Deciding to do this Kyoyama Kazusa cosplay was actually a spontaneous idea, but seeing the final photos made me realize how great it turned out. I've always wanted to try characters with a sporty yet casual daily vibe, so the relaxed yet playful design of the After-School Sweets Club hit my exact preferences. The wig is a dark blue-grey short straight cut, matched with pink contact lenses and tone-on-tone eye makeup. The cat ears are the soul of this look—their clever design attaching to the hoodie hat allows them to be worn alone or over the hood, switching back and forth depending on poses to add plenty of fun to the shoot. The bright pink bow tie around the neck serves as the visual centerpiece, creating a refreshing color contrast against the black-and-white sports jacket and short skirt.
Today's set arrangement was very simple, consisting of a typical student desk and chair set. White studio lighting rigorously tests makeup texture, so I deliberately opted for a matte finish to prevent harsh glare. The focus of the photoshoot lay in varying postures and gaze expressions. For instance, sitting on the chair with legs dangling slightly, or perching on the edge of the desk with the signature prop rifle resting across my lap. These seemingly casual, slightly lazy gestures perfectly capture her easygoing vibe—that 'called a cute cat but actually super reliable' essence. Handling the prop firearm required controlling hand tension, while holding up the cardboard puppet called for a light touch; balancing these subtle contrasts required constant fine-tuning throughout the session.
In this entire ensemble, the texture of the Black pantyhose was a major point of focus for many. To achieve realistic visual performance, I tried classic opaque Black pantyhose, which paired with taking off my shoes to tread barefoot on the chair seat or floor, effectively elongating leg lines. The pink, white, and green color-blocked sneakers placed beneath the desk visually echoed the bright pink bowtie, maintaining great color harmony throughout. This pure white studio setup shifted the challenge onto highlighting clothing and prop textures; since Black pantyhose can easily generate specular reflections under harsh light, the photographer used soft side-backlighting. This preserved outfit silhouettes while ensuring the texture of the stockings on my legs showed crisp and clear.
The cardboard puppet in hand and the black-and-red assault rifle prop are also major highlights. Despite holding a gun, the overall aura leans heavily toward everyday life. During Cosplay photography, I deliberately used the cardboard puppet to partially mask my face, conveying a playful, cheeky mood. Meanwhile, combining the hood, cat ears, and firearms added rich structural layers so the framing didn't feel monotonous. Many view cosplay as merely changing clothes, but I've always believed that through makeup, styling, and specific prop placement, we bring a character from 2D into 3D life, creating a conviction of real existence. To me, capturing a character isn't just about putting on the outfit—it's about seizing that subtle blend of cute and cool through micro-expressions and body language.
Although this shoot was brief, the resulting atmosphere matched my vision of the Sweets Club's Cat-eared girl perfectly. This set didn't rely on overly complex emotional drama; it was simply sitting at a school desk, showcasing a cozy, relaxed side of everyday life. Guided by authentic props, returning to the core of the character creates a far deeper sense of immersion. I hope this casual, school-life style lets everyone feel the unique charm of this character.