Chapter 67: Chapter 66 - The Booth Beside You

Like any large convention would be, Comiket was a crazy organized hell on Earth.

Kuro Kurogane walked into the convention centre - there was so much going on he was almost overwhelmed as soon as he stepped through the doors.

The massive crowds, anime music, cosplay groups, throngs of screaming fans, giant bags of merchandise in the hands of every otaku there - all the sweaty, heated crowds seemed to be causing Kuro to lose all faith in humanity.

"...There are too many humans," Kuro said under his breath.

Rika was beside him, looking at the crowd and adjusting her shoulder bag nervously.

"Actually, this is smaller than Winter Comiket," she said that sentence sent chills down Kuro’s spine.

Further ahead, Yuna was walking along like a battle-hardened war veteran, chomping on convenience store bread.

"You just entered nerd war," she said, which accurately describes what was happening there.

Kuro was carrying two heavy boxes of supplies, trying to keep up with Rika so she could get to her booth in the artist’s alley, and out of nowhere Rika spontaneously turns into a giddy child on Christmas.

She’s not just calm-school-Rika anymore; she was straight giddy and having the time of her life.

Because the majority of her focus was on the artist’s booths, Kuro was just watching and enjoying the sight of her being happy.

Kuro thought to himself how wonderful it was to see Rika so happy.

It gave him that warm feeling inside.

However, Rika stumbled across the back to him after he had stood there for a few minutes watching her with a smile on his face. "Crowded?" she asked.

"A little," he said.

"Sorry," she said, sounding genuine.

Kuro shook his head and told her, "You look like you are having fun."

They both stood there in silence until Rika smiled at Kuro. It was a small, genuine smile that took him by surprise.

"I am," she finally said after a long pause and deflated the overwhelming mass of humanity in the convention centre for Kuro.

Bad effect.

Worse than expected effect.

After several minutes they arrived at their booth.

It’s small and organized.

With stacks of books, posters set up very professionally & character cards displayed very nicely.

"...this looks pretty legit."

At first, Rika was embarrassed.

"...I’ve been doing this for a long time".

Rika doesn’t normally discuss herself.

But under her calm appearance as a well-behaved student, there is a talented artist, a long time otaku, and convention attendee.

So many things he still does not know about her.

Then, out of nowhere, Yuna pushed Kuro straight to the chair at the booth.

"Congrats ,you are now the temporary boyfriend assistant".

"...yeah just assistant".

"Yeah, you’re still a coward."

Meanwhile, Rika continued malfunctioning silently next to them.

"...Geez big sis , please quit creating fake relationships".

Too late, too bad.

A few booths down several females at the convention were already saying .

"They are adorable".

"Are they a couple?".

"They are totally matching".

Rika was almost sent to heaven.

Kuro looked completely drained emotionally.

Customers started arriving.

And all of a sudden Kuro was suddenly helpful.

He was responsible for organizing payment ,stacking manga ,carrying customer bags ,managing lines

While Rika awkwardly spoke to people.

It took quite a while, but eventually the atmosphere became comfortable and natural. Each time that Rika looked over at Kuro he was there with her, silently assisting her.

No complaints or embarrassing moments were involved; he was just providing quiet support to her.

Unfortunately, that was taking a toll on Rika’s heart. It made her heart race because to her, this scene was just all too much like a domestic partnership fantasy.

At one point a customer picked up the ’Two Sisters Who Loved Too Much’ manga and looked at Kuro curiously.

"...Did your boyfriend help you with references?"

There was silence and it caused Rika to freeze.

After a moment, Kuro blinked once right before Yuna very dramatically appeared out of nowhere.

"Yes."

"...Big Sis."

Too late.

The customer nodded and said, "You guys have a very natural chemistry."

He left very happy. Rika physically covered her face in the manga stack. Kuro sighed heavily.

"...Your sister is a criminal."

"Correct."

Later, during their lunch break, the crowd had calmed down momentarily. Kuro quietly handed Rika bottled tea.

"...You need to drink that before you pass out."

"...Thank you."

Their fingers barely touched as Kuro handed Rika the tea and both of them knew it immediately. Neither of them pulled away right away.

Then Rika turned to him very softly.

"...You are surprisingly good at this."

"...At selling yuri manga based on my family?"

"...Artistically inspired."

Still, that was a weak defense.

Kuro chuckled through his nose.

And again Rika felt warmth in her heart whenever he laughed genuinely.

Lately she had started searching for ways to make him smile without even knowing it.

Then suddenly a small crowd of girls walked up to the booth in excitement.

One of them immediately pointed at Kuro.

"Wait." "He’s good-looking."

Uh-oh.

Another one said in a loud whisper...

"He looks like a romance manga main character."

Not good.

Rika lost all the color in her face.

He fit perfectly at her booth, almost like he belonged there.

The first girl then grinned teasingly at Rika.

"You have a cute assistant."

Rika’s heart pounded.

For a brief moment, she thought about saying.

"I know."

Instead she adjusted her glasses nervously.

"...h-he’s only helping."

At the same time, Yuna was smiling smugly.

Before long, the afternoon became much busier.

The booth was so busy that at times there were long lines of people waiting for Rika’s manga.

They complimented her drawings, her emotional storytelling, and the chemistry between the characters.

Kuro was quiet while helping Rika.

As he watched her, Kuro began to understand how hard Rika has worked for this.

For every customer whom she smiled at. For every time she said "thank you," nervously. For every time she signed a manga.

This world meant so much to Rika.

And watching her do what she loved made him proud.

Then without warning as Rika rushed to look toward him, her and his eyes connected.

And even with all the noise around them, she smiled at him.

It was a small, thankful and soft smile that halts his thoughts momentarily due to the message it clearly communicated:

"Happy that you are here"

And horrifically, Kuro discovers that he is also happy to be there as well.