"Marin, you mean you want to become Shizuku, you want to become Hachiman's sl*ve?"
Vignette thought for a moment, looking at Kitagawa Marin with the collar around her neck, and asked hesitantly.
"Yes—ah, no! What does this have to do with Hikigaya-kun?"
Kitagawa Marin nodded instinctively, but the moment she did, she realized something was wrong. She only wanted to become Shizuku, why had Hikigaya-kun's name gotten dragged in.
"Uh… didn't you say you wanted to become that Shizuku? And then you said Shizuku is a sl*ve, so I thought you wanted Hachiman to be your Master…"
Vignette was momentarily at a loss, scalp tingling as she explained.
"It's not that crazy… cosplay is just roleplay feelings, it doesn't go that far…"
Kitagawa Marin was a little troubled. It seemed Vignette really didn't play games. She actually thought cosplaying a character meant completely becoming the character.
Though she also wanted to perfectly capture Shizuku's essence, most works' settings existed for the sake of the story. Bringing those settings into reality was unrealistic.
Still, staying true to the original character's setting was best while cosplaying. She wondered if Hikigaya-kun would be willing to play Shizuku's Master to match her cosplay.
Mm… she'd ask later. Today's shoot was a rare opportunity. The cosplay costume was so finely made, the photography equipment surely wasn't bad, and this mansion practically was the Ojou-sama's house from the story, an absolutely perfect chance.
Such a chance wouldn't come twice. It was all thanks to Hikigaya-kun that she got this opportunity; she couldn't possibly trouble Class Rep Rurikawa again in the future just to come here for cosplay shots.
"...", Vignette watched Kitagawa Marin sinking into her own tangled thoughts, staring at the ring-shaped accessory around her neck without saying a word.
She couldn't say anything. After all, how could she explain that though they weren't in the same classroom anymore, she'd somehow witnessed Marin and Miura Yumiko, Ijichi Nijika, and the others "helping" Hachiman?
Now the collar on Marin's neck was just an accessory. But judging by how things were going, who could say it wouldn't become Hachiman's collar one day?
"Marin, you said this Shizuku, and the other heroines in the game too, they all fell for love?", Gabriel, also staring at Kitagawa Marin, suddenly asked.
"Not fell for love, but became sl*ves for love. Shizuku and the others became that way because they liked him. Just like I, from the bottom of my heart, want to become Shizuku. Shizuku and the others felt it from the bottom of their hearts too."
Marin corrected her. She didn't really like forced scenarios. She preferred slow-burn relationships. Cold heroines gradually opening their hearts to the protagonist. Cold yet cute Shizuku trampled right on her sl*ve, making her addicted, desperate to become Shizuku and experience her feelings in the game.
"Then after the band performance tonight, can I come to your place to borrow the game?", Gabriel pondered a moment, then asked Marin.
For love becoming a sl*ve, for love falling… what was the difference?
If you'd become a sl*ve, wasn't that already falling?
But if she didn't understand, she could try to.
Shame Club, Service Club, sl*ves for love, fallen support. Gabriel thought of Hachiman and his Service Club, her eyes gradually firming.
This might be her chance to understand why Hachiman had fallen.
If she could fully understand the logic behind Hachiman's actions, she could save him from his fall. No longer having to face his constant day-and-night "assistance".
"Of course no problem! I live alone, and it's the weekend. If it's too late at night and you don't mind, you can stay over, we can play all night!"
Seeing Gabriel actually swayed by her words, Marin was overjoyed, grasping Gabriel's hand in excitement.
She had never hidden her otaku side, and Nijika and Yumiko didn't discriminate against otaku culture either.
But they weren't interested in it either. They didn't like bishoujo games. It was hard to share such topics with them.
Now she had finally found a fellow fan, and a classmate too. From now on, she'd have someone to discuss bishoujo games with at school, talking plots, settings, maybe even cosplaying together.
She and Gabriel's body types were different, perfect for different characters.
But even if they cosplayed the same character, that was fine. Each person had their own interpretation. If everyone cosplayed together, it would definitely be amazing.
Marin, clutching Gabriel's hand in excitement, turned expectantly to Vignette.
"Don't look at me like that. I have work. I don't have time to play some humiliation game with you," Vignette tensed, quickly finishing the last stitching on the cosplay, then handed the outfit to Marin.
"It might not fit perfectly, but the costume is very well-made. I could only make it a little bigger, this is the limit. Any more and the seams would burst right away."
"Thank you, Vignette, you're incredible! I'll put it on right now! Later I'll properly thank you!"
Marin didn't have time to be disappointed by Vignette's refusal. Seeing the Kuroe Shizuku cosplay finally finished, she quickly apologized, then eagerly stripped in front of the mirror to put on the high-quality Shizuku costume.
Other than the chest, nothing much needed altering. The skirt being a little short didn't matter.
The wig, fishnet stockings, chains, no changes needed.
But the tattoo on the thigh was hard to draw… mm, maybe she'd ask Hikigaya-kun to draw it when he cosplayed the Master.
"...", Seeing Marin directly change clothes in front of the mirror, Vignette opened her mouth but closed it again.
Marin had already done that with Hachiman during class… she probably wouldn't care.
Among so many people here, some didn't know what was on the other side of the mirror. But really, the only one who minded being watched… was herself.
Vignette looked at Gabriel, who had just said she'd try a bishoujo game, as she picked up another skimpy cutout outfit to try. Vignette turned and bolted.
"Vignette, why are you running? Hurry and change into something for the shoot!"
"Do you believe yourself? You haven't changed either."
"You change, then I'll change!"
"You first!"
"What's up with Vignette-nee and Gabriel-nee?", Komachi and Marin looked at the two running around refusing to change, puzzled.
They'd come all the way to the shoot, but didn't even want to put clothes on?
Even if they didn't wear the more embarrassing outfits, there were still plenty of normal nice ones.
"Maybe they're just shy and embarrassed to change in front of everyone. Those who are ready, head out first. With fewer people, they'll probably change."
Iris smiled, unconcerned, and sent out the ones who were dressed.
As everyone filed out one by one, Marin too emerged in her full Kuroe Shizuku cosplay. Only Vignette and Gabriel remained, then suddenly the changing room lit up.
"What happened?"
"What's going on?"
The group rushed back in, only to be stunned.
Gabriel, who had been chasing Vignette, was now on the floor, draped in a white cloth.
And Vignette, who had been chased to change clothes, stood beside her holding a sharp trident. She wore a purple-black tube top, black pleated miniskirt, black gloves, with long slender legs tied with ribbons.
"Vignette, what character succubus are you cosplaying? This look is amazing!"
Marin was thrilled, seeing her with goat horns on her head and even a pair of bat wings on her back.
Vignette had just refused her, yet now she'd put on a cosplay herself.
"Succubus? Eh-hehe… which work… I don't know. I just grabbed something that fit…", Having just lost control and speared down an angel, now racking her brain for an excuse, Vignette quickly went along with Marin's misunderstanding.
As long as everyone thought it was cosplay, she didn't have to explain.
But… she really was a demon.
———
At the Rurikawa family mansion, out front of a wide, was a scenic building.
A group of young maids in uniforms moved busily across the lush lawn, carrying photography equipment outdoors, while setting out snacks, wine, and drinks on tables.
Taking photos and videos looked simple. Just pressing a button. But in truth, to shoot well meant constantly finding angles, adjusting poses, taking retakes. Holding a camera for long sessions was real physical labor, for both photographer and model.
Even though she knew her Master was strong, never tiring, as Head Maid and personal maid to Lady Tsubaki, Shion didn't dare be careless.
Everything had to be prepared. If Hikigaya-sama was too busy, maids would handle the cameras.
And refreshments like milk and drinks to replenish energy had to be readied.
After all, Lady Tsubaki's rivals were too many. Hikigaya-sama alone couldn't keep up with all the shooting. Ordinary scenic or posed shots could be handled by maids. Only the tougher jobs required him.
When Hachiman, Tsubaki, and Shion arrived, they saw Iris and the others, already dressed, being led over by maids.
Lala in black-and-white cow stripes, Sakurase Shino as a succubus, Marin as Kuroe Shizuku, Vignette as a demon, Gabriel as an angel…
Most outfits leaned toward roleplay: animals, special races, anime characters, or their true selves.
Only Shion and Komachi stood out.
Shion, in heels and an over-the-knee dress, long black hair over her shoulders, cold face softened into elegance.
Komachi, in ripped hotpants and a midriff camisole. Her bare straight legs and smooth shoulders eye-catching, yet on her only giving off lively vibes.
Though this wasn't his first time seeing them dressed up, Hachiman had to admit: no matter how much or little they wore, they were all beautiful.
Luckily, back when the Rurikawa family had declined, most servants had left, only a handful raised since childhood remained.
Now, with maids newly recruited, outdoor shoots like this were possible.
"?", As if sensing Hachiman's malice, Komachi stared straight at him, while he calmly shifted his gaze over the scenic lawn to the others.
"President, how do we look? Pretty?", Seeing Tsubaki flushed beside him, Shion straight-faced, Iris walked up quickly, tightening her towel, winking playfully at Hachiman.
"Of course pretty. But Iris, you should change. That outfit would work better indoors, out here you'll get cold."
Hachiman looked at her, towel over thin swimsuit-like clothes, dog ears on her head, paw gloves on her hands, a yellow tail at her back.
Clearly she was cosplaying a dog-eared girl, but under the towel she wore only a swimsuit, lacking the details of the role.
"It's fine, it'll just be for a while. Besides, it's warm today. See, Lady Tsubaki's already flushed."
Meeting his concerned gaze, Iris shook her head with a smile, leaning her head on his shoulder, then winked at the nearby Tsubaki in formal wear.
"..."
Tsubaki, face red, pretended not to hear.
She knew they'd noticed. Even if Hachiman had used a soundproofing spell, Iris and the others would've caught it. They had taught him magic, after all.
It was all Shion's fault, making her press against that mirror.
The changing room hadn't been soundproof enough.
"Hachiman, Hachiman, do you like my cow-stripe outfit? Iris's a puppy, Elio's a kitty, Aegis is a tiger, I thought you'd like this~"
Lala bounded into his arms, face glowing with excitement.
"Of course I like it. You're all very cute, no matter what you wear."
Hachiman hugged her, kissed her soft lips, then turned to Aegis, who shyly looked his way.
Unlike cheerful Lala, bold in her black-and-white horns, long gloves, and knee socks, Aegis stood tense in her tiger costume, clutching the golden bell at her throat, afraid it would jingle.
With so many maids watching outdoors, she felt uneasy.
"Aegis, relax. Everyone thinks you're beautiful. No one finds you ugly."
Hachiman pulled her in too, smiling as her face blazed red.
Though she was gradually accepting his love and more proactive in private, in front of so many, it was still hard.
But he understood why.
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