Chapter 36 – Aki Tomoya

At the school gate, most of the students had already left.

Eriri Sawamura idly tapped her toes against the pavement, her head lowered as she waited.

"Eriri." Tatsuki approached her, lightly tapping her shoulder.

She raised her head, pouting as she muttered, "Why did you take so long? I've been standing here like an idiot waiting for you."

"Sorry, I had to check on the club as the president. To make it up to you, I'll treat you to a meal this weekend. Deal?"

Eriri flipped her head to the side with a haughty demeanor, "Hmph, well, I guess that'll do."

The two walked side by side.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

Tatsuki got straight to the point.

"Here's the thing. My club still needs one more member, and I'd like you to join as a placeholder."

"That's it? No problem! I thought it was something big."

Tatsuki smiled, "Great. I'll treat you to a fancy dinner next time."

"By the way, what kind of club is it?"

Eriri was more curious about the nature of the club than simply joining.

Tatsuki candidly revealed, "The Paranormal Research Club."

"Huh?" Eriri blinked her big, moist eyes in doubt.

"Yup, exactly what you're thinking. We investigate and handle cases related to supernatural phenomena."

"..."

"Eww..."

Eriri shuffled a step away from him, wearing an exaggeratedly disgusted expression.

Of course, it was just one of her playful antics.

"Hey, don't give me that face!"

With a furrowed brow, Tatsuki grabbed her cheeks with both hands and playfully squished them.

"Mmm! Shtooopp... it'sh hurrrtss!"

Eriri struggled to speak, her words slurred as she flailed her arms.

Suddenly, Tatsuki pulled her into his arms and took a step back.

"Wha!"

Eriri froze, pressed against his chest, her face flushing crimson.

She was just about to cry out in embarrassment when—

A bicycle sped past the exact spot where she had been standing moments ago.

Tatsuki let go of her, and though Eriri was reluctant to leave the warmth of his embrace, she noticed his expression had grown serious as he glared at the cyclist.

In truth, he wasn't just watching the near-miss—he was focused on the cyclist.

There was something very familiar about that person.

Eriri, on the other hand, realized that if Tatsuki hadn't pulled her away, she would've been hit by the bike.

She was instantly furious, her words sharp with anger.

"Who the hell was that? Don't they watch where they're going? Riding so fast, too!"

Tatsuki turned to her, gently patting her head with a warm smile. "Let it go. You're okay, and that's what matters."

"Mmm… okay."

His soft voice and tender touch instantly extinguished Eriri's temper, and she obediently nodded her head.

The cyclist ahead glanced back at them, his eyes wide with disbelief and his grip on the handlebars tightening. His teeth clenched as he muttered through gritted teeth, "Traitor! Bastard! Those two!"

The truth was, he had deliberately ridden so fast and aimed straight at Eriri.

He was upset—furiously so—at both of them.

…

I'm Aki Tomoya.

A hardcore otaku. My passion is the two-dimensional world.

In elementary school, I had a cute childhood friend—Eriri Sawamura.

She was a fellow otaku, and we were the best of friends.

Until that one day in elementary school…

Eriri betrayed me.

Our classmates discriminated against otakus. Both Eriri and I were ostracized for our hobbies.

I stood my ground, arguing with our classmates and trying to promote otaku culture, hoping to lessen their prejudice.

But Eriri? She chose to run away!

She pretended to give up her otaku identity and asked me not to talk to her at school anymore!

In middle school, we ended up in the same class again.

But Eriri started hanging out with another boy—a guy I hadn't even noticed in elementary school: Tatsuki Hayashi.

They laughed and talked together every day.

At first, I didn't feel jealous.

I avoided speaking to Eriri at school, though I secretly knew her double life.

As Eriri Spencer, she became a famous doujin artist.

I thought Tatsuki couldn't possibly know her secret.

But then, Eriri told me.

Tatsuki knew about her identity and even shared her love for otaku culture.

That was when my anger erupted. Another betrayal!

I confronted her: "Why is it that he, also an otaku, can talk to you at school while I can't?"

Her reply left me speechless:

"Because I want a normal school life! I don't want anyone to know I'm an otaku! Tatsuki doesn't talk about these things at school."

"Why do you assume that just because I like this stuff, I want the world to know? You might not care about what people think, but I do!"