Sunday.
"Look, Gojo-kun, there are so many people!"
The moment they stepped off the train and walked toward the convention grounds, the world shifted.
The air immediately filled with a chaotic symphony of clicking cameras, muffled music from distant vendors, and the excited chatter of hundreds of people.
The path leading to the entrance was already clogged with fellow cosplayers, photographers, and fans.
Wakana Gojo, standing tall and at ease, wore a crisp, light blue linen shirt unbuttoned over a simple white tee, paired with tailored, cuffed chinos.
His attire was stylish but practical for the weather.
He held Marin's bag on his left shoulder, containing today's essentials: water, touch-up kit, and snacks.
Standing beside him, Marin Kitagawa was no longer Marin.
As Mirajane Strauss, she was breathtaking.
The flowing red gown, with its sweetheart neckline and pink accents, draped perfectly, giving her the elegant yet approachable presence of the character.
Her white wig gleamed in the sunlight, and the rounded, defined makeup made her eyes sparkle with an almost otherworldly excitement.
Wakana felt very happy, mingled with admiration, seeing his creation worn so perfectly.
"Whoa… this is huge!" Marin breathed, twisting on the spot, taking in the scene.
Her hands instinctively went to the delicate pink bow at her bust, not out of nervousness, but with awe.
The sheer volume of costumes was overwhelming.
Every few steps, Marin would gasp, her blue eyes wide as saucers, her energy practically buzzing.
"Look, Wakana!" she whisper-shouted, grabbing his arm with an unconscious, firm grip. "Oh my god, isn't that Android 18 from Dragon Ball Z? That jacket and vest combination is spot-on! And look at those boots, they're perfect!"
Wakana nodded, scanning the crowd.
He recognized the short blonde hair, the denim vest, and the strong, confident pose of the Android.
His craftsman's mind instantly logged the precise color matching and sharp tailoring of the outfit.
"That costume is made of a good twill fabric," Wakana observed, his tone mixed with a little admiration. "That choice helps it hold its shape perfectly. A smart material choice for the character."
Marin barely heard him, already spotting someone else. "And over there! That girl has the blue dress and the cloak… that's Kohaku from Dr. Stone! Her wig is styled so naturally! I wonder if she used individual wefts for that texture?"
Her excitement was infectious, keeping Wakana focused on the environment.
"It looks like a very good silk fiber wig," he commented, adjusting his grip on the bag. "But the construction of that shield is interesting. It looks like layered EVA foam to keep the weight down."
Marin turned back to him, her Mirajane smile dazzling. "This is the best! The energy is so high, and everyone looks incredible! Thanks for bringing me, Gojo-kun."
Wakana felt his heart thump in his chest at the sincerity of her gratitude. "I'm here to make sure you have fun, Kitagawa-san. I'm glad we made it in time."
With a final, deep breath, Marin adjusted her dress, held Wakana's arm, and pulled him forward, ready to plunge into the heart of the convention.
"Let's go, partner! The fans of Fairy Tail are waiting for Mira-chan!"
The moment they were fully inside the open area, the energy enveloped them. Marin immediately let go of Wakana's arm and took two steps forward, effortlessly adopting the kind and gentle posture of Mirajane Strauss.
Almost immediately, the surrounding crowd began to shift.
It wasn't just Mirajane Strauss that caught their eyes, but the pair itself.
Many heads turned, lingering on Marin's flawless costume, but then gliding over to Wakana.
His handsome face, coupled with his stylish summer clothes, made him stand out amongst the typical casual observers.
Marin noticed the stares first.
She subtly nudged Wakana with her elbow, a playful smirk dancing on her lips.
"Hey, Gojo-kun, check it out," she whispered, leaning closer. "Everyone's staring."
Wakana, who had been analyzing a prop sword nearby, blinked. "Oh. Well, your costume is perfect, Kitagawa-san. They must be impressed by the accuracy."
Marin giggled. "Nah, it's not just the dress! It's you too, Gojo-kun! You're looking really good today. See how many people are checking you out?"
Wakana smiled, quickly adjusting the strap of the bag. "It's just a shirt and chinos. It's practical for the weather and mobility, that's all."
She poked his chest lightly. "Brush it off all you want, but you're stealing the spotlight from your own art! The artist is taking the attention away from the masterpiece." She winked. "Thank you for making me this costume, Gojo-kun."
Just as Wakana was trying to come up with a response, it happened.
"Excuse me, Mirajane!" A photographer with a massive camera and a professional reflector called out, moving expertly through the crowd. "Could you give me a shot right here in the light?"
Marin beamed, her eyes instantly locking onto the camera. Wakana, standing slightly behind her, immediately stepped into his support role.
"Marin, the skirt ruffle is a bit flat on the left," Wakana instructed.
His voice was clear and calm, cutting through the noise. "Try a slight turn and hold the hem gently with your right hand. Show the flow of the smooth fabric."
Marin followed his direction instantly, her right hand reaching down to lift the soft, pink ruffle just enough to catch the light and showcase the drape of the red material.
She tilted her head, giving a serene, welcoming smile.
The perfect Mirajane pose.
Click! Click! Click!
Another photographer nearby noticed and quickly joined the first one.
The soft, elegant red of the dress made her an instant focal point against the concrete floor and green grass.
Wakana ignored the two photographers, his focus entirely on the girl.
He moved quickly to brush a stray piece of hair off her shoulder and adjusted the fall of the blue pendant.
"Perfect, Marin," he called out. "Now, look directly into the lens and give a soft smile!"
His prior experience in fashion design gave him quite an insight into modeling too, having attended several shows that featured his creations in the past.
"Thank you, Wakana!" Marin smiled brightly.
Wakana returned the smile and stepped back out of the camera's frame.
It seems like the two were slowly getting used to using each other's first names.
Marin executed the pose flawlessly, her eyes shining with pure cosplay joy.
She was completely in the moment, living the character.
As the cameras flashed, Wakana stepped back a bit more, allowing himself a moment to simply observe.
The hours of sleepless work, the pricked fingers, the struggle with the pattern, it was all worth it.
Seeing his creation move, breathe, and shine on Marin Kitagawa, radiating this much happiness, was the most satisfying moment of his life as a craftsman.
And not only that, seeing Marin Kitagawa's joyful look, he felt that it was all the blood, sweat, and tears that he had shed worth it.
Marin finished the pose, her smile growing even wider.
She spun around to face Wakana, her white wig bouncing slightly.
"Did you see that, Gojo-kun?" she exclaimed, throwing her hands out wide, dress flowing with the motion. "This is it! My first official cosplay debut!"
They continued their exploration, letting the convention's energy carry them.
Marin was a magnet for positive attention, but she wasn't content just being viewed; she wanted to appreciate the art all around her.
"Stop, stop, Gojo-kun!" Marin suddenly halted, pulling Wakana toward a section dedicated to fighting games.
Wakana looked up and saw a towering figure in brightly colored armor. "Whoa, that's an amazing build," he commented, admiring the craftsmanship.
Marin didn't wait for his analysis.
She was already whipping out her phone. "Look at the paint job on that heavy armor! The weathering looks so real! I have to get a shot of this."
Click! Click!
Marin snapped a couple of quick, detailed photos, then lowered her phone, her attention caught by a group gathered near a massive banner.
"Gojo-kun, look! That's the Fairy Tail fan meetup spot!" she exclaimed. "I bet there are other Mirajanes there!"
With renewed purpose, she dragged Wakana towards the area.
When they arrived, there was a small cluster of cosplayers dressed as characters from the guild.
Marin's face lit up when she spotted a couple dressed as Natsu and Erza.
She smoothed her dress and approached them with confidence. "Excuse me, your costumes are amazing! Would you mind taking a photo with me?"
The Erza cosplayer grinned. "Mirajane! You look incredible! Your dress is stunning! Of course!"
Wakana instantly took Marin's phone, ready to assume the role of the official photographer.
He directed them quickly, using his insight into posing to ensure the Mirajane dress looked its best.
"Mirajane in the middle, please! Natsu, face her with a confident grin. Erza, hold your sword up high! Three, two, one…"
Click!
Marin thanked them enthusiastically, retrieving her phone to check the result, which was perfect.
"You're so good at this, Wakana!" Marin whispered, leaning in. "You know exactly how to pose everyone."
"I'm just focused on making sure the costumes look their best," Wakana replied humbly, though a small smile appeared on his lips.
They spent the next hour moving fluidly through the crowd: Marin admiring, taking photos, and engaging with fellow fans; and Wakana supporting, adjusting, taking pictures, and making sure she stayed hydrated in the heat.