Back home, Tomoko sat on the floor in her room, placing the umbrella in front of her, staring at it for a long time.

"This is probably the first time since high school, no, probably since birth, that a boy has talked to me so much."

"And he even gave me his umbrella."

"Although he's a year younger."

"Heh, seeking superiority from a younger guy, isn't that pathetic? Maybe he just pities me?"

"And he's attracted to my chuunibyou setting."

"In other words, he probably only thinks highly of me because of the image I've fabricated, right?"

Tomoko looked out the window — it was still pouring rain, and the wind was extremely strong.

"What's this? Why am I so conflicted like a girl in love?"

"But his words, maybe they can...?"

"He doesn't look repulsive, clean and neat, wearing glasses, and seems a bit sly... Although I usually like characters with a sadistic attribute... For now, being a bit naive is fine, right? At least he's better looking than that fat pig."

After much consideration, Tomoko added Aomatsu to her list of "3D Opposite-Sex Targets," ranking him above the otaku in the manga research club.

"Tomoko, why did you bring the wet umbrella inside?! The floor and stairs are all wet! Please come clean this up quickly?!" Suddenly, Tomoko's thoughts were interrupted by her mother's angry shout as she opened the door.

So she remained silent, bowed her head, and obediently fetched a mop. Passing by her brother's door, she opened it and shouted:

"Junki, you idiot! Why didn't you bring the umbrella inside like your sister?! If you hadn't made such a mess, sis wouldn't have to clean up! Ah!!"

After cleaning up, the sun had already set. Tomoko looked outside and saw that the typhoon had stopped, leaving wet leaves and branches scattered on the ground, looking rather pitiful. Tomoko suddenly remembered that today there was a limited edition artbook release she had been eagerly anticipating! No, she must get her hands on it!!!

"Mom! I'm going out for a bit! —"

Since the typhoon had just passed, there weren't many people on the streets, making it feel somewhat lonely and desolate. It took about fifteen minutes to walk to the nearby anime store, and Tomoko found that there were still quite a few people inside. Fortunately, the artbook hadn't been sold out yet, and Tomoko managed to get her target. Then, she started browsing aimlessly. At this moment, she noticed a familiar figure in the manga section, leaning against the bookshelf, earnestly reading.

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

"Target... Target identified... Aomatsu-kun...!!!" Tomoko realized and began to debate whether to go over and strike up a conversation with him. Looking at her attire, she realized she hadn't dressed up intentionally, as she wouldn't even do so under normal circumstances. She had just thrown on a windbreaker over her usual sleeping shirt, with her school skirt still on.

It's probably not suitable for a conquest today, Tomoko thought. Just as she was about to leave, she accidentally bumped into a chair behind her and lost her balance, falling to the ground with a loud thud. "Crash!" Everyone in the store turned to look. Oh no, this hurts! Tears welled up in Tomoko's eyes, and she felt extremely embarrassed! When she lifted her head, she saw Aomatsu approaching, having put down his book.

"Um... are you okay?"

"I-I'm fine."

"That's good. The world still needs you." Aomatsu held Tomoko's hand tightly and helped her up. Looking into her eyes, he seemed to radiate a gentle and hopeful light, making Tomoko momentarily feel like she had entered some kind of romantic manga.

Exiting the anime store, the two walked shoulder to shoulder.

"We should say something...?"

As Tomoko walked, she thought, then spoke, "Servant... Ser-vant."

"Yes, what is it?" Aomatsu immediately turned his head, respectfully asking.

"We generally don't reveal our identities, but anyway, my real name is Mokmatyar..." Tomoko quickly introduced herself as if reciting lines from a script.

To her surprise, after she finished speaking, Aomatsu remained silent.

"Oh no, did I oversell it and give myself away?" Tomoko fell into a pit of embarrassment, wishing she could find a hole to bury herself in.

Finally, Aomatsu said, "So, why did you tell me all this?"

Ah, he appeared! In a dating game, this is the part where the conquest should say this line! So Tomoko, with a blushing face and a twisted smile, whispered softly:

"Because I feel like you're special. Aomatsu-kun, you'll keep this a secret, won't you?"

"Well, that's no fun. I'll just go back and tell everyone in the Line campus group and on the school forum about your secret!"

"Huh?!" This... this isn't following the script at all!

Seeing Tomoko's dumbfounded face, Aomatsu chuckled satisfactorily and said, "Just kidding. I wouldn't do that."

Then he stopped walking, facing Tomoko, and said very seriously, "Tomoko Kuroki's secret, I will guard it with my life."

The feeling of a racing heart! Tomoko's brain completely crashed, half-opening her mouth, unable to utter a word for a long time.

"Don't forget our lunch together tomorrow," Aomatsu added.

"Uh huh." Tomoko nodded.

Despite it being autumn, despite the overcast sky after the typhoon, the scene should have been more suitable for a chuunibyou outbreak than love. Yet something sprouted amidst the desolate field of death.

See you tomorrow, Aomatsu-kun.

——The End——