Chapter 5

A couple years passed by since Azure tamed Tiamat and recently turned ten. Over that period of time, it has been a trying period due to Irina moving away randomly one day. It saddens Azure's heart to see his sister sad as she just managed to convince Irina completely. When he turned nine, his parents also decided it was time to tell him he was adopted which he already knew. It was kind of weird if he didn't due to the fact he remembers appearing and he is only a month older than Iriko.

Now that Azure thought of it, he remembered Iriko's reaction as a tiny grin formed on his face. Instead of being sadden he was adoptive or throwing a tantrum, she cried that they can't have a taboo relationship. It seems it was part of her training with Miki, but cheered up once Gorou said they can still have it.

As Azure was thinking over the last few months, he was currently sitting across from Moritaka Moshiro. They were currently sitting in a family dinner called Wagnaria where they had entertaining workers. As they sat there waiting for their food, they watched as the waitress carrying around a sword took orders.

"I'm surprised that you wanted to be my assistant for the summer Moritaka. Most usually either turn it down or ask for another manaka once they learn my age." Azure said to the seventeen years old.

The teen had an average build and height. He has raven blue hair and blue eyes, with a cowlick at the top of his head. He wasn't that bad looking due to the amount of females looking his way, not that the teen cared.

"I was surprised and I originally was going to accept my rival Eiji invitation for the summer." Moritaka blushed a little as he stated the true reason. "Then my editor recommended you when he learned of the opening for an assistant. I sort of wanted to at least meet you as you and your manga is pretty popular always in the top seven."

Azure could sense there was something more and silently raised an eyebrow at the teen who was blushing slightly as he smiled.

"Also, my fiance might be trying out for the Miu role for your anime adaptation."

"Oh, yeah, the anime I nearly forgot about it being made. So, a fiance huh aren't you only seventeen?" Azure said, teasing the teen. Truth be told Bakuman was one of his top manga and anime he enjoyed in his last life. So how can he not be a little excited to meet one of his favorite characters which he didn't think possible since it is a DxD world and not Bakuman.

"Well, we made a promise when we were fifteen we will get married when I get one of my manga animated and she would be the star heroine." Moritaka explained blushing from embarrassment as he talked about his crush.

"That cool I hope you luck and maybe we could work on a manga together in the future. I got a few ideas we could do as a side project." Azure said as he knows Akito Takagi, Moritaka's partner, writes novels on the side.

Of the projects that Azure has in mind, he was thinking of something along the lines of Tonikaku Cawaii, a simple and not dramatic or super action pack. The story itself would be fairly simple and shouldn't interfere with either of their schedules. It would also keep them from over working or stressing out as much, expressially in Moritaka's case due to wanting to fulfill the promise as fast as possible.

"A side project?" The teen across him looked at him like an alien.

"Huh, you don't draw random characters or stories to relax from stress or to take your mind off things for a while?" Azure said as he usually did as well work on his hobbies such as building his car collection or dungeon diving.

"Yeah I do for practice." Moritaka admitted.

"Oh, so you are those types huh." Azure thought as he pulled out a paper and pen. He usually carries around a sketchbook and pens so he can work at school or when Iriko either goes to the park or dojo. It seems that his manga sparked her interest in martial arts so she began doing kendo.

"Don't think and draw the first character and background that pops up in your head. It doesn't have to be perfect and you have until our food gets here in about ten minutes." Azure placed it in front of the teen.

Confused but still began doing so, Azure began chatting with Popura, a high schooler who could pass as an elementary or middle schooler. When the food finally arrived, Azure took back his pen and paper to look over the drawing and smiled a bit. The sketch was a man or teen typing on a computer as a girl slightly younger in the background held a plate of food. The setting itself was in a small apartment.

"Interesting, did you have fun and were you relaxed when you drew this." Azure asked, receiving a nod. "Good, as we got a side project now." He went on explaining the premise of Tonikaku Cawaii using the characters Moritaka just sketched.

"So are you interested in doing this side project?" Azure grinned.

"Sure, but how did you come up with that? I've been trying to think of a story for ten days and got nothing."

"Well, I had an idea in my head, but sometimes a random sketch like this can make the idea come to life. Granted it is not the greatest or most reliable, but you never know as sometimes you just over think it and need to simplify." Azure grinned as Moritaka smiled back as the gears started turning. "You might as well experiment with different genres as well until you find one that fits you also."

"Awe, man now I want to get started right away." Moritaka sighed.

"Well, I already got my next chapter set and just need to finish up which should be around an hour. So, we can start it then if you want, but what about your partner?" Azure shrugged as he was slowly stock piling more chapters since he drew them pretty fast and only one chapter comes out a week.

"He is currently helping out his girlfriend Kaya writing a cell phone novel I believe."

"Hmm, alright, but tell him he needs to begin managing his time table or both of you be up a creek without a paddle. It is why I carry a sketchbook and pen wherever I go in case I need to sketch or an idea comes to mind." Azure said as he noticed a while ago that he needed to change or his stockpile would slowly dwindle and he would be pressed for time.

"Alright, I will tell him." Moritaka just nodded as he realized it was not that bad of an idea.

"Great, shall we eat and get to work." Azure said as he rubbed his hands at the hamburger in front of him.

After a few hours passed, Azure watched as Moritaka left after they finished for the day. Chuckling as he looked down at the stack of papers containing their side project. While it was filled with nonsense, it allowed the two to get their creative juices flowing.

"I wonder what you will create now?" Azure thought as he looked forward to Moritaka and Akito's next project.