I sat down at the table for four with a tray of french fries and faced my compatriots with a tired look.

"It's only been two hours. Why do I already feel like I'm dying," I said as I took a handful of fries and lazily stuffed them into my mouth.

"Steel yourself, Bridger! We have only made it through the introduction of today's activities." Hunter said, determination still emanating from his being. I let out a short sigh simultaneously as my dear partner, who also looked half-dead with her eyes closed and head tilted down.

I didn't even have to do anything. It seems karmic retribution did her in for me.

I joked, but it seemed she truly was exhausted.

Guess it wouldn't hurt to be considerate, keep your enemies close, and all that.

I considered as I slid the tray of cheap sustenance towards her. She gave me a quick eyebrow raise in response.

"You can take some if you want," I said to her as she let out a hmph and went back to rest.

She wasn't mentally prepared either, huh.

When we entered the staff entrance, we were greeted by the main lobby; the place was brimming with attendees. And while the venue was spacious, it felt almost claustrophobic. Afterward, we went to the first panel to get situated with the event and continued exploring the area. The place was great. Not only was it fully air-conditioned, but its large windows and sky roof let in plenty of natural light.

Here I thought that was the natural enemy of these guys, but oh well.

I pondered, but I had to give it to them. They all seemed to be in their element. Everyone walked with little cliques, each as colorful as the last. And none of them had any reservations about being as open about their hobbies as possible. It was wholesome in that way. Still, as wholesome as it was, the large crowds and large area made it so that even just traversing through the main lobby already landed us two hours' worth of time, so we decided to recuperate before heading out to the main attraction.

"We're headed to the dealer's room next. Have you made the necessary precautions, Bridger, Myla?" Hunter faced me, preparing our next move.

"Well, I brought a good amount of cash if I find anything, so yeah," I said, checking my wallet, which contained what I make in a week.

This amount might be too much. Not like I'm planning to buy anything anyway, nope.

I thought as I saw Hunter's anxious expression.

"With me, it ended up like this." He said as he pulled out his wallet which was closed shut by duct tape.

A preemptive defense from Ilya. A truly cunning woman.

I entertained as I faced my partner, whose eyes had lit up; she took a fry from my tray as she answered Hunter's question.

At least ask again if you want, sheesh.

"I don't plan to buy anything, so what does it matter." She stated as she went back to snacking on my fries.

"You lack fire, Myla!" Hunter said with vigor before standing up from his chair.

"What I lack is interest," Myla responded as she, too, stood up.

"Guys, wait, let me at least finish- Fine." I tried to plead with them, but they already started walking towards the exit of the food court, one out of excitement, the other out of the desire to leave.

Farewell Yukon Gold.

I mourned the loss of my starchy companions, taking a quick picture to commemorate their service as I joined up with the two who had begun going up the escalator.

"So, where's the dealer's room, anyway?" I asked, making sure I hadn't forgotten anything at the table. Hunter faced me with a passionate smile as a silent hubbub began to emanate from above us.

Here we go, farewell hard-earned cash.

I thought as the wonderous land of games, comics, and other nerd-culture paraphernalia revealed itself to us. The natural light shone brighter here as the higher elevation meant the light struck it harder, illuminating the many cosplays and outfits abound. There was every genre and every aesthetic you could think of here - from full-body suits from mecha animes and superhero comics, black flowing coats with swords, school uniforms to straight-up people wielding 6-foot tall scythes, the place was alive with creativity and diversity. This crowd was only a fraction of the many outfits here and complementing the people were the stalls. They were equally as diverse in their product as their patrons - and each sold something relating to an anime, manga, comics, TV show, or videogame.

"I didn't think it would take up the whole floor," I said, taken aback by the marvelous sight. The only thing my body could muster was to take a picture of the magnificence before me.

"Indeed, I would've thought some stalls would've needed to relocate to other areas with how full the place is," Hunter said as he took a curious stance. I faced Myla, who had been silent during this exchange, and caught her gazing at something far ahead.

"You see something you want in this chaos?" I said, lightly nudging her. She quickly closed her eyes a few times and composed herself before giving me a reply,

"It's nothing," She stated before returning to her usual self.

Perhaps she's a closet otaku or, worse, a fujoshi.

I pondered for a moment before we began making our way through the vast space. Each stall had something interesting to try and take away your well-earned funds, from your expected keychains, posters, DVDs, apparel, books, and figurines - to your more risque merchandise like body pillows, ero games, and figurines. The place was packing everything you'd be comfortable buying in public.

Ok, I might get something. Something small, like a mug with a character design on it.

I began considering as we made it through the maze of merch; Hunter's eyes were gleaming with joy as Myla made quiet observations of each stall. I was leading the way, seeing as I was currently the least distracted and had the best sense of direction in our grou-

"Hey man, a bit close there," A large man covered in white said to me as I bumped into him, his large beard accentuating his chiseled features, which adorned red markings.

Talk about a Spartan training regimen, Jesus, or is it Zeus? I don't know what he fights nowadays.

"Sorry about that, awesome cosplay, by the way," I said with a friendly tone.

"No biggie, thanks for the compliment, man," He replied with a smile as he began walking off with a girl with white hair donning a black dress and a large katana.

Now to look for the other Spartan and reignite the console wars of old.

I joked but seeing them and the countless other outfits scattered along the area showed me how truly dedicated these people were and the lengths they go to when they are given the chance to show their love for these media.

It's pretty damn respectable, not gonna lie. Crap, I should've asked for a photo.

I contemplated as I faced my two companions, who had ended up at a nearby stall. It was a small place selling a few books on an anime I remember watching a few years back about a man who went back in time to save people close to him.

"So you see, while the anime adaptation was very promising at first, due to them rushing the rest of the episodes at the end and cramming a volume's worth of information into the span of 20 minutes, it lost much of its charm and pacing, leading to a sour end."

Hunter educated eagerly to Myla as she nodded along. It seemed to me she was either genuinely intrigued by it or was playing along to make Hunter happy. Either way, it was a pleasant sight to see her socialize.

I guess it counts as socializing even if you don't really respond verbally.

I thought as Myla's face turned to an inquisitive expression.

"So, in short, they decided to rush out a product for the sake of fulfilling an arbitrary limit of time?" She replied formally, taking me back and causing Hunter's eyes to light up in excitement.

"Yep! That's it!" Hunter replied with joy welling up in his voice. Myla nodded along as she picked up one of the books, presumably the first volume.

"Perhaps I'll read it in my spare time." She said as she scrolled through the pages of the manga. Hunter went over her shoulder to read along, a pleasant smile across his face making for a rather picturesque scene - when a quick beep originated from his backpack.

"Crap, I got caught up in talking. I forgot about the schedule." He said as he hastily composed himself and raced off a few stalls from us before I could take a shot at what was Myla's first steps into socialization.

"Hey, Hunter! Where are you going? I don't recall anything on our schedules." I shouted before he got too far from us.

"Don't worry. I have a panel to make it to; it's from an idol band I follow, so I'll be with you guys in a bit! Just take a look around the dealer's room for any merch!" He exclaimed as he disappeared into the aisles of anime.

Idols, huh. I guess they'll be having concerts here too.

I walked up to Myla, who was still by the stall, her face back to its usual stern manner.

"Right when you were starting to make a friend, that happens," I said sarcastically as she put down the book.

"Calling that a friend would be far-fetched, even for your delusions. Still, it seems that this might not be too bad of an idea after all." She stated as she pulled out her wallet.

"What do you mean?"

"You saw it as well, did you not?" She responded back with a question that I knew not the answer to,

I've tried to read your mind many times, hasn't worked then, won't work now.

I thought as I gave her a shrug. She promptly sighed as she replied.

"He's at his best when he's getting to share his passion for these stories. I could see that being a valid reason as to why he would want to celebrate his anniversary here." She remarked as she paid for the manga and tucked it away within her purse.

Usually, people just say that they'll read it out of consideration, but I don't think the usual applies to her.

I pondered as I gave a smile at her action of genuine kindness.

"What is it?" She asked, taking note of my amusement.

"Nothing, c'mon, let's check out the rest of the place," I said as we began making our way through more of the dealer's room. She had a point. Hunter's passion for these media and the culture surrounding them was admirable - and the fire in his spirit was present in every single one of the people here, from your convention goers, cosplayers, sellers, and even the staff.

Guess the choice is going to be harder to make than I thou- Was that?

My train of thought was suddenly cut short when I saw a small figurine of an anime girl. The anime itself was one I watched a while ago about a pair of siblings in the manga industry and the romantic relationship they created. It was bad, very bad, but I had done my research and knew that this particular figurine of the girl in her iconic green jacket taking a shy pose was particularly pricey and that here in the aisle it was far cheaper.

Dignity be damned, I'm buying it.

I threw away my reservations as I pulled out my wallet, placed the money on the counter, and purchased my prize.

Now to put it in our office.

I gleefully thought as a sigh sounded from behind me.

"Finally showing a few of your true colors?" She asked, disgust present in her voice.

Hey, I can justify this like Hunter, too, like how the figurine represents love, familial love. Never mind, I made it worse.

I pondered, as I snapped a photo of my prize before we set off to explore the convention once more.