The interrogation ends not with answers, but with more burning questions and the strange, uneasy formation of a new, highly specific, and deeply dysfunctional task force. Rina and Haruka, united by their shared suspicion of Ichigo's motives regarding me (and possibly a grudging acknowledgement of Aiwa's impressive defense mechanisms), decide that a more organized approach is needed. Aiwa is tentatively accepted as a co-conspirator in the "Figure Out Ichigo Before He Steals Rui" initiative, mostly because Rina and Haruka realize they need her intel (since she actually talks to me nicely) and want to keep a closer eye on her interactions with me anyway. Kenji is assigned the vital task of "Chief Morale Officer and Lead Investigator of Wildly Implausible Theories." Miki is tasked with "Strategic Analysis and Background Vetting." Hana is designated "Head of Snacks and Emotional De-escalation." I am, as always, the primary subject, the key asset, the potential victim, and the guy who has to make sure Kenji does not accidentally leak everything to Ichigo via fan mail.
This leads to the bizarre formation of "Team Rui: Threat Assessment Division" (Kenji's name, naturally, immediately vetoed by Miki but used by Kenji anyway), an unofficial, highly dysfunctional intelligence agency operating out of my living room, dedicated to deciphering Ichigo's intentions and, implicitly, protecting me from his potentially nefarious (or possibly just confusingly friendly) advances.
Our first official "Team Rui" meeting takes place in the Cosplay Club room, chosen for its relative neutrality (and the fact that my apartment still smells faintly of desperation and burnt toast from the morning's confrontation). Miki stands before her whiteboard, which is now covered in a complex diagram linking Ichigo, me, LUNA, Ectiqa, Hime-Hime, 'Starlight Paladin,' and several question marks with dotted lines.
"Okay, Threat Assessment Team," Miki begins, tapping the whiteboard with a marker. "Phase One: Information Consolidation. Let's review the known data on Subject Ichigo." She projects a file onto the wall.
"Subject Name: Ichigo (Cosplay Alias). Real Name: Izumi Sato," Miki reads, her voice flat and professional.
My brain does another frantic double-take. Izumi Sato? The cybercafe gamer girl? Cool, husky voice, blonde hair, ripped jeans, aggressive playstyle… Ichigo is famous for cosplaying male characters, strawberry-blonde wig, charming persona, piercing blue eyes… They cannot possibly be the same person. It has to be a different Izumi Sato. A very, very common name. Right? My paranoia level spikes again, but I say nothing. Admitting I met another mysterious girl who might be connected would probably cause a full system meltdown.
"Age: 19," Miki continues, oblivious to my internal crisis. "Currently a second-year university student at Tama Art University, majoring in Fashion Design, specializing in theatrical costume construction. Independent cosplayer, highly respected within the community, known for meticulous craftsmanship, transformative male character portrayals, and high production value photoshoots. No known scandals, affiliations, or major rivalries until recent interactions with Ectiqa, Hime-Hime, and LUNA. Financial status: appears comfortable, self-funded through print sales and guest appearances, but not LUNA-level independently wealthy. Appears largely self-made, highly ambitious."
"So he is just… a talented, hardworking, handsome, ambitious college student?" Hana asks, sounding slightly disappointed, as if hoping for a secret supervillain lair.
"So far," Miki confirms. "No obvious nefarious motives, criminal affiliations, or secret plans for world domination detected. His sudden, intense interest in Rui-kun, however, remains… statistically anomalous and warrants further investigation."
"Maybe he just thinks Rui is cool!" Kenji suggests brightly, ever the optimist. We all stare at him until he wilts. "Okay, maybe not cool," Kenji amends quickly. "But, like, intriguingly awkward? Like a rare, socially inept pokemon that he wants to catch and train?"
"Or," Haruka muses, tapping her chin thoughtfully, "maybe he genuinely recognizes Rui-kun's potential? He observed his handling skills, his calm demeanor under pressure," (she conveniently ignores my panicked flight from the restaurant), "his eye for detail. Perhaps he sees Rui-kun as a potential protégé? Someone to mentor in the ways of professional cosplay handling?"
"Or maybe," Rina mutters darkly, her arms crossed, "he has some weird handler fetish and wants to add Rui to his collection."
"Or maybe," Aiwa speaks up softly, her LUNA-Lite persona flickering slightly as she enters strategic mode, "he recognized the 'Starlight Paladin' connection somehow? He mentioned liking the show during the dinner. Maybe he knows LUNA wears the pendant, and he suspects Rui has a connection to LUNA?" Her eyes flick towards me for a split second, a silent question in her gaze.
Her comment sends a jolt through me. Does she suspect Ichigo knows about us? About our past? Or is she trying to subtly gauge my reaction? This girl is playing multidimensional chess while the rest of us are still figuring out checkers.
The speculation continues, growing increasingly wild and untethered from reality. Is Ichigo trying to recruit me for his own team? Is he trying to steal Ectiqa's (and Hime-Hime's, and LUNA's) handler? Is he secretly LUNA's bitter rival from the Korean cosplay scene, trying to undermine her through me? Is he an alien scout evaluating Earth's cosplay defenses and assessing my potential as a diplomatic liaison? (Okay, that last one is Kenji's theory).
"Okay, this is getting ridiculous," I finally say, rubbing my temples, feeling a massive headache coming on. "Maybe he was just being friendly? Maybe he was impressed by how I handled Rina's wing malfunction without bursting into flames?"
"Possible," Miki concedes with a sigh. "But highly unlikely, given his status and the calculated nature of his actions. We require more data."
"We need more direct observation," Haruka declares decisively. "We need to see them interact again in a controlled environment."
"Agreed," Rina says immediately, her eyes lighting up with a dangerous gleam. "We need to create another opportunity."
My blood runs cold. "What are you suggesting? You cannot just summon Ichigo like a demon!"
Rina and Haruka exchange a look, a slow, predatory smile spreading across both their faces simultaneously. It is terrifying. "The upcoming Winter Comicon," Rina says, her voice full of dark promise. "Ichigo will be there. LUNA will be there. We will be there."
"And you," Haruka adds, turning her unnerving, calculating gaze to me, "will be our bait."
My brief sense of peace evaporates like morning mist. I am not just a diplomatic territory anymore. I am bait. Live bait, dressed in a hoodie, thrown into a shark tank teeming with cosplay superstars, unresolved romantic tensions, and potentially illegal surveillance equipment. This is going to be the longest, most stressful month of my life. Winter is coming. And it looks like it is going to bite.