[CH.34] The author "Okome Takashi" and the illustrator "Spacium" (Part 2)
"Long time no see!"
"Yeah, it's been a while!"
I greeted Tokifusa with a handshake as he returned to Hamayama. Back in high school, we were just ordinary friends, but since we both entered the world of creation, we've become something like fellow travelers of fate. Creating alone can be lonely, so it's nice to have each other.
Today, we were at Yamashima Bookstore, located in the upper levels of a commercial facility within Hamayama Station. I was here to help out as a staff member, working under Spacium-sensei (not Tokifusa). I didn't want to bring up the name "Okome Takashi" here since it's my hometown.
"Good morning, Hanamura-kun."
"Oh, your wife came too."
Tokifusa's wife, Yukiko-san, was there, holding hands with their 2-year-old son, Masaki. They had a good relationship, and both of them were excellent at cooking and drawing.
"She really wanted to see you and insisted on coming along."
"Seriously? Well, that's embarrassing."
"I just had something I really wanted to tell Hanamura-kun directly."
Yukiko-san seemed a bit awkward. Despite being friends with her, it made me feel somewhat self-conscious. My lack of experience with women is quite evident.
She leaned in closer.
"In the latest volume of 'My Lady,' you introduced a prince from an enemy country, right? I really love it when you involve the First Prince, but the roles aren't consistent. It's causing confusion in drawing, and it's hard to interpret. Can you try to work on that a bit more?"
"Yes, I apologize."
Tokifusa's wife is also an illustrator and a passionate fan of my isekai romance work, "Dear Sister." While I was writing the series, I had some trouble understanding what appeals to women, so she helped me a lot with advice.
I think she would probably have a good conversation with Kuhou-san.
Also, there's a niche community that's quite excited about the idea of turning Okome Takashi and Spacium into handsome personifications and letting them interact romantically.
"Well, I wanted to drop by my husband's hometown, so I brought the child along."
"Hello, Masaki-kun."
Their two-year-old son, Masaki, clings to his mother's leg. He's adorable... It makes me want to have children too, even though I don't have a girlfriend.
Then, his little mouth slowly opens.
"Wakiname Taro."
"Hey, what are you teaching the kid?"
"It's not me! Yukiko said the latest chapter of 'Wakiname Taro' was updated..."
"But you always say you get plots from Wakiname Taro!"
"He's doing it on purpose, saying it in front of me."
They start a petty argument of accusing each other. What an awful couple. I've seen this kind of exchange many times when I was in Tokyo, so there's no need to raise an eyebrow now.
However, I know all too well about this couple's peculiar tastes.
"Spacium-sensei, please get ready."
"Yes, understood."
There are various ways to conduct a signing event, and there's no one-size-fits-all approach. For this event, Spacium-sensei had a lottery-based application process with a limit of 50 pairs. Each pair is allowed up to three attendees, and attendees can get a signed back cover along with the purchase of Spacium-sensei's original comics and the novels for "The Same Heaven" and "Mitsuki-san and Taichi-kun."
Furthermore, there's an additional service where Spacium will draw rough illustrations of the main characters from the same work on colored paper. This caused a significant surge in applications. It's surprising to see that there are many fans in this local city. People have been gradually arriving, and it seems that some of Spacium's fans who didn't win the lottery have come to watch. After all, today is a holiday.
Even though the comic is targeted at men, there are many female fans. I guess it's because Spacium posts talk videos on platforms like YouTube. By the way, he has publicly disclosed that he's married, so that's not an issue.
"Those with application tickets, please line up."
My role is to stand behind Spacium, bringing new colored paper sheets from behind. I mustn't forget to wear a mask and sunglasses to avoid revealing my face.
"I'd like a drawing of Tenha-chan from 'The Same Heaven.' I love the cover illustration for Volume 3, Sensei."
"Thank you! You can count on me."
"I love how clumsy Mitsuki-san is! Please draw her in the scene where she's panicking while her cooking goes awry."
"Sure thing. Leave it to me."
Many people request illustrations from Spacium's comic, but there's been an increase in those who request illustrations from my original work as well. Maybe I should consider doing a signing event too. My no-face reveal policy won't change, but hearing fans' voices in person is a different kind of joy.
Spacium shakes hands with fans, signs autographs, and even draws rough illustrations, all with a smile. Artists are truly amazing; I envy their talent because I can't draw.
"I also... awakened to armpit licking through 'The Same Heaven'... Could you please draw a scene where Tenha-chan is being licked... Uhuhu."
"Y-yeah... I understand."
I'm sorry... I feel terrible for opening the door to a young boy's fetish. I think I'll treat Spacium to drinks later.
Now, there are about five people left, and it seems like we'll wrap up without any issues.
But then, my world came to a standstill.
"Hurry, hurry! We're getting Spacium-sensei to draw Mitsuki-san and Taichi-kun!"
"Wait, Socho! I'm trying to decide what I should get him to draw."
"I'm Mitsuki-chan's little brother, Hoshito-kun. I'm an attractive little brother character, after all."
Why are those three here!?
The Manager Mimasaka, Nishina-san, and Kuhou-san were all waiting in line.
I never saw this coming. It's unbelievable!
Wait a minute... now that I think about it...
I said something like that last Friday afternoon...
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