The rest of the Comicon passes in a blur of scheduled fan interactions, passive-aggressive glares between Rina and Haruka, Kenji's ongoing attempts to apologize to Ichigo's security detail, and my own constant, low-grade anxiety. Ichigo remains charmingly enigmatic, occasionally shooting me unreadable smiles from across the hall but making no further direct approaches. It is maddening.
Aiwa, as LUNA, maintains her perfect, serene facade, though I notice she keeps subtly observing the interactions between me, Rina, Haruka, and occasionally Ichigo, like a sociologist studying a bizarre alien culture. Our own interactions are limited to brief, almost imperceptible nods across crowded rooms, a silent acknowledgement of our shared secrets and the surrounding insanity.
The final event of the day is a "Cosplay All-Stars" group photoshoot on the main stage, featuring Ectiqa, Hime-Hime, LUNA, Ichigo, and a handful of other top-tier cosplayers. It is supposed to be a harmonious celebration of the art form. It is, inevitably, anything but.
The photographer tries to arrange the group, placing Ichigo in the center as the guest of honor. Rina and Haruka immediately jockey for the positions directly flanking him, elbowing each other subtly. LUNA is placed slightly off to the side, a position that visually emphasizes her "newcomer" status, much to the annoyance of Kenji (who is watching from the wings like a hawk).
"Okay, everyone!" the photographer calls out. "Big smiles! Look heroic!"
As the flashes start popping, Ichigo, ever the agent of chaos, decides to stir the pot. He casually drapes an arm around Haruka's shoulder on his right. Haruka looks momentarily surprised, then gives Rina a smug smirk. Rina fumes silently.
Then, Ichigo turns slightly and offers his other arm to Rina, a charming, conciliatory gesture. Rina hesitates for a split second, then takes his arm, her expression shifting to one of triumphant possessiveness aimed squarely at Haruka. They are now literally leaning on him, using him as a prop in their rivalry.
Ichigo just smiles serenely, clearly enjoying the drama he has orchestrated.
Then, he looks past Rina, his gaze finding LUNA, who is standing slightly apart, looking regal but isolated. "LUNA-sama," he calls out, his voice carrying easily. "Come join the center! A star like you should not be on the periphery." He gestures invitingly towards the small space between himself and Rina.
Rina immediately stiffens, her grip on Ichigo's arm tightening. Haruka raises an eyebrow, intrigued by this new development.
LUNA hesitates. Joining the central group means entering the chaotic vortex surrounding Ichigo and me (since I am inevitably hovering nearby, adjusting Rina's wing or something). But refusing would be a snub. With a quiet, regal nod, LUNA glides forward, fitting herself gracefully into the small gap. She is now standing between Ichigo and Rina, with me hovering just behind Rina. The configuration is a tangled mess of overlapping rivalries and potential explosions.
The photographer is ecstatic. "Yes! Perfect! The tension! The drama!"
As they are holding the pose, Ichigo leans down slightly, whispering something in LUNA's ear that is too quiet for anyone else to hear. LUNA's serene expression falters for a split second. A look of pure, unadulterated shock flashes across her face before she quickly schools her features back into the LUNA mask. But her eyes, when they briefly flick towards me, are wide with confusion and something else… panic?
What did he say to her?!
Rina and Haruka both notice LUNA's reaction. They both notice her looking at me. Their own suspicion flares again, now directed tripled – at Ichigo, at LUNA, and at me, the common, clueless denominator.
The photoshoot finally ends. As the cosplayers are dispersing, Ichigo "accidentally" bumps into me backstage. "My apologies, Rui-kun," he says smoothly, leaning in close. "By the way," he adds, his voice a low whisper, "tell your little star guardian her acting is improving, but her tells are still obvious." He gives me another one of those infuriatingly charming winks and disappears into the crowd before I can even process his words.
He knows. He knows LUNA is Aiwa. How?! And why did he tell me? Is this a threat? A warning? An invitation to conspire?
I am left standing there, my mind completely blown, while Rina, Haruka, and Aiwa all converge on me, their faces demanding answers I do not have. My life is officially a high-stakes espionage thriller, and I think I might be the clueless double agent who is about to get caught in the crossfire.