The entrance to the event felt like a world of its own.
A sea of colors moved before Aoi's eyes—shimmering fabrics, polished armor catching the morning light, long capes swaying gently in the breeze. Laughter, excited voices, and the constant clicking of cameras blended together, creating an atmosphere that felt alive… almost magical.
And in the middle of it all—
Aoi stopped.
Her eyes found only one person.
Souma.
He was walking toward them with calm, steady steps, as if the chaos around him didn't exist. His dark cloak flowed behind him like a quiet shadow, and the sword resting on his back completed the image perfectly.
For a moment…
Aoi forgot to breathe.
"S-Souma-kun…?"
Souma blinked, surprised, scratching the back of his neck.
"Ah… yeah…" he laughed awkwardly. "I look weird, don't I?"
"N-not at all!" Aoi answered too quickly, stumbling over her words.
Hina stepped forward with a natural smile.
"You look really good, Souma, hehe."
Aoi took a breath, trying to steady herself.
"You really look like Kuol."
Souma glanced away, rubbing his head.
"Ah… that's good to hear…"
Hina grabbed Aoi's hand energetically.
"Let's go change inside!"
Souma gave a thumbs-up.
"Let's keep in touch through the group."
Aoi lowered her gaze slightly.
"S-see you later, Souma-kun…"
He waved.
And just like that, the two girls stepped inside.
The moment they passed through the gates, everything became even more intense.
Massive banners hung from the ceiling. Colorful lights illuminated booths filled with games, manga, and figures. Cosplayers walked everywhere—like characters had stepped straight out of another world.
Some wore massive armor.
Others elegant dresses.
And some… had enormous wings.
"Let's hurry before it gets crowded!" Hina pulled Aoi along.
The changing area was wide and full of movement.
Mirrors lined the walls, reflecting dozens of girls getting ready. Wigs being adjusted, makeup spread across tables, prop weapons resting nearby.
The air carried a faint mix of perfume and hairspray.
Aoi and Hina found a small empty space.
"Let's go!" Hina said, excited.
They opened their suitcases.
Hina changed first into Ilyra Scriptoria. The light blue fabric flowed softly over her body, almost like mist. The translucent cape settled over her shoulders, and the decorative book completed the look.
Beside her, Aoi put on her own outfit.
The pearl-white armor dress fit perfectly, the golden details catching the light from the mirror.
Gloves.
Sword.
Tiara.
When they finished—
They looked at each other.
Hina's face lit up.
"Wow… you look beautiful, Aoi!"
Aoi blushed.
"Y-you too! It doesn't even look like you made that in a month!"
"I practiced a lot," Hina laughed.
At that moment, Aoi's phone vibrated.
A message.
From Mio.
"Hey Aoi-chan. I'm going to the event with you guys."
"Sorry I didn't tell you…"
"I need to talk to you."
"It's about Hina."
Aoi frowned.
She looked up.
Hina was smiling at her own reflection, slowly spinning.
"Who is it?" Hina asked.
"It's Mio… she's nearby."
"Great!" Hina smiled.
They walked toward the exit—
But before they could leave—
"Ahh! You guys!"
They both turned.
"Hanae-san!"
"You could've told me you were here!" she said excitedly. "Wait for me a bit, okay?"
She looked at their outfits.
"And your cosplays are amazing!"
Before they could respond—
She had already disappeared back into the changing room.
Aoi sighed.
"Now we have to wait…"
"Look over there," Hina said.
Aoi followed her gaze.
Mio.
Still in her school uniform.
Walking among cosplayers.
"Stay here. I'll go get her."
Aoi moved through the crowd.
When she got closer—
Mio's eyes widened.
"A-Aoi?!"
She looked her up and down.
"Wow… that looks really good."
"Haha… you like it?"
"More than I expected."
A brief silence.
Then Aoi got straight to the point.
"What about Hina?"
Mio took a deep breath.
"Do you remember Sora?"
"The one from two years ago?"
"Yeah. Him."
Mio crossed her arms.
"He didn't just reject her… he humiliated her."
Aoi sighed.
"That's when she started talking about Prince John…"
"Exactly."
Silence.
"But now…" Mio continued. "I think it's Yamada."
Aoi blinked.
"Yamada?"
"They look at each other differently. And Hina's changed a bit."
Aoi thought for a moment.
Then shrugged.
"Yamada might be a bit of an idiot… but he's honest."
A small smile appeared.
"If it's true… I support them."
"Aoi!" Mio snapped. "He's always saying stupid stuff with Matsuda!"
"I don't think we should interfere," Aoi replied calmly. "He's not Sora."
"They're all the same deep down."
"It was Hina who helped him after you rejected him."
Silence fell.
Mio froze.
"…Are you saying this is my fault?"
"You can't predict everything… but it started there."
"I didn't like him!"
"Do you want to ruin Hina's happiness too?"
The air grew heavy.
They stared at each other.
Like one wrong word could shatter everything.
Then—
Mio let out a long sigh.
"I can't fight with you."
She looked away.
"We'll do it your way… but if he hurts her…"
"I know."
Mio walked past her.
Aoi muttered softly:
"I thought today would be peaceful…"
Then followed after her.
Hina's face lit up the moment she saw them.
"This is the best day of my life!"
She hugged both of them at once.
Aoi and Mio got squeezed together.
For a few seconds—
They looked at each other.
And smiled.
Then quickly looked away.
"Mio! We already found Souma, Hanae, and—wait…"
Hina stopped.
"…Is that Misaki?"
Up ahead—
Misaki walked with quiet confidence.
Her cosplay stood out naturally—elegant, intense, strong.
People stopped her constantly.
"Can I take a picture?!"
"That looks amazing!"
She smiled softly.
Calm.
Confident.
Then—
"You guys took forever."
Souma appeared.
Aoi's heart skipped.
"Souma-kun…"
"I'm back!"
Hanae returned.
Everyone fell silent.
Her presence was overwhelming.
Elegant.
Dark.
Imposing.
Like someone who didn't need to say anything to stand above the crowd.
She smiled.
"Who wants to go to the contest with meee?