chapter 01 - The Storyboard And I

3:23 am in the morning.

Well, at least that is what the clock on the wall shows. My vision has already begun to blur a little, and I've yawned for several times now. But never mind. The storyboard for the final chapter isn't finished yet. I really need to get it done by morning, because tomorrow, we'll begin testing the other new game we're developing.

That's right.

I work at DyMond, a world renowned video game company, not to boast or anything.

It's been a decade since I came here, and now, at 33, I handle character designs, the storyboard and the game productions, all at the same time. I know what you're thinking. I must have been busy as hell. That, my friend, is very, very true.

Nevertheless, it's my job, and I'm proud of it. It's not easy to be one of the big deals in the company. I have to admit I had worked hard for it.

Ah, there it goes again.

I roll my eyes away, clasping my face in frustration. My cellphone has been beeping for God knows how many times already today. Surely, it's an email from who else, but Reiko, my girlfriend. That woman, I feel sorry for her. The more she texts or emails me, the more guilty I feel. It's been almost three months since we last met, and we only had a simple homemade dinner at my place during our last date.

Well, what can I do? I've been busy with the developments of several games since the end of last year. Yes, yes. My work is my number one priority, above anything else in my whole entire life, because it's my hobby, my passion and my life itself. Go ahead and call me obsessed, but that's just how it is.

"Huhhh, Reiko... What do you want now?" I sigh out, as I massage my temples. It helps me relax sometimes. Suddenly, there is a loud knock on the door, and I quickly turn. I'm surprised there's someone else staying back as well. "Oh... It's you, Chi-kun."

Chi-kun, or Nijima Chihaya is one of our visual artists. Yes, he's quite young, being only 20 when he first joined us two years ago, but mind you, he's no ordinary lad. He's extremely talented, and one of his renowned achievement is that he had designed the main characters of Juliet's Tear, which was ranked as Game of the Year just last December. Currently, we're working together on our new project, the 13th sequel of the ever successful Final Dream franchise, and Chi-kun's role this time is as the Clothes Designer, believe it or not. Although he may not look like it (because he always wear the same comfy white wool top to work - it's his trademark), his designs showed otherwise. Sometimes, we would hear news of fashion magazines requesting interviews with him.

"Kazuya-sama," he quietly calls out my name, stepping into the room. "I've finished designing the costumes for the villain during the final battle. I thought you'd like to see them."

"Ahh... Good. Just put it there then."

"All right." The lad obediently does as I say. Then, he takes a seat beside me, peeking at the unfinished storyboard on my drawing desk. "You're almost finished there," he points out. "Gambatte."

"Arigatou, Chi-kun." And I give out a long sigh of exhaustion, stretching out my arms before resuming my work. Chi-kun just sits there in silence, his round marble black eyes staring at me. "Hey... Why don't you go back home already?" I ask him in a demanding tone. "Go get some rest."

"Ah, but, Kazuya-sama?"

"Nah, I'm used to this. Ah! Aren't your family gonna get worried about you? I mean, youngsters rarely do overtime."

"Haha..." Chi-kun chuckles weakly. I can tell he is tired; his eyes are already half-shut. "Nahh... My big brother works overtime too," he says. "So I doubt anyone's at home. Besides, I wanna discuss about something with the Art Director as soon as possible."

"Oh please..." I almost burst out laughing. This lad is really too diligent for someone his age. "He won't be here until 9AM tomorrow! You know how he is. Go on. Go home. Don't wanna see you with puffy panda eyes tomorrow."

"...Huh...all right then. If you insist." Wearily, Chi-kun stands up and stretches out his arms, yawning. "Ah, by the way, Kazuya-sama..." He turns to me.

"Hmm?"

"I heard the company is holding an art exhibition? What's that about?"

"Oh, that one. Well, it's a kind of promotion for the latest installment of the Final Dream."

"Oookay..."

"What? You want to participate?"

"Eh? I still can?"

"Yeah. As long as you can finish your artwork three days before then. Oh and...you gotta book your own spots. You know, tell them where you would like them to place your works. That gallery's got plenty of places though."

"Owhh.... I see. All right then. I'll be participating too."

"Good luck, kiddo."

"Hai... See you tomorrow, Kazuya-sama." And I hear the door closes.

Suddenly, I feel lonely once more, as everything turns silent...and I like it. This way, I can concentrate on nothing else, but work, and work, and work. I really love my work. So I need to channel all of my energy into this storyboard I'm doing right now. Need to think, breathe, and think. Now that is paradise.

You may regard me as obsessive, but I don't mind. That is what the others think too, by the way, and it's one of the many reasons why most of my colleagues avoid me. I've heard their complaints through the vineyard. They said I'm bossy, too ambitious, or simply too demanding. Well, whatever. I don't listen to other people's judgement anyway, because I've earned myself a lot of pleasant achievements throughout my entire life, without listening to their advice, thank you. Oh, well.

With a long, long sigh, I resume my work, hoping that I can really finish the storyboard by six in the morning. I can't afford to delay this one. As I begin to draw again, I steal a glance at my cellphone. It's quiet now, and I prefer it to be that way.

There's just me now, and the storyboard.