I don't really pay attention to this story, just look every now and then. What are the chances that this chick with -95% affection (or whatever it is) has some massive rebound? Like, something just happens that gets to her and she shoots straight up to 50% or something.

Generris said:

I don't really pay attention to this story, just look every now and then. What are the chances that this chick with -95% affection (or whatever it is) has some massive rebound? Like, something just happens that gets to her and she shoots straight up to 50% or something.

There's been a bit of discussion here (and possibly in the original posts on twitter, but since that's all in japanese I myself wouldn't know) on the topic. It's been suggested that she's a closeted otaku herself who just doesn't want to publicly be known as such.

It has some merit, due to her working at a maid cafe with what are... let's be honest, questionable practices (a high school girl wearing a maid bikini as one of their employees/in-store attractions and on their webpage). If she was really so against otaku in general she probably wouldn't be working there unless the money is really good or she's really desperate. Plus, she has her own blog page where in the shown post she acts in a cutesy manner/tone with a similar alias.

So, it's possible that this is all her just acting overly-aggressive to hide the fact, but there's still that Otaku-kun has repeatedly come across her in situations that could jeopardize her standing/persona even if she has similar interests. If she cares enough to keep it hidden (though, with the aforementioned web presence it's a bit of a stretch to call it 'hidden') she cares about things that could ruin that status. So any reversal event would have to be something that allows her to indulge in her theoretical otaku-ness with Otaku while not exposing her to any wider social disgrace. A bit of a narrow range there.

Dakkan said:

...

So, it's possible that this is all her just acting overly-aggressive to hide the fact, but there's still that Otaku-kun has repeatedly come across her in situations that could jeopardize her standing/persona even if she has similar interests. If she cares enough to keep it hidden (though, with the aforementioned web presence it's a bit of a stretch to call it 'hidden') she cares about things that could ruin that status. So any reversal event would have to be something that allows her to indulge in her theoretical otaku-ness with Otaku while not exposing her to any wider social disgrace. A bit of a narrow range there.

Overall, considering the case of her being a closet otaku, most of these kind of people are usually on unfriendly terms with otaku that are open about it. Since otaku going at it freely, some closet otaku entirely antagonize the other bunch as it is such a suffered life to hide your hobbies like it is something bad and it is, as far as japanese culture is concerned.

This antagonism is effectively an outlet for them.

TenguerecheBionico said:

Overall, considering the case of her being a closet otaku, most of these kind of people are usually on unfriendly terms with otaku that are open about it. Since otaku going at it freely, some closet otaku entirely antagonize the other bunch as it is such a suffered life to hide your hobbies like it is something bad and it is, as far as japanese culture is concerned.

This antagonism is effectively an outlet for them.

Sounds more than reasonable. Which of course just reinforces the fact that a 'reversal' event would either have to be very drastic, or very private. If she is a closet otaku, it would have to be something that negates the antagonism either by not threatening her public persona, or cracking it in such a manner that she decides to embrace it. If she's not an otaku and is feeling genuine disgust/derision (despite the whole maid cafe stuff), then there's no real common ground to build a positive change on and short of Otaku literally saving her life no real reason she would change her opinion on him.

I've also been thinking of whether the disgust could also have nothing to do with Otaku-kun's "Otakuness" but perhaps just a personal issue specifically with him.

I've entertained the idea that the 2 maybe knew each other before but Hime went through such a drastic change in personality and looks (through puberty) that she's angry that Otaku treats her like a stranger.

Tetsamaru said:

I've also been thinking of whether the disgust could also have nothing to do with Otaku-kun's "Otakuness" but perhaps just a personal issue specifically with him.

I've entertained the idea that the 2 maybe knew each other before but Hime went through such a drastic change in personality and looks (through puberty) that she's angry that Otaku treats her like a stranger.

But Otomore's the childhood friend character. I don't think the author would double up on the same trope...

Although, I do also think Himekawa's problem with Otaku is more personal than she lets on. Just not sure the exact reason behind it.

The artist has tweeted before that they have a lot of ideas for Hime and Otomore events, so... as much as I love Paisen, I'm looking forward to branching out to rest of the cast and hope it happens sooner rather than later. Yes, even for Hime.

Generris said:

I don't really pay attention to this story, just look every now and then. What are the chances that this chick with -95% affection (or whatever it is) has some massive rebound? Like, something just happens that gets to her and she shoots straight up to 50% or something.

Back to this point, y'all remember she began with a hard negative(-70%)? That's something that
could only come from either personal experience or from a judicious bias.

And with either of these two stances, she could do a instant jump to a neutral or slightly positive attitude given the right circumstances. Specially so for a biased stance.

Kinsei said:

But Otomore's the childhood friend character. I don't think the author would double up on the same trope...

Doesn't exactly have to be a "Childhood friend". It could be just from knowing each other a year ago or something. Considering Otaku-kun considers himself to "Having no friends and my life is sad". I wouldn't put it past him to automatically forget other people in his life that arent as pushing as Senpai.

Otaku-kun seems like such a doormat character that he would never take the initiative in a relationship.