#;; thinks Mineo is cringe

[aeipathcy]

Ah, this girl was deep into this otome genre wasn't she? She was even naming the heroine characters by name... while she didn't even remember the name of the heroine of the single title she played despite not even changing it from the default one on her play through. Reanne tried to keep up with the descriptors of this other protagonist: bold, realistically flawed, easily agitated... Bringing a finger to her chin, the girl hummed in thought. This one did seem more fun to observe if not anything else. Maybe she'd actually be relatable to an extent.

❝ Ah, that one sounds promising. I'll ask to borrow that one then, if you don't mind, ❞ Reanne replied as she lowered her hand and placed it on her hip. Note to self: bring the two titles she had in her possession everywhere in case she ran into Vivian again unexpectedly.

Her expression fell at the refusal of her simple request, her smile stretching almost unnaturally as she forced herself to not show the extent of her budding anger. Excuse her?? Who did she think she was to— And then it turned blank in disbelief as if she had abruptly shifted from a cartoonish display of rage to a simplified caricature of a sweat drop moment, eyes widening as her face froze for a moment.

❝ Cute isn't my image though—at least give me a cool one, ❞ Reanne slowly remarked, reaching to twirl the end of her pigtail around her finger. She sighed as she calmed herself down and slowly breathed out to soften her expression, her smile shifting to a more naturally relaxed one. If anything, cute applied more to her bestie (no, she would never let him forget that) than her. Not to mention, cute was also something she didn't want to be, as it'd only add to the similarities she had with she-who-shall-not-be-named—hell it was part of the reason she would rather die before she let people see her with her hair untied.

She gestured to herself with a hand hovering over each element of her attire, accenting her more bold outfit choice of a lacy black crop top, high rise shorts, a long sleeved cardigan, and sneakers, ❝ Do you really think this outfit choice screams cute? I try for more of a bold vibe, you know? Dash of flirty and confident. At least give me a nickname that reflects that. ❞

Then again, who was to say she wouldn't eventually get used to being called 'Riri'?

Deciding to drop the topic due to not wanting to argue, Reanne nudged her head in the direction of the clothes section of the store and abruptly brought up a shift in the conversation, ❝ Hey, since we're here, do you wanna browse the clearance section on the clothes? There's usually something decent there at this time of year. ❞

    The moment Reanne questions if she had any others games she'd recommend, Vivian would soon purse her lips rather thoughtfully before perching a single finger beneath her chin. Then, little by little, her gaze would drift upwards until she was staring directly over her head. Instead of ignoring her, however, she was more so recalling what she was told... about how Reanne apparently preferred more fiery protagonists, causing her brain to rapidly cycle through all the otome titles she had consumed.

    "Hm... welp, Collar x Malice might be a game you'd enjoy better? Then again, I'm only really saying that because the protagonist reminds me the most of you. Not only is she realistically flawed, she also gets easily agitated and does occasionally talk trash. Oh, and she is what I would consider bold too, meaning you might find her more relatable than Cardia?" Vivian finally ponders aloud. Of course, by Cardia, she was referring to the heroine of Code: Realize, for whom Reanne cared very little for... either way, it doesn't take long for her to lower her hand before flashing her a reassuring smile.

    "But honestly, don't worry about not finishing the ones I gave you! In fact, even I happen to have otome games I hate," Vivian then stresses, only to shake her head when next she registered her subsequent query. "Sorry, no can do! I happen to really like you, so that of course means you get to have your very own cute nickname," came her adamant insistence... and judging from how she would soon nonchalantly slip the charms back into her jacket pocket, it's clear as day nothing Reanne would say or do would convince her otherwise.

    "Besides, a nickname from me is the very proof of my fondness! Therefore, you should be honoured I ended up giving you one; after all, not everyone can earn such an esteemed privilege from me, you know?"