"Hey, Gotou-san. Gotou-san, wake up!"
Meanwhile, Bocchi is lost in dreamland, enjoying strange and sweet delusions.
Soft giggles escape her lips.
"Hehehe. He wants to be my friend. A cute guy wants to be my friend. Hehehe…"
"Gotou! Come back to Earth!"
Akira raises his voice just enough to finally bring her back to reality.
"Wah!"
Startled, Bocchi jumps in place, eyes wide with surprise.
Still unsure of her surroundings, she mutters:
"It had to be a dream… Someone actually wanting to be my friend…"
But a calm voice gently interrupts her monologue:
"That wasn't a dream."
Another jump. Another startled gasp.
She's like a scared little kitten. Cute.
Now fully conscious and aware, Bocchi asks in disbelief:
"You really… want to be my friend?"
"I mean… I don't have much to offer. I don't even have money…"
"That's not why I want to be your friend."
Still not convinced, Bocchi continues to talk herself down:
"But what's the point in having someone like me as your friend?"
"Who knows? Friendship isn't built on favors or expectations.I want to be your friend… because I want to be your friend."
"I want to be your friend, we are the world."
That's too much for this poor pink-haired girl to handle.
But seeing Akira's genuine smile and the kindness in his voice, she finally gives in.
"Okay… We can be friends. But promise you won't leave me just because I have nothing to offer!"
"What do you take me for? That'd be cruel! I'm not some kind of demon."
Akira quickly realizes that if he doesn't change the subject, Bocchi will spiral into self-doubt again.
"About your guitar—you're really good. Did someone teach you?"
Those words light a flame in Bocchi's heart.
"Finally… Those years of practice were worth it. Thank you, past Hitori, for believing in the power of guitar."
"I-I taught myself. It was really hard, you know?"
"That's amazing, Gotou-san! Not just anyone can teach themselves an instrument."
Her expression says it all:
"Keep complimenting me! Please, tell me more nice things!"
And with that, Akira reaches a new milestone—his third friend!An incredible step forward!
The boy who was just trying to get through his day now finds something better than killing time in the classroom.
Their conversation flows naturally. Bocchi learns a lot about Akira—including that he struggles with many of the same issues she does.
Indeed, it feels like a meeting ordained by destiny… or perhaps the author.
"Kurosawa-kun, what do you like to do? Any hobbies?"
"I like cooking, but I'm always open to new experiences."
"W-wow! You know how to cook? I-I'd love to try your food sometime…"
"How about I bring you a bento tomorrow? Sound good?"
"Thank you, Kurosawa! I'd love that!"
Now that Bocchi feels more relaxed, she lets her true self peek out—and it's absolutely adorable.
"But I'll owe you if I just accept that…"
As if struck by lightning, she has an idea.
"Are you interested in music?"
"Of course! Who doesn't love good music?"
"Then… how about I teach you how to play guitar? That way we'll be even."
"That's a great offer. So while you teach me guitar, I'll bring you lunch. Deal?"
"Deal."
The lunch break ends with the sound of the school bell.
"Gotou-san, let's meet here again tomorrow at lunch!"
"See you then, Kurosawa-kun!"
As she heads back to her classroom, Bocchi can't help but feel like the day was too good to be true.
"If this is a dream, please don't wake me up!"
She pinches herself.Yep—it's real!
Meanwhile, Akira checks in with his system.
"System, somehow—miraculously—I made another friend!"
[Congratulations, Host. You now have 3 friends. First mission stage complete.]
[Condition improved by 15%.]
"Thanks, System!"
But… why don't I feel any different?
"Wait… did you scam me?!"