"Dad had some business to attend to today, so he went out with Mom. He left me in charge of entertaining you." Kosaka Kirino explained, her fingers nervously twisting the fabric of her skirt.
A faint, becoming blush dusted her cheeks. She felt a familiar, awkward tension—the kind that arose when she was unsure how to navigate a conversation. After all, she was a middle school girl. She rarely spoke at length with the boys in her own class, let alone a handsome high school upperclassman several years her senior.
"Is that so? Then it seems I'm truly fortunate today," Hozuki Nozomi replied, his smile brilliant and disarming. "To be able to meet two such lovely girls at the same time."
He offered the praise freely and without artifice, his gaze warm as it swept between them.
Both Kirino and Aragaki Ayase felt a flutter of shy pleasure. This Oni-chan is really smooth with his words, they thought. And he was undeniably handsome. No girl is entirely immune to sincere compliments, and coming from someone who had earned her father's respect, his words carried an extra weight of legitimacy, preventing them from feeling hollow or forced.
"Not at all, Oni-chan. You're very handsome yourself," Ayase countered playfully, seeing that Kirino was too flustered to formulate a response. Though she had never formally met Kirino's actual brother, Kosaka Kyosuke, Hozuki Nozomi's gentle demeanor and refined appearance perfectly matched her internal ideal of a reliable, admirable older brother. This alone significantly boosted her initial impression of him.
Nozomi smiled, then turned his attention back to Kirino. "Kirino, aren't you going to open your gift and take a look?"
"C-Can I open it now?" Kirino asked, startled. She looked at him with wide, surprised eyes.
"But of course. It's a gift I chose specifically for you. I'd like to know if you like it. If not, I can bring something different next time." His tone was easy, inviting confidence. "Uncle Daisuke did extend an open invitation to visit, so I imagine we'll have plenty of opportunities to meet in the future."
He then glanced at Ayase, including her seamlessly. "Naturally, if Ayase is here too, be sure to let me know. I'll have a gift ready for you as well."
"Ah, for me too?" Ayase's eyebrows rose in genuine surprise.
"Naturally. You're Kirino's best friend, and a very cute girl in your own right. Since you're calling me 'Oni-chan,' you have to allow your Oni-chan a little room to show off, don't you think?" He chuckled lightly, his gaze returning to Kirino with gentle encouragement. "Go on, open it."
With a mix of curiosity and trepidation, Kosaka Kirino carefully unwrapped the small package. When she saw the glossy cover of the Magical Girl Misaki light novel physical book inside, a small gasp escaped her lips before she could stop it.
Oh no! Her mind screamed into the silence. Why did it have to be a light novel?! Ayase despised this kind of thing! She harbored a massive, well-known prejudice against otaku and their hobbies!
Her head snapped up instinctively to gauge Aragaki Ayase's reaction. Her best friend still wore a polite smile, but Kirino knew her too well. The light had drained from Ayase's eyes, leaving behind a glassy, unnerving stillness.
"What's wrong? Do you not like it?" Hozuki Nozomi asked, his expression one of mild, confused concern as he looked at Kirino's stunned silence.
Cold sweat prickled at the nape of Kirino's neck. She loved it, of course. That was the problem. Ayase had no idea about her secret otaku life! She couldn't openly express her delight! But if she claimed to dislike it, she would crush Hozuki Nozomi's spirits, and her mission of gracious hospitality would end in abject failure!
Aragaki Ayase, in that moment, had already mentally categorized Hozuki Nozomi. He was no longer a charming guest; he was a predatory, corrupting otaku, attempting to lure her pure Kirino-chan into his degenerate world with literature! She fixed him with a stare, her smile now visibly strained.
"Oni-chan," she began, her voice lower and more measured than before. "Could you tell me… why you chose this particular gift for Kirino-chan?"
Kirino's heart hammered against her ribs. She held her breath, her eyes locked on Nozomi. How will he answer?
For some inexplicable reason, a thread of anticipation wound through her panic.
Kirino had always guarded her otaku identity like a state secret, indulging in her games and novels only in the deep privacy of her room. The loneliness of having no one to share her passions with was a constant, dull ache. More than anyone, she wished she could talk about these things with Ayase.
But she knew that was an impossibility.
Aragaki Ayase didn't just dislike otaku; she held a deep-seated prejudice against them, viewing all as potential social deviants. This stemmed from a highly publicized incident years ago where an ostracized otaku had snapped and committed a violent crime. Her father, a Diet member, had even used the case to push for restrictive legislation on certain media, though the bills were ultimately rejected. His vocal frustrations at home had shaped Ayase's views profoundly.
Now, under the intense scrutiny of two pairs of beautiful, expectant eyes, Hozuki Nozomi merely smiled, his composure unshaken.
"Because I wrote this book," he stated calmly.
He offered a slight, formal nod.
"Allow me to reintroduce myself properly. I am Hozuki Nozomi, a first-year student at Soubu High School. Concurrently, I am involved in light novel, game, and anime production as a planner and scriptwriter for a circle called [Meow Star]. Magical Girl Misaki is one of our current projects. I've already signed a contract with an editor from Fujikawa Bunko, and it will be officially published soon."
He gestured toward the book in Kirino's hands. "As the creator, I value reader feedback immensely. Since I was coming to visit, I thought it would be a good opportunity to give a copy to Kirino and hear her thoughts."
Upon hearing this, Kirino's jaw went slack. Her finger shot out, pointing at him in sheer disbelief."What?!""You're the scriptwriter for Magical Girl Misaki?""You wrote this book… which means… you're that merciless, heartless 'Healing Dawn'?!"
Her outburst caused Nozomi's smooth expression to falter for a split second. "Merciless? Heartless? What do you mean? My scripts are quite popular, aren't they?"
"Popular?!" Kirino's voice rose with passionate indignation, all earlier shyness forgotten. "The protagonist's senpai's head is still on the ground! You haven't addressed that at all!"
Yet, despite her words, the way she looked at Hozuki Nozomi had transformed completely. A fervent, almost awe-struck light burned in her eyes, mixed with a deep, recognizable longing. It was the gaze of a devoted fan meeting the elusive creator of their favorite world.
Aragaki Ayase stared, utterly lost. She raised a hand tentatively, cutting through their rapid-fire exchange.
"Um… excuse me. What are you two talking about?" Her eyes, now wide with confusion and dawning suspicion, shifted to Kirino. "And, Kirino-chan… did I hear that correctly? You seem… very familiar with all of this…"
Seeing the lifeless void returning to her best friend's eyes, Kirino's internal alarms blared.
Oh no, oh no, oh no! She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. She had no idea how to possibly explain this.
Hozuki Nozomi, however, stepped into the breach without hesitation. He turned to Aragaki Ayase with an expression of genuine, mild surprise. "What? Ayase, you mean you didn't know?"
"Uh… know? Know what?" Ayase blinked, her bewilderment only deepening.
With a calm, informative smile, Nozomi began to elucidate. "I'm referring to the recent advancements in Full Dive Virtual Reality technology. The internal closed testing for the first wave of compatible games has concluded, and the public beta phase is scheduled to begin quite soon."
He leaned forward slightly, his tone becoming more earnest.
"This technology intersects with numerous fields—neurology, software engineering, entertainment law. It has the potential to fundamentally reshape aspects of our daily life and has already passed the necessary reviews and votes within the prefectural and national councils."
He gestured gracefully, painting a picture with his words. "In the near future, society will begin integrating Virtual Reality as a mainstream medium. Magical Girl Misaki, for instance, is slated to be adapted into an independent VR experience, allowing players to personally inhabit its magical world.
In essence, the narratives and worlds of what you might call 'otaku culture' will achieve a new form of tangible expression. This technology promises to demystify and destigmatize these creative spheres. The imaginative worlds built by creators will finally have a mainstream, immersive platform for realization."
Upon hearing this, a spark of pure, undiluted hope ignited in Kosaka Kirino's eyes. A world where her secret passion isn't something to be hidden?
Aragaki Ayase, however, was simply stunned, trying to process the flood of information. "So… Oni-chan, are you saying you're… an otaku?"
"Not merely an enthusiast," Nozomi corrected gently, yet with undeniable pride. "Think of me as a pioneer of a new creative era. A world-builder. Ayase, I can sense you hold certain reservations about otaku culture. All I ask is that when you return home today, you inquire with your father about his current stance on these matters and the related legislative discussions. Public opinion and official policy are evolving rapidly."
"You… you know my father?" Ayase blurted out, her surprise overtaking her confusion.
"Naturally. Councilor Aragaki Arata, correct? His position on cultural media is a matter of public record." Nozomi waved a hand, as if brushing aside a minor detail. "Regardless, let's not dwell on preconceptions. Ayase, I would like to sincerely invite you to experience this 'two-dimensional world' with an open mind. You might find it holds more than you expect."
Aragaki Ayase felt a powerful urge to refuse immediately, to cling to the comfortable certainty of her old biases. Yet, as she looked into Hozuki Nozomi's earnest, determined eyes and then at Kirino's visibly anxious and guilty expression, the refusal died in her throat. She let out a soft, resigned sigh.
Her initial reaction was one of rejection. However, Hozuki Nozomi spoke with such conviction and referenced things—council votes, emerging technology—that sounded undeniably real. A painful self-awareness dawned on her: her prejudice was just that, a prejudice.
She had never made an effort to understand the culture she dismissed, nor had she recently questioned her father on his current views. She was judging an entire community from a position of willful ignorance.
Moreover, Hozuki Nozomi wasn't just a consumer; he was a creator. While she might find certain obsessive fans distasteful, she had always held a baseline respect for authors—for anyone who could persevere and publish their own original work. Someone who achieved that, especially at such a young age, deserved the title of sensei, and with it, a degree of respect.
In the heavy silence that followed, Aragaki Ayase bowed her head deeply toward Hozuki Nozomi.
"I… apologize. Please, allow me some time to think this over carefully, Oni-chan. My thoughts are rather tangled at the moment." She then turned her hurt gaze to Kirino. Her voice, when she spoke, was quiet and laced with betrayal. "And Kirino-chan… you've been keeping this from me all along, haven't you?"
"Ayase, I can explain—" Kirino started, her voice small.
"There's no need to explain right now, Kirino," Ayase interrupted, the hurt plain on her face. "I'm just… very disappointed."
The unspoken words hung in the air: We were so close. How could you hide something this fundamental about yourself? Try as she might to deny it, Kirino's passionate, knowledgeable reaction moments ago was undeniable proof. Her best friend was an otaku.
"Kirino-chan, I'm going home. I'm sorry for leaving like this. Please excuse me." With that, Aragaki Ayase turned and hurried out of the Kosaka residence, her departure swift and final.
The moment the door closed, Kosaka Kirino's shoulders slumped as if bearing a great weight. A flicker of irrational blame toward Hozuki Nozomi surfaced—he was the one who brought the book!—but she quickly quashed it.
On second thought, it was her own uncontrolled outburst that had given her away. He had actually tried to cover for her and reason with Ayase. She had no right to be angry with him.
Yet, the crushing thought of potentially losing Ayase's friendship was a pain she couldn't immediately accept.
Seeing Kirino' utterly dejected expression, Hozuki Nozomi let out a sympathetic sigh. "I'm sorry, Kirino. I had no idea your friend held such a strong aversion to these interests…"
This, of course, was a strategic half-truth. The exposure was intentional. Only by bringing Kirino's secret identity into the light could he break down the walls between her dual lives and position himself as her sole confidant in this matter.
"It's… it's not your fault," Kirino murmured, staring at the floor. "I just wasn't careful enough. But, Oni-chan… is what you said really true? Can people who like these things… ever be open about it?"
"If it's a pure appreciation for storytelling, artistry, or imaginative worlds, then of course there's nothing to hide," Nozomi affirmed, his voice steady and reassuring.
"It becomes an issue only if someone conflates fantasy with harmful reality. That's a matter of personal ethics, not the medium itself. And I wasn't lying about the broader shift. The advent of mainstream VR is a cultural tsunami. It will normalize fantasy genres and democratize creation itself." He leaned in, his eyes capturing hers.
"If Kirino-chan ever wanted to create her own stories, she might one day see them brought to life in a virtual world."
Kirin's eyes, which had been downcast, snapped up, shining with rekindled wonder. The idea was intoxicating. She adored the "imouto" characters from her games and novels. The possibility of not just consuming but creating such worlds, of making them feel real for others… it was a dream she'd never dared voice.
Unbeknownst to her, with every shared secret and this glimpse of a more accepting future, Kosaka Kirino's defenses around Hozuki Nozomi were eroding at an accelerated pace. They now shared a profound, clandestine common ground.
The part of her she hid from her family, even from Ayase, was fully known to him. In her eyes, Hozuki Nozomi was transforming from her father's distinguished guest into something far more unique: an ally.
After a moment of internal struggle, Kirino made a decision. With a hesitant but determined look, she reached out and gently tugged on Nozomi's sleeve.
"Oni-chan… come with me." She led him out of the living room, directly toward the sanctuary of her personal bedroom. It was time to fully unveil her hidden world.
Meanwhile, halfway down the street, Aragaki Ayase slowed her frantic pace, a sudden, chilling realization dawning on her.
Wait. If I left… doesn't that mean Hozuki Nii-chan is now alone in the house with Kirino-chan? The thought was alarming.
What if he was exactly the kind of otaku she feared, and she had just left her best friend completely unprotected in a potentially engineered situation? This whole visit… Uncle Daisuke practically set this up! Did he just… sell out his own daughter?
But for Ayase to turn around and march back now felt impossible. Her pride was wounded, and the sting of betrayal was too fresh. More than anger, however, a firm resolve took root. She would go home immediately and confront her father.
She needed to understand where his views truly stood now. After all, her own prejudice wasn't originally hers—it was a lesson learned at home. It was time to verify if that lesson was still valid.