Part 154: Okabe Rintarou goes on a poorly-planned date

I'm strolling Akiba with Rukako.

"So... where shall we go next?"

Event 1, walk off the family restaurant food, complete. I took care of the bill, and we came out into the heat again. I had the entire date planned out in my head. What we should do next is...

"How 'bout... How about we stroll through town?"

"Eh, ah, okay."

Akiba is crowded. Naturally, since it's Friday on Obon holiday. I try to choose streets that are as empty as possible, so naturally we end up just using back alleys. I guess we'll meet our quota if we walk a round trip to Ueno.

I walk quickly, but the conversation doesn't continue at all. I tried to follow the guide's advice and be a good listener, but Rukako's silent like this by nature. She doesn't really start talking on her own. So, even at the family restaurant, the words we exchanged were mostly just things like "It's crowded today," "It's delicious,", and "It was delicious."

And I think the choice to just wander around might have been a mistake. Especially since we ended up in a residential area with no interesting scenery whatsoever.

"Um, Okabe."

Rukako calls while walking a little behind me.

"What is it?"

I stop and turn around. Rukako catches up, and we start walking together again.

"Do you remember?"



"...yeah."

Or so I say, but what I remember is meeting the guy Rukako, not the girl one...





While walking around Akiba collecting materials for the new Future Gadget, I saw Rukako in his miko garb, surrounded by some cameramen.

"P-Please stop... I can't..."



"That cosplay is really moe. I've never seen a miko cosplayer before."

"Th-This... isn't cosplay..."

"If you could make a cute pose, I'd be su-super happy."

"Ah, then do that, you know, that thing that Megumi does in 'Miko Miko Overdrive'."

"That's it! That'd be the best! You know Megumi-tan, right? Can you do it for us?"

"I... I don't know, sorry..."

"What's wrong? If you come to Akiba in cosplay, that means you want people to take your picture, right? So nothing should be wrong, right?"

"That's right. Or are you denying us because we're disgusting?"

"No, that's not it, this... isn't cosplay..."



Because a miko is a sacred existence, the occupation chosen to serve god. I've heard recently that college students are doing it for money, but I don't accept that imitation.

Demanding to photograph the sacred miko is an act defiling god. I cried out, unwilling to let that pass.

"You cameramen over there!"

"Eh?"

"Wh-Who are you..."



"Wh-What is this guy?"

"A madman."

"Stop right there. That miko doesn't like it, does she?"

"Hey, you some sorta pretentious hipster?"

"You trying to be cool and save a girl for smex in return? Your ulterior motive's obvious. You're just a troll."

"No, you are the trolls. The two of you are stalking this frail girl, and you're even trying to get her to take perverted pictures. Have you thrown away your otaku pride?!"

"No, um, I'm..."

"A cameraman who scares a sacred miko is no cameraman at all! He's nothing but a pervert! You guys are unqualified to tread the holy grounds of Akiba!"

"Wh-What?! Everyone's aiming for low-angle shots of cute 3D girls, right?"

"You're talking so highly for a mere amateur. When you cosplay in Akiba, you can't complain even if you get photographed indiscriminately, you know? Seriously."

"N-No, I... I'm..."



Our mouths dropped to the floor at those abrupt words.

"So... there's no point... in photographing me..."

Rukako murmured sadly.

"Eh, srsly?"

"That's a lie, such a cute kid can't possibly be a guy--"

"I am... a guy. I even have... an Adam's apple."

Rukako lifted his chin a bit, exposing his pale neck. That gesture was really sexy, but... there certainly was a protrusion on his neck.

"Then, you've got one down there, too?"

"..."

Rukako nodded as if he had no other choice. He was already crying at that point. So were the cameramen.

"Wh-What the hell? That's so misleading!"

"You're wearing miko garb even though you're a guy, you're a madman..."

"I'm glad I didn't take a picture! I feel tricked."



Those bastards really don't understand a thing about otaku culture...

And then I was amazed. If I were Daru, I probably would've said something like "There's no way such a cute kid can be a girl!" "Heh, so you're a trap. They really do exist." Those guys needed to take a lesson from Daru.

"Um, thank you... very much..."

"Hm? Ah, it was nothing."

"But you're disappointed to save a guy like me, aren't you... I'm sorry I didn't live up to your expectations..."

"...What's your name?"

"Eh? Urushibara... Ruka."

"Why are you apologizing?"

"I mean... I have a face like this, even though I'm a guy..."

"That doesn't matter."

"...?!"



"Eh? Eh...?"

"Come with me! I'll give you something good! As long as you have that item, you can gain courage. You should realize the existence of true power sleeping inside you."

"Eh? Ehhh?"

"What's wrong? Don't you... desire power?"

"No, umm... p-power?"





"Ah, no..."

Well, I didn't expect him to come with me. But I acknowledged that Rukako had hopes. That's why I gave him the 980 yen (tax included) demon sword. And after wards, Rukako and I went through intense training, developing the Seishin Zanma (Clearheart Demonslayer) style. Mmm. When I remember it now, my speech and conduct were really pathetic... So much I want to hide my face.

"It really surprised me, but... but back then, when you said 'That doesn't matter'... it made me really happy. It's strange, huh. Those words really moved me..."

Then Rukako's cheeks turn rosy in shyness. Her shyness is outstandingly dangerous, as usual.

"But, ever since you said those words... I've liked you..."



Wait just a minute.

Wait just an eternity.

Uh, seriously? Did she seriously say that just now?

Meaning Rukako was a guy back then?

Meaning I made the guy Rukako fall in love with me?

The thought evaporates all at once.

Uho!