Chapter 20: Battle on Stage

After that incident, when the lunch break arrived, I realized my bento box was missing. I remembered my little sister, Yui, might have accidentally taken it with her to school in the car. "No way! My delicious bento was taken by Yui to her school!" I said, holding my head in my hands.

Seeing this, Ayaka offered her bento box filled with rice balls. "Um, Akira-kun," Ayaka said, her face flushed with shyness. "I brought extra. Would you like some?"

Just then, Sayo appeared and cut in. "Um, Prince? Akira-kun, I also brought extra. Maybe we can share?" Sayo's mind immediately went to a scene of a prince and queen eating together.

Ayaka was annoyed that Sayo had stolen her idea. They glared at each other, fighting for my attention.

"How about we all eat together?" I suggested, pointing to Reina, who had just arrived. Reina just nodded blankly.

Even though we were eating together, the atmosphere was awkward. Reina ate heartily, while the other two glared at each other. "Um, why is it so awkward all of a sudden?" I asked. Usually there was conversation, but not this time.

"By the way, Akira-kun," Reina said, breaking the silence. "Do you know where that 'always lucky' girl is?"

"As far as I know, she's busy with her new drama," I answered. "She's also going to Korea for a magazine photoshoot."

Suddenly, Sayo looked at me with sparkling eyes. "Akira-kun," she said in a soft, pleading voice. "I have a favor to ask. Would you be willing to cosplay as Prince Caeluso?"

"What, cosplay? I don't even know anything about that stuff," I replied.

"Right! Besides, who would even want to do that?" Ayaka said with a mocking, satisfied smile.

"Please, I'll teach you everything, I promise," Sayo begged.

Seeing the sincere plea in her eyes, I sighed. "Fine," I said. "But I'll think about it before I decide."

Ayaka's face was stunned. She couldn't believe I would even consider it. Not wanting to lose, she pointed at Sayo. "I'll join too! And I won't lose to you, Sayo-chan! Remember that!"

Later that evening, at my apartment, I found Yui rummaging through her bag and saw my bento box. "Ah, so you're the one who took it," I said. Yui just laughed. She told me her friends loved my cooking. I just smiled, happy to see my sister so cheerful.

Suddenly, I asked Yui about Sayo.

"What, you know her? She's a famous voice actress and my idol! I love her cosplay so much!" Yui said excitedly. "You're so lucky, Big Brother. Why are famous girls like Mika and Sayo getting close to you?"

I was speechless. Then I told her Sayo asked me to cosplay as Prince Caeluso.

"WHAT?! You're going to cosplay as that famous Prince? Wow, I can't wait to see you! You really do look like him! Yui's prayers came true again, so you'd be famous!" Yui said with a sweet smile.

And just like that, I finally understood the source of all my problems. It was my sister's prayers. But I couldn't be mad at her. I just ruffled her hair and told her that if she wanted to see me cosplay, she had to finish all her homework first.

The next day, Yui, Ayaka, and I went to the cosplay event.

"Wow, I can't believe I'm seeing Sayo-san this close!" Yui said, her eyes sparkling.

Sayo looked at Yui. "Ah, you've arrived right on time!" she said. "And who is this?"

"Is she your little sister, Akira-kun? What a coincidence! I really need someone to play Astra, and her build is perfect. Come on, let's go to the changing rooms!"

The four of us went to the changing rooms. Sayo came out first, wearing a female general's costume, with tight pants, red lipstick, and a toy weapon. Ayaka came out in a revealing white outfit with a jacket. "Um, is there any other outfit that's more covered? I'm so embarrassed to be seen like this," Ayaka whispered.

Then, Yui came out in a pink cosplay outfit, carrying a teddy bear, looking exactly like the character from Sayo's favorite anime. Sayo immediately took pictures, her face filled with excitement.

Then it was my turn. I looked for my costume. A long black coat with thin silver lines on the sleeves that shimmered with every move. On my left chest, a faint blue star symbol glowed, as if marking me as a traveler from another world.

I walked out. All eyes were on me.

"Look at that! Prince Caeluso! He really looks so much like him!"

"Wow, he really does! Is he a new cosplayer?"

A crowd of otakus swarmed around me, Sayo, Ayaka, and Yui. We became the center of attention. I wanted all of this to end as fast as possible.

Suddenly, Sayo grabbed my left arm and held on to it. "This is my Prince!" she yelled.

Narrator: "The moment the otakus have been waiting for! Prince Caeluso is being fought over by the Queen Alpha!"

Ayaka wouldn't be outdone. She grabbed my right arm. "He's my Prince too!"

Narrator: "No! That's Queen Omega! Oh, what a rare sight! Prince Caeluso is being fought over by two Queens!"

Yui, surprised, hugged my leg. "Big Brother is mine! You two have no right to him!"

Narrator: "And the jealous little sister joins in! A scene they have often imagined is now a reality!"

The otakus were overjoyed. They couldn't stop taking pictures. This scene was exactly like in their favorite game and anime, where the little sister doesn't like her brother being fought over by queens.

I could only give a wry smile. On this stage, the drama had just begun. And I, who only wanted a quiet life, was now the center of attention.