今日で輝くキミと僕に会おう!

Home from con. It was a very long and very cold weekend, but I would count it as a resounding success. Friday was for window shopping, especially seeing as I could barely move my head in the ways I am used to without the beads of my mianguan slapping my eyeballs. I only brought the one cosplay with me this time, but it was a hit even among people who had no idea who I was. Similar to when I cosplay Hua Cheng, second place is reserved for enthusiastic people who know me, but first is somehow always older men and the Shonen Guys. One can immediately be elevated to bro status so long as you're shiny and aura farming (I recently learned this term and enjoy it very much lol). It happens with fascinating consistency. This is not a complaint and they're also always very kind and excited, it just makes me laugh a little.
We were joined by a (very beautiful) woman cosplaying Sukuna during a rest period that day, and at some point I expressed being anxious about paneling for the first time. She asked me if I was nervous that no one would show up, or that too many people would show up... I realized that I had no idea, hahaha. Both were somewhat unsettling in their own ways, but as with many things, I was worried over nothing and everything went really well. The presentation was a good length, and people seemed actually engaged and even came to me for questions and conversation afterwards. I don't think I am particularly funny, but it was a really gratifying feeling to make people laugh, too. We're applying to host a few other panels at another event in April; if someone reattends, I hope to hear that I was convincing enough for them to pick up a certain title... Weheheh.
Speaking of, there was a solitary Cezhou keychain being sold, which marked my very first time ever seeing them at a convention. Imagine my delight. Even more surprising was QQGK and C2P keychains, neither of which I have ever met anyone in person who has ever even read them, let alone made merch for them. It was very difficult being normal and restrained while purchasing, but I managed hahaha. I think there has to be someone out there I can talk to about these things one day.
In the end, it is always a little jarring returning to everyday life after a really eventful weekend, though. I knew that I was going to crash as soon as I got home, but I didn't expect for it to last two days... I feel like I've wasted a lot of time, but I guess it's not really my fault. A retry tomorrow, I suppose.
(Also, it's not at all that important, but I lost my 256 day reading streak along the way and I am actually rather bummed about it LOL. I know it's no big deal, really... but damn hahaha).