Translator: Shizukuku

Editor: Lilia

Read at Watashi Wa Sugoi Desu!

Chapter 132 – Souvenir

Suddenly, the woman lifted her head and our eyes met.

“Oh?”

“Oh, um?”

While I was puzzled by the woman looking at me so intently, she said to me, “You there. Did you get your ticket? Over there, the staff members in ADO costumes are handing them out, and I hope you will enjoy the experience. Welcome.”

Jeez, I was mistaken for being under 15 years old!

I involuntarily froze, shocked by the woman’s words.

Extending her hand invitingly, the woman, seeing me motionless, tilted her head in confusion.

“I, uh, already have ADO…”

“Did your parents buy it for you? It’s only for those 15 and older…”

“I’m 17.”

I awkwardly told her my age as fast as I could, and this time it was the woman who froze. Then, she quickly unfroze and laughed in embarrassment.

“I’m sorry. It’s just that Asian people always seem younger. I’m sorry if I offended you.”

“Ah, no… I’m used to it.”

I couldn’t help but sigh. She might have lumped me in with all Asian people, but I knew I had a young-looking face and a below-average height for my age.

I let it go with a laugh, and the woman walked up to me.

The woman, who was as tall as Brave, albeit in heels, looked down at me and pulled something out of her breast pocket.

“I know it’s not much of an apology, but I’ll give you this ticket. We’re letting people try on costumes and take photos, so would you like to get your picture taken in an ADO costume?”

“Oh, thank you very much.”

When she handed me the ticket, I couldn’t help but accept it. I hadn’t planned on cosplaying, but it would be rude to refuse.

I put the ticket in my pants pocket.

“Since you’re a player, have you ever been to the city of Sei?”

Satisfied that I had accepted the ticket, the woman smiled and asked me.

“Oh, yes. The set here looks a lot like Sei, doesn’t it?”

“Yes. It’s wonderfully done. It’s my favorite city.”

“Is that so? It’s a beautiful city.”

“Haha, thank you.”

The woman laughed, looking genuinely happy. I guess she really liked Sei. The fact that she was in a suit meant that she wasn’t a member of the venue staff, but someone on the technical side of things.

Maybe she was involved in development or something like that.

It would be cool if she was.

“Well, enjoy the real world of ADO today.”

“Yes, thank you very much.”

I waved goodbye to the woman as she disappeared into the crowd, and then left the experience booth.

After that, I drifted toward the merchandise vendors, bought a few drinks labeled as potions in dubious-looking bottles, and continued on.

Walking further away from the streets that resembled Sei, I came to a place with a staff member holding a sign that said there was a 130-minute wait for level rankings, and a little further down, another staff member was holding a sign that said there was a 75-minute wait for photos.

It seemed that there were only those two booths further inside from here, and the staff were skillfully guiding the long line to fit into the limited space available. 

With no intention of trying either, I decided to ignore them. However, as I was about to go through the line, I took out the ticket I had just received from my pocket.

“Free costumed photo shoot…”

“Oh, Kengo, are you joining us too?”

While I was looking at my ticket, someone suddenly called out to me from behind.

Startled, I turned around.

There stood Vil-san.

“The look on your face says, ‘Why aren’t you working?’ Good question. I’ll answer it.”

“I didn’t ask you a question.”

“The first round of Q&A is over, so it’s time for the next staff member to take over. I’m on my way to the back now.”

“Thank you for your hard work.”

“Thanks. Anyway, Kengo, aren’t you going to get changed? Or are you too embarrassed? No, no. Even I’m dressed like this right now. Let’s throw away our shame together.”

“Huh?!”

Before I could give a response, Vil-san took my hand in his and swiftly led me through the crowd.

When we arrived at the photo booth, he held out my ticket, along with my hand, to the staff member at the reception.

“Please photograph this boy.”

“Vil-san, but we have to wait in line.”

As I hurriedly interjected, Vil-san chuckled and grabbed my name tag off my chest.

“What do you think this priority ticket is for? It’s for situations like this, to be given priority.”

When I sought consent from the staff member, they smiled and let both me and Mr. Vil-san through, saying, “If you have a priority ticket, please go ahead.”

Vil-san pulled me directly to the costume area.

Behind the curtain, various ADO-themed costumes were hanging, ranging from equipment that high-level players could wear, to chest plates and various other accessories. I wondered if someone would actually wear the full set of armor standing at the back. 

While looking at the various costumes, Vil-san glanced back at me.

“What sort of job does Kengo have in ADO?”

“I’m a pharmacist.”

“A pharmacist, huh?”

At my response, Vil-san’s eyes widened slightly, and then he said, “In that case,” as he took out a light-colored robe.

“Maybe this one. Or would you like to try something completely different?”

“Um, then that one is fine.”

It was fine because it was the safest choice. But I couldn’t say that. I was sure that if I wore the armor, it would be too big for me and I’d look pathetic.

It was strange that when I saw Vil-san choosing outfits with such enthusiasm, I felt silly for being so reluctant just because it was cosplay.

I let out a sigh and began to select a costume alongside Vil-san.

It didn’t take me long to find a set of clothes very similar to the ones I was currently wearing. It was evident how I preferred to walk around the city in comfortable and normal-looking attire. I had no plans to change my equipment, after all.

Vil-san pushed me to change right away, so I entered a space similar to a fitting room, and after putting on the complete outfit, I went back outside. It was an easy outfit to change into. If it were a full set of armor or one with excessive decorations, it would have taken me a long time to change.

“Oh! Kengo! It suits you quite well!”

Vil-san greeted me with a beaming smile when he saw me.

I felt like the outfit would probably look good on pretty much anyone.

“If you don’t mind, why don’t you take a picture with me? It’ll be a nice keepsake.”

“Uh, with you, Vil-san?”

Surprised by Vil-san’s words, I could see him visibly deflate.

“Is it no good? We’ve just met again. I thought it would be nice to have a photo of us dressed up together as a memento.”

“Oh, no, it’s not that! I’m happy to do it!”

It would be a bit awkward to take a photo like this alone, but with Vil-san, it wasn’t so bad. In fact, it made me a little happy.

“I’ll pay for mine, so please print two copies.”

“Yes. Please proceed to the photo shoot area.”

The female staff blushed slightly as Vil-san gave her a playful wink.

She was smitten. Definitely smitten. That’s what it looked like from the side.

When I lined up for the photo with Vil-san, the flash went off, and immediately afterward, we heard the voice announcing the end. That was quick.

“Please hand your costumes to the staff at the back. Also, please make sure not to forget any valuables.”

Without time to bask in the afterglow, I was promptly escorted back to the changing area. I quickly changed my clothes and hurried back to Vil-san. I wondered if I had to be this speedy to make the rounds, and in a strange way I was convinced.

“Okay, let’s go get our souvenirs, shall we?”

“Yes.”

I walked alongside Vil-san to the exit opposite the reception desk, and we were handed the printed photos there.

I thanked him and took it, and we both opened the photo on the spot.

In the picture, there was me, not Mac, and Vil-san standing in the streets of ADO smiling. 

It looked like it could be me and Vidello-san.

The commemorative photo gave me the illusion that my hope that we could one day stand side by side like this and laugh could be fulfilled one day. The future I longed for was captured in this photo. 

“Thank you so much for taking the photo together with me, Vil-san. It’s an incredible memory.  I will treasure it.”

Though the one standing beside me wasn’t the real Vidello-san, it was still an amazing experience.

I put the picture away, feeling as if Vil-san had made one of my dreams come true.

“You’re welcome. And thank you for accommodating my selfish request.”

“Selfish? But…”

“Because, Kengo, you didn’t really want to wear the costume, did you?”

Vil-san grinned and put his hand on my head.

Uh, he figured it out that much, huh? I mean, it was almost like a punishment for a guy to take a solo cosplay photo. It wasn’t like we were a couple or anything either.

But…

As I placed the photo in my bag, a smile spread across my face.

I was really happy with the photo.

“I’m glad. Finally, Kengo smiled. I’ll cherish this souvenir too.”

“Vil-san, thank you so much.”

“To be honest, I also felt a bit hesitant about standing in public in this outfit.”

Almost as if revealing a secret, Vil-san lowered his voice and said, “But,” narrowing his eyes, he gently stroked my hair with the hand he’d placed on my head before quickly pulling away.

“If Kengo makes such a happy face, then it’s okay to be in this outfit.”

“I’m surprised you were hesitant about it. You looked really good in it, like a natural. But still, the fact that Vil-san is involved with ADO is more surprising.”

“No, I’m not involved. Just a temporary worker. I have a day job, but my mother insisted I come here.”

“Your mother is involved? That’s impressive.”

“She’s in charge of development, I think. My mother is quite assertive, and I always end up losing to her.”

The helpless way he shrugged his shoulders was so appropriate that I couldn’t help but laugh, and Vil-san laughed along with me.

“Well, I should be going now. Kengo, enjoy yourself to the fullest.”

“Yes. I apologize for taking up your valuable break time.”

“No, I’m the one who should be thanking you for the precious souvenir. Hope to see you again!”

I waved goodbye with a smile as Vil-san walked away, and as his figure vanished from sight, I realized that my mood had improved quite a bit.