Central Plaza was South Lake College’s largest open space aside from the sports field.

Temporary booths now dotted the area, crowds milling about in lively bustle.

Shu Yuxin stood under a tree’s shade at the plaza’s edge, watching. The scene sparked a strong sense of déjà vu—just like her high school’s university consultation fair after graduation.

“Shu Yuxin!” A bright voice called from behind. She turned to see Peng Xiaoxiao jogging over. “Hah—you got here fast.”

*Of course,* Shu Yuxin thought with a faint smile. *She had a private ride.*

“You were the one who called me,” she said. “Couldn’t you have come out earlier?”

“I figured you’d need time!” Peng Xiaoxiao exhaled deeply, glancing around. “Alone?”

“What do you mean, alone?”

“Your boyfriend! That handsome guy! Didn’t he come with you?”

Shu Yuxin’s lips twitched. “I’ve said it—he’s not my boyfriend…”

“Fine, fine, not your boyfriend,” Peng Xiaoxiao waved dismissively. “So your best friend didn’t come?”

“He planned to, but got called away last minute by a classmate.” Shu Yuxin shook her head slightly. “And he’s not even from our school. Why would he check out our club recruitment?”

“Hah? Not from our school? From the neighboring campus?”

Shu Yuxin nodded.

Peng Xiaoxiao paused, then clapped her hands. “Not bad! Handsome, gentle, *and* a top student!”

Shu Yuxin studied her quietly, then murmured, “You like him? I can help.”

“No way! Just saying…” Peng Xiaoxiao patted her shoulder with faux solemnity. “Besides, with a girl like you as his… friend? And face it—us otaku types don’t get boyfriends. Wake up.”

Shu Yuxin smiled lightly, silent.

*She’d always wanted a gamer girlfriend,* Shu Yuxin recalled. *Someone to play with when bored… and do other things when gaming got dull.* Plenty shared that wish. A girlfriend who *got* your hobbies was rare treasure. Peng Xiaoxiao wasn’t hard to look at either—put herself out there, and suitors would swarm.

But this outing wasn’t for relationship talk. After a few more words, Peng Xiaoxiao grabbed her hand and darted into the crowd.

South Lake College wasn’t huge, yet clubs abounded. They passed familiar “normie” clubs—Roller Skating, Skateboard, Tennis, Basketball, Badminton, Volleyball—each flaunting handsome guys as bait: skaters spinning, a basketball dribbler…

Peng Xiaoxiao barely glanced. Her eyes locked on the “otaku clubs,” like the Anime Club.

To Shu Yuxin’s surprise, its booth drew a lively mixed crowd. Teens in character-printed clothing milled about. At the center stood two cosplayers—costumes crisp, convention-grade quality. *Definitely the club’s stars.*

She’d assumed otaku clubs stayed empty. Wrong. Terms like “otaku” now named a visible tribe. Outsiders might call them awkward, but together? *They* made “normies” feel out of place. As the community grew, recognition followed. Acceptance? Another matter. But alone, you might care what others think. In a group? *They couldn’t care less.*

Genuine otaku or normies playing dress-up—everyone here was having fun.

Watching Peng Xiaoxiao’s sparkling eyes, Shu Yuxin asked, “Check it out?”

Peng Xiaoxiao shook her head. “You think *this* is a real otaku club? Hah. Too young.”

Before Shu Yuxin could reply, Peng Xiaoxiao yanked her hand. “Come on! I’ll show you the *real* deal.”

They reached the plaza’s quiet outskirts—booths nearly empty, a world apart from the center. Peng Xiaoxiao’s eyes lit up. “Whoa—! Bridal Nero!”

Shu Yuxin followed her gaze: the Model Club.

Two battered tables stood under its tent. Shu Yuxin winced at the shabbiness—but Peng Xiaoxiao stared rapt at the treasures atop: figures, scale models, prize toys.

“Whoa—! Gundam! Wow! Yamato! Wow! Type 97!”

Like a kid spotting magical toys, Peng Xiaoxiao bounced and cheered, startling the booth’s sole keeper—a chubby guy glued to his phone.

He jolted upright, eyes wide. *Whoa! Two girls!* “Ahem… here to join the club?”

“We’re interested. Mind if we look?” Peng Xiaoxiao asked politely.

“Of course! Look all you like!” He hesitated. “But these are members’ personal items… please don’t touch. If something breaks… it’d be really tough.”

Peng Xiaoxiao grinned. “I know—I know. ‘Please don’t touch my models to avoid damage,’ right?”

The guy froze. *Whoa… could she be a plamo girl too?*