When the Woman Who Looks Down on Me Finds Out I’m the Illustrator She Worships…
When the Woman Who Looks Down on Me Finds Out I’m the Illustrator She Worships…
Japanese Manga in English
Manga video to learn English
Japanese Manga in English
Manga video to learn English
Category
📚
LearningTranscript
00:00I'm Seiya Saito, a low-key high school senior categorized in the nerdy squad at school, but...
00:07I've got a big secret.
00:09It's that I'm the somewhat known artist, Ashiya Saito.
00:14Currently gearing up for the comic market, full-on prep mode.
00:18Feels a bit off. Maybe add a bit more spark to the eyes?
00:27Quit surprising me all the time!
00:30What? Comic? Are you so desperate to hide it because you're no good?
00:35It's no biggie.
00:37Show me.
00:38No way!
00:39You won't make me laugh no matter what comic it is, you know?
00:44Can't show it yet. It's still unpublished.
00:47I could be your reader, you know.
00:49Not happening!
00:51That was fast! No need to hold back!
00:54I'm not holding back!
00:57Whatever.
00:58Our chats are always like this, so she's not exactly the most entertaining person to talk to, but...
01:05Why do you always brush me off like that? Seriously!
01:09Ugh, making that face again. Kind of cute though, geez!
01:14Me, the invisible guy,
01:16started chatting casually with Maya since we became classmates. Her laugh, her sulking, always in my sight.
01:24Man, her expressions change like crazy.
01:27Hmm?
01:28Uh-oh, eye contact!
01:30You're...
01:31Saya, right?
01:33What?
01:34You want to be friends with me?
01:36It's not like that!
01:38We're in the same class.
01:40Might as well get along.
01:43And so, we started getting tangled up in each other's business.
01:48Well, thanks to Maya, my comic's character's expression game leveled up.
01:53So, yeah, kind of grateful, but I'm not gonna be more than classmates, that's for sure.
02:00Hey Maya, got a sec?
02:02What's up? Later, Saya!
02:05Yeah.
02:06Anyway, got stuff to do!
02:09Yep, it's time for the culmination of prayers, the awaited email.
02:14And then, the day of comic market lottery results.
02:19Email from milky.com services, gods, buddhas, and angels, please help!
02:26Yes!
02:27Yeah, got a spot at comic market, and it's a good one by the wall!
02:32Gotta advertise right away, add the booth number to my account name.
02:37Got a spot at karmic market, bringing in five new releases plus extra merch like the character's acrylic stand!
02:44Check out the sample chapters!
02:47Meanwhile...
02:49Huh? Ashiya's at comic market? Oh my god, I can't wait to see her face!
02:57Oh right, gotta be the first to repost!
03:00And then, two months flew by like a whirlwind, until the big day arrived.
03:06Feeling the reader's vibes in person, that's the charm of comic market!
03:11Um, excuse me!
03:13Ashiya, I know you're busy but, can I get your autograph please?
03:18Yeah, sure.
03:20Wait, Maya?
03:22I've been following your tweets, looking forward to meeting you today!
03:26Like seriously, why are you here?
03:29Um, is that a no?
03:32Huh?
03:33Ashiya?
03:35Mr. Ashiya?
03:37Can't weasel my way out of this!
03:39Gotta face it head on!
03:41Hey there!
03:43Ashiya?
03:44Don't call me by my real name!
03:47An autograph, right? Where should I sign?
03:50Huh?
03:52Here you go! Thanks for the support! Next please!
03:55Wait a sec!
03:57And then, during break time...
04:00With this many people around, I probably won't run into Maya again, right?
04:05Even if I do, no clue what I'd say.
04:09Guess I'll go check out some other booths.
04:12Seiya?
04:15Gotta sec!
04:17Why were you at that booth?
04:19B-because I'm a participant!
04:22No way!
04:24You're really Ashiya?
04:26Not a stand-in or something?
04:28Of course not!
04:30Whoa...
04:32This... is your book, right?
04:35Yeah, one of my latest. Put my heart and soul into it.
04:40You drew this amazing art?
04:42No doubt about it.
04:44So, the autograph is real too?
04:47Didn't I just sign it right in front of you?
04:50Whoa!
04:52Ashiya's autograph!
04:54Huh?
04:56I'm so honored!
04:58Gonna treasure this forever!
05:00Uh, sure. Not sure if it's worth that much though.
05:04Gonna display it somewhere special!
05:07She's super stoked!
05:09Kinda makes me happy too.
05:12Hey, I didn't put your name when I signed earlier.
05:15Want me to add it?
05:17Really? Thank you so much!
05:19No problem.
05:21Can you write... to Maya?
05:24Oh my god!
05:26Not only did I see your face, but I got an autograph too!
05:29We see each other every day at school, you know?
05:32No way!
05:34Your presence is like a divine light!
05:36So dazzling!
05:38Looks like Maya sees a different world than I do.
05:42Your art is so detailed and precise.
05:46Plus it's filled with love for the characters.
05:49Just looking at it makes me happy.
05:51Thank you for being born, Ashiya!
05:54Huh?
05:56Thinking that such incredible art comes from these hands...
05:59It's so moving!
06:01The fact that such an inspiring artist exists is a miracle!
06:06Hold up!
06:07Sorry!
06:09I touched your precious hands without thinking!
06:11Please forgive me!
06:13Maya, get a grip!
06:15It's just me, remember?
06:17Oh, right.
06:20Wait, Maya?
06:22I'm so sorry for my rude behavior earlier!
06:26Hold on a sec!
06:28You feel a bit calmer now?
06:31S-sorry for the trouble.
06:34I'm really happy you like Ashiya Seto so much.
06:38But I'm just a high school senior like you, Maya.
06:43I'd rather you talk to me like you used to.
06:46Feels kinda lonely with this distance between us.
06:50Yeah, got it.
06:52One more thing though.
06:54I'll do anything you ask!
06:56Can you keep it a secret that I draw comics?
06:59Why?
07:00Some fans try to pry into personal stuff when they know this kind of thing.
07:05I don't want to cause trouble for the club.
07:08Plus, it's kinda embarrassing if people close to me know about it.
07:13Oh, I get that.
07:16Huh?
07:17I also want to protect the things I love.
07:20I don't want anyone to criticize them.
07:22So I choose who to share with.
07:25You know what I mean?
07:27Wow, even Maya thinks like that.
07:30I don't really talk about comics with school friends either.
07:34Alright, let's keep it a secret that we met here.
07:38Okay!
07:39That's easy peasy.
07:41Thanks.
07:43A request from my beloved artist?
07:46I'll guard it with my life!
07:49And the next day...
07:51Maya's keeping quiet just like she promised.
07:54Alright, time to prep for the next comic market!
07:58But after school...
08:00Watching you create these pieces is so... magical.
08:07Don't sneak up on me like that!
08:10Come on, no one's around.
08:13A little peeking won't hurt.
08:15Fine, as long as you just watch.
08:18Yay!
08:20Your face is all over the place.
08:22Huh? Am I bothering you?
08:24You're not bothering me.
08:26It's just, when I'm drawing, I sometimes make the same expressions as the characters.
08:32But you do it all the time.
08:34Wait, really? Is it that obvious?
08:37And your way of talking...
08:39Why are you like that when you're flustered?
08:43I'm so sorry. I'll be more careful.
08:46I gotta admit, Maya's pretty cute.
08:49And she's become someone special to me.
08:52After that, we started spending more time together after school.
08:56She was happy just watching me draw.
08:59Hey, is there any character you'd like me to draw?
09:03Huh?
09:04Um, you bought so many books at the comic market.
09:07Consider it a bonus.
09:09No, that's not fair.
09:12Huh?
09:13You have other fans, too.
09:15It's not fair if you draw for me just because we're classmates.
09:19I love your work and think it's really valuable.
09:23I can't draw something that moves people like you do.
09:26So, if I want you to draw something, I'll pay for it properly.
09:31I 100% thought she'd say to draw something.
09:34Sorry for being so cheeky.
09:37No, you're right. I sometimes get paid for this, so...
09:41Oh, no. Sorry for suggesting something inappropriate.
09:45No, don't say that.
09:48You're not wrong, Maya. Thank you.
09:50You made me realize something important.
09:53Oh, please don't bow down like that, Ashiya.
09:57And you're back to the weird way of talking.
10:00That's because you surprised me.
10:04But I still want to do something to thank you.
10:07Anything you want?
10:09Then, can we go on a date?
10:13D-date?
10:1530 minutes later.
10:17What do we do on this date?
10:19Just wander around and chat.
10:22I want to know more about you, Seiya.
10:24What?
10:26So, since it's a date, should we hold hands?
10:33Huh?
10:34I-I mean, I kind of want to hold hands.
10:37But it's not like I have any ulterior motives.
10:40Just a little bit.
10:42A little bit, huh?
10:44Of course.
10:46You're my idol, Seiya.
10:48And now...
10:50So, we spent the time window shopping and chatting about our favorite things.
10:54Time flew by.
10:56We should head back, but...
10:59I feel like we didn't get to talk enough.
11:02Is it cool if I invite you out next time?
11:05Oh, um...
11:08No, I mean, if you don't want to, you can just say no.
11:12No way!
11:14I was thinking the same thing.
11:16Let's hang out again.
11:18Just when things were going great with Maya, I got a job offer.
11:23Illustrations for a novel, huh?
11:26I want to take it, but it's different from drawing just for fun.
11:30I wonder what would Maya think about this?
11:33The next day...
11:35Hey, I need some advice.
11:37What is it?
11:39Anything I can help?
11:41So, here's the thing...
11:43You already look like you made up your mind.
11:46R-Really?
11:48Yep! I'll support you all the way!
11:51Yeah! Thanks!
11:54I guess I just needed that final push from Maya.
11:57So, I got to work right away, but...
12:00As expected, it wasn't smooth sailing.
12:04Another rejection.
12:06How many times have I redone the heroine now?
12:09I have no idea what I'm doing anymore!
12:13One day...
12:15Morning, Saya!
12:17Oh, morning!
12:19Something up? Can I help with anything?
12:22There's nothing you can do, Maya.
12:25I see.
12:27Yeah, I guess so.
12:29Sorry.
12:31Sorry! Thanks for checking in.
12:34It's fine.
12:36Everyone has off days.
12:38This is something I took on myself.
12:41I'm so pathetic.
12:45The next day...
12:47Huh?
12:48Didn't know you were into this kind of artwork, Maya.
12:51Your wallpaper.
12:53Oh, I know this artist.
12:55Isn't it that Ashia something guy?
12:58You know Ashia?
13:00Yeah, I see his stuff on Tokita a lot.
13:03Wait, didn't Maya say she couldn't talk about this stuff with her friends?
13:08I love this artist.
13:10It's like he captured all the beauty in the world.
13:14Isn't this one amazing too?
13:16Wow, it's not just skillful, it's intense.
13:20But I never knew you were into this kind of thing, Maya.
13:23Well, I figured it was enough for me to enjoy Ashia's work alone.
13:28Plus I was worried people might judge me for being into otaku stuff.
13:32But you know, sometimes I feel like I'm just pretending to support him while hiding my own feelings.
13:40If we can talk about this stuff, I've got so much to say.
13:44Share Ashia's account with me, I want to see more.
13:47Sure thing!
13:49Ashia's comic is pretty cool too, right?
13:52I've got all his books.
13:54I want to read them.
13:56Hey, if you feel like supporting Ashia, no matter how small, let him know.
14:03I think those heartfelt words really fuel creative work.
14:08I think Ashia's art is awesome too.
14:11I'll repost and spread the word on Tokita.
14:13Me too.
14:15Maya, you did this for me.
14:18After that, my old posts got a bunch of reposts and I received so many messages on my account.
14:25Maya mustered up all that courage to spread the word.
14:29How can I not give it my all?
14:31Let's do this!
14:33Finally, I managed to create something that matched the writer's vision.
14:37You got accepted? That's awesome!
14:40Thanks to you.
14:42Ashia! No, Seiya.
14:46I knew you'd nail it.
14:48By the way, there's something I want to talk to you about.
14:52What is it?
14:54It's a long story.
14:56Will you listen?
14:58Back in middle school, I used to draw too.
15:01But the world is full of talented people, and I started to feel my limits.
15:07Uh-huh.
15:09I stumbled upon Ashia's work on Tokita.
15:13I knew what it meant to be captivated at first sight.
15:17Posting new illustrations every day, even when the feedback wasn't always kind,
15:22made me respect you for never giving up.
15:25I just wanted to keep drawing, regardless of the feedback.
15:29Yeah. You always looked so happy while drawing, Seiya.
15:34That's why I wanted to get closer to you.
15:37But you always refused to show me your drawings,
15:40and I ended up saying some mean things out of frustration.
15:44I'm sorry.
15:46No, that's on me too. I'm sorry too.
15:50I admired you, but teasing was the only way I knew to talk to you.
15:55But talking to you was always so much fun.
15:58Admire?
16:00I realized that the feelings I had for Ashia online
16:04were the same as what I felt for you in person.
16:07Both sides of you were exactly what I imagined,
16:11and I have been in love with you all along.
16:14I like you, Seiya.
16:17I found myself watching you too, Maya.
16:20Your expressions were always so genuine,
16:22but I thought I was just a target for your teasing.
16:26Huh?
16:28But it was people like you who supported me.
16:31Especially you, Maya. You made me feel like I mattered.
16:35So I want to be special to you too.
16:40After graduating high school, I started working as an illustrator.
16:44The novel I worked on became a hit,
16:46and I got recognized as a comic artist.
16:49Maya became my assistant and started drawing again.
16:53Now, my work has been animated and reached many people.
16:57Characters with constantly changing expressions are especially popular,
17:01modeled after Maya, of course.
17:04I'm not this over-the-top in real life.
17:08Says who? Look!
17:10No way! I can't believe you drew me like this.
17:14And now you're one of my biggest fans!
17:17Of course! I've always been your number one fan, and also...
17:22And also?
17:24Your girlfriend, silly!
17:27I love you, Saya.