We took a few photos together and then decided to continue our tour since we were both alone.
"So you're telling me no one recognized your character?"
"Yes! You don't know how frustrating it is! Shizuku-chan is such a cutie; ignoring her should be a sin!"
I have to say, Kitagawa Marin is probably one of the most entertaining people I've encountered so far, more than Yuki and Ayano. Truth be told, I know many interesting people, but they are older than I am, and they often don't take me seriously because of it.
"That is true, you're beautiful, Marin."
I could feel her embarrassment at my compliment.
"How can you say something like that..."
But she brushed it off for the moment.
"And we both know how much attention you get, but there's another reason no one recognizes you. Your adored 'Shizuku-chan' is a character from an eroge."
Marin looked a bit confused, so I continued.
"Marin, recognizing you and asking to take a photo would mean admitting to having played an eroge—one that's a bit more spicy than usual."
"Ah, so they are embarrassed, you mean? But they shouldn't be! Admiring Shizuku-chan is normal!"
"No, it's not just that. Recognizing you means admitting to playing an eroge, and that would sort of brand you as a perverted otaku."
"And being a perverted otaku means social death. I get it... My first time as a cosplayer would be such a letdown..."
She sounded a bit sad about it, but I patted her back reassuringly.
"Don't worry, you've already found someone who recognized Shizuku-chan, haven't you?"
I could see her processing my words, and soon she broke into a full smile.
"That's true. Thank you! Also, are you admitting to being a perverted otaku?"
"Yes, at least partially. I prefer the real thing."
"The real thing?"
I just smiled at her, but she didn't flush like before. She seemed to miss the innuendo.
"Anyway, do you know why I recognized you?"
"Because you've played the game? Isn't it obvious?"
"Yes, but that's not the whole story. The one who's really into eroge and such is my little sister."
"She has good taste."
"My little sister, who is 8 years old."
She looked stunned, as it's somewhat of a taboo in this country.
"Um, Masachika-kun, I understand the appeal of this eroge, but you really shouldn't let your little sister do such things. She's still too young for them."
Seeing the opportunity, I flashed her a completely shameless smile.
"What do you mean, young? I'll have you know that when she told me about the game, we were both the same age."
"...The same age?"
Her gaze seemed to unfocus, and she appeared deep in thought, struggling to process what I had said.
"Masachika-kun, how old are you?"
I gave her my best smile and answered truthfully.
"I'm nine."
And then, Marin.exe stopped working.
---
It took Marin more than half an hour to digest the information I had shared, so we decided to move out of the fair and into a nearby café. Inside, it was busier than a usual café, but since many people were carrying plastic bags filled with manga, games, and figures, it was easy to see why the place was so crowded.
When our orders arrived, Marin decided to break the ice. "You're... younger than I thought."
"Don't worry; many people have told me that. Also, since you don't believe me now, you probably won't believe what I'll tell you next."
She looked at me, her gaze a bit conflicted from earlier, but then exhaled and gestured for me to continue. I flashed her another Smile™ and continued my explanation.
"Maybe I should properly introduce myself. Hello, Kitagawa Marin-san, my name is Kuze Masachika, I'm 9 years old, and I'm a freshman at the University of Kyoto. It's a pleasure to meet you."
I handed her my college card, which showed my date of birth and college ID. She took it and seemed impressed.
"You know, even though you feel more like someone my age right now, I can see the youth in your photo. Alright, since you've done it, I'll share my info too. I'm Kitagawa Marin, 13 years old and soon to be 14, currently a second-year student at Watanabe Junior High School. A pleasure to meet you."
"Perfect! Now that the boring stuff is out of the way, what series are you following right now?"
Using those magic words, the floodgates opened, and we dove into discussing the current series we were watching. We both liked a magical girl series called Levia-Tan, but she was more into another series called Flower Princess Blaze, which I knew about but hadn't watched.
Interestingly enough, I discovered that while Marin had accused me of being a perverted otaku, she was one herself. "Damn, Marin-chan! What character are you? Not only are you a perverted otaku, but you're also an extroverted otaku gyaru! Did you take supplements in the reincarnation cycle?"
"What about you? You're a young prodigy entering university before you even hit double digits, with multiple trophies under your belt. What does that make you?"
"I'm the typical overpowered reincarnated isekai protagonist, and my series is called *Reincarnated as the Perfect Asian Child: Please Stop or Else Other Children Would Suffer Emotional Damage!* You know?"
"Pfff... Hahaha!"
Our conversation continued to devolve into laughter, and we started to bond over our shared quirks. Eventually, we decided to return to Comiket, and I asked for the bill.
"Oh, we should split it since—"
"Nah, don't worry."
I paid for everything before leaving, and although it was frowned upon, I left a tip.
"Haaaa, Marin, please tell me, why is tipping frowned upon?"
"Mmh... Because it's rude?"
"And it's rude because...?"
"Ah, I have no idea. I've never worked as a waiter, so I don't know anything about that."
I looked at her and then scanned her more thoroughly. "What?"
"Have you ever seen a living Sherlock Holmes?"
"Do you mean someone cosplaying as an investigator?"
"Nope, someone more like a living Detective Conan."
"Oh, no, never."
"Then let me tell you something, Marin. You're beautiful, and you know it. You're aware of the looks you attract, and you're neither disgusted nor particularly drawn to those reactions. Your makeup is on point—maybe too much for some people—and the way you carry yourself shows that you know how to present yourself without ruining your look. Marin, are you a model or something?"
"Wow, how did you figure that out?! I'm a magazine model, and everything you said was spot on!"
"Heh, that was child's play."
"So, why did you do it?"
*Smile™*
"I'm confessing to being your stalker and want your number."
She blinked before laughing again. "You know, it's the first time someone has asked for my number like that. Sure, I can give it to you."
"Perfect! That was also a demonstration that if I wanted your number, I could have obtained it with or without your willingness."
"Well, what could be the problem? At most, you'd look at it before, um, taking care of yourself. But that's something I can handle."
We exchanged numbers, and since she was being a bit too cocky, I decided it was time to put her in her place. I'm the one who teases, not the other way around, so I gave her my third Smile™ of the day.
"Oh, don't worry about that. I've never masturbated and will never need to. I'm not a virgin, after all."
And that is how Marin.exe crashed for the second time.