The Uncanny Valley

She refused to confess... As much as I don’t want to admit it, a confession alone isn’t enough in this case. This isn’t one of those simple ‘confession interruption’ tropes.

I glance at Ukaru, his usual stupid grin plastered across his face. This guy doesn’t see her romantically at all -it’s painfully obvious. I already knew that from reading the manga. The thought sinks my mood, so I turn to Falin instead, hoping her serene beauty might lift my spirits. Her soft, angelic features are like a balm, but the sorrow in her eyes brings the weight of the situation back down.

“Now, I should detour the academy!” Ukaru declares, his voice booming as he rushes out of the hall, radiating his boundless energy.

“Look at him go…” a student mutters, and the scattered chatter around me picks up.

“What a nice delinquent paladin,” another student remarks with a mix of awe and confusion.

“Go to your class!” Falin shouts after him, cupping her hands around her mouth.

“I’ll visit!” Ukaru calls back, his voice echoing down the corridor as he disappears.

She lets out a small laugh, her lips curving into a smile -brief and fleeting. As the remaining students filter out of the hall, her expression softens into a quiet sadness. When she finally notices me watching her, she stiffens, stumbling slightly as if caught off guard by my gaze.

“U-Uh…” she stammers, shifting nervously.

“Falfi-san,” I say, my tone deliberate and warm. Her body freezes at the sound of her nickname, and a light flush dusts her cheeks.

“Um, Ask-san…” she begins hesitantly, her voice faltering. Then, she straightens slightly. “Your speech... it was flabbergasting, in a single word. I mean, I agree with you. I think students should experience romance and enjoy their youth.” She pauses, her lips trembling with a soft smile. “It... really touched my heart.”

I step closer to her, and she instinctively moves one foot back. “Falfi-san, thank you,” I say with firm sincerity. “I will do everything I can to help you receive the love you truly deserve. Your gentle and radiant personality is worthy of nothing less than the fullest devotion.”

Her eyes widen, blinking as she processes my words, her hands fidgeting with the strap of her medical backpack. “T-Thank you...” she murmurs, her tone a mix of gratitude and bewilderment. “You’re... remarkably honest, aren’t you?” She giggles softly, though there’s a nervous edge to it.

“You were trying to wingman me back there, weren’t you?” she asks, her fingers lightly brushing against the green, plus-shaped hairpin tucked behind her ear. Her gaze drops to the ground, her voice growing softer. “I appreciate it, Ask-san, but I don’t think it will help much…”

She looks up, her deep eyes pulling me in like a tide. “Would you... accompany me to the nurse’s office? Then we can go to our respective classes.”

Her words reach me, but I find myself mesmerized by her sheer beauty, unable to respond. My silence lingers awkwardly until her gentle voice pulls me back.

“U-Um… Ask-san?”

“Ah, sorry!” I blurt out, quickly regaining my composure. “I was mesmerized by your beauty.”

“Guh!” she chokes out, startled.

Her face flushes a deeper red, and she turns to me with a tinge of exasperation. “Ask-san, you’re far too honest, we have just met… isn’t it embarrassing for you? I should’ve guessed, considering your speech earlier. I can tell you mean it, but...” She sighs, waving a hand dismissively.

Though I know you from the manga, it doesn’t matter -a mere glance at your face, and I could tell how beautiful your soul is.

“I can’t help it,” I admit sheepishly.

“Well then?” she presses, her expression softening.

“Please, Falfi-san,” I say with conviction. “Let me accompany you. We can use the time to brainstorm how to win Ukaru’s dense heart.”

She sighs again, shaking her head lightly as we begin walking together. “I told you, there’s nothing to be done about that…” She glances at me, her voice growing quieter. “And my name is Falin Falala, not Falfi. That’s just what Ukaru calls me…”

Her murmured words trail off, and I realize I’ve been calling her by her nickname without thinking. It’s how I always referred to her while reading the manga.

“My apologies,” I say earnestly, then smile. “But I must say; your name is absolutely adorable.”

“T-Thank you,” she replies, a shy laugh escaping her lips. “Most people find it... weird or funny. Only my friends, family, and Ukaru ever seem to like it.”

Hearing this, I can’t help but feel my heart swell with happiness.

“So,” she begins, her voice tinged with curiosity. “I got a little curious about it. Do you like tomboys that much?”

Her question halts my thoughts like a jolt of lightning. My happiness fades, replaced with surprise. I glance at her, my eyes wide, not because I’m embarrassed to admit it, but because I wonder if she thinks I’m some sort of freak.

Did… I look like a freak?

No, it can’t be, right?

I take a deep breath, closing my eyes briefly before locking my gaze on her. My response comes from the depths of my heart, unfiltered and honest.

“Yes,” I reply firmly, turning my attention back to the path ahead. We continue walking together, the rhythm of our footsteps filling the brief silence. “I would absolutely say they’re my type. And I’m ashamed of how men treat them. We make fun of these handsome and beautiful individuals with amazing personalities, mocking them for not fitting into some narrow mold of femininity. It’s infuriating.

"I can’t stand seeing someone so deserving of love getting rejected. People might prefer traditionally feminine girls, and that’s fine. But it doesn’t give anyone the right to belittle tomboys. I just… I can’t accept it. And,” I add, my tone softening, “I should mention I really like short hair on women. There’s something so refreshing and genuine about it. I find it beautiful and charming. Not that it’s about tomboys.”

I turn to her, meeting her gaze. “Did I manage to convey how I feel?”

She watches me with focused eyes, her expression unreadable. Then, slowly, she looks forward again, her lips curving into a gentle smile.

“Falin-san?”

“No,” she says with a light laugh. “It’s just... you’re truly a wonderful person. I’m impressed. Meeting someone so honest, with such a unique mindset -it’s refreshing. You kind of remind me of Ukaru.”

Her laughter carries a warmth that lingers in the air. For a brief moment, I feel the weight of stepping into another world. Falin Falala, a heroine from the manga I loved so much, is here -real and undeniably human. The realization grips me.