I Will Never Submit to Miss Grim Reaper - Chapter 45
After having breakfast and tidying up a bit, I glanced at myself in the mirror, adjusted my clothes and the long hair that reached down to my waist, straightened my hat, and then returned to the computer. I opened the group chat for authors created by Tuzi.
?Has anyone been to the anime expo at the Shenzhen Convention Center? The one where Honeydew has a booth??
I quickly added a follow-up message:
?Can you please let me know if this expo requires tickets or any form of ID verification??
I was aware that from April 30th to May 6th, 2022, there was an anime expo in Shenzhen City. As a large metropolis, Shenzhen hosted several anime expos almost every year. However, due to my profession and my preference for avoiding crowded environments, I had only attended a few times during my college days.
In my impression, anime expos were gatherings where numerous anime enthusiasts came together to buy merchandise. Shy individuals would take photos from a distance with their cameras or phones, while the more outgoing ones would dress up in cosplay outfits and take pictures of others, building their popularity. Otaku would purchase posters, figurines, and other merchandise.
The profession of being a cosplayer felt somewhat similar to being an author, especially in the earlier stages. Cosplayers would post their costume photos on platforms like Weibo and forums, attend various events, gain recognition, and eventually secure commercial advertisements and promotions. Well-known cosplayers could earn tens of thousands or even hundreds of thousands for a single appearance, and top-tier cosplayers could command fees in the millions.
Authors had a similar journey, starting with writing for free on various forums and websites and only earning money once they had built a following and honed their writing skills. Established authors could earn millions or even tens of millions for a single book.
However, in most cases, both of these professions began with a passion for the craft. Small authors often struggled to secure contracts, writing primarily for self-fulfillment, while fledgling cosplayers invested money in costumes and chased their dreams.
My main concern at the moment was whether the anime expo at the Shenzhen Convention Center required tickets and if any form of ID verification was necessary. I took my ID out of my wallet and looked at the girl pictured on it.
Yin Nuo’er…
I never expected that, as I wrote my novel, I would end up becoming the female protagonist of my own story. It makes me wonder whether that grim reaper is tracking me or has read my book. How else could she know my name?
Under the bright fluorescent lights, the girl in the ID photo looked almost identical to me now, with her straight bangs and long hair cascading naturally behind her, like a young princess who had just started middle school.
If you were to say that this girl is 18 years old, I certainly wouldn’t believe it, and I doubt the police would either. In other words, if I were to be checked, all the police would likely suspect that this ID I have is fake.
Moreover, because the miss grim reaper didn’t say, I have no idea if this ID can be used. Is it just superficial information, or has it been registered with the police and the national authorities?
If it hasn’t, will I be apprehended for using this ID? If it is indeed a real ID, how did the grim reaper obtain it?
To directly use “magic” or “supernatural abilities” to modify causality? Creating the existence of a girl named “Yin Nuo’er” out of thin air in this world? Or sneaking into the police station late at night and quietly registering a new file for me using their computers? Who are my parents? Who is my guardian? What has been my life’s trajectory up until now?
With all these questions, it’s quite a challenge to figure out whom to ask.
The miss grim reaper seems carefree, her eerie ability to cut through space rifts allows her to come and go as she pleases. These past few days, she has been the one unilaterally contacting me, and it’s difficult to reach out to her with my questions.
I couldn’t find answers online regarding whether you need tickets for the convention center. It’s likely that it’s free, but just in case, I asked in the signing group managed by the Editor Tuzi.
?I went there yesterday. There wasn’t much to see. Honeydew’s convention booth just sells some physical books and Honeydew merchandise.?
After waiting for a few minutes in front of the computer, someone in the signing group replied to my question: ?It’s a very small convention, no need for tickets, but they do require identity registration and check for dangerous items, similar to what you’d expect when using the subway.?
So, it seems that registration is required. I wonder if I’ll have to swipe the card? I shouldn’t have any problems, I think.
Currently, the most straightforward way to test whether this ID card can be used is to go to an internet café and see if the computer boots up.
But internet cafés… I’m not particularly fond of them.
During my university days, I went to internet cafés a few times to play games with my roommates and classmates. My impression of those places was that they had a strong, unpleasant odor — a mixture of cigarette smoke, sweat, and various strange odors. Moreover, they were often surrounded by sketchy individuals.
The two nearest internet cafés to the Snail Apartment are located in an urban village. To get to a slightly larger internet café, I would need to take a bus in the opposite direction of the convention center. I don’t feel the need to visit an internet café just to verify the legitimacy of my ID card.
I’m not sure why, but ever since I became a girl, I seem to have developed a slight sense of cleanliness. The thought of the internet café environment and the possibility of strange individuals following me around makes me feel extremely uncomfortable.
Besides, even if the police had to check my ID card, I can simply say that I’m underage and haven’t gotten my ID card yet.
In any case, the grim reaper is coming tonight, and I can ask her about the ID card issue then.
?Is it free to enter without tickets? Thank you.?
Thinking about this, I specifically mentioned the person who answered my question and attached a cat emoji with the text, “Thank you for warming all seasons with your presence.”
?Isn’t this the uncle who just joined yesterday? Are you going to the convention too??
Just as I was about to turn off my computer and get ready to leave, a message appeared in the Tuzi Editor’s signing group, mentioning @Uncle Loves Lolis. The message read: ?Haven’t you changed your profile picture yet?? I was quite puzzled, tilting my head while sitting in front of the computer, trying to remember that the pseudonym “Uncle Bei” was the person who teased me yesterday with the comment “Why are you using an anime girl’s profile picture, what are you thinking.”
?I’m not changing it, I’ve been using this profile picture for several years, and readers are used to it.?
My profile picture is from “Puella Magi Madoka Magica,” featuring a character named Madoka Kaname. Madoka transforms into a witch and bites off Mami Tomoe‘s head. During the airing of Puella Magi Madoka Magica in 2011, an artist created avatars of the five magical girls in the show. Later, as the series expanded with the release of the movie “Hangyaku no Monogatari,” the cute, snack-loving witch character, Nagisa Momoe, was introduced. The artist added a profile picture of Nagisa Momoe, and with the artist’s permission, I’ve used this avatar to this day.
Back when I was still in middle school, I was a fan of a brand of ice cream called “Little Pudding” – it was inexpensive and sweet, much like the Kyubey wafers that Nagisa Momoe loves.
Later, as I became an author, I did try changing my profile picture a few times. However, every time I changed it, readers would comment, “I could hardly recognize you,” so to avoid confusing readers, I’ve stuck with this cute Nagisa Momoe profile picture to this day.
My attitude towards avatars, game characters, and similar things has always been simple: Use what you like. If you enjoy playing as a female character as a male player, or vice versa, that’s perfectly fine. Whether you prefer controlling a handsome big brother character, find male characters more visually appealing, or use an anime character’s image as your avatar, it’s all acceptable.
?Don’t you feel weird using a little girl’s avatar as a guy??
To my surprise, “Uncle Bei” from the author group seemed intent on discussing this topic further and asked, ?You’re making me think you’re a girl?. I didn’t see how it concerned him whether I was male or female. Feeling a disconnect with this person’s perspective, I chose not to respond to “Uncle Bei’s” question. Instead, I powered down my computer, stood up from my chair, and stretched.
Time to pack up and get ready to go!