Author's Note : To make this simpler we Shall call them X , Y, and Z for convenience sake
—Z's POV
Bronya Zaychik [Private Chat]
[Are you free like this week?] Bronya Zaychik sent 15.38PM
I stared at the message. Why was Bronya asking me if I was free? so out of instinct I typed a reply.
[Me: Depends. Why?] Me sent 15.39PM
The typing indicator appeared almost immediately and soon reply too.
[Kiana and I were wondering if you'd like to meet again.] Sent 15.39PM
Thud
"What is it Z?" Y asked, her voice slightly confused, as I only stood there—Frozen in place.
"A—A—Ah."
"She…"
I pointed at my phone.
"She messaged me."
Y then looked at my phone screen which I had dropped then she spoke.
"Bronya?"
Nod Nod
"And?"
"She wants to meet me."
Silence
Then X looked over from the other side of the room.
"Wait."
She paused.
"The Bronya?"
Nod
"The actual Bronya?"
Nod
Silence—Then.
"Pfft—"
X covered her mouth.
"What's so funny?!"
"Nothing."
"You're laughing!"
"I'm not."
"You absolutely are!"
Y leaned closer to look at my phone again.
"What did she say?"
I handed it over.
Y read the messages then her expression slowly changed.
"Oh." X peeked over her shoulder then she also spoke
"Oh."
…
Both of them looked at me with this… weird expression, an expression I could tell was definitely trouble
"…What?"
X grinned.
"So, what are you going to wear when you meet your own character?"
"Shut up."
"You're literally wearing her right now."
Glance
Ah.
"You're literally in Cosplay right now."
Oh—Right.
"…"
/// . ///
"This is so embarrassing…" I immediately covered my face.
…
"Uhm Sorry to interrupt but we're still live streaming you know-?"
…
…
…
"################### ############### ############### ############## ######### ########### ###########!!!!!!!!"
"HAHAHAHAHAHA!" X immediately burst out laughing.
"TURN IT OFF!"
"You're too late!"
"TURN IT OFF!"
Y was already reaching for the controls, desperately trying to stop the stream while X was practically falling out of her chair.
"Wait, wait, wait—"
"WHAT?!"
"Your viewers are asking if Bronya is actually your girlfriend!"
"WHAT?!"
"Someone says they want your autograph!"
"TURN THE STREAM OFF!"
"I'm trying!"
"X, STOP READING THE CHAT!"
"I can't! This is too funny!"
"I'm going to kill you!"
"Violence! The Bronya cosplayer is becoming violent!"
"THAT'S IT!"
CRASH!
The stream finally ended.
…
Silence.
I slowly lowered my hands. Y looked at me. X looked at me as I looked back at them.
"…Nobody is going to mention this ever again."
X smiled.
"Sure."
Y nodded.
"Of course."
I narrowed my eyes.
"I don't believe either of you."
"You shouldn't."
"X!"
She laughed again.
"Come on, Z. You have a date with Bronya."
"IT'S NOT A DATE!"
"That's exactly what someone on a date would say."
"I hate both of you."
"Love you too."
Sighhhhhhhh
…
I really needed to stop letting these two talk.
—Much Much Later…
SHHHHHHHHHHHHH
The sound of running water filled the bathroom, as I took a shower.
30 minutes later
Flop.
Sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
Today was exhausting…
the recording session, the timing… As for the cosplay well… I lost a bet with X and Y so I had to cosplay as Bronya this session…
Sighhhh
"Public humiliation…"
…
"Oh yeah—Bronya" I muttered as I reached for my phone, my fingers tapping on the screen as I returned back to LetsChat
[So about this weekend…] Me sent 23.00 PM
[Yes?] Bronya Zaychik sent 23.00PM
[When are we meeting?] Me sent 23.00 PM
[Saturday] Bronya Zaychik sent 23.01 PM
[What time?] Me sent 23.01PM
[13:00, your timezone] Bronya Zaychik sent 23.01 PM
[Where?] Me sent 23.01PM
[We'll come pick you up] Bronya Zaychik sent 23.01 PM
…
That's suspiciously vague I thought to myself, then Bronya sent another message
[Kiana insisted that it should be a surprise.] Bronya Zaychik sent 23.01PM
…
Oh yeah—Is it alright if I bring X and Y along…
[Is it fine if some of my friends tag along?] Me sent 23.01PM
…
For a while Bronya didn't type as I waited slightly in anxiety slightly in fear, then a reply came.
[Kiana said it's alright] Bronya Zaychik sent 23.05PM
[OK Sticker] Me sent 23.05PM
Thumbs Up reaction by Bronya Zaychik
Click
Honestly we haven't really talked much after that incident, so this was a surprise… I thought she'd have forgotten, I thought to myself As I turned off my phone once more and prepared myself to bed… Yet for some reason I felt like forgetting something…
…
Eh if I forgot about it, it probably isn't Important…
—
…
"What is it Z? It's not like you to lose focus in a game?"
I FORGOT TO TELL THEM
"Judging from your expression you probably forgot something rather important didn't you~" X's voice was dripping with sarcastic tone, then she continued. "Are you doing a 30 year early rehearsal for Alzheimer's?"
"Haha—Now now, you're bullying her too much," Y said with a soft tone
"But, genuinely what is it that you've forgotten that you lost focus on our game?" X continued her voice curious
Thud
I slowly placed down the controller that I was holding, then I spoke
"…I forgot to tell you two something."
"That sounds ominous." X said her eyebrows raised.
"It's not ominous."
"Then what is it?"
"I…"
I rubbed the back of my head.
"…I got invited somewhere this Saturday."
Y tilted her head
"By Bronya?"
Nod.
X immediately paused the game.
"You WHAT?"
"Why didn't you tell us?!"
"I forgot!"
"You forgot that the person you were just talking about invited you to meet her?!"
"Yes!" X stared at me as I stared back occasionally glancing at Y who covered her mouth, trying her best not to laugh.
""
"…You really did forget."
"I was tired!"
"You remembered to shower."
…
"THAT'S BASIC HUMAN HYGIENE"
"I'm just establishing a pattern~." Kiana said as she placed one of her hand near her head and sticked her tongue out slightly making that rather famous meme…
"Haha…" Finally Y couldn't help but let a small laugh escaped from her
"Y, don't encourage her."
"I'm sorry."
She absolutely wasn't.
"So what happened?" X said while she leaned forward—A little too close…
"She asked if I was free this Saturday. Kiana and Bronya wanted to meet again." I said backing slightly
"Again?"
"I met them before"
"When???"
"During that Big Cosplay Event a couple of months ago"
"You never told us?!?!" X spoke again
"I forgot!"
"You forgot about the same thing twice? You must be really doing an early rehearsal for Alzheimer's huh"
"Pffft—"
"Y?!?!?"
"I'm sorry—It's just-"
—A few minutes later…
"So the reason you told us about it must be because we're invited?" Y spoke
"Oh??? This is gonna be funnnn" X contineud
"yeah, This Saturday at 1, though she only told me she'll come pick me up…"
"Oh? We'll just head to your place then?,"
"Alright"
—The Next Day, Saturday, 12:17 PM
Knock. Knock. Knock.
…
Knock Knock.
Groannnn
Who? I thought to myself as I rubbed my eyes trying to return to the beautiful dream world.
Knock Knock Knock
"Who…?"
Knock Knock Knock Knock.
"Okay, okay! I'm coming!"
Step Step Step Step
Click.
The moment I opened it—
"Finally!" X stood there with her arms crossed. Beside her was Y, who looked considerably more composed.
X had gone with a simple dark jacket over a light-colored top, paired with dark trousers and clean sneakers.
Y, meanwhile, had opted for something softer—a light cardigan, a simple blouse and a long skirt.
"Good afternoon, Z," Y greeted me with a smile.
"Hey."
I looked at the two of them. They were already dressed and ready then at myself.
…
"…You two are early."
"Of course we're early." X stepped inside without hesitation, treating my place like it was her own home
"We're meeting Bronya and Kiana! How could I possibly be late?"
Y followed behind her, sighing.
"I had to remind her three times this morning to get ready."
"I was ready."
"You were still playing a game."
"I was warming up."
"You were playing for two hours."
"Same thing."
"No, it isn't."
Creakkkkk Thud
"You two really are something."
"Thank you."
"That wasn't a compliment."
"We are after all the most Real and Iconic Couple in China's gaming community" Y said with a smile
X immediately nodded.
"Exactly."
I stared at the two of them.
"…You two are never going to let that go, are you?"
"Nope."
"Not even slightly."
Sighhhhhhh.
"I'm going back to sleep."
I walked toward my room—Tried too.
"Absolutely not."
Grab.
X grabbed the back of my shirt.
"Hey!"
"You have forty minutes."
"I can get ready in forty minutes."
"You said that yesterday too."
"And I was right."
Y followed behind us.
"You were also the person who forgot to tell us about the entire meeting."
"That was one time."
"Twice."
"…"
I stopped.
"…Let's not count that."
X laughed.
"Come on, sleepyhead."
She pushed me toward my room.
"Go change."
"I can do it myself!"
"Then do it."
She let go.
"Just wear something comfortable, like what we're wearinggg" X voice echoed from the back
"Okay."
Five Minutes Later.
"Z."
"What?"
"You've been staring at the same three shirts for five minutes."
"I'm thinking."
"About what?"
"Which one looks better."
Y walked over and looked at the shirts.
"The black one."
"Really?"
"Yes."
X immediately pointed at another.
"No, that one."
I looked between them.
"…Why are you two deciding my clothes?"
"Because apparently you can't."
"I can!"
"Then pick one."
…
I pointed at the black shirt.
"This one."
"Good."
Y nodded.
"Now pants."
I stared at her.
"…Really?"
"Yes."
X crossed her arms.
"Come on, Z. We don't have all day."
"You're treating me like a child."
"You're acting like one."
"I am not!"
"You forgot an entire meeting."
"…That was unrelated."
Y laughed softly.
"Go change."
—A Few Minutes Later—
Rustle. Rustle.
I stepped out of my room.
"Done."
X looked up.
…
She paused.
Then nodded.
"Acceptable."
"Acceptable?"
"You don't look like you just woke up."
"I did just wake up."
"Exactly."
Y looked me over.
"Your hair."
"What about it?"
"It's messy."
"I just woke up!"
"Sit."
"…What?"
"Sit down."
Before I could argue, Y gently pushed me onto the couch.
X immediately joined her.
"Oh, this is going to be fun."
"What are you doing?"
"Fixing you."
"I don't need fixing!"
Y said as she began adjusting my hair.
"You do."
X had somehow grabbed a comb.
"Hold still."
"Why do I feel like I'm being prepared for kindergarten?"
"Because you're behaving like you're going to kindergarten."
"I hate both of you."
"Love you too," X replied instantly. Y was probably smiling to.
"Almost done."I sat there silently as they fixed my hair.
Sighhhh
—12.55 PM, Shanghai Time.
I stared at myself in the mirror.
Black oversized hoodie. Loose black cargo pants. Clean sneakers.
…Honestly, not bad. At least I didn't look like I had just crawled out of bed anymore. Behind me, X was scrolling through her phone while Y sat quietly on the couch.
"See?" I said, turning around. "I'm ready."
X looked up.
"Barely."
"I look fine!"
Y smiled.
"You do."
"See?!"
"Fine, fine. You're presentable." X said with a sigh
"…I'll take it."
"Well, they should be here anytime soon then no?" X continued
"Yeah, it shouldn't take too long"
—13.00 PM 20 seconds before 13.01PM, Shanghai Time
"Maybe they forgot?"
I looked at my phone.
13:00.
Exactly.
"Hmm…"
"Maybe the legendary Bronya Zaychik forgot a meeting?" X said as she leaned over my shoulder.
"Don't say that." Y smiled softly.
"I'm sure they're coming."
Then—
WHOOSH.
The air changed. A familiar orange glow appeared in the middle of my apartment. My brain immediately stopped working. Because standing inside that portal…
"Sorry, we're a little late."