บท 86: Bocchi is Targeted
Shin eventually ended up on the same subway as Hitori Gotou.
In fact, they had been on the same train when they arrived at Shimokitazawa Station, though Gotou had boarded earlier since her home was farther away.
According to her, she chose a school far from both Shimokitazawa and her home to avoid meeting anyone she knew.
Now, they were on the same subway again, and Shin unapologetically sat beside her.
"Are you always like this?"
Shin looked at Gotou, who was sitting next to him. She was still hanging her head, trembling, and looked terrified.
"Not... not exactly..."
Gotou's expression seemed on the verge of tears, and her voice was hoarse.
Though she was usually shy, today's state was a bit extreme. Normally, she'd just feel uncomfortable talking to others. But with Shin, she felt like she might actually die.
"With you like this, I'm guessing you're probably bullied at school?"
Shin observed Gotou trembling and continued to ask, undeterred.
Although there was no hint of it in "Work 29," Shin was genuinely concerned that someone as timid as Gotou might be bullied at school.
After all, Gotou had potential as a Stand user. Shin had only encountered a few Stand-capable people, so he took an interest in her.
While he didn't necessarily plan to pull her into the underworld, having a Stand user as a classmate might come in handy.
But with Gotou's current personality… let alone helping Shin, she could barely look after herself.
"No, no bullying..."
Gotou shook her head awkwardly. She wasn't bullied—in fact, nobody at school even talked to her.
She had even tried wearing band merchandise to school to find common ground with others, only to make them avoid her even more.
Why? Did no one at school like music?
But why was he asking her this? Was he planning to fill the "no bullying" gap in her life?
At this thought, Gotou began to tremble even more.
"Stop shaking. This habit of trembling all the time has got to go!"
Shin was right next to her, and her constant shivering was starting to make him shake too.
Although Gotou could be considered a pretty girl and having her lean close wasn't bad, Shin was here to help her correct her habits.
He didn't need her to change her whole personality, but at least be capable enough to help him when needed.
Hearing Shin's almost commanding tone, Gotou stiffened and quickly stopped trembling, like a pet who suddenly understood its owner.
"Gotou, I'm going to work on fixing your personality."
Seeing her stop shivering, Shin continued.
"There will be things I need you to handle in the future, so you must change this timid nature. Understand?"
Shin realized that if he spoke normally, Gotou would likely spiral into self-doubt and overthinking, making her too distracted to listen. But when he issued commands, she responded immediately.
However, Gotou was stunned by his words.
Why? Why does he care about changing my personality? Is he my dad?
Gotou didn't realize she had Stand potential, nor that Shin intended to turn her into a Stand user.
So hearing this suddenly left her mind blank, unable to process what was happening.
Still, social anxiety has its perks, like mentally filling in reasons for things you don't understand.
"Could it be... that he likes me?"
In her mind, Gotou instinctively recalled scenes from romance manga.
Being a regular online, Gotou had read her share of shoujo manga. Wasn't this a typical shoujo plot?
She turned her head to look at Shin.
And received a sharp glare.
"No, no, no way. Who would like a paramecium like me…"
Gotou's momentary hope was instantly crushed, and she fell back into self-doubt.
"Give me your contact info."
Shin, unaware of the mental rollercoaster she just experienced, took out his phone and ordered her.
Sure enough, still in self-doubt, Gotou naturally handed over her phone.
If they had been talking normally, Gotou might not have responded at all.
Shin thought of her bandmate Yamada Ryou's nickname for her—"Bocchi." It did suit her.
The name "Bocchi" in Japan is usually used for pet dogs, and now Gotou was like an obedient pet dog, following commands well.
Shin used her phone to message himself and added her to his contacts, then handed her phone back.
He saved her contact as "Bocchi."
"When we get to school tomorrow, I'll find you. Don't think of skipping."
As they arrived at Shin's stop, he stood up, giving her one last instruction before leaving.
After finally finding someone with Stand potential his age, he didn't want her transferring schools out of fear.
With her personality, she might actually do it.
In her original story, Gotou had once tried cold plunges to catch a cold just to avoid a job. In a way, she was persistent, though she used her persistence in strange ways.
"I… I understand."
Watching Shin leave the subway, Gotou felt as if she were crying inside, but could only give him a sad smile.
She had originally planned to talk to her parents about transferring schools, but that seemed impossible now.
After all, Shin seemed to have a lot of underlings. Even if she transferred, they'd likely find her.
Looking down at her contact list, which previously only held her family members, she noticed a few new names recently.
Aside from her new bandmates, Ichiji Nijika and Yamada Ryou, there was a new addition at the bottom.
"Shin..."
Although she'd interacted with him a few times today, it was only now that she learned his name.
To be continued…
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