The morning sun peeked through the curtains of Kaoru's apartment, casting a golden glow across the cluttered desk filled with sketches, unfinished drafts, and scattered manga volumes.
Kaoru sat in his chair, groggy from sleep, staring at a blank sheet of paper. His coffee sat untouched beside him, the steam fading as time passed.
His mind felt… lighter than usual.
Last night had been different. There was no comedy, no chaos just a quiet moment with Aya. He wasn't used to that kind of stillness, but somehow, it didn't feel bad.
Now, though, reality was creeping back in.
He had a deadline.
He had stories to write.
And more than that… he had to figure out what his next manga would be.
With five mangas already under his belt three completed, one waiting for a second season, and Petals Beneath the Moonlight just now getting an adaptation Kaoru had 94 left to reach his insane goal of 100 mangas before retirement.
He sighed, rubbing his temples. "What the hell was I thinking…?"
---
Scene 1 Action: Brainstorming Madness
Kaoru spun his pen between his fingers, staring at the empty page.
"Alright. New manga. What's the genre?"
He tapped the pen against his desk.
"Fantasy? Nah, did that already."
"Action? Too exhausting."
"Horror? Pfft, yeah right, like I can write something scary."
"Romance?"
Kaoru froze.
Then he immediately shook his head.
"Nope. Nope. Nope." He crossed his arms. "I suck at romance. I already did one, and that was more than enough!"
His mind immediately went to Petals Beneath the Moonlight, the first and only romance manga he had ever written. It had been a nightmare trying to get the emotions right. Writing action? Easy. Shonen rivalries? No problem. A dramatic showdown with high stakes? Piece of cake.
But romance?
That required feelings.
And Kaoru Kagami was not good at feelings.
"Hmmm…"
He tapped his pen against his lips.
Maybe… a slice-of-life comedy? Something light, something fun. Something that wouldn't drive him insane trying to capture deep, emotional moments.
…Yeah. That sounded good.
He scribbled some notes down:
Slice of life
Comedy
Maybe a little drama?
But definitely not romance.
Satisfied, he leaned back in his chair, stretching his arms.
Then his phone buzzed.
---
Scene 2 Action: A Wild Aya Appears
Aya: Hey. Open your door.
Kaoru blinked.
Kaoru: What?
Aya: Just do it.
Confused, Kaoru dragged himself out of his chair and shuffled to the door, opening it.
Only to find Aya standing there, holding a bag of takeout.
"…Uh."
Aya lifted the bag. "You didn't eat breakfast, did you?"
Kaoru blinked. "How did you-?"
Aya rolled her eyes. "Please. I know you." She walked past him and set the food on his desk, plopping down in his chair like she owned the place.
Kaoru closed the door behind her. "Not that I'm complaining, but what's with the surprise visit?"
Aya shrugged. "Felt like it."
Kaoru raised an eyebrow. "That's suspicious."
Aya ignored him, opening a container of rice and fried pork. "Anyway. What's with the blank page?"
Kaoru groaned, flopping onto his bed. "Trying to figure out my next manga."
Aya took a bite of her food. "You've already got a new one in mind?"
Kaoru waved a hand. "Sorta. Thinking of a slice-of-life comedy."
Aya raised an eyebrow. "You? Slice of life?"
Kaoru scowled. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Aya smirked. "You don't exactly live a normal life, Kaoru. Your brain is like… 90% chuunibyo and 10% caffeine."
Kaoru gasped dramatically. "I am deeply offended."
Aya snorted. "Sure you are."
Kaoru sat up, grabbing his coffee and taking a sip. "Anyway, I'm keeping it simple this time. No complicated romance, no over-the-top fight scenes. Just a fun, lighthearted manga."
Aya hummed. "Sounds… surprisingly sane."
Kaoru grinned. "I can be sane, you know."
Aya gave him a look.
Kaoru sighed. "Okay, fine. Maybe not all the time."
Aya smirked. "That's more like it."
---
Scene 3 Action: The Question.
As they ate, a comfortable silence settled between them.
Then Aya spoke.
"…Kaoru."
He looked up. "Hmm?"
Aya set down her chopsticks. "Why are you.. still trying to make 100 mangas?"
Kaoru blinked. "Huh?"
Aya tilted her head. "I mean, yeah, you love making manga, but… why that number? Why 100?"
Kaoru hesitated.
He had never really explained it before.
Not to anyone.
He scratched his head. "I dunno… I guess it's just a personal goal."
Aya frowned. "That's not an answer."
Kaoru sighed.
He looked down at his half-empty coffee cup, spinning it in his hands.
"…I think it's because I don't want to stop."
Aya watched him quietly.
Kaoru continued. "I've been drawing manga since I was a kid. It's all I've ever wanted to do. And the thought of stopping… it scares me."
Aya's expression softened.
Kaoru let out a chuckle. "Besides, if I say I'm gonna do 100 mangas, then I have to keep going, right? No room for doubt."
Aya rolled her eyes. "You do realize you can take breaks, right?"
Kaoru grinned. "Breaks are for cowards."
Aya groaned. "You're impossible."
Kaoru laughed.
For a moment, the weight in his chest felt a little lighter.
---
Scene 4 Action: A New Beginning.
After finishing their food, Aya leaned back in her chair, stretching. "So. What's the new manga gonna be called?"
Kaoru grinned. "No clue."
Aya groaned. "Of course."
Kaoru chuckled, flipping to a new page in his sketchbook.
Maybe he didn't have all the answers yet.
Maybe he didn't know what his next manga would be called.
Maybe he didn't even know why he was chasing this ridiculous goal.
But that was okay.
Because as long as he kept drawing, as long as he kept moving forward.
He'd figure it out.
One page at a time.
(Narrator)Well, well, well. Look at that. Another chapter done.
Are we finally seeing some personal growth from Kaoru? Maybe? Possibly?
Either way, he still has 94 mangas left to go.
God help him.
Something is clearly.. very Wrong right now.