Shopping Marathon and Cosplay Epiphany
Should we make a rule in our group chat from now on to only use anime character emotes? I'm pretty good at dressing well, you know. Even viewers who hate it when I praise myself admit my fashion sense is on point—no more words needed. Some folks even dismissed my claims of being a total loner as bullshit because of it. Viewers would tease me, calling me a fashion loner or whatever. …Even now, if I claimed to be a loner, they'd probably snap back with something like, "Shut your trap, you fashion loner poser."
Anyway! I'm wronged here. If I spilled all the details, viewers would just hit me with, "What's there to be wronged about?" so I kept my mouth shut, but damn, I was wronged. Why? Because 70% of the clothes in my closet weren't picked by me alone.
"Unnie, how about this? Doesn't it suit me pretty well?"
"Whoa, it suits you so perfectly that maybe we should wrap up shopping here?"
"…We haven't even bought your clothes yet, Unnie."
"Buy… them… for me…."
All of them were bought with Eunha's fashion sense guiding the way.
Hmm… "I'm the only one using anime character emotes here, and it feels kinda off. Should we make a rule for our group chat to only use anime character emotes from now on?"
"You trying to scare off the new editor we just snagged? …And you know we gotta be careful in this chat so the new editor doesn't feel left out, right?"
"I know. That's why we didn't invite Yeoreong to our old chat and made a fresh group chat instead."
Since Eunha and I are so close—like real sisters—we actually have to be extra careful. If word got out about editor favoritism? My Raider partner streamer spot would be gone for good.
"Good, as long as you get it. Anyway, let's smash lunch and hit the shops! Subway sound good?"
"I heard there's a killer tonkotsu ramen spot around here. What about that?"
"…Otaku."
"Otaku just means we like Japanese food—that's a stereotype."
Eunha smirked at that. "Kidding. Not a bad pick for you, Unnie. Let's go there!"
The tonkotsu ramen was solid, for sure. What I loved most was you could add spicy for just 500 won to cut that greasy pork bone broth vibe. Koreans need that spice, after all.
"…Shoulda ordered the karaage too, huh?"
"You should've."
"Gotta save money. Spending's been crazy lately."
"And you're the one who said first-edition and black sheep packs are free on stream?"
"…Think of it as the otaku gamer's fate."
We bantered back and forth as we slowly headed to our destination today. Straight into the demon cave you can't escape for hours once you enter.
I tense up. The moment I suggested shopping with Eunha, I'd braced myself.
Let's go!!!
And three hours later.
"Buy… them… for me…."
I finally waved the white flag. Unlike me, knocked flat, Eunha looked nowhere near tired.
…Stamina issue? Out of shape? Should I hit the gym?
Eunha eyed my sprawled-out self with curiosity. "Only three hours passed—it's not that long."
"Only? It's already three hours. …You're really buying my clothes today too?"
"Of course? You won't buy clothes unless I'm right there nagging you, Unnie."
"True. I'd gacha charge or grab merch instead."
Eunha shook her head like she couldn't deal with me.
"…Streamers who show their face on cam should care about their looks a bit."
She's right. Caring about appearance isn't wrong—it's smart. People judge books by covers more than you'd think. No one sees "doesn't care about looks" in a good light. And for streamers exposing themselves to the masses, it's even more crucial to make a good impression.
But…
"Honestly, an otaku streamer dropping real cash on clothes feels fundamentally wrong."
"Isn't that the bad otaku stereotype you always rant about?"
"…Ah? You're right?!"
Amused by my reaction, Eunha giggled and hauled me up by the arm.
"Rested enough? Now it's time for your clothes—up you go!"
"Eunha. My legs wanna rest more… See? Don't they look pitiful? Shaking like this?"
I stretched my leg out and shook it dramatically.
Eunha grinned and grabbed it with both hands. "There, no more shaking."
"…Euuugh."
"You don't plan to buy a ton anyway, with your wallet situation. Won't take long. Better to pick quick and end it, right?"
"Where's the old Eunha who hung on my every word…."
Her voice dropped a notch. "You don't like the current me?"
I knew it was a tease, so I grinned back. "Honestly, sometimes I miss old Eunha."
Then I sprang up energetically. "Let's go! Time to escape this demon cave!"
"I'm wiped."
I said that, lips on the straw, slurping up peach iced tea.
Shopping bags from today's haul sat on the chair next to me. Eunha, across the table, had hers on her side too.
She paused mid-sip of her yogurt smoothie at my words.
"Isn't that from lack of exercise? I've been doing morning walks lately. Wanna join?"
"I've been thinking I should get healthier, but morning walks… I'll think about it."
I said that, but honestly, no thanks. Getting dressed and out the door in the morning? Sounds like a hassle. I'd try home workouts first—push-ups, planks, that stuff.
"Yeah, I won't force exercise on you."
She resumed her smoothie, checking her phone with one hand. The full cup emptied fast, and when half was left, she pulled the straw out.
"Unnie, check this out."
She showed me her phone screen—a woman in an outfit far from casual wear.
"A cosplayer?"
Cosplayer. Short for cosplay—people dressing as characters from anime, manga, games. Coser for short.
…But why show me this?
"No interest in cosplay, Unnie?"
Ah, that's why. Cosplay, huh.
"Not really? I dabbled a bit before, but not anymore."
"Why? With your looks, it'd be perfect."
…I'd thought the same. More than that, even. Right after turning into a girl, I figured with this body, I could pull anime beauties into reality. Bought outfits, tried them on. Now they're sealed deep in my closet.
"…The ideal stays beautiful because it's in the ideal world."
"Huh?"
"An anime beauty and a real woman cosplaying her are totally different."
"Ah, got it. So cosplay doesn't appeal. Too bad—I thought it'd make great Newtube content."
……Huh?
Wait.
Cosplay. Newtube.
The one streamer who did Raider CBT.
Top domestic rank beauty with the CBT boss clear title.
High-quality cosplay of the Raider protagonist, upload to Newtube.
…Wouldn't WorldMaker eat that up?
And if I make Shorts versions with max social vibe, and they blow up…?
"…Why didn't I think of this?!"
"Huh? What?"
No answer. Instead, I smiled, grabbed her hand in thanks.
"Eunha, thanks. You showed me the path forward."
"…Unnie, you okay? Did I overwork you today? You're good, right?"
"I'm fine. All resolve is set. Those who aim for the crown must bear its weight."
"Not fine… Go home and rest."
"Huh? Suddenly?"
"Grab your bags, Unnie! I'll pay—head out first!"
And so our outing ended with Eunha shoving me home.
……Why?