“My name is Kato Megumi, I like… sweets, cooking and shopping. Pleased to meet you all.”
Her tone was light and airy, her self-introduction ordinary.
It was hard to make a lasting impression.
As soon as Kato Megumi sat down, most of the class had already forgotten her name.
Everyone's eyes shifted to the next person.
Yukiya stood up.
“My name is Yukiya.”
Yukiya sat down.
Touka glared at him.
She stared for two seconds, then realized that Yukiya had no intention of standing up and rectifying the situation.
Touka's face turned cold, and she tapped her fingers on the podium.
“Yukiya, you know the drill, come to my office after class.”
Everyone in the class was stunned for a moment, and then someone couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Self-introductions in the Land of Cherry Blossoms are really a crucial part of school life.
If you mess up or stand out too much, you won't make any friends.
An introduction like Yukiya's.
Normally, he would be ostracized, one hundred percent.
However, before this self-introduction session began, seventy percent of the class had spoken to Yukiya, eighty percent had a basic impression of him, and ninety percent knew his name.
So, even if he didn't say a single word in his self-introduction.
The atmosphere in the class would still be incredibly cheerful.
People would just think he was being quirky, quite humorous.
Instead of thinking he was a complete weirdo, disgusting, stay away from him.
In contrast.
“Hello everyone, my name is Eishi Anzai. I’m a hardcore Otaku. My favorite anime is Jujutsu Kaisen. My favorite game is Little Busters!
“During spring break, I experienced a heart-fluttering moment. My wish was born. I want to make the best dating simulation game (galgame) in the world.”
“Anyone interested in galgames can come to me for discussions. I will start a club. After graduation, I will also establish a company to produce galgames.”
Eishi Anzai talked eloquently.
However, from the moment he said ‘Otaku’.
The people around him started to quietly shift their seats, pulling away from him.
The way everyone looked at him also changed from disdain to a kind of disgusted avoidance.
Nobody knew this guy.
He’s talking about himself, and about the otaku culture at the bottom of the social hierarchy.
Should we not despise him because we are despising the handsome and refreshing guy who introduced himself properly?
A black line appeared on Touka's forehead.
Seeing that Eishi Anzai had no intention of stopping.
Touka finally couldn't help herself and whispered, “Alright, sit down, next student!”
Eishi Anzai wanted to say a little more.
But seeing Touka’s cold gaze.
He could only reluctantly sit down.
And he completely ignored the disdainful stares of everyone else.
Yukiya glanced at Eriri, who was sitting to his right.
He realized that this “Otaku Eriri” was burying her head as hard as she could.
Clearly, she was afraid that others would know she knew Eishi Anzai.
Eriri knew Eishi Anzai.
They were in the same elementary school.
They became friends because they both loved otaku culture.
Then, because Eishi Anzai widely publicized otaku culture, they were bullied.
Eriri couldn't take it anymore, so she transferred to the elementary school where Yukiya was.
Yukiya helped Eriri, who was being bullied, to rebuild her social circle.
In the end, they became lovers.
That’s roughly how it went down.
But there are many details, which will be discussed later.
I will not elaborate on it here for now.
In short, Eriri is an otaku in private, but a dazzling young lady on the outside.
She enjoys normal social interactions just as much as she enjoys otaku culture. The two are not mutually exclusive.
Unless, someone forces these two aspects to clash in Eriri’s life.
The atmosphere was momentarily quiet.
Fortunately, a red-haired beauty stood up at that moment.
“My name is Kito Utaha, I want to be friends with everyone. Just call me Utaha-chan. I love music and travel. Pleased to meet you all!”
A full-of-energy voice.
She was a cute girl who looked like a sunny personality.
The atmosphere, which had been ruined by Eishi Anzai, was eased.
The self-introduction session went smoothly.
The first class was not very substantial.
It was over quickly.
Touka beckoned to Yukiya.
The class erupted in laughter again.
Yukiya hung his head, looking resigned, and followed Touka out of the classroom.
Then, as soon as they left the classroom, Yukiya returned to normal.
They entered the teachers' office, one after the other.
“Oh, Touka-sensei, you’re bringing a student to the office so early in the morning.”
A middle-aged female teacher teased.
Touka put her hand to her forehead, her expression filled with headache as she responded.
“Yeah, problem student.”
“Huh? Me?” Yukiya pointed at himself.
His expression made the teachers in the office laugh out loud.
Touka reached out and lightly tapped Yukiya's head.
“Don’t be silly, come here!” She pointed to the seat next to hers.
Yukiya obediently walked over.
“I was so worried for nothing.”
Touka shook her head helplessly.
She was originally worried that Yukiya would be ostracized.
After all, he introduced himself like that.
But looking at the atmosphere, it was clear that this was not something to worry about.
As an adult, Touka’s skill in reading the air was obviously much higher than that of the students.
On the other hand
Touka frowned when she thought of that other guy.
There was no saving him.
Talking at length about otaku culture, being ostracized was a foregone conclusion.
At most, she would make sure that the students in the class didn't bully him.
She had called Yukiya to the office for something else.
“Want to be the class monitor?”
Touka asked Yukiya.
With Yukiya’s appearance, abilities, and popularity in the class, if he became class monitor, it would definitely save her a lot of trouble.
But Yukiya immediately shook his head.