Cosplay / Pretending

Gu Yilan was clearly right.

They were both high school students, and going to a Comic Exhibition in cosplay really could be a hassle. Having a guy with them...

At the very least, he could help chase away those photographers who showed up uninvited.

"Fine... I'll make an exception and let you come with us this time!"

Luo Xue finally gave in.

"Perfect, the bus is here. Let's get on."

The bus slowly pulled into the stop. Lin Che was about to help Luo Xue with her suitcase, but she slapped his hand away.

"We're not taking the bus. We're getting a taxi!"

Luo Xue had developed PTSD from buses!

Cosplay

Luo Xue's destination was the convention center near the university town.

It was a hot early-summer morning, but the sweltering weather clearly couldn't dampen young people's love for and longing for ACG culture.

Young people dressed in all kinds of Cosplay Costumes had turned the usually quiet venue into a bustling sea of people.

Especially the pretty cosplayers who had gained a little fame.

Their outfits and makeup were professionally done, bringing ACG characters to life in the real world!

Kitagawa Marin in a Succubus Outfit, her sweet dreams veiled by black lace and gauze...

Mai Senpai in a Bunny Girl Costume, her tight, high-cut leather outfit accentuating her curves...

And Mrs. Yor, whose red-and-black evening gown was elegant, yet carried a hint of icy allure...

Wherever they went, they were surrounded by cameras and photographers, forming one crush of people after another.

Even Lin Che, an ordinary high school boy, was instantly drawn to all the beautiful young women. Now he understood why people enjoyed taking photos at Comic Exhibitions.

"We're going to get changed!"

Luo Xue pulled Gu Yilan along. She was cosplaying at this Comic Exhibition, too.

But Luo Xue's cosplay was different from that of professional cosplayers.

She didn't make money from it or accept commercial shoots. Cosplay was purely a hobby for her—and she had more pocket money than she knew what to do with...

"Then... Lin Che, wait outside..."

The Comic Exhibition organizers had set up changing rooms for cosplayers in converted shipping containers, each an enclosed space.

Lin Che waited outside the door. Before long, he heard rustling from inside the changing room—the sound of clothes coming off.

"Ah... Xiao Xue, isn't this outfit a little too daring?"

There was a shy note in Gu Yilan's voice.

"It's okay. There's a layer underneath, so nothing will show~"

"I'm so embarrassed~"

"Little Yilan has such an amazing figure. You'll be perfect for this character!"

"Okay..."

Lin Che stood outside the changing room, faintly hearing the girls' conversation. Hearing all that made him even more curious about who they were cosplaying.

Luo Xue was an amateur cosplayer with professional standards. She had prepared not only the costumes, but all the makeup as well.

Lin Che waited outside for nearly an hour before the changing-room door finally opened.

A long leg in sheer black stockings and a high heel stepped through the crack in the door!

Her shapely leg was smooth and graceful, without a trace of excess fat. The faintly sheer black stockings had an alluring, mysterious sheen!

The stockings ended high on her thighs, their patterned bands digging slightly into the soft flesh. A mysterious garter encircled her left thigh.

Above them was a black, white, and red cross-collared robe, its gold patterns making it look both aloof and imposing, like a phoenix's feathered cloak!

For a high school student, Gu Yilan was certainly well-endowed. The robe stretched tightly across her full, rounded chest, and a diamond-shaped cutout just beneath it revealed the curve of her lower breasts.

But just as Luo Xue had said, Gu Yilan was wearing a layer underneath, so there was no chance of anything being exposed...

One of her smooth, jade-like arms was covered in tight red-and-gold fabric.

Lin Che shifted his gaze to Gu Yilan's face!

Her black hair was completely hidden beneath a wig, replaced by one that faded from pink to white.

Luo Xue had given Gu Yilan a cool, aloof look with her makeup.

But in front of Lin Che, it was hard for Gu Yilan to keep up that icy façade.

This was Gu Yilan's first time wearing a cosplay costume, and she was a little embarrassed.

So she looked like an aloof empress in public, but like a shy girl in front of the one she loved.

"This is Chang Li from Ming Dynasty!"

Lin Che recognized Gu Yilan's character at a glance.

He had to admit, the character really suited her.

In the game, Chang Li liked to keep everything under her control. Gu Yilan seemed much the same in real life...

Like when she hypnotized Lin Che, for example...

Aside from the fact that she didn't know Lin Che was only playing along, in a sense, Gu Yilan really was the one manipulating everything!

"Does it look good?"

There was a hint of uncertainty in Gu Yilan's voice. She had kept her eyes closed while Luo Xue did her makeup, without looking in the mirror once. She had no idea how she looked now.

"It looks amazing!"

Lin Che gave her an unequivocal answer!

Hearing Lin Che praise her so bluntly in public made Gu Yilan's mind go blank for a moment!

"Is this... a confession...?"

Gu Yilan's love-struck side kicked in, and her gaze at Lin Che turned tender.

"I'll take a picture of you!"

Now that he'd finally seen Gu Yilan in cosplay, Lin Che naturally wanted to capture the moment right away.

He took out his phone and opened the camera.

To Lin Che's surprise, Gu Yilan didn't refuse. She even picked up her prop sword and struck several imposing poses!

"Let me see!"

Once they'd taken the pictures, Gu Yilan leaned over to look at the photos on Lin Che's screen with him.

Her well-developed, soufflé-soft chest pressed against Lin Che's arm, with no sign of caution at all!

Gu Yilan was already an extraordinarily beautiful young woman, and in cosplay she looked even more breathtaking. The moment she appeared, she drew plenty of attention!

People thought a famous cosplayer had arrived at the Comic Exhibition.

Several professional photographers even approached with their cameras, ready to take pictures.

But...

The scene before them nearly made their eyes fall out of their heads!

The famous cosplayers they knew were very particular about photographers. Only professionals were allowed to take photos of them for their portfolios.

But this stunning young woman...

Was huddled together with an utterly ordinary-looking guy, looking at the snapshots on his phone!

At once, countless jealous gazes converged on Lin Che!

Lin Che scratched his head. For some reason, he felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up!

"Hey! Stay away from my master!"

An angry voice came from inside the changing room as Lin Che showed Gu Yilan the pictures!

A pair of slender legs in white stockings stepped out of the shipping-container changing room.

White stockings, a black pleated miniskirt, a crossed bodice, white twin tails, and clear, pale-colored contacts...

Since Gu Yilan was cosplaying Chang Li,

Luo Xue was naturally cosplaying Jin Xi!

The character suited Luo Xue very well—not because Luo Xue was ethereal and otherworldly herself,

but because Jin Xi wasn't exactly a busty character, either. With a little effort, Luo Xue could just about match her proportions!

Luo Xue's cosplay skills really were impressive.

Her appearance made everyone feel as if a quiet, elegant fairy had descended, as though their hearts had been cleansed.

Then, the next second, she ran over and kicked Lin Che.

She was warning him to stay away from Gu Yilan!

The fairy's image shattered into pieces.

Pretending

Fortunately, Luo Xue's kick was only a warning. Her lotus-like foot, wrapped in white stockings, didn't hurt Lin Che.

It was just that...

Luo Xue's appearance also attracted plenty of attention.

The people around them had been envying Lin Che for getting to stand close to the beautiful Chang Li cosplayer just a moment ago.

The next moment, they were envying him for getting kicked by Jin Xi's little white-stockinged foot...

Lin Che had no idea these people had such a bizarre interest. Otherwise, he would definitely have rolled his eyes at them!

They actually liked being bullied by this kind of xxn!

"Come on! Let's go explore the Comic Exhibition!"

Luo Xue pouted and rolled her eyes at Lin Che.

Then she linked arms with Gu Yilan, looking very close to her.

Chang Li and Jin Xi were close as master and disciple in the game. Walking arm in arm fit their relationship perfectly.

Besides, whether it was the youthful, beautiful Gu Yilan or the petite, adorable Luo Xue, both were rare beauties. Now that they had put on such exquisite makeup, they were simply stunning!

Lin Che followed behind them, watching their slender waists sway as their black-and-white stockinged legs walked side by side. It was more beautiful than countless earthly sights!

Luo Xue was clearly a seasoned ACG fan. The moment she arrived at the Comic Exhibition, she was in her element, browsing the merchandise stalls and picking out goods with great care.

Gu Yilan wasn't very interested in that kind of thing, so she didn't follow Luo Xue over to join in the fun.

As a result, the three of them began to change positions.

At first, Luo Xue had linked arms with Gu Yilan in front, while Lin Che followed behind.

But now, Luo Xue was racing ahead like a happy little puppy, while Lin Che and Gu Yilan followed behind her.

"You're old enough to know better. Why are you buying so much merch? What a waste of money!"

Luo Xue had filled a box with merchandise at one of the stalls. Her extravagant spending even made Lin Che tease her.

What a rich landowner's dog! She really had money!

"You finally have a break. Why are you giving her a hard time? As long as Xiao Xue is happy, that's all that matters!"

After Gu Yilan finished speaking,

her little face turned red beneath the pink-and-white wig.

That conversation sounded just like one you'd hear in any family!

On the weekend, a mother and father took their child on an outing. The strict father tried to correct the child's spending habits, but the indulgent mother stopped him.

If...