Prologue:

The surrounding was filled with thousands of people walking about in flashy clothings that isn’t normally worn. An array of different colored hair could also be seen in this gigantic crowd of people. Of course there are some in plain clothings that are taking pictures. This scene, though, was just at the entrance to my very first anime convention. Inside would be filled with countless shops that sells anime merchandise, as well as other anime related goods.

Though I would normally be excited about coming since I had always wanted to participate in one at least once in my life, and in fact I was. That was until just a couple hours ago at a hotel where me and two of my friends were staying at. We were preparing our cosplay, something my friend Lily asked me and Armon to wear with her, since she was entering a cosplay contest.

“W-why am I doing this again?” I said in a dispirited tone.

“Oh, come on Ken. The deal was that you two could come with me for free if you two help me win that costume contest. And besides, you look sooo cute in that costume.~”

“Yeah, that was before I knew I had to dress up as the heroine from your novel. And why me? Aren’t you a girl!?”

“Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Don’t you see, I don’t have to right body type to cosplay as her, my chest is too big to embody her adorable features! If I had made her more busty maybe I would’ve cosplayed as her.” Lily said as she put emphasis on her chest and showed a character design for the heroine.

“Then why didn’t you!? And you still haven’t answer why me!?”

“It just so happen that you have the body type that was closest to her’s. Armon is too muscular for my dear Lux. Besides, why can’t you just be quiet about it like Armon?”

“It’s because his is actually cool! And he’s the main character, Rai DragonHeart. I mean look at that amazing design of the costume and sword! Wait, are you saying I’m girly!?”

“Hahaha! You don’t like it but you still wore it anyways. Besides, you also have a cool sword and awesome design too, right?” Armon began laughing as he points to the pure white sheath on my waist with intricate silver designs.

“Yes, it’s true that the design is very good, but I’m not a girl!”

“See, then don’t complain about it. Besides it’ll just be for today, you don’t have to wear it anymore after we win that contest. Now, let’s get going and explore before the contest starts!”

Both of them completely ignored me and just went on ahead. I had hoped that Armon would stand in to say something on my defense since I’m his best friend and all, but… I feel betrayed! In anycase, I had to catch up to them because I don’t know where to go and this place was huge.

After signing up, we went to a lot of different stalls and shops looking at the merchandises. I say that but it was just me not buying anything. Unlike me, these two came loaded to buy everything they want and also because I was too indecisive to buy something. It got to a point where I had to help them carry their stuff because they have too much. Luckily they had me to stop them from buying anymore. It was still early in the morning and we are still going to look around after the contest too, so it would be tiring to carry all this around the whole day and even more afterwards.

Aside from Lily and Armon’s shopping spree, we stopped quite a few time because there were people who wanted to take picture with us. Lily also used this chance to promote her own novel when they asked which anime we were from.

“Ahaha. You like these designs? Thank you so much, I designed and made them myself from my novel! “The Thunder Dragon’s Flower” is the title of my novel, please support me if you like this.” Lily would say this after getting complimented.

To be honest, Lily is such an amazing writer and designer. Her stories are quite popular but her favorite so far is her new “The Thunder Dragon’s Flower”. I also read it so I can understand why those who know about it would want to take a picture with us.

“Ah, it’s almost time for the contest to begin Lily. Let’s hurry there.”

“Alright, flirting times over Ken. Let’s go! Sorry guys, she has to win me a contest now.” Lily said to the boys that didn’t notice I was a guy.

“What!? Why did you say that for?” I said quietly to Lily because I didn’t want others to know that I’m crossdressing.

“Hehehe”

“...”

Finally we made it to contest hall, and just in time too. Since we already registered, we went ahead to the back of the stage and waited for our turn. I was actually nervous when I saw how many people were watching. It’s different than walking around with other cosplayers, because now everyone’s attention will actually be on us when our turn came. I hope they don’t find out.

“Alrighty! The contest shall now begin so, let’s give a loud applause to the contestants. And we’ll start off with…”

That was the start and I was amazed by the other contestants. The quality of the costumes and workmanship were amazing for a lot of them, but I still think Lily’s is slightly better. This could be a bit biased but there’s no denying that these costumes looks like works of art made by professionals.

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“Next up we have Lux Whitefall, Rai DragonHeart, and Renna Miller from her own novel “The Thunder Dragon’s Flower!” Please welcome the contestants!”

“Oh, looks like it’s our turn! Come on guys, I’m hoping you two can display my costumes to the best of your ability.”

“Ahaha… kill me…”

“I can’t believe you entered us into the Master division when both me and Ken are new to cosplaying. Hope your costumes are good enough to win.”

Applauses could be hear as we entered the stage. Me and Armon did as we practiced at the hotel to showcase Lily’s costumes. In the audience, I could hear praises and complement on how good the costumes look. There was also the occasional, “Those girls are cute,” from the audience.

I feel so embarrassed I want to kill myself right now… but I can’t slip up. Lily really put in effort to making these so I don’t want to be the reason she didn’t win even if I was kinda forced into crossdressing… wait…

“Wooo!!”

“Such amazing skills, look at that workmanship.”

“Wow, I’ve seen the character design but I never expect her to make the Whitefall Lineage Armor! It looks better than the actual drawing.”

“As expected from Lily, quite a few of the audiences knows her work.” I quietly said to Armon as we walked off the stage.

Afterwards was a few more contestants before the exhibition would start. These were also really good, and I also saw a few from animes I’ve watched. It was a while but finally, the winners were announced.

“And finally, the ‘Best in Show’ this year, Lux Whitefall, Rai DragonHeart, and Renna Miller from “The Thunder Dragon’s Flower!” Congratulations, your costumes are amazing.”

“Wooooo!!! Amazing!”

Many people came to take pictures with the contestants afterwards so we actually had to stay by the stage for quite a while before things finally die down a bit. It was only after this that we could grab our things and continue to look around. Lily had a happy expression the whole time because that gave her even more chances to promote her novels.

“Ah, another great gain this time around. Thanks for the help guys, tomorrow will just be enjoying ourselves in casual clothing… unless you want to cosplay this again, huhuhu.”

“Please, no. I just want to get out of this already… huff.”

“Hahaha. Well, it’s finally over. And actually, I might wear this again tomorrow.”

“Yay! Then, let’s do this again tomorrow Armon and Ken!”

“Ha-ha. Well, you two can enjoy yourselves, I’ll be in casual tomorrow.”

“Aww… well, whatever. Oh, wait let’s go take some pictures with those guys over there. They’re cosplaying my favorite anime!”

Following Lily, we went up to the other group of cosplayers and took pictures with each other. Me and Armon didn’t say much and left all the talking to Lily since she looked so passionate while doing so. Also, I don’t want to be discovered. I just have to lay low until the day’s over.

“Ahaha, I know I loved that episode! Man, great to meet another person who shares the same opinion as me, hehe. But, we’re just about to leave right now, so maybe we can meet up tomorrow to talk about this some more?”

“Of course! And take a look at some of my novels when you get the chance, they’re pretty good if I do say so myself. Hahaha.”

“Alright, I’ll check it out when we get back, bye.”

“Buh-bye.”

As the conversation came to a close, Lily’s new friends left and we continued to walk about. I also finally starting buying some things, but reserved myself since we still have tomorrow. Well, aside from shopping we also went to different vendor and took pictures with people. It was so much fun that I almost forgot I was crossdressing right now.

“Huff, man I’m beat. Maybe we should go back now, I mean it is already getting dark.” I sighed as I sat down and adjusted the light armor.

“Yeah, and I don’t think we can carry any more. Hehe maybe we went a bit overboard with buying stuff…”

“Ya think? I told you guys a bunch of times already. And why are we on the third floor with all this stuff, how did we even get up here? Huff, it’s gonna be a pain to carry all these down those stairs.”

“Don’t worry comrades! We just simply take the elevator down. And yeah, we should get going so that we can rest and wake up early for tomorrow.” Lily dramatically pointed towards the elevators not far off in the distance.

“Finally, okay, let’s hurry. I want to take this off right now.” Even though I had just sat down, I immediately jumped up and grabbed our things when I heard we were leaving.

I can’t believe I didn’t notice the elevators even though it was obvious since this is a three story building. It couldn’t be helped though since we explored every single floor and went to the next floor using the stairs. I was only following behind Lily the whole time so I didn’t even think of how to get back myself.

“Good thing our hotel is right across the street from the convention center.”

“Yeah, we don’t have to carry all this stuff very far. Thank god.”

“Alright, if you guys have all of your things then let’s go.” Lily press floor one on the elevator panel as she said that.

I was leaning on the elevator wall as the door closed and waited for it to take us down, but… nothing happened. After the door closed, there was no movement. It was as if the elevator was stuck. I cursed my luck and was about to complain if we really had to carry all our stuff down floor by floor.

“Oh, come on… is this elevator really broken? Shouldn’t they be fixed before a convention this big starts? Or have a sign saying ‘Out of Order’? I mean-”

Before Armon could finish his sentence, a click resounded before the lights turned off. Next the sound of something snapping was heard then it felt like the floor beneath our feet completely vanished. The elevator was falling down, even though it was just three stories, it was still high enough to kill us if we fell from this height.

“Wah!!!”

“Ahhh!!”

“Kyaa!!!”

“W-what is going on!? Don’t tell me the line snapped!?”

“W-we’re going to die!? Like this!? Nooo, I don’t want to go while I’m dressed like this!!!!”

“Kyaa!!!”

I could feel my heart fly out of my chest as I became a little light headed. My eyes were closed as we all screamed at the top of our lungs. Even if my eyes were opened, it was to dark to see anything right now. We could only hope to somehow survive this fall, that seem to be taking forever to reach its end.