Clown Game
Chapter 237 - 224: Fat Otakus

Chapter 237: Chapter 224: Fat Otakus

On Shell Street, there was a cafe that was neither hot nor cold, rarely frequented by customers. But about two months ago, it seemed as if the cafe’s plump otaku owner had an epiphany... or perhaps, an inspiration for pleasure, in any case, he used all the savings he had scrupulously squirreled away over the years from pirated pamphlets... to renovate the cafe anew.

Moreover, the style transformed from the common street-side shop readily found nearby, into one... a maid-themed cafe!

To be honest, such a change would not likely be well-received by most, given its niche audience. After all, the former cafe could accommodate any passerby looking for a place to rest, but with the addition of ’maid’ to its name, the clientele was now almost limited to those carrying an aura of otaku decay...

But!!

The customers here... seemed surprisingly numerous!

Now, the cafe had gained a bit of fame... and at times, it even reached the level where reservations were necessary.

Of course, the visitors here were almost all otaku boys and girls.

Aren’t they the ones who prefer to stay cooped up at home all the time?

Well... that’s both right and wrong. Preferring to be alone in a solitary environment is just a result, not the root cause. The "otaku" trait, more often than not, is due to their hearts not resonating with the outside world, having to don the same smiling face amidst the bustle of life... and in the premise of surviving, it seemed their method of seeking refuge in their own sanctuary was only to "nest."

So then, if some similar "nesting souls" were to meet, it might be quite a wonderful thing, right?

So here, this cafe, became another sacred place outside of their own cramped bedrooms... Here, were people exuding the same aura as themselves...

Students, parents, police officers, doctors, people of all walks of life. Employees would see their bosses, express surprise, and then laugh together. Men and women with hidden feelings would encounter each other here, and then open up to one another.

To live, one has to don many things... having such a place that allows people to lay those down, previously, they might have been tired and sought out a cafe to rest... but now, they might lay down more than just physical fatigue.

In the eyes of others, this is just a niche group, yet when the individuals within this group step into this cafe, what they enter is a world of their own.

Mainstream or niche, it’s all a matter of perspective.

...

...

That day, after a busy day, my cousin waved goodbye to the last client... a chubby otaku, who upon leaving, said thank you and seemed about to bow but likely felt a bit embarrassed and simply scratched his head shyly...

Such chubby otakus could be seen here almost every day, greasy, with small eyes, and dull black-rimmed glasses, dressed in either clean or unclean but definitely not fancy clothes.

But contrary to what everyone might think... these chubby otakus... didn’t seem to be disliked.

Just like that last guest, they would come in, order coffee and cake, sit quietly, read the comics they brought, without making noise or demanding anything, even if they accidentally spilled coffee on their clothes, they wouldn’t get angry, and would even apologize first. So quiet that one could forget their presence.

Indeed, they were plump and not wealthy, full of wild imaginations, and could connect anything to all sorts of bizarre things.

But, it seemed that these chubby otakus were more comforting than those dressed in flashy attire, at least, they did not hide themselves... or rather their acting skills were too poor to conceal anything. Even if it was the same lecherous gaze, coming from the eyes of a chubby otaku, it felt much more comfortable than coming from someone who drove an expensive sports car.

Even more, the lust in most chubby otakus’ eyes carried a sense of "purity" and "gentleness."

It’s a form of appreciation, not possession or anything more vulgar.

Well... you guys wouldn’t understand.

...

...

But let’s get back to the point.

Shortly after the last customer left, the cafe’s wind chimes rang again.

"Sorry, we’re closed..."

My cousin, while cleaning up the dishes, said so. Then she seemed to recognize the voice of the person who spoke and looked up...

A hunched man, dressed in cleaner’s attire and wearing a mask, stood at the doorway... looking like a villain straight out of some perverted thriller movie.

"Uh... you changed jobs?" my cousin asked with a hint of confusion.

Chen Xiao took off his mask and responded indifferently, "It’s not like that... Where’s your brother?"

As soon as he finished, a chubby, soft fellow squeezed out of the kitchen.

"What’s up..." Boss Xiao Yu muttered listlessly.

"Well..." Chen Xiao drew out the word, hesitating, "A relative of mine has gone on a business trip..."

"Huh?"

Boss Xiao Yu had a look on his face that said, "If I believe you, I’m a fool."

Chen Xiao, not paying any attention to him, turned his head and waved outside the door, clearly signaling someone outside to come in.

...

And then, that person really did come in.

"Hello everyone, my name is Xiao Nan, please take good care of me..."

...

A moment of silence

...

"Hey, hey! What’s this all about?" Boss Xiao Yu pointed at the girl who had come in, his body quivering with fat.

"I told you, my relative is on a business trip, and no one’s left to look after her at home!"

"Didn’t all your relatives die?"

"Umm... there are still survivors!!"

Chen Xiao said, giving Boss Xiao Yu a knowing look.

Actually, Boss Xiao Yu had long guessed what was going on and had even foreseen how things would unfold...

It’s just that the scene just now had awakened the spirit of critique in him, and he couldn’t contain his impulse.

Now, having calmed down, he put on an air of sudden realization.

"Oh, oh... I heard you mention it a few days ago, a child left alone at home, right? So, this is that... uh..."

"Xiao Nan~"

"Ah, right, right, Xiao Nan!"

Boss Xiao Yu chimed in, while stealthily glancing at his cousin: "So... you want to stay with me here, is that it?"

"Yeah, that’s right..."

Chen Xiao played along with the act, aware that this sort of clearly shady affair would cause trouble if his cousin started asking questions.

As expected...

"What exactly are you two up to?" my cousin’s face darkened, and the pressure in the surroundings immediately converged.

"Uh... no, really, it’s just that... hahaha."

Boss Xiao Yu explained, subtly tugging at the back of his slightly damp shirt.