Is it Wrong to Love A Chuunibyou Tomboy? Chapter 3

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Chapter 3
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Planeptune is home to many, granted it’s without a doubt the smallest nation among the four. However, where home is always seems to be the most important. Your girlfriend IF absolutely refuses to show you affection within the proximity of anyone else so far, but you don’t mind. After a two night camping trip together, you’ve come to meet with IF’s childhood best friend: Compa.

IF pauses before knocking on the door of what you presume to be Compa’s apartment. The scent of home cooking wafts from the dwelling.

“So, no funny business. Alright?” IF states with her arms folded over her chest.

“Of course.”

IF hesitates, finger hovering over the door bell for a moment before she commits.

*Ding dong~*

The sound of someone tripping and falling rings out from right behind the door. An impressively fluffy girl with strawberry blonde hair nearly to her lower back pulls the door open from her knees. Compa rubs her head with the other hand while giving a sheepish smile..

“AI-CHAN!” The girl calls out.

Before you can even react, Compa has crushed IF in a hug. IF pats her friend on the back, giving a proper greeting to the enthusiastic lady.

Compa freezes upon noticing you.

“Wh-Who’s this guy IF?”
IF shrinks in her coat.

“I’ll explain, can we come in?”

“Of course!”

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You sit on a blanket and pillow coated loveseat with IF. Your girlfriend nervously fiddles with her hands. From the kitchen, Compa’s homely voice asks:

“Either of you want tea or sweets?”

“We’re fine. Can you come here?” responds IF.

Compa sits opposite to you two, happily bobbing for a moment before focusing.

“You don’t usually come over for no reason, do you just need some lunch?”

IF’s hands clench onto her knees.

“C-Compa… I… I want you to meet… my- my…”

“I’m IF’s boyfriend.” You pipe up.

Compa freezes, beaming, mouth agape smile still painted onto her face. Somehow, without her mouth even moving, Compa starts to make a “squee-ing” sound. Once she’s recovered enough from the shock, Compa begins her assault.

“HOLY CRACKERS! My IF has a handsome boyfriend!? You’re so CUTE together!”

Compa seems to possess otherworldly powers, she’s got both of you under her arms, crushing you and IF together instantaneously. You can see the nonverbal ‘Oh god what have I done” on IF’s face.

Compa retreats slightly, letting you and IF have some breathing room.

“So, what am I getting you two for a housewarming gift? I bet you two could use a BIG cozy blanket to cuddle under right?”

IF’s expression is closer to someone being shot over and over by little arrows than anything else. Her eyes are vacant as Compa continues her attack. Compa’s eyes grow into saucers after a long pause.

“Don’t… tell me. You’re telling me this because you’re gonna have BABIES IF?”

“WHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHAT?!?” IF scrambled any spare portion of her brain to respond.

Compa pounds a fist into an open palm.

“I KNEW IT!”

IF presses a hand onto her forehead, running a hand through her own hair.

“I know you’re easily excited Compa, but please. Calm. Down.”

Compa might have slightly realized that she had gone too far. She pipes down pretty quickly. IF sighs before explaining.

“I wanted to bring him by so you could see him and know that I’m doing fine.” IF looks up and smiles.

“He’s been good to me so far, I just wanted you to see the person I’m spending all my free time with. I…” IF trails off after starting so strong.

IF steels herself, firmly gripping your hand.

“I love him. So if we do have something big happen between us, whatever it is, I want you to be there for some part of it. Even if it’s just bringing a blanket over to make a place feel more like home.”

Compa grins.

“Aiefu, you’re being CUTE again! Did he do this to you?”

“No way.” scoffs a bashful IF.

IF’s body language is as telling to Compa as it is for you.

“You’re suuuuuure?~” Compa chimes.

You finally manage to drag IF away, a few more exchanges into her friend’s debatably unintentional attack. It takes surprising effort to free the nearly comatose girl from her best friend. You thank Compa before barely escaping with IF in tow.

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IF takes her time parting with you. On one of the many landings in the apartment building that houses Compa, she pulls on your sleeve, urging you to stop.

The thin, tall single window lets the sun of late day shine through on the two of you. In the silence before rush hour, IF settles into your shoulder.

“I don’t know when I’ll be available again, but…”

IF’s hands creep up your chest, she presses into you. Your hands cover hers and take them into grasp slowly. IF’s shaky, gleaming eyes demand your whole attention.

“I- I wouldn’t mind a- uh, fancy d-date next time. I- I mean, I guess it would just be ‘normal’ but uh, it- it would be fun to try it.”

You crack a smile.

“Sure, how about we go out shopping and get dinner next time?”

IF gains a burning blush.

“Ye-Yeah. I’ll try my best.”

“Oh, don’t be that way~”

You bend just enough to be near her adorably flustered face.

“Aiefu~” you tease quietly. Her face shifts away immediately.

Your fingers tickle IF’s jaw immediately turning her around. IF gulps but puckers her lips for a kiss. You take initiative, tasting Aiefu’s sweet, soft kiss. IF pulls you into a stranglehold, wrapping her arms around your neck and locking you against her lips.

Gasping, you both pull away for a heartbeat. Still trapped in the other’s embrace, you find yourself pressing your love against the wall as both of you try to get more kisses out of the other. While panting, IF leans away while desperately trying to regain her breath.

“Please… take me out again. B-Being with you-”

“I get it. Trust me, I’ll take you on as many dates as you want.”

IF bites her lip, almost giving you an angry glare.

“You jerk~ making me wait.”

The way IF’s expressions flip in an instant make your heart gallop. With IF’s hand in yours, you make your way home to the Guild. You have to think about it after the fact but…

She didn’t let go of you. Her hand was always in yours tonight.
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IF wasn’t wrong at all, each season seemed to be a roulette of work. Some were jam-packed, others consisted of sunbathing and busy work.


The Guild wasn’t so lucky this winter.

Lowee got snowed in a few weeks in a row leading to massive efforts to relieve overburdened infrastructure and that weather drove their monsters into the surrounding nations. Everyone except a skeleton crew of desk workers were deployed. Being deployed in unison with a battalion of battle fit secretaries was sure to drive your girlfriend crazy. IF did her best to keep in contact despite the near daily communication outages. Just a picture of Aiefu’s shining dark green eyes was enough to improve your day. It was a bit more difficult to take your online DnW game seriously now that you knew that the Dungeon Master was your girlfriend but you still played along and acted like you had no clue. If you moved in with IF, you might get drafted to help her write the next event or outcome. Ah… Moving in with IF. It was a far off dream to imagine, but your heart swooned at the thought of IF cooking, lazing about while she wrote in comfortable but cute clothes, all among a million other fantasies.

You rolled over weakly in your sleeping bag. It was hard to sleep with IF on your mind.

With each waking, your heart ached to see your beloved a little more. One of the secretaries that noticed your expression.

“Are you alright?”

“Just missing someone. No big deal.”

The woman unfolded her glasses and donned them, leaning in.

“YOU of all people have a girlfriend?!”

Aww… damn it. This was the same lady that had you had to answer to when you were late the first day. What a system the Guild had; shame you in front of your peers and then again by the bureaucracy to rub it in.

“How’d you figure I was missing a girl?”

“Duh, you guys don’t ever miss each other like you do girls.”

She smiles and continues.

“She must be a very lucky lady to be missed so much. Just because I had to make fun of you last time doesn’t mean I have to again. That is unless you’re late for a date with her. Then you’ll invite my wrath again.”

Her kindness brings a smile back to your face. IF is definitely missing you too. The warm sentiment of being missed is enough to sustain you. You’ll surely see IF again and feel her luscious hair under and through your fingers again.

Seeing a company of office workers so easily mingling with adventurers wouldn’t happen anywhere except for the Guild. Their kind attitudes add some sugar and spice at the same time to the haphazard taskforce. Breakfast is a production like any other meal, with plenty of energy behind every set of eyes. Such a pleasant time seems to just skip by in the grand scheme of things.

Imageboards are an effective way to consume time as you scroll through pages, occasionally saving things you like. Anime boards are the best, with their image dumps of adorable girls in all sorts of outfits. Tanktop and shorts? Saved. Frilly dress and lace? Saved. Who cares about storage space when you can have a fountain of cute pictures to give some peace to your heart in this crazy world.

As part of the encirclement of Lowee, your detachment patrols part of the Lastation border. Since the Guild is severely short on manpower due to the number of rescuers needed and men to corral the fleeing monsters. The condition made patrols interesting, you refined your magic in the process of frying whatever mooks that evaded the Mobile Task Force. Your lady was on that task force…

Even though it unsettled you, no one was a better fit for such a job. IF would probably rope you into one of those special task forces one day. Behaving as light infantry wasn’t your strong point, the super lightweight travel that they performed barely even allotted weight for food. Then again, the largely untouched nature was sure to yield delicious game and plenty of edible plants given the proper time of year.

A stiff gust whipped the air from your lungs, sending a vortex of snow up as well. Such is life in the field. You wipe your goggles and keep walking.

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You snuck away from the camp later that night. Your contact picture for IF (a bashful but proud picture of you two together) appeared on your phone, buzzing and demanding your attention.

You slide the green emblem along, putting the device to your ear.

“Hi~”

Just hearing her voice made things better. You chimed back at her. You can feel the mutual grins, like children doing something they’re not supposed to.

IF clears her throat, still obviously very happy to hear you.

“So, we’re withdrawing VERY soon, I want go on leave in Lowee with you during the whole chaos that will be moving our entire Guild back to Planeptune.”

“You have something in mind…?”

The phone emits scuffling sounds as IF moves nervously.

“Ehh-eh yeah. I... I wanna go get a drink together. Just a drink.”

You’re grinning like the Cheshire Cat, if only IF could see your face right now.

“Message me the address, I’ll make it no matter what.”

IF’s stern voice returns.

“If they need you, no bailing out just to go on a date with me. I- I-... I can wait, it’s not a b-big deal.”

Her voice breaks down, becoming soft and teary.

“IF, you’re a strong girl, don’t cry on me~” You tease.

“I-I am-am not! I-I’m just happy you jackass!” She chokes out and sniffles before continuing with a slightly stronger voice.

“There’s a mall I want to visit with you. We can do that fancy date we agreed on.”

“Uh, I don’t think either of us have clothes for that…”

“I-I th-thought that was- would be fun to do together… We could help pick an outfit that we liked for each other…” IF confesses.

“Oh-Only if its OK with you!” She quickly follows after a pause.

“Of course, I like it. I’ll see you then, OK Aiefu?”

“Alright… See you too. Night… Hon-honey… I- I- nevermind...”

You laugh quietly.

“You too sweetie. Night.” Beep. Time to sleep.

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Lowee’s capital city can only be described as the love child of Santa’s Workshop and a sort of rainbow minaret. While the bright colors are cheery, it leads to a very particular aesthetic that makes it pretty difficult to be serious about much of anything. IF stands at the mall entrance, leaning against a wall with her hot pink phone in hand. Somehow, IF notices your presence immediately.

“Hi.” IF’s fingers sneak into your hand immediately.

“Jumping right for the kill today?”

IF points her nose to the sky away from you.

‘Don’t make it sound so bad, I just want to change so no one recognizes me.”

“Then why are you holding my hand Aiefu?”

“Aaaaaaah!” IF pulls her hand back as if retreating from a hot object.

She pulls you along, grumbling while she wanders through the interior of a clothes store, trying her inexperienced best to find an area of the store with clothes her size. She settles on the teen section, despite barely fitting those and almost being 19.

IF emerges from the changing room in a green spaghetti strap tank top with tight denim shorts.

“Whaddya think?”

“Eh, I thought I was supposed to choose.” You barely finish before IF retreats again, the sound of fabric shuffling follows until she reappears.

“How about now?”

IF has done a complete image change, going for a frilly winter dress. Lace peeks out from under the heavy turtleneck top.

“Better, but can I please choose?”

IF turns red and bunches her fists up.

“Th-This is what you like, right!?!”

You haven’t told her anything about your preferences. Wha- Right. She’s the Guild Master.

“You snooped on me didn’t you?!”

IF shoves a finger into your chest.

“I-I totally DIDN’T! P-Pick something then!”

“You could’ve asked Aiefu, I would’ve told you.’

“J-just pick already! I get it, you don’t like this outfit!”

“I like it, just save it for another time…”

You send IF back into the changing room, this time with your own choices in her hands. When she emerges… your heart stops. This is that cute IF you love to see.

She edges towards you, toes pointed in. IF is walking pigeon toed like a girl! A friendly beige long sleeve V-neck sweater covers a white blouse on IF’s slender abdomen. Aiefu’s toned yet slender legs are obscured by moderately dark nylon stockings and a ruffled skirt. Black clogs round out the adorable sight with long grey wool socks going to just below her knees. IF’s hair sits back in a ponytail tied by her usual green leaf bow except for her bangs and two mini-tails that frame her gorgeous green eyes and…

“Aiefu…”

IF can’t respond, she grabs at the neck of her sweater nervously.

She did put some makeup on. It isn’t much, but it accents her usual fire-red blush. You set hands on both of her arms before pulling the girl into a hug.

“This is perfect. I want this one.”

IF tries her best, but has difficulty keeping up in this outfit. She’s used to combat boots, not slip-on clogs. She nearly falls over herself before accepting your help.

“Aiefu, you know that cute girls use a guy to help support them in these types of clothes right?”

“Bu-but…” She stammers.

“Here, take my arm.”

IF’s eyes shine with vulnerability. She pulls in close, leaning into your bicep. After just a few steps, IF is nuzzling your arm ever so slowly.

“I-I get it now~” she murmurs.

“I told you. Anyways,  now you get to choose for me.”

IF crams you into a dress shirt, tie and black slacks. You two make for an extremely well dressed and also completely unrecognizable couple. Twin girls run past you in the hallways of the mall, their steps echoing off the glossy stone floors as the girl in a blue dress struggles to keep up with her sister.

You hear “Raaaaam~! Waiiiit for meeee~!” fade out of perception.

IF leans over the balcony, pulling you along as she looks down onto the ice skating rink in the center.

“I’m so tired of ice… but with you… it’s almost pretty.” IF sighs as she leans on the railing. An other-worldly force compels you to hold her. Despite all the people, she’s stretching for a kiss. Maybe it’s because there’s so many people that she feels safe. IF’s lips are as always, like fresh fruit straight off a tree or a mother’s baked goods: delicious. Her whole existence quivers nervously, anxious due to the mounting crowds. After an uneasy giggle, IF returns to your arm, holding on for dear life among the masses.

You're lost in a crowd together. Among all these people, it doesn't matter who you are. Tired of the bustling horde, you two retreat to a side hall, finding a bench among a series of aromatic sweet shops. School aged girls bunch up around the overwhelmed staff, further inundating the hall with the delectable smell of fresh cookies, candy and pastries.

The relative calmness of this area is much more your pace. IF visibly relaxes and pulls her feet out of her shoes and kicks softly from her seat on the bench. She turns to you, straightening up to speak. IF’s face becomes rosy in the heat of the moment.

“T-thanks… This is. Uh, I wouldn't​ have done this alone. I--”

“It's been fun Aiefu, now relax sweetie, enjoy~!”

IF sighs, slouching into the wall.

“Jeeez…” IF’s hands rush to find non-existent pockets on her skirt, settling into the sweater.

“You don't have to act or pretend for me, I’ll love you either way.” You state.

IF’s eyes widen, her smile loosely returning.

“I-- I like this… it's silly but it's fun. It's not really acting, it's just something I never get to do. It’s hard being so important.”

IF leans forwards, setting her hands on the bench. Your lady is extremely emotive, by body language alone you can start to understand what she's about to say. As soon as you lean in, IF buries her face in her hands, hiding a nerve wracked expression.

“You can wait to talk right? We haven't gotten a snack yet.”

IF clenches her fists, setting them on her knees. She gives a nervous smile before responding.

“Hehe, well, truth is, I've gotten so worked up that I lost my appetite…”

“Aief-”

IF straightens her back and turns to you, taking one of your hands in hers.

“D-Don’t get your mind in the gutter! But… I want- I want to live together!”

IF is shaking, she’s trying her best to keep a smile on.

“We-We don’t get to spend enough time to-together… it’s the only way with our work.”

IF regains her composure in her usual rapid fashion, quickly folding her arms over her chest.

“Don’t think we’re gonna share a bed or anything…”

“...immediately…” She quietly mumbles.

After pulling IF into a hug, you give your response.

“Of course I’m going to agree. You feel more in the mood for a pastry yet?”
IF talks in the tiniest voice you’ve ever heard from her.

“Yeah.”

However, IF was not out of the fire yet. If anything, your poor girlfriend had just jumped straight from the fire to the crater of a volcano.

An extremely small light brown haired girl with the two twin girls from earlier are at one of the counters. You hadn’t realized how small the trio was, at most the older sister might’ve pushed 4 foot 6. The younger ones are busy bickering over sweets but you seem to have attracted the attention of the older one. Her figure is obscured by a luxurious beige wool coat that goes down to her mid thigh. A darker wool “worker” flat cap rests on her head. The girl’s legs are largely exposed outside of white knee socks and some embellished flats. She makes an approach, calmly striding across the hall, each step clicking slightly on the tile floors.

IF looks up and immediately slides away from you. IF’s expression is somewhere between pure embarrassment and “fight vs flight”. The stress is immediately apparent and displays itself all over IF.

“B-Blanc! Wha-What are you doing here?”

Blanc’s sedated poker face slips into a slight smile.

“I could ask you the same thing.”

Blanc’s eyes switch over to you, darting over your features. There’s a piercing chill to her sky blue eyes. The spotlight is off you as the nearly stoic girl continues.

“Your boyfriend, right IF?”

IF folds her arms over her chest. She puts on her usual defense with her little remaining courage.

“Yeah, so?”

“I thought I was talking to IF, not Noire.” This statement elicits a genuine smile in Blanc who stumbles as the hot pink detailed little sister crashes into her back with the blue girl in tow.

“Hey! Blan- wait, IF is here all of a sudden?” The pink girl is disproportionately loud to her size.

“Ram, what do you think of those two?”

The blue sister timidly approaches you.

“You’re IF’s boyfriend?”

“Yeah. It’s hard for IF to accept though.” Just looking at the girl fills your heart with friendliness and an urge to protect that adorable little shy smile.

“Miss Nepgear likes IF, so I like IF too~”

“What’s your name?”

The blue girl perks up and smiles.

“I’m Rom! Ram’s twin sister~”

It dawns on you that this little girl drew your attention fully, entirely exposing IF to the others’ harassment. Was this sort of teamwork planned? IF is still trying to present a strong front to the other girls, but seems to be losing. You regain focus on the scene in the middle of a conversation.

“-he loves me the way I am…” confesses an almost teary IF.

Blanc is moved. Something happened over there while you were zoned out. Ram has disappeared, but Blanc is now comforting IF.

“He really likes -achem- those less gifted in the chest region?” Blanc inquires.

IF repeats what you had told her with an almost gleeful vigor.

“I see… it seems Vert was wrong. It must fill your heart when he tells you all those things that lovers do.” Blanc is bizarrely skilled at wording given the quiet and stoic appearance she had given earlier. Blanc lies a hand over her own heart, repeating the words you had once said.

“-the closer you can get to her heart.” Blanc’s eyes wander.

“Even though I was going to take pictures and send them to Neptune so she could tease you, the more we speak, the better I feel. I wish I had spoken with you more during our adventures IF. Good luck on your date, I’ll try to keep my sisters out of your hair.”

IF slides back to you as Blanc departs, sisters in a vortex around her.

IF looks down, ashamed.

“I let it all slip. I don’t know why… the moment she asked why I- I loved you…”

“Rom stole my attention, I wish I could’ve backed you up.”
IF’s eyes flicker, those green eyes gaining a shimmer.

“It’s fine. It was… good for me. It’s not so weird to have a boyfriend. I’m still shaking… but I-”

“Aiefu?”

The mall is clearing out as night truly starts to set in with the clock chiming eight. IF clutches the slack of her sweater in vain.

“I- I’m not going to keep hiding how I feel about you… it hurts to be out on patrol and not be able to tell you…”

“IF, come on, I know you can tell me.”

“I’m MAD at myself dumbass, what do you expect from me?!” she retorts angrily before slinking back into the collar and plush of her sweater.

“I- I finally got to talk with you over the phone and I couldn’t even tell you that I loved you! Just being apart from you after that hurt...”

Holding IF in your arms is all you want right now. The bravest girl on the battlefield of blades is the most timid on that of love. That hard stone bench was etched in your mind along with the sweet smell of sugar and cinnamon.

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