Convention

Dear diary, society is anomalous. How is it possible that a guy with 10 out of 10 honesty, kindness, and mainly handsomeness has zero market value just because of his hobbies? Dramatic measures must be taken.

I was really worried about Asahi. Unlike this social butterfly, my brother had no friends. To make matters worse, I felt he was two traumas away from becoming a shut-in. Our family still had his back, but in the near future, Asahi would need to move out to take care of his own life, but I feared he couldn't do it all by himself, and since I couldn't keep him as a pet without marrying him, finding a partner for my big bro as soon as possible was imperative.

After wearing our costumes, Asahi and I were seated on a half-empty train, on our way to the anime convention. He was inside his own world, as always, as I admired the wonders of the city.

I'll never understand why otakus always turn to fantastic worlds... Why would anyone try to escape from reality? Because it is boring? Take a closer look. A country with eight million gods, snow showers and highs of 30ºC alternating every year, historic villages built beside a big metropolis... and I'm just talking about Hokkaido. Real life already is a map of fantastic anomalies hidden in every corner... which is why anime like Lazy-Back Camp are the best!

My own inner monologue made me fist-bump.

And I just hope my dear bro will be able to see it too.

I turned back to the train, where I noticed my big bro's agony. For an inexperienced viewer, Asahi showed the perfect placid-look, but if you looked closely, his leg was bouncing. The poor thing was anxious.

Without a second thought, I grabbed my big brother's cheeks and pulled them stronger and stronger.

"Uat arr yu doin...?" The chubby-cheeked boy asked as his leg stopped bouncing.

"Nothing much..."

"Beoble wil ztare atty us."

"Too late." I let the pudgy cheeks go and pointed to the surroundings with my eyes. "We're cosplaying. Of course people will stare at us."

Since Asahi's 'glitched' face switched on my sadism, I decided to poke my frozen-still prey a bit more. "You know, Big Bro, you totally forget that these events have dressing rooms for cosplayers. Instead of going back and forth half-city dressed like a woman, you could—Asahi, your nose!"

Despite the face remaining blank, my brother's nostrils were gushing blood. The poor thing also had unstable blood pressure.

"Sorry, sorry, sorry... I went too far!"

Fortunately, I knew how to lower Asahi's blood pressure: deep pressure headpats! "Asahi, you're the world's best big brother. I love you, Dear Dro."

Soon the blood stopped coming out of Asahi's nose, and I almost laughed when I noticed his ahoge hair wagging like a puppy's tail.

"Sis," Asahi murmured, showing a discreet enjoyment on his face, "are people still staring?"

"Everybody turned away. You know, public display of affection."

"Keep doing it until we get to the convention."

I'm really not the only spoiled child of our family.

"As a veteran otaku, shouldn't you give instructions to this rookie about the convention?"

With one hand, Asahi grabbed my petting arm and put it on my lap while wagging his finger with the other one. "Just keep an eye there. It hurts me to say it, but I don't trust all my fellows."

Then Asahi raised his chin to inspire confidence. "Stay away from anyone looking weird at you, and everything will be fine."

"Relax, Big Bro. Unless this handful of weirdos manage to read worse stuff than you, I'll be fine." I side-glanced at the weirdest of the weirdos before adding a self-hug to my teasing. "To be honest, I think I should keep an eye on you."

"Don't worry about it. Most otakus know how to separate fiction from real life," Asahi assured in a flat but intense tone that showed conviction. "Reading weird stuff never turned anyone into a weirdo."

Society disagreed with that statement, but I agreed 100 percent. My big brother had the weirdest tastes, but he was truly a lad of integrity.

But he didn't even need to tell me that. It's easy to notice a weirdo in the crowd.

◆◆◆

So I'm going to drag Asahi to the only place where being an otaku isn't a downside... Besides, a shoujo convention would be teeming with girls.

Once we arrived at the convention, I clung to Asahi's arm. My plan backfired magnificently.

"B-Big Bro... this is a girly anime convention, right?"

"Yeah."

"An anime whose target audience is young girls, right?"

"Of course."

The convention was filled with dudes! And not just average guys. Instead of 'a handful,' the crowd was taken by weirdos.

"Nnngh... please—sniff—explain this!" I pointed at the guys who were too old for the excuse 'I'd watched it as a teen.'

"There's no explanation for this phenomenon. That's just the otaku's nature at its finest."

Asahi sounded strangely proud.

I felt like an explorer discovering a lost civilization in the woods... and hoping they weren't cannibals. It was wrong to assume they were bad people, but I still needed time to get used to them.

"Excuse me..."

More weirdos popped out from behind, making my heart jump out of my mouth.

"May we take some pictures?"

Oh yeah. They're otakus after all. My natural charm calls them like moths to the flame.

"Let's show them, sis!" Asahi clenched his hands like that was the call he'd always been waiting for.

I couldn't help but smile a bit, but once I did one of the poses I'd practiced so hard the previous weeks, one of the photographers swept his hand. "Please, just the Queen Chrome."

They put out the extinguisher on my flame. Anime conventions sure were an anomaly beyond mortal comprehension.

"Sis, wait for me where I can see you."

Et tu, Asahi?

With my arms crossed, but no envy, I waited as my big bro posed for the small crowd swarming around him.

Well, it wasn't a complex my opinion about his beauty... If he comes back home with a bit of self-assurance, my mission won't be an utter waste.

I smiled for one single second... until I noticed the stares directed at me.

But I hate this feeling... everybody looking at me, like I was some kind of circus attraction... Feels like I don't fit... here...! Wait, is this how otakus feel, like, all the time...!? Now I get why they want to leave this reality! Feeling so out of place is awful!

"Did you notice that Hana's belly?" an out-of-shape guy whispered to the other. "Fat chicks are gross."

"Yeah, she wouldn't die if she went on a diet," another overweighted dude murmured. "Her fat is turning my stomach."

"Maybe looks aren't such a big concern for cosplayers... hmph!" A truly massive joker added.

"Plus-size cosplayers must be the next trend," a voice mocked.

I couldn't even see what that latter one looked like. My eyes were watering.

Still, these people don't seem to know how bad it is to be judged by your looks... I really thought they'd be more understanding.

Even fighting with all my strength, the crying was about to beat me down. However, at the 10 of the knockdown count, something grabbed my hand and took me away from those hypocrites.

"Let's go, Mizuki."

It was my dear brother hand-in-hand with me.

"We need to hurry to sign up to the cosplay contest."

Asahi was an inexpressive person. It requires a really intense emotion to make him show any recognizable expression. But, at that moment, there was a feeling screaming on his face: rage.

He couldn't listen to whose whispers from afar, could he...? I mean, Asahi often hears what I say under my breath, but not in such a noisy place...

"Let's show these jerks a Hana they'll never forget," Asahi hissed.

And, for a very quick instant, I almost, and I repeat, only almost, thought I'd never be able to find a girlfriend who could measure up to my brother.

Damn, hurry up, rebellious phase!

◆◆◆

But, with so many options, I'll not trust my brother to anyone. Still, as his sister, it's my job to protect him and be sure his girlfriend will only bring him joy... stress is my job!

"Big bro, I'm sorry—"

"Don't you dare... besides, it's almost our turn."

After signing up and a really fun stroll throughout the convention, my brother and I were waiting backstage for our moment in the spotlight in the cosplay contest. He was leaning against the wall while I was seated on the floor.

"Yes, I dare," I asserted myself over my servant-by-blood before whispering, "I... g-got it... why you didn't want to bring me along... and pick on my weight..."

"Yeah, it's way more likely an MC having a 'younger' love interest over a plump one," Asahi pointed out before he stuck his chin out. "It's a real shame that most people can't see the beauty of a stout girl."

He called me 'stout' with the same ease he called me 'pretty'... somehow it brought me a smile.

"Look, I'm your brother, so I'll always support you even if I don't agree with you... but that doesn't mean I won't protect you too." Then Asahi cast a 'law enforcing' stare at me. "Then, please, don't be too stubborn next time."

I only shook no. The older child's job may be taking care of the younger ones, but it was not the younger child's to make it any easier. And where would be the fun if I didn't torment Asahi just a bit?

For a short while I enjoyed that warm silence of staying by the side of a beloved one. However, soon I heard an "Excuse me?"

Right then I turned to take a good look at the killjoy. She was a Queen Jade cosplayer. Her cosplay sure was well-made, but the girl wasn't that beautiful. I'd give her a 7 out of 10. She passed the class, but not with honors.

Fiddling with her staff, she continued, "Sorry, but your cosplay looks gorgeous... Where did you buy it?"

Wait a minute, is this girl hitting on my big bro...?

"I did it myself," my black hole of a brother said without understanding what might be happening.

"Wheee...! I knew it!" The cosplayer squealed, then whooped, "Handmade cosplay is the best, isn't it...!? But mine isn't that good... as you can see... Do you have any tips for this rookie?"

"Sometimes the hard way brings the best results." The otaku savant held his finger up. "And if you work just a little each day, it won't feel hard at all."

Good move, girl... Using your shared hobbies as a hook to strike up a conversation... Still, even if I'm desperate to get my big bro a girlfriend, getting my blessing won't be that easy.

"Amazing!" The chipper leaned forward. "Now that you mentioned, I can see it, particularly in this adorable little Hana by your side."

Welcome to our family, sister-in-law!

"What's your name!? Mine is Noda Hoshiko!" The girl winked with the peace sign. "It means I'm meant to become a star."

"Hirata Asahi." My brother bowed with a soft smile on his face (his equivalent of a beam). "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Asahi... what a name rich in meaning," Noda sighed, taking her phone. "Let's exchange numbers... so I can ask for more tips for my next cosplay."

My dense bro finally flushed like a pepper, fumbling to take his phone. I guess even a black hole had a density limit. But my plan was a success! Please, big sis Noda, guide Asahi away from the shut-in path.

Once they both exchanged numbers, Noda hugged her phone and exulted, "What a joy! I was almost sure that there were only guys at this convention."

And just like that, my brother was one trauma closer to the shut-in lifestyle.

◆◆◆

Once I come back, I'll update you about my success, dear diary.

"Home sweet home!" I slammed the doors of our cozy apartment.

The anime convention sure was an anomaly beyond my comprehension, but despite my disappointments, it had some wonders—

"Asahi, stop!"

My man-child of a brother took a table mat while I was distracted and started to bite it.

"You shooould win that conteest...!" Asahi yelled, pulling the mat with his teeth as I tried to save it. "CHEATING!!!!"

"It's fine, Big Bro... you think I'm a chubby pretty," I pulled back in our tug-of-war. "That's all that matters—arrgh!"

Asahi dropped the mat as I fell on my (luckily soft) butt.

"Fine," Asahi snorted, meaning otherwise. "At least those jerks listened to the public applause."

"Okay, Big Bro, take a seat," I ordered, soothing my poor butt. "Your adorable sis will prepare a dish that will make you drool over the whole table."

"You...? Cooking?" Asahi's eyebrows jumped, but with a pinch of wonder instead of disbelief. "My bratty sister is becoming a young girl."

As I stood up to take my brother's apron, he turned to the phone and started to type.

"What're you doing, Big Bro?" I asked, wearing the apron.

"I'm telling my new friend Noda about it."

"What the—" I luckily held back in time. "Did you forget the misunderstanding!?"

"She apologized," Asahi said with a worrying innocence as he put the phone away, "so it's fine."

I'll tell Asahi she'll never call back by tomorrow... The poor thing's lack of friends definitely isn't because he gives up friendships easily.

As I opened the fridge to choose which dish that my brother taught me I'd use to show him that his classes paid off, I was surprised by a bear hug that lifted me from the ground.

"What are you—"

"I know what you tried to do for me today," Asahi whispered, squeezing me tightly. "Thank you!"

In response, I just giggled.

I'm the one who should thank you, idiot... On a scale of 100, Asahi won 2 esteem points... 3 for guessing my intentions... This blockhead is way more insightful than I thought—

"Here's the key to your diary." Asahi showed me looting.

"What—"

"I've told you there'd be payback." I sensed a smirk breaking onto his face. "What's yours is mine, sis."

Dear diary, the mission was a spectacular failure, but I feel Asahi and I are a bit closer, so I guess it wasn't a total waste. PS: Tomorrow I'll enter my rebellious phase, starting by demanding my own room from Mom.