1 <CHAPTER 1: Unfamiliar Familiar>
Blinding snaps of light from cameras, loud cheers from the crowd. As I stand in this grand stage giving my thanks to everyone, these things are embracing my whole body, excitement, the only thing I can feel. After I gave my acceptance speech, I bowed and get down the stage.
After the ceremony, there is a dinner party at the same event for everyone. The media are present, as well as the big names in the industry and the big bosses of different companies.
As I eat my dinner, a crowd was formed at the entrance of the hall, and the media is also snapping their cameras nonstop.
"Hm? Waf wif fe fukuf? (Whats with the ruckus)" I murmured with my mouth full of food.
"Dont speak with a full mouth Keito!" my boss said disgustingly.
"Is there any famous or what?" I swallowed the food in one go.
Until even my coworkers started to join the crowd and most of them are shouting 'Can I have your autograph please!' or 'Look here!!' There are all sort of the attention-seeking phrases in the air.
A famous celebrity might really have come.
When the man made it out to the crowd, I can finally saw him. The man looks around as if he's looking for someone or something, when his eyes met mine. He walked towards me and I can feel the blood surging all over my body, I don't know why, but I am very happy and also afraid that he's here. The crowd is after him and when he had made his way, he stopped at our table and I stand up.
"Whoa... what are you doing here?!" I approached him and whispered... I, as well, don't know why I'm speaking this way. Who's this man by the way? I feel like I know him, but I also feel like I don't know him... my mind is speaking on its own, without my volition.
"Hm? Why? Im here to keep track of my boyfriend of course! What else?!" he said without batting an eye while looking straight into me.
"Huh?" I lost my composure when he said that, I look into him with a blank face.
He's my boyfriend?! No way... I don't even know him, what's with the boyfriend thing, but my mind said that he's really my boyfriend... what's happening!
The expression of the crowd is the same as mine, were all shocked about what he'd said. His sudden statement draws the attention from people near us.
Finally I get my senses back when the crowd started to make a scene.
"W-WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU SAYING!!" I said irritated.
"Why? I'm not wrong, am I?" He said as if I'm the one who's in the wrong.
He takes two steps forward, grabs my neck and forcefully moves my face closer to meet his. Then with a swift movement, he presses his lips on top of mine. He forcefully open my mouth with his tongue making his way in and making the kiss deeper.
I was so shocked of his sudden movement, as well as the crowd. Many people, not just those who surround us but also the people in their tables looked to us and the shock can be seen to everyones faces.
Many started to recognize him, and also me, and we're starting to draw the attention of the media... this surely will make it to tomorrow's headline.
I tapped his chest, as if saying 'stop it! This is a huge scandal... do you want to lose your popularity! Stupid!' but it only made him kiss deeper and I started to lose my breath.
After a good few minutes, he stopped and finally let go of my lips. However, its too late, everyone's stare has been directed to us already.
As soon as I get my lips free, I voice my complaints to him, but his face is annoyingly smiling at me. That's the time I get back to my sense and realize something...
"THE REPORTERS!!" I grab his arm and started running to the fire exit.
But...
"WHY DID YOU STOP!!?" I shaked his hands and started to run again but he resist.
"You should wake up!" he said, making me more confuse... "Lets meet again someday, and I hope that this time, it will be for real" he said and smiled at me and let my hands go.
"WAKE UP!!" a sudden voice was heard out of nowhere.
"t-this is just a-a dream?" I asked.
"For now... but I know you'll make it real, not just for me, but for us" He continued smiling as the reporters are still making their way.
"b-but it feels so real!!" I started to doubt my own existence.
"Then make it real no matter what! Don't forget about me okay?" he said comfortingly. Then everything started to fade as the darkness started to envelope my sight.
"What's this? His asleep?" The same voice before had erupted into my ears.
--
"He's really sleeping here? ...And on the floor of the agency on top of that!! Please wake up, we need to talk" he continued.
"Mmm... 5 more minutes…" I murmured trying to remain on my most comfortable position.
But the man suddenly shouted making my sleepy head awake. I opened my eyes and saw an unfamiliar man in late-20's wearing business suit minus the coat. He has eyeglasses and his lips are thin and his brows are forming a line, maybe because his really angry right now. But that doesn't make him any less handsome.
The sun shines behind him making an illusion of aura surrounding his body.
"Finally..." he sighed and his brows relaxed a little "You are Keito, one of the voice actors in this agency, right?" he asked me while looking at his silver watch. It looks expensive though, but I don't know what brand it is since I'm not fond of expensive things, I can't afford them.
"Y-yes, I am... but I don't think I've seen you before, mister." I said innocently while sizing his facial expression since his expression is all around his face.
"Shinjibusa Toshiyuki, the new owner of this agency" Shinji said while looking at my eyes.
"Ah, so you're the new boss, aren't you? Then, nice to meet you Shi-Shu-shin... ahhh!! To-chan! Nice to meet you To-chan" I smiled at him cheerily.
"..." His face went blank for a while then his brows form a line again "don't call me with silly nicknames"
"Isn't it okay? It sounds cute and it's easier to say and to spell" I said almost immediately.
"(Sigh) do as you want... I as well is having a hard time to write my whole name..." He surrendered. The last line is murmured, I almost can't hear it.
After that short introductions, To-chan finally go to the point. The VA (Voice Acting) company started to show signs of bankruptcy and the previous CEO transferred his position to his son which is To-chan in hope of somehow saving the company.
Some actors already left and only some remains and one of them is him. He is said to be the most talented voice actor, but he's also the laziest.
"Do you want to stay in the company? he suddenly asked.
"As if I have somewhere to go..." I said dejectedly.
"Then get the Seiyu Award." He said immediately.
"The S-Seiyu Award?! That's the highest award a voice actor can get... if the bigger companies are struggling to get the award, how much more a nobody like me-"
"Then leave the company and go home" he interrupted.
"Of course I can get the award... It's just the Seiyu, right? Trust me!" I smiled at him.
"(thats fast!) okay then, stay at the company for the year, today is January and the award ceremony will be at the end of the year, you have a year to prepare to get the award, until then, we'll talk about whether you'll stay or you'll leave.. Do you understand?" he said with authority.
"Okay To-chan... then prepare my acceptance speech for I will surely get the award." I said reassuringly.
To-chan turn around...
"one more thing..." he turn around facing me "dont make the agency your sleeping place, go back to your apartment!"
"Yes sir" I said while looking down.
He turn around again.
"Finally..." I turn to head out but...
"One more thing!" To-chan called me again, I face him and his next word made me more down.
"You stink! When was the last time you took a bath?"
"Huh? Hmmmm... Hmmmm... When was it again?" I gave up thinking when the last time was.
"GO AND TAKE A BATH NOW!" then he hurriedly enter his office.
"y-yes sir..." then I smelled my arms, "I dont stink that much though..." then I made my way to the apartment and took a bath.
While showering, it downed to me the last night. I seemed to dream a new one again, and this time, it's more real... but what was the dream again? I can't seem to remember it... what was clear is that, I am holding the Seiyu Award Trophy... should I really get the trophy to get an answer to all that's happening to me? But since the new boss speaks about it, then I should get it then... as they said, kill two birds with one stone.
Speaking of the boss, he's too muscular to become a CEO... most of the CEO are grumpy old man just like the former boss... but To-chan is different... oh! He looks familiar though? Where did I saw him? Hmmmm Ah!! Theres no time for thinking... I should attend the VA lesson at the agency after... I should get going now...
"SEIYU AWARD HERE I COME!!"
