can challenge as many times you want, right?
"All right Kirino, since you came all the way to Akiba, why not go sightseeing?"
I give her a back slap, and she responds with a nasty tone.
"That hurts, idiot. But really, what was that. Suddenly spraying water..."
"But really, I couldn't help that."
As we continued with this needless talk, Kirino makes a huge sigh.
"... I couldn't talk at all."
"That's right. But things start off like that. No need to worry."
"Not really. Wh-Why... I-I acted like normal... but why do they avoid me? Damn it's so annoying! So annoying!"
She stomps and bites hard out of frustration.
"..."
I can't tell her to stop, since I have experience with that too. Having times when I could only transform sadness into anger to disperse it...
My sister, I understand you are pissed, but I don't think it's right to kick your brother out of anger. I'm not just some wall. You know I feel pain when I get kicked?
Well I won't get mad. Even though it hurts for me, it must hurt for you too, so I'll bear it for today.
"Ouch! You bitch! Using the heel is out of the question! Damn! How can I keep taking this! I'm not that accepting!"
As I was taking my sister's raging attacks...
Someone unexpected appeared.
"Hey! Kiririn-shi! Phew! So good you were still here!"
"Y-You're... S-Saori-san?"
Panting from the run was the administrator of the community, Saori.
"Oh my, all the formalities. No need. It's between you and I. Nevertheless, really, I’m glad. I was just about to call you up."
Saori makes a smile. But she's really outgoing. Her ninja speak is also weird. I thought I got used to it already from hearing it from far, but now that she’s speaking to us, I really don't know how to respond.
It seems Kirino isn't good at dealing with this either, and only managed to ask shyly.
"S-Something to do with me?"
"Uh huh!"
Saori nodded making a ω like expression. She makes a strangely cute expression despite her huge body. The thick round glasses cover half of it but her face does look quite decent up close. Unlike someone I won't name, maybe she is a beauty without her glasses.
All of that aside, Saori raised a finger up and said.
"Well actually, I was going to ask you out to the secondary party."
"Huh?"
Kirino is confused by the unexpected offer. Before she replies, the thick glasses locked onto my face.
"Kiririn-shi, who is the man by the way? If it's not my misunderstanding, I must have seen him in the restaurant... Oh I see."
Saori seems to have arrived at some conclusion.
"He must be your boyfriend."
"NOOOOO!"
We both deny at the exact same time. What kind of misunderstanding can you make out of all the choices?
"Oh you say it's not like that? Excuse me. But I found him watching Kiririn-shi closely in the restaurant. I thought those eyes were with love."
"Hell no! Quit it please! I feel sick already just from imagining."
Damn this sister is annoying. Isn't there any better way to fix her misunderstanding?
While thinking so, I add to her.
"I'm called Kousaka Kyousuke. I'm her genuine brother. Don't get me wrong."
"Ah huh! So you must be Kiririn-shi's look unlike brother."
...Leave us alone.
After nodding, Saori makes a light bow to me.
"Well then, let me introduce myself formally. You must know already but I go by the name Saori Bajeena.
Call me 'Saori'."
"Thank you for being so proper."
And what was that ninja speak for. You really do sound otaku. You know you keep switching the way you address yourself?
I make those comments in my heart, and bow back.
"So then, Kyousuke-shi, uhh is it alright to call you Kyousuke-shi? How about you join in, Kyousuke-shi?"
"Join...? To that secondary-party thing?"
"Of course. What's your answer?"
Whoa, don't suddenly come up close to me. You surprised me.
I pull myself back a step, and that was when Kirino spoke up in a little worried fashion.
"Umm... will many others be coming?"
So that means she doesn't want to go. Of course I understand why. If she knows she's going to be treated as an outcast again if she goes, then of course she won't find that fun.
Since Kirino has been treated well elsewhere, she must find it even more unpleasant.
But Saori shook her head, and sticks four fingers up.
"It will be four people including Kiririn-shi and Kyousuke-shi. I want to invite you because I wasn't able to talk to you much back there. Well, it's not anything major. I thought we might just go to McDonalds or something and talk, and then go shopping or something."
"Well, hmm..."
After hearing the details, Kirino is apparently interested in it, and starts thinking. If it's something like that, then I know I won't be excluded, so maybe it's all right for me to go.
That's what she must be thinking.
It's a great chance. What's there to think about?
So I thought I should push Kirino, and told this to Saori.
"I don't mind, that is, if she says she's all right with it."
"So, how is it, Kiririn-shi?"
"Hmm..." Kiririn tried to look like she was thinking more, and after taking so long, she made her cheeks pink and...
"F-Fine. If you insist on it, then I'll go..."
She said it so childishly it was hard for me not to laugh.
She doesn't look younger than me normally, but occasionally she makes this little sister like expression, and that cuteness makes me smile.
"Oh that's great! Then let's go you two! The other one is already waiting at McDonalds."
Saori unsheathes the posters in her backpack like a light sabre and points at the direction.
This jumbo otaku looking girl who talks in ninja speak and is the administrator of a community...
Honestly, she only looks like a weirdo who's thinking of nothing... But maybe...
She has something that allows her to gain admiration among the otaku as their leader.
After meeting the final participant of the secondary party, that suspicion changed into conclusion.
We are sitting in the corner sofa seat on the second floor of the closest McDonalds from Pretty Garden.
Two tables are put together to make a seat for four.
I sit besides Kirino, facing me is Saori, and facing Kirino is the final participant. We have drinks in front of each of us. Kirino, Saori and I bought drinks downstairs before coming up, and just a few seconds ago, we first met the final participant.
By the way, ever since the four of us met up, no one spoke a word.
But really, she's dressed really amazing in a different way from Saori.
After seeing the final participant, I opened my eyes wide.
Oh yeah, I didn't really see this person's face much but... She was sitting in the opposite corner from Kirino all alone and fiddling with her mobile.
Since she is looking down the whole time, I can't see her face, but she has some beautiful black hair.
And I guess you call this... cosplay...
The clothes she was wearing was a dress in midnight black too. Many rose flower petal-like frilly things were attached to it, making it seem gorgeous. She can probably participate in a ball with this.
"It's been bothering me forever but, looking at it from close, she looks very much like... Suigintou."
That was Kirino's comment. But you see Kirino, this stands out in another sense different from you, eh?
I don't know what role she was cosplaying, but this is apparently putting in too much effort. It's too serious.
After checking that everyone has taken their seats, Saori introduced us.
"These two are, Kiririn-shi, and our special guest, the big brother, Kyousuke-shi. This is our community member..."
"...Nickname, 'Kuroneko'[8]" The final one finally raised her head and introduced herself randomly.
It was a blank emotionless tone.
"U-Um, I'm Kiririn. N-Nice to meet you."
Kirino spoke nervously. It's somewhat unfitting for her, but she was like this the whole time during the offline meeting.
"I'm Kousaka Kyousuke. Excuse me for suddenly participating."
I follow my sister and introduce myself. A response comes in a dark voice.
"...Right. Well, nice to meet you, for now."
I'll keep it simple but, that Goth-Lolita woman was a hell of a beauty.
That said, she was quite a different type from Kirino.
Long straight black hair neatly cut at the forehead, white skin, pointed eyes, and a birthmark under her left eye.
I don't know if it’s the right way to describe the woman in the dress but, she's a ghost-like Japanese style beauty.
I guess the red color contact lenses are part of her cosplay.
The looks of her told she was mean and gloomy... Like she would start using black magic anytime. She is beautiful, but had none of the glamour Kirino had. It's like a black aura of negative vectors were streaming from all over her body.
"It looks like everyone's arrived, so I'm going to ask now. What was your intention of luring me into some place like this, administrator?"
"Haha! I told you back then. I wanted to invite you into the secondary party. But it really was close. The instant I finished talking, you started off, so I had to chase you like crazy. You didn't even give me time to invite you!"
Saori elbows the Goth-loli woman lightly, but she stays expressionless. She hasn't changed her expression a bit since she appeared, which is way too creepy.
But now I know why Saori was running off.
...Ah hah. Now I start to understand this Saori woman's intentions.... The reason why she chose the two, Kirino and the Goth-loli woman...
This secondary party must be held with the purpose of inviting those who had been excluded in the offline party just now, and have them enjoy themselves too.
That's why no one else is here.
... "I'd like to get friendlier with those who I didn't have the chance to talk to as much." She says.
That's a good way of wording it. Despite how she looks, she can think for others quite well.
Maybe she sensed our situation when she didn't ask any reason why I was to come along with Kirino, and let me participate here as a special guest.
Then, maybe like she looks, she has some huge generosity.
*sip*
Kirino looks like she still isn't feeling secure, and sips her cola frantically.
She doesn't seem to notice, but the 'Kuroneko' seems to have noticed.
I guess that's why she had been looking unhappy ever since the first meeting.
Well, we're thankful of them in a sense, but we feel somehow uneasy as she is being merciful to us, since we can see her intentions. Well, I really can't do anything about that.
Kuroneko must feel quite troubled too, since I feel quite troubled myself.
But you see, if I were the administrator, I wouldn’t make the effort to specially invite those that got excluded. Those who didn't fit in with the atmosphere of a first time meeting would probably not come to the next meeting, so Saori could have just forgotten about them.
So this is what I believe. This strange fashion jumbo woman is a good person.
"By the way, Kuroneko-shi, there’s no need to address me formally as 'administrator'. You can just call me 'Saori'. Since we're all here, no need to be polite, all we need is to do have fun."
"You've got some nerves to call yourself 'Saori' with a body like that."
This Goth-loli... the moment she said we don't need to worry about being polite, what could she be saying?
"Oh my, no one ever told me that before."
"Of course not. Since your nickname fits perfectly with your internet personality, you were acting like some high-class lady. But the real deal is like this. This is nothing other than fraud. It's even bad as a joke. I'll give you some good advice. You can start calling yourself 'Andre' or something. Then people won't get confused. Oh yeah... your weird way of speaking, and how you're dressed... you're..."
"Some Ugly-Otaku from what era?"
Sudden honest words came out of Kirino, who had been all frightened and small.
"H-Hey! Not needing to be polite doesn't mean you can say whatever horrible stuff you like!"
Well, I did think stuff like that too... but you're not supposed to say it aloud!
She invited you two, who were excluded. What kind of horrible way to return the favour was that?
Especially you there, Kirino! You've been all quiet until now, and that was your first comment? Kneel down and apologize!
Don't just be looking aside and drinking cola!
But Saori, who was humiliated like that, seemed not to mind.
"Well well, Kyousuke-shi, no need to be so serious. I do appreciate you standing up for me, but such words like that are only as effective as a light breeze. Rather, I would say it feels nice. So don't mind it, really. You can humiliate me all you want too."
"I was about to think you were a really good person, but with your final line, now I don't really understand."
How tolerant can you be of people bad mouthing you?
As I was looking at the situation dimly, Saori puts up a finger and swings up to the table.
"And so, now that we've become comfortable, how about we introduce ourselves once again?"
"Though I don't really think that conversation we had now justifies as becoming comfortable..."
That wasn't a bad proposal. But Saori's remark made everyone silent.
"..."
Come on you two... say something will you? It's uneasy now.
With no other option, I tried to persuade them.
"Don't you think that's a good plan?"
"..."
Still no response. It looks like that Kuroneko and Kirino are confused.
Kuroneko probably isn't really into this kind of thing, and for Kirino the failure she had back then must be affecting her. Hmm... If they make you introduce yourself out of nowhere, then it's quite difficult... Though outsiders shouldn't speak up like this, I guess it can't be helped here. I made a proposal.
"Then, how about we ask a question one at a time to the person being introduced? Then it will be easier to speak up. Oh yeah, passing is fine, so go on take turns!"
"Hmm great idea! As expected of Kyousuke-shi. So then, let's begin with questioning time for Kuroneko- shi!"
"...Yeah being so bossy."
Saori tries with obvious gestures to calm Kuroneko down who was eyeing her sharply.
Kuroneko blows on her hot coffee, takes a sip, and murmurs something like it didn't really matter.
"Well it's fine then. And so, I did reveal my name. What else am I to say?"
"Well, then my question is... let me see..."
I expected she would ask 'the easiest question', but she didn't.
"How about, 'what freaked you out the most in your life'?"
"...Don't you have any questions that are normally for introductions? Why are you asking stuff they would ask during interviews for game show TV program participants?"
I have to agree with that. I can't expect what this jumbo will say... But Kuroneko didn't ask any further.
You're quite calm now.
And the conversation went more and more smooth.
"So what was it, the moment in life I was freaked out the most? That will be..."
Kuroneko was thinking with a plain expression, and then continued talking blankly.
"Oh yes, it was when I was dancing Caramelldansen with cat ears and a tail to upload to Nicovideo, and my little sister saw me. Even I was freaked out that time."
I don't know what the Nicovideo stuff is, but I now know you aren't the silent type like you look at all.
Since half of what you said is like encrypted to me, I can't really make any comment.
"Oh Kuroneko-shi, you have quite a cute personality. And you also have a little sister?"
"Yes. Her jaw was dropped like she saw something impossible."
Of course. Just like I am now. I would understand how she felt exactly.
And we went on talking about Kuroneko's sister, but for the whole time, Kirino didn't speak a single word. I guess she's still nervous.
But with great timing, Saori asked Kirino to speak up.
"So then, next is your turn, Kiririn-shi. Ask some questions to Kuroneko-shi."
"Oh, eh? Me? Umm..."
Suddenly being pointed at by Saori, Kirino blinks.
"N-Nothing much... I guess? Let me pass..."
...Stupid Kirino! What the heck are you doing? Saori was being considerate of you and didn't ask the most obvious question to make! Ask it! Ask about her clothes!
"..."
It looks like my wishes didn't get through to Kirino, she looks down and shrinks.
I guess it's like her getting excluded back there traumatised. That's why...
What should we do... I scratch my cheek and ask a random question to Kuroneko.
"What's your favourite food?"
"Fish. Is this enough?"
Kuroneko blurts out like she finished her duty.
Damn... this woman doesn't seem to know proper manners addressing an elder...
"So then, next is Kiririn's turn to introduce herself."
"Oh... Me...? Umm... Well... I'm Kiririn..."
Kiririn is all stiff. Though she gave her name again, she's still looking down.
As if she won't allow the atmosphere to get dark, Saori speaks out at a great timing.
"So then, questioning time for Kiririn-shi! Go on, Kuroneko-shi!"
"Why are you dressed so awkwardly? I would understand if you were going to some mass date in Shibuya, but it's just wrong to dress like that when you're going to an offline meeting in Akiba."
This Goth-loli asks the most sensitive question without hesitation.
She's almost getting traumatized, so don't ask that!
Yeah, I did send telepathy to ask about the clothes, but that was not for you!
"Mmm...."
It seems like Kirino who had been all gloomy felt offended by this, and talked back at Kuroneko.
"Sorry for that. But I couldn't help it. These clothes suit me. Y-You yourself are..."
"...You are what? Say it out louder will you?"
Kuroneko whispers like she's sneering. Whoa... Amazing. It seems like we are being looked down on.
"Grr..."
Blood was rushing into Kirino's forehead veins. Uh oh... She's trying to hold herself back...
Kirino, who is normally short tempered, is using her normally nonexistent self-restraint ability, and takes a deep breath.
She must be raging inside, but didn't show it from the outside.
But something small would trigger her to explode. I'm so worried...
Hoping she would do something about the heightened tension, I eye Saori but...
Saori makes a face like she's saying 'Is anything wrong?' And cocks her head sideways cutely.
It looks like she will keep silent on this and do nothing. Geez... What is she thinking?
With the smell of black powder in the air, their conversation continues.
"Let me revoke that pass I did before. Let me ask you a question. What kind of cosplay is that dress for? It isn't Suigintou, is it?"
"Oh, this? Of course it isn't Suigintou. It's so different. Do you even have eyes? It's the Queen of the Night from maschera. Don't tell me you don't know it?!"
I don't. Even if you seem surprised that we don't, that doesn't make a difference. It looks like Kirino didn't know either.
"Hmm? Maybe I might have heard the name before... Was it an anime?"
"Yes. '~maschera~ Lament of the Fallen Beast'. It's an action anime with the best story and animation this season. They air it on Thursday evenings, so be sure to watch it."
"Oh that's umm... Meruru's back-program.[9] If I remember, they call it a fail style, horrible drawing, jakigan[10], chuunibyou,[11] anime."
I imagine a button with a skull and bones being pressed right now.
"I heard something I can't ignore. What did you say? Meruru? You aren't talking about "Stardust Witch Meruru" are you? Heh! Battle Magical Girl anime are so out of style! Those are for retarded children and stupid men who only care about moe. It’s just a crappy anime. Look at the viewer percentages. That program is more like the back program. Now quit talking about your delusions."
"Viewer percentages? What the heck are those for? Understand this. The program I watch is the front- program, and all the others are back-programs. This is the law in this world, so remember. From what I can tell, you don't even watch Meruru! If you saw the final battle in the first season, you would never make such stupid remarks! Oh how pitiful... You didn't watch that... The animation was intensive and matched the super cool insert song! Don’t underestimate kid's anime!"
"You're the one who should shut up! What did you call it? Chuunibyou? I hate everything about that word! Every time works have any element that's considered so, they criticize it with that word without any discussion about the real content. What a bunch of tasteless idiots! And you're just one of those pigs too?”
What is this? Why are they suddenly fighting now?
"Hey... Wait, wait, wait a second... Don't stand up you two, take your seat! Calm down, it's just anime."
"JUST ANIME?"
Kirino and Kuroneko both look at me at once.
"S-Sorry, I shouldn't have said that."
Shit... Anime otaku are scary when they’re serious. I look to Saori seeking help, but she's sipping orange juice like she doesn't have anything to do with it. I whisper to her.
"Do something about it, will you..."
"They've become so comfortable with each other. Haha. It looks like they were unexpectedly a good match."
"Do you have eyes or what?"
Since no one stops them, their argument continues.
"Heh, you've got a great personality. That's why you were ignored by everyone in the offline meeting. Do you understand?"
"Look who's talking. I saw you all alone, playing with your mobile. Soooo gloomy. No one will dare to strike up a conversation with you."
"Shut up... I suddenly felt like looking at some funny images about Asame-Shimbun" [12]
The two glare at each other standing up. Both of them are beautiful... But what a low-level argument this is...
Honestly, both are pointless. Geez... Why do beauties always have some problem with their personality? Thanks to you people, my prejudice against beauties has become even worse. Normal is the best after all... Ah, I want to see my childhood friend for no reason now...
As I kept trying to ignore reality like that, Saori snuck in to break the ugly argument.
"Well then, since the talking has finally gotten somewhere, why don’t we shift to the next topic. Oh yes, it's my turn now."
As Saori's voice goes through, everyone here focuses on her. She smiles with her cheeks up.
"So then formally again, I am 'Saori' Bajeena. I am the administrator of the 'Otaku Girls Get Together' community. As I've written in my profile page, I'm 15 years old. A 9th grade student. If I remember right, I'm the same age as Kuroneko-shi."
She was carefully trying to open up a conversation, but Kuroneko makes no reaction and ignores her completely.
Oh so these two are one year older than Kirino. I expected Kuroneko to be around that age but... Saori... she's younger than me...?
I looked at Saori thinking it's unbelievable.
"By the way, my three sizes from top to down are, 88, 60..."
"No need to tell me that."
"Heh. They're the same as Fujiwara Norika."
"Listen to me! Don't say it so proudly!"
Damn it. Why am I making all the comments alone...?
This is becoming way too much now.
I didn't come here to practice my tsukkomi skills...
"Someone please hurry up and ask her a question..."
Out of energy, I ask for help. Unexpectedly, it was Kuroneko who responded.
"Then, the question everyone must have wanted to ask, I will ask. Saori-san, what is that ugly otaku fashion and way of speaking?"
I really wanted to ask that! I praise her in my heart, but I was worried she might just respond by saying that's her natural self. If that happens, should I pull my sister and run off from this pervert?
My worries did not come true. This is the response Saori gave.
"Oh my how embarrassing... Actually, this is my first time organizing an offline meeting. I put in a lot of effort to make up a personality that suits as a leader so that I will be liked by everyone as much as possible. ...So I'm a more quiet girl normally."
Err... Are you seriously saying that? Is how you speak part of acting and not just how you dress?
There's tons of things I want to ask but... I still can't believe the part about her being normally a quiet girl.
That's only what she believes herself.
Kuroneko, who asked the question, blinks her red eyes from surprise.
"I don't understand why putting in effort results in that. Heh, but it must be better than misunderstanding and fully equipping herself with brand name clothes, only to fail and get excluded."
"What the heck? So annoying... You can't argue about that can you? What is with that overkill Goth-loli dress? I didn't think someone would wear something like that to an offline meeting, even in Akiba!"
"What did you say?"
Kirino and Kuroneko again glare at each other. I guess I'll leave these two alone.
By the way, I noticed one thing.
There’s Kirino who dressed up cute with the most trendy brands,
Kuroneko who cosplayed super seriously,
And Saori dressed in ugly-otaku clothes.
Three people with three different styles. Even though their personality and fashion is completely different, there is something shared between these three. It's that they all put in effort to dress up in the hope for the offline party to go well.
"Hmm..."
While hearing the argument between Kirino and Kuroneko, which made no sense, I review the past couple of hours.
Today, Kirino was able to meet otaku besides her for the first time, but honestly they were much different from what she expected. By otaku, I mean the more narrow meaning of otaku, subculture maniacs into games and anime.
I'll say the most obvious, but it's that they all have a hobby they love so much. Yes, that's it. Loving R&B, loving basketball, loving mystery books, loving Japanese calligraphy, it's no different from that. But until now, I didn't think like that. I thought differently of otaku. Even though I didn't know much about them.
Right now, Kirino and Kuroneko are talking about anime in an arguing tone. But what difference does that have to high school girls talking about how crazy they are about their favourite idol inside a karaoke box? How different is it than celebrities talking about love stories in the corner of a fancy cafe? Maybe... Just maybe, there is no difference. Am I wrong?
Kirino said she couldn't reveal her hobby because of society's views. I understand that. Considering the image I had until yesterday, it's obvious how much prejudice society has against otaku. That's especially strong among middle school and high school kids.
...And not all of it is prejudice...
Since THEY are weird. They aren't normal, at least. I, who had prejudice, will speak out now that I was underestimating them. You people are weirder than I imagined!
Well anyhow, there are only three otaku I know now, so there might be the opinion that I shouldn't use these three as model examples. Maybe they are quite different from the model otaku figure.
So from here on, this is my comment I had at this instance, with heavy prejudice.
Otaku aren't that bad, are they? Though they are strange.
I look at the huge spectacled woman in obvious otaku fashion.
For example, she's nearly the same age as Kirino, but is great at making relationships smooth. She's strange in every kind of way, but she's praiseworthy in that she fulfills the role of the leader well, helping everyone enjoy themselves.
It's not only her who isn't bad.
You'll realize if you recall all the events today.
The maid cafe they had the offline meeting in, and that huge street that seemed like some festival... This secondary party too. Other than the fact that Kirino had been excluded and left alone, which was pitiful, there's nothing to have a bad image about. It’s because they seem to be having fun.
They get together with those who like the same thing, and play around...
It even makes me frustrated that I can't join in.
They care about how people look at them? They're afraid of prejudice? Then just come to this side. Now make some huge noise together with us! ...I feel like they are lending a hand out like that. Who exactly is? I don't really know.
If you insist on an answer, then I would say everyone. Even I don't know what I'm talking about though.
That’s why they are all here, doing so out of their own will.
Just like Kirino, who came here in search of friends.
Just look at this noisy argument between Kirino and Kuroneko.
Don't you think it's great that they can have such a heated argument like this on the very first day they met? That means they have 'something important' between them that resonated between the two.
From an outsider’s perspective, it might look strange at times.
But it's not something bad, that’s for sure. It's not something you can easily look down on or throw away.
Regardless of how strange it might look.
"Haha... You have said many things, you damn human... Fine. Let's go outside bitch! I shall teach your body the true meaning of fear! You can cry in your next life!"
"Shut up! That's enough, you jakigan dempa woman!" [13]
"J-J-Jakigan... D-D-Dempa?! Hahaha... you said something you shouldn’t have said! Aww, so pitiful. I can't save you no matter what happens. It’s too late to be sorry. This negative aura, I can't stop anymore..."
"Are you stupid or what? Don't you feel embarrassed just being alive? How about you just die now?"
Err... Can I take back my comments from before?
Otaku, you see... Not all of them are good...
And after a while, we left McDonalds and, as Saori had planned, we did some light shopping in Akihabara. This incident (let me word it as incident for now) will be a long winding story, and I don't even want to look back at it, so I'll omit it. Rather, you understand, right? If you visit around Akiba with these members, what will happen? Just imagine!
You did? Right? Okay. If you add 150% to the damage I received in your imagination, then that will be quite close to what happened in reality.
Geez. I'm praiseworthy to not have run away.
By the way, Kirino and Kuroneko were dissing each other the whole time. And it almost always had some otaku talk in it. It began with anime, then went into games and manga, about how the couplings are whatever, and how the animation was blah, and how DVD prices are something... Really, I'm impressed at how much stuff they could insult each other with.
As evening began to creep up, and even after the secondary party was finished, it's still like that. They did exchange goodbyes, but still kept hostile about jakigan vs. magical girl anime.
"Hahaha, Kiririn-shi and Kuroneko-shi really seem to have gotten friendly."
"What part of today makes you say that? Maybe you need new glasses."
I'm saying that, but I understand.
Watching Kirino and Kuroneko argue, I raise my cheeks a bit.
Good for you, Kirino. You’ve now found someone you can shout about your hobby to in such a loud voice. I’m sure you will deny that, saying "Not at all" though...
But that's what you call a friend.
"...Well then."
Me and Saori are standing back a little to avoid becoming victims of the ongoing anime otaku battle.
We’re right outside the Akihabara Washington Hotel on the sidewalk. A crossroad is right in front of us.
...As Kirino's brother, there's something I have to say.
With as much heart as I can put in, I bow down to Saori. "Thank you."
"Oh? Did I do something that deserves being appreciated?"
With a question mark above her head and her mouth in a ω shape, Saori cocks her head sideways.
She probably understands it. But exchanging any more words about it is just uncool.
I said what I should say. I can only hope she understood my feelings. I smiled lightly.
"You are a good person after all. Kirino and I were lucky."
"I don't understand what you mean at all, but I'm not such a great person. I've been doing whatever I like. If you believe I am so, then it must be that Kyousuke-shi, you yourself are a good person. They say, other people are mirrors showing yourself."
Saying all that, Saori unsheathes the poster from her backpack and thrusts it like a light sabre.
The poster shines in the setting sun. Looking at the tip shown in front of me, I let my shoulders down.
"Heh, Just say whatever."
"And I shall."
Saori smiled and showed her back to me. She must actually make very nice expressions normally. The smile was charming enough to make me believe so.
Thick glasses and a bandana on her head with a plaid shirt tucked into her pants...
It's one hell of an ugly otaku fashion. There's nothing that can be uglier.
Saori swings the sabre once and sheathes it back into her bag.
"Well then, see you again sometime."
The light turns green. Akihabara station shines in the twilight.
The large back walking off showing no hesitation looking proud.
I won't lose to that, and proudly walk towards Kirino.
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