Chapter 59: The Press Conference of Two Suns

My hand is now a prisoner of war. Rina’s grip is like a vise, her fingers laced with mine in a gesture that is one part romantic declaration and ten parts territorial aggression. On stage, in front of a hundred flashing cameras, I am not a handler. I am a trophy.

Haruka, on my other side, sees the move and her eyes narrow. She cannot grab my other hand; it would look like a childish squabble. Instead, she does something far more insidious. She leans into me, her armored shoulder pressing against mine, and places a delicate, proprietary hand on my back. I am now trapped, a human buffer zone in a cold war of goddesses.

The Nexus Games PR woman, a cheerful lady named Ms. Sato who is completely oblivious to the psychic warfare happening on her stage, beams at the crowd. "We are so thrilled to present the two faces of 'Aethelgard Ascendant'! The divine Ectiqa as Seraphina, the Dawnlight Oracle, and the magnificent Hime-Hime as Morwen, the Dusk Queen!"

The Q&A session begins, and it is a disaster.

"Ectiqa-sama, Hime-Hime-sama!" a journalist from a major gaming magazine calls out. "You are famously rivals in the cosplay community. What is it like to be working together on such a major project?"

Rina answers, her smile as bright and warm as the sun, but her grip on my hand tightens painfully. "It is a wonderful opportunity," she says, her voice like honey. "True artistry is about rising to the challenge. I am confident we will both push each other to create something truly legendary." The subtext is clear: I will crush her.

Haruka laughs, a low, husky sound. "I agree," she says, her hand on my back tracing a small, distracting circle. "When you are working with the best, you have to bring your A-game. I am looking forward to seeing what Ectiqa-sama can really do outside of a photo studio." The subtext is also clear: She is all smoke and mirrors.

Another journalist stands up. "A question for the young man in the middle! Sir, you were seen at the Grand Prix as Ectiqa's handler, and you are here again. What is your official role? And what is it like being caught between these two titans?"

Every camera turns to me. I feel my entire body flush a brilliant, mortifying red. "I- I am just here to provide support," I stammer, trying to gently extract my hand from Rina's death grip, but it is no use.

"He is my essential partner," Rina declares, pulling my hand closer. "I could not do any of this without him."

"He is a valuable asset to the entire project," Haruka purrs, her hand moving a little higher on my back. "A true professional."

In the wings, I can see our friends. Kenji is vibrating with a mixture of fanboy ecstasy and profound jealousy. Miki has her face in her hands. Hana just looks like she is about to cry from second-hand embarrassment.

The Nexus staff are whispering amongst themselves. "That kid is living the dream and the nightmare all at once," one of the sound techs mutters. "I would kill to be in his position," another one sighs wistfully. Ms. Sato, the PR woman, just looks confused, as if this was not part of her carefully prepared script.

The rest of the press conference is a blur of passive-aggressive compliments, veiled insults, and a constant, low-grade physical battle for control of my person. When it is finally over and we are ushered off stage, Rina does not let go of my hand. Haruka keeps her hand on my back until the last possible second. I am not a person anymore. I am a contested territory, and this press conference was just the first border skirmish.