Crossdressing Dormitory 47

“You don’t need to be so nervous,” Akira said, chuckling when he looked at Erick. “It’s just a meeting with another artist and his editor. I’d think you’d be used to meetings now.”

“I-I’m used to you,” Eric said, trying and failing to seem normal.

Even after spending hours talking to many strangers, he couldn’t help but be nervous when meeting someone new. Unlike the event, this is one-on-one. Or two-on-two. Hope I don’t screw up my Japanese. Pōha-sensei joked I messed a couple times that day, Erick thought.

He took a deep breath and let it out slowly. I’ve been in this country for months now. I need to stop acting like I don’t see daylight when I meet new people. I’m not that kind of otaku.

Despite his determination, his face was pale as they waited for the artist and his editor in one of the meeting rooms in the publisher’s building. I still can’t believe a Japanese light novelist requested me personally.

Though Erick had sold lots of copies of his doujinshi for a first-timer, it wasn’t anywhere near compared to veterans. However, he didn’t participate to earn money. His followers on social media increased dramatically after the event, and it was still increasing steadily. And thanks to that, he even got a commission request from an American to draw a girly-boy for a web novel.

He was happy with that alone. So when a Japanese person commented that they loved his art and wanted to hire him to make the art for his light novel, he was very surprised. Erick had no idea what to reply though. Since he was on a contract with his publisher, he wasn’t sure he could take a work like that without talking to Akira first.

Before he could talk to his editor, Erick got a call from the man himself the next day. Akira’s friend who worked in the publisher’s light novel department wanted to have a meeting. The Japanese person who commented on the post was an author in the same company and used his editor to get in contact.

When Erick searched the author’s name on the internet, he couldn’t help but smile. The author was the person who wrote the “Cutest Demon King.” Rin had cosplayed that protagonist a while back.

The author was famous among the girly-boy fans and his work sold well for a niche story. Though he had a few artists he usually teamed up with, he wanted something new for his next work. That something new was Erick.

After they had arranged the meeting, Erick received the proposal of the new story. It was a battle rom-com with a magical girl who was actually a guy. Though the protagonist tried to live a normal life, he was pulled into many ecchi situations, including his best friend falling in love with his secret identity. It sounded simple, but given the author’s previous work, there could be a lot of interesting plot twists and cool fights. As an artist, Erick was interested in working on that story.

“Is the author really okay with working with a foreigner?” Erick asked. It wasn’t the first time he did it.

Akira laughed. “Don’t worry. I’ve met him a couple times. I don’t think he’s someone who cares about such things. He likes your art and that’s all that matters.”

“Really?” Erick asked. Hearing that made him less nervous.

“Yes. Actually, I’m surprised he reached out to you. From what I remember, he’s a quiet guy who prefers to keep to himself. He must’ve really liked your art.”

Erick relaxed a bit after that conversation. He tensed up the instant the door opened.

Two young Japanese came in. One was a woman in her late twenties. Her black hair was tied in a tight bun and she wore a wrinkled suit without the coat and had dark circles under her eyes. On her side was a man in their early twenties. He wore a black tracksuit, his long black hair was unkempt and covering part of his face. He looked at the ground all the time.

“Hey, Aki-chan, good morning,” she said in a tired voice, smiling at him.

“Good morning, Senpai,” Akira greeted her, his cheeks blushing slightly.

“Sorry we’re late. I was on the phone with the printing department.”

“Apologizing again?”

“Yeah. Because some brat doesn’t do their work in time,” she muttered, not hiding her anger.

Akira chuckled. “I hear you. Getting manuscripts from artists can be painful sometimes.”

“Don’t say it,” she said, and then shook her head. “Let’s not talk about that. Today is to introduce them.”

“Yes. This is Erick, an up-and-coming manga artist. He’s a hard worker, is always improving, and has never missed his deadline so far.”

Erick blushed slightly. He’s upselling me too much…

“Never missed a deadline? That sounds suspicious,” the woman said, laughing weakly. “You’re not tricking me, are you, Aki-chan?”

Akira chuckled. “I swear.”

“Then I’ll believe,” she said, smiling. “This is Boy Skirt-sensei. He’s been talking about your art a lot.”

“Really?” he asked. Erick looked at the man next to her.

Boy Skirt was glancing at him, but when their eyes met, he quickly looked down again.

“It’s okay. You can do this,” his editor said in a gentle voice.

Trembling slightly, he slowly looked at Erick. “I-It’s a pleasure to meet you,” he said in a barely audible whisper. Seconds later, he closed his eyes and bowed as if afraid.

Erick hurried and bowed too. “It’s a pleasure to meet you too. I’m Erick,” he said, a little too loud due to nervousness.

“You did well,” the woman said, smiling at Boy Skirt.

“You too,” Akira said to Erick, laughing. “This isn’t an arranged marriage meeting. It’s just to see if you can work together. There’s no reason to be so nervous.”

“Let’s get started then,” the woman said, sitting across Akira and Erick. “First, I need to ask something. If you get a regular series, you’ll be very busy. Are you sure you can work on the illustrations?”

“Yes. Depending on the complexity of the scene, I can draw two or maybe three black and white illustrations a day. For color pages, I’d like a day or two for each.”

“You could get overwhelmed if you get a series. Especially considering we’ll probably ask for store-exclusive bonus illustrations.”

“What’s your planned release schedule?” Akira asked.

She looked at Boy Skirt sensei with an analyzing glance. “We aim for at least 3 volumes per year. But maybe more depending on his speed. It might be too with a series.”

“What do you think?” Akira asked Erick.

He grew quiet. He did work a lot for the one-shot and the doujinshi and needed a break after that. However, he also felt somewhat tired of drawing the same thing for so long. He didn’t finish, but he did start a few random fanarts back then.

Even with a series, I think I could draw illustrations. I’d need to watch out to avoid burnout. But a series isn’t around the corner. It might take months to get one. With this, I’d have a bit more income secured.

“I think I can do it,” he finally said.

For the first time, Boy Skirt looked at him with a smile. When their eyes met, he looked down again.

“I brought a few characters’ designs,” Erick said, opening the envelope before him.

“Oh,” the woman seemed surprised. “You didn’t have to. This was just the first meeting.”

“I-I know, but when I read the proposal, I wanted to draw.”

“He’s been thinking about a story but hasn’t come up with anything yet. This is good for him,” Akira added.

“Amazing,” Boy Skirt said as he looked at the art. His eyes sparkled as he looked at the pink-haired magical boy. Though it was simple, it was his characters gaining form before him.

“I’m glad you liked it. I was nervous I was overstepping my place,” Erick said, relieved.

He wasn’t just nervous. He was afraid he had broken some Japanese etiquette he didn’t know. I still feel it’s stupid to have a business card this day and age.

“I-I loved your doujinshi,” Boy Skirt said, his voice slightly louder. He still looked afraid though. “W-when I read it, I looked for the physical version to buy.”

“T-thanks,” Erick replied. He wasn’t expecting to receive a compliment in real life about his gay erotic doujinshi. Not from someone he was meeting for the first time. “I liked your Demon King light novel too.”

“T-thanks. P-please. I-I’d love to w-work with you,” Boy Skirt said, bowing again.

“Me too.”

The editors looked at each other with pleasant expressions.

“Guess that settles it,” she said.

“Yes. Please don’t squeeze him too hard,” Akira said, chuckling.

“I can’t promise that, Aki-chan.”