Gabriel couldn't stop thinking about how brave he had been the day before. He still felt a rush of pride, especially knowing that Ryden hadn't pushed him away. In fact, Ryden had accepted his advances without hesitation, and Gabriel couldn't help but wonder if, just maybe, he actually had a chance now. He felt a spark of hope, all he needed to do was keep being brave, take more risks, and see where it would lead.

But then, his thoughts shifted, and the weight of reality settled back in. There was still something important he had to face, something that had been lingering in the back of his mind: the truth about Angel. Gabriel couldn't shake the thought that, in order for Ryden to fully understand him, he had to come clean. He couldn't keep living with this half-truth, pretending that everything was as simple as it seemed. The identity of Angel, needed to be laid out in the open.

Gabriel considered coming out today, hoping to build on the connection they had shared the day before. He was confident that Ryden wouldn't react badly-he believed in the bond that were starting to form. After all, Ryden liked Angel for who she was. Whether he was Gabriel or Angel didn't matter. His face, his hobbies, his passions were all still the same. They had connected on those things.

For the time being, he has decided to focus on cosplaying. Today, he knows he'll be meeting Ryden as Angel, and that's his immediate priority. He needs to mentally prepare himself for the interaction, keeping his mind on the present moment and postponing any thoughts of revealing his true identity until later. One problem at a time, he tells himself.

Today's choice of cosplay is Fischl's second outfit. While it's somewhat revealing, it complements his body perfectly, and he enjoys the way it fits. Fischl has always been a character he admired - her mystical aura resonate with him deeply. Despite his fondness for her, he can't bring himself to enjoy gacha games. The randomness and gambling aspects bother him, as he's never been a fan of games of chance. He doesn't believe in risking money or anything valuable on something as uncertain as luck. However, sometimes, he admits, you have to take risks to get what you want.

He made his way to his booth, the event staff guiding him along the way, offering their assistance since his vision is limited by the eyepatch he wears. As he approached the booth, he couldn't help but feel a wave of gratitude for his sister, who had taken the time to prepare everything ahead of time. The booth was neatly arranged, with posters of his cosplay available for sale, along with a photobook showcasing his work.

His sister, always the practical one, had set everything up in a way that made the space feel both professional and welcoming. However, she preferred to roam around the event after setting up, choosing not to linger at the booth. It was her way of maintaining the illusion of Angel, allowing the character to feel more separate from his real self. While he appreciated the space to focus on cosplaying, he knew that her presence-though less obvious-was a steady anchor behind the scenes.

The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

The meet-and-greet had begun, and Gabriel fell into the familiar rhythm of shaking hands, posing for photos, and signing posters - the usual routine he had grown accustomed to at every convention where he was a guest. His smile was warm and practiced, the gestures effortless as he greeted each fan with kindness. He didn't mind the occasional light touch: a hand on his shoulder, a tap on his waist while posing for pictures. It came with the territory, and it was part of the experience he had learned to embrace. But today, one person crossed the line.

Gabriel immediately felt an unwelcome hand, not just brushing against him, but lingering inappropriately, trying to feel him up. His heart skipped a beat. He could handle minor physical contact, but this was different. He cleared his throat, attempting to push the man away gently, signaling his discomfort. He couldn't bring himself to create a scene, not in front of everyone.

But the man didn't take the hint. Instead of stepping back, he continued his inappropriate behavior, completely disregarding Gabriel's boundaries. His pulse quickened, a wave of unease washing over him. It wasn't that he felt physically threatened, but the violation of his space sent a jolt of anxiety through his body. The event staff quickly noticed the discomfort on Gabriel's face, and shouted at the man, sternly instructing him to stop. The crowd, previously absorbed in their own excitement, turned their attention to the scene unfolding.

Gabriel didn't want to escalate things further; he had no interest in making a spectacle out of the situation. But the staff member wasn't waiting for his approval. With authority, they stepped in, physically escorting the man away from him, their voice sharp as they made it clear his behavior was unacceptable.

Although the moment had passed, Gabriel still felt rattled. His heart was pounding in his chest, and a sense of unease lingered in the air. He quickly scanned the crowd, his gaze searching for something - or someone - familiar, something to help ground him. Then, as if by instinct, his eyes landed on Ryden. He wasn't far at all, just a few steps away in the crowd, his presence immediately providing the comfort Gabriel needed.

In that brief moment of eye contact, it felt like the world had righted itself. He didn't need to say anything - Ryden's presence was enough to offer the comfort he so desperately needed amidst the overwhelming crowd.

The discomfort from earlier was still there, but he knew it was time to take a deeper step. The time had come for him to trust the bond he have with Ryden completely. He couldn't continue hiding behind the mask of Angel forever, especially not from him.

With a steady breath, he pulled out his personal phone, fingers hovering over the screen. The idea of revealing his true identity to Ryden felt daunting, but it also felt necessary.

He quickly typed a simple message, heart beating a little faster as he did.

'Let's have dinner together?'

The words seemed small, but they carried more weight than he could express in a few lines. This would be the moment he would share the truth with Ryden-that he, Gabriel, was in fact Angel. He paused for a moment, staring at the message on the screen, before hitting send.

The decision had been made. Now, all that was left was to wait for a response.