Otaku 1

If there was one thing that Arata loved nothing more of, it would be going to his favorite otaku store and browsing the items they had for sale. Why wouldn't he enjoy looking cute anime girls on his time off? Plus, it was nice to be able to get away from everyone else and all of the drama. Not that there was much of it, just that he'd rather try and keep the idea of romance out of his head for a while.

Though, this boy was never one known for his luck. Which was why running into Hifumi at this store was an unwelcome surprise. She was one of the most open girls about her feelings for him. Something that was kind of nice compared to someone who either hadn't confessed, of which he didn't know of anyone doing so. Or let him know but didn't want to fully commit. In a sense, that was a reflection of who he was as a person.

"It's pleasant to run into you here." She greeted him as there was no other choice but to acknowledge the other's existence. "And this is just by complete chance, I didn't have to stalk you for it."

"Heheh." He laughed weakly at her joke. Hopefully that really was just a joke and not an indication to what her recent activities had been about. "Anyway, are you here for any particular reason?" Arata was only here to browse for fun. So there weren't any goals or items he was seeking out at the moment. Therefore, he could hang around her as she looked for what she wanted to buy.

"Aside from my usual light novel pickups, not really." She answered. Still, that was enough reason and permission for him to walk with her as they went through the aisles. "But there is supposed to be an event soon around here that I'm sure you'll be looking forward to."

"Really? What is it?" He was someone that stayed up-to-date on anything relating to otaku. Though, the boy used to not go to public events unless he had a mask to hide his identity. So some did slip through the cracks as they weren't his main priority.

"You probably haven't heard about it because it's been kept a little secret." Somehow, despite always being the trustworthy one to him. When she said it like that, it made him suspicious that this wasn't just some cooked up scheme of hers to get them alone together. "Just ask the manager if you don't believe me, but the author of my favorite light novel is coming to town."

"You've got to be kidding, that's amazing." He knew her favorite light novel off the top of his head. So that meant he also knew who this famous author was going to be. "Is that true!?" Arata yelled out to the store runner.

"If you keep you mouth shut, then sure." Perhaps it was dumb of the boy to yell out the idea across the store when it was supposed to be kept on the down low. Though, he wasn't sure why it was done in that manner.

"I assume they aren't entire sure with how to run the event yet." She explained to him a possible theory. Hopefully in her case they got things worked out so she could personally meet the man who had given her some very wonderful, but private, nights. Because to those unaware, her favorite light novel was one that was a bit naughty and definitely not safe for a child's eye.

"Anyway, it sounds like fun." He responded. "If you know when it's going to be, I'd love to come to it too."

"So it's a date then." Already, she was not holding back in terms of making this about one certain thing. Though to be fair to Hifumi, she had confessed months ago and had been waiting to get him to fall for her. In her mind, it wasn't about leading him to making a choice eventually. This boy was only going to make one specific and correct choice and that was going to be her.

"That not how I've ever envisioned a date." He replied. While the boy loved the idea of engaging in some otaku fanboying from time to time. Doing that with a girl, who was admittedly cute, didn't seem like the place to be romantic. Not to mention they'd be surrounded by a bunch of other otakus. "Given the books this guy writes, I don't think we should be going around and making everyone jealous."

"You should have a little more pride in yourself." Taking advantage of them being hidden away in a back aisle, Hifumi made her move. She got herself close to the boy, uncomfortable close in his mind, and whispered to him. "After all, not every otaku gets to have such a cute girlfriend."

"But you're not my girlfriend." Having some semblance of standing up for himself, Arata gently pushed her away. This girl was a handful, and could potentially be dangerous if they were alone like this. Though it's not like the boy hated her doing it or anything. It was nice to have someone make a move on him, especially a move filled with lots of pure love. "Now, how about we get going?"

He put an end to their little session, but this wasn't going to be the end of them spending time together. Instead, she put a bit of a wrench for him to want to leave.

"I'm going to drop by my grandmother's house for a bit." She offered a suggestion. "Do you want to come by and chat a bit with her?"

"Is this just an excuse to spend more time with me?"

"Well, I was already planning on seeing her before running into you." She admitted. "But, it is a nice bonus." Despite not caring for that mischievous look on her face. Arata still accepted her offer. He did enjoy the company of the older lady, so it was still a benefit for him.

So the pair went off in the opposite direction of his house towards Hine's place. She was more than happy to see the two of them together after she learned of the truth about their relationship.

"Hifumi, it's nice to see you inviting Arata over." She said as they walked inside. The old woman was obviously biased when it came to the hopes of him getting with the young librarian girl. Not only because she liked her granddaughter more than anyone else at the school, but also so that he could be considered family should they get married.

"We ran into each other at the store." She replied. "Now, I just need to use to restroom. So I'll be right back." With that, Hifumi left the pair alone. Convenient, seeing as Hine wanted to talk about some things with the boy in private.

"I assume you're only trying to be nice with her." She said. Despite her calm and kind tone, it felt like to him that she was making an accusation.

"What are you talking about?" He asked.

"Well, she's a sweet girl. And I know you care deeply about other's feelings." She explained her position. It seemed clear as day that he must've said to her what he did back during new years to make her feel better. At that point, he had other girls confess to him, but unlike with Hifumi, the boy didn't outright reject them. So in fairness, he told her that she was also a part of considerations in his mind. "But you don't really feel that way."

"That's not true." It kind of was back then, but Arata had changed a lot in the past couple of months. He thought deeply about the things she had done just for his sake. Even if it was done to try and get his attention and failed back then. Now they certainly were having the effect she wished they had at the time. "Plus, we actually have a lot in common."

"It is nice to be able to relate to the things you like." She responded with a chuckle as the elderly woman went to sit down. "But, there's more to love than just liking the same things. I can say for certain me and my late husband disagreed more than agreed when it came to hobbies."

"I don't understand how you got married." To him, it was foreign how she talked about being in love. The two of them just had vastly different thought processes when it came to picking the one for life. However, he was unable to get clarification or a better explanation because Hifumi returned.

"Anyway, I just wanted to show you what I got, grandmother." She said as she reached into her bag. It was a pleasure for her to be able to talk openly about her hobby with someone. Especially even with a guest over as he was also an otaku.

"They all look rather pretty." Even without understanding anything that was shown to her. Hine was glad to be able to talk with her young granddaughter. Spending time with people she cared about was all that matter to her.

"I didn't buy anything, but I guess we can talk about this." Arata didn't want to be left out of the conversation as he sat down across from them. "She's got interesting tastes."

"And the best part is the author's going to be making an appearance at the store next weekend." Said Hifumi, informing the lady about her plans.

"And I take it that you'll be bringing Arata there as a date."

"What?" He was surprised that she already seemed to know about that, when she probably wasn't even aware of an event going on. "How did you know? Well, it's-"

"Not a date." She finished his sentence. The boy was predictable when it came to his denial. "And when you get to be my age. Let's just say you gain great intuition."