Three days had passed since returning to the real world, and Hitori Gotō had ventured to more places than ever before.
Every day after school, Shū Tsukikawa would come to pick her up, taking her out to explore new spots. She was slowly getting familiar with the world outside her usual routines.
Today, like always, Gotō was on her way to school, her pink ahoge bouncing with each skip in her step.
Having a boyfriend had clearly lifted her spirits—so much so that her entire outlook on life had brightened.
Maybe the world isn't so bad after all.
"Bocchi-chan!!!"
A voice called out from behind.
Gotō turned to see a girl with a yellow side ponytail sprinting toward her.
"Nijika?"
Ijichi Nijika—a lively girl, fellow member of Kessoku Band, and one of Gotō's few friends.
They attended different schools, so running into each other on the way to class was rare.
"You haven't come to practice for days! I was worried something happened!" Nijika planted her hands on her hips, puffing out her cheeks in a pout.
"I sent a message on LINE…" Gotō mumbled.
"Bocchi-chan's emotions are all over the place! I was up all night fretting!"
"Ehehe… it's nothing, really."
Gotō scratched the back of her head, her grin equal parts sheepish and smug.
"Liar! Something's up!"
Nijika crossed her arms, unconvinced, then pointed accusingly at Gotō's hair.
"You actually styled your hair today! And trimmed your bangs!"
"Plus, you're wearing your uniform instead of that tracksuit! And that new ribbon!"
"Heh… you noticed."
Gotō fiddled with the white ribbon in her hair, her smile widening.
After going out with Tsukikawa a few times—each time dressed like a total slob—she'd finally mustered the courage to upgrade her look. She'd ordered the ribbon online, swapped her grubby tracksuit for her proper uniform, and even attempted (and failed) to apply some light makeup using her mom's supplies.
The changes were subtle, but for a chronic shut-in who'd worn the same outfit for years, this was monumental progress.
"Spill. What's the good news?"
Nijika leaned in, eyes sparkling. She'd gone out of her way to intercept Gotō this morning, and that secretive grin was killing her.
For Bocchi—the girl who lived in cardboard boxes and shunned human contact—to be this happy? That was headline-worthy.
"Well… it's nothing much. Just that I got a boyfriend."
Gotō tried (and failed) to suppress her giddiness, her dopey smile betraying her.
"And—get this—he confessed to me!"
"I couldn't keep wearing my tracksuit around him, y'know? A proper JK uniform is way cuter… Had to put in some effort. Even fixed up my hair and everything."
Nijika's eyes narrowed.
"…Really?"
She stared hard, searching for any hint of deception.
"W-why are you looking at me like that?! It's true!" Gotō shrank back.
"Bocchi-chan having a boyfriend? No way."
Even I don't have one yet!
"It's true!"
"Nope. Impossible." Nijika shook her head.
"IT'S TRUE!!" Gotō flailed.
"Prove it. Tell me what kissing feels like." Nijika challenged, hands on hips.
"Uh… well…"
Gotō's face burned.
"We haven't kissed yet… b-but he did kiss my cheek!"
"Bocchi-chan." Nijika sighed. "I know you want attention, but lying isn't the way."
"I'M NOT LYING! WHY DOES NO ONE BELIEVE ME?!"
How am I supposed to flex if nobody takes me seriously?!
Reality was far from what Gotō had imagined. Instead of envy or admiration, her family and friends had met her news with skepticism—even concern for her mental health.
"Bocchi-chan!" Nijika suddenly grabbed her shoulders, locking eyes.
"Eek?! W-what?!"
"Tell me the truth. Did something happen? Did someone mess with you? Catfishing? Blackmail?"
Nijika's voice was dead serious. She cared deeply for her friend.
Gotō was the gullible type—always dressed like a disaster, socially inept, an easy target. But beneath all that, she was actually pretty cute when she tried.
Like today!
She looked like a whole new person.
"No, no! He's really nice to me!"
Gotō shook her head so hard her ahoge whipped around.
Nijika studied her a moment longer, then sighed.
"If anyone tries anything funny, you tell us. We'll crush them."
"That won't happen!"
Only after persistent reassurance did Nijika finally leave, though still half-doubting.
Fine. If no one believes me, I'll just have to flaunt him in front of everyone! Then we'll see who's laughing!
Gotō huffed, watching Nijika's retreating figure.
Elsewhere, Tsukikawa slouched toward school, one hand in his pocket, the other scrolling through his phone.
Girls from his school whispered and blushed as he passed, but he paid them no mind.
Appearance-wise, he was undeniably top-tier—yet he couldn't be bothered with relationships. Most girls were just too much work.
Bocchi-chan, though?
Different story.
Her cheeks were squishable, she was easy to tease and even easier to please, and a simple stroll outside counted as "bonding."
No spam texts. No hour-long calls. No emotional manipulation. No tagging him in cringe memes.
And—most importantly—certifiably pure. No shady "reconstruction" scams to worry about.
For a lazy, commitment-averse guy like him, she was the ideal girlfriend.
Right now, however, Tsukikawa wasn't actually browsing his phone.
His eyes were fixed on a system prompt only he could see:
[Time until Otherworld reopens: 23:00]