She is a Fangirl

It was at the fair at Howard All-Boys Academy when they first meet. Aki was invited by a friend he met on one of his school field trips, who also goes to the academy. Aria, having always dreamed of getting inside an All-Boys school, persuaded her parents not to allow Aki go, unless he lets her come. Thus, even against Aki’s will, Aria became his chaperone. “I’m so excited!” Aria squealed once in a while on their way to the academy. “There will probably be a lot of guys! Of course there will be, silly me.” “Why do you want to go so much, Aria?” Asked their mom, chuckling at her daughter’s behavior. “She thinks she’s going to meet the prince she’s going to marry if she does.” An annoyed Aki commented. He had wanted to spend the entire day without his annoying sister in tow for once. “Mom, is it too late to let me go alone?” He whined. “Yes, honey. It is.” “Why can’t she just go with you on your friend’s wedding?” “Honey, you have to have someone with you, you’re only eight. And Howard All-Boys Academy is a big school.” “I have a friend who goes there.” “Maybe you have, but we’ll be more at ease if you have your sister with you.” Aki looked at his sister, still in her own world. “Cheer up, pal.” Their father grinned from the driver’s seat. “Remember what the fortune teller said this morning about meeting someone special today? I’m sure that will happen.” “Nobody believes in those, dad.” “Your dad does.” Giggled their mom. “Of course I do. If I didn’t I wouldn’t have met your mom.” “Awww sweetheart~~” Aki turned away from his parents before he can see something that will bother him all day. Speaking of fortune teller that their dad always made them watch every morning, it was also said that his sister will meet someone too; only it’s someone who will change her life. Well if it is true, he just hopes that it’ll change her for the better. He had always thought that his sister is an airhead who always dreams about living in a fairy tale-like world. “Have fun kids.” Their mother waved at them enthusiastically from the car, after they finally arrived at the academy. “Aria, you have my phone with you. If something happens, call us.” “Roger!” “Don’t look so down, Aki. Have fun.” Their father encouraged. Aki just smiled weakly. The two watched their family car until it’s no longer visible. Then they started for the academy’s gate, which was wide open, welcoming the visitors warmly. “Nee-chan, Tora said he’d be meeting us with his brother by the school fountain. Let’s go fo– ” Aki looked around him wildly. “Augh. Not again.” Aria, mesmerized by the booths and entertainment in the academy, wandered on her own. It was the first time she’d ever go to a fair like this. There’s nothing like this at her school; she had gone to an amusement park before, but this one’s grander. Just looking around made her day already. There were food stands that sell candies, hotdogs, onigiri and yakisoba and many more; there were also shooting and horror booths, souvenir shops and cafes. She’d wanted to try everything. All thoughts of meeting the prince of her dreams disappeared. Then she came across a booth adorned with some of the Anime characters she often see her classmates draw and talk about like there’s no tomorrow. She had not really paid attention to them, but the booth got her really curious; plus she felt sorry for it since it barely had any costumers like the ones she’d seen earlier, so she went in. She was welcomed by six people, two of them were cosplaying as girls, and all looked like in their last year of high school.  If the entrance of the booth made her curious, the inside took her breath away. There were different stands of Anime characters and robots, Manga books, posters, toys and other items that she thought only people who really loved Anime would have. Which made her really amazed to find them all here. “What can we do for you, ojou-chan?” Said one of them, smiling at her warmly. “Uh…I’m just looking.” She answered timidly. “Oh. Do you like Anime?” “Uh, no. Not really.” She answered honestly. Daydreaming is the only thing she loves doing actually. “And here I thought all kids love Anime.” Dramatically sobbed one of the cosplayers. Aria tilted her head confusedly. Had she said something wrong? “Don’t mind him, she’s just being dramatic.” Said the guy earlier and grinned. “Come. I’ll show you around our little booth.” The guy who introduced himself as Kotarou, is the president of the academy’s Otaku Club. He showed to Aria the Anime replicas and costumes they had collected or made using clay and others materials like rubber sheets; the Manga they collected or drawn themselves; and other collectibles that Aria can’t even imagined to really exist outside the TV screen. “Kotarou-nii, why did you become an Otaku?” Aria asked when her little tour ended and she was served with a strawberry milk drink with a short cake for snacks. The older guy had first chuckled before he answered. “I don’t remember anymore. All I know is that, the Anime I watched, Manga I read and the games I played gave me inspiration.” “Inspiration?” “Yes. Like when I have problem or I’m so stressed out with school works, all I need is a dose of Anime or Manga, then I’m all better.” Aria frowned at his words as he continued, lost in thought. “In contrast to what most people may think, the Anime, Manga and games that we Otakus enjoy having and collecting had more to it than just providing entertainment.” “I don’t really understand. But I want to be an Otaku too.” Aria answered truthfully. “Even though there are only six of you and you have no costumers.” Kotarou and the rest of the members laughed at her comment heartily. “Why don’t we make you our 7th member then.” Saito, the vice president of the club and Kotarou’s best friend said as he knelled in front of Aria, showing her an intricately designed necklace resting inside a box. “And as a welcoming gift, I’ll give you this replica of Miaka’s Suzaku ceremonial necklace I personally made.” “Wow…it’s beautiful.” Aria carefully took the box from him, as if she’s afraid it may disappear any moment. “Oh! This is fun!” Aya squealed. “Let me give you something too.” Aya disappeared to the back of the room, the appeared again a moment later with some sort of Manga in his hands. “I’ll give you a copy of the very first Yaoi Manga I drew myself.” He said, sitting next to Aria. The guys groaned, while the other cosplayer, Ringo, giggled. “What’s ‘Yaoi’?” Asked Aria curiously. “It’s– ” “Come on, Aya. She’s just a kid.” Watanabi shook his head. “Don’t corrupt her this early.” “How can you say that? You’re a Yuri fan yourself!” Ringo rolled his eyes. “Yeah, well…” “ –also called ‘Boys Love’.” Aya answered, ignoring the two. “It’s a love story between two boys in love.” “Eh? Is that allowed?” Aria had never thought of this before. She had always thought that boys are for girls and vice versa. “Yes, it is. As long as it’s ‘Pure Love’, anything is allowed.” Aria looked at the Manga in her hands. The cover is an illustration of two boys holding hands as if praying, their foreheads touching each other. “I’ll read it as soon as I get home.” She smiled at Aya genuinely. “There’s a good girl.” He said as he patted her head. The rest of the members gave her each of their commemorating gifts, all of which Aria loved so much; especially the Card Captor Art book that Kotarou gave her. “Is it really okay for me to have all of these? I thought you’re going to sell it for your club’s funds.” Aria asked, somehow guiltily. “There’s a huge chance that we wouldn’t be able to sell anything anyway, might as well give it to our new member.” Grinned Shinji, the last member of the club. Aria grinned at this. Her happiness was cut short though when she remembered her brother. “Oh no! I totally forgot about Aki.” She gasped. “Aki?” Ringo asked. “He’s my little brother. I came here with him, because he was supposed to meet his friend who goes here. But I think I left him by the entrance.” She sounded panicked. “I have to go find him!” “I’ll help you. Then we can have lunch together.” Kotarou said, trying to calm her. “Aria reminds me of someone who forgets everything when it comes to– ” “Shut up, Watanabi. No one’s talking to you.” Ringo glared at him hotly. Everyone laughed, except Aria who looked really guilty. Her parents left Aki in her care after all. “Don’t worry, the academy is not that big. Let’s go, Aki must be looking for you too.” Aria nodded, still worried, and they head for the door. She was the first one to exit the booth, and didn’t notice someone coming her way. “Come on, nii-san. My friend must already be waiting by the fountain for hours. Just come with me there, please.” “No. Why don’t you ju– ” “Aw!” Aria exclaimed when she hit the boy who was talking to his little brother and did not notice her, as much as she did. “Aria, are you okay?” Kotarou immediately helped her up. The boy she bumped with just looked at her then at Kotarou, and continued on his way. Leaving his brother who looked really turned between following him and apologizing to her. “You could have at least apologized.” Aria glared at the boy heatedly. “I won’t ever do such a thing to an Otaku freak, or anyone who’s with them.” “Wha– !Take that back!” She yelled angrily. “Take back what?” “Calling them ‘freak’…that’s not nice!” She growled. “No, I won’t. I’m just telling the truth.” He said coolly. “Uh, nii-san…that’s…” “What’s going on here?” Ringo joined Kotarou, who just stared at the two argue. “Whoa, is that the twerp Ryu and our Aria?” Kotarou just nodded, overly amazed to answer in words. “This is the first time I’ve seen anyone talk back to Ryu without batting an eye, or argue with him for the matter.” Ringo stared at them too. After a while, the two, both too engrossed in their argument, didn’t notice that they were already gaining an audience; and the Otaku Club’s booth started to get full with costumers who had first only meant to see what the commotion was about. “You have no right to insult any Anime, or anyone that likes them.” Aria growled. “You don’t know them, you don’t know anything!” “Right.” Ryu drawled. “And you do?” “Of course I do. I’m an Otaku.” She announced proudly. Although she’s not really sure if admitting it a while ago that she wants to be an Otaku, makes her an Otaku in the first place. “Yeah? Well, I’m telling you. In a couple of years, you’ll grow a lot of pimples, dress like an old hag and won’t know how to do anything except hide in your room fantasizing about imagined characters that will never exist.” “Are we like that?” Aya asked Ringo bemusedly, who chuckled in response. “Hey, a little help here you two.” Wataru called from inside the booth. “Hai! Hai!” The two answered in unison, and with a last glance at the two kids, left to help the guys entertain their costumers while giggling all the while. “No, I won’t!” Aria growled again, stomping her foot angrily. “A couple of years from now, I’m going to be the most popular girl at my school; the prettiest and the smartest. And you’re going to fall in love with me!” “As if! That can only happen in your dreams, you Otaku freak.” “Excuse me. Please let me through…” Aki struggled to get into the center of the crowd, thinking that it was his sister’s voice he heard in its midst, and he wasn’t wrong. “Aki!” Exclaimed Ryu’s brother, running to him. “Tora?” “I’m so sorry, I know I was the one who said we’ll meet by the fountain, but my brother won’t go with me and then he got into an argument with– ” “That’s your brother?” Aki asked, shaken. “Uh, yeah…” Frowned Tora. “Don’t tell me, that’s your sister?” Aki nodded slowly. The two boys looked at each other, eyes wide; then to their older siblings, who seemed like they won’t stop arguing anytime soon. They both sighed in defeat. “I think we should stop now before it gets worse.” Aki suggested. “Yeah, I think we should.” Tora agreed. “Nee-chan, that’s enough.” “Nii-san, that’s enough.” Both of them tried to calm their siblings and pull them away from each other. “Aww. Is it over already?” Someone from the crowd called, followed by a chorus laughter. Kotarou, who was present the entire time, stifled his laughter as he ushered Aria and Aki to their booth, and announcing to everyone that the show’s over and their booth is now closed. “We sold almost everything, kaichou.” Shinji announced happily, when it’s just the eight of them left. “All thanks to Aria and Ryu!” Grinned Wataru. “I hope he gets bald when he grows up.” Aria announced crossly. “I’m so sorry for the trouble my sister caused.” Aki bowed his head apologetically. “Are you kidding? We should be the one thanking her.” Shinji grinned at him. “You must be Aki. We were just about to look for you earlier when she ran into Ryu.” Kotarou explained. “He was the one who run into me!” Aria frowned. “Either way, neither of you will admit it.” Aya snickered. “Oh, my. I can’t wait for when you two grow up.” Ringo mused. “I hope I won’t ever see him again.” The girl announced seriously. “Nee-chan, that was Tora’s brother.” “Tora? That friend of yours?” She didn’t expect that. “Yes. And just so you know, I won’t break my friendship with him, just because you don’t like his brother.” “I– Who said I’ll make you do that?” “You won’t let me play with Kaito ever since his older brother tripped you at the park.” “Looks like our little Aria is bossy.” Grinned Kotarou, looking at Aria bemusedly. Aria just looked away, and didn’t speak to Aki for the rest of the day. It was around 4 in the afternoon when Aki and Aria’s parents arrived. “Did you have fun, Aria?” Their father asked her as she settled in the backseat of the car, carefully placing the souvenirs she got from the Otaku Club. “Not as much as Aki did.” Aria answered bitterly. Aki did really had fun, way more than Aria did. After the lunch that the people from the club had treated them, he left his sister to the club’s care and finally met with Tora by the fountain, who was also alone. The both of them had the time of their lives running around the booths, eating, playing and simply just having fun. “See you on Sunday, Aki.” Tora grinned boyishly. “You bet. Thanks a lot. I really had fun.” Aki returned the gesture. “Me too.” The two waved at each other good-bye. “Aki, honey, let’s go.” Called his mom from the car. “Yeah.” He called back, and started to run towards the car, not noticing a girl in his way until it’s too late. “I’m so sorry, are you okay?” He exclaimed and immediately helped the girl to her feet. “Uh, yes. Thank you.” The girl smiled in recognition when she saw Aki’s face. “Oh, it’s Aki.” “Do I know you?” He asked confusedly, and at the verge of blushing. The girl just laughed. “I’m Rena, we were in the same class on first grade.” “Oh.” Was the only thing he managed to say. How could he forget such a pretty girl? “See you around, Aki.” She waved good-bye and left him staring at her retreating back. “Aki?” “Coming.” He answered and run to the car after one last look at Rena.