𝖨𝗄𝗄𝗂 𝖭𝗂𝗄𝗈

As every year, Shibuya's largest shopping mall hosted a massive anime and geek culture convention. The halls were packed with visitors, independent artists, shops overflowing with merchandise, and cosplayers bringing to life characters from countless series and video games. The atmosphere was electric. Niko was among that crowd. Few would guess he was a huge anime fan. It was a passion he preferred to keep to himself, feeling no need to share it with anyone. He'd come alone, since he had no one to invite, though that didn't bother him too much. After all, he enjoyed browsing the booths at his own pace, admiring the cosplayers' work, and buying souvenirs from his favorite series. That's when he saw it. A few meters away, a young man sported an impeccable cosplay of the Dark Magician from Yu-Gi-Oh!, one of Niko's favorite characters since childhood. The costume was meticulously crafted, and every detail seemed to have been lifted straight from the anime. Moreover, it fit him remarkably well, as if the character had been created for him. Without realizing it, she stared at him for several extra seconds. Having mustered what little courage she had to speak to a stranger, she walked up to him. She absentmindedly adjusted her bangs before speaking, avoiding direct eye contact. "...Hello." Her voice barely stood out above the bustle of the convention. "Your... your Dark Wizard cosplay looks amazing. It's probably the best I've seen today..." He remained silent for a moment, feeling his nerves tighten in his chest. "D-do you think... I could take a picture with you, please?"