Our Cosplay Relationship Story

Episode 4: Balancing Threads

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow over Tokyo, Tatsuya found himself surrounded by a flurry of fabric, sketches, and scattered notes. The dining table had transformed into a makeshift workshop, vibrant swatches of material draped across it like a colourful canvas. He felt a thrill of excitement mixed with a tinge of anxiety as he prepared to bring Mikano's vision to life.

"Alright, time to get to work!" he muttered to himself, pushing aside the half-read manga that had served as his constant companion over the last few weeks.

But the looming spectre of midterms cast a shadow over his enthusiasm. Tatsuya glanced at the calendar on his wall, a stark reminder that the exams were just a week away. His heart sank at the thought of all the material he still had to review. He'd promised Mikano he'd help her with the costume, but now he was starting to wonder if he'd bitten off more than he could chew.

He pulled out his study materials, the colourful fabrics momentarily forgotten. "Focus, Tatsuya. You can't let your grades slip," he said, trying to rally his resolve.

For the next hour, he buried himself in his notes, struggling to retain formulas and concepts while his mind drifted back to the sketches of Mikano's costume. The image of her in that Code Nitro cosplay kept intruding, distracting him from equations and history dates.

Finally, after an hour of wrestling with the material, Tatsuya sighed and closed his books. "Okay, just a little break," he told himself. He shuffled over to the table and picked up the sketch that Mikano had left behind. The design was intricate, full of swirling lines and details that seemed to pop off the page.

"I can do this," he muttered, determination flickering back to life.

After carefully measuring the fabric, he began cutting the pieces for the costume, losing himself in the rhythm of his work. He could almost hear Mikano's laughter from earlier, a reminder of the joy they shared. The moment felt alive, bursting with potential.

Just as he was about to start sewing, his phone buzzed, breaking his concentration. It was a message from Mikano.

Mikano: Hey! How's the costume coming along?

Tatsuya quickly typed back, trying to sound upbeat despite his swirling thoughts.

Tatsuya: Making progress! I started cutting the fabric. Can't wait to show you!

A moment later, his phone chimed again.

Mikano: Yay! I can't wait! Just wanted to check in. Let me know if you need help!

Tatsuya smiled at her enthusiasm, feeling a warmth spread through him. "She's so supportive," he murmured, his spirits lifting.

But reality crashed back in as he glanced at the pile of textbooks on the side. "I really need to get back to studying," he sighed, torn between the exhilarating world of cosplay and the pressing demands of school.

Over the next few days, Tatsuya tried to balance his time between sewing the costume and preparing for midterms. The mornings were dedicated to studying, his mind swimming in formulas and vocabulary, while the afternoons transformed into creative bursts of sewing and designing.

Despite his best efforts, the pressure began to mount. Late nights turned into early mornings, and soon Tatsuya found himself running on little sleep, his eyelids heavy with exhaustion.

One evening, while sewing a particularly tricky section of the costume, his phone buzzed again. It was a group chat with his classmates discussing a study session.

Classmate: Hey, everyone! Don't forget about the study group tomorrow! We really need to prepare for these midterms!

Tatsuya hesitated. He had promised Mikano he would work on her costume that same day. He could feel the weight of expectation from both sides pressing down on him.