The more the person ages, the more they can distinguish the reality of this world. All the dreams, expectations and hopes are crushed by this very reality.

For the things that we had once worshiped and obsessed with, seemingly to be fading, would never be truly erased from our memories. These memories lie deeply in our hearts, surrounded by strong walls that refused to be devoured by reality.  This is our fantastic fantasy, filled with joy and happiness.

– The Wandering Toad

A group of young teenagers whom were dressed rather wildly were shifting large cases up into the van. All of them were filled with laughter and grinning with joy.

Anyone with a bit of knowledge with latest trend would immediately recognize that these group are cosplayers. Anyone with even more knowledge with the culture would even know which famous character they were cosplaying as.

The lead girl had a bubbly and pretty little face. She wore a flowery dress and was the most active within the group.

“Wow! She’s cute!”

That was the first impression she gave each passer-by.

The second lead girl was cosplaying as a fairy. Supposedly to be gentle and demure, instead tints of coldness could be seen on her beautiful face, without any hint of expression.

A handsome brother clapped his hands together and shouted: “We did well! It was a good performance! Let’s head to the hotel buffet later, it’s my treat! No one is allowed to give excuses!”

The group of teenagers celebrated with joy and cheered. They made a circle around the handsome brother, flattering him and singing praises. Some impatient ones even started shouting out what they wanted to order.

Xu Liao smiled at the rowdy scene and carried the last case up the vehicle. When he was about find a seat in the vehicle, the handsome brother leaned over to him and grinned: “Xu Liao! Thanks for your hard work today! Although I should treat you to a meal too, but as you can see… there isn’t enough space. I think you should not squeeze with us and leave instead.”

Xu Liao’s smile froze, and gave a glance at the Huang Er cosplayer, who was standing at a distance with an expressionless face. Qu Lei, the cosplayer for Huang Er simply ignored him and slightly closed her eyes.

Xu Liao laugh lightly and said, : “I have to be home early, I will not be able to join you guys anyway. I shall make a move.”

Xu Liao waved goodbye to everyone but he soon realized nobody was even looking at him. His efforts were unappreciated. Slowly dropping his hand, he reluctantly left.

After Xu Liao walked away for awhile, the group of teenagers burst into laughter. “That fatty actually took an interest with Qu Lei?! He struggled so hard to keep up with our club, I doubt he even knows what our cosplaying character was eh!”

“That disgusting looking bear, as fat as a pig, as if Qu Lei would like him! Qu Lei belongs to our Leader!”

Qu Lei raised a brow when she heard the bunch and gave a hmph in unhappiness: “ I have nothing to do with Gao Wen Hu, please stop this rubbish. I have something on, I will make a move. Not gonna have dinner with everyone.”

Qu Lei could not be bothered to explain to everyone and she simply left hurriedly without changing her costume.

The handsome brother, Gao Wen Hu, face turned dark, really dark. The atmosphere turned silent. Immediately and almost automatically, the blame was put on Xu Liao. Gao Wen Hu spat out a few vulgarities.

Xu Liao and Qu Lei were junior high school classmates. The moment he enrolled and witnessed the beauty of this girl, he fell in love. However, their character were totally different, and the fact that he’s born fat, no matter his love for cosplay, he was unable to do it. Thus, it was difficult to attract his goddess’ attention.

This time, he tried to help out with the cosplaying club. He put his utmost effort for a few days straight, trying to make his best contributions with hard labour. However, he still ended up being bullied by the club members.

The cosplay event was held in an exhibition centre which was miles away from Xu Liao’s home. As he was calculating how much fares to pay for the transport, he reached into his pocket. His face warped.

“Oh No! I’ve forgotten to bring enough money! I cant take the train!”

Xu Liao gritted his teeth and decided to try his luck again with the van again. However, the vehicle simply drove away right in front of his eyes. Even before he had the chance to call out to them.

“Looks like I can only walk my way home, the distance is roughly around 20km, not sure if I can reach home tonight…”

Xu Liao could only rub his hands helplessly as he made a lonely walk home.

After 4 hours, the sky had completely darkened. Xu Liao was still continuing his long journey home. The only advantage he had was that his fitness level was average, this walk home became sort of a training. Maybe that’s just to comfort himself.

During the first year in Junior high, Xu Liao chased Qu Lei. Qu Lei said,: I don’t like fat guys. If you can reduce your weight to 120kg, I might consider.” This was when Xu Liao started his weightloss program.. which lasted for 3 years.

Taking morning runs everyday, doing push ups and sit ups between class periods, even jumping up all the stairs. His classmate laughed but his spirit did not waver.

It’s a pity. Due to puberty and the amount of exercise he put in caused his height to increase by leaps and bounds. In his 2nd year in Junior high, his height increased from 156cm to 175cm. Unfortunately, there was still no reduction in his weight. Still remains as 190kg.. Xu Liao noticed that basketball players were lean, hence he joined them. In the 3rd year, his height shot up to 183cm and he managed to lose around 30kg. However he was still left with 160kg. Far away from Qu Lei’s expectations. Even though Xu Liao had eight pecs under his shirt, being born with a round, fat face and big bones, he still looked like a fatty.

Xu Liao was exhausted. He dragged his gaze up towards the starry night sky. The beautiful and gleaming bright stars seem to improved his mood. He had always loved to admire the stars since young, every moment he stared at the stars, he felt much as if someone is consoling and comforting him. However as the city developed, clear night skies like these would soon be a rarity.

He gazed for a moment more before lowering his head. However, in the next second he realised that there was something wrong. He hurriedly took a look up again, the view was beyond description and truely beautiful.

But… A city with major air pollution… how was it possible for the sky to be so beautiful?

 

Translated by Gary. Edited by Jason

 

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