《Angel in Disguise》


 Chapter 1

    Ryden wasn''t particularly a fan of romance novels, but the moment he saw the cover of Locked Out of Heaven, he couldn''t resist buying the entire series. The reason? The woman on the cover of each book.


    The plot of the novel was predictable and overly sentimental, but Ryden read all three books in a month. He wasn''t exactly enjoying the story, but if he was going to follow the mystery of the woman on the cover, he figured he might as well know the content of the books. Besides, it was the only way he could hold a conversation when he eventually met her.


    So, Ryden found himself scouring the internet, trying to piece together her identity. The whole thing felt a bit creepy, but his curiosity was gnawing at him. Maybe if he could find her, attend one of her events, and get a book signed, the mystery would finally be solved.


    After some digging, he found a lead. The author''s Instagram tagged a profile¡ª@angel777. Her name was Angel. The account featured more photos of her modeling work, showcasing a striking beauty. With round, dark brown eyes, a small, delicate face, and full lips, Angel''s features captivated Ryden all over again.


    But what really stopped him in his tracks was the revelation that Angel was attending a local anime convention. It turned out she also did cosplay modeling. Without thinking twice, Ryden immediately bought a ticket¡ªnot only for the convention but also for the meet-and-greet with Angel. Saturday would be perfect¡ªno work, a chance to meet Angel, and, most importantly, have his books signed. In that moment, Ryden fully embraced his new role as a devoted fan.


    Saturday arrived, and Ryden found himself overwhelmed by the chaotic buzz of the convention. He wasn''t exactly a "nerdy" person¡ªever since finishing university and diving headfirst into his job, his hobbies had all but vanished. But when he spotted the book with Angel''s face on the cover, something inside him reignited. Maybe he had been too consumed by work. Maybe it was time to find a balance again.


    He wandered through the various stalls filled with artwork, feeling the old spark of inspiration. The vibrant colors and animated characters reminded him of a time when he used to enjoy reading more¡ªmixing novels with comics and manga.


    When he finally made his way to Angel''s booth, his heart raced. The booth was covered with posters of her in various cosplay outfits, and a photobook was for sale. Without a second thought, Ryden decided he''d buy one. He was already in line, and there were still thirty minutes before she would arrive. His anticipation grew.


    He overheard some excited chatter from the fans around him: "She''s going to be Miku today, right?" "I can''t wait to meet her in person and get a selfie!"A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Suddenly, the nerves hit. The gravity of the moment started to settle in. He was about to meet the woman who had captured his attention with nothing more than her image on a book cover. Ryden pulled out his phone and checked his hair. He looked decent, though a little tired. His outfit¡ªa plain black t-shirt paired with dark jeans and trainers¡ªwas casual, but it worked. He didn''t want to come off as a creep. He shifted uncomfortably, wondering if he should ask for a selfie or just stick to getting an autograph. His heart was beating faster.


    The crowd''s whispers grew louder, and Ryden looked up, finally catching a glimpse of her. A girl with long, twin-tailed green hair appeared. "Oh my god, she''s here!"


    Ryden gulped. He couldn''t see her clearly just yet, but the line was finally moving. This was it. He was about to meet Angel.


    When it was his turn, he took a deep breath and approached the booth. He pulled out his books and asked, "Would it be okay if you signed my books?"


    One of the staff members took the books and handed them to Angel, who had been silent up until now. She smiled warmly and nodded at him. As she signed his books, Ryden hesitated for a moment, then asked if he could buy the photobook.


    "Thank you," Angel murmured softly. Her voice was delicate, almost shy, and her words felt like a whisper. She signed the photobook without him having to ask.


    "Would you like me to take a photo?" one of the staff members asked.


    "Um, yeah, sure." Ryden awkwardly put his hands behind his back, forcing a smile. He wasn''t sure who Angel was cosplaying as, and the thought of posing for a photo in front of her made him nervous.


    The staff member handed his phone back to him, and Ryden muttered a quiet thanks before quickly leaving the booth.


    As he looked at the photo, he couldn''t help but laugh at how awkward he looked. But Angel? She looked flawless. Her eyes were so captivating, almost hypnotic. Ryden sighed in relief. It had been a spontaneous decision, but it was worth it. He never thought of himself as a fanboy¡ªuntil now.


    Having this new interest outside of his work felt oddly refreshing. Maybe this would motivate him to regain balance in his life. He''d support Angel, and perhaps, if he became more involved in the world she loved, he could make her his role model.


    The rest of the day, Ryden lingered near Angel''s booth, observing her interactions with fans. She was quiet, but it was clear she appreciated every person who came to see her. Ryden found himself respecting her more, not just as a model, but as a person.


    After some time, he decided he''d had enough. He didn''t want to cross the line into creepy territory. He exited the convention center and went to a nearby coffee shop to unwind before dinner.


    He checked Angel''s Instagram. Aside from professional photoshoots and occasional advertisements, Angel didn''t post much about her personal life. Today, she shared a story thanking everyone who came to meet her at the convention.


    Ryden sipped his coffee, finished his pastry, and closed the app. It had been an eventful day, and he felt like he''d finally gotten the closure he needed. For now, it was time to go home and reflect on the unexpected journey he had just embarked on.

 Chapter 2

    Gabriel wasn''t having a good time.


    He had caught a nasty cold after attending the convention, as usual. It always seemed to happen when he was around large crowds. His body ached, his energy was drained, and getting up to even make food felt impossible. Worse, the doorbell rang just as he was starting to drift into a feverish haze. He had ordered takeout, but now he could barely muster the strength to answer the door.


    "Just leave it in front of the door," he called weakly, hoping the delivery person would leave without further hassle. The ringing stopped, and Gabriel sighed in relief. But just a few moments later, a knock echoed through his apartment.


    Gabriel groaned. Who could it be? It was Sunday, and he wasn''t expecting anyone.


    "Are you okay in there?" a voice called from outside. "I called the landlord. We''re worried you might''ve had an accident."


    Gabriel tried to clear his throat but could only manage a soft, hoarse squeak in response.


    "We''re opening the door now."


    Before he could protest, the door creaked open, and in walked his landlord, Miss Samantha, followed by a man with short brown hair and sharp green eyes. He had entered cautiously, scanning the room as if he were a guest at a crime scene. "Sorry for intruding," he said, looking a little uncomfortable.


    "It''s okay," Gabriel whispered, barely able to speak. Samantha entered with a glass of water and some medicine. She was used to Gabriel being sick; it wasn''t the first time. "Thanks, Miss Samantha, and..." Gabriel trailed off, glancing at the stranger.


    "Uh, Ryden," the man offered with a small smile.


    Gabriel nodded weakly. His modeling and cosplay gigs typically drained him, and by Sunday, he''d often crash in his apartment to recover. Today, it seemed, was no different.


    "You can leave everything on the table," he managed, coughing again.


    Ryden hesitated. "Are you sure?" His voice was soft but filled with genuine concern.


    "Yes." Gabriel sat up slowly, gesturing to the sparse room around him. "I''m used to this." His apartment, though neat, was devoid of personal touches¡ªjust the bare essentials. Most of his things were at his sister''s house. He had rented this place to create some distance between his real self, Gabriel, and his public persona, Angel. Being Angel had its perks¡ªhis sister had suggested he start modeling as a woman, and he didn''t hate it. In fact, he enjoyed the cosplay and the paycheck that came with it. But it also meant hiding his real identity from the world.This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    After a brief pause, Ryden and Samantha left, leaving Gabriel to rest. His apartment was mostly silent, aside from the hum of the refrigerator and the occasional cough escaping his lips. He took the medicine, ate his takeout, and sank back into his bed. This was his life¡ªsick, isolated, and craving simplicity. He just wanted to scroll through his phone, play video games, and eat takeout without worrying about his appearance. But his job required him to stay fit, and that nagging pressure was always there.


    Two days later, Gabriel felt better. It was early morning, and for the first time in days, he felt energized enough to leave his apartment. He grabbed his keys, phone, and wallet and headed out the door, ready for some fresh air and a proper breakfast at the nearby coffee shop.


    As he walked in, his eyes landed on a familiar face sitting by the window. Brown hair, a black suit, and a red tie¡ªit was Ryden. Gabriel remembered him from Sunday. Ryden had helped him out, along with Miss Samantha.


    "Hey, man, remember me?" Gabriel asked, smiling as he approached.


    Ryden looked up from his book, blinking in surprise. "Huh? Oh, you''re one of my neighbors, right? I didn''t catch your name, though."


    "Gabriel. Nice to meet you properly this time," Gabriel replied, offering him an extra pain au chocolat he had bought. "Here, take this as my thanks."


    "Thanks." Ryden took the pastry, still looking a little surprised. "I have to leave for work soon." He finished the pastry in a few quick bites, wiping his mouth with a tissue. "Sorry, I''ve got to run. But I hope we can talk again sometime?"


    Gabriel stood up, his mind racing. He was taller than Ryden by a few inches, and the realization felt oddly comforting. "Of course," he said, his voice warm. "I''m not gonna repay you with just a pastry."


    They waved each other off, and Gabriel sat back down to finish his breakfast. The exchange left him feeling lighter than he had in days. Gabriel was bubbly, in stark contrast to the quiet and withdrawn character he portrayed as Angel.


    But he wanted to repay Ryden properly. A pastry wasn''t enough. The problem was, he didn''t know much about Ryden. The only clue he had was the romance novel he''d been reading. Gifting a book felt tricky, though. What if it wasn''t the right one?


    An idea popped into his head. He pulled out his phone and called his sister. "Hey, sis. Do you know any shops that sell fancy ties?"


    She groaned on the other end. "Isn''t it too early for this? And why do you need a tie?"


    Gabriel quickly explained the situation, and his sister laughed. "Ah, I get it now. There''s a shop in the city center that specializes in menswear. It''s only a few bus stops away."


    Perfect. Gabriel could kill two birds with one stone¡ªget Ryden a gift and grab lunch for himself. He planned to go around noon, hoping that Ryden would appreciate the gesture. It had been a while since he made a new friend outside of the internet, and he wasn''t sure how to navigate this new territory. But he hoped that Ryden wouldn''t think he was being too forward.

 Chapter 3

    It''s true that once you see someone often enough, you start noticing them everywhere¡ªeven when you''re not actively looking for them. Ryden had been seeing Angel all over his phone lately, even outside of Instagram. A contact lens ad here, a lip product ad there¡ªher face seemed to pop up constantly. Not that he minded. In fact, he enjoyed admiring her face.


    He''d recently picked up reading again and had found himself hooked on romantic novels. The simple plots and cheesy one-liners were a perfect escape for him. It was a good way to unwind.


    It was Friday night, and Ryden was alone in his apartment with his book, Baby Blue Eyes. He didn''t really have anyone to go out with, but he was fine with that. Ryden had always been the lone wolf, the quiet guy who kept to himself. So when the doorbell rang, he had no idea what to expect.


    He opened the door and peered through the peephole. A mess of black hair and big brown eyes were visible. It was Gabriel. Ryden opened the door.


    "Hey!" Gabriel greeted, his voice full of energy. "I asked Miss Samantha for your apartment number. Hope that''s okay."


    "Yeah, that''s fine." Ryden stepped aside, "Do you want to come in?"


    "No, no, no, I just wanted to give you something," Gabriel said, holding up a small paper bag. "Remember I said I''d give you something other than the pain au chocolat?"


    "You didn''t have to," Ryden replied, a little surprised.


    "I insist!" Gabriel practically shoved the bag into Ryden''s hand. "It''s just a little thank-you gift. I hope you like it."


    Ryden started to open the package, but Gabriel quickly stopped him. "Open it when I''m gone," he said with a playful wave. "I''m leaving now. See ya!"


    Gabriel''s visit was brief, like a gust of wind¡ªquick and intense. Ryden closed the door and walked back to the living room. He sat down on the couch and opened the small bag. Inside was a box containing a rolled-up tie, its red and black stripes bold and flashy. It was a little much, but it seemed to suit Gabriel''s personality. He''d wear it to work the next day.


    Distracted by the surprise gift, Ryden opened Instagram to check for any updates from Angel. She''d posted three hours ago about an upcoming convention. It was a video game event where she would be the official cosplayer of a character named Asuka. The event was a three-day affair, and Angel would be there the entire time.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Ryden considered going. He didn''t know anything about that specific video game, Tekken, and he didn''t really have anything for Angel to sign. Maybe he could get a photo with her in costume? But he didn''t even know the character she was cosplaying. He felt like a fake fan.


    So, Ryden did what anyone would do in this situation¡ªhe started researching Tekken and its characters. Maybe this could be his gateway into gaming. He wasn''t sure why, but he enjoyed diving into new hobbies. Tekken was a fighting game, and it seemed to have a strong following. He wasn''t exactly a teen anymore¡ªhe was 27, after all¡ªbut he discovered that professional Tekken players were of all ages. Maybe he wasn''t too old to give it a shot.


    On Saturday, Ryden headed to the mall. He hadn''t been this active in a while. Usually, he''d spend his weekends at home, scrolling through social media or binge-watching shows. But today was different. He grabbed a quick sandwich for lunch before heading straight to the bookstore.


    Nothing caught his eye in the novel section, but then he spotted a cosplay magazine. On the cover was a small photo of Angel. Of course, he bought it. He figured he could flip through it later.


    Afterward, Ryden made his way to the top floor of the mall, where the arcade was located. It was busy¡ªcouples, families, teenagers, all hanging out in the neon-lit space. Ryden wandered around, his eyes scanning the colorful machines. Then he spotted it: the Tekken arcade box. It was surrounded by people, but one of them looked familiar.


    "Gabriel?" Ryden called out.


    Gabriel didn''t answer at first, too absorbed in the game. Ryden leaned against the machine and waited, watching as Gabriel''s face twisted in concentration. He looked stressed, his lips pouting as his fingers furiously pressed buttons. Ryden couldn''t make sense of the flashing lights or the action on the screen, but he kept watching anyway.


    "YOU LOSE," the game flashed, and Gabriel groaned, throwing his hands up. "Okay, you got me," he muttered, standing up. "That was my last token." As he looked up, his eyes widened. "Ryden?"


    Ryden waved awkwardly.


    Gabriel laughed. "What are you doing here?" One of Gabriel''s friends appeared from the side of the arcade machine, gesturing that he was done and needed a moment.


    "I was curious about the game," Ryden explained. "So I thought I''d check out the arcade."


    "It''s one of my favorite games!" Gabriel said, a wide grin spreading across his face. "You should play with me. We can team up!"


    "I just discovered the game today," Ryden admitted. "I''m a total newbie."


    "We can play at my place," Gabriel said, clapping him on the shoulder. "I''ll teach you."


    Ryden hesitated but then shrugged. Why not? He thought. Not only was he learning a new game, but he was also making a new friend. It could be fun.

 Chapter 4

    Gabriel and Ryden spent hours at the arcade. Gabriel introduced him to a few other games, bought more tokens, and then showed him how to play Tekken. Since the other guy Gabriel had been playing with had already abandoned the machine, they were left to face off against the CPU.


    "Is it okay to just leave your friend like that?" Ryden asked.


    "We''re not really friends," Gabriel shrugged, his tone casual. "More like arcade buddies. We just play together when we see each other here."


    Ryden couldn''t help but marvel at how easily Gabriel made acquaintances. If it hadn''t been for the persistent doorbell at Gabriel''s apartment, Ryden wouldn''t even be here, hanging out like this.


    Gabriel gestured for Ryden to sit next to him. "While we''re here, pick a character you want to play."


    He swiped through the extensive list of Tekken characters. Ryden was trying to remember which one Angel was going to cosplay as at the upcoming convention. He didn''t want to pull out his phone to check, so he took a guess.


    "I''m interested in Asuka," Ryden said, his fingers nervously tapping the edge of the paper bag in his lap, which contained the cosplay magazine.


    Gabriel froze for a moment. Asuka? He was going to be cosplaying her for three days at the convention, and now Ryden wanted to play as her. What were the odds? There was no indication that Ryden was into the same nerdy hobbies as Gabriel.


    "Oh! That''s a quick choice," Gabriel said, raising an eyebrow. "Any reason why?"


    "She kinda made me interested in the game... if that makes sense," Ryden muttered, his fingers curling tighter around the bag.


    Gabriel raised his hands in mock surrender. "I''m not judging! We''ve all been persuaded by something or someone to start gaming." He moved the joystick and selected his own character. "This is Claudio. He''s the character I play the most."


    The screen flashed with the image of a man in a slick white suit with black and gold details. "I just think he looks cool as hell, so I learned how to play him."


    They played for a while, with Gabriel showing Ryden the basic controls. Ryden, still shy about trying the game in public, worried about looking foolish and being laughed at by the other players around them.


    "Are you going to do something after this?" Gabriel asked after a while, glancing at the time. It was nearing dinner.The story has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    "I was thinking of getting dinner soon," Ryden replied, stretching slightly.


    "Want to eat together?" Gabriel asked, his tone casual but warm. He had clearly run out of tokens and was ready to wrap up for the night. "I can pay for it, since I dragged you here."


    "No, it''s fine," Ryden replied quickly, shaking his head. "I asked you, so it''s really okay."


    Gabriel stood up and placed a hand on Ryden''s shoulder. "Come on, what do you want to eat?"


    Ryden hesitated. It was hard to say no to Gabriel¡ªhe was just so charming and easy to talk to. And now that Ryden was up close, he couldn''t deny that Gabriel was handsome. His messy hair partially covered his face, adding to the intrigue.


    "How about Chinese food?" Ryden suggested, suddenly feeling bashful. His introverted self was struggling to keep up with Gabriel''s easy-going energy, but he didn''t mind. It felt new and exciting, even though he usually preferred being alone.


    Gabriel didn''t push, though. He was considerate, which made Ryden feel more at ease with him. The ease of their conversation, the way Gabriel guided things without being too forceful, was something Ryden hadn''t experienced much before.


    They ate together, with Gabriel chatting about other games Ryden should try. He also insisted that they should hang out more at his place. "I''ll introduce you to the ''nerd life''," he joked.


    Ryden laughed. "Just be patient with me while I learn," he said, then added, "I haven''t been this active in ages, and I''m really enjoying myself. So, thanks, Gabriel."


    Gabriel blushed, just a little. Ryden''s honesty had caught him off guard. He''d noticed how attractive Ryden looked when they first met, especially with his suit, but he''d never expected to connect with him like this. He had thought that after giving Ryden the gift, that would be the end of it. Yet here they were, spending hours together. Gabriel cleared his throat, trying to mask his shyness.


    "No problem, man," he said with a grin. "We can do this again whenever you want." He noticed the bookstore bag in Ryden''s hand. "Maybe I should pick up reading too. That way, we''ll have other things to talk about instead of me just yapping your ear off."


    Ryden laughed again. "You don''t have to force yourself. Besides, I like listening to you talk."


    Gabriel''s cheeks turned slightly pink. He coughed to hide his shyness. "Thanks," he murmured.


    Eventually, they decided to head back to their apartments together. Gabriel didn''t want to say goodbye just yet, but he had work tomorrow.


    "I wish we could continue gaming at my place," Gabriel said with a sigh. "But, you know, work tomorrow. Saying goodbye always sucks."


    Ryden smiled, reassuring him. "There''s plenty of time for that. We''re practically neighbors, so we can hang out whenever."


    Gabriel brightened at the suggestion. "We should exchange contact info," he said, pulling out his phone. "Want to exchange social media too?"


    Gabriel felt a flutter of excitement. He was going to get to know Ryden more, and the idea made him happy. When they''d first met, he''d thought that after giving Ryden his thank-you gift, that would be the end of their interactions. But now, as they stood together, having spent the day connected in a way Gabriel hadn''t expected, he found himself hoping for more moments like this.


    They exchanged numbers, and as they parted ways in front of their apartment complex, Gabriel couldn''t help but smile to himself. This feels like a date, he thought. Going to the arcade, having dinner, and walking back home together¡ªit was the perfect recipe for a date.