Is He My Dream Guy?!

Bai Shao never dreamed that the cool, unsmiling campus heartthrob in her class was a dream guy who was obsessed with the character she loved.

One day, short on living expenses but wanting to cosplay, Bai Shao reluctantly listed a treasured character figurine she'd owned for years at a high price on a secondhand marketplace app. Who knew someone would message her privately and buy it just three minutes after she listed it?

The rich buyer was generous. Judging by her purchase history, she was probably just as devoted to the character as Bai Shao was. They immediately arranged a place to meet.

But Bai Shao waited until she was ready to give up, and still didn't see any cute little rich girl who might be her buyer. Instead, she ran into Xu Jiangcheng, the aloof campus heartthrob in her class, whom she hadn't spoken to once since the semester began.

Just sitting there, he looked like a still ink painting. Even with a black mask on, he couldn't hide his cool, distant air. Bai Shao admired his looks for a while, until her phone suddenly buzzed.

"I'm here, ma'am. Where are you? I'm the one wearing a black mask."

Bai Shao looked around the whole shop and couldn't find a single person in a black mask besides Xu Jiangcheng.

Meeting an online acquaintance and finding out it's a classmate? What do I do?! Help!!!

She didn't want her classmates to find out she was a hardcore otaku!

But when Xu Jiangcheng saw her, his eyes widened, and he hurriedly left.

Bai Shao got a message: [Sorry, ma'am, I ran into someone I know, and I'm embarrassed to collect it in front of her (sobbing). Could we meet somewhere else?]

Bai Shao: Help! Is Xu Jiangcheng really this kind of person?!

*

Before long, he also found the account where she reposted fan art.

[Jiangshi233]: Mommy, this art is amazing!! Lemme lick it, lick it, lick it!

[Jiangshi233]: Aaaaaah, this art of Xushen is so perfect it's beyond words. I'm dropping to my knees in gratitude for the feast, Mommy!

[Jiangshi233]: (walks onto stage) (straightens tie) (adjusts microphone) I'm teacher's dog! (receives applause) (strides away)

Bai Shao switched back to the class group chat and the group-project chat, then looked at Xu Jiangcheng's messages.

[XJC]: Got it.

[XJC]: I'll send my part to the group before 6 p.m. tomorrow.

[XJC]: I'm busy next Saturday and can't make the group discussion. Sunday works any time.

Bai Shao looked at the calendar.

Next Saturday was the in-person only event for the anime Blue and the Future, featuring Xushen.

It was hard not to read into that!

And she'd also been invited as a cosplayer. What if they ran into each other there too?!

At the same time, [Jiangshi233] sent her another message:

"Mommy, are you going to the A City only event next Saturday? Can I get a photo with you? The bundle you gave me was so valuable, so I got you a gift too (starry eyes)"

Bai Shao: ...

There was no way she was skipping the event just because of Xu Jiangcheng!! She'd just have to use her [so much cosplay makeup that even my own mom won't recognize me] skill!

After all the incidents that followed, when their identities were finally exposed, Bai Shao couldn't tell which of them was more embarrassed.

The aloof heartthrob's ears turned rose-red, and he covered his face with trembling hands.

"It was you. It really was you. I knew it was you..."

Bai Shao: ?

Don't try to get out of this with a line from some classic drama!

Xu Jiangcheng blushed and looked at her timidly, then hurried to add, "I-I didn't say that because you looked good cosplaying Xushen! I-I like Xushen because of you... I've liked you for a long time too... Really... Aaaaaah, I can't explain it!"

Then he immediately pulled out his phone and started typing.

Bai Shao checked her phone. This time, he had messaged her on WeChat: [Mommy T_T I've liked you so much for such a long time! Do you remember that anime convention ten years ago?]

He'd also attached a photo.

It showed a shy little boy with a little girl. Bai Shao recognized herself as the girl, trying cosplay for the first time.

Bai Shao: ??????

Unbelievable! The heartthrob I stan stans me.

*Bai Shao's name uses a variant character that sounds like "laugh." Her parents are veteran otaku. (Hey!)

*The male lead is a wonderful geek who embodies many of the author's fantasies about men. Real-life dream guys and geeks may not be like this, so keep your eyes open and enjoy the story for fun.

*Any resemblance to real events involving conventions, fan conventions, or other anime, comics, and games-related events is purely coincidental.

*There are a few lesbian jokes and lesbian couples, though they won't be a major focus. Not sure how everyone feels about that, so here's a heads-up.

*No-filter humor and dark jokes ahead. The author loves Gintama.

Theme: Turning shared interests into true love takes good character.