Chapter 12: Yes, I can even turn into light. Want to see?
Due to events in her childhood, Eriri had become extremely careful and cautious about her otaku interests, never letting anyone else know about her hobbies.
However, with the appearance of Kaede this time, things seemed to be starting to change.
Having met once at a fan convention late last year, the swapping of their doujinshi led Eriri to always remember what Kaede looked like, and she would constantly worry that her secret would be exposed.
Her worries intensified, especially after entering high school, attending Toyosaki, and seeing Kaede there.
Fortunately, Kaede did not recognize her as the person he bumped into at the fan convention; currently, she was in the dark, and Kaede was in the light.
After joining the same club, the somewhat eccentric Art Club, Eriri had been secretly observing Kaede.
Hmm, it seems like he's someone she can talk to.
Facing Eriri's question, Kaede smiled and said: "I'd say I'm decent; I dabble in a bit of everything. Hmm... but I haven't played many games like memories of autumn."
"You haven't played much of such a fun game?"
Hearing Kaede say this, Eriri immediately glared at him in dissatisfaction, showing her small canine teeth, and declared emphatically: "You should really go and experience it; many of the storylines are excellent!"
Looking at Eriri, who was trying her best to make her case, Kaede couldn't help but laugh: "What, aren't you worried about me telling people now?"
"Hmph, even if you really do tell, all I have to do is deny it. Then we'll see if everyone believes me, the good girl in the teachers' eyes, or you!"
"I have to say, that's actually a good decision."
Kaede nodded, thinking that what Eriri said was indeed correct.
"However, even if you deny it, it will still have some effect, more or less. Don't worry, if I said I won't tell, I won't. Just maintain your usual appearance when you're at school."
"That's good..."
After muttering softly, Eriri looked around. Finding that there weren't many people in the cafe, she took an NS out of her bag, unwrapped the game she had just bought, and inserted the cartridge.
"Hehehe, I have time now, so I'll play for a bit."
Kaede said helplessly: "You really are a more hardcore otaku than I imagined. You're playing a game even though there's someone here drinking coffee with you?"
"You don't care anyway, right?"
"...No, I inexplicably feel like I can't even compare to a game."
"What are you saying?"
"Nothing." Relieved that his soft muttering hadn't been heard, Kaede also took an NS out of his own bag. "I'm a bit tired, but do you want to play a game together? You have Splatoon 2, right?"
"You brought one too?" Seeing that the other person also pulled out an NS with the same red and blue color scheme as hers, Eriri pouted, "And here you were criticizing me."
"At least I didn't take mine out first. So, are you playing or not?"
"Playing! Why wouldn't I play?"
Eriri immediately closed the game she had just opened, swapped in the Splatoon 2 cartridge, added Kaede as a friend, and they started playing Splatoon together.
Although she wasn't playing the new game she had just bought, she usually only played Splatoon online by matching with strangers. Playing it offline with someone in person like this was a first.
While loading the game, Eriri excitedly asked: "What rank are you at now? I'm already at A!"
A, huh? That suits Eriri well.
After making a mental note, Kaede said: "I haven't played much. I just reached S, and I was planning to try and climb higher this weekend."
"..."
Sniffing, Eriri forcefully suppressed the sour envy brewing inside her and said: "Well, let's start."
Next, the two of them unprofessionally started playing games in the cafe, chatting about various ACG topics as they played.
"Ah, I died again!"
Seeing her character defeated, Eriri pouted, looked at Kaede who was still fighting across from her, thought for a moment, and asked: "Something just occurred to me."
Kaede said without lifting his head: "What?"
"Do you happen to have a relative named Asakura Riku?"
"...Who?"
"Asakura Riku." Eriri smiled mischievously, gesturing with her hands as she said, "You go, I go, here we go!"
"..."
Kaede also realized what the girl across from him was talking about, and his controls warped instantly, leading to his defeat.
Looking up at Eriri, Kaede said expressionlessly: "Yes, I do have a relative named Asakura Riku, and I also have an uncle named Belial. I can even turn into light. Want to see?"
"Hehehe, I just remembered too. When I first heard your name, I felt like it sounded familiar somehow."
Eriri saw that Kaede wasn't angry, and she drank her beverage, smiling happily.
To be honest, it wasn't just Eriri; Kaede himself almost had a heart attack when he saw ultraman Geed being broadcast on TV, considering they shared the same surname.
After Kaede discovered her hobby, Eriri finally found a point to tease him with, and her mood became increasingly pleasant as she happily said: "Alright, let's continue!"
"I'm not playing anymore."
"Huh?"
"Look at the time. We should head back." Taking out his phone, Kaede showed Eriri the time on the screen.
4:30 PM.
"Ah! Is it that late already?"
Eriri belatedly realized the time, quickly ate the last bite of her cake, put the NS into her bag, stood up, and said: "No, I have to hurry home! See you at school on Monday!"
"Yeah, see you Monday."
After watching Eriri leave, Kaede also organized his belongings and went home.
Although he had been busy at the Bunko for so long and hadn't rested properly afterward, the afternoon had been quite comfortable.
It was already five o'clock when he got home.
His mother, Asakura Reiko, came out of the kitchen, saw Kaede enter wearing slippers, and asked caringly: "Was it very busy at the Bunko?"
"It wasn't too bad. I was dragged over there to sign a thousand novels and was busy until two in the afternoon. I was almost exhausted."
"Tired?"
Looking at the way her son was speaking, Asakura Reiko was confused.
The way he looked, he didn't seem very tired.