Our Chiya & Sharo tea party group photoshoot is finally here! I'm 海苔梦女 (Nori Mengnu), portraying Ujimatsu Chiya for this project, partnered with momo as Kirima Sharo cosplay. Trying on the costume was a delightful surprise: the vest featured solid black piping and polished metal buckles that, paired with the crisp white blouse and dark floor-length skirt, nailed the authentic uniform aesthetic. To embody Chiya even more faithfully, I prepared a black prop notebook embossed with 'Menu' to spark interactive moments on set.
The set dressing on shooting day was crafted with incredible care. The plush rabbit dolls scattered across the background, cascading wisteria vines, and whimsical mushroom ornaments instantly brought the tea party atmosphere to life. Momo and I explored numerous interactions before the camera—presenting cupcakes and teacups balanced across trays, or leaning against the tea counter with welcoming gestures toward the audience. Momo wore White stockings, playfully lifting one leg as directed by the photographers to infuse the frame with spirited vivacity. Because of the deep bond shared between our characters, we focused heavily on eye contact and natural blocking to avoid looking stiffly staged. For instance, when I struck a cafe salute pose, she spontaneously held onto my arm—subtle organic touches conceived in the moment.
Our photography team—Miao Dan, Sha Wu, and cinno—were fantastic at directing emotional nuances. Facing the lens, I aimed to embody Chiya's hallmark gentle composure, holding sweet treats or the cafe menu as if genuinely hosting guests at the confectionery shop. With every shutter release, balancing tranquil serenity with lively character charm was essential. Shooting on location was physically demanding, especially steadying a loaded tray of ceramic teacups and pastries while keeping facial expressions relaxed. Reviewing the selects, the light-and-shadow texture and color fidelity turned out wonderfully, with green and yellow color blocks harmonizing cleanly across the palette.
The entire shoot felt like stepping into an effortless slice-of-life episode. Bringing this group project together required extensive pre-production coordination covering garment tailoring, prop sourcing, and studio scouting. Seeing the cozy tea party warmth immortalized in the photos made every ounce of preparation deeply rewarding. Cosplay is fundamentally about giving physical form to 2D narratives, and capturing this serene, heartwarming tea party was an immensely fulfilling creative journey. Momo was also constantly fine-tuning her White stockings and skirt hem on set to maximize elegance in every frame. The finished collection preserves that organic everyday bond between the characters without forced exaggeration, quietly freezing their companionship in time.