A whirlwind four-day convention itinerary: makeup in the morning, on-site appearances in the afternoon, and costume changes for signing sessions in the evening, seamlessly cycling through distinct looks across the holiday. Covering the May Day break—from Tianyuanji on day one, Aemeath on day two, The Shorekeeper on day three, to Formidable on day four, plus other looks in between—meant waking up at 5 or 6 AM for hair and makeup and returning to the hotel around midnight each night. Such intense pacing was physically taxing, especially while feeling unwell recently; pushing through came down purely to sheer perseverance. I am deeply grateful to the fans: noticing I was under the weather, many showed immense concern, and some even brought medicine and drinks backstage. Truly, that warmth was more comforting than any tonic. Exhausting as the high tempo was, seeing your enthusiasm made every bit worthwhile. Guangzhou Firefly ACG Expo was vast with heavy foot traffic, making spending the holiday with everyone unforgettable.
Cosplay goes far beyond putting on an outfit and posing. Every step demands dedication—from wig trimming and setting spray to adapting posture and expressions to character traits and fabric textures. The pink-and-white lace dress was sweltering in the summer heat, but endured for fidelity; the blue-and-white veil styling took extensive pinning to maintain an airy drape. As a cosplayer, I hope attention centers on the characters brought to life rather than personal hardships. Still, working through illness was a lesson learned—I pushed too hard and need to pace my stamina better, since health comes first. Attendees should also hydrate and mind the temperature swings between air-conditioned halls and outdoor heat. Completing this intense four-day run tested physical endurance and focus, but receiving love for every look—sweet pinks, sharp blacks, or classic whites—deepened my connection to cosplay. Health matters above all; thank you to every fan who checked in on me. Wishing everyone a happy May Day and lasting good health!