[ video ]

[secretshoujoart]

[ someone puts their phone up on a chair so a small fire can be seen on the ground. the sun's going down and it's obvious this is being recorded in someone's back yard. it's kind of comforting to just watch it and watch the flames moves across the tree branches and scattered pieces of wood. it's quiet for a bit...

then there's this feeling... this feeling that someone was recording this on purpose, not just to share their summer night fire that they just created. that became a little more obvious when...there was a ripping sound coming from the side. several rips. like it was paper.

the papers go flying onto the fire, burning and crackling when they hit it. after a few more pages get thrown onto the fire, a whole sketchbook gets thrown onto the fire.

Nozaki comes into view as he goes to sit on the opposite side of the fire. he's looking rough... to say the least. is he sick? he looks sick. maybe he needs a haircut too. he's hid himself away from everyone for a little bit to try to finally break down. but it looks like he's having his break down right now. unfortunately, his sketchbook is too thick for that fire. it burns the inside pages but the fire goes out quickly...

he looks up at the camera, not pleased about what just happened. really? is this his life? why?! he puts his face in his hands, unsure of what to do anymore... ]

Comments

video

[overexertion]

Nozaki? What are you doing?

video

[secretshoujoart]

[ he sounds hoarse, quiet for a second ]

Going on hiatus.

video

[overexertion]

... does a hiatus include burning your drawings?

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[secretshoujoart]

Yeah...

That's why I did it.

video;

[unhappy]

If you're going to start a bonfire at least invite other people.

video;

[secretshoujoart]

You can join if you want... It's not very fun.

Re: video;

[unhappy]

Not with that attitude.

video;

[secretshoujoart]

Guess not...

Sorry, who are you?

[video]

[offwithhishat]

[ It would have been nice to believe that the video really was just someone sharing a calming view, but Jefferson caught himself counting the seconds until something strange happened.

He winced a little bit at the tearing sound. Yeah, definitely not just a scenic view video. The person who came into the frame looked like an absolute disaster. Like he was having a quarter life crisis. ]

... can I ask why?

[video]

[secretshoujoart]

It needed to be done. I have an...artist block...

[video]

[offwithhishat]

Ah.

[ He said it in a definitive sort of way, like he knew exactly how that felt. He didn't, not really, but but it was a sentiment worth empathizing with. ]

So you're feeling uninspired, or is it that nothing is coming out right?

[video]

[secretshoujoart]

The latter. It's...been really tough lately. I feel like I'm in a slump.

Ken-san would be angry with me if he were here... [ he looks down at his hands. he's mostly just saying that to himself ]

[Action?]

[the_heroine]

[He's been worried about Nozaki. They all have been. Maybe he doesn't get it because he's not an artist, not like the mangaka anyway, but this seems like the equivalent of him breaking his figures. His friend is unwinding, and if someone doesn't step in, soon, it will only get worse.]

[Which is why he storms over intent on putting out the fire...only to watch it burn out before he reaches Nozaki. He's silent for a moment longer before he reaches for his arm.]

Get up, Nozaki.

[Action]

[secretshoujoart]

............

[ Nozaki's watching the smoke rise from under the book and he blinks slowly. he knows Mikoshiba's there...but doesn't say anything.

instead, he just lays down on his side on the ground. just staring at the fire. if you want him to move, you'll have to move him! ]

[Action]

[the_heroine]

[Fine he'll do what he has to! Frowning stubbornly, he grabs onto Nozaki's arm and...tries to pull him to stand.

Nozaki's tall okay.

This might be harder than he thought and he's panting dramatically but he'll keep trying!]

[Action]

[secretshoujoart]

[ Nozaki just keeps getting lifted up by that one arm and then put back down. he'd looking at where he left his phone. now he's wondering if anyone is still watching. would they think it's funny? it probably looked pretty silly.

he finally sits back up right and looks over at Mikoshiba ]

...What is it?

[Video]

[drawsbadly]

If that was meant to be entertaining you certainly could have done better. [Yawn.]

[Video]

[secretshoujoart]

It wasn't meant to be entertaining... I was...

I was going to say that I was going on hiatus from my manga for a while. But the fire went out. So instead of an entirely burned sketchbook, I have a charred one with the inside burned.

[Video]

[drawsbadly]

Do you always announce a hiatus by burning your sketchbook?

What is a manga? Why are you taking a break?

action

[nrgsvr]

[ There's an advantage to being the boss, in that he doesn't need to ask permission before rushing home. He still tells his employees that it's a family emergency, and the public video makes that obvious. He heads to the back yard and crouches next to his brother.]

Join me in dream docks?

[ The dream docks helped Mayu when he was overwhelmed with how much he missed everyone. Maybe dream Ken-san can give him some inspiration.

action

[secretshoujoart]

Hey, Mayu... [ he hasn't looked at him. he's busy looking at the fire ]

What's at the docks? I don't... I don't know if I would be okay seeing Sakura but knowing that she isn't here.

action

[nrgsvr]

It'll feel like normal at home, and maybe you could get some inspiration back. With some suggestions from Ken-san.

I learned to type last time I went, and learned about my blog.

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[tresbeau]

Do you know what a crime of waste you are committing, young man? You do not simply burn paper like that.

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[secretshoujoart]

...Oh.

I thought I was doing the world a favor.

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[tresbeau]

Hardly, it is nothing but a waste.