Chapter 142

As I stepped off the train, I could feel more and more people with a vibe similar to ours gathering around.

Everyone was lugging around rolling suitcases or large duffel bags, heading in the same direction.

There were also folks without luggage who clearly looked like they were heading to G-star.

It seemed like they were off to experience games or meet streamers. Speaking of which, I think my fans said they were coming to G-star too; I hope they’re making their way here.

I wasn’t too worried. Sure, I had two guides by my side, but places like this are so user-friendly even a solo newbie wouldn’t get lost.

During large events like this, you just have to follow people who look like they belong. It’s kind of like when you go to reserve forces training or something—similar vibe.

But then I thought to myself, how unfair! I served in the military and completed reserve training, and yet I ended up turning into Camilla right then. If only I’d transformed a bit earlier!

Lost in such trivial thoughts, I wandered aimlessly when I heard Nicang’s voice beside me.

“We’re almost there.”

We arrived at a vast plaza in front of a building labeled Bexco.

People were lining up to get in, even at this early hour.

Aside from that, there were outdoor booths and food trucks, and seeing all this really made me feel like I was at G-star.

“Entry will proceed in the order of arrival!”

Following the staff’s guidance, we started entering in line. From what I’d seen in the community beforehand, there were many rumors saying this year’s G-star would flop, but there sure were a lot of people here.

“What should we do first?” I asked Nicang as we slowly advanced with the crowd.

“Nothing’s set in stone. We could just cosplay, walk around, and turn on the stream at some point, I guess?”

“Let’s change outfits first. Mun Ah, just wait a sec.”

Once we entered the venue, Riri and Nicang moved to change into their full cosplay outfits.

That left me standing alone.

“Hmmm…”

Since I couldn’t move around solo just yet, I stood still and took in the surroundings.

Inside, it seemed divided into several booths. Each game company was presenting their games, and the booth sizes varied wildly depending on the company.

Some cosplayers, just like me, were standing at the booth entrances.

They were surrounded by crowds, posing expertly for photos and even striking professional poses in front of dedicated photographers. It looked like they were pros at this kind of thing, as if they’d been doing it forever.
Striking a pose like a pro right in front of me. It was so smooth, it felt like this wasn’t their first rodeo.

“O….”

That’s definitely a real sword. Do they sell just the sword separately?

The cosplay quality was surprisingly high, so there was a lot to see. It was as I was observing these interesting sights that someone approached me.

“Uh….”

“?”

Someone came up and started talking to me.

A guy wearing horn-rimmed glasses who had a rather friendly demeanor.

“Camilla, you’re cosplaying as Camilla, right? The quality is amazing. Could I get just one photo…?”

“Me?”

The guy shyly nodded his head. Well, I didn’t expect this as soon as I walked in, but taking a picture isn’t that hard.

Nodding my head made his face light up. Then, he stepped back, dropped to one knee, and sat down on the ground.

I thought he wanted a picture with me, but seeing him pull out a camera hanging from his neck, it seemed like he wanted a solo shot of me.

“Wait….”

I felt a bit flustered. Until now, I had met a few fans and was used to taking pictures, but that was always alongside the fans.

This was the first time someone wanted to capture just me like this. This was really no different from those cosplayers over there. I wasn’t a pro like them!

But it also didn’t seem right to back out now. He already looked so excited, and saying I couldn’t do it felt a bit off.

Besides, I was also curious. It looked like a high-end camera used to take pretty pictures of models or landscapes; I wondered how a solo shot of me would turn out.

Yet, the awkwardness made me nervously tug at the hem of my skirt. The smooth but awkward texture transmitted a weird sensation.

“Are you ready for your pose?”

“Just a second…!”

Startled by the cameraman’s words, I finally got my bearings.

What kind of pose should I strike? I contemplated for a moment and then reached my conclusion. It was simple. Since I was cosplaying Camilla, I should pose like Camilla.

It felt similar to when I went to the Abyss League, suddenly encountering a team of cosplayers and reenacting a cinematic trailer together.

Just like then, I embodied a pose Camilla would take, capturing her emotions.

It wasn’t difficult. All of Camilla’s lines, motions, and actions were fresh in my mind!
It wasn’t. All of Camilla’s lines, motions, and actions were vividly stored in my head.

In a mundane situation like this, it would be wise to perform the basic waiting motion of the loading screen.

I slightly raised my chin and looked down. With a haughty and prideful gaze, as if to say, “You guys could never keep up with my dance moves…”

“Oh, oh!”

Even the cameraman in front, true to his pro status, started snapping photos right away without me needing to say a word. While the flash didn’t go off, exclamations kept pouring from his mouth. Simultaneously, the soft shutter sound kept ringing in my ears.

“Is this good enough…?”

As the shoot came to an end, I was beginning to lose my immersion and felt the boredom creeping in.

The man looked ready to shoot all day if left alone, so I decided to stop here. After all, I wasn’t a booth girl; I was just an ordinary person. Getting this much coverage was plenty.

“Ah, yes! This is enough. I got a bit too excited and shot for too long. By the way, have you been active for a while? I have a hard time remembering faces. Last year, besides Camilla, what other costumes—”

“No, this is my first time here.”

“Really? It’s your first time?”

How could you debut looking exactly like Camilla on your first try?

The man muttered softly, looking at me in surprise, as if I had betrayed his expectations. Well, what can I say? I can’t say I’m not what I am.

But there was something else I was curious about.

“Can I receive the photos you took?”

“Yes, I’ll send them to you today. Do you use Instagram?”

When I shook my head, the man made yet another surprised expression. Not that it’s a must. Come to think of it, Riri and Nicang don’t use Instagram either, which was quite unexpected. Some rare breed or something.

Anyway, I decided to receive the photos through another social media platform and parted ways with him. He handed me a vitamin drink from his bag, apparently pleased with my photos. It was quick, but perhaps because it was an unfamiliar experience, I definitely felt exhausted.

So there I was, leaning against the wall while sipping the drink the man had given me, when someone who looked a bit too cheerful approached me with a camera, eerily similar to the one who just left.

“Are you the Camilla cosplayer? Could I take just one photo?”

“No, I’m a bit….”

I guess it would be fair to say my energy was drained. I was mentally tired.

Upon my refusal, the man turned away with a pout. I felt a bit sorry but also just couldn’t believe the situation.
It was just that.

Why on earth are they coming to me when there are professional cosplayers and booth girls over there? I wasn’t even waving my hands with a big bright smile like them!

I felt an ominous premonition that this kind of thing was bound to keep happening as I wandered around. What if someone else wanted to take a picture?

*

“I see, that must have been tough.”

“I should have just gone in with you. I didn’t expect so many people to show up.”

Before I knew it, Riri and Nicang had finished changing and emerged. Gone were the train versions of them, and again appeared Theodora and Calliope as I had seen at Nicang’s house.

I could feel the crowd’s eyes suddenly focusing on us. It’s true that a group is stronger than an individual; there was definitely more attention now than when I stood alone. Some other cosplayers were also glancing our way and muttering something.

“Let’s move. Since this is the entrance, we can start from here and go all the way through.”

“The Eonix booth is on the other side.”

The production company for the Abyss we were cosplaying was on the opposite side. I had heard they were showcasing a mobile version of the game. I had no idea what they were making, but we had to stop by there at least once.

“Nicang, shouldn’t you start the broadcast? You have to prove it to the viewers.”

“Should I turn it on right now?”

“Yes, I don’t see why not. You can turn it on, show a bit, and then turn it off.”

Listening to that, Nicang pulled out her phone and started preparing something. Honestly, that phone was the root of all troubles. The reason we even made it this far, and why Riri was cosplaying too, was all because of that.

“Oh, everyone. You’re joining quickly. Yes. As you can see, it’s cosplay. What kind of cosplay? Come on, it’s obvious. I’m Calliope, right? Is this how my Calliope looks? What were you expecting? I’ve said a hundred times that cosplay isn’t about that.”

I didn’t even need to check the chat to know. I mean, I was right about that, wasn’t I?

Most people think cosplay should be revealing and flaunting some skin. Not bundled up like Nicang.

Of course, there’s also the fact that some viewers have a lewd streak. They say it’s just how it is; if you give off even a whiff of female charm, they come running like ghosts, demanding to see all sorts of things.

Anyway, that seemed to be our room. Nicang’s broadcast wasn’t so different, it seems.

Like she did with me, Nicang began rambling to the viewers about cosplay as we moved to the front booth.

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