Suihwa's Daring Cosplay and the Spice Slip-Up
Oh? Suihwa's cosplay. Honestly, I was pretty damn curious. Up until now, the image of "Suihwa" in my mind wasn't someone who'd be into cosplay at all. 'Maybe watching someone do it from the corner of the room.' But her actually doing it herself? I never even imagined it. Anyone who knew her back then would think the same. So, with high expectations, I opened the door to her room—
"Ah, Oppa, you're here?"
Suihwa greeted me in a bolder outfit than I'd expected. Her dark green ponytail was neatly tied back behind her neck, and the deep navy top hugged her lines perfectly without any excess fabric. Her waist was cinched slim, complete with a belt that looked like it could hold a sword. Even her eyes had that senior-like vibe—she'd clearly done her character research. But the problem wasn't the front; it was the back.
As she turned slightly with a bright smile, her back was completely exposed. The zipper had stopped dead in the middle, refusing to budge any further. The fabric was stretched so taut it felt like it might pop with a single touch.
"...How the hell did you even get this size?"
A sigh slipped out before I could stop it.
"Oh, this?" Suihwa casually brushed her ponytail aside with the back of her hand. "It's supposed to be tight-fitting. This is the best it looks right now."
I'd watched plenty of that anime, so I knew the outfit was meant to be form-fitting. But this tight? 'Can she even breathe properly?' Random thoughts kept popping into my head.
"Hurry and zip it up, Oppa. I just need a quick test, then I'll change."
"Weren't you planning to head out like this?"
"Pfft, no way I'd cosplay right at the start of AnimeCon. I'll wander around filming streams in the meantime and save the cosplay for the last day."
I didn't get the difference, but apparently, that was the rule in the streaming world. She was way more experienced than me in that scene, so I let it slide. 'If non-artists looked at my life, they'd probably find plenty weird too.' Every field has its quirks—you respect them and move on.
With that in mind, I stepped closer to Suihwa. Ziiiip— Yeah, it was so tight that it wouldn't go up without real effort. Not impossible for her alone, but at this awkward angle, it'd be a struggle without proper leverage.
"There, done."
"Huh, already?"
"Yeah, just had to zip it up."
"Hmm..."
Suihwa made a dissatisfied face, then—
"So, how's the cosplay? Does it look okay..?"
She stood and struck a pose. Maybe because I knew the anime so well, but I could tell she'd nailed the fine details. The kind of points only a fan would notice.
"You captured the key elements perfectly. Looks good."
"Hehe, it was tough getting those points right. Surprisingly, the tiny details cost more than the outfit itself."
I hadn't realized that. Cosplayers had their own struggles, huh. 'Next time I meet someone cosplaying, I can act like I get it.' Not that I knew many people into it.
"Oppa, anyway—we gotta head out soon. What do you want for food? My treat."
"Food?"
"Yup."
Hmm. Ramen felt too basic. Tonkatsu? Also played out. What would make for a story-worthy meal? As I pondered—
"If nothing sounds good, let's do tsukemen. Tsukemen. I picked out a spot before coming to Japan."
"Tsukemen?"
Not your average ramen, so no real hesitation. Worth trying once. "Sounds good. Tsukemen it is."
"Cool, tsukemen then. Meet at the lobby in ten, Oppa. I'll tidy up the cosplay and come down!"
"Sure."
Tsukemen, huh. A little exciting.
*
"One Piece suit isn't uncomfortable?"
"It was at first, but it grew on me. Easy to move my legs in."
Sweats would be comfier, right? Or maybe not—dresses might win out. Never tried one, so who knows.
I picked up the camera. She'd asked me to film her eating tsukemen.
By the way.
"This is for a vlog, so I'll ask stuff now and then—answer right away, Oppa."
"I get the vibe. Don't worry."
Before Japan, I'd researched AnimeCon and watched some YouTube vlogs. Knew the feel.
"Alright, recording starts now!"
Suihwa said that, jabbed the record button, and dashed back to her seat.
"Came here for tsukemen today. Heading straight to AnimeCon after, squeezed this in—hope it's good.."
In the vlogs I'd seen, the sidekick chimed in here.
"This place isn't just any tsukemen joint."
"Whoa, when'd you look it up? It's not that famous."
"Chili peppers plastered all over the front—how could I miss it?"
"True that."
Plus, the spicy aroma filled the air. Anyone could tell it was fire-level tsukemen.
'...Not great with spice myself.' Never been a fan of super spicy food.
"Not that spicy. Lots of Koreans come here."
"Eh, I can handle heat."
"Hmmm.."
Suihwa stared at me with an amused grin, then—
"So, yours spicy level?"
She dropped the bait I couldn't ignore.
"Nah, that's not fair. Gotta keep it even."
"Heh heh."
As she giggled—
"Okurimono ga dekimasita! (Your food's ready!)!"
The tsukemen arrived. Chewy noodles contrasting a broth that was straight-up red.
'...This ain't easy.' The smell alone screamed "death by spice."
But no backing out now. As I agonized over how to tackle it, Suihwa slurped up noodles, dunked them deep, and—
Slurrrp—
A third of the noodles vanished in one go. Moments later.
"Haa.. Heeek.. Hoo.."
Suihwa couldn't form words. Her face flushed cola-can red.
"..You okay?"
"Y-yeah..? Totally, mm.. So good, delicious.. Hngh.."
She could talk now, sorta—but her words were a mess. No brainpower left for coherence.
'Why pick this if she can't handle heat?' Likes tongue torture or something? Baffling.
I dunked my noodles heavy and shoveled them in—
"Holy shit..!"
Now I got her reaction. This was insane. Why order this?
"Hoo.. Hoo.."
As Suihwa and I panted hot air side by side—
"Hey? Karin-unnie!"
A flashy woman approached. Glittery piercings, half-torn top, sky-high heels. Worlds apart from me.
"Unnie, I'm a huge fan..!"
Yet she beamed at Suihwa like that.
"Eh..? Oh, a fan. Mm.."
Suihwa was too fried to respond properly. Totally zoned out. Guess I had to step in.
"She's out of it from the spice. Give her a sec, she'll chat fine. Stick around if you got time."
"Of course..!"
The fan plopped down next to me naturally and ordered her own tsukemen. Total people person—from the outfit to casually joining strangers.
League of her own.
"Didn't wanna just sit, so I ordered too."
"..This place is brutal spicy. You sure?"
"I handle heat fine."
She ordered, and soon—
"By the way, what's your deal with Karin-unnie..?"
The fan sitting beside me asked cautiously.
"Friends. She gave me a ticket, so I'm tagging along as cameraman this time."
"Whoa.. So jealous.."
She eyed me enviously. Yeah, as a fan, who'd blame her? Legit backstage pass.
As I thought that—
"Oppa, water, please.."
Spice-delirious Suihwa called me "Oppa." Out loud. My cover was blown.
Shit—glancing at the fan beside me—
"..Ohhh?"
She eyed us both with sparkling curiosity. No, it's not like that. Now how the hell do I explain this?