Chapter Text
Alice never intended for Iruma to find out.
It had started as an innocent enough project, a novel he had been working on for some time, fueled by his admiration for his best friend. Iruma was the most incredible person Alice knew, and it was only natural that someone as kind, resilient, and inspiring as him should have a place in literature.
The protagonist of his latest story, Suzuki Sullivan, was entirely based on Iruma. His unwavering determination, his gentle strength, his ability to change the people around him just by existing, Sullivan was Iruma in everything but name.
But now, Iruma had read the manuscript.
Alice was certain of it.
The only question was: how had he reacted?
666666
"Alice! Your writing is amazing!" Iruma beamed, holding the manuscript to his chest as they sat in the break room. "I can't believe you used me as inspiration!"
Alice felt himself flush with both excitement and horror. This was it. This was the moment. "Y-You think so?" he stammered, gripping his teacup so tightly it nearly cracked.
"Yeah!" Iruma continued with a warm smile. "I recognized it right away. The way this character always tries to do their best but constantly gets overshadowed by others, it’s definitely me!"
Alice’s heart stopped.
"...Excuse me?"
Iruma nodded eagerly. "Yeah! I mean, I get it. I’m not exactly a leading man type, so it makes sense I’d be a side character. It’s really cool that you included me, though! Even if he doesn’t do much in the grand scheme of things, I like his role in the story!"
Alice’s brain short-circuited.
Iruma thought he was… the boring side character?
Not the protagonist? Not Suzuki Sullivan, the shining force of the story, the human who moved demon’s hearts and changed the underworld? Instead, he had identified himself with Sullivan’s meek and self-doubting assistant??!! A minor character who mostly existed for the protagonist to reassure and guide?
The very idea made Alice want to shake him. "Iruma-sama," Alice said slowly, trying to rein in his emotions, "You don’t think you’re Sullivan???"
Iruma laughed sheepishly. "Ahaha, of course not! He’s so cool and brave! Meanwhile, I’m just, well…; me."
Alice clenched his fists. How could Iruma not see it? Every part of Sullivan, The strength to endure! The ability to win over even his enemies! The sheer natural charisma! had ALL been lifted directly from Iruma’s own heart and soul! And yet, Iruma still thought of himself as a mere side note in the grander scheme of things.
"Iruma-sama, you are not just a background character!" Alice burst out, unable to hold it in any longer. "You—You are the very core of this story! The heart of it! How can you not see that?!"
Iruma blinked. "Huh?"
Alice swallowed his frustration and took a deep breath. "I wrote Suzuki Sullivan based on you," he said, voice firm despite the heat in his face. "Not that minor character. Sullivan is you, Iruma-sama. Every bit of him. I didn’t even disguise it much! You’re the most amazing person I know! One that I respect and think of highly and greatly!! How could you not realize that?!"
Iruma opened his mouth, then hesitated. Alice could see the disbelief in his eyes, the way he struggled to accept the idea. Because, of course, Iruma never thought of himself as special. No matter how many people adored him, no matter how many times he changed lives just by being himself, he never seemed to see what Alice did.
Iruma smiled softly. "Alice… you really think that?"
"I know that." Alice met his gaze with unwavering certainty. "And one day, I hope you’ll see it too."
Iruma stared for a long moment. Then, slowly, a small, touched smile spread across his face.
"Thanks, Alice."
And somehow, Alice knew that was enough, for now.