Pushing through

(Cotton's POV)

The bitch is enjoying it, she has a big smirk.

"You know Cotton, if you like it so much, I don't mind if you always carry my bags from now on."

"Fuck you, is that how you thank me when I do something for you?" I tell her and she laughs.

"Fine, thank you Cotton." She says and I feel a very strong sensation of pleasure that surprises me, I need to stop walking for a second to process the feeling.

Okay that's way too good of a feeling, I guess the pleasure I get depends on the favor I do, because that felt much better than serving coffee ever did. I wonder what would be the maximum pleasure I could get?

An instant orgasm maybe? But I already felt close to that, just for carrying Ann's bags for a while. I want to stop as my arms are getting sore, but I think I can hold on for twenty four more minutes.

Ann is clearly enjoying leading me around as she's usually the one doing things for me. Whatever, as long as I get a final thank you later, I'll be satisfied.

And who knows, I might event get some more free xp and perks from the app while I'm on it.

(Rita's POV)

That's a horrible feeling, I'm just seating there, trying to focus on the class, but I can't. My mind always goes back to how weird it feels to be in cosplay in the middle of class, a month ago I would have taken this for a nightmare, but today that's just what I do to get more perks in a magical game.

I really hope everything goes well, I try to avoid thinking about the second step of the quest. Coming to school in cosplay was already terrifying but going to the library is even worse. What would John think of me?

The most probable reaction would be 'nothing' since Clothes Normalizer I is really strong. Only two students came to me because of my clothes, to tell me they suited me and I did a good Wei, but they never said anything about cosplaying at school.

So John should notice my cosplay and think nothing of it. I don't know if I like that actually... I'd like to both avoid him knowing I cosplay, and compliment me because it suits me. Both desires are fighting in my head as I try to imagine his reaction.

"Miss Torres! Can you solve the equation?" The teacher asks as I look around surprised.

"Huh..." I hesitate.

He smiles and makes a sign to come closer.

"Come to the board, it's simple if you use the theorem we just studied." He says to recomfort me.

I wipe off my sweat as I stand up, everyone in class is looking at me... And at my cosplay...

Once I'm looking at the equation, I get a slight sensation of relief, sure I don't know the answer, but it shouldn't be too hard to calculate from what we have here.

I start writing lines after lines, trying to simplify the expression, and a minute later I'm stuck.

The teacher nods in understanding, and grabs the pen back. As I look down, ashamed and trying to avoid my classmates gaze.

"Be careful everyone, don't make the same mistake as Miss Torres here... She should have gone through a first simplification before applying the theorem, she's now stuck with values that are too hard to work with."

He doesn't erase the equations I wrote however.

"Though it technically isn't wrong and we can still use this equality to fall back on the right result. Can someone come and show the class how to arrive to the result by simplifying it first?" He asks and a girl raises her hand as I go sit back at my desk.

The class ends not long after and I find myself looking at the library's door, it would be so simple to enter but it feels like I'll lose a part of myself when I pass through those doors.

I check my phone again, the first of the quest is validated, making the button to give up the quest so much less tempting.

Sunk cost fallacy is real, I have to go in. The perk is too good to pass up as well.

I enter the library, which is pretty full for a friday afternoon, and look at the front desk where I can see miss Maria talking with a young boy and handing him his card as a woman encourages him.

He happily takes it, and the woman I assume is his mother talks some more before leaving, holding the boy in one hand, and holding a picture book in the other.

Miss Maria notices me, and gestures at me to come closer. As I approach she seems to be surprised and I freeze. Does the perk not have an effect on her? She might be immune, I never met anyone who was but that doesn't mean they don't exist. I slowly come closer, expecting the worst.

"Rita! It's good to see you!" She says, hugging me from behind the desk when I'm close enough.

"H-hello Miss Maria..." I say shyly as the warm feeling of comfort builds in my chest, I love her hugs so much. They feel like the ones my mother gave me when I was a kid.

"That's great to see you try out new styles, I'm proud of you!" She says like a parent encouraging her child for showing some independence.

"I felt like I wanted to try it out..." I say as I notice she doesn't talk about the obvious reference to Wei. I guess she doesn't know about Underwatch so I might get away with making her think that those are normal clothes. Maybe John doesn't know either?

"It looks a little too warm for the season, but this blue suits you." She says complimenting Wei's design more than she compliments me.

Actually the vest I took was quite thin and I've been losing a lot of weight, so I might lose the body shape for this cosplay in a little while. If I wore more normal clothes today, I would have asked Miss Maria if I could come to the gym with her.

But it's fine, I've been exercising at home and lost at least a kg everyday. I have a date with John on Sunday, so I planned to do intensive exercise tomorrow and to buy all the perks I need for it to be a success.

Before I can think about how to explain all the weight loss I planned for, John arrives and my train of thought stop.

He's coming back from a staff only room, and smiles when he notices me. I am making John smile, I'm so happy.

"Hey Rita, how are you doing?" He then looks me up and down.

"Love the cosplay. You look good in it." He says, and looks shocked as he process what he said.

I try to avoid blushing too much, thankfully Pokerface I is great for that. I feel really embarrassed, John complimented me again and all I can muster is a thanks!

(John's POV)

Why the hell did I say that? I wanted to avoid stressing her by making a big deal about her cosplay, but it felt like I flirted with her instead.

And after her unexpressive thanks I want to bury myself underground.

She looks at me with the same blank expression as women getting catcalled and wanting to avoid harassment.

"Haha, your compliment didn't seem to stick too well John." Maria comes to the rescue, removing some of the chilling tension.

"And what's a cosplay? Is it a theater thing?" She asks, leaving an occasion for someone to answer her and change the subject.

Since Rita seems to keep herself silent, I explain it instead.

"Right, cosplay is when you dress as a fictional character." I say going straight to the point.

Maria thinks for a while, and Rita looks at her feet while playing withe her hands.

"So Rita is dressed as a character right now? I would've never guessed. This seems fun, maybe I could try it too one day." She says, not expecting Rita to look at her with stars in her eyes.

The small girl can't seem to contain herself.

"You would be great at it! There are a lot of characters that really suit your body type! You could go as Fannie from District Fighter! Or even as Tify from First Fantasy 7! I'm sure you would love it!" She says, citing other characters from games who have in common their muscular body type.

I try to imagine Maria cosplaying, it doesn't have anything to do with her class but it could be exciting nonetheless.

"Wow, maybe I feel like I got myself into something I can't come back from..." Maria comments, looking at the ball of energy she just created.

Rita seems to notice her reaction and to calm down, embarrassed.

"I mean... If you ever want to try cosplay, I'd love to help you chose one that would suit you!" She says while taking a step back, certainly wondering if she came off too strong.

Maria giggles and pet the head of the smaller girl.

"Sure Rita, if you want we can try some cosplay together someday." She says while gently patting her hair, Rita blush and nods slowly.

After that, we talk a little and Rita borrows a few books.

She leaves, and not long after, it's time to close.

My day isn't over though, I still have a visit with Sandra and I promised her we would drink together tonight. I hope we'll find a good place for her to stay soon.

Author's Note: Hope you liked this week's chapter, I'm still writing on my phone but next chapter will have some stats hopefully.