Mion Fujiwara ( Age: 29 Occupation: Cosplayer Hair: Black Hair) by yukkyandmaimai at Inkitt

Chapter 1

The autumn wind beat against the window of my office. While the lingering heat of summer still remained during the day, the temperature began to drop the moment the sun dipped below the horizon.

Wearing my reading glasses, I was checking the text of a digital document. My name is Takumi Nagai, a fifty-eight-year-old university professor.

"..."

Despite their occasional grumbling, the students who came to my office left the exact same mistakes in their paperwork year after year. While many of them were highly capable by the time they reached my office, their lack of experience inevitably showed through here. Even so, by next year, these same students would graduate with outstanding academic records. I took great pride in knowing that my office served as a stepping stone for their advancement.

"Whew..."

This was hard on an old body. I stood up from my chair and stretched my back. Just then, I heard a knock at the door.

"Come in."

At my word, the door opened and a young woman stepped inside.

"Good morning, Professor Nagai."

"Ah, it's you. You're early, especially for someone so young."

The person who answered was Mion Fujiwara, the administrative clerk for my office. She was only twenty-nine years old. Her soft, voluptuous black hair was cut neatly at her shoulders, and she possessed a slender, model-like physique. She was an exceptionally well-proportioned woman, radiating an allure that was distinctly feminine yet carried a boyish charm. Her manner of speaking was slow-paced, and she always spoke in a calm, soothing voice.

"Not at all. Since you are giving a lecture at the academic conference next week, Professor Nagai, I wanted to come in early."

As Mion answered, her eyes shone with a proud brilliance. Yes, I was scheduled to give a lecture at the upcoming conference of our academic society next week.

"If you weren't here, I would probably be facing an irreparable disaster by now..."

When I held my head in my hands and said this, Mion let out a soft smile, murmuring, "You're exaggerating."

While I had been away, she had noticed a deficiency in my submitted documents and handled the entire process for resubmission.

"I really didn't know what to do at the time. The submission deadline had already passed."

My mind had been entirely consumed by my research. Despite that, I had received a call from the conference secretariat informing me that there was an error in the paperwork I had turned in.

"But what I did was only natural," Mion said, placing a file in front of me. "This is the data you will be using for your lecture, Professor. I've also corrected the graphs."

"Thank you, that's a huge help."

I expressed my deep gratitude. Mion had come to my office a year ago. Back then, she had been incredibly timid, fumbling through almost every task she was given. Because she was a cosplayer in her private life, she had initially felt somewhat alienated from those around her. However, I didn't care about that at all. The other members of the office quickly accepted her as well. Not taking their kindness for granted, Mion diligently learned the ropes. Now, she was the most reliable administrative clerk in the entire office.

"Um, Professor..." Mion hesitated.

"What is it?"

"This Saturday is the rehearsal for your lecture..."

"Right. We need to verify the venue as well, so I'll need you to attend."

I had already requested the other members of the office to participate in the rehearsal.

"Um... would it be alright if I joined as well?"

I was a bit surprised by her request. She usually headed straight home the moment her work hours ended, rarely participating in gatherings outside of her official duties.

"Of course. It would be a great help to have you there."

When I said this, Mion narrowed her eyes happily. "Thank you very much."

"By the way, are you still continuing your cosplay?"

When I asked, her cheeks flushed with a delicate pink. She frequently participated in events as a cosplayer.

"Yes, but..."

"Are you taking a break from events?"

At my question, she shook her head. "No, but I am only planning to appear in next month's event."

"I see. I look forward to it then."

I smiled and gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder. She also ran a cosplay shop near the university. I had even purchased a few of her cosplay items there myself.

"Are you actually going to come, Professor?" Mion asked, looking slightly surprised.

"Yes, I've already bought my ticket for the event."

The members of my office were all highly supportive of her cosplay endeavors. I wasn't the only one planning to attend.

"...So everyone is coming together," Mion said, a gentle smile spreading across her face.

"Yes. Everyone is cheering for you."

As I said this, tears suddenly welled up in her eyes.

"What's wrong?"

"...I'm just so happy. To think that everyone would support someone like me..."

Saying this, she buried her face in my chest. Then, she threw her arms entirely around me, hugging me tightly.

"..."

For a moment, I was startled. While Mion had harbored an obvious affection for me over the past year, this was the very first time she had expressed it so directly.

"Ah... I'm so sorry."

Her face burning bright red, she immediately pulled away from me.

"No, don't worry about it."

Though I tried to reassure her, Mion remained utterly crimson.

"Thank you, Professor."

With that, she spun on her heel and hurried out of the room. Feeling the lingering warmth of her body against my chest, I let out a quiet sigh.

For the past year, I had been hyper-aware of Mion. She was highly competent at her job, yet possessed a wonderfully gentle, leisurely demeanor. That contrast was incredibly attractive to me. Because of her cosplay, she was frequently approached by men at events. Yet, she had never entered into a relationship with anyone. Bearing my own advanced age in mind, I had refrained from making a move toward her. However, her actions just now had thoroughly stirred my heart.

"Mion..."

I murmured her name, letting out another long sigh.

On Saturday morning, we gathered in front of the university. The lecture rehearsal was to be held at a borrowed facility belonging to a nearby university. Leading the members of my office, I boarded the train.

"Professor, is Mion-san coming today too?" a young assistant asked me.

"Yes, she said she would be attending."

"I see! I'm glad to hear that," the assistant replied with a warm smile.

The office members knew Mion very well. She harbored a genuine interest in our research and frequently participated in our academic discussions.

"Mion-san is incredibly cute when she cosplays, but she's wonderful in settings like this too, isn't she?"

As the assistant spoke, the other members nodded in deep agreement.

"She’s really bailed me out before too."

"Me too. Just yesterday, she caught an error in my submitted paperwork."

"I actually studied with Mion-san's help, and my grades went up because of it."

The members showered Mion with endless praise. Nodding along, my thoughts drifted back to her. Mion had learned so much within my office. Even the management of her cosplay shop was going smoothly.

"Professor, Mion-san is definitely in love with you, isn't she?" the assistant suddenly blurted out.

"..."

I found myself entirely unable to answer.

"We all think so too. Mion-san treats you completely differently from anyone else, Professor."

The other members nodded in unison.

"But since you're older, Professor, I suppose she finds it difficult to say it out loud," the assistant added with a wry smile.

His words brought a slight ache to my chest. Mion held an affection for me. I had felt it myself. Yet, she had never spoken the words. And I, held back by the weight of my age, had remained entirely silent.

"Professor, how do you feel about Mion-san?" the assistant pressed.

"...I love her," I answered honestly.

Hearing my response, the members exchanged glances.

"Is that so? In that case, Professor, you need to tell her how you feel," the assistant said, as the others chimed in with a chorus of "Please do."

"..."

My heart felt completely overwhelmed by their words. Mion might truly love me. Yet, I had been unable to give her an answer.

"Professor, Mion-san needs you. She's deeply in love with you."

"...I see. Thank you," I said, offering my gratitude to the members.

The train was nearing our destination. We disembarked at the station and headed toward the university. The other university members had already gathered at the rehearsal venue. There, we joined up with Mion. She was dressed in a simple white blouse and a black skirt, an understated outfit that suited her beautifully.

"Professor, I've been waiting for you," Mion said, offering a gentle smile.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

I gave her a gentle pat on the shoulder. Her cheeks flushed slightly, but she immediately returned my smile.

The rehearsal proceeded flawlessly. The content of my lecture was highly praised by the members.

"Professor, that was an absolutely wonderful lecture," Mion said, stepping forward to take my hand.

"Thank you. It's all thanks to you."

I squeezed her hand in return. Blushing deeply, she lowered her head.

"Professor..."

She murmured softly before burying her face into my chest once more.

"Mion..."

Calling her name, I wrapped my arms around her back. Watching us, the members smiled warmly.

"Professor, Mion-san, you two look wonderful together," the assistant said, walking over to us.

"Ah... um..."

Mion hurriedly pulled away from me in a panic.

"It's quite alright, Mion-san," the assistant said, giving her a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "Professor, please take good care of Mion-san."

The other members chimed in, echoing the sentiment.

"Th-thank you..." Mion murmured, tears glistening in her eyes.

Taking her hand firmly in mine, I looked straight at her.

"Mion, I love you. Will you be my girlfriend?"

"..."

Mion's eyes widened in utter shock at my words. Then, tears began to stream freely down her face.

"Professor... I love you too."

With that, she threw herself into my arms.

"Thank you, Mion."

Holding her tightly against me, I felt the members erupt into a warm round of applause.

"Professor, Mion-san, congratulations!"

Surrounded by their blessings, Mion squeezed my hand with incredible strength. That day, we officially became a couple. Mion began to call me "Takumi-san," and I called her "Mion." We became a couple that everyone at the university knew about. While continuing to manage her cosplay shop, she continued to work diligently in my office. I loved her deeply, and she loved me in return. We spent truly blissful days together.

"Takumi-san, until what time is your lecture today?"

Mion had come into my office. She looked beautiful today, dressed in a pale pink blouse and a white skirt.

"Ah, I'm done at three o'clock," I answered.

"I see. In that case, I'll head out ahead of you," she said with a warm smile.

"Alright, take care."

I watched her back as she departed. Mion was incredibly busy with the management of her cosplay shop. While handling her duties at my office, she was simultaneously preparing for an upcoming event.

"Mion really is a hard worker," I murmured, sighing softly as I thought of her.

Once my lecture concluded, I returned to the office to find a message from her on my phone.

“Takumi-san, I'm heading to the event venue now. Please come pick me up when it's over.”

A smile spread across my face as I read the text. Mion was appearing in this month's cosplay event. I had seen her cosplays before; they were always incredibly darling and suited her perfectly.

“Understood, I'll come pick you up.”

I sent the reply, quickly wrapped up my paperwork, and headed home. Once there, I took a quick shower, changed out of my suit into casual clothes, and drove toward the venue.

The event was being held at a department store near the station, which was already bustling with a massive crowd. Parking the car, I made my way inside. The venue was packed with numerous cosplayers, and Mion was among them. As I searched for her, I finally spotted her up on the stage.

Mion was cosplaying a character from an anime. With vibrant blue hair and a pristine white dress, her beauty was absolutely arresting.

"Mion..."

I caught my breath simply looking at her. She was posing on the stage as a flurry of camera flashes went off around her. In the center of it all, she wore a radiant, adorable smile. I burned the sight of her beauty deep into my memory.

When the event concluded, Mion stepped down from the stage. The moment she noticed me, she came running straight into my arms.

"Takumi-san, you actually came!"

"Of course. You looked incredibly cute, Mion."

I wrapped my arms around her back, holding her close.

"Thank you so much, Takumi-san," she murmured, burying her face into my chest. Her hair was slightly damp with perspiration.

"You must be exhausted, Mion," I said, gently stroking her head.

"Yes, but it was so much fun." She lifted her face to look at me.

"I'm glad to hear that. Let's head home, Mion."

"Yes, Takumi-san."

Squeezing my hand back, she walked alongside me toward the parking lot. Once inside the car, Mion rested her head gently against my shoulder.

"Takumi-san, thank you so much for today."

Saying this, she softly closed her eyes.

"You were beautiful, Mion."

I stroked her head, and a peaceful smile graced her lips as she drifted off to sleep. Looking at her sleeping face, a profound warmth filled my chest. The knowledge that she loved me brought me immense joy. As I drove, my thoughts remained entirely on her. Mion was highly popular as a cosplayer, loved by many people. Yet, out of everyone, she had chosen me.

"Mion... thank you," I whispered, gripping the steering wheel.

When we arrived home, she was still fast asleep. I gently scooped her up in my arms and carried her inside. Her room was filled with charming things—anime goods and various cosplay outfits. Laying her softly upon the bed, I began to undress her. In her undergarments, Mion looked breathtakingly sensual.

"Mion..."

I whispered her name, my fingers lightly brushing against her skin. Her skin felt smooth and flawless; her breasts were soft and warm.

"Takumi-san..." Mion murmured, her eyes fluttering open.

"Are you awake, Mion?" I asked, gently caressing her cheek.

"Yes, Takumi-san..."

With a soft murmur, she slid her arms around my neck, pulling me down toward her.

"I love you, Mion."

I leaned down and pressed my lips against hers. Responding instantly, her tongue lightly traced my lips.

"I love you too, Takumi-san," Mion whispered, wrapping her arms tightly around my body.

And so, on the bed, we confirmed our love for each other.

Kaito's body was so soft.

Her voice was so sweet.