I Finally Found You!

The moment Sera’s performance ended, she walked towards me with her hands, now trembling, on her chest. She paced for a moment as our shining eyes locked into each other, until she exhaled excessive air. After that, her lips parted into a slow smile.

“Kou-nii… Did I do alright?”

“Except me, no one would know that it was all about you.”

Her eyes softened, glowing inside like a marble in light. She rested her head onto my chest, which led me to rubbing her back unconsciously. “You’re right. No one questioned me for who I am. Everyone accepted me, adored me, though I fear of being called different again. I shouldn’t have hesitated. But still, I’m glad we made the right move.”

“Of course, Sera. Everyone here loves elves, especially Cosplayers.”

Sera pulled her head back, our distance was still inches apart. Intensely staring at me, she asked, “You already know I’m not from this world, aren’t you?”

Silence means yes. Though I only averted my gaze, I couldn’t speak just to lie. There is no other existent creature in this world just like her. An elf transported from another world? That’s just unrealistic! Or so I thought. The woman in front of me proved that there’s nothing impossible in this world.

Only listening to my slowed breathing, Sera pursed her lips, pivoted her head away for a moment, and turned back at me with an upturned face. “I see… Thank you so much for not treating me differently. Things would be different if I didn’t meet you.”

“Even if you’re another creature, you’re still a person. If you encounter me, I’ll still treat you the same. You’re the only Sera I knew, the only one who can perfect Shizu-sama’s cosplay. I’ll always accept you. Also… Thanks…”

“For what?”

For helping me achieve my dreams, even though it’s temporary. I’m already satisfied just knowing what it feels to be a manager. Mimirin might’ve already seen me pursuing my promise even though she’s not the one I was managing. I couldn’t thank her enough, but I couldn’t say it to her. She wouldn’t understand a thing in her Otaku level for now. But soon…

With a chuckle, I held her hand, turned back, and muttered, “Nothing.”

Contestants were tasked to wait backstage for the judges' decision. Since we’re the last contestant, the program was followed by two intermissions before the judging session. Before we took our seats to wait, I intended to speak to someone, the reason why I’m currently longing to be a manager. However… Mimirin wasn’t here anymore.

There are too many things I like to say, and questions I like to ask. Why did she visit me in the hospital bed the moment I had my worst accident? Did she know me before she became the popular star, Mimirin? If she promised me that I’ll be her manager, why wasn’t she responding to my messages on her social media?

I might’ve missed this opportunity, but I believe this is not the right time to know the answer. After all, this might be my last time to manage a career.

We waited for the decision until the host called the program’s last rites. Usually, audiences were banned from entering the backstage, but since it was an open area, we could already hear countless camera shutters from afar. From backstage, all we heard was the annoying host’s voice.

“Ladies and Gentle Otakus! Let us wrap up the CosFiesta Mashup’s contestants. Though we’re given presentations of character imitations and acting skills, all of them tried their best to become their own version of the character. Through this day, we’ve witnessed not only one plot twist, Mimirin’s reappearance, but two!

“Moving on, we’re still at huge stakes in which contestants will win! The judges were still pretty confused on who the winners will be since all of the participants nearly got a tie score! But there should still be winners! I can promise you, every decision was made transparently! And now! The second runner-up goes to… Kisara with the cosplay of Astra 6 from Opposing Legions! Congrats!”

Though the intense moments were only applicable for other contestants, I believe Sera deserved more than second runner up. I did try my best to become a perfect contender that matches Mimirin’s cosplay quality, and Sera’s appearance was far more realistic than her. The next roll calls would be the defining moments within us. Sera having the place of the first runner up was already fine by me.

“For the first runner up! Our judges released their cold sweats in choosing who the first runner up will be, since this was a tough battle between appearances and character! The next runner up award goes to…”

The drumroll rang through our bodies, and I believed this would be the defining moment. There were only two possibilities that I could predict. First, Sera will receive the first runner-up award, while Mimirin will get the champion award. If the judges picked Sera as the winner, the chances would be vice versa.

“... Amane who cosplayed Hitori Go-Two from Showtime the Rock! Congratulations!”

What!? Then… That means Sera and Mimirin will match against each other as the winner. It might be possible that Mimirin will be placed as first runner-up, but there’s no way that she was eliminated by the succeeding contestants. That was Mimirin! She was an online popular sensation with a million followers in Instantgram!

“And everyone, for the last moment! Who do you think will receive the grand champion award!?”

I could already hear repeated shouts of ‘Mimirin’ from her fans. If I’m not managing Sera, I would also be there in their place. However, I could also hear competitive shouts for Shizu-sama. It felt like the audience area was halved into two factions declaring war on each other.

“Alright! Alright! If you’re going to ask me, the competition of the two was the toughest, and they deserve an award for their participation. Both portrayed their character like it’s their perspective. However, there should only be one winner! The grand finalist award of CosFiesta Mashup 7th goes to…”

The most anticipated drum roll… I sat naturally still, I clasped my hands to the chest, closing my eyes and sighing, anticipating either one of the contestants I chose would take the grand award. Excitingly, I verbalize my thoughts unconsciously, “Either Mimirin or you, Sera, will win this. I vouch for it.” I unconsciously trembled, until the host made the announcement.

“Rise from Yuki Onna from Guardian’s Tale of Rebirth! Congratulations!”

ANOTHER WHAT!? This was unacceptable! The moment the announcement was made, I jumped out and stood straight in my chair. I suddenly felt my stomach clenching. That award should either go to Sera or Mimirin! That newbie didn’t deserve her place!

While the host gave the award to the champion at the stage, I rushed toward the judges with flaring nostrils and slammed my palm on their desk. The loud clap gained attention from the audience, leading to total silence. I shouted with noisy breathing,

“WHAT IS THIS MADNESS!? Transparency my ass! In which world has this plot twist!? She shouldn’t be the winner!”

I soon realized that Sera followed me and embraced my arm, “Kou-nii… Stop it, don’t fight them.”

“I will fight when I’m in the right. This was unfair, right people!?” I exclaimed, facing the audience. A sudden raise in decibels… The two factions in the audience went along with my shout and created their chaotic noise. Everyone has their bias, but it wasn’t the champion they expected.

“MIMIRIN SHOULD’VE WON!”

“YEAH! MIMIRIN OR SHIZU-SAMA SHOULD BE THE CHAMPION!”

“THERE’S BIAS IN THE JUDGES! THEY MIGHT HAVE BEEN PAID BY THE CHAMPION!”

“YEAH! WE’RE A DIE-HARD FAN OF SHIZU-SAMA!”

That last shout from the audience came from the two Otakus raising a limited-edition Shizu-sama figurine, like the one I lost last week. The chaotic decibel wars continued. The trembling Rise, the finalist, used her wig to hide her face after hearing shouts against her. As she stepped back in shame, the host stepped forward to explain.

“Ehem, I don’t want to ruin the enjoyment of this program, hence I would like to make this clear announcement. As per the rules, the contestants should be present until the end of the program to be included in the judging. A voluntary leave would result in abandonment of the slot for the competition. Additionally, the contest doesn’t tolerate any forms of advertising from companies not affiliated and partnered by the organizers. This will result in disqualification. We appreciate your kind understanding with regards to the contest’s rules.”

Voluntary leave? If this is what Mimirin made, I don’t have a clear say or explanation on why she did it. However, advertising? We’re not affiliated of any sort! I went through this journey with Sera, and there’s no other person involved… I see. After shifting my gaze outside the venue, I realised the reason for our disqualification when I witnessed the small vehicle labeled maidreams outside the premises.

I clenched my fists and bit my lip in rage. Why was the truck still here!? We only requested a free ride! The favor to them has already been done! This is a huge misunderstanding! I don’t know if Miss Yuriko or Arisa planned this opportunity as a means of advertising. We shouldn’t have gotten involved with them. I would like to growl more of this anger… but a hug from behind washed all my emotions out.

“It’s alright to be angry, Kou-nii. I understand why. I know you’re doing this for me. But… I already expressed my true feelings to everyone. For me, that was enough…”

My clenching hands turned limp. I inhaled a deep breath and exhaled a long, low sigh. The thudding in my heart slowed down. With Sera’s warmth, I became speechless. I might be defeated, but I just realized my purpose in this competition. I still won.

“Right. I’m sorry. Let’s leave, Sera,” I whispered, releasing her hug, holding her hand, and leading her out of the venue.

I thought we could walk out in peace, but almost half of the audience rushed to leave the area and awaited us on our exit. We suddenly became celebrities with no guards. Instant fans swarmed towards us, blocking our exit. The two who had the Shizu-sama figurine went first in line.

“Shizu-sama! We’re such huge fans! Beyond the cosplay industry, there’s no other Shizu-sama cosplayer who was as accurate as you!”

“T–Thanks,” Sera replied, her eyes shifted away, and her half-smile was obviously fake.

The one holding the figurine gave Sera a pen and asked, “Can you give our limited-edition figurine with removable clothes a signature?”

Wait… Those two were the ones in line talking about Mimirin’s appearance in this event. As far as I can remember, they weren’t chosen in the raffle in last week’s event. Also, with their position in the queue, they shouldn’t be able to enter GAMER! Store. The figurine was a collector’s edition, and no one would dare trade it to them.

How did they get the figurine? Oh!