Chapter 73: Whispers of a New Challenger

Life settles into a new, chaotic rhythm. Our six-person group becomes an official, if bizarre, fixture at school. Haruka’s attempts to flirt with me are consistently and hilariously intercepted by Rina’s defensive maneuvers. Kenji continues his doomed quest to win Haruka’s affection. Miki and Hana continue to provide a running commentary of sarcastic observations. And I continue to suffer.

It is during this period of relative (for us) peace that the first whispers of a new storm begin.

The messenger, as always, is Kenji. He bursts into our apartment one evening, where we are all gathered for a "strategy meeting" for the Amaterasu costume's storage, his face pale with a shocking, world-altering piece of news.

"She is coming," he says, his voice a dramatic, trembling whisper.

"Who is coming?" Rina asks, looking up from the prop she is polishing. "Is Haruka planning another ambush?"

"Worse," Kenji says, holding up his phone like a sacred tablet. "Luna. She is coming to Japan."

The name hangs in the air. Miki, Hana, and Haruka all lean in, their expressions serious. I am the only one who is completely lost.

"Who is Luna?" I ask.

The entire room turns to stare at me as if I have just asked who the Prime Minister is.

"Who is Luna?" Kenji repeats, his voice full of disbelief and pity. "Rui, my poor, uncultured friend. Luna is only the most famous cosplayer to come out of Korea in the last five years. She is a legend. They call her the 'Living Doll' because her makeup and posing are so impossibly perfect."

"She is half-Japanese, half-Korean," Miki adds, already scrolling through data on her own phone. "Gives her a very unique, ethereal look. She is famous for her fantasy and magical girl cosplays. Technically, her skill level is on par with both Ectiqa and Hime-Hime."

"And look," Kenji says, pointing at an article on his screen. "She has just moved to Tokyo permanently! And she has announced that her first official appearance in Japan will be at the Winter Comicon Festival next month!"

The news settles over the room, each of us processing it differently.

Kenji is in a state of pure fanboy ecstasy. "Another goddess descends upon our mortal soil! We are truly blessed!"

Haruka is analytical, her eyes narrowed. "Luna," she muses. "Her style is very clean, very doll-like. A completely different aesthetic. She is a new, powerful variable."

Rina’s expression is one I have seen before. It is the look of a champion who has just heard the footsteps of a worthy new challenger. Her eyes are shining with a fierce, competitive light. "This is going to be interesting," she says, a slow smile spreading across her face.

I am just hoping this 'Luna' is a normal, well-adjusted person who will not add to the ever-expanding circus of my daily life.

The conversation buzzes with the new topic, the new rival, the new event. The energy in the room is palpable. Later that week, Kenji and I are planning a trip to Akihabara.

"We must scout the terrain!" he declares. "See what new merchandise is dropping before Comicon! It is a vital reconnaissance mission!"

"I just want to buy that new volume of my favorite manga," I say. But I agree. A quiet trip to an otaku shop with just Kenji sounds almost… relaxing.