CHAPTER 26

Najimi and shouko were at the doors of the place where the cosplay event would be, although it was also anime, the cosplay was just one of the events.

We took the step and entered, when we looked inside we saw a large number of people, some queued, to buy figurines in an orderly manner, some people dressed as anime characters from this world could be seen.

The cosplayers posed as they took many photos of him.

The ambient music was some kind of opening or something, there were food sections, some were from Maids cafe and where there were also many queues.

The place looked very well decorated, clean and in order except for the large number of people.

[Many people].

Shouko was annoyed that there were so many people, so much that it would be difficult even to walk to go to the events in this place.

"The cosplay event will be done in half an hour, how about we go to the game section to pass the time."

Shouko nodded at this, then looked at the arcade and they would have to pass through a lot of people, so with a snap he grabbed Najimi's hand and pulled her to him.

"Shouko-chan, w-what are you doing!"

-There are many people, you can easily get lost.

"Ah, well... yes, it's fine....".

Najimi was blushing, she felt the touch of Shouko's hand, it was very soft and warm, it was wonderful.

This was one of his other reasons for coming here, to have an excuse to hold shouko's hand because of the large number of people, although he was thinking about how to ask, he never thought that shouko would act first, he liked that much more.

Shouko and najimi went through all the people and entered the arcade.

They had all kinds of motorcycles, shooting, play area etc, a great variety of them.

"Come, come, let's play here!"

Najimi wanted to take him to play the copy of smash, he doesn't play those things anymore, but hey, who cares.

He sat down next to Najimi and the two took command and began selecting their characters.

I chose the copy of Zelda and Najimi the cheap version of Mario, then the game began.

The games are summarized in , 3 victories for Najimi and 7 for Shouko.

At first, not being used to playing or having a controller in his hands, it was difficult for him, so he only saw what each button did, making random combos and seeing the time each hit takes, whether it was his, how Najimi's.

The analysis took 3 games, 3 games in which Najimi was very happy and had a very high ego, he was bragging about it.

Then in the fourth game everything started, I already knew how to move with fluids and I began to do combos without stopping, without any penalty and without being able to even move an inch.

And the defeats towards Najimi continued and his ego fell very quickly.

"Wow, I think it's time for the event to start, let's go now."

Najimi hiding her defeat, changed the subject and rushed to go see the event, shouko just nodded.

"G-give me, your hand, you-you know... I can get lost"—Reaching out her hand towards shouko with a small blush on her face.

He just took her hand and they went to the place of the event.

Upon arriving at the place, they were able to see up close, how the cosplayers' parade was beginning or well, only shouko could see well, since there were many people and Najimi's height did not help so much.

"Damn I can't see!"

Najimi tried to stand on her toes to see better, but nothing.

But from one moment to another, she felt someone lift her up.

"Hey!".

Shouko with super ease, charged the dwarf.

-Comfort yourself on my shoulders, so you can see better.

"N-no, how can I do that, I'd be bothering you too much, I can't!"

-Just do it, if not, coming here would be pure.

Shouko's tone was firm and sincere, since it would be a waste of time to wait so long for him not to see.

"It's fine".

The eyes rolled and Najimi's tone was a new shade of red never seen before.

Shouko accommodated her , and now Najimi was sitting on her shoulders , now she could see very well , but she felt her heart beating very fast again , delicately , with one hand she touched the part of her heart and then she closed her eyes , she took a breath to calm down.

Happiness was nothing else in her, she gently touched Shouko's beautiful hair and began to watch the parade, now everything was very remarkable to her.

The event began with the voice of the presenter, a large number of cosplayers appeared and since it was an event with a prize, the costumes were not mediocre.

They were of a very high level, both in design and in the materials they were made of, there was even one dressed as a copy of Optimus Prime.

It was something to pass the time, that shouko liked, she also gave her opinion with Najimi about some costumes and they said who could win and stuff.

But all this had to come to an end, after 1 hour and a half, the event ended

[Who would have thought that first place would win about 500 thousand yen].

[This was a quality event and not a menial one].

Shouko was surprised by the amount of money they gave in these events, but oh well.

The people around him already started to disperse and he wasn't going to be the only one to stay here.

-I'm going to lower you najimi.

"W-wait, I have to get ready first."

Shouko, not listening to anything, lowered her, but Najimi's foot brushed her face, more in the part of her glasses, causing them to fall and break.

Najimi, already on the ground, realized what she had done and wanted to die.

"I'm sorry, Shoko-chan, I didn't mean to, it's just that!"

Najimi was getting sad.

Shouko just looked at her with blank eyes.

[They are simple glasses, I have the capacity to buy several of those as if they were the daily bread].

-Dwarf, what's done is done, besides I have another pair at home so there's no problem.

Najimi wasn't comfortable with that answer, but she calmed down just because shouko didn't care about it.

Shouko picked up the broken glasses and put them in the trash.

It was something without monetary importance... yes, but now people would notice it, that was the bad thing, but hey, just bear it, totally, he's already used to those looks.

[I think I should put my skill in my clothes, but the glasses gave that special detail... well, what does it matter].

"Let me buy you something to eat, please."

-Well.

Najimi looked everywhere for something to eat and saw a crepe shop.

"Come let's go, I invite you all you want".

Greedily, Najimi took Shouko's hand and led him to the crepe stand.

When he got there, he realized what he had done and let go of Shouko's hand quickly.

They asked for their crepe each, and began to walk while they ate, the people around them noticed their presence and marveled at the beauty of shouko as well as that of najimi.

Najimi was eating walking next to shouko, and a blush was on her, she could notice the attention they attracted, and some whispers were heard, but what caught Najimi's attention was that some thought they were a couple.

Najimi just looked at shouko as he calmly ate his crepe and got even more embarrassed, so she kept quiet all the way until she got to the exit.

The road was long, since the place was gigantic, but they managed to reach the exit, Shouko had already finished eating her crepe and Najimi was a little short of finishing it.

On the outskirts, cosplayers were still seen posing for photos, and some stalls where they sell posters and stuff.

As we advanced, in a small space we could see 3 girls, with a mask of a moe anime character, had instead some letter balloons, which said Happy Birthday.

On a table there was a large cake with purple details and purple flowers, around it were decorative balloons.

He was saying: Happy birthday-Chizuku-tan!.

Shizuku-tan!!! On the 16th Vol. His birthday!!.

Thank you for being born, I'm so happy to meet you!

You are super mega adorable every day, thank you!

Shouko saw all this and was simply speechless.

I would say that it is pathetic, but each one with his life, besides... I bet that there will be fans like that with his novel when his anime is released.

So I only break a drop of sweat, because of how shady fans can be, even women.

Without further ado I shake my head and leave that thought behind.

One of the girls who was praising her favorite character noticed a stare and recognized the person.

[•Great master?].

She spoke to her two friends to tell her that she had something to do and would be back in a moment.

Then he ran towards shouko.

Shouko who was walking, noticed this, Najimi who was still eating anyway.

•Great teacher, I didn't think I'd be here today, it's a big surprise.

The woman continued with the mask.

Najimi felt strange seeing how this strange woman approached shouko and calling her that pseudonym.

["It will be a fan, who recognized shouko-chan"].

Shouko was also very surprised at the arrival of this woman, but then she noticed the color of her hair and a name appeared in her head.

[Marin?!].

•Ah, my mistake...

Marin took off her mask and it was possible to see the beautiful beauty of Marin Kitagawa and now she wore it with a beautiful smile.

• You remember me, we took a photo that's the time I asked for your signature.

-Ah, yes I remember, Marin...Kitagawa, right?

•If you remember me.

A bright smile was given by Marin.

-Well, I couldn't forget your beauty.

•Hehe.....hey, when your next volume is published, I'm looking forward to it.

Marin seemed like a very excited girl, she was very expressive without caring about anything around her.

Shouko made a smile to see how Marin behaved.

Najimi saw that smile and felt uncomfortable, right now it was as if she didn't exist and only Shouko and that woman were the center of attention.

-Well, the truth will be two volumes in 1, so you can read 2 and 3, we were delayed by the subject of character design, but it will be published soon.

•S-seriously, it will be the two volumes in one, that's super cool.

Marin jumped with excitement and shouko just raised an eyebrow at this.

•S-sorry, because of my attitude, knowing that made me happy, I really love the story and talking to the same author is even more exciting.

•Hey, we can exchange contacts.

-Who my number?

•Well, yes, so I can be in contact and since I see that you also come to these events, to be able to go out from time to time, of course, when you can, I won't force you.

-Well....

•Don't worry, I won't leak your number or anything, your secret is with me.

Shouko knows this character very well, since she is the one who has a 10/10 in terms of beauty and knows what her personality is like, she knows that she would not reveal anything and everything she says is spoken as a great fan.

I guess I can give you that privilege.

So, although Shouko took a while, she gave him her number, making Marin very happy.

• Thank you very much, Great teacher.

-My name is Shouko-Komi, but call me Shouko.

•Oh...okay, Shouko-san, it's very exciting to have contact with a great idol.

-Don't worry, I can understand that and I also see that if you are a big fan, with your characters.

Looking at the mask

•Well yes, today is Chizuru-chan's birthday, you want to join us.

-Uhh....well.

Marin became aware of the presence of Najimi who was at Shouko's side.

• Oops, I'm sorry, I interrupted something.

Najimi had a clenched fist and felt forgotten, she got angry inside, she doesn't understand how shouko could give her contact to a stranger and to top it off she also told her her name.

She has known shouko for several months and never saw her act like that, is it possible that she is special, according to what they talked about, they had already met.

Najimi saw how she treated that woman and how she gave her a warm smile, that smile and above all, that she called her beautiful as if nothing had happened, with that tone that she also said when I commented on her clothes.

Perhaps she is special, because she achieved something that it took her a long time to achieve.

Najimi's joyful and embarrassed mood had changed to one of depressing and a feeling of helplessness.

He could see how someone could easily connect with the person they like in a matter of minutes, that feeling hurts when you love that person very much.

"No.....neglect....don't interrupt anything.....".

Najimi gave Marin a forced smile, hiding what he was feeling inside.