Chapter 1

Aftershoot Dopamine

I take a deep breath and blow them out. Man, they called it a day. Even one episode takes eternity to be finished, and it does feel like eternity to have one scene where you have to fight in condition of your body full of sweat (fake one), blood (also fake), much water from the sky which they called rain (of course it was fake, if you mean the rain from someone directed it from above with a hose, a huge one). Well, it's not that I'm not used to it, I have to face them in mostly scenes (can't blame it though, you do have to accept the consequences for becoming the main character, the hero of a shonen anime).

Yep, I am a very bored gentleman in my 27 years old life (to be exact, in this fanfiction he is older than the anime (he is an actor though)) who have just finished his shoot as the main character of Gintama and yes, my name is not different much (kidding! My name still exactly the same) from the hero, I am the only one with dead-fish-eyes, silver-permed-hair, good-for-nothing, lazy-immature-Jump-reader, sugartooth, a-big-fan-of-my-Ketsu-no-ana (am I spell it right?), the-white-demon-joui-patriot, a-disciple-of-shouyo-sensei and the last one a-silver-soul-hero, Sakata Gintoki.

Or….at least those what people with describe about me 'ehem as Gin-san. But, hey, blame the creator of this story who can't even create his own character's name (in this fanfiction, he uses his actors' real name to cast the characters). Yet, don't expect me will be the same Gin-san you know in the scene. You have to note this, I assure you, everyone is the best actor in their own character (me included).

So, here I am, stretching my bare feet (my boots are dumped nowhere before I realize it), leaning against the wall (I don't know what they called this thin-paper-layered-wall), folding my arms in front of my chest, breathing deeply, and starting to close my eyes. A quick nap won't be bad, just 5minutes condition of my eyes covered by their lid. That's all what I need. Hey, sleeping during job in Japan is acceptable you know, it showed exhaustion from hard work.

It sure feels a year has passed when I slowly opened my lids from the cause of slight shake on my shoulder (I'm not sure, is it my right or left? Whatever). Then, my eyes meet a certain brunette (which I know very much) in her usual ponytail (I never bored of her hairstyle anyway). She smiles sweet and softly at me, her gaze is caring and gentle.

'Kami-sama, what dream have I been through? Oh, if it's a dream, then don't ever wake me up'.

My heart pleaded, gosh, is it really a dream? I mean, right in front of me (the person who wake me up, I guess) is the owner of our "Shooting Area Headquarter", The Kodoukan Dojo, the real cast of Shimura Tae, Shimura Tae. Or get used to call her Otae. I mean, this is the real Otae, (if you are thinking of the Otae in Gintama, then put aside that thought as far as you can, she is (just like gin-san) really different from her cast). The real one, really is a sweet, kind, caring, gentle, ladylike person, can cook very well, who won't turn everything she makes into a dark matter, a total opposite fromOtae in Gintama.

'Curse you, Gintama Creator! Who make such an angel into a gorilla-demon-monster-lady', my brain's thought.

Back to reality, I gasp after I realize the person in front of me and a little flustered (I confessed).

"O, Otae-san?", I call her abruptly, still trying to calm this damn-too-loud-heartbeat and this way-thinking-too-much-brain from what will she react at me. She just giggled and said,

"Ara, Gin-san, you finally awake! I just thought that you might have dead in your current position, even I told Kagura-chan and Shin-chan to call an ambulance!",smile not leaving her face.

'Eh, wait, what did she said? Is this a scene or reality? I can't differ them now (Curse you Director!). The real Otae-san won't say such a bloody wake up like that. I remind you, she is a total opposite from her cast'.

My jaw gaped widely, I bet I have a really disgusting puzzle expression with my right eyebrow twitching spontantly. 'Am I still in the middle of a shoot? Then, my act must be really cool, 'cause I did a real sleep in my scene. No wonder, I got #1 on the popularity poll character aside that I'm the main character'.

Just then, she let out a loud giggle (still cute anyway) at me and swinging her right hand in the air while the other covering her mouth (so much lady attitude).

"I'm just kidding Gin-san! I shouldn't trick you just after you wake up. You do need time to get your brain ready. Well, I guess that's what wake-up-way Otae will do on you in Gintama. But, it's me though, you don't have to make that questioned-puzzle-look face".

She smiles, giggles still heard from her mouth as she trying to calm herself, 'that's just a little too much to trick Gin-san', in her thought.

"How's your nap? You look like really need a long slumber sleep after today's shoot. It's tough, isn't it? The battle scene seems a lot complicated than before. That gorilla sensei has develop, ne? You did a great job today as always, Gin-san",

she talks to me (or maybe on herself) as she hands me a wet-warm towel. I just realize that I haven't even clean myself all from the leftovers (I call it trashes) and makeup as I nod and take the towel. The exhaust overwhelmed me too much, lucky for me though, I wake up in front of the person I really want to meet after work the most. I often (and secretly) thought how does it feel to have a wife that will always greet you from work (like Otae does right now), chats with me even just a cheesy chat (she does right?), handing me warm towel (check), offering me tea (it's her routine to deliver a cup of refreshing tea to everyone after the shoot at the end of the day, what a great host!), and make sure that everyone is okay back from work (unfortunately it is EVERYONE).

I feel attached to Otae-san ever since her first showed up from episode 1. When she started to offer tea and these after work routines to me and everyone. I always look for it though, the end of the day, spending my time with Otae-san, feeling my mood back and the exhaust just gone nowhere that I don't care. I always positioned her as my Dopamine up until now. Yep, she is my dopamine that I willingly look for afterwork, and she is the right one to complete the day. That's why I don't mind being the main character of Gintama, as if only, 1. they still hireOtae-san in the anime, 2. They still make the kodoukan dojo as the headquarter, and 3. Most important, I will always have my tea and my own dopamine afterwork.

"Here's your tea", she offers me a tray with a glass of Ocha on it, (don't forget her smile).

"Thank you", I mutter softly almost inaudible and I think she doesn't fail to catch a glimpse of my smile (I can't call it smile duh, it's just the corner of my mouth twitching). Her eyes blinked and she stunned for 3 seconds (I guess, as I sip my tea I glance at her from the side of the glass), then she smiles,

"You got your mood back don't you? Finally, you just smiled. I knew that, tea is the best moodbooster!", she said cheerfully and snaps her fingers. Giggling at me. She doesn't realize it, I just nod as a sign of agreement and smile back at her.

"Well, who knows, what will you got after quick nap at the end of the day. You don't really expect your mood will be back this easily ne?",

I said as finishing my tea. She still sits beside me, holding the empty tray with now empty glass on it. Really, it feels like an after work evening with your wife.

"Okaerinasai, Gin-san", she says, glances at me with a smile which is the softest-sightseeing that I saw today.

Guess what, aside from that furious Otae-san in Gintama, who knows she is (just like I said before) such an angel that ends my day perfectly. Everyone is the best actor (or should I say actress?) in their own character.