“Born from the beauty of this world, erging from a kind heart??.”
A white-gloved hand opened, twirling a magical wand with a red gemstone glinting at the tip.
“To protect the world from destruction, to safeguard the peace of the world??.”
Crimson and pink skirts fluttered as a pale leg lifted slightly, the other planted firmly on the ground.
“Love’s Magical Girl Ailee??, is here~”
Her right eye closed tightly, while her left—adorned with a purple contact lens—aid at the gem of the wand. Her right hand mimicked drawing a bowstring.
“Co on, servants of evil, let Ailee-chan purify you!!”
Wearing full makeup, purple contacts, and a wig, You Anlina sparkled. Her glowing face lood larger in Aixi Li’s vision.
The next second, Aixi Li clutched her head in agony, her face flushed as she shouted,
“Don’t recite ani lines so flawlessly!!”
Still posing, You Anlina tilted her head in confusion, pouting as she looked at the crouched Aixi Li.
“What are you saying, Star Magical Girl Bess-chan? Stand up and fight the villains!”
“Ahhhhh!!” Aixi Li covered her face as the gazes of Yan Huan, Ying Gong Tong, and Yaqiao Mu bore down on her. She desperately wanted to dig a hole to hide forever. She regretted ever agreeing to this foolish cosplay request out of weakness.
She wanted to die. So badly.
“Pfft!”
Yaqiao Mu burst into laughter and discreetly raised his phone to snap a photo.
But the crouching blue magical girl Aixi Li suddenly looked up sharply, her piercing gaze—magnified by her blue contact lenses—cutting through the air. At this mont, Yaqiao Mu beca the “photo-snapping villain” from ani.
“Hey, Yaqiao, if you dare take that picture, you’re dead...”
The Discipline Committee President was terrifying!
“...”
Yaqiao Mu gulped, silently retracting his phone.
Ying Gong Tong, holding a parasol, didn’t understand much of this. She turned to You Anlina and asked,
“Did you make Aixi Li cosplay a character she’s unfamiliar with?”
“Huh? No way! Aixi Li clearly loves watching Love’s Magical Girl!” You Anlina denied vehently.
Yaqiao Mu chuckled and explained to Ying Gong Tong,
“Aixi Li probably did like it... in elentary school.”
Hearing this, the crouching Aixi Li turned an even deeper shade of red and buried her head into her knees. Yan Huan couldn’t help but feel a little sympathy for her.
It was akin to cosplaying a character from Balala the Fairies and loudly chanting, “Balala Energy, Fairy Transformation,” in public. No, this was even more humiliating—like singing “Once Upon a Ti in the Fairy Castle” in front of a crowd.
Ying Gong Tong stroked her chin, still puzzled.
“I see... but is it really okay to cosplay a childhood cartoon character?”
Yan Huan smiled at her.
“Of course. Based on my online experience, things ant for kids often attract a lot of adult fans.”
“?”
Ying Gong Tong hadn’t grasped his aning yet when Yan Huan subtly gestured behind her.
A crowd of people with caras approached, asking You Anlina,
“Ah, are you Ailee-chan and Bess-chan from Love’s Magical Girl? It’s so accurate! May we take your photo?”
“Huh?”
Aixi Li raised her head blankly and looked at You Anlina beside her.
You Anlina glanced back with an innocent (devilish) smile.
“Sure!”
“Y-You traitor!”
But before Aixi Li could resist, You Anlina pulled her up and struck a combined magical girl pose.
“??Love and Star★, united strike~”
“Ahhhhh!!”
Ying Gong Tong averted her gaze, not watching as Aixi Li, looking like she was heading to the gallows, posed for the photos. She silently prayed for her.
“Hopefully, she survives.”
Looking at the cosplayers outside the convention center, Ying Gong Tong asked,
“Are they just taking photos here? Aren’t they going inside?”
She observed the spacious area filled with various costud attendees like You Anlina and Aixi Li, who were frequently asked for photos.
“Well, there’s a line to get into the venue,” Yan Huan patiently explained. “There are booths and activities inside, but for photos and networking, outside might actually be better.”
“Plus, tickets have been heavily scalped. Not everyone can get one, so a lot of people hang out here for photos and making connections.”
Ying Gong Tong looked at Yan Huan with a chuckle,
“The President seems very knowledgeable about this.”
“Well, it happens every year. Even if I haven’t been before, I’ve seen it online. Besides, isn’t Yaqiao part of the Student Council?”
Clever.
Actually, Ying Gong Tong wasn’t clueless. Even if she hadn’t known initially, she’d cramd her research after Nara’s reminder. She was subtly nudging everyone to head inside, where her ticulously planned displays awaited.
After all, outside, she couldn’t do much to the President!
Just as Ying Gong Tong was about to speak further, Yaqiao Mu received a ssage on his phone.
“They’re here.”
“They?” Yan Huan asked.
“Who?”
“You know, the insider couple I ntioned earlier. They’re showing their new work in the fan zone.”
“Insiders?”
This struck Ying Gong Tong’s blind spot. She blinked, seeking clarification from Yaqiao Mu and Yan Huan.
Instead, the two exchanged a glance, silently debating who should explain.
Yan Huan: You’re the one who brought it up. You explain “insiders” to her.
Yaqiao Mu: ? If her family finds out, they’ll kill !
Yan Huan: Then why’d you bring it up, knowing she’s a young lady?!
Yaqiao Mu: People grow up, President. You should be the one to help Vice President Ying Gong mature!
Yan Huan sighed. Turning to Ying Gong Tong, who stood with her parasol, he motioned for her to co closer.
Slightly blushing, Ying Gong Tong leaned in, the proximity making her parasol tremble slightly.
Wait... wasn’t this kind of like sharing a parasol?
Before she could get lost in her thoughts, Yan Huan whispered in her ear,
“‘Insiders’ refers to...”
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she processed his explanation.
...
In that mont, Ying Gong Tong “matured.”
Behind them, Yaqiao Mu raised a trembling thumbs-up toward Yan Huan’s back, saluting his courage.
Pulling away, Yan Huan exited the parasol’s shadow.
“That’s about it, Ying Gong.”
“...”
Ying Gong Tong’s face turned fiery red as she avoided his gaze. She puffed her cheeks, grumbled, and lightly punched his shoulder.
“Ah, sorry, sorry, sorry~” Yan Huan quickly apologized, though he thought the punch felt more like a playful gesture.
Behind them, Yaqiao Mu turned back, despair evident on his face as he muttered,
“Why did I co with these blasted normies to a convention?”
"Then I'll queue up with Ying Gong first. We didn’t bring much, so getting inside early might save us from being bored."
"OK, President. Let’s coordinate via Plane later. I’ll join with You Anlina and the others."
"Got it."
Yaqiao Mu pulled out his "voice wand" and a cara from his bag, decisively heading off in a different direction. His retreating figure seed almost heroic.
Behind Yan Huan, Ying Gong Tong, still holding her parasol, quickly patted her flushed face. She wasn’t completely na??ve, but...
It was just... too close earlier.
His soft whispers brushing her ear, coupled with the difficult-to-discuss topic, had created a feeling that made her imagination run wild. A tingling warmth rose from within, making her both shy and flustered. Yet, against her will, her body had acted contrary to her emotions—resulting in that playful punch.
Why did I do that?
It was like a case of "cute aggression," a psychological phenonon where an overwhelming sense of affection triggers actions that seem contrary to love, such as playful hitting. Ying Gong Tong’s reaction earlier was her brain's way of balancing the overwhelming emotion.
"Did the President misunderstand ?"
Under her parasol, her cheeks flushed red as she glanced at Yan Huan’s back, worrying he might think her actions were out of dislike.
Just then, Yan Huan turned around, startling her into tilting her parasol forward to shield half of her face. But all he did was smile slightly and say,
"Let’s line up, Ying Gong."
"Mm..."
They headed toward the east entrance queue, which had already grown impressively long.
"Ying Gong, here’s your ticket."
"Thank you, President."
Yan Huan handed her the ticket. He himself had a VIP QR code from Bai Yi, which allowed him to take the special entry lane. But since Ying Gong was with him, he chose to line up alongside her instead.
As they followed the queue slowly forward, Ying Gong Tong occasionally glanced at Yan Huan, who was scrolling through his phone. She pressed her lips together, intending to explain her earlier behavior. But just as she was about to speak, a voice interrupted,
"Excuse , handso, can I get a photo with you?"
Surprised, Ying Gong Tong turned to see a group of young won hesitantly surrounding Yan Huan.
A photo? If I rember correctly, this is what they call “photo collection,” right?
Wait!
I’ve been so busy setting traps inside the convention center that I forgot to take a photo with the President!
And now, my first photo with him is going to be stolen by strangers?!
Photo collection... what an infuriating custom!
Taking photos with strangers of the opposite gender—don’t they find that inappropriate?
Her frustration over her missed opportunity led her to critique convention culture itself. But could she stop them?
She had no right. Her persona wouldn’t allow it, and this was a normal convention practice. If the President didn’t refuse, they had every right to take photos with him.
They’ll probably use beauty filters... maybe even add cute stickers.
Ah, stickers on the President’s face would be adorable.
"Wow, you’re so handso~"
They’d likely say sothing like that, then naturally ask,
"Can we exchange contacts?"
After adding each other on Plane, they’d grow closer, eventually falling in love. Then they’d get married and send her invitations for weddings and baby showers, forcing her to give cash gifts...
What a terrifying custom!
No, this practice of photo collection must be eradicated! First in her country, then worldwide.
In the few seconds she stood there, Ying Gong Tong’s imagination spiraled out of control, flooding her mind with countless scenarios.
"Excuse , miss, may I take your photo?"
"Huh?"
Her smile, though increasingly perfect, was undercut by a palpable tension. A man’s voice snapped her out of her thoughts.
Turning around, she saw a few young n with caras politely making their request.
Without hesitation, she refused,
"Sorry, I don’t like being photographed."
Considering how Spencer’s earlier photo of Yan Huan had caused a panic, there was no way she’d agree to a random photo.
"But you’re so beautiful! I’m a professional photographer; I’ll shoot for free!"
The man persisted.
"..."
Ying Gong Tong maintained her polite smile without responding.
Before the photographer could say more, Yan Huan’s voice cut in,
"Didn’t you hear her? She said no."
Startled, Ying Gong Tong blinked as the photographers glanced at Yan Huan behind her. They exchanged uneasy looks before backing off with apologetic smiles.
"Got it, bro."
What expression did the President just show them?
As the photographers left, Ying Gong Tong turned to Yan Huan, only to find his usual friendly smile back in place.
"...Thank you, President."
"No need to thank ."
Ying Gong Tong glanced toward the spot where the young won who’d approached Yan Huan earlier had stood. They were now gone.
"Those girls earlier... you didn’t take a photo with them, President?"
"No."
Still watching the long queue ahead, Yan Huan explained with a smile,
"Your family doesn’t allow you to leave photos outside, right?"
"That’s true... if they spread, it could impact my family."
"Exactly. I’d feel bad leaving you out, and honestly, I don’t like being photographed much either."
Ying Gong Tong’s eyes widened slightly.
Her heartbeat quickened as warmth spread through her body, making her grip the parasol tighter. To hide her expression, she tilted it further to shield her face.
"You dislike... photos?"
"Seeing myself in pictures makes
feel... embarrassed."
"Pfft, what kind of silly reason is that, President?"
Under the parasol, Ying Gong Tong giggled softly.
"Though maybe if you take more photos, you’ll get used to it."
"True..."
Tap, tap.
Ying Gong Tong felt a light knock on the top of her parasol, as if soone were gently knocking at a door. Startled, she looked up.
Yan Huan stood there, holding his phone, smiling warmly at her.
"So, Ying Gong, should we take a photo together?"
"..."
Ying Gong Tong’s lips parted slightly, her eyes reflecting his image as they softened into a shimring glow.
"O-Okay, President..."
Her response was timid and hesitant. She clutched her parasol tightly, her hands pale from the pressure. Her chest felt tight, making it hard to breathe.
Thump, thump, thump...
Her heartbeat pounded like a drum, as her mind shifted.
Convention photo collection culture...
It’s the best!
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