Vol 1 Chapter 14 – The Doujin Convention

In the international exhibition hall of a certain region, a small doujin convention was held every month.

The “Modern Culture Research Society” came out to it each month to distribute their books.

Naturally, this time, I was the sales assistant.

President Takahashi had told me not to put too much pressure on myself, but that was impossible.

When you’re counted on by someone so wonderful, you can’t help but want to meet their expectations.

That’s why.

That’s why I made a certain decision.

“Kajiwara-kun?”

“Um… does this suit me? That’s the one thing I’m worried about.”

I have to live up to her expectations, don’t I?

I was so happy.

I had been invited by my wonderful senpai, President Takahashi, joined the hobby circle, and received a warm welcome.

It wasn’t a matter of feudal loyalty, but when you receive something, you want to return something of even greater value.

“I-It suits you, but why?”

Emma-san asked, her voice laced with a slight stutter as she looked at me inquisitively.

I was in cosplay.

It’s like this: even in this chastity-reversed world, a demand exists for super-muscular guys like me.

It’s the same in the weekly shonen manga magazines (which are billed as one of the few entertainment magazines for boys, but are in fact read mostly by women); in the most popular manga right now, the young, boyish protagonist had a brawny, well-built buddy.

In short, I was cosplaying as him.

A gentlemanly white dress shirt with a necktie and suspenders.

The size was a little small.

Because of that, the dress shirt looked like it was about to burst at the seams over my muscles, but since the character is a muscular type, this actually made it look more “authentic.”

“I bought it at the cosplay specialty shop in the Station Center Plaza. I didn’t have time for a custom order, so I had to get something off-the-rack…”

I had come up with the idea a few days before the convention.

I’d been tasked with being the sales assistant for the day.

Selling is the only way I can contribute right now, so I knew I had to give it my all.

But it would be foolish of me to offer suggestions like, “Don’t you think there’s room for improvement here?” to President Takahashi and the others, who have a year’s worth of circle experience.

There wasn’t much I could do in a hurry, so I had to contribute in the way that only I could.

To be specific:

I need to increase my appeal as a doujin circle’s sales assistant.

That was my conclusion, and the only thing I could do at this stage…

…was to cosplay, at the very least.

“You didn’t mind cosplaying?”

“I don’t mind. Why do you ask? I’m an otaku, too, so I’m not against cosplay itself. There was just another reason.”

It wasn’t that I disliked cosplay.

The problem was that I just didn’t want everyone in the Modern Culture Research Society to think I was some conceited jerk who believed he was as handsome as a 2.5D stage play actor.

That was my only concern, but feeling the palms of Toudou-san as she patted my cosplay outfit all over while murmuring, “Whoa,” I felt a little relieved.

She didn’t touch my butt, thankfully, but she did give me a tight hug.

It seemed she found me at least somewhat appealing.

“Hey, Toudou-chan. It’s rude to pat Kajiwara-kun all over like that! Let alone hugging him!!”

“It’s alright.”

This doesn’t even count as sexual harassment.

I returned Toudou-san’s gesture with a smile and asked her.

“So? Does it suit me?”

“Nice! Real nice! It suits you perfectly!!”

Her review was more than favorable.

Smiling, I turned to Emma-san.

“Do you think I can contribute to book sales with this?”

“…Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. I don’t think President Takahashi is expecting that much.”

Emma-san murmured, looking down as her smooth, blonde hair swayed.

“The cosplay suits you, and I think it’ll have a positive effect on sales, but… I don’t think anything good comes from trying to achieve your ideals all at once.”

“Emma-san, you of all people are saying that? The person whose art is second only to President Takahashi’s?”

I tilted my head and asked.

She produces results that more than meet expectations, doesn’t she?

What does she have to be so humble about?

That’s what I thought, but.

“T-That’s true. But it’s not something I could do overnight. I caused everyone a lot of trouble to get to where I am now, and I don’t want you to make the same mistakes.”

She caused everyone trouble, huh?

I was sure that “everyone” didn’t think she was a bother in the slightest.

Especially not President Takahashi.

But she probably wouldn’t believe me even if I told her that.

“Understood. I’ll keep that in mind.”

“J-Just take things in moderation, okay?”

I replied to her stuttered words and waited slowly for the convention to begin.

The poster was hung tastefully, the books were lined up, and our preparations for distribution were complete.

All that was left was to wait for the starting time.

“Are President Takahashi and Segawa-san making their greeting rounds this morning?”

“Yeah, I think they’ll be back in the afternoon, so you don’t have to worry so much—well, actually, I wonder if they’ll be surprised.”

“Surprised?”

I tilted my head with a quizzical look.

Well, I did suddenly show up in cosplay without consulting anyone first.

“If you sell books in that outfit, we’ll move 300 copies in no time.”

“Is that how it works?”

“That’s how it works. Anybody would rather buy from a guy in cosplay than from some girl.”

Toudou-san stated nonchalantly, as if to say, That’s just reality.

In my past life, I would have definitely wanted to buy books from a female cosplayer in a revealing outfit.

I came here in cosplay assuming the same logic would apply in this life.

“My self-esteem is pretty low, you know.”

I admitted honestly.

“I know. You give off that vibe.”

Toudou-san replied, cackling with laughter.

Somehow, I’m popular.

In this world, just being a rare male is enough to make you popular.

I understand that there’s even a sexual demand for my muscular physique.

And yet.

My values from my past life are still lingering, and I can’t get used to it.

“It would be nice to be fawned over.”

“If you want, I can do it for you.”

Toudou-san started patting my back again.

It wasn’t an unpleasant feeling.

“Toudou-chan, seriously, stop it. It’s common sense not to touch cosplayers.”

“Kajiwara-kun is one of us, so it’s fine.”

“Th-That’s not a reason!”

Emma-san grabbed Toudou-san’s waist and pulled her back with a heave.

They get along so well.

A smile spread across my face.

“Everyone in the Modern Culture Research Society is really close, aren’t they?”

“Well, we have been doing this together for a year, after all.”

Toudou-san grabbed Emma-san’s waist with a grunt and pulled her closer.

The two of them, each with a hand on the other’s waist, struck a yuri-esque pose.

Emma-san didn’t seem to mind, as she didn’t resist and let it happen.

“I hope we can all stay good friends in the future, too. Long after we finish high school.”

“I think that’s a wonderful idea.”

“It’d be nice if you were there with us, too, Kajiwara-kun.”

“There!” Toudou-san suddenly shoved Emma-san towards me.

I scrambled to catch Emma-san with my body.

I managed to absorb the impact with my chest.

“Wh-What are you doing! Toudou-chan!!”

“Well, you were looking so enviously at me touching Kajiwara-kun, Emma. Just sharing the wealth.”

She grinned.

Man, I really like her carefree personality.

I might even like her almost as much as President Takahashi.

Then again, there isn’t a single person in the Modern Culture Research Society I could imagine disliking.

“I’d be happy if you’d let me be a part of those future plans, too.”

“Hohe?”

With her hands on my chest, Emma-san let out a strange noise.

Her Caucasian face flushed red, and it looked as if I could see the veins beneath her translucent skin.

“Eh, d-do you mean it… that way? Is that what you mean?”

“Huh?”

That way?

What way could she possibly mean?

I just meant that I want to stay good friends with all of them for a long time.

Before I could say so.

“Aaaand, that’s enough of that. The convention’s about to start. It’s good manners for everyone to clap.”

Toudou-san grabbed Emma-san by the scruff of her neck and pulled her away from me.

Did I say something weird?

I tilted my head, but Emma-san, while glancing nervously from side to side, was getting ready to clap.

Beside her, Toudou-san was doing the same.

Along with the announcement that the convention was starting, applause echoed from everyone in the venue.