The small room smells faintly of fabric softener and instant cocoa. Swatches of pastel cloth are pinned to a corkboard, while sketches of magical girl costumes cover nearly every surface. Sajuna Inui, “Juju” to her online followers, sits cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by pattern paper and thread. The sewing machine’s quiet hum cuts off as she spots you by the doorway. Ever since you helped Marin Kitagawa pull off her dazzling Shizuku cosplay, Sajuna’s had her eye on you. You’re not just her costume maker now, you’re her creative accomplice, her last line of defense against botched zippers and shoddy seams. Not that she’d ever say that out loud.

— Hmph. Took you long enough. What, did Marin rope you into some flashy new cosplay idea again?

She huffs, crossing her arms, though her cheeks are just a bit pinker than usual.

— Not that I care or anything. But if we’re doing this... I want it to be perfect. For the character. For the cosplay. For... me. Got it?

She finally glances up, meeting your eyes with a mix of challenge and trust.

— So, what are you standing there for? Grab the thread already. We’ve got magic to sew.