Cosplaying as Human Again Today

Qiao Ji'an is a cosplayer, a legendary one who lives in people's stories and can look exactly like whoever he cosplays. Unfortunately, this big shot doesn't like people posting unedited photos of him online. He only allows them to post pictures he's edited himself.

Everyone understands. He's a perfectionist! That's normal!

What they don't know is this:

After carefully Photoshopping away an extra eyeball that had accidentally appeared, Qiao Ji'an wiped the sweat from his brow and carefully checked the photo again with all fourteen eyes.

No extra bone spurs, no deformities, no tentacles sticking out, no arms or legs attached backward, no second mouth...

Phew. Qiao Ji'an breathed a sigh of relief, then happily posted the photo.

Amazing! Today's mission to cosplay as a human was a success!

Qiao Ji'an isn't human. That's not an insult, just an objective fact. His true form is a mass of dark green sludge with fourteen eyeballs, tentacles that sometimes get out of control, and three gaping mouths capable of swallowing a person whole.

According to certain extraordinary investigators, his name is Shoggoth, a dangerous mythological creature capable of changing into all kinds of forms.

But Qiao Ji'an clearly isn't an ordinary Shoggoth. Not only does he like humans, he also uses his species' natural talents to cosplay.

Just as he was having the time of his life cosplaying a human so flawlessly, the Shoggoth looked up at a convention one day and met the gaze of an Elder Sign.

Qiao Ji'an stared blankly. "...Ah."

The person across from him was probably an investigator cosplayer. "...Ah."

After a long, indescribable silence, the two extraordinary individuals stared at each other for a while, then pulled out their phones in unison and performed the otaku ritual of exchanging contacts.

"Um, want to add each other?"

Jiang Shi never imagined that the first time his otaku identity would be exposed, it wouldn't be because an investigator colleague saw his figurine collection, or because he'd gone full shut-in after a sudden bout of madness. It would happen at a convention, where he'd run into a Sho-ggoth.

As an investigator, he should eliminate it. But as an otaku...

"Please cosplay this obscure anime with me! I'm begging you!"

Who could say no to a cosplay buddy who could change their face?

Until one day, in a moment of crisis, Jiang Shi instinctively called out the Shoggoth's name. The swamp churned, and the savage monster shielded the humans behind it.

After seeing the Shoggoth's true form, Jiang Shi had the rotten luck to fall into a state of temporary madness. So, to the stunned stares of his teammates, Jiang Shi hugged Qiao Ji'an, who had turned back into human form, and kissed him over and over like an enormous dog.

As I said, who could say no to a wife who could change her face?

- An unconventional Cthulhu Mythos story. Most of the plot takes place in otaku circles.

- The love interest's true form isn't very attractive (he is a Shoggoth, after all).

- I'm not a very good cosplayer, so please point out any problems. Thanks!

Theme: Pursuing the things you love