Changing into this black suit and white shirt, tying the red necktie, and putting on the cat ears along with that signature peaked mini hat, I checked my reflection in the mirror repeatedly, still feeling something was missing. It wasn't until I clipped the walkie-talkie to my lapel and gripped that red signal flag that I truly found my confidence for the day's shoot. This time, I cosplayed Kasuga Tsubaki from Blue Archive—specifically her guide version. The styling's initial impression is both professional and crisp, tinged with charmingly obedient cat-like traits.
First, regarding the outfit: I adore the silhouette of the suit jacket. The waist is nicely tapered without feeling overly constricting, and the placement of the side pockets and walkie-talkie clip point was faithfully recreated. The white gloves were a must for a detail enthusiast like me; wearing them instantly gave waving the flag a sense of ceremony, as if genuinely directing traffic. For the stockings, I specifically chose a matte, high-elasticity Black tights outfit that preserved smooth, natural leg lines without harsh glare under outdoor sunlight. Paired with black stiletto heels, it created a wonderfully elongated silhouette.
Today's shoot took place outdoors on an asphalt road. In the early morning with few pedestrians around, the clear zebra crossings on the ground provided perfect horizontal lines to emphasize the guide's professional aura. The first set featured sitting poses—resting directly on a laid-out white cloth, arranging the skirt neatly with legs naturally crossed and the flag resting by my side under soft sunlight filtering through clouds. Later, we explored varied postures like sitting cross-legged, kneeling on one knee, or sitting atop a rolling luggage suitcase with legs kicked up—that slightly relaxed and playful attitude captured her character lore's gap moe of appearing earnest on the surface while being secretly drowsy.
There were several amusing episodes during the shoot. Because I held a red flag the entire time, a few passing kids mistook me for a real traffic volunteer and ran over asking if I could stop the cars ahead, leaving me momentarily at a loss for how to explain. Later in the afternoon as crowds swelled, the blurred pedestrians and traffic cones in the background actually became the best environmental elements, lending authentic on-site atmosphere. A personal favorite of mine is the shot sitting on the suitcase: one hand pointing outward with the flag while the other gently opens, weight resting on the left foot with the right heel lightly tapping the ground—fluid, expansive, and natural. The low-angle upward shot while kneeling on the ground also turned out striking, with the tights showing delicate texture under natural light, and the contrast between the white gloves and skirt hem guiding visual focus right onto the face and high heels.
The entire shoot lasted about two hours, during which I touched up lipstick and setting powder several times since outdoor breezes occasionally tousled my bangs. Yet this hairstyle is remarkably well-suited for casual outings, regaining fluffiness with just a quick brush of the fingers. The red geometric hairband and little white star clips stayed firmly secured, never loosening even while running and jumping with the camera, which is a huge credit to the prop maker's care.
As for that flag, I initially thought it was just a lightweight photo prop, but holding it revealed that the wooden pole carried noticeable weight. Waving it required wrist control to prevent it from looking crooked on camera. I practiced authentic guiding motions several times—extending my arm straight and facing the flag surface toward the lens to amplify dynamic energy. Though we only took static photos this time, recording the flag-waving process for short videos in the future would be fantastic.
The sturdy fabric of the uniform blocked early autumn breezes nicely, and the black color absorbed heat so I didn't feel cold under daytime sunshine. Moving across several photo spots in high heels left my ankles slightly sore, but for the final results, every bit of effort was worthwhile. The lighting shifted frequently today as passing clouds dimmed the scene, requiring the photographer to adjust settings repeatedly to maintain skin translucency. Post-processing avoided heavy retouching, keeping genuine textures and details intact.
The greatest joy of cosplay is that moment you don the character's attire and take up their props—your entire aura shifts with it. While Kasuga Tsubaki is nominally a tour guide responsible for directions, her earnest yet delightfully dazed personality compelled me to weave little micro-expressions and mannerisms into poses. Tucking the red flag under my arm with hands on knees staring blankly at the lens, or turning sideways to rest a cheek on one hand—these unscripted moments carried far more resonance than standard rigid stances.
Capturing these Convention photos smoothly around the event venue owes much to my partner's patient guidance and the helpers on site managing the crowd and holding reflectors. Beyond this classic uniform and red flag setup, I've prepared an alternative casual outfit to shoot another vibe next time. After sorting these photos, I'll pick the most natural shots for profile avatars and wallpapers, treasuring the raw files as a cherished milestone in my cosplay journey.