Chapter Text
Ever since the striving author, known as Matsuno Ichimatsu piqued society's interest in such novelty, he has earned quite a reputation. It seemed overwhelming to the Matsu, but with Karamatsu’s help, although he’s annoying, he felt more than grateful that he’s becoming a successful man.
As word got around that his novel series of the popular character, Princess Nyatalia, he felt pressured, but he felt good about it. He felt good about his reputation, he felt good about his salary, he felt good by his encouragement from his fans, but sometimes, it felt overwhelming.
But then, the young man was taking a break from writing after he sent out his manuscript to his editor and was letting all his cats take in all his time. That was until he heard a knock on his apartment door.
He sat up from the floor, confused and confined, not sure who would be visiting him. Surely, it couldn’t be his editor. He just sent in his works. He opened the door and went eye to eye with a woman who stared into his brown eyes with curiosity. “Excuse me, are you Matsuno Ichimatsu?” She asks. He took notice that the woman was clean, fragile, and was wearing a business suit, which Ichimatsu assumed was expensive. He assumed that she was the one in charge of publishing his works.
“What do you want?” He asked, trying not to sound intimidating, but curse himself, he did. The woman smiled, “I just want to talk. I have a request if you don’t mind.” Ichimatsu stares at her, closing the door to unlock the door hinge before opening the door, gesturing for her to enter his apartment. The woman looked around his apartment, her smile never leaving her face. It made his heart flutter in disgust, yet comfort that she can stand trash like him.
“Take a seat wherever you’d like,” He says, crouching down to his army of cats, giving them the remaining attention they deserved. The woman sat down at the couch, crossing her legs. “Are you here to tell me that the publishers won’t publish my books anymore?” He asks, chuckling. Despite putting on a careless façade, he felt anxious. He came so far, why would his publishers just stop working with him? ‘Oh right’, he thought, ‘I’m just trash. They obviously don’t want to work with me.’
“Pardon?” The woman asks, her eyebrows furrowed in confusion. Now Ichimatsu stared at her with the same expression she held, “Are you, my publisher...?”
The woman laughed and shook her head. “No, no!” She says. “I’m just here giving you an opportunity.”
Ichimatsu hummed in response, “What opportunity?”
The woman smiled, “I’m here to make a deal with you. I was wondering if you would like to write a story for me, and in exchange, I’ll pay for your editor bills, publishing bills, and rent.”
Ichimatsu went as white as a sheet. All of those offers for just one book? Now that’s a great deal. Ichimatsu looked hesitant, he began to sweat from the offer that was just given to him. He wasn’t sure if this was real or just a joke. He let his negative thoughts deceive him as the woman stares at him, waiting for his response.
“Well, um… Matsuno-san, what do you say?” The woman asks once again, concerned that Ichimatsu went stiff and distraught.
There was no response. ‘My God, Ichimatsu, just answer her question!’ He screamed in his head, ‘She’s giving you a huge deal, there’s no way that you can just pass on this!’ ‘But it might be a joke! You don’t even know who this woman is! She might just be one of those haters who are there to trick and murder you! But I wouldn’t mind though.’ The voice inside his head was screaming at him, making him look like he was immobile and lost in thought of the situation.
The woman narrowed her eyes to study his unreadable expression. She opened her mouth to say something but Ichimatsu interrupted her, “How do I know if I can trust you?” He asked, his voice a bit forceful and hesitant, debating if he should even ask that question. He ridiculed himself for speaking.
The woman gasped. ‘Oh great, you offended the woman.’ He shamed himself. “I’m so sorry, Matsuno-san.” She apologizes, bowing towards him. “My name is (L/n) (Y/n). I’m sure that you know me, no?” She asks, winking at him.
Ichimatsu just stares at her. ‘Who?’
(Y/n) blinks, “Um… you know…” She gestures her hand into a spiral, an awkward smile pursed on her lips. Ichimatsu shook his head, confused. “I’m sorry, I don’t watch the news very often nor am I on the media of sorts.”
‘Great, now she’s going to make fun of you, now that she knows that you don’t watch the media,’ He tells himself.
“Oh, I understand. I’m the new CEO of Akatsuka.”
‘WAIT, WHAT?’ Ichimatsu snaps his head up towards her, eyes wide, now intimidated from her high power in social status. ‘SHE’S THE CEO OF AKATSUKA?”
“I’m sorry for stumbling into your apartment without any notice, I just asked the ones who are responsible for you. I believe that his name was... Karamatsu who gave me your address.”
‘SCREW SHITTYMATSU!’
“I can come back if you’d like! I’m not pressuring you to make an immediate decision, okay?” She fumbled with her purse before pulling out a notepad and writing down something. She rips it out and hands it towards him. He takes it, his eyes growing wide when he notices that it’s her phone number. She got up and was getting herself ready to leave. “But...why?” Ichimatsu’s voice was quiet.
“Hm?” She hummed, patting her skirt, shedding some cat fur that she attracted. “Why me?” He asked more sternly. (Y/n) smiled, “Matsuno-san, I’ve read all your books. I’m a huge fan of your series of Princess Nyatalia. You’re an amazing storyteller, and I hope you know that.” She crouches down to his level and smiles at him. “I just wanted to take a chance to meet one of my favorite people who live in Akatsuka. Of course, I couldn’t just walk in here and say that I’m a fan and leave. Well, I mean I can, but that would be awkward.” She laughs, “So I decided to make your life easier by paying for your bills, including for your books or rent in general, in exchange for a chance for my favorite author to write a story for me.”
Ichimatsu’s cheeks were red, he was at loss for words. He didn’t know what to say. ‘The CEO of Akatsuka is a big fan of your works and wants you to write a story for her.’ That thought burned into his head. He felt a sickening feeling in his stomach. He needs time to decide. “I-I’ll call you when I’m ready to decide.” He says, shaking a bit from the given opportunity. (Y/n) nods, “Of course, anytime. Don’t pressure yourself, Matsuno-san, please take your time. There’s no time limit.” Those are the last words he hears from the woman before she leaves.
Now it was up for him to decide if he will see her again.
Months have passed on and Ichimatsu was screaming at himself to make a decision. Ever since (Y/n) left, he was left anticipated and at the edge of his seat. He told himself that he wanted to take this opportunity, but the other half of him argues that he’s trash and doesn’t deserve such a thing. He feels like he should tell someone. Maybe Karamatsu? No, he’s just going to complicate things. He had no choice but to take this opportunity by himself. He knew that if he accepted it, it might change his life forever.
He sighs in frustration and lays down on his couch in distress. A few cats meow at him as a way to comfort their owner’s stress. For a moment, he felt relieved to see his cats. He chuckles before gently scratching their heads, causing them to purr against him. He sighs, relaxing into their soft coats of fur before drifting off into relaxation. He can worry about this later. As the woman said, she said that there is no time limit.
The next day, Ichimatsu yells at himself to call her number from his home phone, ridiculing himself that he’s just wasting time. He holds the paper that contains her number with shaky hands. He sighs, leaving the sheet of paper on his desk once again before he lays down on his couch in distress. A few cats meow at him as a way to comfort their owner’s stress. For a moment, he felt relieved to see his cats. He chuckles before gently scratching their heads, causing them to purr against him. He sighs, relaxing into their soft coats of fur before drifting off into relaxation. He can worry about this later.
Wait.
He’s done this multiple times.
He was just in an endless loop.
Ichimatsu immediately sits up, causing the cats that were purring against him to hop off in shock from his sudden action. He tugs on his hair, screaming at himself to pick up the damn phone and just dial the number. It can’t be that hard, can it?
He gets up, walking towards his desk and takes the sheet of paper and goes back into his living room before stumbling forward towards his home phone. He halts just before he picks up the phone. He recollects himself, thinking if he should do it or not.
‘Fuck it.’ He says to himself, beginning to dial in the phone number. He presses the send button for the call to ring. He shuffled around, uneasy and nervous when the receiving end was ringing. It felt forever. Maybe it was just a joke after all. Maybe it was just some sick joke to make Ichimatsu all queasy and scared for nothing. Or what if (Y/n) just changed her mind? Yeah, that could be the case. He was trash anyways.
Third ring.
He felt ashamed. He got overworked for nothing, didn’t he?
Fourth ring.
Heh. Of course. Why was he so dense and oblivious? Was he that desperate?
Fifth ring.
He didn’t deserve help anyways.
Then, he heard a familiar voice from the other end.
“Hello? This is (L/n) (Y/n). What may I do to be at your service?”
Oh shit. She did answer.
Ichimatsu flinches and stammers to find his words, “Uh, yes. This is Matsuno Ichimatsu.” He began, not knowing what to do. “I have my answer from… your-- um... opportunity.”
It was silent from the other side, which caused Ichimatsu to be conflicted. There was a shuffle from the other end before a shout was announced. Ichimatsu flinched from the loudness.
“I’m so sorry, Matsuno-san. We’re very busy today. It’s been quite a ruckus.” She stops to laugh, which peer pressures Ichimatsu to laugh as well.
“I can call back later if you’re busy--”
“No! No, you’re fine! Please continue.”
Ichimatsu gulped, here it goes, “U-Um, I wanted to say that I’m willing to accept the opportunity that you proposed to me a few months ago,” Ichimatsu pauses, fumbling over his words. He began to feel guilty, “I’m sorry for not making a decision quickly.” He quickly adds.
The girl laughs, “No worries! I’m really glad that you’re agreeing! We both have to sign forms by therefore the custody of your bills and publication details before we can start. We would have to meet up, is that alright?”
Geez, it sounds so complicated. Ichimatsu just hums, but then scowls at himself that she can’t hear a hum. “Y-Yes.”
“Wonderful! I’ll give you a call around this week so we can discuss what we can do.”
He mumbles a quiet bye before the call ends.
A huge weight releases him. He falls to the ground on his knees and sighs silently. It wasn’t even that hard. Why was he so worked up for nothing? His cats surround him as he smiles big this time, happy that the thing that has been bothering him has been finally released.
It’s almost over, isn’t it?