Falling for a Drawing

"HAHAHAHA," Takeda Haruki's melodious laugh echoed in Iwata Kenta's tiny studio apartment.

"Frankly, I can deal with the idea that an otome game character is based on my appearance. But I'm not going to play a harem game. Not even out of curiosity. It's not my style."

Haruki was puffed up with his image transformed into a drawing for the otome game*. Iwata Kenta designed it lightly, capturing his smile and his subdued sexy style. Haruki could recognize himself in the manga style drawing that portrayed him, while keeping all of his most striking features.

Kenta sighed, looking resigned,

"Yes, keep laughing. Doing my art and paying my rent are the keywords here. One day I'll be drawing illustrations for 2-D action games, packed with action and sarcastic remarks." He showed his thumbs-up, and Haruki mimicked it enthusiastically.

But that's what I got, instead" his words sounded bitter, and he turned his thumbs down, for his friend's dismay. "But I must be grateful for having a job!"

"Kenta, you're a really talented guy. Earlier than you think, you'll make it to the top!" Haruki liked the illustrator's sleek, light style and thought it had true potential.

Kenta made a little heart with his fingers in thanks for the compliment.

"Do you know what my archetype will be?" it piqued his curiosity, and he wanted to see what type of character his image would be attached to.

"I don't know, but as soon as I know, I'll send you a message."

"Cool," he looked around. His attention was captured by another drawing, nailed to the wall along with various sketches.

The colorful character caught Haruki's eye and kept him examining the art's peculiarities.

The character was attractive, and Haruki was embarrassed that a) he was attracted to a drawing and b) he was attracted to a male drawing.

The angles of the face, the bold pose, and the colors managed to make him think of a real person. A sexy and thought-provoking character. Although he was disdaining the final purpose of the drawings, seeing this boy with a sarcastic smirk plastered in his cartoon face, excited him deeply.

These carnal desires had troubled his soul for some time. Leading to several internal questions. When his pelvis reacted, he realized he wanted a man. 'Not a man, it's just a frigging drawing. Hm, if the other drawings are as good as this one, the game will be a worldwide success.'

He wanted to look at it much longer, but Haruki realized he was being watched, and looked down,

"Did you say that my 'char' is the last one? And this one? Is it from the same game?"

Kenta looked at the drawing before replying,

"Yes, he's in the cast. It's the 'Bad Boy'," he picked up a folder beside his drawing board. Haruki flipped through and saw that it was a kind of collection of concept art book from the game, with details and information.

He looked at the first character, which was the same as the drawing on the wall.

"BAD BOY - KAI, SUGAHARA. Well, he really looks like a bastard son of a bitch," and with his finger to guide him along the lines, he continued reading, only grumbling when there was nothing important,

" 'Objective: to install chaos; he likes to tease and mock. Height: BLA BLA. age: BLA. Work: Unemployed, he's against the system. Bank account: $ 325,572.00!' Hahaha really?! Pfff! Those numbers? You have no job, but do you have that money in the bank?"

"He is a rich heir; there's a story," Kenta explained, turning the page over for Haruki to compare,

"This is the CEO."

And Haruki continued his reading aloud,

"Uhn, let me see, 'CEO - KOICHI, NISHIMURA. Objective: To create a lasting business empire, and a dynasty to manage it.' Haha ha! Wow, the guy has a giant ego!"

The young singer scanned the profile like the first time until he found items he considered hilarious,

" 'Work: Managing his companies and assets. His bank account is $ 889,527,788.00.' "Wow, this is a good balance! Whoever wrote that just hammered the keyboard, didn't they? And see more BLABLA BLA! 'Characteristics: conservative, demanding, practical; a perfectionist.' "

He pretended to crush the character's face with his forefinger, "Um, he sucks, but I think he will be one of the first to be chosen in the game."

Looking back at the drawing that was next to the first, Haruki didn't like the look of the character. Kenta probably wanted to convey an icy and manipulative personality. But there was a drawing of the character only in his underwear.

Haruki had another fit of laughter.

"Pfff! Just explain to me how a guy who just sits 12, 16 hours, can have those ripped abs? I thought your drawings were more realistic," the singer criticized.

He even spent 2 hours doing Crossfit, apart from his dance classes, and had a restricted diet. This guaranteed Haruki an enviable body, enough to have won a contract in another country as a singer in a debutant pop boy band.

But he knew the price he paid for such on-point physical attributes.

"Just so you know: yes, they are real. I drew the guys using the pictures I received. And he has defined muscles. The actual guy must be an athlete or a model, rather than a businessman. But you know: girls don't want a typical CEO, with protruding belly, baldness, and dandruff on the shoulders. And I don't know who chose their archetype. I'm just the illustrator," Kenta also chuckled.

"Wow, did you make all these drawings just looking at pictures?"

"Yes, you are the only one who actually posed for my drawings. I don't know any of them, to speak the truth. If you accept, I will need to make more drawings of you. And as I said before, the payment is low for your standards. Are you really going to donate it to me?"

Haruki hesitated, staring at his friend's pleading eyes.

"I…"

(CONTINUES)

Author's Note: An otome game (otome geemu, literally "maiden game"), sometimes contracted to otoge, is a story-based video game that is targeted towards women. Generally one of the goals, besides the main plot goal, is to develop a romantic relationship between the female player character and one of several male characters. This genre is most established in Japan, and is mostly made up of visual novels and simulation games; particularly dating sims and life simulation games. (source: Wikipedia)