This is an idea I've had sitting on the fence for a long time. I'm happy to finally get this out. I spent more time writing this while heading back and forth from work.
Cosplay Pair
Naoto did the last bits of her costume, another special commissioned by friends of the famous Idol Rise Kujikawa. She hated dressing up in general (outside of formal suits, she was a massive fan of that) but this was for a case. They've been working on this one for weeks with Japanese Financial and Customs Fraud division and a suspected money laundering scheme involving a high profile mangaka was coming to a close. They finally had enough evidence to apprehend him but he moved from apartment to apartment in quick succession and loss leads on where he would be.
Luckily for Naoto he had an advertisement about having a stand at the summer Comiket which went down well with social media. Naoto picked then to strike but rather than rock up as the Detective, a more discreet approach would be better. Word would get round quickly if she came in normal clothes and possibly give him time to make an escape, but by dressing up as one of the characters in his manga and posing as a fan she can spring a trap on him with other non uniform officers.
One problem as mentioned before, she hated dressing up outside of the occasional Halloween and Christmas, but heavily considered it for this. But with some gentle pushing from Rise and Souji (who she was sure had ulterior motives) she took the outfit, the theme of the manga was a magical school girl trope which Naoto could only sigh in exasperation about. But luckily, Naoto's frame fit the costume perfectly. By the time Souji was done with the make up with strict instructions from Rise, the Sleuth didn't look like herself at all.
The outfit was a pink and blue pleated skirt that stopped just above her knees with blue thigh high socks. The top left the shoulders bare but had a small v-cut in the middle showing off a hint of cleavage. Set of white tassels looped around her biceps and was finished off with blue fingerless long gloves. She was wearing a wig of purple shoulder length hair with a small red tiara at the top with a fake red jewel in the middle. And after 30 minutes of making it very clear that she hated stunt, this she slipped on some white heel boots.
"God's, why did I agree to this?" She grumbled as Souji finished packing the rest of their things in his rucksack and flung it on to his shoulder. Picking up his DSLR camera and her prop magical staff, he patted her on the shoulder as he opened the door to their hotel room for the Detective.
"You did it because you need for today and also because you very dedicated." He said without a beat as they walked towards the lift.
She could tell by his tone he was enjoying this.
"Yeah don't remind me." As they got to the elevator, she peered around to make sure she wasn't being heard or followed.
"So you remember the plan Seta-san?"
He nodded as he slipped on a pair of shades and a face mask to keep his identity a secret. He was in a casual pair of jeans and white polo shirt for the summer. On top of his silver hair, he had on a blue baseball cap, further obscuring his face.
"Of course, nothing too hard but we apprehend them today no?"
Naoto nodded. Trying to be tend that she didn't know Souji was laughing behind his face mask.
"Yeah, we just need to get close enough to do so. He probably suspects something but doesn't know what considering he hasn't had a permanent address in weeks. I'm going to assume he doesn't have a weapon; it's a big venue with a lot of people. Security is already quite high."
"Yeah I think we should be ok. This is the last place he would expect someone to catch them off guard…"
He paused for a minute as he turned to his girlfriend again.
"You are aware that you'll have to act like a traditional cosplayer?"
Her shoulders slumped, shaking her head in dismay.
"Don't remind me."
Souji didn't want to rub it in but he needed to get the information across.
"Just make sure to be bubbly. Your cosplay will be one of the better ones considering where you got it from so just try not to be too harsh with people. I'll be close by if it gets a bit more difficult."
She nodded with reluctance but sighed nonetheless.
"The things I do for the job…"
Souji didn't skip a beat.
"Don't we all Shirogane-sama."
"Urgh…"
…
…
Getting to the outer concourse of the Tokyo Big Sight, it was already swarmed with people all of them manga fans. Luckily for Souji and Naoto, they've been given special all access passes due to their work. Naoto couldn't help but look on in wonder at how many people were just outside. Various professional cosplayers were surrounds by the constant sound of camera shutters with flashing lights accompanying them.
"This is insane…"
Taking quick glance at the disguised Sleuth, eye raised in question.
"You've never been to Comiket?" Naoto shook her head.
"Of course I haven't, when do you think I would have time to do so?"
He was just about to reply when they heard something aimed in their direction.
"Hey there!"
The both of them turned around to see a young guy, with a seemingly expensive camera in hand.
"You're cosplaying as Hiriko-chan from Magi Magi Delta Strike!?"
Naoto paused, her brain trying to catch up with what he's saying. It took a small nudge from Souji to shake her back into the conversation.
"O-Oh yes I am. I hope you like it." Naoto's voice a tone above her natural voice she normally use at home. Souji couldn't help but grin under his mask, curious about the situation.
"Of course I do! Can I get some pictures?" He asked earnestly. She turned to Souji who had a quick glance at his watch before nodding, answering her silent questions.
"I'll take a couple too." Souji suggested as he turned on his camera. Luckily the couple prepared some predetermined poses from the manga that came up in a majority of the fan art. Taking her prop staff, she held it in the air like she was about to take a spell. The person who originally asked gave thumbs up and started to snap photos before changing angle. While Naoto kept a stoic face, inside she was nervous especially since her costume started to attract the attention of others.
"Oh wow that's an amazing cosplay!"
"Never seen such a high quality Hiriko-chan costume!"
"I've never seen this cosplayer before. She's amazing!"
Suddenly she was swarmed by multiple people, cameras out taking a ton of pictures, the sound of the shutters sounding more like cicadas in the morning with how many they were. Naoto gulped, now noticing she was the center of attention, quickly transitioning into another pose they planned. She suspected when they arrived she might get the odd picture but this was ridiculous.
In the corner of her eye, the Sleuth could see Souji taking the single pictures at regular intervals but was more focused on everyone around her, diligently scanning the area in case the suspect or anyone close to them figured out it was Naoto under that outfit.
It was about the fifth pose Naoto was getting worried since she only had two left and this was eating up into their time, however she was blessed with a small mercy as the pictures started to die down to the point there was only a couple people, mostly late comers snapping last minute photos. She sighed in relief as she relaxed, turning to Souji with a quick nod.
The person who originally asked her for pictures, now flanked with a couple other people, similarly dressed, all brandishing their own cameras.
"Those were amazing, what are your social media accounts, you don't seem to have anything visible to follow you on. We'd love to see more of your cosplays. Like what even is your name so we can look up more of your work?"
Naoto hesitated for a second as her mind thought of something quickly, kicking herself for not seeing this coming. Souji managed to beat her to it.
"Her name is Blue-chan." He said simply.
"Yeah, my going name is Blue-chan. I'm not on social media and this is my first event." The Sleuth recovered as she started explain why she got into cosplaying (Souji couldn't help laugh at how detailed the story was, again all prepped in advanced).
…
"So that's how I got into cosplaying. This manga has been a real inspiration and really changed my life around. I can't wait to see him later and show all the hard work I've done!" The guys she was talking to cheered in support pumping their fists into the air. She gave them a little a wave before turning on their heel and motioned for Souji to follow her as they want on their way.
He was about to comment but she cut him off preemptively.
"Yeah I know they bought it. Surprised it worked too."
All he could do was nod as they headed to the main hall.
…
…
Luckily with their special passes they managed to go around the side, not having to wait in the main queue to enter the convention. They had established a time with the local police for his arrest which meant they had to be in line for the first meet and greet of the morning. Not being able to skip the crowd would have made it a tight fit and possibly miss the allotted time to interact with him.
They managed to tag on to the line of the early entrants, the queue from his stand considerably longer than other ones. The wait gave the time to prepare, as they wanted to hand one of the books of the artist to him to sign it as a ploy. Naoto was aware about the scattering of plain clothes police around the venue, most of them on this case. Her keen eye was able to see who their center of attention was as they waited patiently. Not to seem suspicious, she made the occasional small talk with Souji and waved at anyone who wanted to take a quick photo of her in her cosplay.
They were like three people before meeting Goto-san, the manga book firmly held under her arm.
"I'm never doing this again, it's so hot."
She whined, just low enough only Souji could hear.
"Don't worry Shirogane-sama, almost there."
She wiped a small bead of sweat from her forehead.
"Yeah I know…"
It only took a few minutes before they were finally stood in front of their target, Yoshihiro Goto. He was a shorter but stocker man, seemingly a tad overweight by Japan's standards with thin rectangular glasses. The Sleuth saw he was mildly nervous under the facade of being excited to meet people that enjoyed his work. That part seemed genuine. His just black hair was short but seemingly was cleaned up for today.
"Oh that's such a nice Hiriko-chan cosplay. Sorry for being impolite, how are you?"
Naoto sunk into her higher pitch tone.
"Oh hello this is a dream come true. My name is Blue-chan and this is Yu-kun here and he's my friend helping me today, we are such big fans of your work."
The artist smiled and nodded, not knowing what was happening. He held his arms out, gesturing to Naoto's outfit.
"I can see. That's a glorious cosplay. I've never seen anyone embody the spirits of Hiriko-chan so well…" He leaned forward so he could whisper between the two of them. "Make sure you give me your social media contact details, you'd be perfect for media material shoots."
Leaning back while coving her mouth, a fake giggle erupted from her lips.
"Oh I'd be honored. Hear that Yu-kun?" Her taller partner nodded before turning to her, his expression unreadable behind his mask.
"Yeah that sounds like a good opportunity."
Goto was a little perturbed by that as he stared at the assistant questionably. Wondering how he heard that.
"Anyway, other than showing off my cosplay I wanted you to sign one of my favourite panels of the series." She brought her book from under her arm and shuffled closer to the table so she could get closer. Lifting the manga to his vision, she opened it up causing the mangaka's eyes to widen. Inside the pages, her badge neatly placed in there and due to the angle only he could see it. Naoto shuffled even closer so her work voice could take over.
"Goto Yoshihiro, you are currently under suspicion for money laundering, fraud and conspiracy to defraud the government through foreign assets. There are multiple officers around here due to your current arrest warrant. I would recommend that you don't resist and make it easy on yourself to avoid any public upheaval about this."
He looked up at her, fear washed over his face as his hands trembled. The sweet expression on the cosplayer now gone, replaced with a stern frown, her expression as icy as could be, a huge contrast to the outfit she donned.
"But what about my stand?"
Naoto tiled her head slightly.
"We can chalk it up to illness."
He hesitated as he looked around. Now openly shivering, his mind running a thousand miles per hour. He needed an escape plan and fast. Glancing at the stand next to his, he beckoned the person over.
"Could you watch my stand for a few seconds I need to go to the toilet." The person nodded, unsure what was wrong with him and why he seemed so shook up. He placed a be right back sign on the table and jogged away from his assigned area almost knocking people over in the process. Guests at his table that were waiting in line watching on in confusion.
Naoto however was completely nonplussed by this.
"Seta-San, if you may?"
"On it,"
He tossed her his DSLR camera which she caught with ease with her free hand. As soon as she did, he took off in a jog of his own to catch up with the suspect as he carefully maneuvered around people in the crowd he slipped into.
…
…
After clambering down a set of stairs, and through the exhibitors' entrance, he managed to finally get to the back exit. He couldn't stand all the eyes on him as he ran. But he couldn't tell if that cosplayer was bluffing or not, the name seemed familiar but he couldn't remember where from. In a rush he pulled out his phone as he got to the car park.
"Huh? Goto-kun, why the hell are you ringing me now? Don't you have a conversation to be at?"
He was breathing hard down the phone, still looking around in panic.
"Amakusa-san, just been confronted by a police officer who was dressed as a cosplayer. I think they are on to us."
There was a small pause on the line.
"Goto, that sounds stupid as fuck. Did you get no sleep again?"
The mangaka looked at his phone like he was going crazy.
"I swear it's true. I need to get out of here. Could you organise something?"
"This short notice, no but let me speak to a contact nearby."
He needed to hide until then. Looking around there was still no one in sight.
"Alright I'll keep low- Ooooof!" Suddenly he was tackled to the ground by a much taller man, the mobile he had in his hand went sprawling across the concrete.
Goto tried to get up but suddenly he felt a weight on his back pinning him down. He attempted to struggle but the person on top of him shifted their weight to make sure they couldn't move.
"Get off of me!" He shouted but Souji only grunted as pulled put a pair of zip ties from his back pocket and caught Goto's wrists in his right hand.
"No can do, you was told to give yourself up willingly and you are trying to run. Not helping your case here to be brutally honest."
Goto felt his arms tightened as Souji's skillful hands expertly tied his wrists together with the black zip ties.
"These will have to do for now. I didn't expect you to try and flee but luckily I brought these as spares; it should do until the police get here."
He tried to thrash about again but Souji only put more weight on him to stop himself from moving.
"Doing that will only ruin your shoulders. Don't make this painful for yourself."
"I demand to be let go!"
"There will be nothing of the sort." Commissioner for the prefecture police and the head of the frauds and Customs task force walked towards the pair surrounded by officers. Two of them quickly rushed to Souji before he quickly rolled off the suspect as they hoisted him by his arms to make him stand up.
By now a small crowd of people started to form to watch what was unfolding.
"Excellent work there Seta-san. Once again we are impressed with your work and you continue to represent your employer well." The commissioner said, hand out, Souji hesitated before shaking it firmly.
"Don't forget his phone," The former leader pointing out the device on the ground. Another officer with gloves and a small back went to quickly pick up and secure the evidence.
In his peripheral vision he could see Naoto walking towards him with another one of the plain clothes officers, talking amongst themselves. With that Souji's watch beeped lightly signaling her arrival.
"That plan worked flawlessly. How did you know he would run away?"
The Sleuth shook her head, a small smile appearing on her expression when she caught her partner looking in her direction.
"He has no prior criminal history; I doubt he knew what it was like to experience being confronted like this. What a waste of talent really." The officer nodded in agreement.
"Indeed,"
"Seta-san, good work on catching him, reliable as always." Souji gave a curt nod to his girlfriend as well as his employer.
"Just doing my job." He took a quick glance back at the growing scene of police officers and onlookers. "I'll make sure I'll have a report done of what has transpired by tomorrow afternoon at the latest."
"Excellent,"
Joining in the conversation the head of the Fraud and Customs task force joined them, a smile on his face, happy the job was done.
"Once again Shirogane-san, your agency has paid dividends. There is a reason why you are always first on put list."
"I appreciate the praise but this level of work is our standard. We only do what we need to do." Peering over to have a look at the famous artist now being bundled into the car, "Is there anything else that needs our assistance?"
The head of the task force only shook his head.
"None at all, you are clear to leave. The police department and government services will have reports for you tomorrow with details of the arrest and further movements to a trial. We may need your all help if this is a network web of crime but we will cross that bridge when we get there."
Naoto could nod as an affirmative on that one before turning to her assistant.
"Excellent, Seta-san, I think it's about time to take our leave."
"I'm fine with that."
With that, the two decided to bid farewell to the police and head back to their hotel room. She was sure she didn't need to cosplay again for the rest of her life but if anything she just wanted to be in normal clothing.