Chapter 69: Chapter 68 - Cosplay and Confusion

Kuro Kurogane learned something pretty important on the first day of the next morning.

You can’t trust Yuna Saionji when she says that she has:

"a fun idea!"

Because fun means: "I am going to destroy your emotions."

Comiket Day 2 started out super calmly.

Everyone should have been warned straight away.

Rika was calmly setting the display up at her booth. Kuro was also bringing equipment to her booth.

Very comfortable. Very natural teamwork. Very coupley.

Then all of a sudden Yuna spoils the good times by showing up with a garment bag.

"Rika."

Rika squinted her eyes right away.

"...No."

"You haven’t even found out what I am about to ask."

"I already know it."

Bad luck , Yuna opened the bag and took out a cosplay outfit ,a very elaborate cosplay outfit.

A black and crimson colour. A fantasy mage outfit. And a very, very short skirt.

Kuro immediately looked away out of respect.

Rika literally stepped back.

"...There is absolutely no way."

"To be in cosplay pictures. Your fans have requested them. "

"I am a manga artist.I do not become a manga artist....."

"It’s too late.You are genetically an anime girl already."

Damn.

Then the other girls in the convention caustically turned to Kuro.

The worst possible situation unfolded.

"...Kuro-kun," Yuna said in a threatening tone. "What do you think?"

Silence hung heavy in the air.

Rika’s face showed immediate horror, as his opinion now held significant weight.

This realization was troubling for both of them.

Then, after a brief pause Kuro responded honestly.

"...It’d probably suit you."

That struck hard.

Rika became completely still, her heart shattering in an instant.

He had spoken so casually without any manipulation or teasing just pure honesty.

And that authenticity dismantled her defenses every time.

Thirty minutes later Kuro stood outside the changing area, reflecting on questionable choices he had made.

Suddenly, the curtain rustled gently.

Rika emerged.

Silence filled the space around them.

Because truly she looked incredible.

Her cosplay altered her entirely a long dark cloak ,a sleek fantasy ensemble ,delicate accessories ,carefully styled hair ,contacts replacing her glasses

She appeared elegant and beautifully captivating with an edge of danger about her.

Rika quickly caught sight of Kuro staring at her with wide eyes, taken aback by her transformation.

Then softly she implored,

"...Say something."

Her voice wavered slightly; it held a hint of anxiety as she genuinely worried about appearing foolish despite maintaining a calm exterior.

"...You look amazing."

That statement hit like a tidal wave emotionally for Rika.

Instantly, crimson spread across her cheeks.

Meanwhile, Yuna exclaimed dramatically from nearby,

"HE’S FINALLY USING ROMANTIC DIALOGUE!"

"I’m leaving," Rika murmured faintly.

But it was too late.

Excited photographers were already gathering nearby to capture the moment.

The photoshoot became nothing short of torture.

This is mainly meant for Kuro.

Because people kept telling Rika how great she looks.

Many strangers thought that they must be dating.

Rika was constantly looking at him for support, clearly nervous.

And worst of all Kuro realized he liked being the first person Rika looked for.

And then disaster struck.

And suddenly a well-known voice was in proximity.

"...Kuro?"

Kuro twisted around slowly and died.

Because there were Akari , Aoi and Mina.

All staring right at him.

And slowly their eyes went to the cosplay Rika next to him.

And the atmosphere just turned into a death sentence.

Akari was blinking a lot.

"...What."

Mina was staring blankly.

"...Excuse me?"

Aoi was adjusting her grip on her tea bottle with the most scary possible intensity.

Kuro immediately knew this is how wars start.

Rika was frozen next to him.

Because, unlike school she now looked beautiful, fashionable, and suspiciously close to Kuro.

Then quietly Akari pointed with excitement.

"...WHY SHELOOKS LIKE A FINAL BOSS RULER."

Mina began narrowing her eyes with suspicion towards Kuro.

" You never told us you spent weekends with your secret dazzling senpai."

"...This wording is illegal."

Aoi came closer and looked straight at Rika.

"...You look lovely, Saionji-senpai."

Very polite statement. Very scary.

Rika immediately understood that this young woman was capable of emotionally destroying a person without ever saying a word.

And unfortunately Yuna showed back up.

"Oh great! The other girl that Kuro dates finally made it."

This was going to end badly.

".. BIG - SIS !"

Akari nearly died on the spot.

"OTHER!?"

As if Mina didn’t already look ready to die.

"I knew this guy would go around collecting women emotionally."

Meanwhile, Kuro was seriously thinking about all of his life decisions.

The Convention has gotten worse for everyone now.

Because somehow all the ladies were together and walking around Comiket.

So that meant Akari was openly hanging on Kuro.Mina was aggressively teasing Kuro.

Aoi was doing everything possible to stay right next to Kuro.Rika was having to try and survive Kuro on the emotional level.

At one point Akari looked at Rika very suspiciously.

"...Wait.You have feelings for Kuro don’t you?"

Bingo.

And Rika was frozen in place.

Kuro almost die in the event . Rika was still judging by how she and Kuro felt about each other.

No one but Aoi knew about Kuro and Rika’s attraction and no one knew Kuro wasn’t kidding another girl on one of their bad days so no one expected to hear a candid response about their feelings.

After Kuro quit working altogether and Mina almost puked on the floor . Akari gave Aoi a very surprised look when Rika finally looked up and answered her.

After adjusting her glasses and putting on a small embarrassed smile she replied, "I’m still working on it".

Although Rika’s small response was weak and did not deny her feelings for Kuro, it had the same effect as if Rika had gotten up and punched Kuro in the stomach, because Rika had now officially joined the competition for Kuro’s affection.