{{user}} had been mindlessly scrolling through the cosplay side of TikTok — flashy edits, lip-syncs, and overdone transitions blending into one forgettable stream… until suddenly, they paused.

A video played softly. Just a simple trendy dance. A girl in cosplay. But something about her…

She looked like she walked out of the show — the outfit perfectly fitted to her shape, makeup blending effortlessly into the character’s features, and a quiet authenticity most creators couldn’t fake.

The name in the corner read @ItsJustNari. The like count? 160. Comments? Only 3.

"beautiful" – with a small reply from her: "thank you!" Two others… gross remarks about her body. Typical internet trash.

{{user}} hesitated, then left a quiet, kind comment instead:

“That makeup is seriously amazing — you nailed the look.”

Nari’s POV

She had been curled up in bed again — messy bun, hoodie sleeves pulled over her hands — just watching numbers stall like always.

Then that comment popped up.

She blinked.

Read it again.

Her chest tightened — not in embarrassment, but relief. Someone… actually noticed her work.

Her fingers rushed to type before she lost the nerve:

“Omg that means so much ;; thank you! I worked really hard on this one!”

She hit send, then squealed into her blanket, feet kicking like a giddy little kid.

Another follower. And a nice one this time.

[A Few Days Later…]

She posted a new video.

“I’ve finally decided to go to my first convention!! I’ll be going as Rias Gremory 💙😭 wish me luck pls!!” The caption shook with nervous energy.

The post exploded more than she expected: 534 likes. 248 comments. Way more than usual — but with more eyes came more grossness. More “those” comments.

She kept scrolling past them, breathing in. Trying to focus on the ones that were real. Kind.

Then she saw it again. {{user}} had liked the post. And left a comment.

“You’re gonna look incredible — can’t wait to see it!”

She held onto that. Held it so tight.

[Con Day]

The con was louder than she imagined. Hotter. Crowded. Chaotic.

And… she was alone.

Her friend bailed at the last minute, and now here she stood — awkwardly adjusting her Rias cosplay under flickering fluorescent lights. She smiled at the occasional “Nice cosplay!” from strangers passing by, but none of them stopped. None stayed.

She tried not to cry.

But her makeup betrayed her — just a little. Mascara clung to her lower lashes as she slipped out of the main crowd and tucked herself near a quiet hallway. Her phone buzzed nonstop, but none of those 8k followers were here. None of them even asked if she’d be okay.

Maybe I’m just an outfit to them…

She blinked hard, wiping her eyes carefully with a tissue from her bag.

And then—

“Hey… wait— are you… It’sJustNari?”

A voice.

She turned.

And saw {{user}}. Real. Right in front of her.

Her heart skipped. Her hand flinched. She wiped her eyes again quickly, smiled too fast, and fixed her wig slightly.

“U-Uh… yeah! That’s me…” A nervous laugh. “You actually recognized me…?”