Contestant Number #267]
The curtains stirred. A single figure stepped beneath the spotlight.
The first judge instinctively lowered his pen.
"..."
For a long moment, no one spoke.
The figure standing on stage was someone famous.
Aurelion Vireth.
A hero. Someone whose name had appeared in countless reports after The Change.
Yet the person standing beneath the spotlight looked nothing like the man those reports described.
It was Cyrene.
It was Cyrene.
Long pink hair cascaded over narrow shoulders. The white dress flowed like water, catching the stage lights with an almost ethereal shimmer. Every line, every fold, every delicate detail whispered of a character who existed somewhere between memory and dream.
The tailoring judge slowly raised his pen.
"...The silhouette..."
His voice faltered.
"...There are imperfections."
He paused.
"...But they're irrelevant."
Scratch
The costume does exactly what it needs to do.
Scratch Scratch Scratch
On it was written
To embody a character is to become it
So much so he couldn't help but mutter.
"...Whoever did this makeup understands the human face better than most professionals."
Scribble Scribble scribble
The third judge spoke.
"...Walk."
Without hesitation the contestant walked
Step
"…"
Step Step Step
It wasn't the work of a warrior that the judge expected, instead it looked soft, hopeful, each step looked like they were carrying memories, memories of countless cycles.
Scribble Scribble
This contestant carries 'Memories'
—Aurelion Vireth
[…Walk.] Spoke one of the judges, at that moment I couldn't think of anything clearly, my mind blank and before I knew it, my turn had already ended.
"You worried?" Kiana still in her Kevin Cosplay asked me with a slight smile
"Well… Yeah, I'm obviously worried if I even did it correctly"
Pat
"You'll be fineeeeee" She said as she gave me a good pat to my shoulder, which felt strangely weird considering well… We Look like this. It should hopefully be fine, right?
—Much Much Later…
"The announcement should be starting soon right?" Gaby out of no where brought that up as we were resting in one of the places provided by the organizers
"Yep"
"You excited?"
"Kinda honestly, it should be fun as soon as I win against Klein." Kiana said, her legs wide open sitting like the typical male pose you see in a chair, legs wide open one hand on the handle and so on, it was something that the real Kevin would never do but hey, we're just chilling right now
"Not gonna lie I expected you to try to stay in character" I spoke
"Ehhh, there's a time to be serious and there's a time to chill ya know~"
"Yeah lol I think—"
[All Contestants please be ready to leave in 10 minutes.]
"Damn it" Gabe said slightly tired as he fixed his slightly uneven Aventurine coat, his smile returning as he spoke, with a big smile "Let's go"
Step Step Step
FWHOOOSHHHH
As we returned to the stage once more, the lights temporarily blinded me as I tried my best to recover my vision, suddenly the judges spoke
[AFTER A LONG TIME, WE THE JUDGES HAVE DECIDED ON THE TOP 10 COSPLAYERS THIS EVENT, NOW PLEASEEEE WELCOME—CONTESTANT NUMBER #187 WHITEBEARDDD]
Step Step Step Step
The elderly man stepped forward, his coat billowing dramatically despite the lack of wind. The crowd roared. He raised his bisento—foam, but convincing—and let out a laugh that echoed through the auditorium.
"GURARARARARA!"
The audience lost it.
Backstage, Gabe whistled. "Damn. That old man's got presence."
"He's been doing this for decades," Jill said. "You can tell."
[CONTESTANT NUMBER #203—GIPSY DANGER]
Step Step
Without hesitation, the Gipsy Danger Cosplayer strided forward as it it was a mechanical being, and right infront of the stage
KRRRRRK CHSHHHHH WHRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
As he smashed his fist together, the reactor in his chest spinning as a yellowish glow appeared
[CONTESTANT NUMBER #214—ARTORIA PENDRAGON]
The Saber cosplayer from earlier stepped forward, her foam sword held with perfect form. The crowd cheered.
[CONTESTANT NUMBER #238—SUNDAY]
Tanner froze. "...Wait. That's me."
"GO" Without hesitation Gabe shoved him forward, and for a while he did almost stumble but as soon as he got out from the curtain, he straightened his back and walked with confidence
[CONTESTANT NUMBER #245—ROBIN]
Jill winked at the group before stepping out. Her smile was perfect—soft, warm, exactly Robin.
[CONTESTANT NUMBER #251—STELLE]
May took a deep breath and walked out. Her natural quietness became Stelle's reserved confidence.
[CONTESTANT NUMBER #260—HERRSCHER OF FLAMESCION]
Sighh
"It's me huh" Gaby said as she corrected her posture and stride forward without looking back
Step step
…
[CONTESTANT NUMBER #261—KEVIN KASLANA]
Ba Dump Ba Dump Ba Dump Ba Dump
Without hesitation, Kiana stood up. Her expression changed almost instantly. The playful smile disappeared. Her shoulders straightened. Her posture shifted. Even the way she breathed seemed different.
For a moment...
She wasn't Kiana anymore.
She was Kevin.
Step Step Step
She walked toward the curtains without saying a single word.
I watched her disappear behind them.
...
"...She really gets into character," May muttered.
"Yeah, that's Kiana for you" I couldn't help but reply
[CONTESTANT NUMBER #267—CYRENE]
Ba Dump Ba Dump Ba Dump Ba Dump
And I to—Walked
—
[Ladies and gentlemen!]
The crowd erupted loudly as the
[After hours of incredible performances!]
Cheers.
[After reviewing over six hundred contestants!]
More cheers.
[Our judges have finally reached their decision! and picked these contestants as the Top 10, PLEASE GIVE YOUR APPLAUSE!!!]
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP
[NOW Then, On Third Place we have—]
Silence
As everyone was silent, all waiting for the announcers voice to continue
[CONTESTANT NUMBER 261—KEVIN KASLANA, PLEASE GIVE YOUR APPLAUSE]
"WOOOOOOOOO"
"KEVINNNNNNNNNNNNNN"
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP
My eyes gazed onto Kiana, she was still as calm as ever even as the screen behind showed her close up, she never lost composure never slipped.
She really was Kevin.
Then the applause slowly died down. The announcer raised the next card.
[AND NOW... SECOND PLACE!]
The entire auditorium fell silent once more. The screen behind us went dark. A few seconds passed.
Then—
#47
My eyes widened.
Kiana's eyes narrowed ever so slightly.
"..."
The announcer smiled.
[CONTESTANT NUMBER 47—GEHRMAN SPARROW, PLEASE GIVE YOUR APPLAUSE]
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
The crowd erupted.
Klein calmly stepped forward.
His Victorian coat swayed gently as he walked toward the center of the stage, one hand resting behind his back while the other adjusted his glasses.
He gave the audience a polite bow.
No excitement.
No surprise.
No hesitation.
Then a smile that looked a little crazy yet also polite.
...
Kiana stared at him. Klein looked back. For several seconds... Neither said anything. Then Klein's lips curled slightly upward. A tiny smile. Almost imperceptible. But Kiana saw it. Of course she did.
Twitch
Twitch
Her eye twitched again. I immediately knew what was going through her mind.
She was pissed.
Not genuinely angry. Not enough to cause a scene.
Just...
Petty.
She slowly clenched her fist.
"..."
For half a second, the corner of her mouth twitched. Then she caught herself. Her expression immediately returned to neutral.
Kevin was back.
But it was too late.
I had seen it.
So had Gaby.
So had Gabe.
Gabe leaned toward me.
"...She's mad."
"Very."
Kiana's eyes suddenly shifted toward us.
I can hear you.
...
Her eyes alone already spoke what she was trying to say to which Gaby quietly snickered, her eyes then turned slightly to Klein
"...Congratulations."
"Thank you." Klein slowly adjusted his glasses.
"Though I must admit..."
His smile widened.
"...I am rather pleased with the result."
Twitch.
Kiana's eye twitched again.
"...Good for you."
The audience laughed to which Klein merely chuckled. The announcer raised the final card.
[AND NOW... OUR CHAMPION!]
The auditorium fell silent.
The screen behind the stage remained completely black. Everyone waited. I suddenly felt my heartbeat become louder.
Ba dump Ba dump Ba dump
I glanced towards Kiana, towards Gaby, Klein and everyone else, everyone was staring at the announcer. everyone was waiting for the screen to show who the winner was, but honestly… I didn't care anymore because.
It was fun.
That was enough.
[FIRST PLACE...]
[CONTESTANT NUMBER 46—MADOKA KANAMEEEEEEEE]
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP
The auditorium erupted. Cheers. Whistles. Applause loud enough to shake the walls. A figure stepped forward from the side of the stage. Pink hair. A familiar magical-girl dress. A gentle smile, as if saying she'd carry it all
"...Elysia—?"
I could hear Kiana mutter under her breath.For a moment, even she seemed genuinely surprised.
The Pillar of Recollection simply smiled as she walked toward the center of the stage, waving toward the audience with that unmistakable warmth of hers. The screen behind her displayed her cosplay from several different angles.
The craftsmanship was absurd.
The details.
The makeup.
The hair.
Even the tiny accessories that most people wouldn't have noticed. She had somehow managed to turn herself into the character she loved so much. The crowd clearly agreed.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
I couldn't help but smile.
"...Well."
I looked toward Kiana.
"Looks like you lost."
Kiana's head slowly turned toward me.
…
Sigh
"She deserves it." Kiana muttered with a small smile to whichKlein gave a small nod.
"I agree." Gaby crossed her arms.
"Honestly, I'm not surprised."
"Neither am I."
I looked back towards the Pillar of Recollection who stood beneath the spotlight, waving toward the crowd as the applause continued. For some reason... I felt strangely relieved. I had spent the entire day worrying.
Worrying about whether the costume looked good enough.
Whether people would laugh.
Whether they'd judge me.
Whether I'd somehow embarrass myself in front of thousands of people.
And now...
None of that mattered anymore.
I had walked onto that stage. I had stood beneath those lights. I had dressed as someone completely different from myself. And somehow...
I enjoyed it.
I glanced down at my own unrecognizable hands.
"...That was fun."
[AND WITH THAT, WE HAVE OFFICIALLY CONCLUDED THIS YEAR'S TOKYO CROSSOVER COSPLAY CHAMPIONSHIP!]
The audience erupted again.
CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP CLAP
Confetti cannons were already being prepared along the sides of the stage. Kiana stretched her arms.
"Well, that's that."
"Yep."
Klein adjusted his glasses.
"A rather enjoyable competition." Kiana's eye twitched.
"...You really like saying that, don't you?"
"Indeed."
Twitch.
Gaby covered her mouth.
"Hahaha..."
Kiana slowly looked toward her.
"...Don't."
"I'm not saying anything."
"Your face is."
"I can't control my face."
"Apparently neither can you control your mouth."
"Hey!"
I couldn't help but chuckle.
Then—
BEEP.
A sharp electronic tone suddenly came from somewhere behind the stage. The announcer froze. The applause began to die down.
"...Hm?"
A staff member hurried toward the announcer and whispered something into his ear. The man's expression changed.
"What?"
Another staff member approached. Then another. The judges looked toward one another. The audience began murmuring.
"...What's happening?"
I frowned.
Kiana's expression changed as well.
"What the hell?" The announcer slowly lowered his microphone.
One of the judges stood up.
"Everyone, please remain calm."
That sentence had the exact opposite effect as the auditorium became even quieter. The judge looked down at the score sheets. Then toward the backstage staff. Then toward the two contestants standing at the center of the stage.
Cyrene
Klein.
"...There appears to have been an issue with the inspection records." The audience began whispering among themselves.
"What kind of issue?"
"Did they mess up the scores?"
"Is the result being changed?" I glanced toward the screen.
Klein's expression hadn't changed.
Cyrene, however...
She was still smiling. That somehow made me more suspicious. The judge slowly lifted one of the sheets.
"We have received additional information regarding the costumes and props used by several of the finalists." Kiana's expression immediately became more serious.
"...Additional information?"
The judge nodded.
"Yes."
He looked toward the backstage staff.
"During the final inspection, our staff discovered something that had not been disclosed during registration."
Silence.
I looked toward Klein.
He adjusted his glasses.
Once.
Twice.
...
Something was wrong.
The judge continued.
"Contestant Number 47..."
Klein's eyes narrowed slightly.
"...and Contestant Number 46..."
Elysia's smile froze.
"...have violated the rules of the competition."