The Akihabara Convention Center was packed. It wasn't just crowded; it was a wall-to-wall ocean of people, sweat, and excitement.
Today was the official launch event for Dragon Ball Z, Volume 1.
Lines snaked around the block. Cosplayers posed for photos. The air conditioning was fighting a losing battle against the collective body heat of thousands of fans.
Inside the small, quiet green room, Yuuki Rito stared at himself in the mirror.
He adjusted the mask on his face. It was a simple, stylized fox mask, black with gold accents, that covered the upper half of his face. It felt a little silly, like something out of a sentai show, but his editor insisted it was necessary to build the "mystique" of Hoshino Ryūto.
"You ready, sensei?"
Mr. Toriyama, his editor from Jump, poked his head in. He looked exhausted but happy. "The crowd is insane. We might sell out in an hour."
"Yeah," Rito said, smoothing down his jacket. He wasn't wearing a tuxedo or anything fancy, just a nice, clean blazer over a t-shirt. "I'm ready."
He checked his phone one last time. A text from Mikan: Good luck! We're cheering for you from home! Don't trip on stage!
Rito smiled. It was better this way. Bringing Mikan, Lala, and the others here would have been a disaster. If anyone saw them hanging out with the mysterious new mangaka, his secret identity would be blown in seconds.
"Let's do this." Rito muttered.
He walked out to the stage. The roar of the crowd hit him like a physical blow. It was loud, chaotic, and kind of terrifying. Rito waved awkwardly, and the cheering got louder.
He sat down at the signing table. It was just him and a few actual staff members managing the line.
The first fan was a nervous high school boy. He practically shoved the book at Rito. "I-I love your work! The art is amazing!"
"Thank you." Rito said, trying to sound cool but probably just sounding shy. He signed the book with a flourish.
The next hour was a blur.
Sign. Smile. Shake hand. Next.
It was tiring, but... satisfying. Rito looked at the faces of the people reading his work. They were happy. Excited. For a guy who spent most of his life tripping into girls and apologizing, being appreciated for something he made felt incredible.
"Sensei, take a five-minute breather." Mr. Toriyama whispered, handing him a bottle of water. "Your hand is going to cramp."
"Thanks," Rito breathed. He stood up, stretching his arms. "I'm just going to step out the back for some fresh air."
"Make it quick. The line isn't getting shorter."
Rito ducked behind the curtain and slipped out the rear exit door.
The alleyway behind the convention center was quiet. It smelled faintly of dumpster and city exhaust, but compared to the stuffy hall, it was heaven. Rito leaned against the brick wall, pulling his mask up onto his forehead to wipe the sweat from his eyes.
"Phew..."
He closed his eyes for a second, enjoying the breeze.
When he opened them, he saw her.
Sitting on a bench near the vending machines, completely ignored by the few smokers and staff loitering around, was a girl.
She was small, wearing a black gothic dress that looked way too hot for the weather. And she had long, beautiful blonde hair that cascaded down her back.
She wasn't looking at him. She was looking down at a book in her hands.
Dragon Ball, Volume 4.
Rito froze.
He knew that hair. He knew that aura of "don't come near me or I'll stab you".
Golden Darkness.
The Assassin.
She was sitting there, calm as anything, reading his manga.
Rito watched her. She turned a page. Her expression was stoic, almost blank, but her eyes were glued to the panels. She looked... engrossed.
Then, Rito saw it. A tiny, almost imperceptible movement.
As she read a scene where Goku was charging an attack, a strand of her golden hair lifted from her shoulder. It twisted, forming a small, sharp spike, mimicking the action on the page.
It was a reflex. She was so into the story she was unconsciously transforming.
Rito felt a smile tug at his lips.
'She likes it,' he thought. 'Even assassin likes my manga.'
He remembered Zastin's warning. 'The first one... she is already here.'
He slid his mask back down over his eyes, and checked his pockets. He had a few yen coins.
He walked over to the vending machine. It whirred to life. He bought two cans of taiyaki-flavored soda and a bag of actual taiyaki from a nearby stall cart that had set up shop.
He walked toward the bench.
"Is it good?" Rito asked, keeping his voice casual.
The girl didn't jump. She didn't flinch. Her red eyes snapped up to meet his, sharp and dangerous. Her hair flared out slightly, the ends turning into blades.
"Who are you?" she asked, her voice flat.
Rito held up the bag of taiyaki. "Just a guy on a break. You looked like you were enjoying the book."
He sat down on the other end of the bench, leaving plenty of space. He offered her a taiyaki.
"Peace offering," Rito said.
She stared at the fish-shaped cake. Then at him. Then at the book in her lap.
Slowly, the blades in her hair retracted. She reached out and took the taiyaki.
"It is... acceptable," she muttered. She took a bite. "I am reading for research. Earth culture is... strange."
"Yeah, it is," Rito agreed, taking a bite of his own. "But the manga is pretty good, right?"
She chewed thoughtfully. "The protagonist... he fights to protect. It is illogical. But... not unpleasant."
Rito smiled behind his mask.
'She's not just a weapon,' he thought. 'She's just a lonely girl who likes stories.'
"I'm glad you think so," Rito said. "I think the author would be happy to hear that."
For a moment, they just sat there in the alleyway, the Mangaka in disguise and the Golden Assassin, eating taiyaki and reading his manga, neither of them realizing just how complicated their lives were about to get.
*****
A little support goes a long way! If you'd like to help me keep creating, you can do so at
https://ko fi.com/rroy28 (put a "-" between "ko" and "fi")
Support me on my patr eon and gain early access to my creations.
https://www.pat reon.com/RroY_r18 (remove the space)
You can access all the advanced chapters of this book and even make request for addition of some specific scenes.
Also, I have added Chapter-wise Uncensored NSFW Illustrations, available only in Patr eon.