Our Cosplay Relationship Story

Episode 10: The New Tatsuya

Monday morning arrived with a burst of sunlight streaming through Mikano's window. As she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, her mind drifted back to the conversation with her siblings. They had given her the confidence to think about her feelings for Tatsuya in a new light, and she felt a mix of excitement and nerves as she prepared for school.

Arriving at the school gates, she felt a buzz of energy in the air. Students were chatting animatedly, and there was an unmistakable excitement surrounding the upcoming cultural festival. As she walked through the courtyard, Mikano's thoughts kept wandering back to Tatsuya. Would he be different today? Would he have noticed her changing feelings?

When she entered the classroom, the chatter faded into a hush, and Mikano felt a wave of curiosity wash over her. As she turned to find her seat, her eyes landed on Tatsuya, and her breath caught in her throat.

Gone was the slightly awkward boy she had known; in his place stood a new, transformed Tatsuya. He had clearly put in effort over the weekend—his hair was styled perfectly, framing his face in a way that highlighted his striking features. He wore a fitted shirt that accentuated his lean frame, and there was a confidence in his posture that made him look a million times more attractive than before.

The classroom was filled with gasps, especially from a group of girls who had gathered near the window. "Who is that?" one whispered, eyes wide. "He looks so different!"

Mikano's heart raced as she tried to process the transformation. Tatsuya, her Tatsuya, now looked like the kind of guy who could star in a romance anime. It felt surreal.

"Hey, Mikano!" he called, a bright smile illuminating his face as he approached her desk.

"Hey!" she replied, her voice slightly higher than usual as she fought to keep her composure. Her mind was racing—how could someone change so drastically in just a few days?

"Did you do something different?" Tatsuya asked, his smile widening as he leaned casually against her desk. "You look great today!"

"Thanks!" she managed, her cheeks heating up. "You look... um, really good yourself."

Before she could overthink her reaction, Kaito and Mikasa walked in, just in time to witness Tatsuya's entrance. Kaito's jaw dropped, and Mikasa's eyes widened in surprise.

"Mikano, is that really him?" Kaito exclaimed, looking between her and Tatsuya.

Mikasa shook her head in disbelief, a grin spreading across her face. "I think we might need to start calling him 'Hot Tatsuya' now!"

Tatsuya chuckled, scratching the back of his head, looking slightly bashful but pleased with the attention. "You guys are too much."

Mikano felt a rush of protective affection mixed with admiration. She knew he had always been kind and thoughtful, but this new confidence suited him. It made her heart race, stirring those feelings she had started to grapple with.

As the day went on, Tatsuya's transformation became the talk of the school. Classmates whispered and giggled, and more than once, Mikano caught the glances of girls who had previously ignored him. She couldn't help but feel a flicker of possessiveness mixed with pride.

During lunch, as they gathered at their usual spot, Mikasa leaned over and nudged Mikano. "So, what's the plan? Are you going to make a move now that he's all hot and popular?"

Mikano shot her sister a playful glare. "Shut up! He's still Tatsuya to me, no matter how he looks."

"Sure, but you have to admit he's turned into quite the catch," Kaito added, smirking. "I mean, we might have to start fighting off admirers soon."