RIKO POV
The rumors had spread faster than a wildfire in a dry forest. By the final bell, the entire student body was treating me like I was a radioactive monster. Whenever I walked down the hall, the sea of students parted like I was Moses.
Honestly? I loved it.
Fuck you too, bitches, I thought as I stepped out of the school gates. Go ahead and embrace the silence. It was an introvert's dream come true. No more annoying small talk, no more fake smiles. Just me, my thoughts, and a reputation for being a violent psychopath. Total win-win.
"R-Riko-chan? You're doing that scary grin again."
I blinked, coming back to reality. Beside me, Izuku was shuffling along, his backpack looking twice as heavy as usual. He'd been babbling about some Newbie Hero with a Quirk that allowed them to turn their hair into fiberglass for the last ten blocks.
"Was I?" I muttered, stuffing my hands into my pockets.
I tuned him out again. What's for dinner? Dad said he might be back early. If the fridge is empty, I could just head over to the Bakugo household. Mitsuki basically treats me like the daughter she never had (and the only person capable of shouting back at her son). But then again, I don't know if I have the energy to deal with the "Old Hag vs. Sparky" screaming match today.
"Hey... Riko-chan?"
"Hmm?"
"Are you really okay?" Izuku asked, his voice soft and genuinely worried. "Those girls... they ruined your work. I know how much time you spent on those storyboards."
I waved a hand dismissively. "Sheesh, don't go all senti on me, Izu. I'm fine. Better than fine, actually. Venting that steam in the bathroom was therapeutic. Besides, it was just one arc, and those were just the roughs. Nothing I can't redo with a few cups of coffee and enough spite."
"Still..." Izuku looked down at his shoes. "Maybe I can help you with your work? I can help with the backgrounds or... something?"
"Nah. Can't give you spoilers, can I? I've got a reputation to uphold as the mysterious creator." I nudged him with my elbow. "But hey, if you really want to be useful, feel free to do my math homework."
I felt a sudden, heavy silence from my left. I turned to see Izuku giving me the most legendary deadpan expression I had ever seen on his face.
"Riko-chan," he said flatly. "I'm the one who's already been doing your homework for the last three years."
"..."
I looked away, coughing into my hand. "Oh. Right. Um. Well... you're doing a great job! Keep up the good work, brother"
"I'm not your brother" he sighed, though I could see a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
I reached home just as the sun was dipping below the horizon. The apartment still looked like a stiff breeze could knock it over, but the smell of sautéed onions and garlic was drifting through the door.
"I'm back!" I shouted, kicking off my shoes.
"Welcome home, Riko!" Dad called from the kitchen. He was still in his work shirt, sleeves rolled up, hovering over a sizzling pan. "How was school?"
"The usual. Destroyed some dreams, asserted my dominance. You know, normal teen stuff."
Dad laughed, not suspecting for a second that I'd actually terrorised a bathroom full of bullies. "Good, good. Help me with the table, will you? I picked up some extra beef on the way back."
I helped him set the table, the domestic quiet a sharp contrast to the cold rage I'd felt earlier. Looking at my Dad, who was humming a tuneless song while he cooked, I felt the tension leave my shoulders. This was why I didn't care about the girls at school. I had my "Old Man," I had my "Pomeranian", and I had my "Nervous Hero" friend. The rest was just noise.
Later that night, the apartment was silent except for the scratch of my pen against paper. I was hunched over my desk, a fresh stack of paper in front of me. I was rewriting the Hange scene; this time, I was making Levi look even more terrifying. Spite is a powerful fuel for art.
Ding.
My phone buzzed on the desk. I ignored it.
Ding. Ding.
"Ugh, what now? If this is Bakugo wanting a rematch at Smash Bros..."
I picked up the phone and swiped the notification. My heart skipped a beat. It wasn't a text. It was an email.
Subject: Inquiry regarding "Attack On Titan" - Shonen Jump Editorial Department
My breath hitched. I scrolled down, my eyes flying across the formal Japanese text.
...We have reviewed the manuscript you submitted to our Newcomer Awards under the pen name 'Kira'. While the themes are quite dark, our editorial board is deeply impressed by the paneling and the emotional depth of the characters... We would like to invite you to our offices to discuss the possibility of a short-term serialization or a one-shot feature...
I stared at the screen. The ink on my fingers felt like it was tingling.
"No way," I whispered to the empty room. "It actually happened."
I looked at my drawing of Eren, standing amidst the steam and fire. Then I looked at the email.
I was about to become a professional mangaka.
"Take that, Hana," I smirked, throwing my pen onto the desk. "Try throwing ink at a nationwide publication. See how that works out for you."
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author's ******
My rant about not having reached the 15k mark, so ignore the following....
(hmmmmmmmmmmmm writing 1k word is hard, dunno, how i about to make it happen, hmmmmmmm if only there was a way, hmmmmm.....uh just a reminder it still not 1k, we at some 951, or something f, well people, how ya all enjoying the story so far, if ya like it, comment, and rate.......you people still reading this.... well what an audience, respect, next time maybe i will sing a song or something.... ya know what, f it we doing it now.....
im so lonely...my book not reach the rankingggg, I'm so lonely, have noooo body? buddy? enough words seems right, well Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own, I'm so, lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own, I'm so lonely, Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own, I'm so lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own
I'm so lonely, Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely,I have nobody for my own, I'm so lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely
I have nobody for my own, I'm so lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own, I'm so, lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own, I'm so lonely, Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own, I'm so lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own
I'm so lonely, Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely,I have nobody for my own, I'm so lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely
I have nobody for my own, I'm so lonely,I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own, I'm so, lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own, I'm so lonely, Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own, I'm so lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely, I have nobody for my own
I'm so lonely, Lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely,I have nobody for my own, I'm so lonely, I'm Mr. Lonely
I have nobody for my own, I'm so lonely,if you still reading this, you crazzzy bruh.... write a fanfic.
ha...Im done