Cosplay Elf from Another World

I'm so tired.

Slouched, I walked towards home after our dismissal at two in the afternoon. I'm still catching up my breaths. My noodle-limped legs burned like I exhausted my limits from a workout. Earlier at lunch, I even rushed down the building only to find out that Sera was escorted by the school guards out. It's fine with me though, since I don't have anything to say to her, but the stamina… Argh, so tired.

Before I went home, I passed the convenience store and grabbed a bun and an ice tea. While inside, I saw Izumi going home. It was already my habit to stay inside the store to avoid her path. I don't want to stay close to her since it will only cause more issues. Though she glanced inside the convenience store for a second, she continued towards her route.

When does my sighing end? There were still doubts whether I wanted to be closer or farther to her. But we live in different worlds. We aren't destined to be together.

I passed the nearby park and witnessed Sera lying on the bench where I always used to sit. She faced the heavens covering her eyes with her arm and sobbed disturbingly. Her body pulsed frantically, synchronizing with her hiccups. The tear in her cloth enlarges, partially showing her underwear.

Her appearance was lean and haggard, a sure sign of suffering. Besides her face, tears crawl down like waterfalls. There are no words leaving her mouth; all I heard was her silent cries of suppressed despair. She might've lied there with no motivation to get up, losing hope, giving up.'

I don't have anything to say to hear, but seeing her like this… made me want to help her more. I approached without her noticing and put the bun and tea near her head. She was still detached from reality, and this might be her first time feeling the pain of the truth.

Now I wonder, do those who get lost ever truly find their way back on track, do they discover new paths… or do they get stuck in the middle?

When I was eight, blur filled my eyes as I wandered into unknown territory. I ran and cried, following the field trip bus that left me behind. The moment I lost it in my view, I felt desperate to use all my strength to catch up. But being human sucks.

I got rooted in my place, mourning, not knowing what to do. I don't have anyone to approach but the trees around me. Soon, my tears dried up, and my eyes were glued at the only road's horizon. For an hour, I thought of things that may or will possibly happen to me, probably terrible ones. That pulled my feet back on track.

Though slow, my feet advanced in a rhythm, preserving my stamina. Is it bright? Dark? I don't even know. I don't even recognize the time. As long as I'm able to go back home, even if it takes years, I'll dry my cries and continue to strive until it's the end of me. Even if one was surrounded by darkness, light will always come. In my case, an approaching car saved me before I passed out.

I didn't notice that Sera fell asleep after her outburst of emotions. When I did, I left. I'm assured that she'll be able to fight for her goals again. Sera, I hope you'll be able to find your way home soon.

***

Sera woke and stood up on the bench. The lingering smell of cold bread invaded her nose. Before her stomach growled, she took the bun in hurry and ate it. After finishing her hastened chomps, she took the bottle of tea and pulled the lid. She didn't notice that it was already open before she drank it. After a series of quickened gulps, she showed a refreshed Ahh expression.

Holding her tummy after partly satisfying her hunger, her emerald eyes softened, filled with an inner glow. Soon, she placed her hands on her chest and gazed up at the sky with a gentle smile of gratitude. However, she's in the public space. This doesn't guarantee her safety.

Soon, a group of suspicious thugs approached her with malicious smiles on their faces. Sera's shoulders tighten, her breaths bursting in and out. Her limbs unconsciously shook.

"Hello, pretty cosplay chick. Are you lost? I might know where you should go."

Unable to speak out of fear, Sera didn't respond… until the thugs mentioned her hometown's name.

"Pencyne Kingdom? I knew that place, and we just passed there before. It's the nearby town within the forest, is that correct? We can guide you on your way. You just need to follow us." They grasped the imagery of her hometown from overhearing Sera's descriptions in her inquiries. To lure her, they made up the false truth that they're once guests of that place.

Another thug spoke with his nose pinched, "Oh, but first, she stinks. We need to clean her up. Maybe we'll have a score with her too."

With a racing heartbeat, Sera gave them a darting gaze in desperation to return home. She may have replied with a hesitating nod, but her decisions were a product of her irrational thinking. Not knowing the truth, she followed them blindly.

***

After three-hours of watching a season of Elven Wars, I turned off the computer in my room, leaned my back against my gaming chair, and groaned. Once I watch Anime, it would take me until the end of a season before my stomach growled "That's a good hoard! I never expected that the underrated Elven Wars had complex plots. Damn, I'm hungry."

I stood up and opened his mini food stash near my cabinet. To my surprise, my eyes dilated when the stash was left blank. "I forgot the Otaku Sustenance Plan." For me, this plan was for hoarding snacks as reserves when I binge-watched Anime and Mangas. I need a refill.

Without fixing myself, I put on my jacket, went to the kitchen, and ate the pancakes cooked by Mom for the afternoon bites. While chewing, I'm still thinking, It will be the end of the year soon, and I didn't do anything worth noticing yet. My dreams, will they remain dreams? I want to pursue it, but I can't do it by myself. I need someone that will climb up the ranks, the key to my dreams.

My gaze wandered towards the aged door in the far end of the kitchen. My mom usually used that room for her hobbies. But for me, it was a place my dreams will start. I walked towards it and entered the room. 

By the sound of the creaks, I coughed. Dusts sweeped the floor and flew within the atmosphere. As usual, this place remains untouched. When I opened the light, countless covered mannequins stood near the walls. In the middle lay a high-quality sewing machine, a Sister FX90Y model that has a fast bobbing system capable of doing rushed stitches.

While waving my hand before my nose to avoid the dust, I approached and analyzed the machine. The hard work still felt nostalgic when I used this to create my own cosplay. This was also what I used to create my own masterpiece, a clothing that has never been used yet.

It was still here, on the middle edge of the room, like it stood a spotlight as the number one product I created. I removed the clothing, my mouth slacked. Suddenly sucking my breath, I stood excessively still, my widened eyes glimmering in astonishment. I can't believe that I'm the one who created this! Everytime I see this creation, a sudden euphoria floods me.

But the usual routine, the sparks of defeat visits me afterward. The giddiness would turn into a lack of energy. My grin would metamorphose to a downturned mouth. I always back and look away, knowing that this creation will never be touched until the end of my life.

However, that feeling never came. Another image dominated my mind, a future with hope, a direction that will lead me to success. I imagine the stray girl, Sera, wearing this costume and taking over the stage, claiming the atmosphere in a cosplay contest while charming the crowd with Shizu-sama's poses. Like the character, the dreams will also become reality, and I might reach Mimirin's level soon.

I slapped both my cheeks and pulled my soul back to reality. Staring at the mannequin, I sighed. "She had the perfect measurements…" 

When I left the house for groceries, I witnessed my neighbor also going out of her home. Her crimson-red pigtail hair extended down her shoulder, her brown eyes had Anime-like width even without eyelid tapes. Her bright skin commended her angelic face, emphasizing that she was a model. Even though she was my childhood friend in simple house clothes, Izumi far contrasts my gloomy identity.

Not wanting to get involved with her, I ignored and passed through her, but she greeted me like a friend would do. "Kou…" Recently, I felt that she wanted my attention for whatever reasons. Why is it that those who I ignore chase me more?

"Oh, hi Izumi," I lifelessly replied and continued walking without caring about her lowered gaze. Our childhood friendship had already expired. Even if her face attracted countless boys in their school, I never fazed from her appearance. I always thought it would only face countless unnecessary problems if I got involved with her.

While I'm walking, she somewhat followed me. Are we heading in the same direction? As we entered the grocery store, we separated from each other's trails since the area for snacks was far from the fresh meat and vegetables section. She might be buying ingredients for their meals since she was the one who cooks for her mother who was a doctor.

I thought I was safe… I still met her the moment they reached the counter. I reached first in line, and Izumi followed. When she noticed my basket full of snacks, cup noodles, and energy drinks, she commented, "It's too unhealthy."

"Health was always my problem," I replied, my head pivoting at my prosthetic foot. All of my middle school classmates knew my dark past, Izumi included.

"I… I'm sorry…"

I nodded, and turned back to the cashier who just finished checking my purchases. I left after the counter prepared my bag of snacks. I don't want to give her the opportunity to talk to me ever again. It would be bad if my mother found the two of us together. 

 Just steps away out the gate, the deafening squeal of a girl from the nearby alleyway echoed into my ears.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? LET ME GO!"

I lost my grip; my shopping bags fell down to the ground. I somewhat recognized the girl's squeal, since it's the same teary voice that I heard in the streets of Akihabara, the police mobile, home, and the sidewalks of Ningyocho. With the guard's widened eyes, he might've also noticed the commotion.

A woman needed help, and I… I can't ignore it. I could never hesitate when someone needs help. However, I can't do this alone. I asked the guard, "Sir, I might need your help."

A thug gripped Sera's wrists above her head as he pushed her back on the wall. Sera's face turned ashen, accompanied by her tears. She shook her body, trying to let go of the grip, but couldn't escape due to the thug's strength. Gritting her teeth, she squealed, "WHAT ARE YOU DOING!? LET ME GO!"

Another thug caressed her long ears and asked, "Do you think your fantasy world exists? Pencyne Kingdom? At what mental hospital did you come from? That place doesn't exist!"

"Liars… You're all liars… You promised me–" 

"Like I care about you. All we wanted was a delicious treat. Bon appetit!"

The other thug tore the middle of her cloth vertically, reaching down her chest. Though her body wasn't fully exposed yet, the rip reached below her bottom chest. Before her cloth was fully torn, a flash accompanied by a clicking sound halted their actions. They all stared at the alleyway entrance where two people stood: one was the grocery guard holding a baton, and the other was I carrying a phone.

After I witnessed what they did to Sera, my hazel brown eyes widened, showing its whites. I pulled his lips back, baring my teeth. With my nose flaring and my eyes glaring, I shook in extremities and growled, "Uncultured bastards… Do you think I'll let this go!?"

They let go of their grip on Sera, while stepping back with their quivering legs. While in panic, they all shouted in fear. Since I already got their pictures, they are assured to be caught.

"Is that a guard?"

"That's a guard! Let's get out of here!"

"But… Our pictures were…"

"Never mind that! As long as we hide… Heck, he's running!"

I left the matter to the guard who rushed towards the suspects. Sera kneeled on the ground, covering her chest but losing all of her energy, her mind grasped another inevitable trauma. I put my jacket on her top and helped her stand.

"Are you al– " Am I too insensitive to ask a crying girl that!?

"Where… am I?" Her emerald-green eyes that appear red fixed a darting gaze on the ground, her vision blurred by her tears. She muttered, "No one knew where my home was… I don't know where to look… I… just need to go home…" Her wail echoed across the whole alleyway. She buried her eyes onto my shoulder. I embraced her, rubbing her back. 

With a soothing tone, I replied, "The sad part is… it's rare to find a kind person nowadays. Wandering alone was already a threat to oneself. Shizu-sama once lost her home, but she found a purpose the moment her journey went on. To answer your question earlier, I somewhat lost my way too… But, I think, destiny gave me hope that there are always reasons to pull us back to the right route."

"I… I don't know what to do… There's no place where I belong here…"

Rubbing her head, I shook my head and replied, "That wasn't always the case, Sera. I'll show you that you still have hope… I'll show you that there's a place here where you can belong."

That glimpse earlier might be my calling. This innocent woman was never a thief, but she will soon be the key in unlocking the locked doors towards my dreams. The story of Tsuru no Ongaeshi might have been real; a woman will appear before me… But everything will be the opposite…

While I'm the crane that will provide her with grains and clothing with my own skin, my hard work,

She was the elf in need.

For her to belong in this world,

She will become the Cosplay Elf.