Unaware Participation

The baggage wasn’t heavy, but it will weigh us down. We still had time before the competition started. Her costume will reside first at the baggage counter, so I have time to introduce Sera to huge conventions without tiring ourselves. Since we already had our entry passes, we can go in and out anytime.

The convention place is divided into various zones: merchandise stalls, food stalls, gaming zone, concert grounds, guest zone, and the main event stage.

Sera wanted food, stating our first stop. The sponsored food stalls cooked not only local delicacies, but also foreign go-to snacks. The aroma of barbecue powder attracted us to buying fries. The dining area only provided a few long tables, practically taken by others, but most diners ate at the ground in a picnic style.

When we reached and bit our first perfectly salted fry, the tangy-sweetness of barbecue crawled to the back of my tongue. A slow smile spread across Sera’s face, her widened eyes soon stared at me, exclaiming, “Tasty! This wasn’t even a meal, but it’s so satisfying.” Her hand soon cycled from the fry cups toward her mouth.

I advised, “Sera, too much MSG might strain your kidney and make you fat. Be sure to drink water afterwards.”

Chewing the food, she asked. “What is MSG?”

Should she learn this? Before I answered, I subconsciously looked away, “It’s a magic ingredient used by moms to make dinner so delish. Like makeup, too little utters staleness, while too much causes disaster.”

Leaning at me, she asked with enthusiasm, “Then, can Mom make this? Can I also learn how to cook this?”

I slightly slapped my forehead, my face slightly pained. “The question is, ‘Will she?’”

We wandered through the Merchandise stall next, searching for gifts that Sera could take home. The stalls featured various Animes, FCO5 had the most frequent appearance. Sera might…

Pointing her fingers at the collection of action figures, Sera excitedly remarked, “Kou-nii, look! Shizu-sama is a statue, and it feels real! It does look like the one you have at home.”

The Shizu-sama figurine stood poised over an invincible glass pedestal, the cortex of its eyes felt sharp that it swept countless working hours from the craftsman. Its cape seems to follow a wave-like phantom movement, emphasizing the weaves of the cloth from the burst of sudden wind.

A big but! The limited-edition ones have an immaculate feature, removable clothes. I haven’t even removed that figure’s costume once since Sera stayed at my room. Better safe than sorry.

The storekeeper noticed Sera, rubbing both of his hands after seeing a potential customer. “Hello, Missy! Want to buy something cool? We have most FCO5 merchandise in the most authentic quality possible. Here we have Hera’s hammer, Durinda’s crown, and even Shizu-sama’s necklace…” He flinched back, his eyes bulging and hands flying backward. “Shizu-sama!? You’re Shizu-sama!”

Gesturing my index finger before my mouth, I shooshed, leaned in, and whispered, “Hey, shut up. We don’t want to attract attention–”

With his hands clasping together, he stuttered, “Sorry, sir. It’s just…” He covered his eyes with his arm, his trembling body matched his sniff.

With drawn eyebrows, Sera waved her hands forward and asked, “W–Why are you crying?”

“I’m sorry, Shizu-sama. I’ve been moved by your story, your hardships, and your persistence in finding your home. I hope you’re able to go back to your hometown soon.” After clearing the ‘tears’ in his eyes, he gave her a notable diamond-shaped pendant, its design drawn from Shizu-sama’s necklace in the return arc. “I won’t sell this to you. You can take this.”

When Sera got a grip of the item, she clawed her hands and put it over her chest. “T–Thank you very much! I’ll treasure this.” She opened her palm again, her eyebrows raising and her fingers planning to open the pendant.

Before she did, I already covered the pendant with my palm. “Sera, whatever it takes, don’t open it.”

She paused for seconds before showing her innocent eyes at me. She asked, “What will happen if I open it?”

It’s a spoiler alert! “It’s not the right time yet.”

The storekeeper asked, “Is she not immersed through the storyline yet?”

I flicked my fingers, winked, and gestured a thumbs-up. Sera, slightly tilting her head to the side, couldn’t even comprehend what we’re talking about, unaware that it was for her best experience.

The guest zone was a bottleneck of human traffic, each line a river of fans spilling out from behind a partitioned curtain. We ventured forward, catching glimpses of bright wigs and elaborate costumes that disappeared just as quickly.

We reached a break in the human wall. Through the gap, we saw her: Hina Satou. Her strawberry-pink hair, braided with iridescent ribbons, fell over the shoulders of a meticulously detailed magic girl suit, still the same costume she wore at Shibuya.

She leaned forward with a pen in her hand as a fan thrust a poster toward her for autographs. A wide, genuine smile lit up her face as she signed her name with a practiced flourish, then looked up and winked at the camera held by the fan’s friend. But for me, it is not as genuine as it seems.

Her eyes narrowed, Sera mentioned, “Kou-nii, was she the one we saw at Halloween? The one you thought you’re friends with?”

“It’s like you’re lowkey stating that I only have imaginary friends. Well, famous fishes attract the whole ocean life. However, I still have some things to clarify to her. Just wait here.”

Leaving Sera beside the large pillar, I stepped onto the mass not for attention but for answers. Just a few minutes later, the fans before me trimmed the line, leaving me next in service.

“Hello! Welcome to my booth! I’m Hina Satou cosplaying Stellara, and…” From a warm face of amusement, her smile stretched up to the max, her head shaking, cheeks subconsciously squinching, and teeth gritting. “W–What can I do for you?”

“The most honest welcome, indeed.” I slid a polaroid sheet containing Sera’s cosplay image back when she took a pictorial from one of Madame’s studios.

With her two fingers, she flipped it up like picking an UNO card, with the image only facing her. Her other hand flew on her mouth as she gasped, “Oh! Your pet looks gorgeous! I wonder if she’ll win today’s competition.”

Smirking, I boasted, “Her gorgeousness can’t be degraded by such a low-quality insult. Do you have any ideas about her challenger?”

While signing the polaroid, she said in a monotonous voice, “I could care less. If the judges knew about the lineup, wouldn’t it be biased? Thinking would be human’s most basic skill.”

When she gave the down-flipped polaroid back to me, I bowed and said with a thankful tone, “Thank you so much for being too kind. Please be aware that you’re being too OOC.”

I left the line, hearing her short groan shifting to an enthusiastic welcome. When I went to fetch Sera, her nose wrinkled when she asked me with a soft tone containing wonder, “What did you two talk about?”

“Nothing.” Leading the way, I flipped the polaroid that showed me a vandalized image of Sera having a mustache. At the bottom text noted not a signature, but a number 5. I exhaled a soft sigh and murmured, “She’s just unaware of her sister’s participation.”

Also, I haven’t seen Rise yet. At the same time, I remember Madame mentioning deadlines.

This is a last minute request. I can’t guarantee that I’ll be able to finish this.

Sera walked towards me with a grace that transcended the makeup room, her wooden slipper barely seeming to touch the ground. Her costume was a cascade of cream white fabric with each fold reflecting light like a highlighted brush stroke, emphasizing the Goddess status of the character. The leaf green hue of the skirt flowed in crescent, its pattern seeming to have the shape of the paintings in a church.

Her sleeves created shifting clouds of saffron and buttercup. On her head, a crown of sculpted sunbeams radiated warmth, whilst the golden circlets on her arms shone from pure light. The costly illusion emitted by these accessories weren’t possible if not for Madame’s imitation skills.

All of the other people in the room darted their gazes at her, attracting all the attention possible. I, suddenly stiffening in place, rapidly blinked and subconsciously widened my eyes, my mouth hanging open and only calmness could close it. When she sat down at the chair we’re assigned to, I smirked, “What more if you have make-up?”

“What?”

Shaking my head, I replied, “Nothing, it’s just me, murmuring wonders.”

I prepared the makeup kit Mom used at her in the previous convention. In my spare time, I had lessons with my mother, realizing makeup was easy when I knew what face to paint. I only need little tweaks on her eyelashes, cheeks, and lips.

Sitting steady while I put makeup on her, she mentioned, “Kou-nii, I haven’t said this yet, but earlier, a girl who looked like Asami approached me earlier.”

Brushing the foundation on her cheeks, I asked, “Asami? From The Heroic Witch?”

“‘S–Shizu-sama! I’m so glad I found you! W–Would you mind being friends with me? What are your socials?’ That’s what she said.” Since I need her face to stay put, she only imitated the tone of the girl she met earlier.

“And your response?” I asked, putting on her eyeshadow.

“I–I was stunned. I don’t know what to do. I wanted to have friends but… It’s so sudden.” Her eyes darted its gaze at me through the mirror in front of us.

The approach seemed to be intentional. “What happened afterwards?”

“Before I answered her, she apologized and left. I somewhat regret not making her a friend. Which is why I’m asking you about this.”

I prepped her lips and rolled the lipstick on it, then mentioned, “Friendships aren’t forced. You shouldn’t just agree with anyone. A real friend will let you feel their closeness.” Finishing the touches, her crimson lips seemed to have the defined shine of porcelain. “Purse your lips… and done!”

“I looked like a doll–” She voiced, leaning forward and nearly touching her cheeks.

“Oh, don’t touch!” As I put down her hand, I uttered, “If you encounter someone strange again, don’t hesitate to tell me about it.”

Since the makeup sessions are done, she pivoted her head at me and asked, “By the way, what are my socials?”

“Do you really want to know that?”

“For our last round, two archenemies will be facing each other again! Our first contender is the rumored goddess that fell on our land, a real character that was brought to life! Though with the previous controversies, she wasn’t able to win. But the comeback is real! What are we waiting for!? Let’s welcome, Shizu-sama!”

When the announcement called us, I held Sera’s hand, leading the way out our assigned cubicle. While walking towards the stage, shakiness became a product of my quickened breath. However, this feeling was mutual. With her hand echoing her tremble, I’m not the only one nervous about the upcoming battle.

Before she came up the stage, I exhaled a deep breath, releasing any negative thoughts possible. Our gazes met, our voice synchronized at the same time, ““We can do this.””

That little chuckle lightened the mood, forcing us to think that this competition will be a piece of cake. As I removed my grip the moment she stepped up the stage, I said with a smile that lit up my face,

“Good luck, Sera.”