Dual System in Daily World

Eriri's childhood was actually quite simple.

She had a harmonious and loving family. Her parents loved each other deeply and also cherished her.

She grew up in a well-off family, free from worries, and had no complaints about life.

Influenced by her otaku mother, she became interested in otaku culture from a young age and was deeply fascinated by it.

As an elementary school student, she naturally didn't dare to show her interest in school, since Japanese people generally have a dismissive attitude towards otaku.

However, Tomoya Aki didn't mind. When he learned about Eriri's interest, he didn't ridicule or spread it around. Instead, he joined her in exploring the world of otaku culture.

For six whole years in elementary school, Tomoya Aki was the only peer she could discuss otaku-related topics with freely.

In such a situation, it was completely natural for her to develop feelings for someone who was irreplaceable in her life.

Things changed when she started middle school.

A new person with a similar background appeared. 

He was more gentle and attentive, not only involved in the otaku culture which Eriri loved but also possessing excellent drawing skills like hers. 

They had more common topics to discuss.

But with her feelings already set, Eriri found it hard to develop feelings for someone else. She only saw him as a friend.

What she didn't realize was that when a friend crosses the boundary of friendship and explicitly shows affection, that friendship starts to change in some ways.

"It's not about you apologizing… I'm the one who should apologize…"

Eriri spoke with her azure eyes lowered, struggling with intense shame.

After saying this, she lightly bit her lip and glanced at Chisato's face.

Apologizing proactively was something she had never done with peers before; this was her first time.

She felt guilty about Chisato's earlier questioning. As he said, friends shouldn't hide things from each other; it's a sign of estrangement, like bullying someone by deliberately excluding them.

And no one likes being bullied, especially not someone who considers you a close friend or even harbors romantic feelings. 

He must dislike feeling excluded even more.

The words she was about to say were crucial. She had practiced them at home for several nights, so she was confident that she could say them smoothly.

Eriri silently encouraged herself,

"...Sorry, Suzumiya. I shouldn't have hidden the fact that I draw adult content. I should have told you sooner." 

"Can you forgive me... and can we be friends again?"

For Eriri now, she had prioritized the issue of hiding her secret over the forced kiss. 

She believed that by making this effort and moving past the unpleasant incident, she could restore her relationship with Chisato to its previous state as friends and creative partners.

It should go smoothly... right?

Eriri looked at Chisato, who remained silent and had a gloomy, indifferent expression.

Her previously confident and cheerful mood began to fade, and her heart's pounding slowed down.

The situation was deviating from her expectations. It shouldn't be like this...

They would reconcile. There might be awkward moments due to their long period of no contact, but those were minor issues and could easily be overcome.

After reconciling, looking back at those awkward moments might even become a fond memory, something to smile about.

It was supposed to be like that...

"...I'm sorry, Eriri."

After a long silence, Chisato finally spoke.

'Wait. Don't apologize.'

"I can't bring myself to do it."

His voice was extremely lonely, lacking the warm vitality Eriri was used to. It was like a dry leaf fluttering in the winter wind.

"W-Why?"

Eriri instinctively asked, her voice amplifying in the emotional upheaval, drawing curious looks from people waiting at the crosswalk.

Such an outburst should have made Eriri, who usually cares about her image, shy and embarrassed, but now she paid no attention to the external reactions.

She stared intensely into Chisato's eyes, desperately seeking an answer.

Chisato's indifferent expression, despite his efforts, turned into a strained smile. Eriri hated that smile. 

It was unfamiliar and fake, causing a deep pang of hurt within her.

"Why... isn't this the question I should be asking?"

"I don't understand what you mean."

"…"

"...Chisato...?"

'Don't stay silent…' Eriri looked at him, feeling an indescribable pain in her chest.

"...Making someone who has already expressed their feelings stay by your side as a friend, seeing them every day but unable to touch them, isn't that a form of torture?"

Chisato's face showed a self-torturing, sorrowful smile. 

Eriri was wounded by that smile and realized that her plan for reconciliation, which she thought was perfect, had been one-sided and didn't consider Chisato's feelings.

"I'm sorry, but I can't continue being friends with you.

After saying this definite statement, the green light turned on. Chisato began walking with the crowd.

In the next moment, his right hand was tightly gripped by two warm little hands, stopping him from moving forward.

Chisato, whose face was out of Eriri's sight, let out a shallow breath. It was the look of someone who, after extreme tension, finally felt a moment of relief.