So what.
I received advice on how to get closer to Linne.
Although I received advice, I’m not sure if it will actually work.
However, I decided to follow that advice, believing there was meaning in trying, no matter what.
First, I would wait until 7 PM, when Linne wakes up.
Next, I would approach the front of Linne’s basement.
Then, I would call Linne out.
“Excuse me, Linne? Are you in there?”
Up to this point, it was the same as always.
So the response was also the same as always. Silence.
Despite the silence, I could clearly feel her presence.
Linne was beyond this point.
And to that Linne, I recited the lines Laika had given me verbatim.
“I came because I wanted to talk about ‘Cross-Section Coin’—”
I emphasized the four characters of ‘Cross-Section Coin’ as I spoke.
As for what ‘Cross-Section Coin’ was, it seemed to be the pen name of Linne’s favorite light novel author.
According to Laika, Linne becomes incredibly favorable when the topic of light novels comes up, especially regarding the works of Cross-Section Coin.
The reason for her sudden change in attitude was somewhat pathetic.
It was because Linne wanted to discuss Cross-Section Coin’s works but had almost no opportunity to do so.
The light novel genre itself was already quite niche, and within that, Cross-Section Coin’s works were even more niche due to their strong individuality.
In such a situation, if the Commander were to take the initiative and show a desire to talk about Cross-Section Coin?
Then she would definitely open her heart… that was Laika’s judgment.
That was, purely, Laika’s judgment.
On the other hand, for me, it was, frankly, a prescription I couldn’t easily accept.
No, I had already noticed that Linne was a severe otaku.
For one, her room was filled with light novels, her laptop was plastered with Japanese games, and most importantly, she herself was creating (undoubtedly otaku-genre) novels and games.
The part I found hard to believe, however, was whether the uncooperative Linne would simply succumb to the temptation of otaku talk and open the basement door.
Linne had consistently maintained an overbearing and reclusive attitude until now.
That Linne, would she really change her attitude just because she wanted to talk about her favorite author?
Would her pride allow that?
Was she, after all, such a trivial person?
****
“W-what are you talking about? Suddenly showing up and saying you want to talk about Cross-Section Coin…”
…It seemed she was indeed such a person.
No, more than that.
The current Linne. Her face showed she was barely suppressing immense excitement.
Or, a face that looked like she wanted to grab my hand immediately and discuss light novels.
I wasn’t letting my guard down.
Because Laika had advised that the previous lines were merely a trick to get started, and what was truly important came next.
According to that advice, there were specific things I needed to say from this point on.
So, it was this.
“Actually, I’ve really gotten into the light novels by the author Cross-Section Coin… especially ‘Beyond the Cradle’ series.”
“B-Beyond the Cradle series?”
‘Yes. The one you consider the best light novel of your life.’
For a moment, Linne showed a very welcoming expression to me, who was only answering inwardly.
Linne forcibly hid her burgeoning otaku self, putting on her venomous expression again.
Then, she abruptly snatched my hand.
“Hey, just come in for now.”
Uh-oh.
Led by Linne, I entered her basement.
The basement, which I hadn’t entered for almost ten days, hadn’t changed much from before.
The interior was dirty, gloomy, and filled with light novels.
And at the time, I hadn’t paid attention… but various otaku merchandise was also haphazardly displayed.
In short, an otaku room.
Linne, who had dragged me into her otaku room, made me sit on her computer chair while she herself perched on her bed.
Then, she began what was less an interrogation and more a grilling.
“You acted like you had no interest in light novels last time. How do you know about the author Cross-Section Coin? Have you read the books?”
“Well, you know how there was a book by Cross-Section Coin here last time? I remembered it and looked it up, and it was really interesting…”
It was a lie. I had only read it because Laika told me to.
But it was a sufficiently convincing lie for Linne to hear.
Linne’s expression brightened considerably.
Of course, I couldn’t relax there.
Linne continued to fire off various questions about Cross-Section Coin’s works after that.
“How many volumes have you read? Who’s your favorite heroine from Beyond the Cradle? Oh, and what was your favorite part?”
For reference, with Laika’s help, I had hastily read up to volume 3 of Beyond the Cradle.
That way, I wouldn’t be accused of being a fake otaku.
Additionally, I had been coached by Laika on appropriate ‘well-known picks’.
So, I was able to answer naturally according to that coaching.
“I’ve finished up to volume 3 for now. My favorite character… it has to be Roxy, the heroine from volume 1 of the Beyond the Cradle series, right? My favorite part was also the final chapter where the protagonist saves Roxy.”
From that point, well.
Linne’s guard completely melted away, and she began to chatter loudly.
About which heroine was good at what point. About which part of which volume’s development was particularly enjoyable.
While she herself was simply talking comfortably after meeting a kindred spirit, for me, it was like walking on thin ice.
That’s because I wasn’t really interested in Cross-Section Coin’s works; I had only hastily studied them to get closer to Linne.
If I slipped up here, I’d be branded a fake otaku and kicked out of Linne’s basement, which I had so painstakingly entered.
In such a precarious situation, I etched Laika’s advice into my heart.
‘If you don’t know something, say you don’t know. She likes it if you’re willing to learn. Linne prefers someone who shows a willingness to get into it, rather than someone who pretends to know clumsily.’
…So.
“How was the development in volume 4? It was awesome, right? Seriously mind-blowing, right?”
“Ah, that’s where the protagonist goes to rescue the heroine, right? I haven’t read past that, so I don’t really know… but I definitely plan to read it when I have time.”
“Yes! Yes, yes! You absolutely have to read it! If you don’t, you’re genuinely missing out on half your life! I’m sure it was written with incredible effort…!”
Linne answered excitedly.
It seemed there was something strange mixed in with her answer, but anyway.
It seemed like a good time to move on to Phase 2.
“Anyway, so I’ve gotten really interested in the author Cross-Section Coin and want to binge-read all their works… but I’ve been so busy with work lately that I don’t have time.”
“Huh? Even if you’re busy with work, you have to read what you need to read. There are priorities, you know!”
‘Well. I suppose I shouldn’t point out that her priorities are a bit messed up…’
I held back and continued what I had to say.
“I want to. But you know, Craddle is short-staffed.”
“Well, I suppose that’s true.”
Linne calmly agreed as if it were someone else’s problem.
I didn’t bother to point out whose fault it was that they were short-staffed.
Because I was planning to make her work starting now anyway.
“Regarding that, could you possibly help me with one task?”
“…Huh?”
Ah. She had reverted to her usual venomous little girl Linne.
Her face was like that, but she didn’t immediately kick me out or curse at me.
Just seeing that, it seemed her evaluation of me had instantly improved.
Perhaps if I could see the Phase Resonance Rate, it might have risen by about 10 percent.
Setting aside the question of why a Bioreloid who would relax her guard so much just for liking the same light novel existed in this world…
Anyway, seeing Linne’s reaction, I judged ‘it’s still alright’ and continued what I had to say.
“Actually, there’s some data I absolutely need to research by this weekend. If I can get that done, then I can read the next volumes or whatever, but with my research skills, it’s going to be a close call to meet the deadline. But your data research abilities are amazing, aren’t they?”
“…So, you want me to help you?”
Exactly.
Of course, that wasn’t the end.
“If you handle the research, I think I can read all the way up to volume 10 in the meantime. Then we could talk about that part too…”
“S-Someone listening would think I want to talk about novels with you.”
‘Even if she says that while wiggling her butt on the chair because she wants to…’
Yet, perhaps she wanted to suppress her true feelings.
Linne fell silent in thought for a moment.
Then, she spoke as if a good idea had suddenly occurred to her.
“If you help me with one thing too.”
“…Your thing?”
“Yeah. It’s nothing big…”
Linne cleared her throat gravely, “Ahem.”
A beat later, she spoke in a voice that was strangely subdued.
“Take me to Comic Utopia.”
“…Where?”
“Comic Utopia. You don’t know it?”
I have no idea.
“You really just got into this scene, didn’t you?”
“Yes. I still have much to learn.”
I adopted an attitude as if asking to be taught.
Truthfully, I wasn’t particularly interested.
Neither in the otaku scene Linne referred to, nor in the true nature of Comic Utopia she mentioned.
But Laika had said.
Linne had strong pride but low self-esteem, so she liked opponents who were in a less favorable or lower position than herself.
Therefore, I was intentionally adopting the position of an ‘otaku disciple’ rather than a ‘Commander’.
Had it worked?
Linne let out a seemingly pleased snort and spoke.
“Heh. Well, I’ll tell you. Comic Utopia, in a word… is the world’s largest subculture event.”
“Subculture event?”
“It’s like, you know. Where fans buy and sell things, and hold events related to anime, games, manga… and even light novels, though not as many.”
‘I guess I can just understand it as an otaku event.’
“When and where is this Comic Utopia held?”
“It’s held once every half-year in Metropolis… and coincidentally, this weekend is its opening day.”
Linne added excitedly.
“Especially at this Comic Utopia, there’s going to be a Beyond the Cradle dōjin booth!”
‘What’s a dōjin booth?’
I decided to just guess it was some kind of event corner and move on.
To me, Linne spoke.
“Well, even besides that, I’ve always wanted to go to Comic Utopia… but I haven’t even received a commendation, so I can’t go to the event without a Commander accompanying me.”
Linne grumbled as she said this.
She said she had asked previous Commanders for help regarding this, but no Commander had ever accompanied her to the event.
No, let alone that, it seemed there were countless Commanders who disapproved of her otaku hobby itself and tried to dismantle Linne’s hideout entirely.
“Isn’t that just too much?”
Linne asked as if asking for sympathy as a fellow otaku.
‘Well. For some reason, I sympathize with those Commanders’ stance.’
Nevertheless, I gained one realization.
Why Linne had behaved so reclusively.
It was because previous Commanders had persecuted her hobby.
Whereas I.
“Since you seem to be a proper Commander who’s even read Beyond the Cradle and Akainkan, I’m specifically asking you. It’s a good deal for you too, since you can enjoy the Cross-Section Coin dōjin booth.”
‘Well. I don’t really plan on enjoying this ‘dōjin booth’ thing.’
‘Besides that, her criteria for judging a ‘proper Commander’ are flawed.’
To me, who was forcibly swallowing such criticism, Linne subtly added.
“If you cooperate, I’ll help you with the data research.”
That was 100% welcome.
‘So, it’s a bit troublesome, but I guess there’s no helping it.’
“Then you help me with the data research by this weekend. In return, I’ll cooperate with you going to Comic Utopia this weekend. Deal?”
“Alright.”
In that manner, a cooperation agreement between the two was concluded.
A few days later.
Linne successfully secured the data regarding Lilith.