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Sugaya had always been more into traditional art.
But when Koutarou half-heartedly suggested him to try something digital one day, Sugaya agreed without hesitation. It's been a while since I did one, it'd be a good practice, he'd said.
Koutarou certainly didn't regret commissioning him. The piece turned out amazing. Exactly as he expected.
So when Sugaya asked if he could post a small, unfinished preview of Koutarou's requested character on Twitter, Koutarou didn't think much of it. After all, Sugaya had never offered digital commissions before, and it's not like he's some big shot with millions of fans online. Uh, no offense.
The post gained tractions. Not a massive one, but decent enough for a mere messy sketch. However, all hell broke loose when someone quote-retweeted it with a picture of Gakushuu Asano, the Silicon Valley CEO, side-by-side with the artwork, and no caption.
"Of course the first time I post a digital art online, it caused a discourse. Guess I'm just that sensational, huh?"
They're on the phone with each other right now, and the more Sugaya tries to laugh it off, the more Koutarou feels guilty. Sugaya reassures him that none of it were his fault, "It was just a strange coincidence, after all." It doesn't help much.
He pauses, and adds, "It is weird that it looks so much like him. I knew something was bugging me when you described your character—but I couldn't tell what."
Fine, Koutarou'll bite. It wasn't a coincidence. He'd always admired the strawberry blond CEO since middle school years, and he still does, in a way. He doesn't say that out loud. "Yeah."
"Hmm. Well, talk to you later." Koutarou figures Sugaya already has his own suspicions—assassin instincts and all—but he's just grateful be doesn't say anything about it.
As they hang up on each other, Koutarou opens Twitter again (for the 28th time today) and scrolls through the comments under the quote-retweet, anxiously keeping an eye on things, hoping the situation doesn't blow up any further. The original poster still hasn't taken it down, despite all the burner accounts Koutarou used to politely ask them to delete it. That motherfucker.
It might not be noticeable, but Sousuke quite enjoys the attention.
In truth, he checks the posts more often than he’d admit, watching as the numbers on his own tweet and the quote-retweet climb each hour. While some of his works and projects has gone viral before, there’s a certain satisfaction in knowing that, for a moment, the internet has its eyes on him. All because of one silly drawing.
If Sousuke were held at gunpoint, he would admit that he wants to stir more drama to gain more audience. But he wouldn't do that. Not because he wasn't held at gunpoint, no, because he respects Takebayashi's feelings on this matter. So he doesn't. Nor did he tell anyone else about this.
The next day, multiple notifications dings from the Class 3-E group chat. It's from Karma.
Red flag number one.
It reads, "lol have yall seen this", with a screenshot of the quote-retweet attached.
Red flag number two.
"sugaya isn't this your account", he adds.
Red flag number three.
And lastly, "i told asano about it but he says he doesnt care pfft such a party pooper".
Takebayashi wants to scream.