[Kasugano Sora cosplay] School-Style Underclassman Outside the CICF Convention

For this outdoor shoot outside the CICF convention, I cosplayed Kasugano Sora in a school style look. The entire ensemble follows an everyday academic aesthetic: a light beige long-sleeved shirt on top, fastened at the collar with a hand-tied brown-and-white plaid ribbon. The bottom features a matching brown-and-white plaid pleated skirt with firmly pressed pleats that drape with rich movement as I walk. To capture the character's signature traits, I put on a silver-white long Twintails wig, accented on top with two black hairpins. On my feet are black platform Mary Jane shoes paired with sheer black Stockings, giving the styling both studious charm and a touch of vintage flair.

For a prop, I chose a deep brown vintage briefcase; its proportions were just right, feeling substantial in hand. For makeup, the base was kept sheer and matte, using soft brown tones for the eye shadow with subtly elongated eyeliner, which, paired with light-toned contact lenses, rendered a gentle, soft gaze. The lips featured a natural rose-nude shade, keeping the overall makeup light to seamlessly fit an everyday schoolgirl setting.

The shooting location was the plaza right outside the convention center. The backdrop featured modern blue glass curtain wall architecture, red pillar accents on the left, and flower beds brimming with purple globe-shaped flowers. In the first shot, I took a standing pose with one leg slightly lifted, holding the briefcase with both hands as my long hair drifted in the wind. This required core balance, and the photographer took several burst shots to capture the most natural hair movement. In the second shot, I sat on the stone ledge of the planter with legs crossed, resting one hand lightly against my cheek. This seated posture made controlling facial expressions much easier while nicely accentuating the pleats of the skirt and the leg silhouette. Feeling that this shot embodied the character's aura best, I chose it as the cover image.

During the actual shoot, outdoor foot traffic was heavy, so we often had to wait for passersby to clear or tweak camera angles to frame out crowds. The long twintails were prone to getting ruffled by the wind, so an assistant constantly helped smooth them down. We also had to monitor the sunlight carefully; overly harsh light creates hard shadows on the face, while dim light flattens the frame. We stayed near the edge of building shadows as much as possible, utilizing diffused ambient light to keep facial features and outfit textures clear.

Cosplaying this school uniform fulfilled a long-held wish for an everyday slice-of-life look. It didn't need elaborate special effects; the emphasis was purely on costume textures and character presence. From selecting the garments and accessories to directing on-set poses, I managed every step myself. I hope the final photos allow everyone to feel the charm of this character.