Chapter 2

Are you… an otaku…?

Yes. I am indeed.

Wh…!

(He’s coming out with it so openly…!?)

(No, wait, calm down. It’s possible he’s a casual who’s just acting like an otaku for fashion¹…)

I am… yes, I suppose you could say I’m an otaku for fashion.

Huh.

As you know, Kurama-kun, I make the stage costumes for the Hospitality Lives, but I also sew more practical items… the Young Master’s suits, for example.

Anime and game cosplays, such as what I’m making now, are primarily requests from acquaintances. I’m an all-accepting all-rounder clothing otaku.

Aah… so it’s like that. You don’t stan any particular work, you just like the act of making and wearing costumes itself… is what you’re saying?

Precisely.

(An otaku’s an otaku, but he’s a different type to me… his enthusiasm’s the real deal, though. You can tell just by looking at what he’s making.)

(I only really saw him as a bizarre teacher who acts strange sometimes, but it’s been fun hearing about a different kind of interest… I feel a little closer to him, maybe.)

…

Do you not have much interest in this yourself, Kurama-kun?

I mean, I wouldn't… say I don’t…

Hoho! Wouldn’t you, now!!

Yes, in light of your reactions thus far, it is clear that you have great potential sleeping within you!

Huh? What do you…

Would you like to try making one? Wearing one, perhaps? Ah, since it’s you, I found some costumes that would suit you perfectly when I was organising my cabinet the other day, but if there are any designs in particular you desire, then by all means, tell me every little detail and—

H-hold on. Why is this the direction the conversation’s going?

No need to hold back. It’s just right for a young person to be shameless.

No, this is just what you want to do! I didn’t get it until now, but you’re the one behind those weird clothes Fuefuki-san sometimes wears, aren’t you? Could you not treat me the same way?

Oh my, I see… Well then, it’s getting late, so on some other day…

No, what exactly did that “I see” mean!? Maybe sew your eardrums up before sewing more clothes?

Agh~~~ damnit… You weren’t kidding when you said staying up late is bad for you. Thanks for proving it, I’m going to bed now!!

…Hm. He’s missing out, leaving without even giving it a go.

Haa, haa… what was with that strong pressure. Like I thought, there’s something wrong with that guy… Though, the quality of his costumes is legit…

He was essentially asking what design I’d like, but I don’t have any costumes I’d want to… ……

(…If I stayed, could I have gotten a costume of my oshi?)

He said he took requests from acquaintances… so then, a replication of my oshi—

—No, there isn’t anyone to wear it in the first place. And I wouldn’t be able to display it without revealing that I’m an otaku.

……

I don’t think I've… missed out on anything at all…