“Just by looking, they seem like my fans.”

They could be weirdos pretending to be my fans, but I didn’t think so many crazy people would stay up all night holding an item that barely works for warmth.

Seeing photos taken from another angle, the line was even longer—I was left speechless.

“You know, if they waited that long and you’re not there when they arrive, they’ll be really disappointed. If they stubbornly wait until they see your face, the turnover rate will drop. So hurry up and get ready.”

“Yeah, I think there are more people here who came to see Yi-shin in person than those who just want the chocolate.”

Even if it was Hwang Ji-ho saying that, it was one thing—but when Kim Yuri said it like that, I was at a loss for words.

I had no choice but to prepare in advance as they told me.

Among the classmates, I was the first to wear this costume.

‘So I end up wearing this after all. It looks a bit flashier than it did on screen.’

For this festival, our class planned to run a tea house with various concepts, so there were several costumes prepared.

The first outfit was from the PlayerZ in-game paid costume item series called the Star Avatar.

The outfit, inspired by stars, was released with slight variations for each profession, and this was a real-life reproduction.

Ong Gildong was responsible for making it, but it was made with permission from SZ Stars, the company in charge of PlayerZ development, operation, and distribution.

‘It’s common to wear costumes from games or animations at school festivals to attract customers or run booths. Besides, since we’re donating all profits, they had no reason to refuse. Still, the permission came fast.’

When the idea to wear the Star Avatar costume came up, the class president Kim Yuri asked SZ Stars as the representative. They apparently asked what concept the tea house would have.

The idea to wear the costumes came from Song Daeseok’s satellite-themed tea house.

Since there was a satellite in the sky, it related to stars, and wearing a spacesuit as a theme was considered a bit much. They felt the tea house would be too plain with just that theme, so they strongly suggested adding other elements.

So Kim Yuri explained that it was a satellite-themed tea house, but since it was a completely unrelated concept to PlayerZ, she was prepared for a refusal.

But the result was unexpected.

SZ Stars gladly gave permission and even sent the modeling files of the Star Avatar series for reference in making the costumes.

‘Maybe it’s because In Seon-oh is in our class? Anyway, it’s a good thing. So many people came because of it.’

When our class’s tea house schedule was announced, the reaction to the satellite promotion theme wasn’t great.

But the news that the classmates would wear the Star Avatar series costumes was met with great enthusiasm.

Especially In Seon-oh’s fans were delighted that Danggeommi would wear the Star Avatar in real life.

In Seon-oh didn’t seem interested in decorating her own character, or maybe she aimed to deeply embed a specific image, as she always wore only the robe stamped with a spider emblem.

Even though the characters in the game didn’t wear that, and it was a real player wearing it, everyone still liked it.

...And judging by the situation outside the school gate, it seemed like my fans were really looking forward to seeing me dressed as a bard.

“Yi-shin, it suits you so well.”

“That avatar was our choice too! Of course it suits you!” 𝒇𝓻𝓮𝓮𝙬𝙚𝒃𝒏𝓸𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝓬𝓸𝒎

Hani, dressed as a cleric, and Sawol Seyum, wearing a wind sorcerer costume, welcomed me.

Hani’s outfit was arranged to feel like a Taehokwondo uniform, and Sawol Seyum’s was made of lightweight fabric that fluttered well in the wind; both looked very fitting.

On the other hand, Song Daeseok, wearing the astronomer avatar costume, looked very out of place.

“Ugh, I revised it several times... /N_o_v_e_l_i_g_h_t/ but it really doesn’t suit me.”

“This isn’t the partner’s fault! Look at him! He always looks at satellites, and his build is huge. There’s no way an astronomer costume would suit him!”

Ong Gildong and Guseulbi, dressed as a magician and a forest guardian respectively, openly sighed looking at Song Daeseok.

Though Song Daeseok took a different path than Song Manseok, his appearance was growing more and more bulky.

So when choosing the star avatar costumes, everyone recommended he pick a different profession, but he insisted that astronomer suits the satellite theme best, so he ended up wearing a long outfit that didn’t suit him at all.

Even Mingrin, who wore a painter’s costume that suited her perfectly, couldn’t defend him.

“...But since the others all look good, it should be fine! Everyone will look the other way for Daeseok!”

Just as Mingrin said, the others looked quite fitting.

The flashiest avatar was Dokgo Miro as the singer, Mok U-ram wore a simple but work-appropriate carpenter outfit, and Kwon Rena looked somewhat formal yet similar to a bard.

Also, although I hate to admit it, the White Tiger wearing a greatsword warrior outfit looked pretty good too.

“Jo Yi-shin, don’t give White Tiger any leeway.”

White Tiger chuckled, and merchant Hwang Ji-ho frowned.

As the highest-earning profession, the merchant wore a star avatar costume with golden trim, and Hwang Ji-ho liked the golden color and chose that profession.

“Wow, the design feels really different when you actually wear it.”

“Luckily, I couldn’t give up the swordsman.”

Kim Yuri and Jin Jeongmuk both wore swordsman costumes.

Although the profession was the same, the male and female versions differed slightly in design, so both just chose the swordsman.

If you consider similar designs, the barehanded fighter Maeng Hyo-don and the cleric Hani looked more alike.

Since both costumes gave the impression of fighting with fists, the outfits themselves were simple and had few distinct features.

‘The bard costume looks uncomfortable compared to others, but it’s surprisingly comfortable. Ong Gildong really paid attention making it.’

Although the cape looked cumbersome, it was warm and comfortable when worn.

Looking at the designs, the most inconvenient to move in were probably astronomer Song Daeseok and combat monk In Seon-oh.

In Seon-oh wanted to wear the hood attached to the costume, but Ong Gildong and Guseulbi stopped her.

They said that since it was a rare chance to wear noticeable costumes, she should show her face and boost her reputation.

Among us, excluding the Jins, In Seon-oh probably had the highest worldwide recognition, so there was no need to hide her face.

“Guys! We’re about to start the countdown to the festival. Let’s watch together!”

Kim Yuri spoke while projecting a hologram on the central stage of the tea house.

That stage was scheduled for performances at set times, but during off-times, videos would be displayed like that.

“Did we do a countdown before the start last year?”

“I don’t think so...”

“I guess they want to this year. The weather’s less cold, so everyone’s more energized. Ah, even if it was colder, Yi-shin’s fans would have lined up like that anyway!”

The broadcast and newspaper clubs, along with the student council, were cooperating to relay footage of the school gate and central area.

Eungwang High had four gates: east, west, south, and north, but today only the west gate was open for entrance control and verification by the student council.

‘Seeing so many people waiting at the west gate, MITRON and Daltohki Dduk tea house sales must have increased a lot.’

I was relatively calm, but the situation outside the gate was not.

There was tension between those lined up like they were going into battle and the student council members.

Without being told, when the entrance time came, they all started shouting numbers together.

When it hit zero, orderly chaos broke loose.

Everyone who had been standing quietly in line started running toward the central area as soon as their tickets were checked.

Seeing the crowd running, a student council officer warned them:

[“Don’t run! Ah, I said don’t run! If you run, you’ll be temporarily expelled!”]

[“Yes, if you get caught running, you have to start over at the gate!”]

[“Don’t use abilities! Ah, the president of the Guild is here...!”]

Visitors were banned from using personal vehicles like airboards.

Of course, electric wheelchairs were allowed, but healthy people had to take the air shuttle or walk during the festival.

Some impatient folks tried to cover the long distance on foot instead of waiting for the shuttle.

Some crazy ones interpreted the warnings of “if you run, you get caught and sent back” as “if you don’t get caught, you can just go!” and started playing tag, only to get caught and sent back to the main gate.

‘Everyone’s so impatient...’

While waiting in front of the tea house, I was thinking that when White Tiger unnecessarily added:

“...That’s what Jo Yi-shin is thinking.”

“Yi-shin, it’s natural that so many people are flocking here. Our whole class only gathers like this at the start and end, right? Who’d want to miss this!”

Sawol Seyum, floating in the air and watching the incoming crowd, spoke bluntly.

She was right; it was rare for the entire second-year class zero to gather.

Some had club activities, others had plans or just wanted to enjoy the festival.

So if you wanted to see the famous players in our class, the only answer was to do an open-run.

No one knew when the last time would be or how to line up properly.

Besides, the homeroom teacher and assistant were also here at this time.

“Wow, so many are coming. If Jun-yeol hadn’t decided on his guests in advance, maybe this many would have come.”

“...Jun-yeol’s class has Cheondongha and another player too. There will be a crowd.”

For this Star Avatar series, even teacher Ham Geun-hyung and Yong Je-geon decided to wear them.

The Ch’angcheon Archery Guild only has archers, so it was quickly decided unanimously.

The problem was with Yong Je-geon.

Most suggested just throwing on whatever, but he chose the magic swordmaster.

Since he chose the same profession as Yeom Jun-yeol, it gave people a heart-wrenching feeling.

‘Some people must come to see those two. Where else would you see them dressed like that?’

Teacher Ham Geun-hyung didn’t refuse since it was a charity event, and before anyone spoke to Yong Je-geon, he had already come.

And finally, we received our first guests.

None of the first arrivals had pulled an all-nighter to run the open-run.

“Yi-shin hyung, we’re here. You look great.”

“Hello! Wow, that’s really the Star Avatar!”

“I-I want to take a photo...”

The first guests were first-year zero class juniors in uniform.

At the forefront, Eunho politely smiled and restrained the kids trying to take pictures.

“We’ll start by buying the Supernova Chocolates. Do you call it ‘cho-cho’? Or sometimes just ‘chyo’? Anyway, we want to buy as many chocolates as there are classmates.”

The kind juniors’ eyes turned toward me.

Luckily, I was holding the basket of chocolates.

Looks like I’ll be selling chocolates for a while.