Requested by Chizuru_Yukimaru

For the time setting, let's go back to the year when Tales of Symphonia was still on going... >v<

~

"And for the new manga serialization, (manga name) illustrated by (pen name)"

"For the new mangaka of the year, (pen name)"

Since I started making manga, my work always win awards. They were famous. I also won as the new mangaka on my first year. My works were sold over millions of copies, and even made into anime, drama cd, and live action. I used a pen name, since at first I didn't want anyone to know. But who knew this would happen. For over years, I couldn't count how many I made, how many times I won.

But those achievements, no one knew that it was me, except my 'best friend', who people knew that she was the illustrator of those manga. Yes, my works, my pen name, everything, they were all gave towards Chika. What happened? She was just holding the manuscript, but her crush saw it, and he complimented her. She wanted to tell him that it wasn't her, but then they had a date, and he introduce her to her uncle, an editor for a shojou manga publisher. In the end, she continued pretending, and begged not to tell anyone. I would draw for her, and she would accept the achievements. I couldn't refuse, I became her shadow

I tried to hand-in my work as myself, but they rejected it, and they said that it was the same style as (pen name), which ironically, it was me. I gave up. I continued being her shadow.

"You sure are having a deep thought, (L/N)"

I looked in front of me and there stood Konishi Katsuyuki, while he was eating a Pretz.

"I am. Do you have recording now, Konishi?" I asked and he sat next to me

"I have in 4. Can I sit here?" he asked and I just chuckled to what he said

"Well, yes you can. After all, you already sit down" I answered and he started reading his script for today's recording while still eating Pretz

In frustration of not being known as a mangaka, I applied for being a game designer in Bandai, and I became part of the Tales series. I also helped D3 publisher as a character design for their otome game series. I met Konishi in Bandai while he was recording for Tales series. We unknowingly became good friends. We sometimes bump to each other in recording studios. Because of this, I started to have a feelings towards him. But I was holding it in.

Also, I was surprised and happy, since I found out that he was reading my manga works. And his reaction was really amusing to see every time he reads them. Even though I couldn't tell him, that it was me, just by seeing him reading my works, it was enough for me

"By the way, (L/N)"

"Hmmmm?"

"What are you doing here? Are you going to record for a drama cd?" Konishi asked

"No, I'm waiting for my friend. She has a meeting with the director. They are planning on the next manga that will be used for a drama cd" I answered in low voice. I didn't tell directly nor introduce Chika as a mangaka to anyone. Not once, ever since that time.

"I didn't know that you have a friend that is a mangaka. What series did she write?"

"I don't know" I answered lazily, hinting him that I didn't want to talk about it

"Hahaha, I see, I see" He laughed so loud "Oh, can you draw a dog here?"

"Huh? Again?" I asked confusedly. Time to time, he would ask me to draw stuffs in his script. I reluctantly drew on his script and he made a big wide smile after I finished it "Is it fine?"

"Thank you. It's fine, you did a good job"

"(F/N)-chan, sorry for the wait" Chiaki came with a big wide on her face "K-Konishi Katsuyuki-san?" her face turned to red as she smiled sweetly. Now I remember, this would be the first time they would meet. Terrible coincidence.

"Hello, oh so this is your friend, (L/N)?"

"I-I'm C-Chiaki, I'm actually (pen name). Nice to meet you"

"EH THAT'S YOU?!"

"Y-yes, I am. I'm a fan of yours Konishi-san. You voice some of the main characters of my manga" What a good acting Chiaki. She really had a thick face saying these things, in front of me

"Let's go, Chiaki. I still need to stop by in Bandai and get the new design outline. Konishi, do you have recording tomorrow for Tales?"

"Yeah, then see you there"

I walked out of the hall and Chiaki was following me behind

"(F/N), wait up! Isn't that a bit rude? Leaving him behind?"

"It's fine. I'm in tight schedule right now, and I need to send you back to your house" I answered as I headed towards my car.

"But I didn't know that you are friends with him"

"Yeah"

"By the way, (F/N)? For the next issue-"

"I'm almost done with it" I cut her off and sighed as I got in to my car "I'll give it to you two days from now"

"You are not doing it on purpose, right?"

"Huh?" I fasten my seatbelt and dumbfounded to what she just asked "I'm also a busy person, Chiaki. But don't worry, I'm unexpectedly doing it"

"Thank you, (F/N). I really love you!" she giggled and hugged me. It was then her phone rang, and yes, her longtime boyfriend was calling.

~

That next day, I went to Bandai, and my head was so hazy. Last night, Chiaki was in my house, pestering me to finish the manuscript. That stupid Chiaki.

"Your face is so horrible, (L/N)" Konishi with Onosaka-san entered the room where I was.

"I haven't sleep since yesterday. I'm planning to sleep here" I answered slumping my face on the table "I'm so sleepy, I want to gauge my eyes out"

"Oi, oi, don't be like that" Onosaka-san seriously told me

"He is right, (F/N). Don't say things like that"

"Sorry, but sometimes I think those kind of thing. Got into accident and my hands will be cut off, things like that"

"Dark, so dark, (L/N)!" the two of them shouted

I laughed on how they both shouted in chorus and they were really concern.

"Don't do that, (L/N). I only have few close friends, and if you do that, it will be lessen."

"Don't joke on me, Konishi. You are so loud and so friendly. You sure have lots" I countered while my face turning red. I hoped that it didn't show

"No, Konishi-kun is actually a shy person and you can only count his close friends." Onosaka-san answered and Konishi just nodded agreeing to what he said

"Good for you then" I commented "And they are very close to you, right?"

"(L/N) is one of them" Konishi answered and grinned at me.

Ah, this kind of comments, my heart, my heart!

As we waited for the time to pass, the two of them were clearly trying to make my mood brighter. They were cheering me up, and they succeeded. I totally forgotten all the fatigue and annoyance. I laughed with them, forgetting all my problems.

Before they went to the recording room, the two of them asked me to draw their characters on their script.

As for me, I stayed there and waited for the director to arrive.

~

Later that day, as I was on my way to the parking lot, I saw Konishi-san standing on the main entrance. He was reading something, and he seemed so serious on what he was reading. He was so manly wearing a white shirt, a red vest on top of it, and a black jeans. As I approached him, I realized that he was reading a shoujo manga. Woah, unbelievable. He read shoujo manga with such expression

"Konishi-san, are you heading home?" I asked interrupting him from his own world

"I am, but it's raining outside and I didn't bring my car. So I'm waiting for the rain to stop. How about (L/N)? Are you done for today?"

"I am. I'll send you home then, Konishi-san. A thank you for cheering me up this afternoon"

"Eh, is it okay? Also, it's me who should send you home since I'm the guy?"

I chuckled and shook my head "Don't hold back and don't worry about that. Next time, I'll ask you to treat me a dinner. Let's go" I winked at him and we walked towards the parking lot

As we head off, we were just talking about work, work, and work. However, he suddenly opened up the topic about Chiaki.

"Do you want to get a sign from her then? Since you are a fan of her" I jokingly asked. I expected him to be excited, but his answer was unexpected

"I'm a fan of her work, not her. But, I didn't feel that it was her who drew those manga" he was gazing outside, watching the pouring rain

He again started talking random things as we arrived in his house.

~

Days after, I started working for the remaining chapters of my ongoing manga and also the design for the new Tales series. After finishing everything, I went to Chiaki's house, but I heard that she went to Bandai.

I went to my car and headed to Bandai.

It was then on the way there was a call from Konishi "(L/N)?"

"Konishi, what's up?"

"Ah, just want to tell you, your friend is amazing"

"Friend?"

"Yeah, (pen name). She became one of the designer now for the new series of Tales"

"HUH?!" I shouted inside my car and hissed "That stupid girl. She couldn't even draw!"

"Eh?"

"Ah, no" I cleared my throat and sighed "Nothing, anyway, I'm on way there on Bandai. I need to drop off the design I finished"

"Oh yeah, are you free tonight?"

"I'm free after 8. Why?"

"I'll treat you to dinner, since you sent me home, right? I found a nice steak house near my place"

I laughed inside my car as I made a full stop "Sure, I'll accept that offer then"

"Then see you later"

A date?!

As I hanged up, I hurriedly went inside the building. I headed first to drop the design, but the director wasn't there. Konishi was there and also waiting for him. I received a messaged from Chiaki that she was done talking to the director and she was going on a date.

"I'll leave this to you, give it to the director" I told Konishi and gave him the brown envelope "I need to give something to Chiaki"

I ran down to the first lobby and Chiaki was there standing with a big wide smile. She waved at me once she noticed me. I shook my head and approached her. Her smile had a double meaning

"I heard you became one of the designer for the new series of Tales. Now I wonder how will you do that" she smiled at me and hugged me. I knew it. I pushed her slightly and gave her a big wide smile "No, thanks." I flatly refused

"EH?! WHY?! Why are you doing this to me, (F/N)?" she started weeping

"Should I ask the same thing? Why are you doing this to me, Chiaki? Drawing a manga for you is enough, okay? Oh here I finish the manga, it's up to you if you want to give it to your editor in one go or what" I said and gave her the envelope. As she checked inside, she chuckled

"So you are only joking that you will not draw for me?" she said. My eyes widened as I grabbed the envelope from her "Give it to me" she said trying to get the envelope

I gasped and looked at her "It's bad, it's bad!" I shouted "I gave the wrong envelope. That's the complete chapters!" I shouted "It should be this one! I need to give this to the director"

"No, I'll be the one giving this to the director" she said to my surprise

"I see. I wonder what's going on" we both looked behind and the envelope fall off from our hands

"Director, Konishi"

~To be Continued~The Reader is Konishi Katsuyuki Part 2~