3rd Person POV:
For the past couple weeks, Hiroki, Yusuke, and Mi-noo have been chatting on and off by call or text, coordinating on how and when should they meet in person. As they all have relatively busy schedules, especially Mi-noo, for he doesn't know how to exactly will he convince his parents on him going to Japan. Even if it's to meet his friends from online, his parents are cautious and protective towards him. Rightly so, for they care for Mi-noo greatly. While Yusuke is also busy, with his school, his friends close by, and finalizing his road map as to how to financially secure money for himself independently. As he still currently relies heavily on his parents giving him some allowance.
Hiroki also is trying to make sure his relationships with his mom and his older sister is stable enough that he hopes any dastardly fiend won't break his family dynamic. His school in general is doing alright, he gotten a bit closer to Ayumu, which made his other friend Nao, a bit jealous.
Right now, it is in the afternoon, right afterschool, and they're all chatting via video call in their special phone. They manage to get each other a bit more, some insights of their lives and what not. They already got somewhat of a plan for when they'll meet in person, as they all agreed it will be in Japan as it will be easier for both Hiroki and Yusuke, but with Mi-noo being in South Korea. The logistics might be a little more complicated than they expected, but they hope it will work out in the end. As they said their goodbyes and they promptly ended the video call.
Hiroki is in his bedroom, as he ponders and contemplates while he starts reading a book to get his thoughts together.
(End of 3rd Person POV…)
Hiroki's POV:
May 21, 2013, Japan…
I'm laying down as I read a book, it's too keep me occupied, while I also pondered and thought about what happened the past couple weeks since we all met together through the video call. I suspected I might not be the only one in this world, but I'm very glad that it's my old friends. We already did some coordination together as to how we all will benefit from this. As to how to improve our lives, make it better, and make things easier for us and those we care about. I mean, we are in NTR protagonists after all. It is a given that we all agreed that we should do something on what we've been given.
As hard it might be at times or will be later, we will either have to try or die trying. Like I said, very glad I'm not alone with this, it will make things now that we can properly communicate with each other and be more active.
As I kept reading this book, which is about Modern Japanese History, to help brush me up the knowledge of this version of Japan. I thought about how will I implement on making money more effectively and the progress so far…
First, I already have a MeTubechannel, and so far, I posted 5 videos. Which is mostly about Minecraft content. As currently the trend is on let's plays. Which is the primary focus. With the introduction video, and the 4 let's play videos. I seem to be going in track with the channel. I mean, I did everything to gain audience and their interest, I made an interesting channel banner, logo, and added a couple socials linked in the page they could follow. I did it by myself using a free alternative for Photoshop. And yeah, that's also one of the names that are the same in my last life.
On the editing side of things, I used what knowledge I knew from my past experiences, that became more commonplace in the YouTube space, but is not as well known here currently. I don't mean overproduced, hyper editing that is known a decade later. But I took some elements from what more popular YouTuber did in their own videos. I used a cheap yet effective editing software that with my mom, paid about 3$ per month of usage. It wasn't much, it doesn't have all the fancy nor advance features, even for this time, but it works well for me.
I also bought a microphone from the local electronics store, which cause about 30$, a capture card around 100$, and a recording camera and device, around 35$ from the used goods store. All in all, it cost 168$ for my set up. Which is around 16'800 yen roughly.
Not too bad for a first start here. I made to have a clear voice of the microphone, good diction that's reflective of my age yet not too immature. I also made sure I wasn't too loud nor too quiet, and not having a monotone voice. I showed my reaction and emotions appropriately and as authentically as possible.
Overall, with those 4 videos I made so far. I am getting some getting some steam, a decent amount of traction for this time. I have gained nearly 900 subscribers since I made those videos. And a total of nearly 100'000 total views all across my videos. And since posting the videos during the couple weeks. It ain't too shabby. It's mostly for the English speaking audience of course as the Japanese Audience won't give much traction as this moment.
I plan to continue to post and upload videos around 3 videos per week currently. As I have school, family, and a growing social life. Plus Extracurricular Activities as well. I don't have a lot of time yet.
I also have set up a bank account for myself, as I would need it for my future independent income. I probably would set another just in case if I got more money in the future. On top of all that, I also try to make time to go to church, pray, and say thanks to my god. Even if logistics can be a bit tedious at times, I still try do my part on attending my church. I also managed in the process of getting baptized, I now chose my baptismal name. I am now actually a Christian again. My name is now Francisco Hiroki Mori. Of course I am still known by Hiroki by most people except Yusuke and Mi-noo. Which they have they also have western names by the way too. None of my family knows this, not my mother, not my sister, and certainly not my dad, cause he's dead now. RIP
I did the baptism and conversion in secret without their knowledge. And say as you might, I know it's a bit ridiculous of me doing this but can you blame me on wanting a part of my past identity remaining with me. This one is not something that I will ever let go of.
Now I have to start thinking of when I will publish my books, specifically the mangas and light novels. I already made a lot of plans and ideas of how should I go about, but I need a bit more time to sort through them and finalize the final draft before I sent it to a publisher, both for the manga and light novel.
I am already working on getting Sword Art Online written first, I just need to find a good publishing company to publish it. I also have to figure out how do I make this light novel my own, without a complete copy of the original. Frankly, it is needed, as the plot and even the writing wasn't the greatest in the original. I still am keeping the main core ideas and only the essential plot points of this light novel. I am merely planning to build up the VR world more, and expand the worldbuilding and as well as the game lore too, by making it more coherent for me and those who will read the light novel. I hope to release early next year…
"Man, I got a lot of plates in my hand, but nothing like good old blood, sweat, and tears will fix it for me!" Hiroki exclaimed with excitement and determination at this challenging commitment he use has to tackle with. For Hiroki, this is will be the moment things will shift dramatically…
I then closed my book, put it back on the bookshelf. I took a sigh as I thought about all of this. I then went downstairs to grab a glass of water, for my mouth is getting parched.
*Chugs a gulp of water…*
"Ahhh! That's the stuff, I really needed it." Hiroki exclaimed.
I went to the living and watched some tv, as I wondering what is on today. I turned on the tv and skimmed through the channel. My family currently has cable, but I think that my mom should cancel the cable subscription as it's adding up the expenses slightly for some time now. Plus, I don't it will be useful as I know streaming services will eventually takeover and become the new cable. And also, screw the NHK, they are predatory, good for nothing, scoundrels.
But I digress as I found what I want to watch for the moment…
//An hour later…//
I turned off the tv and decided to go outside. I put on my windbreaker and grabbed my bike and went out. I steadily bike along, I thought I should also hang out with a few friends as well. The more the merrier the company that is.
I briefly took a stop by the sidewalk and rest my bike near to the side of a tree, As I leaned over it, for I'm going to make a call.
*Beep* *Beep* *Beep*
"Hi, are you busy right now?" Hiroki called to whomever he's talking to, a friend perhaps. Though not exactly one who's known him from his past life.
"You're down? Great! Text me when you're there at **** nearby ***** park, see you then…" Hiroki talked as he still leaned around, fidgeting with his left hand while the phone is on his right.
"Oh! That's nice. Tell me when you're done with your cooking too. I didn't expect you'd be doing something as well!" Hiroki exclaimed as his eyes widened slightly as he's a little shocked that his friend would perhaps be doing something, and his friend agreed to hangout today. Hiroki then proceeded to tell him to finish his cooking first but, his friend didn't mind as he's already close to finishing the meal.
Hiroki moved from the tree as he paced around a little, still not moving too far away due to his bike he needs to make sure it's not being stolen. He took a brief glance around the street and slowly thinking of where to go, especially the place he's hanging out.
"Well, I hoped you let your dad knows where you'll be going, he can be a bit too cautious at times… Yeah, I get it, he can be a bit overbearing, but he's your dad. I know, I know, you got to understand that-" The speaker on the phone murmured on and on how it's annoying at times and he wants to have friends with kids around his age. "Okay then. Just tell him where we're hanging out and what time you'll be back, okay. I think it's reasonable enough he can understand."
After a back and forth conversation between them, Hiroki hung up the phone.
*Sighs…*
"At least he's not busy today, we don't hang out much outside of school, but I hope I'll eventually rectify this." Hiroki back to his bike and grabbed it.
He started riding his bike again and biked off to where he needs to go…
//Close to 15 minutes later…//
He's at the sitting at the sitting area of the town centre nearby to a park, waiting for his friend to show up. He has rested his bike to the bike rack, as he now on his phone, watching a video on MeTube.
"Ok, what are my plans for my upcoming videos after the end of May…" As Hiroki contemplates out loud to himself. Making sure that he murmurs to himself only, not wanting anyone to bother him.
But just then, he heard his phone making a notification, and then his name being called. Hiroki snapped out of his thoughts and turned around.
????: Hey Hiroki, I just arrived.
(Raku Ichijou Image)
It was Raku Ichijo, who's carrying a black backpack. The friend who he met a while ago. Later on, a major protagonist of the manga series "Nisekoi". Right now, he waved at Hiroki from the street away, as he hollers out to him. Hiroki stood up and walked towards him. They met when Raku was feeling alone to his family reputation and other classmates being afraid of him. Hiroki was the only one who went up to him, they talked. And eventually they slowly became friends. Raku slowly managed to get off of his shyness and became more relaxed and comfortable with him. Especially since he's started to resemble his canon personality a little as he got out of his shell.
"Hey, What's up, Raku, how are you today…" Hiroki gets close to him and gave him a nice dap.
*Dap*
Raku: Nothing much, I already done significant work for our upcoming quiz though. How about you, Hiroki?
"Me too, I was just chilling waiting for you to arrive." Hiroki and Raku walked around a bit on the sidewalk, looking around what to do in the town centre street.
"So did your dad called someone to drive you here?" Hiroki asked knowing his dad can be fussy at times.
Raku: Yeah, also he told me to be here at 6pm, Sharp! As my driver will pick me up when I go home.
"Alright then. Let know when it's close to the time, Raku." As they look at a game store, while they talked
Raku: Okay.
Raku shrugs and says that he'll remind him when he's about to go.
"Let's go to this store, I think they might have some interesting stuff today, but who knows??"
They both went inside of the game store, right by electronic store, but near to the book store.
(End of Hiroki's POV…)
3rd Person POV:
Hiroki and Raku just did some looking around at the game store, mostly doing some window shopping, as they weren't intending to buy something. But Raku saw a new limited edition Pokémon pack. Hiroki noticed this and offered to buy it for him, as he wanted to do something nice as a gesture.
Raku wanted to refuse but Hiroki quickly shut that down and stated he didn't mind buying something for a friend. Raku was touched and offered to give him something another time. Hiroki said no problem.
They left the store after Hiroki paid for the card pack.
Although it did took a part of Hiroki's allowance, he didn't mind doing this for a friend, one he considers his good friend. Not all the time of course…
They then went to an arcade, as they saw the place being close to their preriperal. They both are ecstatic about this when they both saw it and got inside the place. Today was a great day for both. Plus the price they saw wasn't too bad. So they decided to stay there for the next few hours. Luckily they don't need to buy food as they already ate lunch. While Raku bought snacks in his backpack.
As they played and enjoyed their time in the arcade. His other friends, Yusuke and Mi-noo are also busy doing things. Mostly already started doing their plans for their own future.
Yusuke is right now doing writing, as he planned to write his first work. Which is Fairy Tail, as he described that it would be a good first project to make his manga debut. As the world anime/manga stagnated somewhat since the mid 2000s. Plus, Hiro Mashima doesn't exist here so he wouldn't get sued for copyright infringements in this world.
He chose Fairy Tail, as he not only enjoyed the series but also wants to improve upon it. Keeping the main core ideas and plots, while still changing some aspects of it. Especially anything related to Mashima gimmicks or signatures, for he doesn't exist here, like I said. Cause Why not! Also, he hopes to release it once he finds a manga publisher that will look at it.
Yusuke has also been practicing and writing down his music (songs from his past life). As he likes to sing, and plays guitar around his house. He already have set up a MeTube channel as well, mostly his plans for Animation or skits maybe, with occasional blogs for updates. Though he wonders if he will also set up another one, just for music too. Maybe even a third one…
His parents doesn't mind his music as they enjoy his playing and singing. Sometimes, his dad even join in, for he's also a pretty good singer as well.
As for Mi-noo, he is right now started a music MeTube channel for his covers, and also original music (songs from his past life as well). He doesn't have any strong ambitions to make Mangas or any literary writings like his fellow friends are. Though he writes down lyrics and ideas for songs and music. Despite that, he has no strong interest of being a solo artist, perhaps he, Yusuke, and Hiroki, might make a trio where they can release their music anonymously. Maybe even a band when their older, cause that'd be cool!
Anyways, Mi-noo practiced more and more, making sure his skills from the past life doesn't get rusty, while simultaneously impressing his mom and dad, as they wondered where did this came from and when he found the time to learn his skills quickly. Who knows, as they chalked it up as talent. Especially his mom, as they now have a more of a bond in their shared love of music.
As for their female friends, Mi-noo relationship with Ji-ah is going splendidly, not only he maintained the friendship, but they've much closer. Perhaps, a bit of a crush from Ji-ah end, but only ever so slightly so. Mi-noo unfortunately doesn't notice that yet. Time will tell if he reciprocates her slowly fro feelings towards him…
While, Yusuke and Kaya have been steadily getting closer as well. Yusuke tries to maintain an arm length boundary, making sure whenever or whatever "it" happens, he won't get affected. Frankly, he wouldn't even cared about it either way. No feelings from her thankfully! Thank goodness.
Yusuke has also been hanging out with his other friends, Takeo and Makoto quite often. They all seem to be getting close with each other, and those three have been getting into some hijinks recently, but that's for another day that will come up…
All of the 3 reincarnates have been steadily going through their lives and are progressing very well so far. As they've hope that they can live their new lives as much as they want possible.
(End of 3rd Person POV…)