Ryuuto and the Cosplayer (1)

Another week of school passed, and a day I had been planning to since before school started has arrived. Sato mentioned some of her cohort were going to karaoke, which I assume Watson and Lafon were going to as well. In other news, I had gotten an email from the bookstore and they extended an interview next Monday – looks like they were in need of hiring before Golden Week kicks off the following week.

Walking out of the station, I made my way towards the exhibition center, a large multipurpose complex with a large promenade. Not as large as the Tokyo Expo center, the one that Anime Tokyo is hosted at, but still sizable in comparison. It was unfortunate that the Tokyo Expo Center suffered some structural damage earlier in the year, causing the delay of the convention till early June.

Getting closer to the entrance, a crowd of people started converging into the line for admission— even though it was a ‘local’ con, there were still many people looking forward to visiting, myself included. And who wouldn’t be: being able to see your favorite manga or light novel artists, potentially getting autographs, winning prizes, seeing previews to new animations or movies, as well as world-renowned cosplayers. Cosplayers…like costumes for Halloween? Oh, Sato, this went much further than a once-a-year dress-up event.

They even have international competitions, leading up to the Cosplay World Cup in August.

“So many rumors about Eris-sama making a guest appearance today, I don’t know whether to really believe it–”

“-there are reputable sources agreeing with it…in that case I’m down to think so–”

Looks like the crowd is also excited about her. Makes sense–her popularity really skyrocketed during the pandemic, when everyone was glued to their screens and social media. While her more popular cosplays come from popular anime, including donning the armor and sword of a reincarnated king, or as a skilled part-time assassin, none paled in comparison to her Azure cosplay. The reveal of her cosplay garnered millions of likes and views, and her rumored tour to Japan even made it to some local TV stations.

I checked the printed out schedule and events…looks like the cosplay showcase will be at 3pm, so there’s ample time to check out everything else for the time being.

Once inside the center, I freely roamed the artists’ gallery, checking out both well-renowned authors as well as independent ones and their works. I checked my schedule again…ooh, there’s a 12 pm movie premiere for a manga I was following for a while. I'll go to that, maybe I’ll grab a quick bite to eat first.

The hours went by—that movie was pretty good, they animated the part where the MC grabs his girlfriend, who was spinning out of control of her scooter, really well.

Eventually, I made my way to the auditorium where the cosplay showcase was taking place. It was a large room with hundreds of seats laid out in front, with overflow standing space in the back and sides. Luckily, I made it early enough to grab a seat towards the middle near the center. A few minutes later, the entire seating area was filled, and people started filing into the standing area.

The lights dimmed, and the announcer started introducing the event. This whole area is packed now. Must be for Eris-sama.

“Welcome, everyone, to JX-Tokyo Cosplay Showdown! We’re proud to host this event, where cosplayers can show their talents, and at the end we’ll crown the top three contestants to qualify for the AnimeTokyo expo for a chance to compete at the Cosplay World Cup this August!”

“Now…before we start the competition, we’d like to start off with a bang! We would like to start with a special guest who’s already qualified for the AnimeTokyo expo. As you may have heard, there’s a certain cosplayer who’s been rumored to have made her way to Japan, but I can’t seem to remember what her name was.” The announcer pointed her mic at the crowd. “Can you all help me?”

“Eris-sama!!!” the crowd shouted in unison.

“Hm…what was that again?”

“ERIS-SAMAA–!!!”

Suddenly, the back curtain fluttered open with white smoke flowing down the stagefront. The speakers started playing a familiar OST to all the crowd, and out walked a girl, wearing shining white and blue armor, wielding a sword almost a third the size of her body. Her blonde hair was tied in a bun, donning a golden crown with hundreds of glittering jewels.

The crowd erupted in applause. Eris-sama, wearing her reincarnated king cosplay, has appeared before our very eyes. All I could say was that it was more impressive in person. While photos can look aesthetically pleasing, with different visual effects making certain aspects pop out, the live showcase levels the playing field. And, to no one’s surprise, Eris-sama did not disappoint.

***

After the showcase, the rest of the competition commenced, and the winners were announced. Eris-sama came back to award the winners, and the event concluded to a roaring crowd. As everyone filtered out of the complex, I quickly used the bathroom before I made my exit as well.

What an interesting day it was; the reveal was quite an astounding moment that I would suppose everyone would find the highlight of the event. I stood by the crosswalk, scrolling through some photos I had taken throughout the day.

I must’ve been so busy scrolling on my phone that I failed to notice a black car pulling up in front of me, the rear door swinging open. Suddenly, an arm popped out of the opening and grabbed onto my hoodie. Within five seconds, I was tumbling into the backseat of this unknown car as the door closed.

Was I being kidnapped?? What was—

Still disoriented, I waited for my vision to clear, and I looked up to see the perpetrator, and it was the same girl in the shining armor: Eris-sama. Wait, the Eris-sama?! Why would--what in the world....

“Iwasaki.” She spoke to me in a quiet voice. How does she know who I am?? Wait…that accent….

“L–” Suddenly, her hand covered my mouth, preventing me from speaking. Lafon? 

“We’ll talk later…Can I borrow….your hoodie?” she asked, as I readjusted myself into a sitting position. She was without a doubt Elise Lafon, the French international student on my floor who adores fashion and sweets. But she was also no doubt Eris-sama, the renowned cosplayer who won the hearts of many here in Tokyo.

Eris-sama. Elise Lafon.

Eris. E-ri-su. Elise.

Well, if you put it that way, it does click. But why is your stage name pretty much your first name!?!? Lafon?!?!?!?