The morning light slipped past Mei's curtains, streaking gold across the floorboards. She stirred beneath the sheets, reluctant to leave the warmth of her bed. But the alarm clock's shrill reminder left no room for hesitation.
"Ugh… already?" she groaned, sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
The notebook from the night before still sat on her desk, her hastily scribbled words staring back at her: Cosplay Project #1. Seeing it again brought a flutter to her chest. The excitement from last night hadn't faded—it had only grown stronger overnight.
She took a deep breath, stretching until her spine popped, then began her morning routine. A quick shower left her skin tingling with freshness, and she carefully dried her auburn hair before tying it loosely back. For work, she chose something practical: a tucked-in blouse with slim black trousers, paired with her favorite watch. Professional, but not too strict.
As she stood in front of the mirror, she caught herself smiling faintly.
"Lady Veyra," she whispered, imagining herself in the gray dress of the character she wanted to bring to life. "One step at a time."
With her bag slung over her shoulder, Mei headed out the door. The city was already alive—cars rumbling down the streets, vendors opening their stalls, and the hum of morning conversations blending into a low chorus. Mei walked briskly, letting her mind wander between work responsibilities and cosplay ideas.
By the time she reached her workplace—a cozy design firm tucked between a bakery and a stationery shop—she spotted a familiar figure approaching.
"Mei!"
It was Hana, her closest friend at the office. Hana was shorter, with bouncy dark hair and an energy that never seemed to dim. She waved with a grin as she hurried over.
"You're early today," Mei noted, smiling.
"Miracle, right? Don't get used to it," Hana laughed, falling into step beside her.
The two pushed through the glass doors together, the cool air-conditioned breeze greeting them. The lobby smelled faintly of coffee and new paper. They made their way to their shared workspace, their footsteps echoing against the polished floor.
Once they settled at their desks, Mei hesitated. Her hands hovered over her laptop keyboard, but her thoughts weren't on spreadsheets or emails. The words pressed against her lips, and before she could stop herself, she leaned closer to Hana.
"Hey… can I tell you something?"
Hana arched a brow. "That serious face already? It's not even 9 a.m. Spill it."
Mei bit her lip, then exhaled. "I've been thinking… I want to try cosplay."
For a heartbeat, Hana just blinked at her. Then, her face lit up with delight. "Wait—cosplay? Like, dressing up as characters and going to conventions?"
Mei nodded slowly. "Yeah. I've always admired it from a distance, but now… I want to actually do it. Make a costume. Be part of it."
Hana's grin widened. "Mei, that's amazing! You'd look incredible. But—" she leaned closer, lowering her voice conspiratorially, "—if you really want your cosplay to stand out, you're gonna need something more than fabric and wigs."
Mei tilted her head. "Like what?"
"Props. Accessories. Maybe even armor pieces. You know what a lot of the serious cosplayers use now?" Hana's eyes sparkled. "A 3D printer."
Mei blinked. "A… 3D printer?"
"Yep. Imagine printing out Lady Veyra's choker, her sword, or the lace details instead of trying to hand-craft everything. It'll look more realistic. Plus, you can customize it exactly how you want." Hana leaned back in her chair, satisfied with her suggestion.
Mei frowned thoughtfully, chewing on her lower lip. A 3D printer? That sounded… futuristic. And expensive. She'd never even touched one before. But the idea made her pulse quicken.
"I don't even know where I'd start with that," she admitted softly.
"That's the fun part," Hana replied with a wink. "We can figure it out together. I've got a cousin who uses one for making figurines—maybe I can ask him for advice. Think about it, Mei. If you're going to dive into cosplay, why not go all in?"
Mei looked down at her hands, imagining them not just stitching fabric but pulling freshly printed pieces from a machine, assembling them into something tangible and powerful. The thought both thrilled and terrified her.
"I'll… think about it," she said finally, a small smile tugging at her lips.
But inside, the ember of last night's decision flared into a brighter flame. This wasn't just a passing idea anymore. It was starting to feel like a path—one she couldn't turn away from now.