Curry Making (2)

The idea of calling her "Kotorin" was… unnerving. I had never been one for affectionate nicknames, especially with the opposite sex, feeling they were just a cringey attempt to showcase a fake sense of intimacy. It's not like I'd call her that to show we're "close" or anything. And yet…

"What's with the whole nickname thing anyway?" I asked. "It's just a weak attempt at feeling closer. People use nicknames so they can trick themselves into believing they have a connection. The idea that you're so close you can create cutesy versions of each other's names… It's weak."

"Whoa, here we go again! Look at you, ranting in full speed mode!" Rindo groaned, rolling her eyes.

Then, she suddenly shifted topics. "By the way, Akaya, what do you think of 'Namazu'?"

"Are we talking Pokémon here?"

"Nope! I meant it as your true name!"

"My real name is Akaya Makoto. Where are you getting 'catfish' from?"

"Wouldn't you like to know?"