The Fanartist and the Cosplayer

Loop, pull, stitch. Loop, pull, stitch. Loop, pull stitch. She was lost in the steady, endless rhythm of her work, a perfect harmony of rustling fabric and a humming sewing machine she snuck in with her. Tsumugi Shirogane, Ultimate Cosplayer, sat alone in the forgotten study room near the back of Hope's Peak Academy, completely engrossed in her work. She skillfully sewed together a complex cosplay costume, fabrics of several types and materials weaved together by her talented hand. Loop, pull, stitch. Loop, pull, stitch. Loop—

"Aha! Could it be? The brave heroine of the cult classic anime That Time I Got Turned into a Scalpel and Worked at a Morgue!"

Tsumugi's peace was disturbed, rudely disrupted, by another Hope's Peak student that happened to walk by. The blue-haired girl sighed, her focused expression becoming weary. In burst a corpulent young man with weird hair and tiny glasses. He brushed past Tsumugi to inspect her work.

"Hmm... Yes, yes! I see, I see!" A pudgy hand cupped a bulging chin. "The coroner's uniform is masterfully made, but certain proportions and features are absent in your work that are iconic to the canon franchise!"

Can't he plainly see I'm plainly busy? Tsumugi's thoughts interrupted him crossly. Then again, I know I'm such a boring, uninteresting girl that it makes sense why he wouldn't notice me, or my feelings... After all, he'd burst in and brushed right past her, seeing only the costume and not the creator. Of course. How could I have forgotten how forgettable I am? Tsumugi thought sardonically.

"However, I can see by the accessories that you have a keen eye for detail!" Hifumi adjusted his glasses as he gestured to some of the jewelry and other props, tools, and trinkets strewn on and around the outfit. "Where did you buy them?"

"I made them." Tsumugi crossed her arms, voice and posture like ice.

"Made them?!" Hifumi finally looked up, glasses flashing.

"I am the Ultimate Cosplayer, after all." Despite herself, Tsumugi felt a tiny smirk find its way onto her face.

Even though it was unplanned, just like the conversation itself, the two kept talking. "I must say, Ms. Shirogane, I am impressed!" Hifumi nodded, head bobbing up and down. Despite his polite tone and words, Tsumugi prickled and bristled inside.

"Of course, I would never stand to buy an item and call it a day! That is simply disrespectful to the noble art of cosplay!" In the Ultimate Cosplayer's eyes, true cosplay was made with love, blood, sweat, tears, ingenuity, and creativity. There was nothing wrong with buying items to aid in the creation of a cosplay costume, but to simply slap together something that someone bought without more than five seconds of thought?!

I understand that not everyone can create outfits by hand, but still! Plainly, some people should not be allowed to cosplay! They do it to glorify themselves rather than the characters, and that is an affront! Cosplay is for connection, not a get-rich-and-famous quick scheme! Hmph!

"Mmhmm!" Hifumi nodded again and pulled out a sketchbook. As Tsumugi was quick to learn, Hifumi was an otaku too! Though he specialized in fanart and fanfiction rather than cosplay and costumes.

Hmmm... Not bad... Despite herself, Tsumugi was drawn to his drawings, giving them genuine feedback, though she kept it to herself. I may hate to admit it, but I can plainly see that he, too, has a keen eye for detail...

"This is Princess Piggles!" Hifumi bragged as he showed off one of his more recent sketches.

"Mmhmm," Tsumugi nodded absentmindedly as she leafed through his sketchbook. "From Demon AngelPretty Pudgy Princess."