kscans

Chapter 63 - The Illustrator, Rururoro

I'm in a very good mood today.

Something I had always dreamed of, something I thought would be absolutely impossible, has come true.

"...Hayate-kun was so cool."

The person I thought was in America was, for some reason, here in Germany.

Ever since FWO was a game, I had been watching Hayate-kun's streams. I couldn't take my eyes off him and his reckless antics. When I started working after watching his streams, my own art somehow felt more vibrant.

Havate-kun's actions always gave me inspiration. It was Hayate-kun who gave me the spark to awaken my art when my follower count had stagnated at around 800,000. I had always wanted to thank him someday.

And I was temporarily allowed to join his party.

Well, to put it mildly, it was the best. I got to see his combat up close.

Havate-kun's heroic figure is still burned into my memory. As soon as I got back, I drew up several rough sketches.

I think all of them successfully capture that 'is he even human!?' feeling of his.

I couldn't have drawn this picture just by watching through a screen. If I finish this, it might sell for a pretty good price.

Well, I'm not going to sell it. I'm going to make this my treasure.

What was a little disappointing was that I was in a position to be protected by Hayate-kun.

I really wanted to stand next to him and fight, just like Elena-chan. I wanted Hayate-kun to know that I can fight too. I looked up to him and became a reasonably strong solo explorer, but...

The real-world dungeons aren't as forgiving as the game. I really thought I was going to die today.

I still can't believe he showed up in such a pinch.

"He was so cool."

The same words came out of my mouth twice.

Of course, I know he's Elena-chan's boyfriend. I'm satisfied just having been able to see him up close. I have to think that way. Besides, I always thought so from watching the streams, but Elena-chan is really, really cute. I think they're a perfect couple.

I ended up interrupting their expedition. I'm sorry.

Since it's being forcibly streamed, I was too scared of being identified to tell them my pen name.

I didn't even say I was a fan. I wanted to talk with them more.

I'm confident I could have had a lively conversation with Hayate-kun and the others, even about things from when FWO was a game. It's not something I should admit, but I was so engrossed in FWO that I neglected my illustration work. I was actually a pretty high-level ranker.

Right now, I'm so excited from being able to fight alongside Hayate-kun that my hand won't stop drawing.

Ideas are just pouring out. It's so much fun.

I went to the dungeon today because I thought that by putting myself in the same environment as Hayate-kun, who is working so hard at clearing dungeons, I might get some motivation from him.

I never thought I'd meet the real thing. And he even saved me.

That time will surely be a memory I'll cherish for the rest of my life.

Because I received motivation from Hayate-kun, I was putting all my effort into my work.

──Ah, it's a call from my editor in Japan.

"Hello. This is Rururoro."

"Good evening. This is sudden, but I called today because I have something to report to you, sensei."

"What is it?"

"Incredibly, 'Iroha,' the series for which you are doing the illustrations, sensei, has surpassed thirty million copies in total circulation!!"

"Oh! That's wonderful news. And thank you."

It's an interesting story, so I was sure it would sell well.

To sell that many copies without an anime or live-action adaptation is amazing.

"Yes, and regarding that... I know you must be busy, but I was hoping you might be able to finish the illustrations for volume 14 soon."

"What? I just emailed them to you. Did you not receive them?"

"Eh... What!?"

My editor was incredibly surprised.

I can't blame her. I usually only start working after she's reminded me about five times. For some reason, it takes me a very long time to get started.

But this time, I'm different. Because I got my motivation from Hayate-kun and his friends.

Come to think of it, I wonder if my editor watches his streams?

If she did, she'd probably scold me for doing something dangerous, so it's a good thing she hasn't seen it.

"Ah, um. Yes, I've confirmed that they've arrived. It was my mistake for not checking. I'm sorry. The quality is also amazing. You've perfectly expressed our specifications. I don't think there will be any revisions. Thank you. ...But, what on earth happened? Why is Rururoro-sensei suddenly in such a motivated mode?"

My editor knows my personality well.

"Hehe. A lot of things happened, that's all."