Chapter 323: Otaku Stereotypes
December 30.
Pentagon Apartments.
Lying on the sofa, Akira turned the pages of the manga. He spends his free time lazing around.
Unlike the quintuplets who are busy preparing for the upcoming exams, Akira has nothing else to do apart from infiltrating museums and temples at night.
Akira rarely dates with Takebayashi, considering that she also has final exams and university entrance exams. Even so, the two of them still maintain communication, and will exchange messages every day.
"I don't know what's good about manga."
Hearing that, Akira lowered the manga and saw Nino, who was wearing a face mask.
"Don't underestimate, manga. Nino-Nee, this is part of Japanese culture!" Akira disagreed and said.
Sitting on the sofa, Nino crossed her legs and said: "Manga isn't as interesting to me as hanging out with friends. Only introverts and otaku will spend most of their free time reading manga."
"Nino-Nee looks down on otaku too, huh." Akira shook his head.
In Japan, otaku are often stereotyped as people who are unsocial, aloof, and have no real life. They are also often associated with deviant behavior, such as sexual abuse of children.
Japanese culture places great emphasis on the importance of hard work, responsibility, and success in life. Otaku are often seen as people who are unproductive and do not contribute to society.
As part of an otaku, how could Akira let Nino look down on otaku?
"Nino-Nee must not believe the stereotypes circulating in society. These negative stereotypes often do not reflect reality. Many otaku are actually normal, productive people. They have a healthy social life and contribute to society. Take me for example, do I look like the bloated, perverted, fat otaku that often describes otaku?"
"..."
Nino looked in surprise at her little brother who explained information she thought was unimportant.
"Up to you. Even if what you say is true, how many otaku are like you. Ultimately, people who become Hikikomori are otaku." Nino's words didn't change her point of view.
"That..."
Akira wanted to argue, but couldn't.
As Nino said, the average otaku is an introvert who is not good at socializing. Coupled with negative stereotypes, otaku are often targets of bullying and discrimination. They often feel ostracized and not accepted by society.
"Let's stop talking about this topic. Instead of just staying at home, accompany me somewhere." Nino said and stood up with a smile.
"Where to?" Akira asked looking reluctant.
"You will know after arriving. Quickly change your clothes. If I see you still not ready after I dress up, the menu for dinner tonight will be pork." Nino threatened.
After three months of living together, she knew her little brother's taste in food.
"Can I refuse?"
"No!"
"Haaa... Alrght."
Having no other choice, Akira sighed and started changing clothes.
All his clothes were stored in [Storage Magic], so he didn't need a wardrobe.
He only spent less than 10 minutes preparing.
While playing with his cellphone on the sofa, Akira waited to finish dressing.
Women always take a long time to dress up, Akira is used to this. After all, this wasn't the first time he had waited for a woman to dress up.
After waiting the equivalent of two anime episodes, Nino left her room.
Seeing Nino's appearance, Akira's eyebrows rose.
Nino wore a pink dress under her winter jacket and white knee-length socks.
What surprised Akira was not her dressing style, but her hair style!
Nino styled her hair into a double bun tied with a pink ribbon.
Remembering that the other version of Nino still kept her long hair, Akira felt refreshed when he saw her appearance.
"Say something? You make me uncomfortable."
Feeling his intense gaze, Nino fidgeted.
"Nino-Nee is so beautiful." Akira gave a thumbs up.
"Hmph. That's normal." Nino looked away to cover the red on her cheeks.
"Let's go."
Approaching him, Nino took Akira's hand and pulled him towards the exit.
Then the two left the apartment by taxi. Besides, the temperature outside was very cold, and Nino's clothes were too thin, it was better to use a taxi service.
....
Along the way, the taxi driver talked a lot.
Akira and Nino's social skills were excellent, and the chat lasted until they reached their destination.
After paying the expensive fare, the two of them got off in front of a cake shop.
Revival!
"Unique name." Akira said when he read the name of the pastry shop in front of him.
"The more unique the name, the more attention it attracts, right? Don't just stand there, come on in. Temperatures at the end of the year are cooler than usual."
Still holding hands, Nino pushed open the door and entered.
"Welcome—, so that's Nino-kun, and..."
The person across the cake display case looked at Akira with a questioning look.
The man had light brown hair and was wearing a kitchen coat.
"Not bad, Nino-kun. You weren't discouraged after being rejected by Uesugi-kun. You find a new boyfriend quickly. I'm happy too."
"The manager misunderstood, he is not my boyfriend, but my little brother."
"Hm? Doesn't your family only have quintuplets?"
The man who was the Revival Manager was stunned for a while. He knows a little about the Nakano family background. So, he was surprised to hear that Nino had a little brother.
Could this be the Nakano Maruo scandal?
"It is too difficult to explain it in words. In essence, he is our little brother. His name is, Akira." Nino introduced the two of them.
"I see. Nice to meet you, Akira-kun."
The manager extended his hand for a handshake.
"Nice to meet you. Manager-san." Akira withdrew his hand after shaking hands.
"I used to work part time here, and the manager taught me a lot. I brought you here instead of just staying at home." Nino explained before Akira could ask.
"So that's how it is..." Akira nodded as if he just found out.
At first, he was confused about why Nino had brought him to this pastry shop. But after seeing the manager, he remembered that this was where the protagonist and heroine once worked part time.
"Manager, the Shortcrust is cooked."
Fuutarou walked out of the kitchen.
"Nino?"
"Uesugi?"
Both of them said each other's names.
"…"
Hearing Nino mention his surname, and no longer using the title 'Fuu-kun', Fuutarou felt uncomfortable. Then, he noticed the man holding hands with him.
Seeing this, his heart became even more chaotic.
"Oh, I'll check it out. You two sit down first."
The manager immediately went to the kitchen after leaving that sentence.
Nino nodded slightly at Fuutarou, no longer caring about him, she pulled Akira to an empty chair.
Seeing her nonchalant attitude towards him, Fuutarou clenched his fists.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Takamiya_Shin
Takamiya_Shin Read more chapters here: bit.ly/Candra12
Please donate: paypal.me/andicand