At the school gate, most students had already left. Eriri was tapping her foot, waiting with her head down.

"Eriri." Ren walked up to her and lightly patted her.

Eriri looked up, pouted, and complained softly, "Why are you so slow? You made me stand here foolishly waiting for you."

"Sorry. As the club president, I definitely had to check on the club. How about I treat you to a meal when we go out this weekend as an apology?"

Eriri tossed her head and said haughtily: "Hmph, that's more like it."

The two walked side by side. Eriri asked curiously: "What did you want to tell me?"

Ren got straight to the point. "It's like this, my club is still missing one member, and I'd like you to help me register."

"Is that all? No problem. It's just registering a name. I thought it was something big."

Ren smiled: "Then it's settled. I'll treat you to a big meal next time."

"What kind of club is yours?" Compared to just registering her name, she was more curious about what kind of club Ren had.

Ren told her openly, "Supernatural Research Club."

"Huh?" Her big, watery eyes blinked. It was an expression that said, 'You're kidding me.'

"That's right, it's exactly what you think: a club that researches supernatural phenomena and accepts requests for supernatural investigations."

"..."

"Eek..." Eriri took a small step away from Ren. She made a very disgusted expression. Of course, this was just her playful gesture.

"Hey, hey, hey, don't make such an exaggerated face!" Ren's brow furrowed into a hashtag. He placed both hands on Eriri's Little face and kneaded it.

"Wuwuwu, don't do that..." Eriri struggled, her words unclear.

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

"Mmm!" Eriri froze, pressed against Ren's chest, and looked up blankly, her cheeks flushed. Just as she was about to shyly call out, a rapidly cycling bicycle passed through the spot where they had just been.

Ren let go. Eriri reluctantly left his embrace. But she saw Ren frowning, staring at the bicycle that had almost hit Eriri. He was actually looking at the person riding the bike, a very familiar person.

Eriri understood that if Ren hadn't pulled her away just now, she definitely would have been hit. Immediately, she was furious, her words sharp. "Who was that person?! Don't they look where they're going when they ride? And so fast!"

Ren turned his head, rubbed Eriri's Little head, and said gently: "Forget it, as long as you're okay."

"Mmm... Okay." A gentle tone, warm tenderness. Eriri's temper instantly vanished, and she obediently nodded.

*****

Aki Tomoya's Frustration

The person riding a bicycle ahead looked back and saw this scene. His eyes widened, and he gripped the bicycle handlebars tightly. He was also gritting his teeth and muttering, "Traitor! Bastard! These two guys!" He had deliberately ridden so fast just now. He had also deliberately crashed into Eriri. He was very annoyed! Very annoyed with those two!

My name is Aki Tomoya. I'm a super otaku. My favorite thing is the two-dimensional world! In elementary school, I had a cute childhood friend. Her name was Eriri. She was also an otaku who loved otaku culture. We had always been good friends.

Until that day in elementary school. Eriri betrayed me! Because the classmates in our class discriminated against otaku, Eriri and I, who liked otaku culture, were ostracized. I chose to argue and reason with my classmates and tried to promote otaku culture to them, to make them lessen some of their prejudices. But Eriri chose to escape!! She pretended to quit being an otaku and asked me not to talk to her at school!

When we got to middle school, we were still classmates. But Eriri was playing very well with another boy. A boy I hadn't noticed in elementary school, Ren! They laughed and chatted every day. But I didn't get jealous. I just didn't talk to Eriri at school. Actually, I knew her secret. As Kashiwagi Eri's other side. Ren couldn't possibly know this secret.

I originally thought that, until Eriri told me, Ren was also an insider. And also liked otaku culture. I was furious! This was another betrayal! I questioned Eriri.

"Why is it that he's also an otaku, but he can talk and interact with you at school? Why can't I?!"

Eriri just said, "Because I want a normal school life! I don't want others to know I'm an otaku! Because Ren won't discuss these things at school!"

"Why do you think that just because I like these things, I have to let others know! You might not care about what others think, but I do!"