Chapter 66
Chapter 66
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: Offline Meeting #1
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Saturday.
The happy day when weekdays end and the weekend begins.
...If it had been like any other time, I would've kicked off a perfectly ordinary, enjoyable weekend just like everyone else, but today was different.
I forced down a breakfast that already felt queasy in my stomach and got ready to head out.
This wasn't easy. Not at all...
Living this long, I've seen it all, I thought.
Who would've thought I'd end up going to an offline meetup for cosplayers?
My phone was already buzzing nonstop—clearly, they were urging me on.
I finally dragged my reluctant feet out of the house.
The sky was heartlessly clear and blue.
If only it would just pour rain...
Even as I headed to the meeting spot, the Club President kept firing off texts.
I'd told her over and over that I was really coming, but apparently, she didn't quite trust me.
...Even though I'd made it pretty clear I wasn't thrilled, I'd never broken a promise I'd made.
By the time I arrived, everyone else was already there.
All the people around me are such early birds.
I bowed my head in greeting to the group waving at me and hurried over.
"You made it, Junior!"
"Yeah."
Noticing my half-hearted attitude, the Club President patted my back.
"Come on, shoulders back!"
"...So, what are we even doing here?"
I'd never actually heard what an offline meetup like this entailed, so I had to ask.
"Usually, it's nothing much. We just hang out, chat, exchange info... But this time, I have a special request for everyone coming to the meetup."
"What kind of request?"
"Your coaching, Junior. Hehe. Touched yet?"
No.
I swallowed the complaint that nearly escaped my lips.
Well, whatever. If I think positive, this could be a good experience.
When in life do you get to properly try cosplay?
....
I forced myself to stay positive.
Unlike my grim expression, the Club President, Yuseol, and the other two guys were buzzing with excitement.
That suitcase-like case the Vice President was holding must have my outfit inside.
It's pretty bulky because of the armor, but somehow they managed to fit it.
"Alright, let's head out. It's a bit early, but there's no harm in getting there sooner."
We followed the Club President to catch the train.
The meetup spot was somewhere in Seoul.
Since this was my first time going to Seoul in this life, I felt half nervous, half excited.
I knew it wouldn't be that different, but it was still novel. And it had been a while.
Luckily, the setting of this rom-com novel—the fictional new city we lived in—was in the capital area, so getting to Seoul was relatively straightforward.
"Mmm~ Seoul air!"
...It didn't feel all that different to me.
While I mulled over my dry impression inwardly, Yuseol was practically skipping across the platform in delight.
Seeing her like that, she really did seem like a typical high school girl her age.
As I followed the Club President, I glanced at the meeting spot she'd pinned.
"...President?"
"Yes? What is it, Junior?"
"...Isn't this a bar?"
I was stunned to see a pub boldly set as the meeting location.
"Well, we're minors, sure, but the others are adults. It's fine to just go in, right?"
Is it?
The others didn't seem to mind at all.
I hoped no one would call me out for having old-man thoughts.
Doesn't this feel a little off...?
We arrived at the pub without a fuss and followed the Club President inside.
Now that we were actually going in, even Yuseol seemed a bit scared and stuck close to my side.
Ding-a-ling—
The bell on the door chimed as the interior came into view.
It was clean inside, with a counter up front.
A cool beauty of a server was wiping down glasses behind the counter.
A bit further in, there were a few tables.
One of them was packed with women who looked flashy and lively.
They turned toward the door chime, and one waved enthusiastically at the Club President leading us.
"Kyaa~ Arara! Over here~"
......Ah, 'Arara'?
...Come to think of it, the President's nickname was 'Arara'.
As we approached the table with her, I got a better look at the women seated there.
All three had a beer each in front of them as they chattered away.
......Drinking from midday—no, practically morning.
We pulled over a neighboring table to join them and sat down for introductions.
The energetic short-haired woman who'd waved wildly calling for the President—her nickname was 'Yumi'.
Next to her were two petite women who looked like twins. Nicknames 'Aro' and 'Haro'.
All three looked like college students.
As we exchanged names, the server from the counter brought over some sausages that looked like snacks.
"It's been a while, Jenna sis."
"Hey."
...Surprisingly, she was part of the meetup too.
The woman called Jenna returned to the counter, rested her chin on her hand, and watched us.
"...No booze. I don't wanna close up shop."
......I won't.
Maybe she read something in my gaze, because Jenna addressed me directly.
From the sound of it, she seemed to be the pub's owner.
Impressive. She looked so young, yet running a stylish pub right in the heart of Seoul.
I munched on a sausage while watching the Club President and the cosplayers catch up.
"Oh."
This is pretty good.
I was even curious what brand it was.
...Not brave enough to ask, though.
A quick glance sideways showed the other three—not just me—staring wide-eyed after popping one in their mouths.
Perfectly salty, chewy exterior with a juicy, savory interior that burst with flavor.
Ah. Yeah, this pairs perfectly with beer.
I shed invisible tears inwardly, lamenting that my new body's age kept me from drinking.
"So, this is the partner you mentioned?"
"Ah, hehe... Yeah. This is Seo Ijin!"
...Seo Ijin it is.
Good thing the nickname was close to my real name—no real aversion to it. If it'd been something embarrassing like 'LotteRiaKeChupThief,' I'd have died of shame.
Anyway, under the focused gazes, I bowed my head politely.
"Hello."
A brief silence followed my greeting.
Moments later, Jenna muttered blankly from the counter.
"......That's it?"
"......Yeah."
...Self-introductions are just too hard for me.
They never taught us what to say in situations like this at school.
Or maybe they did, and I just forgot.
"Pfft-haha. It's like a comedy duo. You're a funny one."
I hadn't meant to be funny, but for whatever reason, it hit Yumi's humor spot, and she burst out laughing.
...Either trying to lighten the mood or just easily amused.
Meanwhile, the twin cosplayers Aro and Haro paused mid-sip to stare at me intently.
"Mask: pass."
"Body: good."
"...Pardon?"
"Voice: pass."
"Expression: good."
They gave off a rather unique first impression.
"But seems kinda introverted. That's why Arara planned to film a video in front of us today, huh?"
"Video?"
Hold on. Another word jumped out that I couldn't just let slide.
I whipped my head toward the Club President, who gave an awkward laugh.
"Ah, haha... Well, I thought maybe we could film some prelim videos today. Ho, hoho."
She covered her mouth and laughed like a dainty lady, but her hands and the ends of her eyes were trembling visibly.
"Sigh... Fine, whatever. It's a video we have to shoot anyway."
As I half-resignedly nodded, the President's face lit up instantly.
"Oh my! As expected of my junior!"
"Just tell me ahead of time next time. I'm not gonna run off."
"Yes! I will!"
"Partner chemistry: pass."
"They seem close."
I let the twins' appraisal flow in one ear and out the other while grabbing another sausage.
...Should I actually ask what brand this is?
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ And so, while the cosplayers dove into their offline meetup chit-chat, us guys—including me—sat there like bumps on a log, silently devouring the simple snacks Jenna kept bringing. I could skip lunch at this rate.
I got through the occasional question lobbed my way with short answers.
Surprisingly, Yuseol—who I'd pegged as shy—fit right in once the shared interests came up, chatting and laughing along.
She even said she wanted to try cosplay herself next time.
Hm. Something like a snow spirit might suit Yuseol.
How long had we been there?
The Club President finally broached the real reason we'd come.
"Alright. Let's check the costume fits first, both of you."
"Grab your costumes and follow me."
The Vice President handed us the suitcases, and we followed Jenna to the staff room.
"Change here and come out. Just leave your old clothes inside."
"Got it."
The place didn't look that big, but it had a staff room, break area, changing room, and all.
Space-wise, the staff areas—including the counter—were bigger than the main floor.
I bowed my head upon entering the empty changing room, let out a deep sigh, and started changing into the prepared cosplay outfit.