.
.
.
When I return home from school my sister's classmates had come over.
"… Tch." The minute she saw me, Naruko clicked her tongue in annoyance. As always, she was wearing fashionable clothes and was sunk into the sofa.
"Ah, Naruto-kun! Good afternoon!"
The black-haired bishoujo who had cheerfully greeted me was Ayase. And then…
"Nyahaha~~, good afternooooon Onii-chan…"
The little brat of a girl who had started chuckling in an ill-mannered way the minute she saw my face was Kuuko Yasaka. She was small and flat-chested, had long red hair with two long ponytails that fall down to her waist in length. She had a pair of leggings on under a frilly miniskirt. She was decked from head to toe in cute-looking attire. Kuuko was sitting beside Ayase on the sofa. Oh also, when I looked at that brat, for some reason I felt a really strange sense of déjàvu. Why was that?
"Nyahaha~~, Naruko's Onii-chan is staring in this direction~~. So annoying~~."
This damn brat… she's speaking loud enough for me to hear on purpose… as usual, you're just as bad as Naruko! I wanted to get out of this unpleasant place as quickly as possible.
"Huh? Something I want? Ayase, why do you want to know that?"
"Eh? Umm… just for reference, you know? You don't have to think too much about it… just give me an answer."
"It's because Naruko did well at the track tournament. So it's congratulations for that. She wants to give you a present."
"W-Wait a sec, Kuuko! Why did you have to ruin the surprise like that?!"
"Eh? It's just annoying… isn't it better if you just ask her what she wants straight on?"
From that, I could tell that Kuuko couldn't care less about this whole present business. Naruko, you really ok with this? With your friends being so blunt like that? I knew all too well how short-tempered my sister was. However, having heard that, Naruko replied with the same faux sweet voice she always used.
"Ahaha, it's fine, it's fine! Just the thought is more than enough."
Oh right. When it came to her school friends, she was bizarrely considerate. As if saying "See? Told you!" Kuuko began to cackle.
"See? You heard her, Ayase, she doesn't need a present. Honestly, I also has game I wants to buy, the FFXV game will release next week so I doesn't want to just waste moneeey. Why don't we just go to Kagamin shrine, and get some gravemphphpphhh! Wra yu durrrin, Ayasreh?! (What are you doing, Ayase)"
I saw that Ayase had inserted two fingers into Kuuko's mouth and was stretching it with a smile.
"My my, Kuuko is just full of jokes today, isn't she? Ahaha, don't say such lonely things~… we're. All. Friends. Right?"
"…?! *Nod nod nod nod!*" Kuuko nodded with tears in her eyes.
"Rret go! Dorr rintch mhys nrrz! (Let go! Don't pinch my nose!)" Kuuko twisted her body back and forth.
Naruko hurriedly tried to intervene. "H-Hey Ayase… you're going a bit too far!"
"Eh? Really?" Ayase abruptly released Kuuko.
Having escaped confinement, Kuuko jumped away from Ayase, and angrily pointed a finger at her attacker.
"Y-You trying to kill me!? Bitch!"
"No, no, Kuuko. There's no way I would do something as cruel as that to one of my friends, would I?"
Scary! How did she manage to make each and every one of her words sound like they were implying something else!?
"W-Well well, come on, you two, calm down… please? Honestly, I'm fine with anything if you want to get me a present. Let's talk about something different! Ah. Right, right, take a look at these earrings. I bought them at the usual shop in Shibuya, but don't they look pretty good?"
This was the first time I've seen Naruko in the role of the mediator. She was acting pretty docile the last time her friends came over, too… could it be that she acted this way at school too? She was completely different here than she was when she was with her otaku friends, and she honestly seemed to have put on a thick mask of sweetness… but even so, she seemed to be having a good time like this as well.
(◕ω◕✿)
"Naruto-kun, I need to ask you for some advice."
Ayase had said those words to me that day in the evening, just after Naruko's friends had all left for home. She had sent me an email asking me to meet with her.
"… Advice? You? From me?"
"Yes." Ayase nodded with a meek expression.
Ever since we had quarreled that time about my sister's hobby, she's been under the impression that I'm a top-class incest-loving, hentai brute of an older brother. Owing to the circumstances, I also couldn't dispel her misunderstanding, so I wanted to avoid meeting her if at all possible. She probably didn't want to meet with me either… or so I thought, but… I honestly was troubled by what could have caused this beautiful yet horribly stubborn Ayase to come all the way to ask someone she both hated and didn't know very well for help.
Well no, it was probably something like this…
"Is it that you want to ask me about Naruko's present?"
"Ah, so you knew. That makes this conversation easier. To be honest… I don't know what I can give Naruko that would make her the happiest."
"Even if you say that… Naruko said it right? That you can give her anything. I don't think that was a lie. If it's something you choose, she'll probably be happy no matter what it is."
"That's… that might be true, but…"
Ayase looked downwards, seeming vaguely troubled. She looked like she wanted to say something, but was at a loss.
"Furthermore. Why exactly are you asking me? I wouldn't know what junior high school girls would want to get as a present. You're probably much more informed in that area."
"But… even so… that's not… the thing she wants the most."
"Hm? What?"
I could barely hear her whispering voice, and so I answered her question with a question, but this time she gave me a very loud response.
"I just thought that Naruko would be happiest if she got something for her hobby! That's why I came to ask Naruto-kun!"
Naruko's hobby… could she mean…?
"You… but I thought you haven't accepted Naruko's otaku hobby yet…"
"I haven't! I haven't, but… but it's a congratulations gift… and also… after that, little by little, Naruko's been talking to me about anime… not anything indecent though."
"Oh?"
Ayase had that intolerance peculiar to junior high school girls that caused her to reject the otaku hobby. But, just like my mother had done, it seemed that she had slowly been making compromises with regards to Naruko's hobby. Family is one thing, but it was very rare to find a friend who would go that far for you. It was something to be very grateful for, I think.
"But in the end, no matter what I do it's hopeless… we even argued a bit before this."
"What kind of argument?"
"It was the time she showed me her collection of these 'Nendoroid' dolls… and I just asked her a simple question of what the point of collecting those things was, and she got angry about it. She became really grumpy and for a while wouldn't even answer me when I tried to talk to her… it almost made me cry."
'What was the point of collecting those things?' That was probably one of the top three things you couldn't say to otaku. And my sister really was pretty childish for getting so angry about it that she even stopped talking to her close friend.
"So, I want to restore our relationship with this present… it's partially a make-up present, so I wanted to give her something that had to do with her hobby. A stuffed animal from an anime, or maybe a nendoroid, I was thinking something like that would be good… so I wanted to also take Naruto-kun's opinion into account and then think a bit about what to do… so…"
"… I see."
She had still not acknowledged the validity of the otaku hobby. However, from the bottom of her heart, she really just wanted to give Naruko a present that would make her the happiest… so, bothered by this internal contradiction, she came to me for help despite her hatred. I have no idea what to do… I can't just flat out refuse her if she comes to me like this…
"I understand. I'll do a bit of digging and see what kind of present might make her happy."
"Really? T-Thank you very much!"
Just like the first time we met, her happy smile left me breathless. If it were for the sake of that smile, getting my sister to tell me what she wanted was a small price to pay.
(◕ω◕✿)
"… Eh? Don't tell me you want to give me a present or something? Uwaaah, so gross!"
Sorry Ayase, I failed. The minute I got back, I went to the living room and in a roundabout way tried to get Naruko to tell me what kinds of things she wanted right now, but she saw through the act easily. And what's more, now she thought I wanted to get her a present. Don't make such a terrible misunderstanding! And also…
"What the hell are you saying, you dumbass? Who's the one who made someone buy her a pair of earrings on Christmas Eve…?"
"Hmph, that was just another part of my Novel Research, so that doesn't count."
Uh-huh, I see. What the hell… you thought you were just making fun of me, and now all of a sudden you're in a bad mood? Naruko didn't even try to answer my question, but just changed the subject.
"Also, you, every time I bring my friends over you look at them with your pervy eyes. Won't you quit that out? It's gross, and rude, and it really bothers me."
"Pervy eyes!? What the hell!?"
At her completely unexpected accusation I was taken aback and denied it, but Naruko stood up lividly.
"Don't play stupid! That one time you were ogling and fawning over Ayase… and today you were looking at Kuuko with those dirty eyes!"
"Don't be so rude! Leaving Ayase aside for now, there's no way I couldn't look at that brat in a weird way! I was just thinking how that damn brat resembled someone!"
"Hmph! Yeah right! It looked like you were looking at her with pervy eyes to me!"
"Didn't I already say that you've got it all wrong!? What the hell is it with you and every little thing…!? You my girlfriend or something!?"
"Wha…" Naruko widened her eyes and seemed really shaken, but the next second, she got even more angry and came back swinging.
"I'll kill you! That was probably the third most disgusting thing I've heard!"
"Owww! That's not something you say to someone after you've hit them! Also, why aren't you listening to me!? It's all a misunderstanding!"
"What is!? You even make that cat bitch call you 'Nii-san' too and looked like you were getting a kick out of that! I've known all along how much of a siscon you are!"
"I didn't make her call me anything!"
Just recently, I had set out with Kuroneko to deal with a certain problem, and when we infiltrated a publishing company, we posed as siblings. After that, even after everything had been dealt with, Kuroneko had for some reason continued to call me "Nii-san." Granted, I didn't mind that she was calling me "Nii-san." She was like a little sister… and then for some reason, it appeared that this development was one thing Naruko couldn't swallow.
"Hey… what exactly is that stuff supposed to be about? Little sister role playing? You paying her for that or something?"
"I'm not paying her anything, and it's not little sister role playing!"
How idiot would I have to be to pay my sister's friend money to act like my little sister right in front of Naruko's eyes!? Do you honestly think your brother is that much of a hentai…!?
"Kuroneko is also my friend, so isn't it fine if we get along with each other!? You don't have any right to complain!"
"Yeah, you're right! Just do whatever the hell you want!"
Pitter patter pitter patter… bang! Naruko quickly rushed out of the living room.
Dammit. Like this, it really seemed like a lost cause for me to try to get her to tell me what she wanted…
(◕ω◕✿)
"… And you started arguing because of that, so you couldn't get her to give you an answer… you're really dense, aren't you, Nii-san?"
"Shut up. Also, how long are you going to keep at it with that 'Nii-san' stuff…?"
"Oh? You don't like it?"
"That's not true… but whenever I get along with you, Naruko gets annoyed about it."
She would never admit it, but she probably thought that I was stealing away her precious friend.
"… Hmph. So what? If she gets annoyed about it, it serves her right."
"Hey, hey. Put yourself in my place. I have to live with her."
"Don't worry. In two months I'll start to call you something different."
"What's that supposed to mean? Is something happening in two months?"
But Kuroneko didn't answer me, instead choosing just to smile suggestively at me.
Seeing her expression, I honestly was a bit surprised. I really didn't think there would come a time where she could smile so naturally at me. Compared to how it was when we first met, it did seem like she had opened up a bit to me. Hmm… well, hmm… it also felt like she was getting emotionally attached to me.
We were meeting inside a café located within a certain station on the Sobu Line. What exactly could I give Naruko that would make her the happiest? If I asked the person herself, I wouldn't be able to get any useful information. And when I asked some of her otaku friends for their opinions, after all was said and done we decided to meet for a strategy meeting like this.
"… It's almost time, but Rias-san just sent me an email and said she's going to be late."
"I see. She seems to be quite busy all of the time…"
"… It look like she will not gonna come anytime soon…"
Seeming irritated, Kuroneko faced the other way, and sucked at the straw that was stuck into her iced coffee.
After that, the silence continued for a bit longer. I was at a loss as to what we should talk about. I'm sure Kuroneko felt the same way. Whether it was about doujinshi or Naruko or something else, there were plenty of things we could talk about, but it was just hard to break the ice. As always, when I was alone with her it became like this.
… Haah. If I was with Chiaki or Karin instead, it wouldn't get like this…
If this meeting was with them, even if there were a pause in the conversation it wouldn't feel awkward at all. Just as Kuroneko had said, when you want to say something, you should just say it. But the person I was meeting right now was not the childhood friend or cousin I had come to know very well, but rather a younger girl I had known for less than a year. There wasn't any reason this meeting would go the same way.
"Umm…"
"Hey…"
We opened our mouths at the same time.
"… Ah."
"… Oh."
And shut them at the same time as well.
"What? Didn't you want to say something?"
"You too, you looked like you were about to say something."
Once again, silence. Trying not to meet each other's gaze, we silently stared off into random directions.
…Uwaaaaah… I can't take this…! Dammit… what the hell is this… feeling anxious, I scratched the back of my neck, when Kuroneko began to mumble with her head down.
"Hey…"
This time, our words didn't run into each other.
"I wanted to say something about… what happened before…"
"What happened before?"
"Yeah, that is… on the train ride back…"
"Ahh, that time?"
I knew what she was talking about. It was that time when we infiltrated the Shinjuku publishing company by pretending we were submitting an application to be published… she was probably referring to the ride back. At that time, inside the train, I recall that I said a lot to try to cheer Kuroneko up, since she was feeling pretty depressed after she had suffered harsh criticism at the hands of the editor we had met.
"It might be a bit late to say this but… I wanted to offer you my thanks."
"Nah, it's fine, it's fine. Don't worry about it. It wasn't a big deal." I can't even remember exactly what I said to her back then.
"And in any case, I'm the one who should be thanking you. You were the one doing me a favor by coming with me. It actually bothers me that you think you need to thank me."
"Hmph, that's unacceptable. It bothers me if you can't just accept my thanks." Kuroneko lightly cleared her throat, and then said, "Thank you for that time."
"No problem. Thank you too."
"…"
Kuroneko gave me a nod. She seemed to be trying to find the right words to say, and mumbled without making eye contact with me.
"Umm… Nii-san, if I ever go to an editorial department again to submit something… would you come with me?"
"Sure."
"Thanks…"
I sort of knew where she was coming from. For a junior high schooler to go to a place filled with adults by herself and expect to deal with them on equal terms was a frightening thought. I gladly consented.
"Wait, so you already wrote something else that you're going to submit?"
"No, I still haven't decided what I'm going to make. There are a lot of things I want to try… I wanted to maybe try a manga or game next time instead of a novel. Not to submit right away, but first to release as a doujin…"
"Ahh… so I won't have anything to do for a while then?"
My question was tinged with a slight bit of disappointment, and Kuroneko began to speak with a gloomy tone of voice.
"Up until now, whether for games, or music, or illustrations, or manga, or novels… everything has been self-taught, and I've been doing everything on my own strength alone, to my own specifications… and I thought that was the best way to go about things. Of course, there are good parts to that method, and it does produce its own results… but lately I've revised my way of thinking."
Perhaps that was due to her experience with the editor that day. Certainly, that was a part of it. But as Kuroneko continued talking, I realized that this experience wasn't the only factor.
"Working with someone to make something every once in a while might not be bad either. I don't know if it will go well… but that's what I've started to think."
Now, she has friends who share her hobby. She has people who she can call out to and go "Let's do it together." And I was one of those people. So, to my very shy friend who had a hard time saying things herself, I said this:
"That definitely would be fun. Working on something with like-minded friends."
"That might be true."
Raising her head, even though her expression hadn't really changed, Kuroneko seemed happy. And with that, the awkward atmosphere was dispelled, and just a bit, I began to chat more comfortably with Kuroneko. And just as that was happening…
"Ahhh, sorry to keep you two waiting!" Rias vigorously waved to us, and approached.
"Yo." I raised a hand in greeting. Our conversation stopping, Kuroneko watched Rias with half-lidded eyes. As soon as she appeared on the scene, she raised her voice excitedly.
"Well, then, let's set off! Fufufu, around here there's an interesting game center that has an entrance that looks like a haunted house. Let's head in that direction first. There's a taxi waiting for us outside, so let's talk about the details while we drive to the game center."
"Wait a second, are you sure you're not just using this as an excuse to go to a game center? How are we going to have a present strategy meeting at a game center? My free time is limited, you know. "
I retorted irritably. Rias cocked her head to the side, puzzled.
"Ahh no, in the game center, there's a crane game with a stuffed animal that I think Naruru-chi would like. I think that would be a present that would make her happy."
Leaving the station behind, we did as Rias had suggested and found ourselves browsing through game centers and anime shops in order to choose something Naruko might want (and Ayase would actually feel comfortable giving her.)
"These are just things I thought of now, but… well… what about a Madoka doll… or maybe a visual fanbook for an eroge that Naruru-chi likes… or maybe a rare doujinshi?"
"… Hmm."
I know Rias put a lot of thought into this, but not only did some of those things seem like things Ayase would completely flip out at, I felt like none of them really fit the category of things that Naruko would be "the most happy" to receive.
"… I don't think any of those hit the mark."
"That's true. Hmm… yes, if we just buy something from a shop, it would be something that Naruru-chi could buy herself… this becomes quite difficult if we have to choose among things that we're sure Naruru-chi doesn't already have."
"… Hmph, well if we had to pick from what Rias just listed, then the Madoka doll would be the safest option, right?"
"But, if we're talking about what makes her 'the happiest,' I'm a bit doubtful that a Madoka doll would do it."
By the way, right now, we were strolling around while eating the ice cream we had bought from a fast food restaurant. Having finished her chocolate ice cream, Rias licked her lips.
"Well, leaving that aside. We're all here, so why don't we pick a few of the things among the candidates that we don't end up selecting and buy them as presents for Naruru-chi ourselves? We can leave the congratulations for the track tournament up to her school friends, so why don't we plan a party for her for publishing her cell phone novel? Fufufu… to be honest, Kuroneko-chi and I have been talking about this for a while. So, I mean, I was happy that we could have this present-giving strategy meeting today."
"You guys…" I slowly looked back and forth from Rias to Kuroneko, and I expressed my gratitude.
"You two really are very thoughtful… thank you very much."
"Hmph. It's not like I did anything. Just like always, Rias-san is just being a meddler and saying whatever she wants…" Kuroneko spoke with a snort.
Rias gave off a silly laugh with a "nin nin."
"I believe I've mentioned this before already, but meddling is something I do because I want to do it. I do it because I want to, so you don't need to thank me."
"Sure. So let me just do what I want to do as well and give you my thanks."
"Hahaha, my my. Naruto-chi is so stubbornly good-natured, isn't he?"
"If you ask me, both of you are beyond hope."
To my left, Kuroneko was watching Rias and me with half-lidded eyes. But Rias just gave off a wide smile.
"My my… those aren't words I want to hear from Kuroneko-chi, who's here buying a present with us for Naruru-chi even though she constantly bashes Naruru-chi's cell phone novel… fufufu."
"That piece of trash's popularity is going to be short-lived, so we might as well congratulate her while it lasts. After all, she's just going to be more depressed afterwards. Serves her right."
Lately, I couldn't help but find Kuroneko's abusive language a bit adorable. My jaws unconsciously slackened a bit. She was trying to speak her true feelings, but in her case, that wasn't all. When I came to understand that, I couldn't help but start to strangely like Kuroneko's harsh words and actions. Even though I would have definitely gotten annoyed if Naruko had said the same thing to me.
"So that's why, Naruto-chi, today we're not just here for Ayase-chi's present, but also to select what we're going to give to Naruru-chi as a present."
"Alright, understood. So let's get back on topic… I still haven't seen anything particularly good we can give her. What are we going to do?"
"Hmmm… so I guess the Madoka doll really is no good?"
"It's the best out of everything you suggested, but… I feel like we can do better. It just doesn't feel right… I know you thought hard about this, so I'm sorry."
"No, no, I understand where you're coming from. When it comes to your precious sister, even if you're handing her the gift through someone else, you have to be very careful in your selection. Yup yup."
Yup yup my ass. It's not like that, dammit.
"In summary, we need something like the doll but better, right? Something that isn't sold normally, something that that girl might want, something that isn't 18+, and something that's not easy to get."
"Yes, something like that… but is there really something like that we can get?"
"…"
Kuroneko didn't answer, but just silently pointed ahead. Following her finger, I found myself staring at the entrance to the anime shop we were facing. On both sides of the automatic doors were pasted a number of huge posters…
"… T-This is…!?"
I was dazed and surprised after reading the announcement written on the poster Kuroneko was pointing to.
Y-Yes! That might work…!
(◕ω◕✿)
"… U-Umm… could you explain it one more time?"
"Naruko is a huge fan of an anime called 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica.'"
The day after I had met with Kuroneko and Rias, I once again met with Ayase. The meeting was taking place on a road by the side of my house.
"I understand that. And from the DVD package you brought me, it doesn't seem to be that sketchy."
Ayase nodded while gazing at the Madoka DVD case.
"So, I was thinking, what if you gave her a Madoka figure that isn't available for sale? If you gave her that, I think she would be the happiest. It's something really difficult to get, and to people who like these things, it has quite a bit of value."
"Hmm, I still don't really understand what you mean, but if Naruto-kun says that… then it probably is true."
Sadly, as far as Ayase was concerned, I was an extreme otaku. And that's why she spoke as she did.
"So… what do you think?"
"Alright. If that's what I need to get… I'm fine with it."
"I see."
"It's just, I didn't really hear you very well when you were explaining how I can get this not-for-sale figure. Could you please explain it to me one more time?"
"Sure. What I'm talking about is a figure called 'Ultimate Madoka Goddess Form' or something, and was sculpted by a famous figure sculptor. This is a specially made figure, and there's only one in existence. Being a big fan of the anime, Naruko would desperately want this figure. Of course, you can't get it in any normal way… it's the grand prize at a Puella Magi Madoka Magica cosplay tournament."
"… And you want me to participate?"
All the light went out from Ayase's eyes. Her shoulders trembled and she looked down at the ground.
"I mean, you're a model… and you're really pretty… this is like a beauty contest, right? And I think you definitely have a great shot at winning"
I would really pay to see that too if you cosplay to Homura, and I think it would be fascinating, but I didn't think she could win with that. But still, just in case I had to give advice to Ayase on the matter, I had done a bit of research on this tournament. The producers of the DVD for the anime had held one other official, very serious cosplay tournament before. For that tournament, the winner was a foreign girl who did a cosplay of Madoka's friend, Sayaka Miki.
"Take a look at this magazine. This is a photo of the winner last time. No matter how much of an enchanting performance you give, do you think you can win against this?"
"I won't be giving this enchanting performance in the first place! What kind of revolting things are you imagining right now!?"
"D-Don't be so rude! It's just a simulation!"
"Isn't it all the same!? Ecchi! Hentai! G-Geez… you really are revolting…!"
Even while she flushed completely red and threw abuse at me, Ayase flipped to the page in question and looked at the magazine.
"… Ahh, she's imitating this character…? I'll admit that they really look similar."
"I know right?"
This was the first time I realized this, but even from the viewpoint of an amateur, foreign cosplayers were no joke. They were realer than the real thing. It was an amazingly perfect act, almost as if the character had slipped out of the TV screen and had been transformed into real life. If this person participated in this tournament as well, she would be a terrifying competitor.
"But, that doesn't mean you don't have a chance. If we're talking about just natural beauty, I think you have her beat, and after all's said and done, you're the professional model. You also have the know-how to put clothes on display. Depending on what costume you choose, I think you can even beat the foreigners. And, if you can successfully win this competition, you can get a present that Naruko would really want."
"… I see. I understand. From what you've said, there's a character that I resemble, right? Well, let's take a look, Naruto-kun. Show me the costume that you think I should wear."
"Alright, it's this one."
Ayase returned the magazine to me, and after flipping through a few pages I returned it back to her.
"Devil Homura Lucifer Form. By the way, Homura effectively becomes a goddess in this mode. Apart from her true nature as a demon, she appears to have the power to manipulate the memories of virtually anyone she pleases, but otherwise the full extent of her abilities are unknown. It is assumed that Homura is a deity that primarily embodies love."
"What the hell are you talking about and She's pretty much naked isn't she! Dieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee-!"
With an angry expression that would fit a last boss perfectly, Ayase sent a high kick right into my face. I toppled over pathetically, but still managed to talk with my hand covering my nose.
"… T-This is just something I've heard, but the judges are all male otaku, so ero costumes would definitely be the strongest! And Homucifer was voted the most popular character on a poll, you know!? Homura is really popular with the otaku, and —"
"— Shut up, shut up, die! Exactly how much do you want me to wear ecchi clothes like this!? Don't tell me you treat Naruko the same way!? I'll report you! I'll report you right now!"
"I'm really not that much of a hentai, dammit! If there's a brother who would make his sister wear ero cosplay and be happy about it, I would be the first to find that person and kill him!"
"Saying something like that with a nosebleed isn't convincing at all!"
"You were the one who kicked me, dammit!"
What the hell was going on with this conversation!? Why did I have to deal with such a pointless argument with one of my sister's friends!? I just thought that if Ayase cosplayed Homucifer, she would definitely look ero and be really popular! It's not like I want to see her in that cosplay or anything, and to the very end I was just making a good suggestion out of kindness…! What was wrong with this world!?
"A-Anyways! I definitely won't wear something as Inappropriate as this!"
"… Then, what are you going to do about Naruko's present? There are a few other ideas I have, but I don't think you can say any of those things would 'make Naruko the happiest.'"
"Ugh…"
It looked like I hit a weak point. Ayase looked as if she had been driven into a corner. She embraced herself with one hand and her cheeks flushed red. She frustratingly bit her lower lip.
"… Ugh… t-this hentai…."
This woman…! Why is she giving me a look as if I'm trying to force her to do something!?
N-No, it really isn't like that. It might look like that I'm desperately trying to convince Ayase to wear sexy cosplay, but it really isn't like that. Honestly, all of my actions up until now have been purely out of thought for Naruko and Ayase's friendship. Honestly. I'm not lying.
"Well, what are you going to do then? I've said all I have to say. Everything else is up to you."
"I-In summary, a victory at this cosplay tournament would be the goal, right?"
"Hmm?"
Those were words I was not expecting to come out of the cornered Ayase.
"As long as the tournament is won… and we get the prize… I don't have to wear these clothes, right?"
"That's certainly true… but I don't think any other costume would win against this foreigner. It's not enough to just look pretty."
"No, we can win."
Ayase made that declaration. W-Where was her confidence coming from…? Her steady glare was pretty frightening though.
Ayase looked away from me, and began to talk while looking downwards on a slant.
"In short, a cosplay tournament is just a beauty competition with a concept attached. It's a competition to see which girl harmonizes the most with her costume, and how to execute the concept the most beautifully. In other words, this girl who looks exactly like this Sayaka Miki-san… if we find a cosplay that is cuter than hers and which matches better than hers, then we can win. Right?"
"It's exactly as you say… but is that possible?"
Just so you know, the character that you match with the most is definitely Homura.
Ayase handed back the DVD of Madoka that she had still been holding onto. She began to do something on the phone she had been gripping for a while, and showed me a certain photograph.
"… I know someone that can help us. Please take a look at this picture."
"… T-This is…!? Y-Yes! We might be able to win with this girl!"
(◕ω◕✿)
In no time at all, the day of the cosplay tournament had arrived. Carrying a huge duffle bag with the cosplay costume that Kuroneko and Rias had helped me prepare, I waited for Ayase in the meeting place we had prearranged.
Right now, I was right under the huge screens of the UDX building in Akihabara that faced outwards onto the street. As per Ayase's request, I had swept back my hair, put on a suit, and had a pair of sunglasses on. Someone who know me wouldn't know it was me if they looked at me.
"Sorry to keep you waiting! This is my classmate, Kuuko Yasaka-san!"
"Nice to meet yoo. I'm Kuuko. Just call me Kuu-chan~~."
The girl that Ayase brought, whose self-introduction was just filled completely through with her cutesy-little-girl act, was none other than Naruko's bratty classmate, Kuuko Yasaka. She was wearing some of the childish (but stylish) clothes I had seen for sale at the 109 building during Christmas.
"Nice to meet you… Kuu… chan. I'm Aragaki's manager, Arashi Uzumaki. You really don't have to be too polite with me, alright? I might be Aragaki-san's manager, but I'm still new, so I'm more like her attendant. Feel free to act at ease around me."
After all, if she kept up with the cutesy girl act I wouldn't be able to take it anymore. Even though I was scared out of my wits, waiting for the minute I would be exposed, when I gave her my name, Kuuko didn't seem to realize who I really was in the slightest. She began to fiddle with her cell phone and spoke.
"Here I thought you were a producer or something. Alright then, I'll just act however I want then. Ahh, it was really dumb of me to try to butter you up then. Also, don't go and start calling me Kuu-chan like you know me, alright? It's gross."
"Sorry… Yasaka-san." T-This damn brat…
Well then, this seems like a good time to explain the plan that Ayase had cooked up. Ayase had firmly rejected the idea of her cosplaying as Homucifer in the tournament, but as another option, she would convince someone to participate in the tournament that had an even better chance of winning. After hearing the details, I couldn't agree quickly enough.
"But also. If I wins this cosplay tournament, I was told that you would put in a good word with the head of your offiiiice~. Is that truuee?"
But the problem we had to face now was how to convince this brat to participate in the cosplay tournament. She wasn't such a true friend that she would do something freely for Naruko all for the sake of something that she didn't care about in the first place. So I didn't think we could approach this from the front.
Ayase had spoken with all the light gone from her eyes:
"I'll tell her that if she win this cosplay tournament. I'll be recommended her to a modeling agency, Kuuko will probably try her best since she wants to be a model like me and Naruko. To be honest, I had always been planning to introduce Kuuko to our agency head, so this will be like killing two birds with one stone. I'll definitely get the present that will make Naruko the happiest. No matter what I have to do."
That was her words she said to me the other day… and that brings us to where we are now.
Kuuko seemed a bit suspicious to me but Ayase faced her and gave her a smile.
"It'll be alright, Kuuko. In reality, I've already spoken to the company president for you and showed him your photos. And if you win this cosplay tournament, you'll definitely be able to produce real results, and I think you'll get featured in next magazine."
"Really? Buuut, I am a bit Loli, right? When you think about models, you think more about clunky huge women…"
Ill intent oozed between her every word (after "huge women" she probably wanted to add "like you")…
"Ahaha, well, that depends on the job. But more importantly, I really felt that Kuuko could win this cosplay tournament, so I took you with me today."
"Ahh~~? Reaaally~~?"
Kuuko seemed pleased at Ayase's flattery. She really resembled Naruko in this area too. In a few minutes, exactly what would happen to the smile she had on right now…?
Ayase clapped her hands together.
"Well then, let's get right to the costume, shall we?"
So… the dreaded clothes-changing time had arrived… Kuuko was not in the changing room of the cosplay hall, but rather was going to change in a car that Ayase had called to the scene. Right now, we were behind the Akihabara UDX Building, near the service entrance. I saw a car stopped in front of us, the same car I was used to seeing Ayase in while she worked.
"Sorry the car is so cramped. But Kuuko will be using this type of car to change on the job from now on too, so it's best if you get used to the feeling of doing this."
"Uwaaah, so you change in a place like this…"
Kuuko stood in front of the car with tinted windows, and her voice was filled with admiration.
"Well then, Kuuko, please get in. I'll help you change. Today you'll be wearing a magical girll outfit, and it's hard to get on by yourself."
"Ah! This Kyoko Sakura costume from Madoka, right? this feels pretty cool. It's like I'm a real Magical Girl."
The two girls entered into the car, leaving me as the only person outside. The door slammed shut… and I could hear voices coming from inside the car.
"Alright Kuuko~. Let's take everything off, everything off~~!"
Ayase strangely seemed to be having fun. In fact, I've yet to hear her sound so happy.
"Hyah, don't touch my breasts~!"
"Sooory, my hand slipped. Ah, it slipped again. Kyah, it slipped again! And again!"
"U-Ugh! It's really dark in here, I can't even tell where you're going to touch next… uhii!"
"Ahah, is tickliiiiish~~."
I wonder what's going on in that car behind those tinted windows…
Finally, the doors opened with a clank. Out came Ayase, obviously in a good mood, along with one other.
… Not good! Not goooood… when I saw Kuuko come out of the car, I gulped.
Kuuko was the spitting image of Kyoko Sakura. Rather than saying she was cosplaying, it would really be more fitting to say that she was the real thing. Also, was it just me, or did she look completely exhausted? Hey hey Ayase, did you just use changing clothes as an excuse to do something to her…? Maybe, for all this time, the sketchiest, most hentai person has been you…?
"Uhyaaa…"
The minute she came out of the car, Kuuko went into a squat. I guess there's no helping it if she's exhausted, but if a Kyoko Sakura fan saw her like this they would faint.
"Hehehe~ That outfit really suits you, Kuuko-chan."
"Shut up! You better repay me after all this done!"
"Now now, calm down, Kuuko. "
Ayase still had not let up her happy expression.
"Kuuko is the only one who can do this! Someone like me would never be able to win against a foreigner! But you can definitely win! She can win it all! Because, Kuuko is really, really cute!"
"R-Really…? Kuuko is… that cute? Well, I knew that already, Nyahaha!"
"Yes yes, Kuuko-chan's reaaaally cute! Your cuteness can't possibly be matched by anyone else! Hey, hey, don't you agree?"
With that, Ayase turned to me, and I followed along vaguely.
"No kidding! You're really sexy cute! You could star in a cosplay adult video if you wanted!"
"Die!"
Bam.
"Ugh…"
Ayase sent an elbow right into my throat to shut me up, and as I held my throat and writhed in pain, Ayase once again turned to Kuuko and began to sing her praises.
"Here, hold this spear! Uwaah, you're seriously cute, Kuuko~! You're going to win for sure!"
"Nyahaha~, well… when you put it like that… I definetely win this!"
This dumbass, acting like this, I really hope she doesn't get eventually taken in by some shady stuff… those strange worries passed through my mind.
(◕ω◕✿)
"Puella Magi Madoka Magica STAAAAAARTOOOOOO~~~!"
WOOAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
HOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
Chitosechaaaaaan!
HYAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!
When the seiyuu that did Madoka's voice, Chitose Karasuma-san, faced the microphone and made that announcement, it sparked a huge amount of excited cheering, and signaled that the cosplay tournament had begun.
"She's really popular, isn't she…?"
"Ugh… What's with this bizarre atmosphere…? It's making my head spin…"
While Ayase and I were being bowled over by the atmosphere, we exchanged whispers. I had already been through Comiket, so I was a little more used to things like this, but this was Ayase's first otaku event, so she was having an extremely hard time with it.
"You alright…? Should we get away for a bit and take a break?"
"I'm fine… I already forced Kuuko to go this far, so it would be rude if I didn't see this through to the very end."
"… I see."
Even while her face paled, Ayase remained firm.
The weather was sunny. The inside of the UDX building had been decked out with a busy stage. Gaudy star-shaped lights sparkled around, and a horizontal banner with "The Second Puella Magi Madoka Magica Official Cosplay Tournament" written on it was hanging across the stage. And there were easily more than a hundred people in the audience.
"Umm… this is a children's anime, right? Why is this place filled with adult men?"
"Even if you ask me that…"
That's something that I really had a hard time answering. And exactly how many brave souls were there that could confidently answer that question anyways?
"Isn't it just because it's something that appeals to a diverse audience?"
"I… see…"
It was just as she thought — the people here in the audience were mostly adult men, the so-called "old friends", the hardcore otaku. It was obvious just from looking. Everyone was wearing the same thing (a pink hanten with Madoka's face printed on it), and in perfect unison, everyone was waving multicolored pen lights around in the air. It was like we were in the middle of an army rally or a religious cult. Also, you guys are way too happy about being here, aren't you!? People walking around here who don't understand the mood are severely confused, aren't they!? What the hell is up with this stark difference!?
"Everyone~~! Thanks for comiiiinngg~~!" Chitose-san waved her hand courteously in response to the cheering.
There was no doubt whatsoever that she was the cause of all this crazed enthusiasm. She was wearing a white hat and a turtleneck sweater. A black skirt and boots. It was a very grounded, normal set of clothes. But for some reason, her sense of presence managed to rise higher than all the tumult being raised by the audience. Just by speaking on the stage, she caused even me to feel a bit excited. I could somewhat understand the feelings of the fans who had come here to see her.
"Alright, everyone~~. The long awaited day for the Second Madoka Official Cosplay Tournament has finally come~! This year there are… twenty-three cute girls who are in the tournament! They've transformed into Madoka characters and they're about to appear on stage! Look forward to it! And yes, this year, I, Chitose Karasuma, am very pleased to be your host again! Hello everyone!"
WOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! Piii~~~! Piii~~~! CHITOSE! HIHIHIHI! CHITOSE! HIHIHIHI!
At any rate, the otaku seemed to be getting really into it. They were perfectly synchronized, to the point where I couldn't believe that they hadn't come here from an intensive choreography training camp. It was frightening how trained they seemed.
"…"
Ayase was very guardedly gazing at the otaku… when her gaze finally stopped and concentrated on one point.
"W-What's wrong?"
"Naruto-kun t-that… please look over there."
Following Ayase's line of sight, I gave out a huge groan. Because, right there was…
"Hyahooo! Chi. To. Se! Chi. To. Se! Haihaihaihai!"
Excitedly waving around a pen light, my sister was standing right there. Wearing a pink hanten, she held a Madoka fan in her other hand. She completely fit into the otaku crowd.
Seeing her close friend in full otaku mode, Ayase seemed like she had seen a ghost, "T-T-That's… Naruko, right…? I'm not… just seeing things, right…?"
"Yeah, it is." I responded with a natural, gentle voice.
Frankly, I couldn't really even believe my eyes. But, actually, this makes sense! We had come here to get something that she really wanted, so it's nothing strange that Naruko would be here as well! In fact, we should consider ourselves lucky that the person herself didn't dress up and participate in the tournament! That would have been bad… this was a close call.
If Kuuko and Naruko had butted heads in the contestant waiting room, this situation would have spiraled way out of control…! We had managed to get things rolling this far already, but that girl was just bad news. I stroked down my chest in relief, when I heard Ayase let out a simultaneously agitated and relieved sigh next to me.
"I-It's good that I didn't participate… I would just die if Naruko saw me in that sketchy outfit."
"She really seems to be really having a great time, though."
"Did you just say something?"
"N-No, nothing…"
Right after I vaguely dodged the question, Chitose-san swiftly pointed to the ceiling.
"Alright, everyoooonnneeee~~! Please direct your attention at the huuuuge screen behind me~! Tadaa, there you'll see today's grand prize, and trophy, the 'Madokami Special Figure'! There's only one in the world, and it's super extremely rare! Wow, amaaazing!"
AAAAAAAAAAAAA! AAAAAAAA!
The Madoka figure appeared blown up on the screen, and the crowd raised an excited cheer as if they were in the ancient Macedonian Army or something.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh there's the Madoka in her goddess form! It's there it's there! I waaaaant itttttt! Dammiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiittt! If I could find just one character I look like…!"
Naruko was also hugely excited. As I thought, if she thought she had a chance of winning, she would have gone into the tournament herself, wouldn't she? Ahh, that was close. I turned towards Ayase.
"Hey, Ayase, it seems like we really weren't wrong in picking this out as the present, were we?"
"… I suppose so."
Ayase looked rather torn. Well, there's no helping that, considering she's bearing witness to just how much her beloved friend desperately wanted that doll.
… Now then.
"I'm going to go warn Naruko a bit. She's acting like a lunatic right now because she probably doesn't expect to see anyone she knows."
I took a step into the crowd. Now that I've found Naruko here, it wouldn't do to just leave things be. Kuuko's going to be on stage in a minute, and when that happened, if Naruko got really surprised when she was like this, there's a possibility that Kuuko would realize that Naruko was here.
"Let's split up for the moment. If she saw us together here, it would be hard to explain away."
"That's true. Well then, let's meet up at the same place we met before, after the tournament is over."
"Got it."
"Here, give this to Naruko."
Ayase took off the hat she was wearing and passed it to me. She probably meant for me to give it to Naruko, so Naruko could hide herself from Kuuko. I received it gratefully, and parted from Ayase.
On the stage, Chitose-san was explaining the rules for the cosplay tournament.
"Including me, there will be five judges, and we'll decide the winner with everyone's vote! This cool machine over here measures the volume of your cheers, and the contestants can earn up to fifty points from that. Each judge also can award up to ten points, so there's a total possible of a hundred points! Everyone got iiiiiit~~~?"
Yeeeeeeeesss. All the otaku obediently answered. Just like a kindergarten class would do. Meanwhile, I slowly waded my way through the huge crowd.
"Good response, everyone! Each cosplayer will have three minutes to perform for you. As long as you stay in that time, you can do anything you waaant~. You can talk, or sing, or dance, everything is completely okay! Just get us excited! Good luck!"
"Yaaaay!" Naruko gave out a huge cheer with the other otaku. She probably didn't even imagine that she would be seen in this full-out otaku mode by a close friend. Well, she can just deal with that later. At that moment, I found that even though I could see my sister's excited face, I couldn't reach her.
Dammit… Comiket, and this place… it was way too crowded. Why the hell did otaku have to crowd together like this?
As I slowly inched forwards, the tournament continued.
"Well then, let's get right to entry number one! From all the way from England, here's Rem Lugnica aka Rem-chan!"
OOOOOoooooooooooooooooooohhhhhh!
Upon the entry of the competition favorite, the room erupted. Rem-chan was a beautiful, blue haired Caucasian girl, and around the same age as the character she was cosplaying, Sayaka Miki.
"Rem-chan was the winner last time, and just like that time, she's cosplaying Saya-chan! Cute, riiiiiight~~~~? And she looks just like Saya-chan!"
Just as Chitose-san had introduced her, Rem-chan was wearing the same thing that this "Saya-chan," or "Sayaka Miki," wore in the series. But while Madoka's outfit was based in pink, her costume was designed with Blue colors. She wore a clothing consists of a blue and white, button down, strapless top, a blue skirt, white stockings with a blue stripe, teal boots, a white, thigh-long cape, and 2 pairs of gloves: one being midnight-blue and elbow-length, while the other being white and the standard length, and held a short sword with a curved blade.
So this was the one who had won last time… she was magnificent in the flesh. Rem-chan walked out to the middle of the stage, and without giving any sort of greeting to the audience, suddenly began her performance.
"Behold! My sword!" With a shout of fluent Japanese, she readied her sword with practiced motions.
Swshh! With one hand, she thrust the sword straight forward, and fell into a pose that was honestly way too flashy to be practical. However, it was charming, and looked pretty cool.
She held her stance for a moment, and then began to flourish her blade from side to side. It was almost as if she was trying to deflect bullets that enemies had shot at her. She then took a step back, almost dancing, and crossed swords with an invisible enemy.
Swshh! Swshhh swshhh! Swwwsshhh! Her fluid movements gradually increased in speed.
"Hah! Hah! Hyaaah!"
Rem-chan, with a small battle cry, crouched down and evaded her enemy's "sword strike," and then swept upwards with her own sword, knocking her enemy's "sword" flying. And then, she stepped down on the ground with all her might.
"Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!"
At that moment, I could swear I saw the form of her enemy being cut down by her return attack. Everyone in the meeting hall probably felt the same. For a moment, everyone fell into silence, and then…
UWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH
A dam broke, and a storm of cheering and applause broke out. I myself couldn't do much but take my hat off to her. It would be outrageous to say that she only looked like the character. That was a tremendous performance. It's possible that Kuuko couldn't even win against that. Before I noticed, I had also stopped moving and was applauding. Right in front of me, Naruko also was clapping and looked really excited.
"Kyaahhh! Moe! Moe Moe! I want to take her home and make her my little sisteeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrrrr!"
"Hey, cut it out you idiot!" Not being able to stand by watching any longer, I abruptly clapped the hat on my sister's head.
"Wha-…!? M-Molester!?" She turned around, and immediately stomped down on my foot.
"Oww-, that hurts… y-y-y-y-you! Each. And. Every. Time! You don't even check who it is…! It's me, dammit, me!"
"Huh!? What the hell are you saying, you molester!?"
"I'm not a molester! Dammit! Can't you recognize the voice of your own brother!?"
The pain caused a cold sweat to break out across my forehead, and when I took off my sunglasses, Naruko finally figured out who I was. Her eyes opened wide in surprise.
"W-Why the hell are you here!?"
"That's a long story. I'll explain it to you eventually, so just don't worry about that right now."
"Huh?"
"Just listen. I'm doing this for your good, so just hide your face with this. You don't want your school friends to realize that you're here, right?"
"W-Who's here?"
Naruko pulled the hat low over her eyes, and restlessly looked around. After all the commotion with Ayase, she was probably deathly afraid of any more of her friends catching wind of her hobby.
"I won't tell you the details, but one of the contest participants is someone you know."
"You're going to explain this to me after, alright?"
As Naruko and I exchanged whispers, the electric scoreboard displayed Rem-chan's score. Like a certain big costume competition, the score showed up as a gauge meter.
Duruduruduruduruduru… complete with a rather creepy sound effect in the background, the gauge meter filled up. Everyone watched that gauge with bated breath. And finally, Boonnngg! With the sound of a gong, Chitose-san read out her score.
"Ninety-nine poiiiiiiiiiiiinnnnntts~~~! Oh, too bad! But amazing! That's almost a perfect score! Well, if you think about it as the judges just secretly being nice to the other contestants, it really is a perfect score! This contest might already have been decided!"
Secretly being nice, you say… I mean, I understand what you mean. Just don't say something like that out loud, dammit.
And like that, the cosplay competition proceeded from contestant to contestant.
After that performance that seemed appropriate for the competition's favorite, Rem-chan, the mood of the place had suddenly reached a climax. The succeeding cosplayers, as might be expected from people who participated in an event like this, were all cute girls. The otaku and Naruko were all ecstatic. There were also plenty of junior high school students in the competition, and I watched the charming sight side by side with my sister.
Oh right, amongst the participants, there were also those who advertised the maid café where they worked or made announcements about their cosplay photo albums while they performed.
Hmm… so people also did things like that during these competitions. Eventually, around twenty contestants had finished their performances. But there were no scores that had beaten Rem-chan's score, and the charged atmosphere had subsided a bit.
"Hey… who's this person that I know? Did she already perform?"
"No, not yet… I won't even have to tell you, you'll know the minute she comes out…"
But, I couldn't help but grow more and more worried. No matter how much Kuuko looked like Kyoko, if she acted like the damn brat she acted like before, she might just end up pissing off the Madoka fans… hm. I guess like this, the victory would naturally go to Saya-chan…
As my anxiety grew, with uncanny timing, Chitose-san called the person in question out.
"Entry number twenty-one! Kuuko-chan, come on out~~~~~~!"
"Alriiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiggghht~~~~~"
And then, once "Kuuko-chan" herself took the stage, the entire audience was taken completely aback. It wasn't only that the cosplayer who had now appeared on stage was the spitting image of Kyoko Sakura. But when she trotted to stage center, the first thing she said put people further into shock.
"Puella Magi Madoka Magica STAAAAAARTOOOO~~~!"
Lightly holding her spear aloft, Kyoko (Kuuko) spun around with a kururin. And then, the music started. Puella Magi Madoka Magica OP song, "Connect", began to flow from the speakers. Kyoko (Kuuko) began to step with the beat of the music, and at some point had gotten a microphone in her hands. As the intro segment of the song ended, she gave the audience a quick wink.
::::::
I won't forget the promise we made
I'll close my eyes and ascertain it
Shaking off the darkness that closed in on me, I advance on
When can I see again here the future that I lost?
Again and again, I'll tear apart the shadow of distress that spilled out and walk on in this world~!
::::::
"Where the hell did she learn to sing so well!?" I yelled what I'm sure everyone was thinking at the top of my lungs.
Dammit! Her singing even as good as Kagurazaka Senpai! But seriously, wasn't this weird!? Where the hell did she learn how to sing so good!? And she even looked like she had mastered the choreography!
::::::
The time that ticked away ceaselessly now announces the beginning Putting my unchanging feelings into it I'll open the closed door~!
Awoken heart has started to run, in order to draw the future
Even if I come to a standstill on a difficult road
The sky is always waiting for me in a beautiful blue
So I'm not scared By now, no matter what happens, I won't get disheartened~
::::::
Kyoko (Kuuko) threw the spear up the air at the climax of the song, and began to spin on stage. She neatly caught the spear as it spun up and down and fell to the earth, and gave the crowd a wink.
There was nothing I could say at this point. Having bore witness to such an impossible sight, all I could do was stand there, dumbfounded. In my place, the engrossed audience seemed to simultaneously come back to their senses.
"That's so adooorable! What is that?! CG?! Is it a CG?! A three-dimensional projection or something?!"
Calm down, you.
"Crap, I'm getting a nosebleed!"
Putting pressure on her nose with a tissue, Naruko seemed beside herself. You're getting way too excited! Is this how a girl's supposed to act? Look in a damn mirror!
"Thaaaaank you everyoooone~~~."
Having finished her song, Kuuko gave everyone a content smile and held up her spear.
Light glittered off the good sweat she had going on her forehead, her cheeks were flushed red, and she still had a childish, chuckling expression on her face. She probably just really liked it when people praised her. Call her an exhibitionist… or rather, just someone who really liked to be noticed. Surprisingly, I would say that she might have the stuff it takes to make it as an idol for the otaku.
And then, with a bloodied tissue in one hand, Naruko asked me wonderingly, "… When exactly is that person I know coming out?"
"Come on, just figure it out. Just realize that you were getting thrown into a frenzy by your classmate!"
(◕ω◕✿)
Like that, the "Puella Magi Madoka Magica Official Cosplay Tournament" came to an end, and the victory was awarded to the one who had scored a magnificent 100 points, Kuu-chan, aka Kuuko Yasaka.
At the awards ceremony, Chitose-san passed Kuuko the grand prize and trophy, the Madokami Special Figure. Kuuko exchanged a firm handshake with the second-place finisher, Rem-chan.
Both of them had on cheek-to-cheek smiles. It was a refreshing little performance to acknowledge each other's efforts at the end of the competition. The theme of Madoka might have been "friendship," but even in the show, Kyouko and Sayaka's relationship was probably somewhat like this.
Having successfully convinced Naruko to go home first, I managed to safely meet up with Ayase.
"See, what did I tell you?"
"Yeah… that was pretty incredible."
When I paid that compliment to Kuuko, Ayase put a hand lightly to her lips and gave me a coy chuckle.
"Ahaha, right? Kuuko's quite amazing!"
I haven't seen her in such a great mood since the first time we met. She really did believe a lot in her friends. That's probably precisely why she got so angry when she found out about Naruko's hobby… honestly, it was rare to find someone like this who could have so much sincere faith in people.
"I'll go get Kuuko's change of clothes, so please go on ahead."
"Got it."
I once again separated from Ayase, and finding myself in a pleasant mood, headed for the victor's waiting room, where Kuuko was waiting. Honestly, I see that brat in a new light now. To think she had such an amazing special talent lying in wait.
Wanting to give the victor my blessings, I opened the door to the waiting room.
"Ugh~~~~~~~ …can't do this anymore~~~~~~~~… what the hell is up with those ugly people~~ 'Kuuko-chan is so cuuute~' 'Kyoko moeee' and all that. I really can't humor those idiots anymore, honestly."
Kyoko(Kuuko) was in a squat, smoking a cigarette.
… I was speechless. I just stood there with my mouth opened wide. Y-You… you… I take everything back! She's smoking a damn cigarette! That completely ruins the impression I had before! What the hell happened to that bright smile you had on earlier!?
In front of this suspect Kyoko stood Rem-chan, still in her costume. Unlike the boldness of her earlier performance, she was cowering.
"K-Kuuko-chan… umm… you really… can't say things like that… everyone was supporting you… "
"Huh? What are you, a complete idiot~~~~~~~~~~?"
With a puff, Kuuko breathed smoke out onto Rem-chan.
Cough, cough
"Ugh…"
Tears began to overflow from Rem-chan's eyes.
"Bueeeeeeeeeeeehhhhhh! Kyoko turned into witch~~~?!"
Uttering what was actually quite a childish-sounding complaint, Rem-chan flew from the room. Watching all this happen, Kuuko uttered one, cruel thing.
"Damn brat."
"You're the damn brat! And W-What the hell are you doing!? Cut it out! Don't smoke!"
"Huh? What are you talking about? This is a chocolate cigarette."
"Where the hell do they make chocolate cigarettes that let you blow out smoke!?"
"Good point you have there."
She's beyond hope. She's just a damn brat… to the point where Naruko might even find it cute.
"Here, give me that." I snatched her cigarette away, and pushed it into the ashtray next to me.
"Hey, what the hell, you thief!? Also, why are you only saying that to me? Isn't that strange? Chitose-chan was also smoking earlier. Go lecture here too."
"Shut up! Live and let live! But don't smoke when you're just a kid!"
"Yes, Dad! But more importantly, how was my performance?"
She's not shy at all, is she? I scratched my head hard, but she was the one who brought the topic up, so I'll just ask what I had on my mind.
"… How exactly did you know that song? "
"Ahh, that?"
Kuuko gave me a cocky grin.
"I work at cosplay café, so I have to know many popular anime songs. How's my performance? amazing, right?"
"Yeah, yeah, amazing." But your personality is the worst…
"You looked like you were having so much fun on stage… was that a lie? Was it all an act? You were really just sneering at everyone from the inside?"
"Nah, it was fun. I likes it when people call me cute. It feels good when people get into my singing or dancing. They seemed to be seriously worshipping me, so that part of it was pretty cute."
She laughed with an "hehe."
"… I see." Seeing that smile from this damn brat… it really made me think that she might be suited to being an idol. Although, before she could do that, no matter how good her sing or danced, she had to quit smoking.
"Hey, hand over the cigarette pack too. You're trying to take out another one, aren't you?"
"Tch… you're so annoying."
By the way, after that, Rem-chan came back with the police, and Kuuko was taken to the Manseibashi Police Station while still wearing her costume.
I just let things be, and saw to it that the Madokami Figure got to where it needed to be… but I heard that later, with the headline "Magical Girl Arrested at Akihabara UDX," it managed to make the news…
Kuuko was subsequently questioned by the police, scolded by her dad, smacked by Ayase, and forced to quit smoking.
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