Chapter 13:
Ink Dreams
"All attendees still present, we ask you to please begin making your way out through the convention center's front entrance. All remaining sellers, we ask you to please collect all your remaining product and make your way out the front entrance as well." Hearing the announcement, I sigh. The sight of the remaining one-shots almost causes some defeat to course through me, but in hindsight, this outcome was unavoidable. I accept my defeat humbly. At least we sold four. That is still better than zero. I begin packing the remaining copies into the box, covering them with the blanket and replacing the tape over it.
“Well, that was eventful, huh?” Once the box is finished being packed, I turn to Sami with a small smile
“I suppose so.” She agrees while both her and Kei walk out from the other side of the table, joining me on opposite sides. Just like yesterday, Kei carries our bags of goods.
"Thanks for being the best of us, Kei." I say, earning me a roll of the eyes.
"Lazy one." He calls me before leading us to the entrance.
“Can't believe it's already over though. I feel like we just got here." Sami says. "It kind of sucks. I was kind of having fun." She yawns.
“You were only having fun when you were the one shopping or when you were napping. You can't fool me.” I say, my eyes narrowed. She sticks out her tongue and shrugs. I sigh just a little when I notice somebody quite recognizable just behind us, carrying their own box. "Mami?" I call out. She looks up, and I watch her cheeks turn beet red.
"H-hello there, Yuta..." She says back, turning her eyes down to her box. I walk back.
"Need help carrying that for a bit? We're pretty close, but I can save you some of the legwork." I say. I point to where we're headed and Mami confirms she's headed in the same direction. As such, I grab her box and put it over ours.
“Thank you, I appreciate it." Mami says, her fingers fidgeting. With that handled, we make our way to our street, Sami giving me concerned stares that I meet with a reassuring wink. As we walk, Mami begins to speak once more. "Hey, Yuta...you have a lot of web novels you know? It's a bit ridiculous." She says, before giggling. "But it's fine. All the ones I checked out were good." She continues. "So, why did you decide to work on a manga?"
"Hmm? Well, because I was asked." I respond, rolling my shoulders to shake out some of the tiredness in them.
"Really? Sami Reese asked you to make a manga with her? That's strange." She responds, rubbing her chin.
"What's so weird about it?" I raise an eyebrow. Where's she going with this, anyways?
"It's just that Sami usually sticks with working with her brother. It's not like it's a bad thing, just a bit of a confusing thing to me." She says.
"I guess it's fair to be confused then. Still, I'm glad. That she asked, I mean. I...I enjoy making novels, but working on this manga has been the best experience of my life. I think, If I can keep feeling this joy for creation, than I can create something incredible." I explain.
"Do you...think you'd only make manga with Sami?" Mami asks. This causes both Kei and Sami to stop walking. Sami turns to face both of us with a cold stare. I can tell that there's a correct answer to this question. I almost say it immediately, but I stop. Instead, I take a deep breath.
"Why do you ask?"
"...because...because I wanna make manga with you too."
"Why?"
"...because I want to make something incredible too." She says, her body fidgeting. I look over at Sami. Her cold stare is now focused on me.
"Mami, could I have a minute?" She looks at me, and nods. I walk over to Sami.
"Yuta, you promised you'd be my partner-"
"Sami, do you trust me?" I ask.
"Y-yes-"
"Do you trust that I would never abandon you?"
"Y-yeah..."
"Good. Then, please trust me on what I'm about to do, okay?" I turn around as Sami stands confused, facing Mami. Her red face focuses on me as I clear my throat.
“Mami, join our doujin group!" I say. Everyone around me goes quiet.
"HUHHHH?!?"
…
Pizza arrives. Sitting on the table, the cheese sizzles as soon as the box opens. Oh yeah, that’s some good looking pizza. The top is littered with pepperonis and olives, making for a delicious smell that fills the apartment. Everyone is quick to dig in.
“Mmmm, delicious! I don't think I've ever had anything so delicious" Sami groans with happiness.
"That's probably just the mixed in joy from having a really good day beforehand." Kei says, taking another bite of his pizza.
"That's an objectively correct statement Kei. How about you, Mami?" I say, turning my attention to the last person in the apartment.
“Uhm...thank you for the food. I really appreciate it." Mami whispers, nibbling on her slice. Sami sighs, looking directly at me. We managed to avoid the topic of the group for a little while. Long enough for me to actually develop the idea enough in my head to actually justify it.
"Okay, we got dinner, now there's no avoiding it. What do you mean doujin circle?" Sami says, putting down her plate. I put down mine as well, taking a deep breath.
“Alright, here's the deal. I think having more people on board would be a massive help in us making things." I argue. "Think about it. Even if we didn't sell much, the people who like that manga we made in TWO days, with only us working on it, really really liked it. With more people, and more time, I ask you, what do you think we could accomplish?" I ask her. Sami sighs, rubbing her temples.
"I don't disagree with your argument, alright?" She says. "I just...I really liked working with you. ONLY with you." She says.
"I loved working with you too, Sami. We don't have to stop doing projects like that. But...do you remember why it is you asked me to help you in the first place?"
"...to help make the greatest manga ever?"
"This is just another step in doing that." I say.
"...I..."
"I love you, Sami Reese. Let me do what I have to, so we can make our dream come true." I say.
"...okay. Let's do it." Sami says. With that, I turn to Mami.
"Mami, are you okay with that?" I ask. She looks down at her pizza.
"I...just want to work with you. If that means joining a group with you, then I'm fine with it." She says.
"Alright then. It's decided." I say, standing tall. "From this moment forward, we're a group. Group Rev. We'll bring about the new age of doujins, manga, light novels, everything we touch." I say. "Because we'll never drop our pens."
Everyone, after a moment, seems accepting of the moment, giving a cheer for our new group.
…
Laying down on the couch, I type out a chapter for my current web novel. Surrounding the couch, three people lay sleeping. A peace overtakes the apartment. One that can hardly be called anything less that incredible. Nothing like the place I used to reside in. This feels like a truly caring, loving place. One where I can stay safe forever.
“Yuta?” I look up from my phone to see Sami, wrapped in a blanket. I hold out my arm and she lays down next to me. Thankfully there's just enough room. As we lay together, I can hear her start to talk. "Do you think this group thing is really the right call?" She asks
"Honestly? I have no clue. I just think that It's better to have tried then to immediately dismiss the possibility, you know? Mami could give us an opportunity to create more than we ever could have alone." I say, smiling. "Plus, she gets me, or at least, we can connect over similar feelings. Working with someone like that will be way easier than with someone who has no idea what I'm feeling. We have two people like that instead of one now."
She sighs, burying her face in my neck. There's a bit of quiet as I turn off my phone and set it to the side.
"If you really want to give it a shot, than I will too. Just...just promise me something, okay?" She asks.
"Sure, what is it?"
"Promise that you'll never abandon me." She asks. I kiss her forehead, holding her tight.
"Dummy. I think I love you should be promise enough." I say, rubbing her head. "Now, rest, my artist. Tomorrow, we start on our first masterpiece." I say.
"Hehe...okay." She whispers.
With that, the apartment falls into blissful silence, and I can't help but feel that I am truly home.
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