Chapter 114: Game Show Showdown - Round One

The Neo Tokyo Game Show is pure sensory overload. It is a deafening, dazzling spectacle of flashing lights, booming music, and thousands upon thousands of excited gamers and otaku. The air crackles with anticipation for upcoming game releases and, for a significant portion of the crowd, the rematch between the three cosplay queens.

The organizers, clearly loving the drama, have once again placed Ectiqa, Hime-Hime, and LUNA's booths in close proximity, creating a "Cosplay Colosseum" in the center of the main hall.

Rina, as the "Phoenix Knight," is breathtaking. Her costume is a symphony of fiery reds, oranges, and golds, with massive, feathered wings that seem to smolder with an inner light. Her performance is full of passionate energy and fierce determination.

Haruka, as the "Griffin Queen," is regal and imposing. Her armor is a masterpiece of sculpted silver and deep blues, and her own set of articulated wings gives her an air of majestic power. Her presence is cool, confident, and utterly commanding.

They are magnificent. They have clearly poured all their frustration and ambition into these costumes. They are a united front, ready to reclaim their territory.

Then, LUNA makes her entrance.

Her theme this time is "Celestial Dragon." Her costume defies description. It is made of thousands of iridescent, overlapping scales that shift color from sapphire blue to emerald green to amethyst purple as she moves. A long, articulated tail, covered in the same shimmering scales, sweeps gracefully behind her. Two majestic, glowing horns curl back from her forehead. She is not just a cosplayer; she is a mythical creature brought to life.

The crowd goes absolutely insane. The roar is deafening. Even Rina and Haruka are momentarily stunned into silence by the sheer, overwhelming beauty and technical brilliance of LUNA's creation.

LUNA takes her place at her booth, her expression the usual mask of cool, serene perfection. Her deep, resonant LUNA voice thanks the crowd for their warm welcome. She is flawless.

But Aiwa is still in there. Her mission today is not just to perform; it is to observe. She needs more data for Operation: Is Hinamata-kun My Childhood Fiancé?

She "accidentally" makes eye contact with me across the crowded hall. I am in my usual handler position behind Rina's booth. LUNA's regal expression falters for a split second, replaced by Aiwa's familiar panicked blush, before the mask slams back down.

She spends the next hour subtly watching me. She pretends to be adjusting her costume, but her eyes are tracking my movements as I help Rina fix a strap, or hand Haruka a bottle of water. She is looking for clues, for any sign of the serious, heroic little boy from her photograph.

It is during one of these moments of espionage that disaster strikes. She is supposed to be interacting with a fan, signing an autograph, but her attention is focused on me arguing with Kenji about the best way to organize the merchandise table. Distracted, she reaches for her signing pen and knocks over a tall, elaborate display stand at the corner of her booth. It wobbles precariously.

Without thinking, I react. I leap forward, dodging through the startled fans, and catch the stand just before it crashes to the ground, potentially destroying a priceless piece of her costume display.

I steady the stand, my heart pounding from the near-disaster. "You okay?" I ask, looking at LUNA.

She is staring at me, her perfect LUNA mask completely gone. Her eyes are wide with shock, not just at the near-accident, but at my sudden, instinctive act of protection. It is a flash of the same protective energy the little boy showed her in the park all those years ago.

"I- yes," she stammers, her voice reverting back to Aiwa's soft, high pitch for a split second before she catches herself. She quickly clears her throat and lowers her voice again. "Thank you… handler-kun. That was… quick thinking."

The moment is brief, but the connection is undeniable. We both saw it. A flash of the past, superimposed onto the chaotic present.

And, of course, Rina and Haruka saw it too. They saw me leap to LUNA's rescue. They saw the look that passed between us. The fragile truce shatters once again. The game is back on, and the stakes have just been raised.