When I Was Presumed Dead, They Became Unhinged Unknowingly - Chapter 20

“So, that creepy otaku classmate was staring at me and it was really the worst. I wonder how he could give me such a disgusting stare. It was so gross that I almost threw up. Why don’t you become an actor and play a stalker?”

It has been about a week since I met Sakura-san. Although she attended school once a week, she seemed worried, so the next day, even though she was busy with work, she came to school to check on me. I have seen her several times since then, and today might be the fifth day. 

The location is the rooftop. It was supposed to be off-limits, but she tricked her fans into getting the keys saying that she wanted to practice acting for her scripts. In return they asked her to voice-act a character in front of them.

I’m sure I’ll be spending a lot of time with her in the future, so I watched some anime to get an idea of what kind of work she does, and she seemed to be a stellar voice actor; her acting was so convincing that I thought the character was actually real. She is a quintessential popular voice actor.

“What’s up? What are you thinking about? You’re making a face you know.”

“Are you okay?”

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, you’re acting like this in front of me.” 

“Don’t you think isn’t it’s too late to hide it?”

“That’s true. Also, is there any meaning in meeting in-person? You could have threatened me through the agency.”

“… I don’t want to rely on anyone in the agency. I know I’ve said before about meeting in-person, but since I’m checking Senpai’s phone and you are my fan, I thought it would be better to meet in-person to gain Senpai’s favor and increase loyalty level.”

“I see”

It’s true that people who support idols go to handshake events, and it’s a great pleasure to meet their idols.

I had never been there before, so I don’t really understand that feeling. I hope she doesn’t distrust me.

“Also, the only person I can complain to is a senior who happened to hear them. You’re special and aren’t you glad? Becoming your Oshi’s special person.

“Yeah, I’m happy.”

“……that way of saying it, what’s with that? Is senpai really my fan? It feels like a casual remark, not really happy, or you just don’t seem to care much.”

“That’s not true. I’m just nervous in front of my Oshi.” 

Oh no. She doubted me. I should have learned more about being an otaku. Should I have wildly danced to rejoice in front of Oshi? I didn’t though, because she tends to dislike that sort of thing, as I could guess from her complaints. 

“Well, whatever. As for me, I think the current senpai is easier to deal with. I don’t want people around me to act like an otaku and get excited and assault me.”

“Don’t worry, I won’t do that.”

“Yes, that’s right. Senpai doesn’t seem to be interested in that kind of thing. Well, you may just be hiding it, so I still don’t trust you.”

She said this with a smile, and I couldn’t help but chuckle as well.

“…he~, so senpai can laugh like that too. I saw it for the first time. It’s kinda crappy you know. It’s sort of like a fake and forced smile.” 

“Is that so?”

“Should I give you some pointers?”

“It’s fine. It’s been this way for a long time, and I’m sure it’ll never get better.”

I gulped when she sharply pointed it out, but I tried to make it sound like it was nothing. And even if I really received acting pointers, this couldn’t be cured. And for a long time to come. There will never be a day when I truly smile.

“I see. Well, it’s fine with me, because I’m not bothered by it.”

“Yeah. Don’t worry about it too much.”

She seemed to be uninterested in my response and said, “I see,” and began to complain again.