[Maki Nishikino cosplay] Rainy night stage memories with Nico Yazawa

The rain at Guangzhou APF 2026 certainly added a unique touch to this live performance. Experiencing a rainy live show on the lawn for the first time was quite refreshing. Having heard for a long time about the vibrant wotagei and energetic groove of South China events, I finally stood on stage myself to experience it firsthand. Missing the event last year due to an internship in Beijing was such a regret, but I finally fulfilled that wish this time. When leaving, the weather seemed fine, but rain started pouring in the middle of the night; thankfully, the audience's burning enthusiasm was never dampened by the rain. The Fox-Cat Duo towel I bought yesterday was an absolute lifesaver—wrapped perfectly around the camera, keeping the gear safe and sound.

Performing as Maki and Nico with my partner this time, we fine-tuned everything from costumes to on-stage presence to our most satisfied state. This idol stage outfit paired with White stockings and white ankle boots looked stunning under the stage lights. We spent hours backstage synchronizing choreography and blocking, even calibrating our breathing rhythm just to present our best condition on stage. The bickering interaction in Photo 4 was actually an intentional playful skit we designed, but seeing people screenshot it and joke about 'internal band drama' had me dying of laughter. Also, Shiguang asked me to tell Xiaye: please, let's not dance Chaos Boogie next time, the stamina drain was way too intense!

The stage schedule was packed, including a collaboration with Gu Tu. It felt like the Fox-Cat Duo thought yesterday's workout wasn't enough, so they dragged our guests from afar to sprint through Zensoku Dreamer together. The thrill of running full-tilt and sweating it out on stage was intoxicating; everyone kept their movement power and facial expressions sharp throughout. Even though the lawn was slippery from the rain, we firmly anchored every weight shift and limb extension. The final pose was so striking that even reviewing the photos afterward, the stage tension felt totally maxed out.

Speaking of which, Maki and Nico looked so gorgeous this time, such a feast for the eyes. From makeup refinements to micro-expressions on stage—knowing when to catch the camera, when to angle sideways, and how to use the microphone and hand gestures to guide the audience's gaze—every detail was polished repeatedly during rehearsals. Huge thanks to my partner for the seamless chemistry, and heartfelt gratitude to every audience member holding umbrellas or wearing raincoats to cheer us on. Your eyes and cheers were the greatest anchor for this rainy night stage.

I actually managed to finish editing the photos before going to bed tonight, and after waking up, I'm heading out to see Kaguya-hime. Looking back over these frozen frames while retouching, it felt as though I was transported right back to that lawn night filled with music and rain. From the opening chord to the final freeze-frame, leaving these moments on the stage of Guangzhou llo APF 2026 was truly worth it. The stage will always hold boundless charm, and I look forward to sharing joyful performances with everyone again next time, whether in a convention hall or out on the grass.