Zongman: I sign in at the second dimension

Orange Cat: Hahaha (?w?) hiahiahia

Er Ya: You're still laughing?!

Orange Cat: Alright, alright—I won't laugh. By the way, how are the stats on your manga coming along, Er Ya?

Er Ya: They're not too bad… I've just started drawing manga, so the numbers aren't great yet. (Panda unhappy emoji)

Orange Cat: Don't get discouraged, Er Ya! You know the old saying from our Dragon Kingdom: "The beginning is always the hardest." You just have to hang in there!

Er Ya: I know… Ah, it's so frustrating…

Orange Cat: What's there to be frustrated about? Do you have class?

Er Ya: Class? I'm not going to class right now—why would I?

Orange Cat: Exactly! Since you don't have class, why not vent your troubles to me, Er Ya?

Er Ya: It's not exactly a big worry… I just feel a bit off. (Panda furious emoji)

Orange Cat: (Panda puzzled emoji)

Er Ya: Actually, I'm thinking about next month—when your "Elf Pact" is animated and we finally get to meet. How can I make sure you recognize me when we meet? (Panda side-eye smile emoji)

Orange Cat: Hmm… That does sound like a problem! Hahaha (?w?) hiahiahia (Panda awkward grin)

Er Ya: Hehe, so tell me—what should I do so you can recognize me, Orange Cat?

Orange Cat: Ah, well… maybe wear something really eye-catching? Something that stands out?

Er Ya: Eye-catching clothes, huh? I'll look around and see… Let's chat later!

Orange Cat: Alright.

—

Meanwhile, Tatsuki put away his phone and opened his laptop. His "Elf Pact"—which he's already penned through ten volumes—is in the process of being adapted into an anime by the famous Sakura Province studio, dDongMan Studio. Although it's already in the preparation stage, Tatsuki hasn't finished writing it yet…

—

Flashy transition…

After wrapping up his conversation with Tatsuki, Er Ya walked over to her wardrobe and began rummaging through her clothes. After a while, she sighed as she brushed aside her silver-white short hair and slumped onto the floor.

"Ugh, this is such a hassle—what should I wear?! Oh, wait! I think I bought a cosplay costume online, based on a character from 'Elf Pact.' The package must have arrived. Let me go check it out… lalala…"

Er Ya got up and hurried downstairs to fetch her delivery. Once she returned to her room, she immediately cut open the package with scissors. She pulled out the cosplay outfit she'd ordered and stood in front of her mirror, comparing the costume with her own figure. After spinning around a couple of times, she mused aloud:

"Hmm… the size looks pretty good. I wonder how it'll look when I actually wear it. I should ask Orange Cat for his opinion… Hmph, hmm."

Er Ya then picked up her phone and began typing a message to Orange Cat.

At that moment, Tatsuki—sitting at his laptop and busy writing—heard his phone's notification sound. He paused his typing, unlocked his phone, and saw a message from Er Ya. He quickly typed back. The conversation went as follows:

Er Ya: Orange Cat, how about I wear the cosplay outfit I bought online? What do you think? (Panda side-eye smile emoji)

Orange Cat: A cosplay outfit, huh? Which one did you buy, Er Ya? (Panda confused emoji)

Er Ya: Hmph, of course it's the elf costume from your "Elf Pact"!

(Panda shocked, eating popcorn emoji)

Er Ya: What's wrong? Is there a problem, Orange Cat?

Orange Cat: Nothing serious—I'm just a bit surprised.

Er Ya: Surprised? Don't tell me… are you thinking about some super flashy, over-the-top cosplay outfit? (Panda side-eye smile emoji)

Orange Cat: No way! I'm a proper gentleman, you know!

Er Ya: Really? I find that hard to believe!

(Panda heartbroken emoji)

Er Ya: Hehe…

Orange Cat: So… does the cosplay outfit you bought suit your figure? (Panda side-eye emoji)

Er Ya: I'm not sure. In the mirror, it looks like it fits well, but I haven't actually tried it on yet.

Orange Cat: Then you should try it on and see if it really suits you.

Er Ya: Yeah, that's a good idea… I'll go try it on. Want me to send you a picture of me in the cosplay? (Panda side-eye emoji)

Orange Cat: Don't send such things to this humble monk. (Or maybe… send more—I love seeing that!)

Er Ya: So… should I send you a pic or not? (Dog head "save me" emoji)

Orange Cat: What do you think? (Expression: eager)

Er Ya: Alright then—seeing your eager face, I suppose I'll… reluctantly give in!

Meanwhile, in real life, as Er Ya hit send on her message, she patted her chest casually.

Orange Cat: Hehe… (Panda side-eye emoji)

Er Ya: Just wait a bit—I'm going to try it on now! I'll send you a picture later!

Orange Cat: Okay, no problem!

After sending the message, Tatsuki's face lit up with joy, a wide grin tugging at his lips—his expression that of a mischievous, victorious warrior.

Er Ya then put down her phone, took the cosplay outfit out from her online order, and stood in front of her mirror once more. She compared the costume with her figure and murmured to herself:

"Something feels a bit off… but maybe it's just my imagination?"

Just as Er Ya was about to try on the elf costume, her phone chimed again. Expecting it was Tatsuki impatient to see her, she looked at the sender's name. It wasn't Tatsuki—it was her manga assistant, going by the nickname Sha Wu.

Sha Wu: Er Ya, I've finished drawing the manga segment I was working on! (●°u°●)?

Er Ya: Great, Sha Wu! You're fast!

Sha Wu: Hehe (?﹃?), so… what about the photo you promised me, Er Ya?!

Note: There's more after Chapter 14…