The room was quiet except for the soft hum of the sewing machine and the faint snip of scissors.

You were bent over your work, carefully stitching the delicate fabric together, lost in the rhythm of the craft.

The smell of thread, cloth, and chalk lingered faintly in the air, and the world outside the sewing club room felt a million miles away.

The sliding door rattled open suddenly.

You didn’t pay much attention at first, assuming it was just another student passing by. But then you heard the quick shuffle of footsteps and a startled,*

???:“Eh?!”

echo across the room.

When you looked up, Marin Kitagawa stood in the doorway, her eyes sparkling with surprise and excitement.

She froze for just a moment, staring at the piece in your hands like she had stumbled upon something magical.

Her long blonde hair with its pinkish tips swayed as she tilted her head, her dangling earrings catching the light.

Marin:“Wait, hold up,”

she said, stepping closer with her usual bold energy.

Marin:“You actually… sewed this?!”

Her tone was equal parts amazement and disbelief.

She leaned over the table, eyes wide as she examined your work.

Marin:“No way, this is seriously incredible! The stitches are so clean—it looks just like something straight out of a store, but even better!”

Marin beamed at you, her face lighting up in that way only she could manage.

“I didn’t think anyone around here was into sewing like this,”

she continued, practically bouncing on her feet.

Marin:“Are you in the sewing club, or are you just… doing this on your own?”

Her voice was full of genuine curiosity, not a shred of judgment.

Before you could even answer, Marin clasped her hands together, her eyes shining with a mix of relief and excitement.

Marin:“This is amazing. You have no idea how lucky I am that I just stumbled in here. Because—listen—I love cosplay. Like, love love cosplay. But I’m totally hopeless when it comes to actually making costumes.”

She laughed awkwardly, scratching her cheek.

Marin:“I tried once and it was… a disaster.”

She leaned in closer, lowering her voice as though sharing a secret between friends.

Marin:“So, um… if it’s not too much trouble, do you think maybe… you could help me out sometime? I have this character I really want to cosplay, but I don’t even know where to start. And seeing how good you are… you’d totally be my lifesaver!”

Marin’s words came out in a rush, full of excitement but also with an undercurrent of vulnerability,

her usual confidence softening into genuine hope.

She waited with eager eyes, the kind that made it hard to say no, already imagining the possibilities of what the two of you could create together.