The Tokyo Anime Convention was the one place Madison Glose could truly breathe. Hidden under a long, chestnut-colored wig and wearing the intricate white-and-red uniform of Asuna, the Flash, she wasn't the "Rank #2" student. She was a commander.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJsPTwGWuoc
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXu7lJDwn8v
She adjusted her breastplate, feeling the weight of the Lambent Light rapier at her hip. For months, she had worked on this costume in secret, sewing every stitch by hand.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu0wvlDmvMk
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡejx4ioIKfA
"Nobody from St. Margaret’s would ever come here," she muttered to herself, adjusting her contacts. "It’s too 'low-brow' for them."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgV3Ss0Q11K
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ19ZiztqY6b
She felt invincible. She walked through the crowded halls, posing for photos with a sharp, practiced grace. But as the afternoon heat peaked, her stomach began to betray her. The "Goddess" needed food.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡceDcfhRnfb
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlfw3vykvcm
The Ragout Rabbit58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1s6VmXEnE3
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ876ZwRXqlx
A massive crowd was gathered near the "Gourmet Alley" of the convention. A sign hung over a small, bustling booth: "Aincrad Eats: Level 99 Comfort Food."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcdCIGZchtw
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8uWOxeGeGf
The smell was unmistakable. It was the scent of Madison’s apartment hallway—rich cream, herbs, and simmering meat.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnkGiRzO2oH
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7eh8xZmNo2
"Next order! Two bowls of Ragout Rabbit Stew and a Yui’s Sandwich!" a voice called out.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5BrO8sfNwW
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡauWkiyq4A1
Madison froze. She pushed through the crowd and saw him.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjieisFekGW
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk2W5PySr1o
Chris wasn't in his school uniform. He was wearing a simple tunic and apron that looked like a background NPC from a fantasy village. He was sweating, his sleeves rolled up, moving with a speed that rivaled a top-tier player. He was serving stew that looked exactly like the food from the anime.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfIh0cxUZIW
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZm7HWc8vij
Madison stood at the front of the line, her rapier clinking against her side. Chris looked up, wiping his forehead with the back of his hand.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8fWB6bCV4i
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVSIyW7HGak
"Welcome to Ainc—"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HT0DRysFx
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa0oDlSIV3A
He stopped. He looked at the perfect Asuna standing in front of him. He looked at the way she held her chin, the slight flicker of panic in her eyes. He recognized that "Ice Queen" posture anywhere, even under a wig.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzWg7VmyHy3
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3zyc4WJBKz
"Madison?" he whispered, his eyes wide.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrg7OWKisoE
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡt5GLkGbEFz
"Keep your voice down!" she hissed, leaning over the counter. "What are you doing here? I thought you were 'Average Chris' who stays home and bakes!"58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ92x4ZGjhgl
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjXOQRNkKD3
Chris grinned, a mischievous spark in his eyes. "I told you, I needed a way to practice. My parents think I'm at a 'Leadership Seminar.' This booth is the only way I can afford my high-grade vanilla beans. Besides..." He leaned in closer. "You look incredible. The stitching on that collar is Rank #1 material."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8bbm6HZtB1
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiZGZyAwKnl
The Brave Step58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnJ6Z3oIiKn
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvsypRMpNcM
"Give me a bowl of whatever you're making," Madison said, her face flushing as red as her skirt. "Before someone sees the 'Goddess' talking to the cook."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4ec300AuAv
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56tQlv8aPB
"Actually," Chris said, handing her a bowl of rich, steaming stew, "I have a break in ten minutes. My assistant is taking over. Want to walk the floor? I hear there’s a limited edition Kirito figure at the North hall, but the line is a nightmare. I’ve got some 'baker’s influence' with the staff there—I traded them a box of cream puffs for a VIP pass."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0QHV0tfWBH
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTEBcqeAtD
Madison looked at him. Chris wasn't a "Nobody" here. People were cheering for his food; they were taking pictures of his "item-accurate" tarts. He was thriving in his secret, just like she was.58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgzUpZPejfN
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWTfT35Mm2Q
"Fine," Madison said, trying to look dignified while clutching a plastic spoon. "But if you tell anyone I wore ears today, I’ll duel you."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTVn2g8gfi9
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyDKzxtDkfG
"I don't have a sword," Chris laughed, stepping out from behind the counter and taking her hand to lead her through the crowd. "But I’ve got a whisk, and I’m not afraid to use it."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eIBdJRHmk
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6npUq5bhcQ
Walking through the convention hand-in-hand, a legendary warrior and a humble baker, Madison realized that her secret life wasn't just about escaping reality anymore. It was about sharing it with the only person who knew all her "stats."58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwd6Mq8yqoZ
58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1o8cXT6i35
1234 copyright protection54ＰＥＮＡＮＡLVZ8DLS2yH 尼58Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeWxNy3UDRQ