Kento Adayoshi, a 20-year-old cosplayer, stood before the mirror, adjusting his Tigerhawk costume from the Superions series. His eyes sparkled with excitement as he prepared for the cosplay event in Kulisak City, a few hours away from his home.
With determination in his heart, Kento packed his bags and set off early in the morning. The event venue bustled with activity as he arrived, cosplayers and fans milling about.
Kento's eyes widened as he took in the sights and sounds. He had always loved cosplay, and this event was a dream come true.
As he made his way to the venue, Kento noticed the changing rooms were occupied by prominent cosplayers. Without hesitation, he headed to the toilet to change, a habit formed from past experiences.
"Time to become Tigerhawk!" Kento exclaimed, transforming into his character.
Emerging from the toilet, Kento was met with a sea of faces. His smile faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure.
"Hello, everyone!" Kento waved, approaching a group of cosplayers.
The group exchanged awkward glances, but Kento didn't notice. He clicked selfies and chatted with fans, radiating warmth.
Unbeknownst to Kento, the event's social media group had posted a warning: "Avoid interacting with normal people; keep your distance."
As the day wore on, Kento's enthusiasm remained unwavering. He posed for photos, signed autographs, and laughed with attendees.
However, his fellow cosplayers began to avoid him, their eyes filled with disdain.
"Time to head home," Kento said, packing his belongings.
As he bid farewell, the cosplayers' cold responses struck him as odd.
The journey home was long, and Kento's exhaustion grew. Finally, he arrived, collapsed onto his bed, and drifted off to sleep.
Later, he opened social media to request photos from the event.
"Hello, can I have my pictures? I did the cosplay of Tigerhawk from Superions series," Kento messaged.
The responses stunned him:
"Welcome, country bumpkin!"
"Poor god, get a life!"
"Illiterate person, can't even read the room!"
"Dog's food eater, stay away from us!"
Kento's eyes widened in shock, his face pale.
"What's going on?" he whispered, scrolling through the vicious comments.
Tears pricked at the corners of his eyes as the reality sank in: he had unknowingly broken the unspoken rules of the cosplay community.
Kento's phone buzzed with notifications, each message more hurtful than the last.
"Why are they doing this?" Kento pleaded, feeling isolated and alone.
The screen blurred as tears streamed down his face.
"Is this what it means to be a cosplayer?" Kento wondered, his passion beginning to wane.