Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Misaki: You're not fighting?

Chey: Nah. It's the start of a new book!

Misaki: You should start new books more often.

Chey: Shaddup! Anyway, thank JessenoSabaku for kicking my ass into gear and making me feel guilty and writing this.

Romantica Act Four Part One

Akihiko had been living with Misaki Sensei for two months now and, for the first time, he and Sumi-san had been sitting at the table and talking for more than an hour rather than Sumi standing over him while he drew.

Akihiko wondered what they were talking about. Probably some important piece. He didn't really consult on those weird Yaoi sketches he did. He still wasn't entirely sure if Sensei actually produced work in yaoi or Shounen Ai genres but he certainly never talked about it. Akihiko poured three cups of coffee and brought them out to the other two as an excuse to do some nosing.

It was unnecessary though since Misaki called out to him. "Usagi, could you give me a hand?"

"Uh yeah."

"Well, we've narrowed it down to three scenarios.

"A. The Seme will be bald and large and muscular while the Uke is childlike with long black hair and looks like the boyish host.

"B. Both men will be around the same height but the Seme is darker with black hair and the Uke is half with blond hair, blue eyes and Asian features. He's also slightly slimmer.

"C. The Seme is tall and thin but much younger than the Uke and with light brown hair and completely black eyes while the Uke is older and smaller with gray eyes and very dark brown hair."

"So it's Yaoi?" Akihiko rolled his eyes.

"Of course. Sumi-san's decided that I should try to do some more since I'm rather good at it."

"Yeah, by drawing pictures of you and my brother," he muttered under his breath. Slight anger touched his words. "What's the plot?"

"It's a collaboration. Morikawa Sensei gave me a list of possible ideas for our story but I have to pick an art style before she can write."

Akihiko hesitated. "B would work if they are equals outside their relationship or if the Seme holds slightly less power or social standing. C would work in a student/Sensei scenario or Senpai/kouhai even."

"And A?"

"A is for bit parts and loses many readers. Mostly because they only want to read about beautiful people."

Sumi looked at him. "You seem to know a lot about writing."

Akihiko shrugged. "I like to write."

"Interesting…" Sumi's eyes flickered dangerously making Akihiko change the subject.

"Sensei, do you want lunch?"

"What are you making?"

"Weenies." It was one of the things he could actually make without burning it.

"Make them octopus shaped."

"Are you for real?"

"I've never had them and now I never will." The annoying thing about Misaki was that he didn't even need to look piteous. His big, green eyes said it all.

"Alright, alright." Akihiko stalked back to the kitchen, leaving the men to their meeting.

He started defrosting weenies in the microwave while he thought about his most recent story. He was thinking that maybe he wanted to make the main character male. That would certainly make for an interesting read. A man in love with a young woman who is not only his best friend but has a boyfriend and is being comforted by her younger brother who looks just like her…

He poured oil into a pan to let it heat while his thoughts ran wild. He went out to the living room for a notebook and pen in his bag and returned to the kitchen, completely ignored by the two men intent on their work. He was a bit surprised that Sensei, at least, hadn't looked up but once he was focused, he probably wouldn't notice a nuke going off three meters away.

He opened the notebook to a clean page and threw the weenies into the pan before he returned to the journal and began to write.

Fifteen minutes later, he had an outline and the weenies were on fire. He cursed darkly and turned down the flame. Sumi and Misaki hurried into the room to see what had happened. While Akihiko explained to Misaki that he'd burned his precious octopus weenies, Sumi picked up the notebook that lay forgotten on the counter. He read over the outline with growing interest.

Then Akihiko saw. "What—?" he started.

"This is quite good," Sumi said, looking over up. "You should try writing professionally."

"Uh, thanks?" he replied, his eyebrows drawing together.

Sumi smiled and pulled out a business card. "If you want a publicist then call me, I'll see you get settled with a good one. Unless, of course, you want to write dialogue for manga, in which case I'll gladly take you on."

The tiniest bit of a leer on Sumi's face sent trills of jealousy down Misaki's back. He hastily grabbed Sumi's wrist and said, "We have to get back to work."

Sumi smiled warmly. "Of course, as cute as you two look like that, the printers wait for no man." He allowed himself to be dragged from the room, leaving Akihiko standing in the kitchen with a business card, some vague notes and some seriously burnt meat. Oh yeah, today was going great.

To be continued…

Chey: And the story really starts to branch off.

Misaki: At least you're not being so close to the original anymore.

Chey: *pouts* You're no fun. Anyway please review, my loves. And I do apologize for the shortness of this chapter, I'm unable to think of anything else to write.

Thanks for reading!

~CheyanneChika