Chapter 47: The Nexus Announcement

The world of gaming news explodes on a Tuesday afternoon. It is not a leak or a rumor, but a perfectly executed, coordinated bombshell dropped by Nexus Games, the biggest developer on the planet.

Kenji is the one who delivers the news, practically vibrating with enough energy to power a small city. He slams the door to my room open, his phone held out like a holy relic.

"RUI! YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BELIEVE THIS!" he screams, his voice cracking with pure, unadulterated hype.

On his screen is a slick, animated banner. The logo for 'Aethelgard Ascendant,' the most anticipated new MMORPG in a decade, flashes into view. The accompanying headline reads: NEXUS GAMES ANNOUNCES OFFICIAL PARTNERSHIP WITH TWO TITANS OF COSPLAY FOR AETHELGARD ASCENDANT LAUNCH!

"Two titans!" Kenji screeches, shaking my shoulders. "They are not revealing who, but they say it is two of Japan's most famous and celebrated artists! One will portray the heroine, Seraphina the Dawnlight Oracle, and the other will portray the villainess, Morwen the Dusk Queen! They are going to be at the official launch exhibition in one month! One month, Rui! We have to go!"

The Ectiqa Alliance forums detonate. The speculation is instantaneous and ferocious.

Thread: AETHELGARD ASCENDANT COSPLAY ANNOUNCEMENT! User1: It has to be Ectiqa-sama for Seraphina! No one else can pull off a goddess look like she can! User2: OMG if Ectiqa is Seraphina, who is Morwen? Hime-Hime maybe? Can you IMAGINE that showdown?! Kenji (Ectiqa_Is_My_Waifu_69): IT IS DESTINY! MY GODDESS WILL DESCEND TO GRACE US! I AM ALREADY SAVING FOR THE TRAIN TICKET!

The public has no idea how right they are. The hype train has left the station, and it is barreling towards an inevitable, glorious collision.

I am still processing the news when my own door slams open. This time, it is Rina. She is holding a thick, official-looking envelope with the Nexus Games logo embossed in silver. She is vibrating with the same manic energy as Kenji, but where his is pure fanboyism, hers is pure, triumphant joy.

"I GOT IT!" she squeals, launching herself at me and wrapping me in a hug that lifts my feet off the floor. "I GOT THE NEXUS GAMES CONTRACT! I AM GOING TO BE SERAPHINA!"

For once, her hug is not a tease or a strategic move in our complicated romantic war. It is a genuine, unrestrained explosion of happiness. I cannot help but get caught up in it, hugging her back tightly. "That is amazing, Rina! Seriously! This is huge!"

"It is the biggest thing ever!" she says, finally letting me go, her eyes shining with ambition and excitement. "This is the next level, Onii-chan! The world stage!"

She is so genuinely happy, so proud. In this moment, she is not the clingy sister or the secret idol. She is just an artist who has landed her dream job. And I am just her incredibly proud, and slightly terrified, older brother.

Later that evening, Kenji's phone buzzes. It is a text from Hana.

Hana: Kenji-kun! We have amazing news we can finally share with you! Get ready to freak out!

A few minutes later, Kenji is on the phone, and I can hear his screams of joy from the other end of the apartment. Rina looks at me from the sofa, a smug, happy smile on her face. "I guess they told him."

The team is assembled. The project is a go. And the entire world is watching, completely unaware that the two titans of cosplay they are so excited to see are not just rivals, but bitter enemies about to be forced into the collaboration of a lifetime.