I think... I'm no longer a NEET

U2eckrdvt59. Yes, it's random, incoherent, but it's the username I was given when I asked a bot to generate one for me. I don't mind the handle, all that matters is that I can comment, like, and support my idols anonymously online. By nature, I am a NEET, a failure, leech of society with an allowance from parents working extra to cover my ass. And the ultimate recipient of this blood money? Chika Tetsu. No, not the subway, Chika Tetsu, stage name of seiyuu, Chika Hanashi. She has such an arousing voice, and she's also hot IRL. I dig the shoulder-length onee-chan style she has with her hair, her glowing face, and of course, the sexy voice that'll turn you on anytime, anywhere. It's a no brainer I'd use the money I have to support her works. 

Should I start by going over all her roles, or just the ones for characters with pink hair? Hmm, maybe narrow it down to sporty milfs with pink hair. Yeah, there's only 54 of them. Even got figures of them all behind me to confirm the fact. Point is, Chika Tetsu is the voice of my dreams, and the reason I want to marry hundreds of 2D women. Real women, hard pass. They're the abusive tsundere but just abusive and always condescending. Like, none of them ever want you to turn them on, and if try to they get unironically mad. Who wants to be with a girl that always yells at you and makes you feel miserable? Anime women are perfect, except that they aren't real. The closest to real they can be is if the seiyuu does a cosplay of them. Heh, wouldn't that be a dream come true. Chika Tetsu with pink hair cosplaying as Gudi from Purrkor, no, if she's cosplaying, maybe Bouzi-chan from Skinshiners. Heh, heh, heh...

Ping!

Ah, looks like someone wants to talk to me about that webnovel I wrote. Now I said I qualify as a NEET, but if writing webnovels count as a job, I guess I'm technically not one. I guess it falls more into hobby category, but if this email is legit, this could quickly become a career.

"Congratulations, U2eckrdvt59! Your novel, Basketball babes in Bermuda has won the grand prize for this year's writing contest. As such, you will be invited to Japan where your story will receive both an official print and anime adaptation. We ask that you refrain from publicizing this until we make the official announcement ourselves. Should you wish to opt out of this, please reply within 72 hours of receiving this mail, specifying such intentions. Otherwise, we look forward to working with you and making your dream a reality."

... I think... I'm no longer a NEET...

...

As the day of departure arrived, I navigated my way through the headache known as the Los Angeles airport. Staring at my passport, the dead-eyed officer squinted for a bit before shrugging and handing it back to me, clearing me to proceed.

That old photo was taken 9 years ago, I think. It's a tad outdated, but you can still tell it's me. Contrary to what some might think when they hear I'm a NEET, I'm not some stinky overweight loser with bad eyesight and posture. I'm fairly thin, but have a permissible face that could satisfy the bare minimum requirement for a modeling agency. Disclaimer, disclaimer, my subjective opinion, as I've never been one to put any faith in my looks, even though others seem to think I'm on the hotter end of the scale.

I've never been one for grooming, though I always keep my hair just above buzzed length,  so bed head and cowlicks aren't exactly on my radar for threats. In fact, I barely do anything for my looks now that I think about it. But for meeting my idle, I made sure to wash my clothes and book a clean shave before leaving, face not head, as Japan likes guys with smooth faces, and I don't wanna look like a homeless guy when I get my grand prize.

Hmm, I wonder if they'd have Chika Tetsu voice one of my characters for the anime... Food for thought, and fuel for the dream I'll have if I'm actually able to fall asleep on this 12-hour flight.

...

"Good afternoon, passengers, we have now arrived in Tokyo. Today is Monday, June 2nd. Current local time is 1:39, please remain seated until we're fully docked. On behalf of this crew, we thank you for flying with us."

"Ngh?"

Ah, seems we landed. Now what do I... Yeah, probably need to clear customs, then they said someone would pick me up and guide me to the hotel.

Though customs was a bit tedious, navigating the airport here compared to back in LA was like night and day. Everything's clean and calming, and the staff are nice and good-looking. In terms of my declaration, the publishing company said to just put the full 3 months allowed which is what I declared, as should the need arise, they could help extend things. That right there tells me they want me involved in this project, which is good. I've seen some works get horrible adaptations and the authors agonize over how little they were consulted on their social media accounts. This really does feel like the moment all that suffering and NEETing finally comes to an end. With Basketball babes adapted, this would set me on the path to success. The only thing that would be more perfect is if I could get a real wife... Yeah, some things will remain out of reach.

I soon found a man holding a sign out that read my name. My real name, Zane Doe. Yes, Doe is my real last name. I'm glad my parents didn't name me John.

"Ah, I'm Zane," I waved as I approached the man.

He tilted his head, but quickly got more welcoming when I procured my passport.

"Ah, sorry, sorry. Passport is good. My name is Tezuka," the man stated in English.

"I actually studied Japanese on Triplebird."

"Really? How fluent are you?" Tezuka gawked.

"Fluent enough to pass a language certification test... on the app."

"Not bad. You sound like a native. But should you feel the need to default to English, feel free to. We on behalf of Mustardsauce publishing are here to assist you during the process of your novel's adaptation."

"Thanks."

As we walked, I noticed lots of people were turning our way. Was my arrival big news? Ngh, I'm not exactly keen on my face going on film.

"Hey, who are you!?" some random woman cried as she ran up to me.

I tensed up, but luckily, Tezuka managed to shove her away and escort me outside where a huge limo was parked.

Ah, now I get the crowd. Who wouldn't get excited over a limo.

Once I was inside, Tezuka closed the door and we were off to the hotel, presumably.

"Our apologies. We didn't expect such a crowd would draw when we brought the limo. I guess many think you're a movie star," Tezuka chuckled.

"Me? Never. There's no way."

Tezuka gave me an odd stare, yet never continued the conversation from there. We reached the hotel without incident and after checking in, I was treated to a dinner with some of the publishing company's executives. Somehow, my introverted previously NEET self got through the dinner conversation without incident.

The next day, I was off to the studio where I was to meet with the team making the PV video. There, I was greeted by a frizzy-haired woman with glasses who introduced herself as the script writer, Hibari, and a potbellied man named, Shunto, who was stated to be the director. 

"We've actually taken the liberty of selecting someone to do the voice-over. We just wanted you to be here to oversee the recording to see if you want her to voice... Belinda, I believe it was?" the director asked as he checked his notes. 

"Correct, she's the main lead. Is she the only one getting voiced in the PV?"

"Yes. We figured we'd focus on her since she has the most prominent presence in the story. She's also the only one you provided artwork for..."

Oh, that makes everything make sense. Can't animate a PV without good reference material.

"No worries. So who's voicing her?"

As if on cue, the door to the studio opened. Majestically strutting in with her tan dress waving, her auburn hair bobbing, and her heels clacking, was the goddess herself...

"Chika Tetsu..."

Eyeing me up, Chika appeared shocked as she held her hand to her mouth. "A- Are you the author?"

I gulped as I affirmed the fact.

"Really? Ah, my apologies... I just... wasn't expecting you to be so... handsome."

"Huh?"

And at this very moment, my life changed forever.