Cartoonists and their assistants

He thought the girl was talking too much and stopped chatting.

Later, the girl learned from Ruri Gokou that the so-called secret base was actually where Yuriko Tsukishita worked, which made her even more excited.

......

It's the weekend again.

Early in the morning, the three of them took a train to Tokyo.

"Kirino, isn't this the lady we met in Akihabara before? Let's get to know each other."

"Don't worry about it, she's my cousin's friend, and I'm not very familiar with her."

Ayase Aragaki and Kirino Kousaka were whispering to each other.

Ruri Gokou, sitting on the other side of the seat, rolled her eyes.

They call out so familiarly and enthusiastically, they're really shameless!

Normally, she would have given this woman a good scolding, but considering she had important business to attend to today, she decided to ignore her.

"Kirino, is there something important today? Why did you take me to Machi's house? Is it presumptuous of you?"

Ayase Aragaki looked worried.

Well, I guess so... You'll see when the time comes.

Kirino Kousaka's eyes flickered.

After arriving at their destination, the three went to the secret base.

"A villa?! Are Brother Zhenzhi's family rich?!"

Ayase Aragaki exclaimed in shock.

"Ah."

Kirino Kousaka nodded.

After ringing the doorbell, Mizuki Machi pushed open the door.

"Please come in."

The three of them changed their shoes and entered the hall.

These are...

Ayase Aragaki immediately realized something was wrong because the decorations in the villa were very cartoonish.

But there wasn't anything particularly tender or arousing yet, so she suppressed her doubts for the time being.

"I'll go up first."

After saying one sentence, Gokou Ruri went upstairs.

"Good morning, Brother Zhenzhi, it's been a long time."

"Long time no see, Ayase."

The two greeted each other.

"Ayase, do you know what I do for a living?"

Kanzuki Masashi wasted no time and got straight to the point.

"Work? Machi-nii doesn't seem to be any older than us, right? Does he have a part-time job like Kirino and me?"

Ayase Aragaki thought for a moment and then offered her answer.

"So you're...a model?"

"Thank you for the compliment, but my looks aren't quite at that level."

Mizuki Machi smiled first, then his expression suddenly turned serious.

"Actually, I'm a cartoonist."

cartoonist?

Upon hearing this term, Ayase Aragaki's pupils contracted.

"Is Brother Zhenzhi a cartoonist?"

"That's right."

"But... manga artists, aren't manga artists the ones who create those reserve forces of criminals? Aren't they the source of all evil! I never imagined that Machi-nii would be this kind of person... Kirino, let's go back!"

She suppressed her physical revulsion, grabbed her best friend's wrist, and prepared to escape.

"Um... wait a minute."

Kirino Kousaka did not move, her face equally gloomy and unpleasant.

If I leave, won't my goal fail?

And it will also embarrass the teacher.

So she held on.

"Kirino, what are you doing! You'll be corrupted by someone like that!"

Ayase Aragaki said anxiously.

“Ayase, I can’t pretend I didn’t hear what you said.”

At this moment, Mizuki Machi walked over expressionlessly, his cold eyes like those of a demon god, his aura so overwhelming that the girl unconsciously took a half step back.

"Putting aside the fact that you've slandered me as having original sin, what you've done to AOE otaku culture enthusiasts is already going too far. I think it's necessary for you to have a correct understanding of this world!"

142 A wake-up call!

"What...what are you going to do! I'll call the police!"

Ayase Aragaki covered her chest with her hands, her fear clearly visible, because her prejudiced impression of otaku was not unfounded.

"What are you thinking? I just want you to understand that liking anime has absolutely no causal relationship with being a bad person. So, let's use our own reasons to convince each other!"

Mizuki Machi squinted his eyes and said.

"Let me ask you first, why do you think otaku are a reserve force of criminals?"

"call......"

Ayase Aragaki breathed a slight sigh of relief and organized her thoughts.

"I saw the news that there are many anime and games in Japan that depict lewd acts against young girls. It was a famous journalist who said this in the news. Isn't this what is called otaku culture?"

"Yes, but not entirely. Generalizing from limited evidence lacks fairness. Besides, does liking things in the virtual world necessarily mean you'll do them in real life? Have you heard of the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty'?"

"The reporter also said that playing those things all the time will unconsciously erode one's mind and cause one to lose social skills... In reality, there was a man who was influenced and tried to electrocute a girl. That criminal was a potential criminal known as an otaku. He confessed that he wanted to imitate a game called SISCALYPSE... Therefore, games and comics should not exist in the world. Both the audience and the producers are potential criminals! They should all be banned."

"According to your logic, everyone in the world has seen these works to some extent during their upbringing, so wouldn't that make everyone a criminal?"

Kanzuki Masashi smiled calmly.

"This...this is different. Potential is just a probability. The deeper you go, the more dangerous it becomes. If you give up in time, you can still turn back!"

Ayase Aragaki avoided eye contact for a moment before speaking.

"Then, let me give you a counter-example. Since these things you mentioned have such a significant impact on people, they shouldn't only have a negative side; there should also be a positive side, right? For instance, some people learn to cherish their friends and love their families because of these works..."

"How can it be!"

"It's only natural that there are good and bad in the world. So, do you think that if we ban the 'stay-at-home' culture, everyone will be good people, and we can all live in harmony and create a better future together?"

"Well... I don't think so."

"In addition, I have found out the truth about the matter you mentioned. The reporter has publicly apologized and admitted his mistake."

He raised his phone and pointed it at the girl.

Ayase Aragaki stared intently at the contents, her gloomy expression gradually dissipating.

"Regarding my comments on this specific matter, I was indeed wrong. I apologize; it was a slip of the tongue."

She bowed in apology, but still refused to admit defeat.

Even so, I still find this kind of hobby disgusting.

What a troublesome fellow.

Mizuki Machi glanced to the side and saw that Kirino looked anxious, so she simply continued.

"That's a real shame. Ayase, you've developed such a detestable hobby."

"what do you mean?"

"Because the novels Kirino recommended you to read also fall under the category of otaku culture, and their audience isn't much different from my manga audience..."

"How is this possible! How could such a moving work as 'Silver Season' be... Wait, Kirino, you tricked me?"

Ayase Aragaki realized what was happening and stared at her best friend.

"I'm sorry, Kirino, I've been hiding this from you all this time. I am actually the 'otaku' you're talking about."

Kirino Kousaka was a little embarrassed. She scratched her cheek with her fair fingers and looked away.

"Kirino, you!"

Feeling betrayed by her best friend, Ayase Aragaki's mental state collapsed.

It turns out I've been completely fooled all along!

Even today's invitation was kept from me...

"I'm telling you, for Kirino's sake, can't you really tolerate her hobbies? Or is it that the fake side she shows at school is the Kirino you actually like?"

Mizuki Masashi delivers another blow.

"This... Of course I hope Kirino won't hide anything from me and will show her true self, but... but that's not how it is, the Kirino I know."

"Ayase, this is the real me now. It's because I consider you a true friend that I'm willing to reveal this to you. In my heart, you are just as important as my hobby... No, rather, Ayase is also my hobby!"

Receiving a signal from someone, Kirino Kousaka launched a tender offensive, going over to hold her best friend's hands and speaking gently in her eyes.

"Is...is that so!"

Ayase Aragaki was stunned by these words, which were almost a confession.

Wow!

Mizuki Machi watched this yuri-esque scene with amusement.

"Of course that's how it is! Otherwise, I wouldn't have hesitated for so long and even arranged for my cousin to help me!"

Kosaka Kirino affirmed.

"My cousin must be a fake."

Ayase Aragaki's expression suddenly changed.

"Uh, this is my cousin whom I've adopted. Is that alright?"

Kosaka Kirino said awkwardly.

"Kirino..."

Ayase Aragaki looked helpless and turned her head away.

"Sorry, Machi-nii, it must have been Kirino who troubled you!"

"That's not important... If you think what I just said isn't convincing enough, why don't you take a look at my manga? Your own opinion is the most important reason."

"Then let me see it."

Just as Mizuki Machi was about to lead the two upstairs, a series of footsteps and the creaking sound of a door closing were heard.

"Clap."

No doubt, some guys were probably spying on such a great show.

We arrived at the bookstore.

Mizuki Machi brought out all four volumes of "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day".

"This name..."