Daniel's POV.
I wanted to let it go out of respect for a fellow Otaku—I really do believe we shouldn't have to hide—but this was a special, localized disaster.
"Tsk. Hang on, Lea. You can't just show these and talk about this stuff out in the open. Stop being such a fangirl for a second; don't you realize you look like a pervert?"
"It's fine. No one here knows me anyway. Besides," she added, giving me a pointed look, "I'm with you."
"That's exactly the problem," I whispered to the air, feeling my soul leave my body.
"And think about it," I added, trying a different angle. "Once people find out you read this stuff, no one will want to get close to you. People will avoid you. Aren't you afraid of growing old alone?"
"Hm... I have thought about that," she admitted, tapping her chin. "But luckily, fate was kind enough to let us meet again today."
I didn't quite catch her drift, but the way she smiled—all wide eyes and shimmering light—made it seem like her words carried a hidden, heavy meaning.
"I know that like me, you love 2D characters and aren't interested in real people. Since I'm sure you don't have a wife or a girlfriend, it'll be a win-win for both of us... let's just end up together."
For a moment, I was speechless. I wasn't sure if I had misheard her over the mall's speakers or if she had actually just said something that insane.
"Huh?" was all I could manage. My brain had blue-screened.
If you're imagining this as a romantic scene from a show where a girl confesses her interest amidst sparkling lights and blooming flowers, think again. This girl wasn't interested in me, and I certainly wasn't interested in her. Aside from her small, shapeless figure, she didn't have a single quality I found attractive in a woman.
"My parents are pestering me to get married because they say I shouldn't grow old alone. But I have zero interest in real men—they're all cheaters. As soon as they get bored, they just look for someone new. I know you feel the same way about women, so my offer makes sense. We can just... coexist."
Yep, she was definitely crazy. No sane woman would say that to a guy she hadn't seen in a decade. I couldn't believe she was desperate enough to propose a "partnership" just to have a roommate for life to appease her parents.
"Doesn't it creep you out, saying things like that? Did it ever cross your mind that what you're asking for isn't that simple? Do you think marriage is just some game you can decide on over a food court table?"
"I don't think marriage is a small thing. I'm just a forward thinker, Daniel. I need to find someone like me so I don't grow old alone."
"Don't worry," she added dismissively, "I don't mean right now. Maybe when we're both thirty."
I could only grimace at her cheerful proposal. She actually expected me to go along with her plan to use me as a shield so she could keep living her life as a fujoshi. But then, a thought crossed my mind. My mom had been nagging me to get married too, ever since I was a NEET. She just wanted me to be someone else's problem.
It just goes to show how people like Lea think. You should never underestimate what they'll do to protect their lifestyle. But being married to a fujoshi? No thanks. I'd rather spend my life alone with my Rem figures than live in a house full of Yaoi.
"You've lost your mind. I think only a crazy person would agree to a setup like that," I complained, my tone growing sharp.
"I know! That's exactly why I'm asking you. Come on, it's for our future!"
"Wait, are you asking for a favor or just insulting me?" I snapped.
Our conversation hit a standstill. We did nothing but stare at each other. Looking into her wide, shimmering eyes, I could tell she was still waiting for me to cave and change my mind.
"In your dreams," I said firmly.
She looked absolutely crushed by my rejection, her forehead thumping down onto the plastic table in utter disappointment. Tsk. I never expected her to fall this far down the Otaku rabbit hole. Back in school, Lea was a demure, brilliant girl—a shy student who only felt safe talking to me. I guess that made it too easy for her to get obsessed.
Right then, Nikki returned, swinging her new bags. She caught sight of Lea's pathetic, slumped-over state, and she shot me that judgmental look again—the "you're a terrible human being" look. She clearly assumed I had broken this girl's heart or something.
I knew it wouldn't be good if Nikki heard us talking, given this fujoshi's lack of a filter. I hurriedly grabbed the bags and made an excuse to leave.
"We have somewhere else to be. Look, Lea, I'd love to chat more, but it's getting late, so we're heading out."
Lea didn't respond. She stayed facedown on the table, her BL manga still scattered all over the surface. Tsk. If you could only see the looks the people around us were giving me. I felt like a villain in a low-budget drama.
"Let's go, Nikki. We still have a lot to buy."
But as I turned to walk away, Lea suddenly slammed her hands on the table and started muttering to herself like a madwoman. Nikki and I both stopped and looked back. I had a sinking feeling that something bad was about to happen.
"No, no, no, no, no."
"You're the reason I ended up like this!" she suddenly screamed, her voice echoing off the food court ceiling. "If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have gone this far! You're responsible for me!!"
"We went through so much back then, and you said I was okay to be around!" she wailed, turning up the drama to eleven.
"Huh?" I gasped, my face twisting in confusion.
I had no idea what she was talking about. She was acting like I was the reason she became a Yaoi addict. I didn't force her into the fandom! My conscience was clear, but the crowd's conscience clearly wasn't.
But then, the world seemed to stop. She turned to me, pointed a finger like a prosecutor, and yelled at the top of her lungs:
"Don't you dare run away from me, Daniel! Take responsibility for me!!"
The entire food court went silent. Every head turned. Even the guard by the entrance was looking over. I didn't care that these people were strangers; as far as I was concerned, my social life was over. I could never show my face here again. This was beyond embarrassing.
"You really are insane," I muttered, grabbing Nikki's arm and dragging her toward the exit before Lea could start a literal riot.