A Restless Dance, a Timeless Tide

The maidreams truck sure was convenient now. Due to the misunderstanding regarding the false advertising, I could only request a favor to drive us to the nearest police station. Also, we forced the two Otakus who had the Shizu-sama limited-edition figurine to join us. Since we’re minors, Mom followed us at the station using our family car.

“I completely understand the urgency of your request. However, weren’t you the ones who requested to delete the footage?” The familiar policeman, who went home with us last week, asked while compiling his documents beside a box of donuts on his table.

“WHAT!?” I exclaimed, slamming the table with my palms, lately realizing that the ten-million request included the removal of the CCTV footage connected to the incident. Why did Mom ask for that in the first place!? How will I prove that the figurine was stolen? I’m quite confident that the winners won’t sell that figurine in the first place.

“S–See!? I told you we got this from a trader!” One of the Otaku said, squirming his fingers. The other one also added, “We’re the ones who can’t believe you, sir! Losing a rare item by the time you win it is pure fiction.”

“Pure fiction, my ass! I have hundreds of witnesses related to the incident. The staff of the event also had a receipt that I won the raffle. If I only have the footage, I can prove that you stole my treasure on the sidewalk!” I roared.

“But you don’t have it! You only have suspicions and can’t even prove we’re with you at the same time. We just asked Shizu-sama for a photograph and an autograph, but you wasted too much of our time on this nonsense!” The Otaku replied.

“Kou-kun.” Mom approached me and whispered to my ear, “Calm down. If the footage weren’t deleted, what do you think will happen to Sera?”

Soon, I turned to Sera who glanced at me with a frown. Her crossed arms told me how uncomfortable she was with the situation. Seeing the boys in blue again might have triggered her trauma. Also, I know she didn’t want to see me eaten by anger.

My chin unconsciously lowered to my chest, and my hands, once clenched, turned limp. I couldn’t even win a claim for the figurine, but this wasn’t the reason why I went to Akiba with Sera. The moment she came into our lives, I didn’t even care about the figurine anymore.

I lost eye contact with my opponents. After a long low sigh, I responded tonelessly, “Fine… I’m sorry. This was a total waste of time indeed. Call the case off.” Why did I get triggered by a simple figurine? I already have Sera with me, a total imitation no one could even compare. Facing Sera, I muttered, “I’m sorry. This nonsense only filled you with unease.”

Sera shook her head, her shaking hands clasping before her chest. “It’s alright, Kou-nii. I understand that you really liked the item. After all, it resembles Shizu-sama.”

“You owe us an apology. Let us take multiple pictures of Shizu-sama!” The Otakus complained.

This request made my nerves pop out my forehead, but I couldn’t decline it after all the things I’ve done. I’m an overprotective person, hence I muttered, “Just so you know, her family is watching your moves.”

Luckily, their request was only a pictorial and an autograph near the UD+ area, which only lasted for five minutes. I personally made the rule of no touching, and I’m glad they marked their words as I watched them intensely. Though Sera doesn’t do much poses due to the lack of understanding of the character, I could still see the Otaku’s bright faces with satisfaction.

While I’m alone with Mom, I said, “I think you already know. Did she tell you that… she wasn’t from this world?”

“I didn’t just know. I felt it. If she transcends boundaries and is lost, it’s my duty to give her the longing she needs.”

“Woah, Mom. I didn’t know you believed in fantasies.”

Rubbing my hair, she chuckled, “The important thing is we believe, no matter what it is. In this reality, nothing is impossible.”

For a moment, I was engaged by her kindness, not until I found the right opportunity to ask what’s bugging my mind. “Mom… When you said my favor to Sera will not be my last… Do you mean she won’t go back to her home soon?”

“Kou-kun… How’s the feeling of being able to finally do the thing you long wanted?”

“I…” I couldn’t continue, only a wide grin appeared on my face. Though my plans didn’t go smoothly, and there were obstacles along the way, I could still feel the chills in my spine. It was too light in the chest like I’m going to float. It was so thrilling, so addicting, and I “... I wanted more.”

Mom looked at me and replied with a smile, “Then it doesn’t matter if Sera went home sooner. Her having a reunion with her family would be much better, right?”

I nodded, realizing that blaming others why I couldn’t move forward was a product of my perfectionism. I only need progress, and nothing will happen if I don’t step up. If everyone judges me, I couldn’t care less. This might be the reason why Sera came into our life. “When it comes to teaching lessons, there’s nothing that can beat experiences.”

The Otaku’s time finished, but I could see the three talking silently from a distance. Temptations urged me to move near and overhear their conversation, but it didn’t last. After the Otakus gave the figurine to her and left, Sera ran towards us and shouted, “Kou-nii! The kind guys gave the statue as a gift!”

“No way, it’s impossible!” This was too unreal! There’s no way a limited-edition item will be given for free to her! If she had too much charm, the neighborhood wouldn’t have disregarded her when she needed help. Also, those guys wouldn’t just give the figurine out of guilt! “Be honest, Sera. Aside from pictures, what did they ask you?”

“... My name.”

Her name? What are those guys planning? That itself is already an invasion of privacy! I couldn’t see why it benefits them though. Maybe they thought Sera was an online-sensation who hides her identity.

“Also, they said that I smell good,” Sera added.

“What a comment from creeps.” Well, a rare perfume from the almighty Madame covered the costume’s stinkiness. The natural scent of floral lavender still lingered around her. However, once it expired, the marked parts would lose their vibrancy, marking unmatching holes in her costume.

Mom joined the conversation and said, “The sun is still out. Do you still want to roam around?”

“Mom, there’s a place I like to show Sera.”

Mom’s car engine stopped after she parked at the parking lot near our destination. As we got out of the car, something caught Sera's eyes. The sunset reflects the wavy water across the horizon. The breeze gives freedom to anyone who collides with it. One can smell salt from the water.

As Sera approaches the railing accessible to citizens, her eyebrows rise, and her lips part. Her stunned face didn't notice her slight tears flowing down.

"The ocean..."

I approached her as she rested her crossed arms on the railings while watching her very first beautiful sunset. Dad remained in the car, watching over us. "Actually... It's Tokyo bay. The ocean was still far away from here, but I assure you that we're going..."

She shook her head and looked at me. Her sun-radiated face is relaxed like she ceased all of her defenses from me. It's a beautiful sight I could never forget. "A restless dance, a timeless tide… Its waves, like whispers, kiss the shore. This is already too much, Kou-nii. I don't deserve this..."

"I've put you in too much trouble, Sera. I think it would be nice to get rewarded once in a while," I replied as I scratched my head while averting my eyes of embarrassment.

Sera's face turned back to the sun. Her innocent view here was prettier and natural. I couldn’t help but take a picture using her phone. She turned back at me after hearing the shutter click. I've shown her a photo in response. Judging from her flinching, even she couldn’t believe how beautiful it was.

"Was it me!? Or is it Shizu-sama in the same spot as me?"

"This device can also capture and record memories. If you want to treasure your precious moments, you can say goodbye to a forgetful mind."

She chuckled as elegantly while she covered her mouth. "There's nothing that surprises me anymore. I’m glad I met you. When I’m with you, it feels like nothing’s impossible."

"You can always do things that you wanted to do." When a plane passed, I pointed at it, navigating Sera’s attention towards it. “Look at that. It’s a vehicle that allows humans to fly. That’s one proof that nothing is impossible in this world.”

"Really? That’s wonderful! I also wanted to fly and watch how the world looked from above.”

"For safety, I personally recommend you not to do it. By the way, do you want to capture your first precious sunset?"

When she agreed, I let her hold the phone, taught her how to use it, and supported her to point it at the sunset. When she said that the view already satisfied her, she clicked the capture button. After that I left her to capture continuous shots. While spamming the shutters, she suddenly pointed a camera at me.

“Hey! That’s too many shots!”

Chuckling, she replied, “I also wanted to have a memory of you in this wonderful place.”

No memory can replace her happiness in my mind. After enjoying it, she gave the phone back to me. We continued grasping the momentary view that she'll cherish forever.

"Say, Kou-nii, what is a bay?"

"This is just the smaller part of the sea. The ocean is much larger than this. If you see nothing but neverending water on that side, it's the ocean." I replied and pointed to the horizon where some buildings exist.

"I don't know if there are other types of oceans as well."

"They're types, but they're not oceans. We call them water bodies here." We continued grasping the beautiful view, so beautiful that it never bores me when looking at it.

“Kou-nii… I only have one worry staying in me."

"What is it?"

She gulped and looked at the setting sun before asking. "If I’m unable to go back to my place, will I continue to live in this world by pretending to be Shizu-sama?"

That question hit me inside like I’ve been stabbed. She understood the concept of cosplays and character imitation. But unlike my ideals in it, for her, it was the only safe way she could blend with society and live in this world. For her to interact with the Otaku world, she needs a disguised identity. Her only way to achieve her freedom is through cosplaying. But this is a huge misunderstanding.

"Do you know why I adore cosplayers?” I asked. She tilted her head to the side, lending me her ear. Looking back at the setting sun, I continued, “… Because they bring inexistent people to reality. Their behaviors, appearance, and even their habits, all of them were difficult to imitate… All because it’s a persona different from ourselves.”

“What do you mean?”

“To put it simply, even if you cosplay Shizu-sama, or even other elf characters that look like you, you will always be yourself… You will always be Sera, the savior of Otakus by bringing the characters they love to life.”

Sera pursed her lips for a moment and faced me after. Her sparkling eyes caught my attention, creating the atmosphere of a dramatic confession. “Kou-nii… Before I go back… I want to explore this world more… I want to know more characters… And I wanted to cosplay them.”

My eyes widened, realizing Mom’s advice had come true. My request to her wasn’t my last favor from her. I tried to suppress my emotions, but my upturned face dominated, my hands tingling. At the moment the sun sets, it felt like its warmth was transferred onto my face.

My dream will no longer be a dream. I couldn’t thank her enough just by hearing her help me in my career. I had no clue on how to bring her back to her world. It might be a long journey or might take years of discovery, but I will sure pay her back with what she deserves.

Hiding my excitement, I smirked, "You're pretty much the luckiest on asking the most deserving person compatible with that task. I won't hold my back in teaching you. Just cosplaying isn't enough. To stand up in the cosplay industry, you need to be noticed. You need to be the best cosplayer."