This fic was spawned from a conversation that I and a coworker were having about an anime convention coming to town. We were discussing the number of SAO cosplayers we expected to see, when I had a thought. What would Kiritio do if he was tricked into going to an anime convention?
The whole incident started a little before home room began. Sil, no Ayano-san came barreling into the classroom, panting like she had been running from a pack of wolf mobs.
"Kirigaya-kun!" Ayano-san called, after getting her breath back. Kirigaya Kazuto looked bemused as his short classmate quit wheezing, and lunged for his desk. "I need your help!" She took his hands into hers and clasped them to her chest. The two exchanged a profound silent exchange, at least until Shinozaki Rika loudly cleared her throat. Ayano-san jumped back in mortification. Her face turning a brilliant red.
"Good morning to you too Ayano-san." He told the still blushing girl.
Shinozaki-san grinned mischievously. She loved messing with her underclassman. "Morning Ayano! What's got you so excited this morning?"
Ayano-san stammered for a little bit before taking a big breath. Nothing like asking help from your crush to get your heart pumping. When she let the air back out, she felt a bit calmer. "I wanted to know if you had any plans this Sunday?"
Shinozaki-chan slung an arm around Ayano-san's shoulders. "Oh-ho. Look who's getting brave all of a sudden. Asking an older man out for a date, how sly of you."
"No! I wasn't. I didn't mean…" Poor Ayano-san's blabbering was cut off when another member of their guild joined the group.
"Who's getting asked on a date?" Asuna Yukki asked as she plopped down into the seat next to Kazuto-kun. She flicked her long chestnut hair out of the way, so she could stare at Ayano-san.
"NOBODY!" Ayano-san screamed.
Shinozaki-chan held out her hands like she was placating the overwrought girl. "Fine. Fine. What you say kohai. So what did you need help for?"
Ayano-san glared at the suddenly too innocently looking girl. She huffed, but gave up. Shinozaki-chan could be just as exasperating in real life as she was playing Lizbeth in Alfheim. "I was trying to say that I just got my first job from the modeling agency!"
Asuna-san clapped her hands together in excitement. "That's marvelous. What kind of clothes are you going to get to wear?"
Ayano-san scratched her cheek in embarrassment. "I don't really know yet. I just have to be at the convention center near Tokyo Tower by 8 a.m. on Sunday. I'll meet my manager there. He says it will be a great opportunity for me. I'm a bit nervous. Would it, I mean, could you all please come? To support me?"
Kirigaya-kun smiled at the aspiring model. "I'd love to. Are you sure we won't be in the way?" Ayano-san shook her head vigorously from side tio side. "Then we…" He turned to look at Asuna-san, who smiled warmly. "Then we'll be there, but where should we meet up?"
"Oh, you all don't have to get there so early. Just meet me by the front entrance of the convention center after I get into my costume. Here." Ayano-san grabbed Kirigaya-kun's hand and wrote the address of the event on his palm. "Thank you all so much!" Ayano-san was beaming as she turned, and ran out the classroom.
Shinozaki-chan leaned over the scribbled message. "Is that supposed to be a six or a nine?"
Early on Sunday morning, Kirigaya-kun was leaning against the wall of the train station. Shinozaki-chan had already texted him that she had already met up with Ayano-san, and was waiting for the rest of their guild to show up. Suguha was going to be late. She had a national competition coming up, and couldn't get out of practice until the afternoon. Asuna was going to meet him here, but she hadn't arrive yet.
Speak of the devil. "Kirigaya-kun!" A sweet voice called out from the exit of the train building. Kirigaya held up a hand in greeting, as his friend, possible girlfriend, ran up to him. She looked stunning in a white coat, with bright red pants peeking out from underneath. Her beautiful long hair fluttered around her as she got closer.
"Good morning." Lame. He really should work on expressing himself better, but she didn't seem to mind too much. She was still smiling at him.
"Did you forget to do laundry again?" She teased.
Kirigaya looked down. What was wrong with his outfit? He had on a black long sleeved sweater, a lighter shade of black trousers, which matched his black high tops, and covering it all was his black leather…Oh! "Maybe." Kirigaya blushed. Black was his favorite color, so sue him.
Asuna laughed. "I'll let it slide today, but maybe we should look into brightening up your wardrobe sometime."
Kirigaya didn't answer, but he held out his elbow for Asuna to latch onto. They walked side by side up to the corner Ayano-san had told them the convention center would be on. However, when the building came into sight the couple stopped dead in their tracks. Shocked didn't even begin to cover their feelings.
Lines of people stretched out from the doors. Costumes in every color of the rainbow could be seen, and a lot of them were way too revealing to wear in the summer, let alone in the colder months like today. There were masks, people carrying gigantic swords, and Kirigaya could've sworn he saw someone walking around in a very realistic Gundam suit.
"What the…" Kirigay stammered. Asuna just pointed to a billboard hanging above the entrance to the center.
Welcome to Anime EVOlution-Tokyo Edition!
