Mash-up Anime World: Creating the SCP Foundation to Contain Anomalies Chapter 382 - 373: Bocchi and Komi-san, the Spark Between So

Today is another day of Bocchi (Hitori Gotou) hiding from the terrifying elf-like diva.

It seed like she could no longer stay at ho.

Because earlier, Bocchi vaguely saw that terrifying person wandering around the street near her house.

It looked like she might show up at any mont.

So today, Bocchi mustered all her courage and decided to go outside to hide.

After thinking carefully...

Bocchi decided to go to the library.

A place that requires silence.

Generally, no one would strike up a conversation there.

It was perfect for a loner.

So, stepping out of her house, Bocchi quickly made her way to the Chiba Library.

Although she hadn't been there before, there was a floor map and signage at the entrance.

A blessing for socially anxious people.

After silently studying it for a while...

Bocchi decided to take the elevator to the fourth floor. That floor had music-related books for borrowing and reading.

It was ideal for Bocchi.

However, as she lowered her head and headed to the elevator...

On the other side, another girl, also with her head down, was approaching. And so, the two entered the elevator at the sa ti. Neither noticed the other, and their hands lightly brushed against each other.

That small contact...

Made them both jolt like frightened kittens.

They instantly jumped to opposite sides of the elevator.

Could it be a pervert!? Help!

That's what Bocchi was thinking.

But when she caught a glimpse of the other person from the corner of her eye...

That thought vanished instantly.

Because, standing in the other corner of the elevator...

Was a super gorgeous girl.

Among everyone Bocchi had ever seen, this girl ranked at the top in looks, aura, and figure.

Her long, straight black hair draped behind her like smooth satin, enviably perfect. Her features were delicate, her skin pale and flawless like a doll—so captivating it was almost unreal.

She wore a white shirt with a dark blue blazer over it—but the shirt's upper part was noticeably filled out.

Her devilish figure was jaw-dropping: curvy in all the right places.

Though Bocchi herself wasn't small—she was actually a hidden gem.

She usually wore loose sportswear, so her C chest and nice figure were concealed.

Still, even she felt overshadowed by this beauty.

The girl's lower half was clad in a red plaid JK skirt, and her long, shapely legs were wrapped in black stockings.

Just looking at her was a feast for the eyes.

Wow… she's so pretty…

Bocchi thought to herself.

The girl standing on the other side of the elevator...

Was Komi Shouko.

The two had two things in common:

Both were stunningly beautiful girls.

And... both were socially anxious.

However, unlike Bocchi's delusional anxiety...

Komi had communication disorder-type social anxiety.

She also hadn't noticed Bocchi earlier and ended up squeezing into the elevator with her. Honestly, if either of them had noticed the other's presence...

They would've surely backed off and given up entering the elevator.

And now, the atmosphere inside was painfully awkward.

No one pressed the button.

Bocchi: Why doesn't she press the button? Is it because of that accidental touch earlier?!

Komi: What's wrong with her? Why isn't she pressing the button? Did I scare her?!

Tension froze the air.

Neither had the courage to move.

Bocchi secretly glanced at Komi.

'Wow... she's really beautiful! She probably has tons of friends! I'd like to be her friend... but I heard pretty girls are often an... what should I do? Maybe I should say sothing to ease the tension? Ahh... no, I can't speak! My throat won't work from nerves—what if she thinks I'm a weirdo?'

anwhile, Komi was also sneaking glances at Bocchi.

'She's so cute... She seems around my age... I want to be friends with her... Is that a guitar? Is she a famous band guitarist? Ahh, I'm so envious! Guitarists are usually super outgoing and have lots of friends... I wish I could be like that.'

If their inner monologues had mass...

The elevator would've been bursting.

But the awkwardness remained.

As everyone knows:

Introverts only make friends when an extrovert finds them... likes them... and adopts them.

Usually with gentle interaction.

And returns them on ti.

Otherwise, they'll "wilt."

Ti passed in total silence.

And both girls had the sa thought:

""She must be really good at socializing... unlike ...""

But with the silence dragging on too long...

Their thoughts started to spiral.

Bocchi: Why isn't she talking? Is it because I'm not worthy of speaking to her?

In Bocchi's imagination...

The beautiful older girl beside her must be cold and prideful.

With so many friends, soone like Bocchi didn't even deserve to share an elevator with her.

At that mont, they made eye contact.

Bocchi was instantly terrified by Komi's cold, piercing gaze.

'She must think I'm not worthy to be here!'

Bocchi even thought about apologizing on the spot.

'I'm sorry I'm not worthy of sharing an elevator with you!'

Terrified, Bocchi shrank into herself, expression cracking.

She braced herself to be kicked, stomped on with black stockings, and humiliated.

anwhile...

Komi Shouko: So nervous! I want to say sothing... but I can't!

Komi desperately wanted to talk, but her communication disorder froze her up.

She lost control of her expression from the stress. That made her appear icy and intimidating.

But really, she was just nervous.

Then, noticing the guitar, Komi suddenly thought:

She won't ask to sing... will she?

The idea popped up out of nowhere.

And suddenly, Komi felt like her whole world turned black and white.

From what she knew, band musicians were extrely outgoing. The kind of social terrorists who'd shove mics in strangers' faces and ask them to sing.

Just imagining that made Komi feel like she was about to collapse.

But just as the situation was about to spiral into total disaster—

The elevator chid.

Because neither girl had pressed the floor button...

The elevator had remained idle.

Now soone outside had pressed the call button—

The doors opened.

Sunlight poured into the tense elevator.

And a boy stepped in, practically glowing.

Yes—

Haruto stood at the door, dumbfounded.

What were these two girls doing?

Not using the elevator?

Not coming out?

Were they laying an ambush?

"Ahhh—!"

The mont Bocchi saw Haruto...

She practically burst into tears of joy.

She wanted to joyfully call out "Haruto-senpai!" like usual—

But after repeatedly failing to speak due to anxiety...

Her voice wouldn't co out properly.

What ca out instead was a string of mournful wails.

Her howling startled Komi Shouko badly.

Komi's entire body tensed. She couldn't comprehend what was happening. Her glare turned deadly.

Although Haruto didn't quite understand either—

He did know how to handle the situation.

After all, he knew both of these anxious girls.

He gently patted Bocchi's head to calm her.

"Long ti no see, Bocchi. I know you're excited, but take it easy. Anyway, tell which floor you're going to—I'll press it for you."

Bocchi was practically crying with joy.

QAQ!

Haruto-senpai is a saint!

He's so gentle!

I want to marry him!

Even if he were abusive, I'd still want to marry him!

Then, Bocchi raised her hand and held up four fingers.

Haruto nodded and pressed the button for the 4th floor. After that, he turned his gaze toward Komi Shouko.

"Hello, Komi-san. Nice to et you. May I ask which floor you're going to?"

Komi Shouko, mimicking Bocchi's gesture, also held up four fingers.

She had a communication disorder, so speaking was very difficult for her. However, using gestures or writing wasn't a problem.

Even so, she was a little surprised.

This gentle, light-like boy in front of her... actually knew who she was.

At the sa ti, Komi Shouko's gaze instinctively drifted toward Haruto's hand.

The head-pat that Bocchi had just enjoyed—

She wanted one too.