The long-awaited day of the event had finally arrived. As Ryden made his way to the convention, a lingering thought crossed his mind: I should have invited Gabriel to come. He quickly dismissed it, though, assuming that Gabriel would probably be attending with his arcade buddies. Still, Ryden couldn't shake the excitement of seeing Angel again. He had been preparing for this day for weeks, studying up on the game, Tekken, hoping it would enhance his experience. This time, he hadn't packed much-just his wallet and keys, and a determination to enjoy every minute of the event.
He hopped on the train, making sure to arrive early. However, once he reached the convention center, he was immediately struck by the length of the line. He should have known better. The event was a major tournament attracting the best Tekken players from all over, and the anticipation in the air was palpable. The line moved slowly, but after a while, it picked up the pace.
Finally, Ryden was inside, his eyes widening at the sheer number of Tekken cosplayers scattered around. He had hoped to spot Angel, but this time she didn't have a booth. Maybe she was roaming the convention floor, but Ryden didn't want to risk missing anything, so he decided to check her social media later for any updates on her whereabouts.
For now, he wandered into the artist alley. The last time he had visited, he'd only admired the booths from a distance, but this time, he had every intention of buying something. As he perused the various items, he thought of Gabriel and his favorite Tekken character. He had the perfect idea: a keychain of Claudio. Gabriel loved that character. Ryden grinned as he purchased the keychain, tucking it into his crossbody bag. I hope he'll like this, Ryden mused, imagining Gabriel's reaction.
A loud announcement cut through the air, drawing Ryden's attention back to the main stage. The tournament was starting, and the official cosplayers were there too, standing proudly on the stage. To his delight, one of the cosplayers was dressed as Asuka, the character he had been eagerly waiting to see. She wore the blue and pink colors from Tekken 8, and with the others, waved at the crowd. The announcer's voice boomed, "You can see these stunning cosplayers up close later at our official booth!"
Ryden mentally noted that, but for now, his focus was entirely on the tournament. The excitement in the crowd was infectious, and he found himself caught up in the energy. Gabriel would probably love being here too, Ryden thought. He regretted not having invited him earlier, but there would always be next time.
As the competition heated up, the crowd erupted at every punch, every victory. The energy in the room was incredible, and Ryden found himself marveling at how much emotion a video game could elicit from people. It reminded him of Gabriel, someone whose passion mirrored the intensity of the crowd around him. But before he got too lost in his thoughts, he remembered that he and Gabriel had exchanged contact information and social media handles not long ago.
Seizing the opportunity, Ryden snapped a photo of the stage, capturing the vibrant atmosphere. He quickly typed a message and hit send: "Look where I am!"
Gabriel, who had been juggling two phones that day-one for his Angel persona and one for his personal use-was surprised when he saw a notification from Ryden on his personal phone. He smiled to himself, thinking it was just a friendly message. But when he opened it, his heart skipped a beat. Ryden was at the event, the very one he had been cosplaying for. Gabriel glanced around nervously, hoping Ryden wouldn't spot him. He had to be careful; he didn't want to give himself away.
Gabriel quickly typed back, "Have fun!"
Ryden's response came almost immediately: "Wish you were here, you'd love it!"
Gabriel felt a pang of guilt but also a strange sense of relief. If only Ryden knew, he thought, smiling wistfully. He closed the message, not wanting to continue the conversation and risk arousing suspicion. It was then that the staff signaled for the cosplayers to prepare for photo opportunities. Gabriel checked himself in the mirror, giving his reflection a quick once-over. I look good, he thought with a satisfied grin.
His sister had truly outdone herself with the Asuka costume and makeup. Yesterday, Gabriel had worn the classic blue tube top and shorts, which had been a bit uncomfortable for him since it didn't quite fit his body type. But today's outfit was perfect-a rolled-up long sleeve, blue sweater vest, and a red tie. It was much more covered, and he felt confident in it. He adjusted his hat and mentally prepared to meet some fans.
And then, he saw him-Ryden. His green eyes met his, and for a moment, time seemed to freeze. Gabriel was taken aback. He didn't speak much as Angel; his sister had designed the costume, but not the voice. Gabriel had never been good at faking it, and he was feeling a little flustered. He squeaked nervously, not sure what to say.
Ryden, equally confused, glanced at the staff member standing beside them. "Everything okay?" the staff member asked.
Gabriel nodded quickly, forcing a smile, and gave Ryden a handshake. He was thankful for the gloves he was wearing because his hands were clammy with nervousness. As the photo was taken, Gabriel did his best to stay in character, looking as professional as possible. He managed to hold a smile, though inside, his mind was racing.
Ryden left with a big smile, clearly happy with the photo. Gabriel stood there, still processing the encounter. He couldn't believe what had just happened. Was Ryden really at the event? Did he recognize him, or was it just a coincidence? Gabriel didn't have time to think it over just yet. He still had to power through the rest of the convention before he could make sense of it all.
But deep down, he knew that he would need to figure it out sooner or later.