Life, unfortunately, refuses to pause for my ongoing romantic-comedy-mystery-thriller. The next big event on the cosplay calendar, the "Neo Tokyo Game Show," is fast approaching, and preparations are in full swing.
The Rina-Haruka "Grand Alliance," having temporarily suspended hostilities against each other, is now focused entirely on creating costumes that will blow LUNA out of the water. Our apartment is their official headquarters, a chaotic battlefield of fabric scraps, paint fumes, and passive-aggressive collaboration.
"This feather placement is illogical," Haruka critiques, pointing at a piece on Rina's nearly finished wing structure. "It disrupts the aerodynamic flow."
"It is aesthetically pleasing," Rina shoots back. "Unlike your helmet design, which looks like a rejected toaster."
"My helmet is avant-garde!"
"Your helmet is going to make you trip!"
Despite the bickering, their combined skills are formidable. They are pushing each other, critiquing each other, and grudgingly learning from each other. The costumes they are creating- Rina as a fiery "Phoenix Knight" and Haruka as a regal "Griffin Queen"- are shaping up to be their best work yet.
My role in all this is the eternally exhausted gofer, glue-gun operator, and occasional human mannequin. I spend my evenings covered in stray threads and existential dread.
My secret alliance with Aiwa adds another layer of complexity. She is also preparing for the Game Show, creating another LUNA masterpiece in her own solitary studio. We communicate via coded text messages, sharing progress updates and technical tips.
Aiwa: Fabric adhesive recommendation? Need something strong but flexible for attaching scale mail.Me: Try E6000. Cures clear, stays flexible. Just make sure the ventilation is good.Aiwa: Thank you, Rui-kun! You are a lifesaver!
These interactions are the only normal, uncomplicated part of my life right now. It feels good to help her, to be her secret ally in the high-stakes world of cosplay. But every helpful text message is also a reminder of the massive secret I am keeping from Rina and Haruka, and the massive secret Aiwa is keeping from the world.
The contrast between Aiwa's two personas becomes even more jarring. At school, she continues her awkward avoidance routine, her cheeks flushing whenever our eyes meet. But online, in our secret chats, she is more open, more confident, sharing nerdy jokes and expressing her anxieties about the upcoming event.
Aiwa: Rina-san and Haruka-san looked really intense today. Their new costumes… they are amazing. I am starting to feel nervous.Me: You are LUNA. You have articulated wings and levitating orbs. I think you will be fine.Aiwa: But they have… passion. Fire. LUNA is just… perfect. Sometimes I worry she is boring.Me: You are not boring. You are mysterious. And technically brilliant. And you have a killer Starlight Paladin pendant. You have got this.Aiwa: :) Thank you, Rui-kun.
Her simple smiley face sends a ridiculous, inappropriate flutter through my chest. This is getting dangerous. I am starting to feel… things. Things that are not just protective or friendly. Things that are complicated by the fact that she might be my childhood fiancée and is definitely my sister's greatest rival.
My brain is a pretzel. A stressed, confused, and possibly slightly lovesick pretzel.