Interlude: Manga Are For Nerds

A Koizumi Mari Short

“Mom, I’m home!”

“Welcome home, Mari!”

After placing the groceries on the counter, which I had picked up on my way home, I nodded to my mother and made my way up to my room. School was over for the day, and after grocery shopping I had an hour to relax before my usual piano and drama classes.

I heaved a sigh, lying down on my bed.

My name is Koizumi Mari. Popular in school, and a good student.

Not an otaku, nor a nerd.

Then if I’m not a nerd…

Why?

My heart raced as I glanced at my shelf. A lone magazine, or manga as they call it, rested there, gazing at me. Intriguing, captivating.

I sigh.

Ever since I was given it on a free as a sample I couldn’t refuse back at the anime convention, this romance manga has been collecting dust in my room. Despite its colorful exterior, cute art and intriguing title, I never dared opened it.

I couldn’t read it, I wasn’t an otaku. Otakus were… nerds.

Yet, I couldn’t dare throw it away either. Why was that?

Maybe, just maybe, if I took a peek, and realized it was all just rubbish, I could finally throw it away and forget.

With another gulp, I shuffled through the first pages.

It was the story of a shy girl, meeting a popular guy at her school.

The premise was overused. Bland.

Yet why…

“HIIIIIINGG!”

Did my heart race at everyone moment?

“NOOO! What the hell?!”

Why did I get angry at every mishap?

The hope I had of finding the manga repulsive dissipated. And unlike I had predicted, or more like feared, I was having…

Fun.

This manga was fun.

But otakus were nerds… And Otaku stuff was lame…

Or at least that’s what everyone says.