To put it mildly, Ryden's Sunday was everything but orderly.

What he had hoped would be a relaxing day spent meeting Angel took an unexpected turn when one overly enthusiastic fan couldn't respect personal boundaries. Before he knew it, the situation escalated, and the fan was being escorted away from the booth. Ryden shot the fan a cold, withering glare as he was hauled off, silently hoping it would somehow make a difference.

Turning his attention back to Angel, he saw that she was standing motionless, her gaze sweeping over the crowd as if searching for something. When her eyes met his, Ryden couldn't help but feel a twinge of awkwardness, but he quickly pushed the feeling aside, silently accepting her unspoken attention.

Just as the awkwardness began to settle, Ryden's phone vibrated in his pocket. He pulled it out, eager for a distraction. The notification was from Gabriel, he was asking to have dinner together and there were no further details.

Ryden furrowed his brow. Normally, they'd run into each other, and Gabriel would just pull him along to whatever plan he had in mind.

He quickly typed a reply: 'Sure, what time and where?'

He couldn't help but feel the day's unpredictability was only just beginning.

Gabriel's reply came after two hours, and it seemed like he must have been preoccupied with his job. It was unlike him to take so long to respond, but Ryden figured there was no harm in waiting. Gabriel suggested meeting up at the pizza place near the station.

Since he attended the convention on the first day, Ryden didn't stay much longer today. After meeting Angel, the excitement of the event seemed to fade. The incident that happened earlier had left a bitter taste in his mouth. Ryden couldn't quite shake the lingering feeling of unease, but he figured a quiet evening with Gabriel might help lift his spirits.

He hurried back home as quickly as possible, eager to settle into the comfort of his own space. Since it was still early, he figured it was the perfect opportunity to finally flip through the cosplay magazine he had bought quite some time ago. It had been collecting dust on his bookshelf, neglected for days. Between spending his free time hanging out with Gabriel and researching Angel's gaming interests in an effort to connect more, he had completely forgotten about it. Now, with some rare free moments to himself, which doesn't happen in his old life routine, he was excited to dive into the pages he had been meaning to explore.

He finally reached home, feeling the weight of the day lift as he stepped into his sanctuary. The first thing he did was take a refreshing shower, before slipping into his favorite comfortable clothes. With a sigh of contentment, he made his way to the living room and sank into the soft cushions of his sofa. The gentle hum of the television played in the background, its soft glow adding to the calm atmosphere.

He reached for the long-neglected cosplay magazine, and began flipping through its pages. As he did, he couldn't help but marvel at the intricate craft of the cosplayers featured on each page. The level of detail, creativity, and passion poured into every costume was astounding. Ryden hadn't realized just how vast and dedicated the cosplay community was. He had never really considered the idea of bringing fictional characters to life in such a way, but seeing it now, it was both fascinating and inspiring.

There was one particular aspect that caught his attention: crossplay, where individuals of one gender cosplay characters of the opposite gender. The transformations were nothing short of incredible. The skill and artistry it took to make those changes—transforming not just their appearance, but embodying the essence of a character—was nothing short of magical. Ryden felt a deep admiration for these cosplayers and the effort they put into creating these alter egos.

As he continued reading, a realization slowly dawned on him—he had bought the magazine in the first place because of a small photo of Angel on the cover. Yet, now, as he eagerly absorbed every new piece of information, he realized he had become completely absorbed in this entirely new world. The deeper he dove into it, the more captivated he became.

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As Ryden continued flipping through the pages, he finally reached the section where Angel was featured. His heart skipped a beat when he saw her name printed in bold letters, a tiny article dedicated to her rise in the cosplay world. The piece described her as a "rising star" in the community, which instantly piqued his interest even more. The article went on to mention how she had become a somewhat mysterious figure—rarely engaging with crowds or even the staff at conventions. She was known for being secretive about her personal life, offering only the most necessary bits of information, most of which were already shared on her Instagram account.

Despite her reclusive nature, the article made it clear that Angel had a devoted fanbase. Her niche following was incredibly loyal, captivated not just by her skillful craftsmanship but by the aura of intrigue that surrounded her. Events and conventions, despite the elusive persona she maintained, continued to invite her back. There was something magnetic about her presence, something that drew people in, even though she kept much of herself hidden.

Ryden couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for Angel, not only because of her impressive talent but also because of the mystique she had managed to cultivate. He realized that she wasn't just a cosplayer; she was an enigma, someone who had mastered the art of keeping her private life just out of reach.

As he leafed through the magazine, time flew by, and he had to get ready to have dinner with Gabriel. He chose to wear a black short-sleeved button-up shirt with black pants, although it looks overly professional, Ryden doesn't actually have that many casual t-shirts or outfits because he used to almost never leave his house aside for work or work related activities. He grabbed his keys and wallet and texted Gabriel, 'I'm on my way.'

The pizza place, Golden Circle, was only a short walk away from their apartment. Ryden had specifically chosen his current apartment because of its convenient proximity to public transportation.

As he strolled down the street, he glanced at his phone, checking for any messages. Just then, he received a notification from Gabriel.

‘I am here, at the corner’, he attached a photo of where he was sitting.

He was uncomfortable with the idea of keeping Gabriel waiting, even though their official meeting time was still some time off. It was not Ryden's nature to keep people waiting for him, he made an effort to be on time and sensitive of other people's time. He didn't want Gabriel to feel like he had to sit there for too long.

As he moved through the well-known streets, he sped up, his steps becoming more deliberate, hoping to reach his destination earlier than anticipated. Even though it was a minor matter, the thought of catching up with Gabriel sent a tiny thrill through him.

Ryden reached Golden Circle, entering the warm and inviting pizza joint with a sense of familiarity. He said he was meeting up with a friend when he spoke to the waiter at the door. Ryden nodded thanks as he entered after the waiter smiled and motioned for him to do so.

While the restaurant was busy, it wasn't too packed, which was ideal for a laid-back evening. He glanced around the room, trying to find the corner where Gabriel had sent the picture, his gaze darting between the tables. He eventually recognized the angle from the image. He paused, however, when his gaze fell upon the table. Someone was sitting in the corner there, and it was most definitely not Gabriel.

A white, frilly dress with delicate lace embellishing the soft fabric was worn by the figure seated in the corner. On their head rested a white headpiece that complemented their hair's soft curls and twintails. The individual was quietly focused on something on their phone, scrolling through it. They were facing away from Ryden, so he couldn't see their face.

As he checked the picture Gabriel had sent him earlier, he paused, his eyes narrowing. This was the corner Gabriel had shown him, and sure enough, the angle matched perfectly. Ryden scowled, somewhat perplexed. He wondered if she might be Gabriel's friend. Perhaps Gabriel hadn't mentioned it before and was preparing to introduce her to him.

He cleared his throat, trying to shake off his uncertainty. “Excuse me? I’m here to meet a friend,” he called out.

The stranger looked up at him, her eyes meeting his, and a nervous smile spread across her face. “Come sit,” she said, her voice soft, yet welcoming.

Ryden was startled by the realization. He had seen her face, pictures of her online, and even in person during a few chance meetings in conventions, so he couldn't be wrong. It was Angel.

Ryden was stunned by the unforeseen twist and stood motionless for a moment. Why is she in this place? His legs had already pushed him in the direction of the table before he had had time to fully digest the buzzing thought.