Cross-dressing Dormitory 24

I knew there was a chance of failing… Even though his editor gave some ideas for his next works during the meeting, having his manga rejected like that was shocking. He couldn’t get rid of the feeling so quickly.

When Erick left the publisher’s building, he had no idea what to do or where to go. He wanted to go home and sleep for a while before focusing on his next work. But everyone will ask how my meeting went and I’m not ready to tell them I was rejected, he thought.

He tried, but he couldn’t think of anywhere else to go. The idea of going to Akihabara crossed his mind, but he gave up on that option as soon it came. He didn’t want to taint the place and things he loved with his feelings of dejection at the moment.

Maybe I could go to a bar. However, just like going to the weeb paradise, he gave up the idea right away. I like drinking, but not only am I weak to booze, I’m not the type of guy who’d go drinking alone…

Without any other idea, Erick headed to the closest subway, dragging his feet and taking more time than normal. When he arrived at his station, he headed to the dormitory in the same way, trying to delay facing anybody.

“I’m back,” he said in a listless voice when he entered.

“Welcome back, Erick. How was the meeting?” Rin greeted him with a lot of enthusiasm. He wasn’t the only one. Behind him, Mikki and Kanata seemed eager to hear as well.

Erick couldn’t meet those hopeful eyes. He looked down and dropped his shoulders. “Not well.”

There was a moment of silence. Then his three friends groaned as if they were one. 

“You too?” Kanata said.

“Can’t believe this,” Mikki sighed.

“It’s almost like someone planned this day,” Rin added.

Erick raised his head and looked at them. “What are you talking about?”

“We also had bad days,” Rin explained.

“Yeah, we were counting on you for a bit of good news,” Kanata said, flashing a wry smile.

“What happened?”

“My team lost an important match in the preliminary. We’re out of the main tournament because of a minor mistake,” Rin said.

“I spent the afternoon trying to find a supplier because my usual one lost his product due to an employee’s mistake.” Mikki pressed his temples. “I couldn’t find one, and if I can’t find someone until the end of the week, I’ll have to cancel the event next week. I’ve been planning this for so long…”

“In my case, one of the people I help had a little meltdown. If it wasn’t for my teacher, I don’t know what would’ve happened,” Kanata said in a low voice.

“And now your manga wasn’t approved.” Though Rin’s face was tired, he flashed a huge grin as he slapped Erick’s back. “Since none of us had a good day, let’s lick our wounds together!”

“That’s a good idea,” Mikki said grudgingly. “It’s hard to think you came up with it…” 

“Was it hard admitting that aloud?” Rin flashed a cocky smile at him.

“You have no idea how much.”

Despite his dejected mood, Erick couldn’t help but laugh at their interaction.

“How about we order takeout and drink the whole night?” Kanata suggested.

“Agree!” Rin shouted.

***

When Erick woke up, he had no idea where he was. His body was sluggish and his head heavy. Despite his current situation, he could at least tell he wasn’t in his room. An unknown ceiling. Where am I? What the hell happened last night?

He looked around and realized he was sleeping on the floor of the living room. And he wasn’t alone. On his left was Kanata, using his arm as pillow and sleeping peacefully. Erick couldn’t help but smile at that sight. Despite being cool and all, he drools when he sleeps.

They weren’t the only ones sleeping on the floor. Rin and Mikki were on Erick’s right. But instead of using his arm as a pillow like Kanata, they were spooning with each other. And it wasn’t only that—Rin was embracing Mikki and Mikki was holding his hands.

How can I not ship them? Erick wondered as he searched his pocket for his phone and took a picture. He then took deep breaths, trying to remember how they reached that situation.

We ordered pizza and ate it while drinking. Then we decided to play a drinking game… What was it? His head throbbed a little as he forced his mind to remember. Every time there was a crappy animation, we’d drink a shot…

When he remembered, Erick couldn’t help but to chuckle weakly. We shouldn’t have picked an anime from Clown Studio… We got hammered way too fast…

As he tried to recover his strength enough to move without waking his friends, Yuuki came downstairs. He looked at the scene and smiled.

“Did you boys have a good time last night?” he asked.

“I guess…”

“Are you feeling better?”

This time Erick smiled. “Yeah. Thanks to these guys. Hope I could do the same for them.”

“You’ve been doing that already. I think I’ve told you this before.”

“Yeah, but I wanted to do more. Without them, I don’t think I’d be taking the rejection like this. I came to this country only knowing Rin and my editor. I’m glad I got to be friends with everyone.”

“And I’m glad you came. It’s been a while since this place has been so full of smiles and laughs.”

Erick blushed and flashed an embarrassed smile. “I haven’t been doing much…”

“Yes, you have,” Yuuki insisted. “Well, I’ll make breakfast.”

“Can I help?”

“Thanks.”

As they made breakfast, Erick was thinking of a way to pay back all the kindness and support he was receiving from his friends. I almost forgot, but we did bet I’d go on dates with them. I don’t know if they still remember, but if they do, I’ll take them out and show them a good time.

After they finished cooking, he went back to the living room. Even without saying a word, the three of them were stirring, slowly waking from sleep. The next moment, Mikki opened his eyes and as he looked around, Rin woke too. 

They looked at each other and suddenly were wide awake.

“What the hell are you doing?” Rin asked as they stopped spooning and stood up.

“Me? You were the one rubbing your groin on my ass,” Mikki complained.

“Like you don’t like that.”

“I do. When it’s hard.”

“Sorry, but you’re not my type. You’re not top.”

“Is that why you two didn’t work out in the past?” Erick asked.

They both looked at him. “W-what are you talking about?” they asked together.

“Yeah, it was. They’re both bottom. When they tried to change roles, it was bad,” Kanata said, smiling despite still being drowsy. “I told you guys, you need to be flexible like me.”

“Shut up. We’re not talking about that now,” they said in unison, both blushing.

Erick couldn’t help but laugh. “Breakfast is ready.”

As if in reply, all four stomachs growled. They looked at each other and laughed.