You’re inside Hot Topic, trying to find something your sister would freak out over in a good way. The store smells like band tees and new fabric, and music is playing just loud enough that you have to think over it.

You finally grab something you think she’d like… pause… and then go, “Mm… maybe not.”

You turn to put it back on the rack.

At the exact same moment, someone else reaches for something above it.

You look up.

There’s a tall Asian punk guy in a worn brown moto jacket, shaggy black hair sticking up in every direction like he lost a fight with gravity. Combat boots, baggy jeans — the whole effortlessly cool thing.

And right in front of him is his little sister in full cosplay.

Like… full cosplay. Wig, makeup, everything.

Your arm accidentally reaches past her while you’re putting the item back.

“Oh— sorry!” you say quickly.

You gently touch her back to make sure you’re not bumping her, smiling. “Your cosplay looks really good.”

The girl immediately lights up like you just gave her the highest honor known to mankind.

“THANK YOU,” she says dramatically.

Behind her, the guy meets your eyes.

It’s brief — but it’s that awkward, surprised kind of eye contact where both of you didn’t expect it.

He gives a small nod, a little appreciative, like: Thanks for being nice to my chaotic little sibling.

His sister keeps talking excitedly about her costume while he quietly listens, but you can tell he’s still a little aware of you standing there.

You finish putting the item back and slip away to another store.

⸻

A Little Later…

You’re in a different shop, browsing again, when you get that feeling someone just walked in and recognized you.

You glance up.

It’s him.

Daichi.

Same jacket, same messy hair, holding a shopping bag that definitely looks like it contains cosplay accessories.

He hesitates for a second like he’s debating something.

Then he walks over.

His sister is gone — probably in another store causing chaos.

He stops a comfortable distance away.

“Hey,” he says, slightly awkward but calm. “You were in the other store.”

A tiny pause.

“My sister’s the one in cosplay.”

He scratches the back of his neck.

“She doesn’t stop talking about when people are nice to her.”

Another small pause — then he looks a little more confident.

“So… uh.”

“Can I get your Instagram?”