Read Picture Book :: Don't Forget Why

The long day finally came to an end and Gojo was more than happy to finally go home, away from all the attention and stares he had gotten in school because of his pen name.

There was supposed to be an after party for the students but Gojo wasn't willing to stick around and took the first bus home. But there was a bit of traffic so by the time he got to his apartment complex, the sun had already set and the Kay had darkened.

After taking the elevator upstairs, Gojo walked along the quiet hallway until he got to his room at the end of the corridor. Once he unlocked the door with the keys and got in, he felt a huge relief.

The apartment was a comfortable place. It has a medium size kitchen and a living room which was the biggest room in the apartment. The bedroom was fairly big with the bathroom inside and it had a balcony where Gojo could sit and think or look out into the city and the night sky. But most importantly, there was a big table at the corner of the living room where Gojo sat and drew every time he had the chance.

His father had helped him pay for the place once he got admitted into Mugen Manga Academy since the academy was extremely far from their home and Gojo thought it would be crazy to have to take the train everyday just to get to the academy.

So he brought up the suggestion that he’d moved out.

He took off his shoes and the blazer jacket and the hoodie and immediately changed to a more casual attire. Then he walked towards the big mirror in his bedroom and carefully removed the contact lens from his eyes and then put on his glasses which lay by his bedside.

Just as he did this, his phone rang and when he picked it up, he smiled when he saw “Dominic” on the caller ID.

Gojo: Yo.

Dominic: Heya kiddo. How's it going with you?

Gojo: You know, it's been really hectic. The opening ceremony was really intense today.

Dominic slapped his forehead.

Dominic: Oh that's right. The orientation was today. I totally forgot. I'm so sorry I couldn't make it, kid. I had a lot of work to do today.

Gojo: I can imagine. How many artists are you supervising now?

Dominic groaned and thought for a while before he responded.

Dominic: Three. Three promising artists. One of them just debuted with his manga “Crooked Company”. His name's SeguchiLee.

Gojo: Oh… I read the first chapter on Sunday. It was really fun.

Dominic: Right? The other two are still working on their stories but what they've shown so far is really impressive.

Gojo: That's great.

Dominic: So come on kid. Tell me, how did the orientation go?

Gojo: It was really intense to be honest. And Mr Edwards gave a really straightforward opening speech. I didn't even know if I could call it cool or not.

Dominic laughed hearing this.

Dominic: Oh really? The old man's always like that.

Gojo: Then he said we're only supposed to refer to ourselves as our pen names while on campus.

Dominic: Woah. That sounds… just like him. I'm guessing your pen name turned you to a celebrity?

Gojo: Unfortunately.

Dominic: Unfortunately?

Gojo: I don't know… The pressure and the attention isn't something I can handle. I got way too much going on in my head.

Dominic: I get it. The most important thing is not to let it get to your head and focus on why you're there. You still haven't been able to come up with a story, have you?

Gojo briefly recalled that day in Damian's office two years ago before he responded.

Gojo: No.

Dominic: Then focus on that and keep going hard. It's fine to make friends along the way but the most important thing is that you don't forget why you're there. Okay?

Gojo: Yeah.

Gojo suddenly heard noises from Dominic’s background.

Dominic: Okay kiddo. I gotta go. Duty calls. Good luck and if you need anything, I'm here.

Gojo: Yeah. Thanks. I'll let you know if anything comes up.

The call ended with Gojo more confident than ever. He looked at his drawing table and made for it but the moment he took a step, his stomach roared in hunger.

Gojo: Oh, that's right. I haven't had anything for dinner.

Gojo looked at the kitchen door and then shook off the idea of cooking because he didn't know how to.

Gojo: Maybe I'll just order take out.

Just as Gojo grabbed his phone to place an order, he heard a bunch of keys unlocking his front door and when it opened, a beautiful girl with orange hair walked in with a plastic bag filled with food.

Gojo: Oh… Emilia.

Emilia looked up at Gojo and then to the phone in his hands and then she frowned.

Emilia: You were about order food, weren't you?

Gojo immediately put the phone in his pockets.

Gojo: Uh… no I wasn't.

Emilia raised an eyebrow.

Emilia: Don't lie to me.

Gojo: I'm not.

Emilia sighed and took off her shoes and walked into the apartment.

Emilia: Well, I knew you were going to order food again so I decided to bring some from home.

Gojo smiled as the thought of spending money that night suddenly vanished from his mind. Plus Emilia's home cooking was extremely good.

Gojo: Thanks.