401. Going to Kyoto

After chatting for a while, Shuya and Kyousuke realized from Saori's words that she wanted to take care of those who couldn't fit in earlier, so she convened this second meeting.

Someone who would specifically do such troublesome things must be a good person.

Kyousuke thought to himself.

Shuya was quite interested and wanted to take off her glasses to see what she was hiding.

Kirino didn't realize Saori's intentions, but Black Cat seemed to have, and felt annoyed at being pitied.

"Speaking of which, Mr. Black Cat, please don't use such a formal way of addressing me as 'Ms. Manager.' Just call me 'Saori.' It's rare for us to be together like this, so let's not stand on ceremony and have a pleasant chat."

"You call yourself 'Saori'? You really dare to use such a nickname, you have no shame."

The Black Cat's sharp tongue perfectly matches her personality.

"Oh dear, this is the first time I've been told that."

"Of course! Your nickname is perfect for portraying a 'pure and refined young lady' online. But isn't this what you're really like? This is fraud, no matter what."

"I mean no harm, but I suggest you use a nickname like 'Andrei' from now on. Also, what's with your strange way of speaking and your attire...?"

"It's like that disgusting otaku from years ago."

Kirino unleashed a combo attack.

"Hey, you two! You're being way too sarcastic and mean!"

Kyousuke's rant.

"..."

Shuya was drinking his soda and didn't care about any of that.

"Alright, alright, Kyousuke, don't be so angry. I appreciate you standing up for me—ha, unfortunately, this level of slander is like a gentle breeze to me, I even find it enjoyable. So please don't take it to heart, Kyousuke, you can criticize me as much as you like, it's fine."

"I was just starting to think you were a good person, but now I'm completely confused!"

"--Let's not talk about that now. I see everyone is getting along very well, so how about I introduce myself again?"

Kirino the Black Cat spoke.

Seeing that Shuya lost in thought, Kyousuke said, "Isn't this fine? How about a question-and-answer format, with us taking turns asking questions?"

"This is quite interesting. Without further ado, let's begin questioning Mr. Black Cat!"

The Black Cat sighed, took a sip of coffee, and said, "Ask away?"

What was the most panicked moment you've experienced recently?

Is this question being asked in a variety show?

After complaining, the Black Cat still answered, "That was... when my sister saw me wearing cat ears and a tail and dancing while uploading to Nico Nico a while ago. I was really flustered in that situation."

That would truly be a disaster.

Shuya also laughed, and said with emotion, "I can relate! It's like when I confessed to that older sister, and when I turned around, I saw her five daughters who liked me standing at the door watching me. Their eyes... oh, that feeling of despair was just too much, hahaha!"

He laughed heartily, but the room fell into an awkward silence.

Kirino: "..."

Saori: "..."

Kyousuke: "No, this..."

Even the Black Cat was taken aback. "No, I think I... am not as good as you, am I?"

Only then did she look seriously at Shuya's face.

So handsome... and he looks so familiar.

Her face flushed, and she began to pay attention to Shuya.

Black Cat doesn't consider herself a looks-obsessed person, but she felt that Shuya really looked familiar.

The Q&A session continued without any awkward moments.

However, when it was Black Cat's turn, she said to Kirino, "Why are you wearing this? It's understandable if you're going to a mixer in Shibuya, but I really can't believe someone would wear something like this to Akihabara Menhime."

Kirino retorted angrily, "I'm so sorry! This is an outfit that suits me. Besides... besides, you yourself are also...!"

"... Aren't you the same? Why don't you tell me?"

"What character's outfit are you wearing? It can't be... Suiginto, can it?"

Suiginto is a character from the anime/manga series Rozen Maiden. This work has absolutely nothing to do with Shuya.

"It's not Suiginto! Where are your eyes located? This is the 'Night Demon Queen' from Maskera... You don't know that, do you?"

"Huh? That's trash anime! Isn't that just another 'evil eye-catching sissy' anime that's competing with Meruru? Such terrible taste!"

Shuya: "..."

Hey sis, watch your mouth! The main character's voice actor is right here.

But he immediately remembered what his brother had taught him and felt relieved.

... You guys should stop associating voice actors with their characters!

He watched the play with a clear conscience.

Then Kirino and Black Cat started talking about something:

"Meruru is a terrible show that only adults who are extremely immature and only care about cuteness would watch. Maskera has higher viewership."

"The shows I watch are the 'orthodox' ones—the others are just competitors. That's the norm in this world! Don't underestimate children's animation!"

"What 'chuunibyou anime'? I absolutely hate those three words. Just because a work contains even a tiny bit of that kind of element, you abuse that term to criticize it. Are you an idiot?"

And other difficult-to-understand language.

Section 432, Chapter 401: Going to Kyoto

Shuya watched them argue with great interest.

Kyousuke tried to stop him but was quickly frightened into silence.

He wanted to ask Saori for help, but she said instead, "Don't the two of them get along very well?"

"No way!"

Kyousuke is getting a little tired of making sarcastic remarks.

After Kirino and Black Cat argued for a while, Saori said, "It's about time to move on to the next topic. Next, um... it's my turn."

Saori's loud voice attracted their attention:

"Let me introduce myself again. My name is Saori Bagina. As I wrote on my profile, I am fifteen years old—a third-year middle school student. I think Mr. Black Cat should be the same age as me."

When it was her turn to ask a question, everyone fell silent for a moment.

Shuya glanced at them, and if no one spoke, he wanted to ask her why she would cover up her face when she was clearly cute.

Then the Black Cat spoke up, "Then I'll ask on behalf of everyone, Ms. Saori —what's with your disgusting otaku-like way of speaking and your clothes?"

"Oh dear, I'm so sorry. Actually, this is my first time being an organizer—I wanted everyone who came to attend to like me, so I tried to create an image that matches the leader of the otaku community. I'm usually a more mature and composed girl."

The Black Cat asked in surprise, "So this is the conclusion you've reached after all your efforts?"

She added, "... Never mind, compared to someone's designer gear, it's all for nothing in the end."

Kirino snapped again, "Do you have the right to judge others? What's with the Gothic Lolita outfit?! Even though this is Akihabara, I still can't imagine an idiot dressing like this to meet Hime!"

The two started arguing again.

Shuya asked excitedly, "Want to fight? Want to fight?"

Compared to his ruthlessness, Kyousuke's eyes softened for some reason.

He knew that all three of them wanted the girl to have a successful day, which was why they had prepared the clothes so carefully.

Moreover, the way they could argue over their beloved interests was something he found truly dazzling.

"... Phew! Your mouth is so venomous... Fine, you bitch, get out of here. Go experience true horror for yourself; you'll regret it in your next life!"

"Ugh, you're so annoying! You wicked, irritating-eyed woman!"

"... Evil... evil eyes... electric... electric wave girl? Hmm... hehehehe... you finally said what you shouldn't have. Ah, how pathetic, I don't care what happens to you... you'll regret it too late. This wave of negative thoughts, even I can't stop it..."

"Are you an idiot? Don't you think it's shameful to be alive? Why don't you just go and die?"

Kyousuke: "..."

Give me back the feeling I had!

At this point, Shuya finally stepped in to smooth things over, saying with a smile, "So, is the topic turning to me? Does anyone have any questions? I might not necessarily answer them."

"Oh, Shuya, don't make things worse."

Kyousuke Road.

"Shuya- senpai doesn't need to answer these noob questions."

Kirino smiled sweetly instantly.

"Ha, look at you, you simp... He's just a handsome guy... Ha, woman."

The Black Cat launched an attack, but Kirino gave her a disdainful look. "Shut up, you idiot. Don't compare Shuya- senpai to others. He's not someone a mortal like you can understand."

"Kirino- chan, you flatter me too much."

Even though Shuya knew he couldn't trust Kirino's words, he still felt incredibly pleased to be admired by such a beautiful girl.

"Shuya- senpai, Shuya- senpai...?"

The Black Cat frowned as it read aloud.

She said to Saori, "Don't you think this person looks familiar?"

"That's strange. I thought I was the only one who felt that way."

"Hmph, how could you possibly figure out Shuya- senpai's identity?"

Kirino felt a surge of pride.

"Cough."

Kyousuke coughed to remind everyone there that there was someone in the know, but he shut up after being glared at by Kirino.

"Well, there's really nothing to hide."

Shuya dispelled the Strange Arts that concealed his identity, only to use it again a moment later.

Saori leaned back. "Wow, it's... it's Inoue!"

The Black Cat trembled all over. "Come, Kurusu Maya?! Please sign this for me!"

Shuya helplessly, "You people, stop trying to conflate voice actors with their characters."

"Heh, where did your sharp tongue go? You even accused me of licking boots; you're no better."

Kirino made a sarcastic remark about the Black Cat.

The Black Cat rolled its eyes. "Kurusu Maya is different from those flashy, cheap women outside!"

"Well, I understand you really like that anime, Black Cat -chan, but a voice actor is a voice actor, and a character is a character. Please don't call me Kurusu Maya anymore. You can call me Shu-chan, or like Kirino, Shuya- senpai."

"Shuya- senpai!"

The Black Cat sat up straight and called out.

"Good."

Shuya casually touched her head, making her blush.

"Tsk, Shuya has gained another batch of juniors..."

Kirino smacked her lips.

In Black Cat's mind, Shuya about whether he was handsome or not; he was a very special kind of... idol.