Chapter 43
Chapter 43
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 43
Chapter Title: Seniors #1
-----------------------------------------------------------------
I never imagined there'd be a day in my life when I'd wear Western armor.
And that it would be today, of all days.
I followed the instructions kindly included in the box and put on the armor.
Of course, the armor wasn't made of solid iron, nor was it some bulky full-body suit, so it was perfectly manageable to wear alone.
I strapped a prop sword and scabbard to my waist, picked up the small shield, and finally donned the golden wig. Only then was everything complete.
My impression after getting fully dressed... It felt like I'd become the protagonist from a fantasy novel.
I neatly folded my changed clothes and put them back in the box, then fiddled with the awkward wig as I pulled back the darkroom curtain.
I emerged from the darkroom without issue, but the seniors' gazes upon me were anything but ordinary.
They stared at me blankly and clapped, which felt strangely off-putting.
"......Uh, um."
"Wow..."
"In-incredible, junior."
"Is it okay?"
"Okay? I thought a character had stepped right out of reality!"
This was my first cosplay, so as long as it wasn't weird, I figured that was a win. But it seemed like it turned out pretty good.
"Then I'll go change too."
The president, who had been admiring me for a moment, grabbed her box of clothes and headed into the darkroom I'd just left.
I didn't want to just stand around, so I moved to my seat to wait for her while sitting.
Settling into my chair was a bit uncomfortable because of the armor, and that's when Yuseol approached from the side.
"Amazing. Is this aluminum or something?"
Yuseol tapped the armor with the back of her hand, curious about the material.
"It feels light, so probably something like that."
Yuseol nodded at my response, then shifted her gaze to my hair.
"Yeah... Th-that... Ijin, blond really suits you unexpectedly well."
"Oh... Really?"
"Yeah... Your vibe is totally different from usual..."
Hearing Yuseol's words made me want to check out my own appearance.
There wasn't anything resembling a mirror in the clubroom, so I pulled out my phone and used the camera to see myself.
Seeing a blond knight in armor sitting in a classroom—and realizing that was me—made my hands and feet curl up in secondhand embarrassment.
Just like Yuseol said, changing my hair really did alter my impression...
They say a guy's looks are all in the hair, right?
Thanks to this wig, I looked like a blond delinquent knight right now.
This would've suited Yoon Jiu way better than me.
The weird feeling wouldn't go away, so I took off the wig and held it in my hand.
I could sense Yuseol's disappointment from the side, but the unfamiliar wig was tickling my scalp, and I couldn't stand it any longer.
How long did we wait like that?
"Ta-da! The grand entrance of the genius mage Irina!"
The president's voice came from behind the darkroom curtain.
Chwareuk—
The president flung open the curtain with energetic flair, revealing her transformed self.
"Oh..."
A natural exclamation escaped my lips.
The mage outfit, reminiscent of her uniform, suited her usual image perfectly.
It was the arrival of a beautiful witch in a pointed hat.
She must have styled her hair while changing, because her wavy black locks were alluring in a way that differed from her usual straight style.
"Hehe. What do you think? Fallen for me yet?"
"...Nah, not quite."
"Eek! You can't say that. Crowe and Irina are lovers, you know. Junior!"
......So that's what she meant.
Her question made me freak out internally all by myself, and now it was embarrassing.
"Alright. Let's strike a pose!"
Guided by the president's hand, I stood side by side in front of the blackout curtain.
"Put the wig back on too."
"Yup."
With three spectators watching, we struck clumsy poses.
...Well, I was the clumsy one; the president was a natural.
Unlike me, she was an experienced cosplayer already.
"You two look great together."
The vice president muttered as he took our photo.
"Be more enthusiastic, junior. Come on, come on."
The president hooked her arm around mine in a lovers' pose.
"W-Wow..."
Yuseol's mouth fell open as she watched us.
This was clearly just cosplay, a straightforward act with an obvious purpose.
We were just Crowe and Irina, not Seo Ijin and Yu Ara.
Still, the warmth I felt from the president beside me made the awkwardness linger.
"H-Hold on. I'm not used to the clothes yet."
I made some empty excuse and detached her arm from mine.
Noticing my vibe, the president flashed a playful smile and stepped back.
"You can't be shy, junior. The festival's right around the corner."
"Even so, let's take it slow... Ahem. Please."
I had no idea why I was the one getting embarrassed here.
Normally, in scenes like this, the girl is the one who pulls away, right...?
Of course, against the president—who loses her mind over subculture stuff—such logic was pointless.
And so, I suffered through cosplay hell with the president for a while.
At this rate, I worried if I'd even make it on stage properly for the event. My stiff movements were painfully obvious in every pose.
"Pfft. What was that, Ijin?"
"Hm. Are you usually not good with physical stuff, junior?"
Yuseol and the president reacted with laughter and concern at my display.
Even I thought I looked ridiculous.
"No, not really... It's just these kinds of things feel extra burdensome. I'll get used to it gradually."
"Sure. We can do special training after the holidays end."
Special training, huh...
"......Ah. Okay."
The president beamed with eager anticipation.
I couldn't bring myself to refuse those sparkling eyes.
Realizing quite a bit of time had passed, I decided to change back into my uniform.
It was an early dismissal day anyway—might as well head home and rest.
"By the way, should I leave these clothes in the clubroom? Or do I need to take them and manage them?"
After changing back into my school uniform, I pointed at the box with the cosplay outfit and asked.
"Oh, Seongho will handle managing them."
Hearing the president, I racked my brain furiously for a moment.
Who was 'Seongho' again...?
......Ah! The vice president's name is Im Seongho.
Sorry, vice president. I suck at remembering names.
"The vice president?"
"Yeah. Last year, he took full responsibility for maintaining the cosplay costumes for the club."
"I see."
...So he wasn't just watching anime all day.
One more duty added to the vice president's mental file.
"Just leave it on the table. I'll take care of it."
As the president's instructions wrapped up, the vice president pulled out deodorizer and such from his bag. He'd come prepared.
"Sure. Thanks."
I placed the box on the table.
Cosplay check complete.
I was getting ready to head out when I suddenly remembered the resolution I'd made before coming here.
"Yuseol senior."
I called her to act on it right away.
"Huh? Me?"
"Yes."
Yuseol looked startled, like she hadn't expected me to call her.
"What's up? Something wrong?"
"I was wondering if you had time today. About that promise from before."
Yuseol's face lit up with a bright smile at my words.
"You finally made time? You've kept this senior waiting."
"Sorry..."
It was true I'd made her wait these past few days, so I apologized sincerely.
"Hmph. Nah. I'm grateful you brought it up now."
Ugh. I'd only opened my mouth, and now Yuseol was sharp and teasing me mercilessly.
It was half-joking, sure, but since it was my fault, I had no choice but to take it.
A moment later, Yuseol finally cooled off and came over to my side.
"It's a bit late, but wanna grab lunch?"
"Sure. What do you like?"
"I like..."
"Wait, wait!"
The president, now fully changed, suddenly wedged herself between us.
I gave her a puzzled look.
"What's up, president?"
"M-Me too. I'm coming along."
As the president finished speaking, Yuseol met her eyes and muttered something.
The president averted her gaze from Yuseol.
"...What should we do, senior?"
I was the one suggesting, and Yuseol was the one who'd made the promise with me, so I deferred to her.
Yuseol glanced back and forth between me and the president, then nodded.
"Fine... Let's all eat together."
She seemed a little hesitant, but she didn't block the president's participation.
"Oh, then why don't we all go?"
I asked the vice president and treasurer, who were sitting there blankly.
They pondered for a moment, looked our way, and shook their heads.
"......I have stuff to do."
"Yeah, me too."
Too bad—they were busy even on a day like this.
It would've been great for club bonding if more came along, and having two guys in the group would've drawn less attention.
"That's a shame. It could've doubled as a club gathering."
The vice president chimed in at my words.
"Haha... Then let's do an afterparty once the cosplay event's over."
"Ah....... Sure."
......I'd shown my disappointment, and now I had another commitment.
"Shall we head out?"
At Yuseol's words, we all got up.
We didn't have a specific destination in mind. Well, we could figure it out while walking.