Chapter 25 - What’s wrong with being a movie otaku

Chapter 25. What’s wrong with being a movie otaku

” ―――No way, I’ve never thought that you would be here to see this movie. It’s totally unexpected. Well, I’ve always thought that you might have some Otaku hobbies, but I can’t believe it’s real. I don’t think I’ll meet you in a place like this. It seems that there really is such a thing as ‘coincidence’.”

“……I’m more surprised than you, I mean seeing your clothes right now, it’s unbelievable.”

Hiiragi was dressed exactly what you would expect from an otaku.

A T-shirt with the “Revengemans” logo, and a bag with a design based on each character. And the metal badges attached to the bag, were the ones designed based on each hero.

“For you to seriously walk around dressed like that, I’ve never thought you’re a big fan of this series.”

“Mmm. Is it that strange?”

“…No. It’s not strange, but… can’t you come with something better?”

“This is like my formal wear, because I always look like this when I come to see this series.”

“Seriously…? The image of the chairman in my head is steadily collapsing, you know…”

“By the way, this is the third time.”

“Yep, now it’s completely crumbled into a fine dust.”

Excellent grades. Clear head. And also good at sports.

Who would expect such a man walking around the town like an Otaku? No one right?

Hiiragi then told another story to Atsushi who was still in shock.

“This is off-topic, but it seems that you were involved with Sayama again.”

“That is…”

Speaking of that, the last time I was involved with Sayama, Hiiragi wasn’t there.

“Don’t make such a face. I didn’t mean anything about it. I heard from the teacher about the situation. You didn’t do something bad at all… It may be not my place to say this, but don’t worry about it too much. He’s a little emotionally unstable right now. “

“Unstable?”

“Sayama belonged to the soccer club and was also a regular player… The other day, he was injured during practice and was removed from the regular team. At first glance, you might not notice it, but he was forbidden to do hard exercises.”

“Ah, I see…”

Atsushi knew that Sayama was in a soccer club. That was why, he was wondering why he didn’t go to club activities lately and was leaving school with others.

In short, Sayama was injured in practice. And so, he got demoted from regular.

And it led to the attitude he showed to Atsushi…

“In short, he’s taking it out on somebody else?”

“Well, I guess so. As for the reason why it’s you, it’s simple. At that time, you were the only one who he didn’t like.”

Yuri, who he invited was stolen by Atsushi.

And the other one, Atsushi was trying to teach Yuri.

That, mixed with the irritation of being removed from the regular, resulted in his overreacting attitude to Atsushi.

“Sayama was injured because of none other than himself. Therefore, besides taking it out on somebody else. There is no other excuse… But it’s also because he was trying his best. He was injured because he wanted to do his best. It seems that he was practicing too much. I’m not saying that you should forgive him. There is no need for it, but I want you to know that there is a reason for it.”

Until the end, Hiiragi didn’t say that Sayama was bad.

It must be his consideration for Sayama as the chairman.

“When Sayama does something like that again, tell me right away. I can’t say I’ll be able to solve it every time, but I’ll follow as much as I can.”

“Oi oi, is that okay? Helping someone like me that much.”

“I’m not going to support more than necessary. I just can’t overlook unreasonable behavior.”

“Is that so… But still, as expected of you, the chairman. You’re really looking over your classmates.”

“Of course, because I’m the chairman. It’s my job to observe and organize the class.”

However.

“But… Even me, I don’t know everything about the class. One of them is, the rumor about you. I still don’t know the cause of such a rumor, or where it came from. Even now, I still can’t say for sure. If I’ve to guess, probably it was spread from our class…”

As the chairman, of course, Hiiragi was thinking about that rumor too.

However, the source of the rumor, as one would expect, was usually unknown. It often ended up in vain when you looked it up. And above all, it wouldn’t make any sense to waste your energy on that.

“Don’t worry. There’s nothing you can do about it. Even if you search for the culprit now, that won’t solve anything.”

“That’s right, but… I’m afraid of the future. It’s still good if the rumors were just pranks. But… if someone is doing it willfully, it’s pretty bad, don’t you think so? And someone may even do something more insidious.”

“Oi oi. I’m the most hated person in the school right now, you know? What do you want me to do? There’s nothing…”

“That’s right, but…”

Hiiragi shook his head and smiled bitterly.

“…Well, let’s stop it for now. I’m going to watch a movie from now on, if I’m just talking about something dark like this, the air will just get worse… It’s about time for the show. I’m sorry to bother you. Also, I don’t want to be a third wheel.”

“?? What do you mean?”

“There is one popcorn, but two drinks. Is there only one answer associated with this?”

Hiiragi said so while raising his glasses.

Atsushi didn’t say anything in return.

Because no matter what he might say, he could only think of it as digging his own grave.

“Then, please say hello to ‘her’ for me.”

After saying so, Hiiragi left the place.

It seemed, he noticed it from the beginning.

What a terrifying intuition. In addition to the words he said earlier, if that was his usual self, you could only say that he was a good man without any complaint.

Therefore…

“… Really, other than what he’s wearing, I’ve nothing to say about what he said at all…”

From the bottom of his heart, Atsushi meant it.

TN: For the one who’s wondering why he’s called as an otaku even though what he’s seeing is just a movie… Well, in Japan, Otaku = is also used as a terms for someone who’s into something (mainly pop culture) more than necessary. Sure if someone says Otaku, the first that came to their mind might be the one who’re into Anime and Manga.

For example :

There is Movie Otaku (Movie Freak), Train Otaku (Liking train too much, really), Idol Otaku, Music Otaku, etc…

Game Otaku (It’s different from gamer)