[Ai Hayasaka cosplay] Senpai mode from Kaguya-sama: Love Is War

Sharing an Ai Hayasaka cosplay set featuring her Senpai mode from Kaguya-sama: Love Is War.

Wearing Black-rimmed glasses this time, the overall look leans into her disguised school persona. For the wig, I specifically chose a fluffy-textured blonde side twin-tail; the root volume held up well, and the blue bow hair accessory framed the face nicely. The outfit features the classic white shirt paired with a black V-neck pinafore dress, rolling the sleeves up to the elbows for a crisp, capable look. A beige knit cardigan tied around the waist added layered texture—a staple styling choice in Ai Hayasaka's casual rotation. To echo the hair ornament, the nails were painted bright blue; though a small touch, it offered a neat highlight during hand-gesture shots. The lower half features a black pleated skirt with knee-high Stockings and dark brown loafers, creating a textbook Japanese campus aesthetic.

The gear used for this shoot was the Sony A7C2 paired with the Tamron 28-75mm G2 lens. This focal range is extremely versatile, excelling at both full-body and medium close-ups with more than enough sharpness. Outdoor natural light served as the finest filter. The first photo, seated on a metal-legged wooden chair, aimed to capture a relaxed state; crossing the legs accentuated the leg lines and the texture of the stockings. When shooting this, leaning slightly forward without slouching against the chair back kept the spine upright and poised. The jumping pose in the second photo took multiple takes; the photographer anticipated the movement and utilized the A7C2's autofocus tracking to freeze the mid-air leap with intense dynamic motion. Holding a blue gym bag added a natural touch of student daily life. In the third shot, squatting down to adjust the backpack while wearing a headset conveyed the tension of pre-mission prep, keeping facial expressions cool and composed. The fourth photo made use of dappled sunlight filtering through tree leaves onto a solid wall; the gesture of pushing up the glasses with both hands is an iconic hallmark of her Senpai mode, where that faintly scrutinizing gaze required sharp focus toward the lens.

When portraying Ai Hayasaka, the greatest realization is avoiding overly exaggerated expressions. She remains calm and emotionally reserved most of the time, carrying an understated slyness and quiet resignation. Thus, in Photos 1 and 3, I kept my gaze indifferent without trying to charm the camera. Although the jump in Photo 2 was lively, it didn't lean into bubbly innocence, maintaining an effortless, composed agility instead. The headset in Photo 3 was a fantastic prop; touching the mic naturally summoned the vibe of covert surveillance. Even though this was an independent creative project, every step demanded dedication—from wig trimming and styling to on-site collaboration with the photographer.

The outdoor weather was rather hot, but thankfully there were shaded spots around the shooting area. Changing outfits and touching up makeup were handled nearby; wearing black knee-high stockings for hours did feel a bit stuffy, but seeing the final output made it completely worthwhile. Working together with the photographer to convey Ai Hayasaka's multifaceted charm through still photography was a delightful creative collaboration. Her appeal lies precisely in this versatility—maid, senpai, covert operative—with each persona leaving a lasting impression.