He looked in the direction Nayuta pointed.
A girl dressed in a black Gothic Lolita style had just entered from the door. She had beautiful long black hair and fair skin. She was a Hime-cut Japanese beauty and looked quite striking.
"Senior, this is a genuine cosplay, isn't it? It's my first time seeing it in real life, it's great. You don't usually see it, you can probably only encounter it on this route, right?"
Izumi Chihiro didn't reply, his expression instead a bit strange.
What a coincidence?
He actually met another 'acquaintance' from his memories.
"Senior, which character is she cosplaying?"
Kani Nayuta didn't notice this and continued to ask curiously.
Upon hearing this, the cosplay enthusiast she was referring to suddenly turned her head, her expression somewhat gloomy.
She seemed a little annoyed by her 'lack of tact.'
This is my favorite character, don't underestimate me!
"It's the Nightmare Queen."
Before he could answer, Eriri, after a glance, immediately recognized her.
Those in her line of work always saw fans proposing various doujinshi subjects, and this character's design was one she had a recent impression of, so even without watching the entire anime, she had memorized the name.
This answer made the Hime-cut girl's lips curve upwards a bit.
"Nightmare Queen?"
Kani Nayuta, on the other hand, looked a bit surprised.
"She's a character from Maschera ~The Lament of the Beast Fallen to Earth~. Please don't be so ignorant, okay? If you don't understand, you can watch more anime."
The Hime-cut girl took a few steps closer and said in an unfriendly tone.
"Ah, she heard me!"
Kani Nayuta's expression flustered, feeling very awkward.
"The train car is only so big, of course she would hear you."
Izumi Chihiro quietly complained to her, making Nayuta's ears turn red.
"I'm sorry! This… Miss?"
She asked cautiously.
"You can just call me Black Cat."
Seeing her attitude, Gokou Ruri's tone softened quite a bit.
"Mm-hm, Miss Black Cat, well, I really don't know this character. When I go home tonight, I'll study up on it!"
Kani Nayuta stated.
"..."
Gokou Ruri was speechless.
If you do that, it makes me look like an annoying side character!
"Black Cat, it's strange that someone would give themselves such a nickname."
Eriri said with a subtle tone.
She was a little displeased with Gokou Ruri's attitude just now.
Gokou Ruri had originally thought she had met a 'kindred spirit' and intended to try friendly communication, but now it seemed that could only be…
"I don't need to tell someone I just met my name, do I?"
Gokou Ruri turned her head away.
As if in defiance.
"Indeed, there's no problem, it's just impolite, heh~"
Eriri turned and met her gaze, and sparks seemed to fly where their eyes met.
Do these two want to argue at the drop of a hat?
Izumi Chihiro thought to himself.
But this was on a train, and there were many people around, wouldn't that just make them a laughingstock?
"You two, watch your manners, this isn't online."
So he reminded them.
Both sides came back to their senses slightly, looked around, and noticed the gazes from others, so they temporarily halted their conflict.
They didn't want to become a monkey show in everyone's eyes just because of a single word.
Gokou Ruri chose to sit in the opposite seat, so they could look at each other.
The atmosphere suddenly became a bit awkward.
Kani Nayuta then tried to find a topic.
"Miss Black Cat, have you ever considered cosplaying Homura? I mean Homura Akemi from "puella magi madoka magica." I feel Miss Black Cat is quite suited for that style, whether it's her appearance or her demeanor…"
From Gokou Ruri, she saw another possibility.
"I know that character… so can I take that as a compliment?"
Gokou Ruri flicked her long hair by her ear, and the smile on her face was no longer hidden.
She had indeed read "puella magi madoka magica" because topics related to it were often discussed in an otaku group she had joined recently, which made her curious through osmosis.
Because of her relatively poor family background, she was frugal with her pocket money, even hesitating over some doujinshi she liked, but she had bought a complete set of "puella magi madoka magica," which was enough to explain some things.
Her reasons for liking it were also somewhat different from others; she simply liked the character 'Homura Akemi' because 'Homura Akemi' and the 'Nightmare Queen' had similar styles, which completely hit her soft spot.
"Miss Black Cat, you know this work!"
Kani Nayuta secretly glanced at Izumi Chihiro, then said happily.
Her goal had changed.
"Yes, I've seen it. Although it's not as divine as everyone raves about, I really like the character Homura Akemi."
As soon as she talked about a topic that interested her, the usually taciturn girl immediately entered a different state.
'I thought I'd met a fanatical female fan of a senior! But this is also good; a character fan is a character fan.'
Kani Nayuta felt a pity in her heart, so the focus of the conversation shifted to 'Homura Akemi.'
Just as the two were having a good chat.
"Are you secretly gloating, meeting your fans on the road, and watching your ignorant fans from a condescending position…"
Eriri lightly nudged him with her elbow, whispering beside him.
"No, Eriri, you're thinking too much!"
Izumi Chihiro shook his head, "Could it be that you're jealous?"
"Jealous? Me, jealous?"
Eriri's tone intensified.
"That's normal, isn't it? Fans of Kashiwagi Eri-sensei probably can only be found online."
He spread his hands.
"Pfft."
Eriri almost coughed up blood.
This was indeed an unspeakable awkwardness.
As a doujin artist, it was one thing that she couldn't admit her identity, but even her fans couldn't easily admit their identity.
If only she were a professional manga artist!
In that case, she wouldn't have to worry about such problems.
However, she still couldn't make up her mind to leave her comfort zone and pursue that uncertain world.
It wasn't fear of losing money, but fear of experiencing her incompetence again.
The train arrived at the station.
"Miss Black Cat, shall we go together?"
Kani Nayuta tried to extend an invitation.
"No, I'll pass."
Gokou Ruri shook her head, then walked into the crowd.
---
"The images I posted for the characters are just the first ones I could find. If anyone has better ones, please post them."