The Elf Saint is a NEET, so I Forced Her to Work in Another World

Cosplay (Side Chapter)

***The Holy Palatial Gardens***

As an otaku himself, Kuro had seen and went to his share of cosplay events that became a fad in his country when he was in university. While not a cosplayer himself, he did enjoy going since it was an opportunity for him to meet with his fellow otaku friends, some of whom were cosplayers. But then, as he grew older, he realized he didn't enjoy cosplay events anymore, mainly because whenever he goes to one, he ends up being the 'guard of the bags' for his cosplayer friends, simply for the reason he just wanted to draw and not go around the event area.

When Kuro became a teacher, his love for manga and anime diminished, since he got so busy adjusting to a life of a 'working adult'. However, his passion for drawing manga was never lost; he even created a club for his students (though it never lasted a year, because of laziness on his part, and its members as well).

Things began to turn around when the Science department was tasked with creating a program for their students in celebration of Science Month. The teachers wanted to do a 'cosplay event', using recycled stuff as materials for the participants' dresses. As someone they knew who was so invested in manga and anime, Kuro helped them organize the said event. And he did his best to bring out the best—albeit relatively small—cosplay event in his school, by inviting his cosplayer friends as judges, shelling out his own money for their fees.

He isn't one to ask people to do something for him for free, even if they refuse.

"..."

And so, with this knowledge and experience, he was given the responsibility to organize Chersea's first-ever cosplay event.

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Kuro's purpose for the cosplay was simple. First, he wanted to gauge the people's—especially the elves—view on the Lady Hinwe, the results of which would answer the question, 'is she ready to take back her throne?' Second, was to boost the popularity of the Elf Saint by bringing her 'close' to the people, potentially restoring their faith to her, even if it's just for a bit. Third, and unrelated to the first two reasons, Kuro wanted to introduce manga and anime culture to the masses.

He wants to see the stories that will be created by writers from Chersea, Cherwind and the Demon Republic.

Still, the success of the cosplay event depended on the number of participants. The number of participants depended on the popularity of mangas produced in Chersea, Cherwind, and the Republic. And, given the current situation and attitudes of the people about it, Kuro could tell that the masses were not yet ready for cosplay...

Well, mangas are getting popular, but it is still a long way before it establishes itself as a literary form in this world...

"..."

While cosplaying 'popular' characters from his world was out of the question, Kuro decided to use another source for cosplaying, which was the classic literature of the humans, beastmen, and demons. So, in the days and weeks that led to the event, the duke of Maverny and his fellow organizers advertised cosplaying as something anyone could enjoy and 'get into', provided they get 'into character' and the 'accuracy' and 'quality' of the costumes made. They also asked the participants to register, as Kuro was aware of the risks of cosplaying. Private rooms would be provided, complete with food, drinks and security. A stage was also made, meant to showcase the cosplayers in their full glory and attire.

As for the pictures? There was no 'working' camera in Chersea, save for a few prototypes on the adjacent exhibit grounds. Even then, those early Chersean cameras were impractical for commercial use. So, while Kuro allowed the inventors to test their devices in the event, he also hired artists whose hands could draw in under two minutes.