- Do you want a costume other than those three options?
- Maybe he needs a companion who is good with words?
Maybe you just need to change this costume slightly.
[Sora Ichinose]PLAYER, do you have any good ideas?
[player]I have an idea, but I'm not sure how it will turn out. Wait here for me!
Spending the whole afternoon shopping in the commercial strip has allowed me to find the item I'm looking for and return as quickly as possible. Even so, the round trip took around twenty minutes, so I wasn't surprised to see that Sora had changed into the Frankenstein costume.
[Sora Ichinose]This is the thing you say can help Frankenstein? Hmm... It's a fake bird?
[player]Hush—you'll find out soon. Excuse me, can you help me secure this bird on the shoulder?
[Employee]Leave this to me.
A few minutes later, Sora makes a wow sound in front of the mirror. The bird sits comfortably on Frankenstein's shoulder, preening its feathers there and softening the invisible spikes on his body. The combination of the cold tone of Frankenstein's clothes and the red bird with bright wings shifts the theme of the costume from "monster" to "human."
Obviously, a Frankenstein with human emotions is far more attractive than a monster that only evokes fear.
[Employee]This is amazing! It's just like magic. I'm certain that everyone in One Han City will be talking about Frankenstein after the fashion show.
[Sora Ichinose]Can you pack this costume for me? Thanks!
[Employee]No problem! That will be 20,000 Coppers. Thank you!
We leave the commercial strip immediately after finishing our shopping. Although Sora keeps insisting that he can return home by himself, I still accompany him to the entrance of his community block.
[Sora Ichinose]Thank you.
[player]It's just taking you home. It's no big deal.
[Sora Ichinose]Not just that. *Coughs* I want to thank you for everything today... If it wasn't for you, I would still be obsessing over the data and probabilities.
[player]You don't need to thank me for that either. Friends should help each other out, right?
[Sora Ichinose]Well... I want to give you this.
[player]This is the mage outfit from earlier. When did you buy it?
[Sora Ichinose]As your friend, I would like to invite you to participate in the Aotsuyu Middle School Halloween fashion show. Without you, I wouldn't have been so resolute in my decision to dress up as Frankenstein. Every generation of Frankenstein had a great butler, and you're someone like that to me.
[player]Um... I remember that Frankenstein and his butler didn't have a good ending. This comparison might be a little ominous.
[Sora Ichinose]...You focus on such strange things. *Coughs*
[player]It's windy at night, so you better go home now. If you get sick now, you won't be able to participate in the Halloween event.
[Sora Ichinose]Wait, what about my invitation...?
[player]I'll be there on time. I'm honored to participate in this event as your friend, Sora.
I must say, I've never attended a Halloween fashion show with this many people. The entire playground is filled with all kinds of ghosts, and strangely-shaped heads as far as I can see. The place is swamped with ghosts and monsters.
["Ninja"]Confused-looking mage, would you like to stop and watch me perform my fireball technique?
[player]Sorry, I already know who I'm voting for.
["Ninja"]What a shame. Feel free to come back to me if you change your mind.
I've had four similar conversations within ten minutes of stepping into the venue. After sighing, I start looking for Sora.
After noticing a familiar shade of red in the corner of my eye, I look in Sora's direction to see him surrounded by three to four classmates who are taking group photos with him in an orderly manner.
[Reina Nanami]Is that... Sora? He's dressed up as Frankenstein, right? He stands out so much amongst a group of vampires.
[player]Yes, the costume store you recommended is quite good. It would be better if a certain employee wasn't so cheeky.
[Reina Nanami]Haha! I'm glad I managed to help. I hear that Sora is determined to win the prize. It looks like he doesn't have a chance now since the "elf prince" has obviously gotten more votes than him.
[player]I think Sora no longer worries about this.
As if he is responding to my words, the Frankenstein in the distance grins with joy. After the photo-taking crowd disperses, Sora walks towards the dancing "Elf Prince" and solemnly casts his own vote into their jack-o-lantern.
It's a shame that he didn't win the championship, but his smile right now is more precious.
Because happiness is the greatest reward.