Half an hour later, the official meet-and-greet event began.
What had started as a simple promotion for the Jujutsu Kaisen character series had turned into a "godsend" for the fans in the Burbank area. At Leo Vance's suggestion, the benefit wasn't restricted to the high-tier $6,666 "Gojo Satoru Set." As long as an attendee's total merchandise purchase reached $899, they were entitled to an autograph and a professional photo with one of the celebrities Leo had brought along.
Initially, the crowd had been focused on Leo catching the predator. But when they realized the entire "All-Star Lineup" was appearing, the actual actors from the JJK production the convention hall exploded into a frenzy!
"Bella's Nobara Kugisaki is so cool! She looks even fiercer in person!" "Lucas's Yuji Itadori is full of that raw energy! Why does my pink hair look like a cheap wig compared to his?" "Wow! That's Tiffany (Yuki Tsukumo)! I've loved her since her earlier dramas! Wait... why does her silhouette look different? Was it camera tricks on TV?" "Is that Maya West? What is she doing here? Did she have a secret cameo in JJK?!" "Oh my god! It's Chloe Summers! My Kaori! Just seeing her makes me want to cry!"
The Character Cosplay Expo had officially transformed into a high-end celebrity gala. Each actor sat at a designated table with a dedicated line forming in front of them.
Predictably, Leo Vance's line stretched out the door and around the block. But to everyone's surprise, the second most popular line belonged to Chloe Summers. The "April Fever" was still burning white-hot, and fans were desperate to see their "miracle maiden" in person. Following them were Robert Sterling (Suguru Geto), Lucas (Yuji), Bella (Nobara) and Jade (Maki).
Maya West listened to the murmurs around her. "What is she doing here?" echoed in her ears. She felt a slight sting of professional pride. As a top-tier star for over a decade, her traffic was usually undeniable. How had she ended up being the "bonus guest" in Leo's orbit?
She sighed, looking at her queue, which was significantly shorter than Chloe's or Leo's. Leo noticed her deflated expression from his neighboring table and offered a small, knowing smirk. "You like joining in on the fun, Maya? Enjoy the free labor," he thought.
Over at the merchandise booth, the $6,666 "Gojo Satoru Sets" were flying off the shelves.
"Buddy, give me three sets! My dad, brother, and uncle all want them!" "What are you hesitating for? If you aren't buying, get out of the way! I've got cash!" "I'm buying ten sets! Do you ship to the East Coast? Just pack them up!" "I'm getting that photo with Leo!"
The fans were losing their minds. In the cosplay and collector communities, people were used to high prices, but the opportunity to interact with an entire roster of A-list stars for an $899 purchase was an absolute steal. Usually, a handshake event with a minor idol cost hundreds for just a minute. This was the bargain of a lifetime.
Fans were flooding their Instagram and TikTok feeds with photos. "So annoyed! Just accidentally ran into the JJK crew! Leo Vance is even more handsome in person! (Attached: High-res photo of Gojo)" The posts went viral instantly, topping social media charts worldwide.
"Lucas! You're so handsome! You were so terrifying when you transformed into Ryomen Sukuna!"
A girl cosplaying as Yuki Tsukumo said excitedly, her voice a bit high-pitched as she approached Lucas's table.
"Thank you!" Lucas said politely, offering a charming, youthful smile. "Your Yuki cosplay is very beautiful! You really captured the vibe."
He casually glanced at the girl's silhouette. It wasn't that he was being a creep; it was simply that this cosplayer was exceptionally... well-endowed. It was impossible not to notice. As a nineteen-year-old boy, his hormones were doing a backflip.
Hearing the compliment, the cosplayer shyly patted Lucas's hand. "Naughty," the cosplayer said, then leaned in and pointed at their throat. In a deep, resonant masculine voice, they continued: "Actually, I'm a guy. See? Adam's apple!"
Lucas's smile froze. Ten thousand alpacas immediately stampeded through his brain.
No. Buddy. Are you kidding me? The person in front of him, with that specific figure, was actually a man who was probably taller and broader than him once the costume came off?! Instantly, Will's entire outlook on life and his worldview of the expo began to crumble.
Leo, sitting right next to him, burst out laughing. He had seen the whole thing. "Look how scared the kid is! That's a psychological scar for life," Leo chuckled.
"Ar-are you... Mr. Leo Vance? My name is Karina."
Leo looked up, his laughter subsiding. Standing there was the famous Ukrainian cosplayer he had noticed earlier. Her English was clear but her tone was sincere and slightly hesitant.
"I really love your character series," Karina said, her European eyes fixed on Leo. "I was originally hesitant to move to this country and settle in the industry, but after seeing your work... it gave me the courage to stay. Your art is very special."
Leo smiled patiently, waiting for her to finish. He stood up, towering over her even in his Gojo gear. "You're very welcome, Karina. This community is built on people like you. As long as you come with passion, there's always a place for you."
Suddenly, Leo had a flash of inspiration. This girl had a massive following and a unique, cross-gender appeal that was perfect for his expansion plans.
"Karina," Leo said, slowing his speech. "I'm curious, would you be interested in joining the Influencer and Talent Department at Celestial Peak? The terms would be very generous, and I think we could do some incredible things together."
Karina's eyes widened. She had come for an autograph, but she was about to walk away with a career.
Plz Drop Some Power Stones.
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