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The author of Toilet-Bound Mitsuba-kun was mysterious and only known under the pen name RadioAi. It was Nene's favorite story and she had been obsessing it since she found it two years ago. A story of a ghost boy and an exorcist having a forbidden love as they try to solve the mysteries of the school. how could she not resist! She almost had a chance to meet them back when it first started at a local convention, but due to an incident with her ex boyfriend she wasn't able to get to their table.
But this time, there's nothing stopping her!
Especially since on RadioAi's blog they said they would write/draw something special if someone was able to find them at the next convention before signings in Tokyo, and Nene was determined!
Of course, she couldn't go without wearing a costume. The easiest option for her would be to go as her favorite side character, Nana, who oddly looks a lot like her but with green tips in her hair and red ruby eyes. It was easy to make those changes to her appearance with a little hair dye and some colored contacts. Another reason why she loved this character was that she, too, had slightly larger-than-average ankles, similar to her own. Finally, a character she could truly relate to! And last but not least, she was able to buy the school uniform online, completing her look. With a bag over her shoulder and her badge attached to her collar, Nene set off through the convention doors to find the author!
Though that was easier said that done. The halls were brimming of people, not to mention all of the colorful characters people were portraying as. There was a good chance that RadioAi would also be in cosplay, hinting at it as a side note on the latest chapter. There was music drifting down the halls, people making poses all around the large open room, and a line to the dealer's room that stretched on for forever. Nene enjoys walking around and taking in the scene. It's so fun to see everyone enjoying themselves!
Three hours later and Nene has circled the convention several times. There was no way she could possibly find them here!! She was way in over her head, how could anyone find someone in a place like this?!
As she's gripping her hair in frustration, a boy enters her peripheral. Tall, handsome, with pink hair and a yellow, ripped up scarf over a school uniform. A uniform that was similar to hers.
"IT'S MITSUBA-KUN!" Nene screams to herself, her eyes sparkling as her hands clasp together. That has to be them, cosplaying as their own character, right? Right?!
Jumping over in excitement, she bounds over to the boy waving her arm. "Mitsuba-kun!" Nene yells as she reaches them. The boy in question turns her way and smiles, her heart melting as their eyes meet. "You have to be RadioAi-sensei, right?! You're so beautiful and amazing!" Awkwardly scratching his neck and a little uncomfortable out of embarrassment, he tells her "T-Thank you, but I'm not RadioAi-sensei. And thank you for the compliment, but I already have a boyfriend."
He's not...
Has a boyfriend...
Turning as red as a tomato, Nene squeaks out an apology as she rushes to the other side of the room, cursing under her breath. How awkward! Mortifying! Distressing! She shouldn't have said anything more than the simple question! Placing a hand on a wall, she takes in some deep breaths to calm herself. It's okay, it happens to everyone, no one saw-
Laughter arose next to her as she whipped her head up to see a different boy a few feet away looking in her direction. Of course her luck was still as awful as ever. He seemed younger-looking, wearing a gakuran. He kind of looked like another side character in the story, Hanako, only he wasn’t wearing a hat and his outfit looked a little different. Like it was handmade but they couldn't find the right buttons or measurements for the jacket. But just seeing someone laughing at her moment made her feel more embarrassed. She tries to walk past him but he walks in front of her, holding his arm out.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to laugh. I couldn't help it." He says, eyes wide and begging for forgiveness. At least he had the ability to properly apologize!
"It's not nice to laugh at someone like that, y'know!" She replies, huffing and crossing her arms. The Hanako cosplayer chuckles a little before speaking up once more.
"I know how you feel though. It seems a lot of people are looking for RadioAi here."
At the mention of the author, all of Nene's negative feelings washed away. Perhaps this boy had been doing the same as her, asking around and also experiencing the same kind of luck? "Yes! I'm looking as well! It's difficult to find anyone in here. I doubt I could find my best friend if she was in here, especially if she was dressed up!" Grasping his hands, she comically shakes it. "You understand what I'm going through!"
Flustered, the boy only nods and coughs in the opposite direction. "Y-Yeah... Sort of..."
"But don't you love the stories they write?!" Nene lets go as her imagination takes hold. "Just thinking of how close Mitsuba-kun and Kou-kun have become over the last 80 chapters, and how they've nearly kissed several times... the life and death situation at hand, oh it's so romantic! I know it's silly to hope for a happy end, but that's what I'm holding on to!"
The Hanako faker smiles and agrees as they continue to chat for a good while about the story. Seems that he also started reading when it first came out and enjoys all of the characters. "I'm surprised you didn't dress up as one of the main characters." He says as they begin to walk around together. "You decided to dress up as Nana-chan."
"Well, this is all last minute, and even without dressing up I kind of look like Nana-chan. She's very related to me, so I love her a lot!" Nene states, giggling. The boy stops for a moment, a shy gasp escaping his lips.
When Nene turns to look at him, he has a grin on his face. "So you too also have radish legs-" He couldn't finish the sentence as Nene elbows him in the stomach.
"Geez, you're just like Hanako-kun in the story!" She huffs.
He gets back up on his feet and takes one of her hands, lightly rubbing it. Her cheeks flare up as he holds her gaze and winks. "If I am like Hanako in the story... then that means that we'll become closer, right?" And he kisses her hand ever so gently.
He...
He kissed her hand?!?!
Nene is unable to move as he lets go. "It's a magic spell to make you feel better." That's a line from the story!! That's exactly what Hanako says to Nana, the one moment that Nene couldn't let go since reading the story. And for a Hanako-lookalike to do the same to her as Nana?! She feels like she could faint!!
The sound of a bell interrupts them, the Hanako cosplayer groaning as he takes his phone from his pocket. There's an aggravated look in his eye as he texts back whoever it is, then smiles back at her. "Looks like my time is up. I have to go somewhere else, but we'll meet again. I hope you're able to at least see RadioAi at their booth later." He softly says, winking once more before running off.
Her legs finally give up as she unceremoniously drops to the floor, her hand shaking. That boy wasn't her type, and he was even cosplaying a side character who barely got any attention... but he was kind, enjoyed the same story she did... kissed her hand... he kissed her hand... That had to mean he liked her, right?! And she forgot to ask for his name!!!
Nene slams her head to the ground. She's an idiot!! The first time someone approaches her and shows an interest and she forgets to ask for his stupid name!! Just the thought of her sudden chance at love escaping is enough to make her way to cry, but she has to force the tears away. If for the sake of her make-up, she doesn't want anyone to see her crying over a boy!
Taking a moment to compose herself, Nene stands up and begins to wander the halls, the thought of finding RadioAi gone from her mind as time ticks forward. By the time she realizes it, RadioAi's signings will be starting soon. Meaning she lost the challenge and won't get that special message or drawing. With a sigh of defeat, Nene lines up with the others. She's not in the back at least, but it'll be a while before she can see her beloved author.
Slowly working her way to the front of the line, Nene holds the first edition in her hands, gripping it tightly. Enough thoughts of Hanako! Soon, she'll meet RadioAi! And at the very least, she can have them sign her book! Now at the front of the line, she waits patiently for the go ahead from the convention staff to enter the tent. Mustering up courage when she gets a thumbs up sign, Nene confidently strolls into the tent.
And nearly drops her book.
Sitting there is the Hanako cosplayer, but with a fox mask over his face. As soon as he looks up at her, the mask is gone and she can see that he has the same of bewilderment on his face before he grins at her.
Nene points an accusatory finger at him. “It’s you!”
“Yes, it’s me?!”
“You’re the artist!”
“Yep!” He leans onto his arm, holding in his laughter.
“Of Toilet-Bound Mitsuba-Kun?!”
“Yes? Why is that so surprising!”
“Because you didn’t seem like it earlier! A-And you didn't say anything!” There's no way... there's no way...!!
“Well I can’t just reveal my identity.” He point to his mask. “I want to remain at least a little anonymous, y’know? I still want to have a normal life and not be bombarded by fans everywhere I go.”
And yet he had talked to her, when she had gushed about his book. To the author himself. Never has she wanted to go drown in a river and disappear than at this place and time. Nene's about to turn around when he wiggles his fingers towards her, motioning to her book. Her brain connects the dots as she slowly hands it over, their fingers grazing.
“But I did promise if someone finds me I’ll do something special, so...”
He signs it and the signature looks the same as she's seen online, but reaches over to grab a different colored marker and starts... drawing? Writing? Nene can't tell, looking down and clenching her hands together, her feelings all over the place. RadioAi hands it back to her.
“Make sure you look at it when you’re out of the convention hall and in somewhere... private.” He wiggles his eyebrows at her and she has to contain herself from smack the look from his face.
“I can’t believe it’s you.”
“You’re still saying that.”
“But it’s just... and I...”
“Unfortunately we don’t have a lot of time here.” He motions to the line just behind the thin curtain. “Trust me, just look at your book later, okay?” He smirks, placing the mask back on and happily waving her goodbye. She only nods, thanking him as she leaves, practically sprinting as soon as she turned around as morbid curiosity rushes through her body. What did he draw? What was so private about it?! Did he like her?!
She found a place with an open chair and table, nabbing a seat and ripping her book open. Nene finds his signature and continues on, flipping over to the next page and nearly yeets the book down the hall and into some poor person’s face. It’s a drawing of a sexy daikon with fans, referencing their conversation earlier. Really, he was that kind of person?! He only liked to mess with her, just like everyone else. She was a fool for thinking anything different...! As she glares at the drawing, Nene notices a small arrow pointing to the next page, however there was nothing written there. She continues to go through the book, reaching near the end where she sees a small chibi drawing of her character, Nana (or maybe it was an actual picture of her in her cosplay?) with a few numbers next to it.
It takes Nene a full minute to realize he’s left her his phone number.
That sneaky little...!
She can’t help the smile growing on her face, bringing the book up to cover the sappy grin that spreads from ear to ear, her face flushing. After internally screaming for a little while, she brings out her phone, saving the number, and sends him her first text:
Are you busy Sunday?