Tomoko: Unauthorized Adaptation of the Manga WataMote

Since I'm Not Popular, I'll Try a Makeover

This is the story of an unpopular girl in Japan, a forever alone girl – 喪女, or mojo – and the things that happened to her that were ultimately of little consequence. She would not become the leader of a band of heroes that saved the world, or a haunted girl destined to fall into the company of vampires, or a cunning survivalist who would use her special talents to overcome a brutal regime in a harrowing dystopian future. She only ever faced the terrors of the real world, as it is, alone and unarmed, a challenge daunting enough for anyone.

Tomoko Kuroki was a small, plain girl just out of middle school. Her skin was a bit pasty, because she spent almost all of her time indoors, and she had dark circles under her eyes because she stayed up late every night. Her black hair was as well groomed and limp as a mop, and hung over half her face. Among the Kuroki family, only Tomoko, with little real drive or ambition, had more than enough free time to waste, spending hours watching anime and playing dating games on her computer.

The one goal Tomoko had was to be popular in high school. She had very few friends in middle school, and couldn't talk to boys at all, but she was determined to change all that once she became a 'JK', joshi kosei – a high school girl. In pursuit of this goal, she did expend some effort to keep her grades up, so she would qualify for a halfway decent high school. But more important, as far as she was concerned, was her devotion to training her social skills.

In dating games, I've been a high school girl already for at least fifty years, and dated over a hundred hot guys. I am fully prepared for high school. With no effort whatsoever, I'll be able to get into the pants of any boy I want.

The night before her first day in high school, she sat up late at her computer, engaged in last minute training. Her mustard uniform – blazer, tie, and skirt – was hanging at the ready on her closet door, and she was beside herself in anticipation.

Tomorrow is the beginning of the best years of my life!

***

Tomoko Kuroki ate lunch at her desk, all alone, back in the far corner of the classroom by a window, with only a book clutched in one hand for company.

Two months have gone by. Two months, and I haven't talked to a single high school student.

She looked around the classroom. She was the only one sitting by herself.

***

Weeks had passed. Tomoko Kuroki ate lunch at her desk, all alone, back in the far corner of the classroom by a window, with only a book clutched in one hand for company.

Nothing's changed. What's going on?

With some effort, she suppressed her anxiety and nibbled on a bit of rice at the end of her chopsticks.

Calm down. There's no reason to panic. High school's barely started, that's all. There's lots of time for the boys to notice me.

"I've got the pictures we took at karaoke last week!"

Tomoko's hand shook, dropping her food. No, now's not the time to panic. You're rushing things, that's all. Rush, rush, rush, rush!

"Looks like the whole class was there!"

Don't panic. Don't panic.

"Hey, here's the two of you making out!"

"No way! Give me that!"

Panic. Panic. Panic. GYAAAAAHRRRRGH!

Her eyes darted from one end of the room to the other.

SCREW YOU! SCREW YOU ALL!

She made a brave effort to shift her attention back to her book.