Vol 1 Chapter 14 – A Secret Admiration【Vol 1 – Turning Point】

For lunch, we ended up eating at that shopping mall. Actually, it was my first time in a food court. But when I was little… around elementary school age, I was properly loved by my parents too. It was just that, because I developed slowly, they told me to avoid junk food. I’ve always taken that as a sign of their affection.

However, few people wear Gothic Lolita.

“Um… aren’t I being stared at? Am I really that weird…?”

Inevitably, all eyes converged on me. It would be fine if it were simply because my outfit was eccentric, but if they think I’m a cross-dressing pervert, I definitely don’t like it.

“Um, it’s just that you’re too cute, Rin‑kun. The person we passed by earlier said you looked like an idol, you know? Maybe you should try wearing a mask or sunglasses.”

The fact that I’d been scouted as a junior model clashed with my firmly held belief that becoming an idol was out of the question. After all, I really do look like a girl. I feel it’s high time I abandoned that notion.

“A mask and sunglasses, huh… That would make me look like a suspicious person, wouldn’t it?”

I laughed self‑deprecatingly.

But even Michiru‑san needs to hide her face. She’s the kind of beauty that you rarely get to see.

“But once you start working as a model, they’ll absolutely be necessary!”

If I were to appear in magazines or on TV, I’d become a celebrity, and then I might even end up being stalked.

If I embraced my girlish appearance without shame, I suppose I am cute enough to be scouted.

“Huh? Could it be that the condition you mentioned earlier…?”

That suddenly caught my attention.

“Yeah, a typical model earns about 8,000 yen per hour—even models with a fair bit of recognition earn around that. But you, Rin‑kun, start off at 10,000 yen an hour. An extraordinary offer.”

It wasn’t until Michiru‑san’s words sank in that I finally realized—I was being treated as an incredibly beautiful girl.

“Do you really think I’m worthy of such treatment?”

Yet I couldn’t quite believe it.

“In the VTuber industry, it’s not uncommon for even the younger talents to be cute. But I’ve never seen a beauty like you, Rin‑kun!”

Being called “kun” while being praised as a beautiful girl was such a bizarre situation. But then again, my body is the odd one out, so I guess it can’t be helped.

Just then, the call device on my desk beeped.

“Alright, let’s go!”

The order that Michiru‑san and I placed was for hamburgers. My little brother sometimes had them, but it was my first time.

“Yes!”

“Order 81 has been called! The Forest Fish Set and the Lucky Set!”

“Heya!”

The Forest Fish Set was for Michiru‑san, and the Lucky Set was for me. In my biased mind, the Lucky Set was synonymous with Mock—I had been wanting to try it.

Our meal for two was served on one tray, which Michiru‑san took.

“Here you go!”

A few steps away, Michiru‑san handed me the toy that came with the Lucky Set.

What surprised me was that I had always thought Mock’s toys were only for children, but they weren’t exactly so. The toy I chose was a tape measure with a cute character design.

“Um, I’m not really a kid…”

But it made me feel embarrassed. Carrying a tape measure isn’t exactly a problem, but its appearance is undeniably geared toward girls.

In a way, it might suit me now. After all, wearing Gothic Lolita, a toy meant for boys would be a bit odd.

“Huh? Didn’t you want a toy?”

Michiru‑san looked at me quizzically.

“I’ve never been to Mock before. That’s why I only wanted to try the Lucky Set—which in my mind is synonymous with Mock. I chose the toy for its practicality.”

I like to think that I have a mature side, too. Sure, as Michiru‑san said, I have plenty of childish traits. But I’m not so immature as to long for something just because it’s cute.

“I see…”

Michiru‑san gently smiled and patted my head.

I can’t shake the feeling that I’m being seen as a child—even though I’m an around‑thirty guy…

“Michiru‑san!”

I got a little angry because she stubbornly treats me like a child.

“I’m your Mama!”

Michiru‑san retorted. I suddenly remembered that I was supposed to call her Mama.

“I’m sorry, Mama…”

Now that I think about it, why does Michiru‑san spoil me so much? Even if she said she’d be my Mama, it feels a bit over the top.

“Hehe, it’s okay.”

Once again, Michiru‑san patted my head.

Holding the tray with one hand, I was impressed by her amazing sense of balance—in the most unexpected way.

The Lucky Set, which I tried for the first time, was indeed delicious. But I still found myself preferring Michiru‑san’s cooking.