Cosplay Event (Part 5)
The curtains slowly parted as a wave of applause rolled through the auditorium, unlike the chaos outside, the inside was almost meticulously organized. Hundreds of contestants waited backstage. While thousands of spectators filled the seats.
Large projector screens hung above the stage, displaying close-up shots of every costume currently preparing for inspection. At the center stood three long judging tables. Not celebrities. Not internet influencers.
Professionals.
The first judge adjusted his glasses as another contestant walked across the stage. He didn't look at her face first. He looked at the stitching.
"...Hand sewn."
His eyes moved toward the shoulders.
"Excellent balancing." Another note.
"The silhouette correction is well done." Only then did he finally raise his head.
"...Character accuracy suffers slightly around the collar."
Scratch.
Scratch.
Scratch.
His pen never stopped moving.
The final judge smiled warmly as another contestant bowed. Unlike the first two... His specialty wasn't tailoring. It was performance.
Posture.
Expression.
Character embodiment.
He waited silently. The contestant smiled.
"...Too much." He wrote something.
"Ryōshū never smiles that confidently."
Another contestant walked out. This one never spoke. Never smiled. Merely stood.
Silent.
Motionless.
The third judge watched for several long seconds.
His pen, which had never stopped moving throughout the competition...
...paused.
"..."
Then, almost absentmindedly, the corner of his lips lifted.
A single sentence appeared on his score sheet.
...Understands the character.
Only then did his pen begin moving again.
—Aurelion Vireth
The announcer's voice echoed throughout the convention hall back to the back stage.
[Welcome everyone to the Tokyo Crossover Cosplay Championship!]
Cheers erupted, so loud that even we at the back stage could hear it
[This year's event features over six hundred registered contestants...]
Applause.
[...representing more than three hundred different series...]
The cheering only got louder
[...with competitors ranging from first-time cosplayers...]
[...to veterans with over thirty years of experience.]
[Whether handmade...]
[Commissioned...]
[Or professionally crafted...]
[Today...]
[Every contestant stands equally.]
The applauses only got louder. And with it—So did my Anxiety…
Slap
"Dang Vireth where'd your confidence go? you used to cosplay girls all the time" Gabe was the first one to break the silence, of course being cosplayed as Aventurine and smacking a Cyrene's back would obviously invite eyes.
"Is that guy a creep?" "Should we call security"
"You are going to get security called on you you know? for sexual abuse"
"Ahhh if they try I'll just let them know your a guy, what's the worst that could—Ah right, times have changed now eh, genderbending drugs more terms this that this that, Dang I keep on thinking of the past."
"Well the world has changed a lot after all" Kiana said with a shrug
[Next is contestant number #169]
As soon as said announcement a Persona 5 cosplayer went up front
"What number are we again?" As soon as I said those words Gaby pointed at her number tag being #260
Kiana's was number 261, Gabe's 262, May's 263 and so on, mine was 267.
The announcer's voice echoed through the backstage speakers.
[Contestant number #170]
Again the curtains opened, followed by a cheer then silence, then applause as another contestant disappeared onto the stage. Another dream stepped beneath the lights. Around me, conversations continued in low voices.
Some contestants rehearsed poses one last time. Others adjusted wigs in handheld mirrors. Someone nervously reapplied eyeliner while another repeatedly checked reference images on their phone.
The atmosphere was tense and alive. Every few seconds another number echoed through the hall. Every few seconds another contestant stepped forward.
Some returned smiling. Others looked relieved. One or two looked disappointed.
Yet none regretted coming.
Time continued moving, one contestant after another. The back stage area slowly grew quieter. Rows of chairs emptied. Costume bags disappeared. The once-crowded backstage slowly became spacious.
Then—
[Contestant number #260]
Gaby stood up
"...That's me."
She adjusted the edge of her collar almost absentmindedly. Kiana gave her a thumbs-up with her typical smile
"You'll do great."
"...I know." She rolled her eyes.
"I've got someone to beat after all." Without another word, she walked toward the curtain. The fabric closed behind her.
Silence.
...
Five seconds.
Ten.
Fifteen.
Then—
Applause.
Warm.
Steady.
Growing louder.
"...Guess she's doing well," Jill smiled, and soon Gaby returned, her shoulders hunched as she gave an exasperated smile
"How'd it go~?" Kiana was the first to ask
"Terrible."
"Yeah yeah stop being so boringggg, it was fun is it not?"
"It was—"
[Contestant number #261]
"Hehe, That's my queue" Kiana said as she stretched lazily before brushing an invisible speck of dust from Kevin's coat. Then she looked toward me.
"Leader."
"Hm?"
"Don't run away now~."
"..."
"I wasn't planning to."
"Good."
She grinned.
"See you"
For a second she stopped in her tracks—then.
"See ya~" with a smile then, she turned. Walked toward the stage.
One step.
Two.
Three.
The curtains swallowed her whole.
...
Silence.
Not even the audience spoke.
"..."
"..."
"..."
Then—
A roar, then Cheers. Whistles.
"KEVIN!" Someone shouted loud enough to reach backstage.
Another voice.
"LOOK AT THE COSPLAY!"
Another.
"NO WAY—"
The applause that followed seemed almost endless. Even contestants waiting for later performances peeked toward the curtains.
"...What did she even do?" Tanner muttered.
"I..." don't know…
Several moments later...
The curtains shifted. Kiana walked back inside. Still Kevin.
Expressionless.
Calm.
Composed.
She walked past three contestants. Past the volunteers. Past the makeup station.
Fwshhhhh
The curtains fully closed behind her.
...
...
"Hehe~"
The entire Kevin aura disappeared instantly. Her shoulders relaxed as she stretched lazily.
"That was fun."
"yeah yeah I—"
[Contestant number #262]
"Welp, it's my turn now" Gabe said with a confident smile adjusting Aventurine's coat as he walked out.
The applause that followed was loud. Not quite as thunderous as Kiana's. But loud nonetheless.
...
[Contestant Number #263]
May inhaled deeply before stepping onto the stage.
...
[Contestant Number #264]
Jill flashed everyone a thumbs-up.
"Wish me luck."
...
[Contestant Number #265]
Tanner.
...
[Contestant Number #266]
Fang.
...
One by one...
The chairs emptied.
The conversations faded.
The once-crowded backstage slowly became silent, the Cosplayers no longer as excited, perhaps drained by the environment, tiredness from wearing the heavy gear, stuffy clothes and heavy make up.
Ba Dump Ba Dump Ba Dump
My heart wouldn't stop pounding, I know Kiana worked hard for this but—I no longer have the body type for Cyrene. People might still judge me they might scorn me they might call me a—
[Contestant Number #267]
...
For a moment... I couldn't move. I didn't know how long/The announcer repeated my number. The volunteer beside the curtains looked toward me expectantly.
[...Contestant #267?]
"..."
My legs finally obeyed.
One step, then another. Every footstep sounded impossibly loud. The curtains were only a few meters away.
Beyond them...
Thousands of people.
Judges.
Cameras.
My hand slowly reached toward the curtain.
Fwshhh...
The fabric brushed against my fingertips—
—Several Minutes Earlier
The next registration card slid across the judging table.
Contestant #260.
Character:Herrscher of Flamescion | Kiana Kaslana | Honkai Impact 3rd
The first judge adjusted his advanced glasses.
"...Proceed."
The curtains parted. A ripple of applause spread across the auditorium as Gaby stepped beneath the spotlight.
Silver-white hair draped with a tinge of red.
Flowing cape.
The unmistakable black-and-white battle suit.
Even before she spoke...
The resemblance was striking.
The tailoring judge immediately lowered his gaze.
"...Excellent seam work."
His pen moved.
The shoulder armor sits naturally.
Wig styling blends cleanly with the hairline.
His eyes shifted downward.
Boot proportions are accurate.
Scratch.
Scratch.
Scratch.
The craftsmanship score climbed steadily.
The second judge slowly looked at her, his eyes following the drone that showed every angle of the cosplay
"...Very convincing silhouette." He nodded faintly.
"No visible shortcuts."
Then...
The third judge spoke.
"...Walk." Her voice echoing through the place. Without hesitation, She obeyed. One step. Then another.
Confident.
Balanced.
Controlled.
She stopped exactly where instructed.
Silence.
The judge watched. Not the costume. Just Her. The way she stood. The way she breathed. The way her eyes moved across the audience.
...
His pen finally moved.
Excellent discipline.
Another line. Body control resembles formal combat training. Another pause.
Then—
...
The Herrscher of Flamescion carries herself like a knight that brings hope, yet this contestant carries herself like an assassin. She looked up once more.
"...Very impressive."
"...Just..."
"...A different soul."
The three judges exchanged brief glances.
No disagreement.
Only understanding.
They were professional's in their careers and studied many fandoms, from the popular to the niche. It was to be expected The score sheet received another signature.
A high score.
A very high score.
As Gaby bowed politely and disappeared behind the curtains, applause followed her all the way backstage the next registration card arrived.
Contestant #261.
Character :DeliveranceKevin KaslanaHonkai Impact 3rd
The first judge glanced at the information sheet.
"...Female." The second nodded.
"Crossdress." The third simply turned another page.
"...Proceed." As soon as those words were said the curtains slowly opened.
Fwwwsh…
...
Silence.
The applause never came. Not immediately. A lone figure stepped beneath the spotlight.
White hair.
Long black coat.
Hands resting calmly at his sides.
No dramatic pose.
No introduction.
No attempt to impress anyone.
He simply...
stood there at his designated area, his hands now crossed, his eyes stoic, quiet, empty, like it was filled only for a single purpose. The tailoring judge instinctively reached for his pen—
...
—but stopped.
For the first time that day...
Nothing came to mind. The stitching was flawless. The proportions were flawless. The tailoring... was flawless.
"..."
He quietly placed a checkmark beside every category. Across the table, the embodiment judge never looked away. He already knew the registration sheet.
Female.
Crossplay.
Contestant #261.
He knew.
Yet...
His mind insisted on telling him something else. Kevin Kaslana had walked onto the stage. The contestant slowly lifted her head.
Calm.
Steady.
Without arrogance.
Without fear.
Without hesitation.
Unconsciously the judges all straightened their postures. So did the audiences.
Only after several long seconds did the embodiment judge realize what he'd done.
"..."
His pen finally moved.
To move forward
No Hesitation
Deliverance
The audience remained strangely quiet. No one seemed willing to break the silence.
"...Kevin..." Then a small whisper could be heard followed by another voice "...That's Kevin." And as though a spell had been broken... The entire auditorium erupted.
"THAT'S KEVIN KASLANA IS IT NOT?"
"HOLY SHIT IT'S THE DELIVERANCE???"
"WHO IS THIS GUY??"
The sound echoed against the ceiling.
Yet the contestant only gave a small nod then turned—And walked offstage. The embodiment judge watched until the curtains closed. Only then did he quietly write one final sentence.
Understands the character.
Of course, as professionals it didn't take long for them to regain their composure, after all in the end. The competition continues
Contestant #262.
Aventurine.
"Strong tailoring."
"Good confidence."
"Expression slightly exaggerated."
Contestant #263.
Stelle.
"Excellent silhouette."
"Natural posture."
"Very good overall."
Contestant #264.
Robin.
"Good stage presence."
"Smile is convincing."
"Body language could be softer."
Contestant #265.
Sunday.
"Elegant."
"Controlled."
"Good attention to detail."
Contestant #266.
Boboiboy.
The audience laughed warmly as the young hero struck his signature pose.
"Very energetic."
"Faithful to the source."
"Excellent interaction."
Another high score.
One after another...
The contestants left the stage.
Then the next card came.
Contestant #267.
Character:Cyrene.
"Male? Proceed" Said the first judge, yet the curtains remained closed. A volunteer looked backstage.
[Contestant number #267?]
Still nothing. The announcer repeated the number.
[Contestant number #267, please proceed to the stage.]
Finally the curtains stirred.
Fwwsh...
A single figure stepped beneath the spotlight. The first judge instinctively lowered his pen.
"..."