Otherworldly Elf at Akiba

We lined up to the heavily crowded line at the platform. There are too many people like Eiko have said. But while we're waiting for the train, Sera's shaking. Even I can gaze from the public's eyes. I can only entertain her to shift her attention.

With a serious face, I muttered, "Sera, prepare for an all-out war."

"What!? What war!? That's too sudden!"

From the distance, we can hear the sound of the screeching wheels as the train approaches the platform. I held Sera's hand tightly in advance, figuring out this would be the case. The train arrived and opened its doors. A stampede broke out. I roared a war cry while charging towards the open doors.

The storm passed, and we achieved the 'Door Bystander' achievement. We loaded ourselves at the exact time the door closed. Now, we are pushed like sausages in a can. When the train started moving, I prepared a conversation to kill time, but Sera's face looked pale. Her eyes drown in the void.

She's holding her stomach while shaking periodically. Her face was puffed. I never knew that motion sickness could be a hindrance since she only experienced riding a carriage one worst time. This didn’t appear on the police mobile before.

"I should have prepared a countermeasure for this."

Because she couldn't open her mouth, she just shook her head. She flattened her fist in her chest and it started glowing. Is she casting magic right now!? Luckily, we were facing out the door so no one could see us. Now I know that she can use magic in this world… But I should pretend I didn’t see it.

She sighed after the glow in her hand vanished. "... The train is too fast for me."

Shaking my head, I replied, "there are others who have the same condition as you as well. I’m like that when I was a kid. Just the doors of vehicles made me puke."

"Really? This was the first time for me. I thought you’re also used to fast carriages.” Staring beyond the window, she whispered. “This place… it felt like I’m in a new world with the advancements it had. Everything here feels convenient.”

Of course, you’re in another world! "We wouldn't have TVs, DVDs, or even trains if not for the previous geniuses who created these inventions. Technology here is human creativity, and our motto is ‘Nothing’s impossible.’"

While the sunrise lights the east, the modern tall buildings contrast like a silhouette. For Sera who's first time going out into the world, it's a work of art.

"It's... beautiful..." The warmth of her smile converges with the radiant light emitted by the Sun’s ray. For me, seeing her happy was the most pleasing view I ever had. Her smile was the only colored painting in my monochrome world.

"Beautiful indeed."

“If I went back to my place, will I see this view again? It might take us thousands of years to achieve the imitation of this place. I wonder if I can go back here anytime. And if I do, will you still greet me with open arms?”

“Mom treated you as her daughter already. You can always stay in our home anytime you like. Our house doors are always open for you.”

The conversation should have flowed continuously, but she suddenly paused. Her sudden grimace told me she was uncomfortable.

"I hate to ask, Kou-nii… but aren't you touching me somewhere?"

"Touch? No. My hands are in the railings."

"I'm feeling something squeezing my back buns. Is this normal?" If you're squeezed in this flooded environment, it's pretty normal. But she just felt a pinch in her butt…

CODE RED!

My mind overheated after seeing a creepy man smiling behind her, my teeth clenching behind my lips. My breathing echoed around us. He was a fatso in an undershirt and his glasses glowed to the point that I couldn't see his eyes.

But I can guarantee after seeing his rich-looking necklace, he isn't an otaku. Other than cosplayers, no other otakus wear blinding accessories like that. If he's an otaku, I can flood him with just sermons. But he's just a plain creep.

I gripped his hand and pushed him against the window. His face was stuck with the window as he groaned. With me pushing him, he was immobilized.

With the public’s awareness, I announced with a loud roar of anger, "A fat ugly ass-looking degenerate virgin dreaming of paradise in this small moving box!? Why not do it in a stationary box, a jail perhaps? Don’t even try to talk! If you want paradise, I can send you to heaven."

Because of the commotion the creep created, we got public attention. Even if it was crowded, the guards went toward us to restrain the man.

We went to the train's security office to badmouth the creepy degenerate while praising the purity of my sister. Her words alone are enough to let him be punished.

As we left the office, I sighed. "I'm sorry, Sera. Another 'humanly' thing happened."

"No, Kou-nii. I didn't know but you saved me. You're like a hero in fairy tales."

"See? I'm cool, right?"

"Are you cold, Kou-nii? Do you want me to cast fire?"

"N... No! Being cool means being awesome in the otaku world. You can say that at least."

"Nn." She nodded like a kid listening to a college lecture but didn't understand anything.

"Also, if someone touches you in unusual places, you're free to beat them. There are lust-driven maniacs here, and the world will side with you if you fight them."

"Understood! I will beat them into a pulp." She had the ability, but how can I tell her not to use magic again in public?

It's still an hour earlier than I expected. As we explored the station, Sera's eyes bloomed from the lights of stalls and machines. "It's colorful and lively! It's like a paradise!"

"It really is paradise."

Out of curiosity, she went straight into a bunch of capsule toy machines and leaned at it cutely.

"Kou-nii, what's this called?" She asked.

I gave her a hundred yen and replied, "This collection interests you? Insert this coin in that hole and spin the knob."

And she did exactly as I said. She flinched back with a 'Woah' after a ball dropped down. I opened the ball and gave the bear toy inside it to her.

"It's cute!"

"This thing is called Gachapon. It dispenses toys within the collection if you insert a 100 yen coin, but it's entirely random."

"That's a great invention! Where could I get coins to insert here?"

Oh no! She's getting addicted early. "For an experienced senior like me, I advise you to stay away from any gacha as much as possible."

"Why is it?"

I cleared my throat. “Truth hurts, Sera. You wouldn’t want to know why." Gachas are lowkey gambling that slaps you in every turn on how unlucky you are. They already bankrupted thousands of companies and caused millions of brains to malfunction.

FCO5 was a Gacha already. If she became addicted, she might not consider going back home.

Then as we settled out of the station, various colors contrasted in the building and having TVs in it amazed her more. Various fragrances of food and perfume lingered around every person who passed through. It’s still an hour early, but even if the shops are closed, the liveliness of the industry readying for the 8AM opening already gave vibrancy to the place.

Sera sucked a quick breath in her slack mouth, not expecting the number of people wandering in the streets. Still having the fear of being called a monster, even if her hood hid her identity, she still quivered while embracing my arm.

But she doesn’t need to feel that way.

I forcefully let go of her grip, faced her, and removed her hood. Her trembling went to extremities as she gasped, but I held both her shoulders and showed her my smile of assurance. “It’s alright. Trust me.”

“But Kou-nii…” Her lips quivered, but when she wandered her gaze, she noticed no one cared about her identity, especially her long ears.

I shook my head and responded, "That’s not the case here, Sera. Though it might take time, you’ll get used to this place. Welcome to Akihabara!"

When the trembling slowly stopped, I let go of my grip. With closed eyes, she bursted out air from her lungs, taking out all ideas of overthinking. When she opened her eyes, she said, “I trust you, Kou-nii.”

With a smirk, I held her hand, leading her to the place Otakus treat as hometown. “It’s still an hour early. Why don’t we enjoy the sights for now?”

I shouldn’t have removed Sera’s hood. Everyone’s eyes were fixated at us. Sera might’ve been thinking that she was strange, but that’s not the case. They are only wary because they think she was Shizu-sama. The moment I became overwhelmed by their stares, I put Sera’s hood back as we accelerated our walk.

We went towards the curry restaurant on the other side of the road to lay low. This is the only place where we can talk privately. The worry in Sera’s face vanished the moment the fragrance of a delicious meal entered her ears.

Ordering two orders of Chicken Cutlet Curry, we rented one private room, not caring about the price. As we sat down, Sera suddenly asked me, “Is that alright, Kou-nii? My ears… The people are thinking I’m strange.”

Shaking my head, I replied with a smirk, “Calm down, Sera. This is a tactic. All people here are strange too, hence you shouldn’t think what others think of you.”

I’m currently gauging if I can catch the public’s attention just by her face. However, the results far exceeded my expectations. She had a high chance of winning the competition. If her face was already eye-catching, what more if she wore her costume?

“But Kou-nii… Will they think of me as a monster again? There are too many people staring at me. I also don’t want to be your inconvenience.”

“I told you, Sera. Don’t overthink it. You’re not the only one who’s strange here,” I replied, grabbing and staring at my right knee. It may not be convincing, but I want her to feel that I’m in worse shape than her. “They’re staring at you not because you’re different, but because you’re too beautiful to be true. Why don’t you try removing your hood for now? We’re in a private place, and it is bad manners to eat with a hood on.”

After seconds of pause, she pulled back her hood, erasing all doubts in her mind. Her head stooped down, following her bent knee, her lips pressed. I bet she calmed down for now, but her anxiety returned the moment we heard a knock.

The servant entered the room, bringing two trays of curry and placed it on our table. “Excuse me! Two Chicken Cutlet Curry for Room 12 finished! Have a joyful meal for the both of you, Sir and… Shizu-sama!?”

“Oh, you’re a fan of FCO5 too?” I asked, my face unwavering. Why do I keep encountering die-hard fans with the most unexpected occupation?

“I’m a Lance X4 main! Are you two both playing?”

“Just me. She… will start soon, I guess.”

“But hell, she really looked like Shizu-sama! Did she get any plastic surgeries? Her ears looked like it grew from birth.”

“Don’t be too loud, but she’s an elf cosplayer. Her elf obsession was too much her family could handle, hence she implanted long ears from an operation. She may be an Otaku, but be wary ‘cause she’s shy like hell.”

“Sure! I'm glad to meet you, Ma’am. You’re so gorgeous. I thought that you came out of the TV screen.”

“Came out of the TV screen? Is it possible, Kou-nii?”

“D–Don’t mind him. Thanks for the treat, Sir. We’ll call you once we need more orders.”

“Sure! Here’s my UID. You can press the bell, and I’ll be here in a second. Have a great meal!” He said, pinpointing the buzzer button behind me and rushing out the room.

After the server left, I smirked at Sera. “See? That’s the reason they’re staring at you. Did you calm down?”

Unlike before, Sera’s posture straightened. She gave me a nod and asked, “But Kou-nii, is it really possible to come out of a TV screen?”

“Too good to be true.”

We walked for sights at the Electronic Town after finishing our dine with our faces full of satisfaction. Sera, whose arms were crossed around his stomach, walked sleekly with a shy smile. “I think I’m in heaven, Kou-nii. I will never forget the taste of curry in my entire life.”

Only recently she knew the name of the food she ate, and it might’ve become her favorite. “Told you. If you have the right spices, you can also create one. Mom also knows how to cook one.”

“Really!? Does that mean we can also eat curry at home!?” With sparkling eyes, she matched my pace and asked.

“If you knew how to read the recipe, maybe Mom could also teach you how to cook one.”

“Then I’ll learn Japanese quickly!” She clenched her right fist before her chest, telling me the ‘I got this’ gesture.

“Yeah, learn it quick! There’s more exciting things within Japanese culture awaiting you. I’m sure it will be worth it.”

Soon, we passed three maids… or only cosplayers in maid costumes, handing flyers to the people passing. They might be the representatives of the nearby maid cafe. Usually, they have themes that represent their cosplays, and now… It’s elves.

“Gooshujin-sama! Please try our new Floral Love Cure Cake! Or please avail our Smiles of Yggdrasil! We currently have a promotion for these orders by 30% off! You can always visit us at maidreams cafe, nearby the station and the Radio Kaikan building.”

I only took the flyer and ignored their repeated cries of “Gooshujin-samaaa!” We’re currently rushing towards an event. If we only have time, I’ll be glad to introduce Sera to maid cafes. But with their style of serving, won’t Sera find it weird?

I know it’s a part of the culture to attract customers, especially tourists, but Sera’s an otherworlder. If she knew this was normal, the worst case scenario would be her becoming a maid cafe cosplayer. Mom wouldn’t like that.

Just a few steps, and we’re near to the event venue. “By the way, Sera. Once we get there, you’ll be the one who will wear the cotton parts of the costume. I’ll only be attaching the accessories after you get dressed. If you can’t, I’ll ask a staff member to assist you. What do you say, Sera?”

It felt weird when I didn’t feel any response to my question, hence I stopped and turned around. “Sera?”

With the numerous crowds passing through me, my awareness vanished. My eyes bulged as giddiness visited my body. A sudden coldness hit my core, rooting me down the ground as I trembled like I was stuck in a freezer. I’m confident that she’ll only follow me, but now…

Where the heck is she!?