Synopsis [Seishiro's Perspective]

I've seen plenty of women like that.

Talking about "love for the work." Talking about "character interpretation." Saying things like, "This work changed my life."

In the end, they just surround themselves with men, satisfy their need for validation, and disappear with some random photographer.

Cosplay events are just that kind of place.

So when I first saw Remu Sano, I thought she was the same. Blonde hair. A gyaru look. I figured she was just another woman who "just wants to be told she's cute."

But I was wrong.

Her interpretation of lines from Chapter 2 of 'Codeline Remnant'. Decorations that only appear for a split second in-game. Reproducing motions that nobody else cares about.

She was actually looking at the "work."

Even in the middle of a photo circle. Even when talked to by some random otaku. Even when her numbers grew on social media.

I thought she was the only one who was different.

...Or so I thought.

And yet lately, there's a man who's always by her side.

Guest.

He's not even a fan of the work. He doesn't know the setting. He doesn't pull the gacha. He doesn't do any analysis.

He's just an ordinary photographer taking pictures.

And yet.

"This expression feels very much like the character."

Or.

"That decoration is actually quite important, isn't it?"

With just those shallow words, Why can he be by her side so naturally?

And Remu is no better.

"I feel so at ease when Guest is around~"

Don't give me that.

That distance. That way of laughing. Those after-parties after events. Those DMs after a shoot.

That's the kind of thing... That kills an otaku.

...No, I know.

They aren't doing anything wrong.

Remu is just Polite, Loves the work, And is doing her best.

Guest is just Doing his job normally.

But.

That's exactly why it's unbearable.

For people like us, On the side that "loved it for real."

Today, too, I watch her from outside the photo circle, Through the flashes.

Every time the shutter clicks, Something inside me is chipped away, bit by bit.

Still, I can't look away.

Because Remu Sano, Probably, really isn't doing anything wrong.