For His Happiness

Chapter 6: Their First Time (Part 1)

At that time in their community, Kiku and Alfred once told me that their district always held an anime convention every May of the year. As what these put up, it was like their "daily ritual" to attend every convention available, whether it would squeeze them to the last penny or they'll die of starvation (or maybe in Type II diabetes since they would come home carrying a bag of Japanese sweets and chocolate bars). For these two dorks, these conventions were like their Christmas and birthdays combined together, they love to reminisce the olden times when they were young, buying anime-related merchandises, Hi-Chew candies, sushi, onigiris, pins, clothes, posters, and pictures with other Cosplayers. Although, as I believe, they still go to these events to this day, they would never stop talking about the many characters they cosplayed: Naruto (Alfred) and Sasuke (Kiku); Eren (Alfred) and Levi (Kiku); Inuyasha (Alfred) and Kagome (Kiku); a maid (Kiku) and a butler (Alfred); Len (Alfred) and Miku (Kiku), etc. etc.

But none is more memorable than their first convention.

* * *

It was April, a week after they saw the advertisement of the convention in their public library.

"Who are you planning to cosplay?" Kiku asked on the phone.

Alfred was browsing on the Internet about any character suggestions, he was actually planning to go as Batman but that gig was clearly old and overrated, plus he should see Kiku's decision first before he could make a move. "I'm not pretty sure about this, but do you have any ideas who would you like to go as?" he asked.

It took a moment for the Japanese to register and said, "Well, I was planning to go as Japan from that anime we watch, but the costumes are expensive."

"You mean the one where everyone is 'as straight as a circle' and basically shows the stereotypical version of each race while telling us inaccurate yet accurate histories but the creator doesn't take them seriously?" Alfred asked casually and even more surprised of his own self when he said this in one breath without a blink.

"If you mean the one we suggested to watch in History class, then yes." Kiku said in the same deadpan voice, at the same time, he recalled that one day when everyone was confused and Gilbert literally shout "What the crap is this!?" followed by Matthias who said "A video straight from Hell, duh!" in which, Kiku have to agree, it is.

"Yeah... I can see there why " he listened to the blond speaking as he went from that thought then back to their current conversation. "I should've cosplayed America as well... although, despite being an American myself, I find that hamburger prostitute obnoxious and loud."

Alfred heard a loud gasp in the other line, followed by Kiku's ranting tone, "How dare you to talk about him like that?! Not only you insult your own nation, but also you called him a 'prostitute'? He may be loud and obnoxious but you have no rights to call him a 'prostitute'!"

The blond was amused by how his friend spoke, so he decided to continue this a little bit longer. "Hey, at least I'm not trying to pose him as an actual whore like how some people posed France as one."

And then another sharp gasp, "ALFRED!!!"