Cosplay

The more they talked, the more absorbed they became, as though everything around them had ceased to exist.

They talked about Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba and Attack on Titan, then Naruto and One Piece, discussing every character's traits, the making of costumes and props, and the design of makeup in depth.

Every now and then, Su Qin gestured as she vividly described her understanding of a character, while Chen Ze listened intently, his eyes full of admiration.

When they came to Saber from Fate/stay night, Su Qin's face lit up with excitement. "Saber's outfit is gorgeous, especially that blue dress. It's elegance itself.

"But finding the right fabric wouldn't be easy. It would have to look and feel right, be comfortable to wear, and allow you to move freely."

Chen Ze pondered for a moment. "I think you could try a silk-and-chiffon blend. Silk would bring out the outfit's luxurious look, while chiffon would give it a light, flowing feel.

"As for the armor, you could use 3D printing to recreate the details more accurately."

Su Qin's eyes went wide as she looked at Chen Ze in admiration. "Wow, that's a fantastic idea! How did I not think of that?

"Looks like I'll have to ask you for advice more often when there's something I don't understand."

Su Qin's praise left Chen Ze a little embarrassed, and he quickly waved it off. "Don't say that. I was just guessing.

"Honestly, I think you're the real genius at this!" How could Chen Ze know that much? He was merely copying the characters' appearances from his memories of his previous life.

"Oh, right, Sister Su, does this mean I've passed the interview?" Chen Chen couldn't help reminding her. He was here for an interview, not to discuss things with her.

"Of course you passed! Come to Hangcheng Gymnasium at eight on Saturday morning and contact me when you get there. That's where our convention is being held.

"Your job will be to cosplay those characters we just talked about. As for the pay, how does two thousand sound?" Su Qin had discussed things with Chen Ze for so long on a whim. Only when Chen Ze reminded her did she remember that he had come for an interview.

"Deal!" The two signed an agreement on the spot, then went their separate ways once they had settled everything.

"Two thousand for one day. That finally puts out the fire right under my nose." It seemed he would have to look for more work like this in the future. It was better than toiling away at a café, waiting for the hours to pass.

On Saturday morning, Chen Ze arrived at Hangcheng Gymnasium as agreed. Su Qin led him into a dressing room and spent over an hour doing his makeup for the character he was going to cosplay and getting him into the costume and props.

Once everything was ready, Chen Ze stepped onto the convention floor and was instantly surrounded by the lively atmosphere.

At the entrance, crowds surged back and forth. Cosplayers in all sorts of fantastical costumes chatted in groups of three or five or struck classic poses on their own.

Inside the hall, colorful booths were arranged in an orderly pattern, displaying a dazzling array of anime merchandise. Cheers rang out from the game demo area, while the signing area was packed with enthusiastic fans.

A giant screen played clips from classic anime, and energetic music echoed throughout the space.

Excitement and anticipation filled the air, as though every corner radiated the unique charm of the two-dimensional world. A powerful sense of belonging welled up in Chen Ze, and his steps quickened of their own accord as he wanted to become part of this world filled with creativity and dreams.

Chen Ze was admiring the two-dimensional characters around him when a cosplayer dressed as an elf caught his eye not far away.

With the exquisite makeup and flowing clothes, the cosplayer looked as though they had truly stepped out of the two-dimensional world. Chen Ze walked over and said with a smile, "Your cosplay is amazing. You look exactly like the original character."

The elf cosplayer smiled back. "Thanks! You put a lot of work into your outfit too."

They struck up a conversation, talking about everything from their understanding of the characters to how they made their costumes. The more they talked, the better they got along, as though they had found kindred spirits they had long been missing. The noise around them seemed to have nothing to do with them as they immersed themselves in the surprise and connection of their first meeting.

Chen Ze met two more female cosplayers, one dressed as a valiant female general and the other as a clever female mage.

The three hit it off at once and excitedly discussed their interpretations of their characters. Chen Ze shared the efforts he had made to recreate his character, while the general cosplayer described how she had learned horseback riding and swordsmanship specifically to portray the general's heroic bearing.

The mage cosplayer smiled and brought out a magic wand prop she had made herself, showing off its intricate carvings.

They praised and admired one another, and in the atmosphere of equality and respect unique to a female-dominated society, the three got along wonderfully.

Chen Ze was talking with several cosplayers when a group of enthusiastic fans suddenly gathered around him. Their eyes sparkled with excitement as they told him how much they liked him.

"Your cosplay is amazing. You look exactly like the character we imagined," one fan said excitedly.

Chen Ze was a little surprised and delighted. He quickly greeted everyone, and when the fans took out their cameras and asked for photos with him, he gladly agreed.

As they took photos, everyone struck all sorts of amusing poses amid constant laughter and chatter. One fan also handed him a small gift: a handmade character badge. Chen Ze accepted it, deeply touched. He had never expected to receive so much love from so many people at the convention.

While Chen Ze was immersed in the joy of interacting with his fans, a discordant voice rang out.

"A man so keen on cosplay. He really ought to be attending to proper business."

A middle-aged woman passing by spoke with disdain. Chen Ze's heart tightened, but he didn't immediately retort.

A fan nearby heard her and spoke up on his behalf. "Cosplay is a form of artistic expression. Everyone has the right to pursue their dreams."

But the woman refused to let it go. "In a female-dominated society, men should stick to what they're supposed to do."

Chen Ze took a deep breath, calmed himself, and said with a smile, "Everyone has something they love. Cosplay has helped me find myself, and it also lets me share happiness with everyone."

His words were calm and firm. Chen Ze had always disdained explaining himself to such a hidebound old fossil, but with so many people watching, he had no choice but to respond.

Seeing this, the woman said no more and left in a huff. Chen Ze knew he might encounter such challenges and misunderstandings again, but he said he didn't care. I'm here to earn money today anyway. It's not as if I'm actually neglecting proper business!

Chen Ze walked onto the stage, and the lights instantly focused on him.

His first cosplay was a valiant warrior. His silver armor gleamed under the lights, and the longsword in his hand seemed to hold endless power.

He struck the pose of a warrior charging into battle, his gaze resolute and decisive, as though he were truly fighting for justice. The audience cheered and applauded his splendid performance.

Next, he changed into a mage's outfit. His robes billowed, and with a wave of his wand, the stage lights shifted, creating a mysterious magical atmosphere.

Through his compelling performance, he displayed the mage's wisdom and power. Every movement and every expression recreated the character with precision, drawing the audience completely into the character's world and letting them experience the boundless charm of the two-dimensional world.

Chen Ze felt a freedom he had never known before. He was no longer a man constrained by a female-dominated society, but had become a character he loved, free to express himself and unleash the passion in his heart.

The applause and cheers from the audience gave him a powerful sense of belonging among people who loved cosplay.

Everyone had gathered because of a shared hobby, sharing their happiness and exchanging insights. It felt like coming home, and it made him realize that cosplay was more than a performance. It was an emotional refuge, a home for his heart that he could not find in the real world.

After the convention ended, Su Qin smiled at Chen Ze. "Today's convention was a great success. Thank you for your help, little brother Chen Ze."

"You're too kind, Sister Su Qin. I really enjoy conventions like this too," Chen Ze said.

"Mm, let's work together again if we get the chance. Here, this is your pay!" Su Qin took out an envelope containing a thick stack of cash.

"Sister Su Qin, you gave me too much." Holding the envelope, Chen Ze noticed that the stack was clearly too thick. She had obviously given him extra.

"Just take it, little brother Chen Ze. Today's convention owed a lot to you, and we made quite a bit too. You earned it," Su Qin said with a smile.

"All right, then. If you need my help again, Sister Su Yao, just say the word," Chen Ze said.

"Good, it's a deal!"

"Mm, it's a deal!"

On his way back, Chen Ze took out the cash and counted it. There were three thousand yuan in all. She had given him an extra thousand!

"I can finally take it easy for a while!" Heaven knew how worried he had been these past few days trying to scrape together his rent!