#BUT AHHH THEY FINALLY CALLED HIM USAMI

[xbuster]

[takanos-love-butt]

World’s Greatest ‘Mary-Sue’

((You can also read on Fanfiction.net if it’s easier that way. Writing this to blow off steam, so let's have fun shall we? Onodera reads his first yaoi manga that'd been penned by his new kohai (OC). He doesn't realize just how intoxicating her work is... Gonna touch on all pairings in SiH, but I might mess with Junjou Mistake because who doesn't love Isaka-san? XD Rated M to be on the safe side.  ))

Prologue - Meet Meiri Uehara (OC Background)

Onodera had just arrived at the office to find his coworkers (except Takano) all already deep into their new projects. The atmosphere was fresh as the cycle had just restarted and only two days old!

"Ohayo!" he greeted everyone as he sat down.

"Ohayo Ricchan!" Kisa smiled. The rest of the department responded in kind. Ah, the first few days of the cycle are always the best! No one was groaning or moaning, bitching or itching to get to make it at the last minute. Of course they'd have to face it again in just a few days, however...

The young transfer really didn't want to ask, but as always his overthinking curious mind got the better of him. "So where's Takano-san?"

"Ah he went to go meet with our new team member," Mino answered with his trademark smile. He was the first one in when Takano was leaving to go meet with this new prospective.

"A new team member?!" all three exclaimed at once. It also seemed that the other editing departments on that same floor perked up their ears as well.

"Hmmm so we need to get the new employee training manuals out again, huh?" Hatori said already going to see where he might've put them.

"Actually, Takano-san said she wouldn't need much training at all..." Mino replied stopping Hatori in his tracks. However, the pronoun struck and resonated more so. 'She?'

"Ehh?! So a woman is joining our team?" Kisa asked. Not that it would be bad at all. Though the image they held as the "Maiden Club of Handsome Men" would change just a little.

"Personally, I think it would be a nice change of pace," Mino added with a finger up. "And like I said, Takano-san said that she actually isn't very new to editing manga at all. I believe he said she has three years editing experience in manga along with actually being a mangaka herself for nearly 15 years. So she should be able to slide right into work, no problem!" he smiled again. "Not to mention, we could sure use the help!"

"Wait...wait...so..." Onodera started. This new person isn't really new to editing and she's an author? So.. he pondered. "If that's so, why..."

As if on queue, the editor in chief himself stepped back into his department. All the papers of the new recruit in his hand. Including what looked like a manga book, but its cover was shielded by the way he held it. Mino was the first to speak up as the others were obviously very curious in hearing this news. "So how did it go Takano-san? Is she going to join our team?"

Takano gave a sigh, but was smiling as he finally settled at his own desk. "Well...Best part is that we won't have to struggle teaching her anything. She edited and still writes for Marukawa. So she knows basically the whole process and how it's done. Though I'm not exactly sure why she wants to edit shoujo manga right now,"

"Wow, so where is she?" Kisa asked. Pretty sure everyone else was gonna ask the same thing.

"Filling out HR formalities and paperwork. GA will be bringing her in a while, possibly about lunch time," Takano said thumbing through paperwork thinking about what the first jobs and projects he was going to assign his new employee. Unlike with Onodera, Takano actually got to greet the new prospective at the interview.

"You said she's a mangaka for Marukawa right? Would it be an author we know?" Mino asked curiously.

"Not sure," he said pulling out the little manga book out from underneath the file. And handing it over for Hatori (who was closest) and all to see. "This would be one of her works apparently...I found it in our archives. I'm told it's been running for 3 years but it will finally be ending with its finale book due to hit the shelves next week,"

The cover was very similar to the volumes of shoujo manga that the Emerald team pushes out every month. Even down to the sparkles, roses, and...pink. But there was one major difference that said it wasn't shoujo manga at all. Both characters on the front cover appeared to be male.

As soon as Kisa got a clear look at the cover from where he was, he gasped; pulling the book right out of Hatori's hands. "N...no way! No way!" Kisa said sparkly eyed and excited. "Uehara Meiri is gonna work with us?! Ahhhhh I love her work!" This of course drew the attention of the Sapphire BL Editing Division. They were most DEFINITELY looking their way now. Particularly the editor in chief.

"I see we have a fanboy among us," Mino chuckled at Kisa's eagerness. Though Kisa himself ignored the teasing that was implied.

"Of course I'm a fan! She's amazing! I've followed this particular series from the very beginning and I'm extremely happy with how it turned out!"

"Yaoi manga?" Onodera said with a rather nervous voice. Of course everyone who was anyone in the business of manga knew what that meant. He saw Kisa flipping through the pages and happened to catch a very heated scene between the two male lovers. A scene that made Onodera himself light up like a red traffic light.

"Of course she was already hired before I saw this. I guess the only REAL thing I might have to teach her is not to go overboard and remind her the audience is little girls not josei bachlorette women ..." Takano hummed.

"Erm...she's not really as bad as you think." Kisa began; a little apprehensive in countering his boss's remark and attitude about it. "I mean yes her work has ….heated moments that make you blush and that you shouldn't be reading in public," he laughs nervously. Then his face had a bit of somber look to it as he continued. "But there's just something about those particular moments. She writes a desire that builds up to such hot intimacy that means everything and not just lust. She can actually turn something that's racy and r rated, into something that's so natural and beautiful; something we'd all want in a potential life partner. Sex that speaks of love, longing, and trust as if it were the greatest blessing between a couple. And the fact that she can do that on love stories between two men makes it even more amazing!" he gushed.

Everyone's eyes widened a bit. What Kisa just said struck a huge cord with all of them; except perhaps Mino, but anyone could guess that he understood the feeling. "Ahhh...I don't think I've ever heard you talk like that Kisa," Takano began. Now he was really interested in this particular manga series. Perhaps he'll give it a try since he never read a yaoi manga. Though he did know of Usami Akihiko's BL novels, he just never read MANGA that told the same stories and was illustrated in manga format. "I'll be taking that back now, I'm sure you have this one at home, fanboy..."

Kisa blushed two times over as he handed the book back to Takano. "Okay, w...well I'll be getting back to work now," he laughed nervously and opened his laptop. The rest of the Emerald team really just chuckled at the display.

"Good idea," Takano agreed. "Time to check storyboards,"

Onodera was sort of lost in thought as he was working. So someone actually DRAWS stories like that? He pondered again as he pulled out his storyboard to work on. Not that he wasn't exposed to the fact of kind of thing existing really. After all there was a branch of the department that specialized in it; that worked on the same floor as them. It was probably more the fact that Marukawa published yaoi of that nature. He even began to ponder if the company that bears his very name put out yaoi mangas like that! It seemed interesting enough, but again it really was just a manga. Onodera's curiosity was killing him though. Especially after all that Kisa has gushed about her series. Not to mention the author of those books would soon be working with all of them. Looks like a trip to the bookstore might be in order after work...

/(^x^)\

Through the morning there were whispers about the new addition to Emerald echoing all around the floor. And she hadn't even arrived yet! But it seemed people were talking about the fact it would no longer be just a group of men. Rather a group of men plus one sole female. Some found it amusing while others found it... Onodera was just appalled that people would start thinking unnecessary thoughts right off the bat, though...it's not like he himself was new to that kind of treatment either.

"Hopefully you don't get too excited about the arrangement, Kisa. But I'll make sure to have a bucket of water handy," Takano jested. Kisa just laughed off his snarky remark.

"Aww c'mon, can't I at least ask her for her autograph?" he laughed keeping up the joke. He did really want an autograph though. Hopefully it wouldn't be too weird asking her for one now that she'd be working with them.

"Never said you couldn't...Ah, in fact" Takano stood up. "Here's your chance,"

"Takano-san! I have your new employee!" The woman from GA sang as she breached the Emerald department walls. And it was almost as if everyone on the editing floor turned their heads, not just the Emerald department. Their new recruit had deep red hair pulled back in a nice ponytail being held with a bow, her eyes a bright blue green color (though hard to see behind her red framed glasses), and she dressed in a red and black color scheme of a professional looking blouse and skirt. Not to mention, she looked insanely young!

"Nice to meet you!" Meiri bowed. "I'm your new editor starting from today, please look favorably on me! My name is Uehara Meiri, but you can call me Meiri-chan if you'd like!" she showed a bright smile happy and eager to work. Almost as if she was starting a job for the very first time.

"Ah...Uehara-san, that's not really..." the general affairs woman tried to remind her of formalities in the workplace.

"It's fine! I'm actually more comfortable to that name. It means you're my friend and since I'll be working along side them, being their friend is TOP priority! It makes the work a better place to work if you can get along and associate with those you work with!" she smiled. "Besides, doing that would help push books through a lot faster and easier, wouldn't it?" Meiri said immediately going to Takano. "So boss! Whatcha got for me?" she said referring to her first tasks.

Hearing this, Takano couldn't help but smile and wonder why she didn't run her own publishing branch. He bowed to the GA woman saying he could handle it from here; dismissing her. "Well like I said, I won't have you on any authors until next month when I see for myself how you work and what kinds of weights I can put on you," Takano said with a stern face, but all the while happy he had someone he might not have to fuss over from everything he's heard. "So I'll have you as a subordinate to one of my editors here and since you're not the only one new to Emerald, I'll have you work with Onodera. With any luck, he might learn a thing or two..." Onodera made a face at the teasing Takano was insinuating.

"Aye aye, Cap'n" she mock saluted him. All in good fun. Though the way she was acting toward her new boss would make other employers or leaders weary of her professionalism, Takano felt otherwise. As well as everyone else in that department. To Takano, she might just be like another assistant director to him and Onodera just from her first day. Though she might need to prove that to him first. This vibe echoed through the rest of the Emerald team.

Ignoring his chief editor and his uncontrollable urge to tease Onodera, he stood and greeted the new subordinate. "I'm Onodera Ritsu. I look forward to working with you," he bowed.

"Pleased to meet you! I look forward to working with you as well!" she bowed deeply to him. Onodera felt a little uneasy being treated with such high regard, but maybe this wasn't so bad after all?

/(^x^)\

Meiri settled into her new work space that was the empty desk in front of Onodera (beside Mino) since she'd be working under him it seemed. Takano had given him all the things she needs so he could guide her properly. He also really wanted to see how well Onodera worked in 'training' a new employee. Though she didn't need much it seemed.

There was no further ceremony from them or anyone after she got to working. Especially since they had to wait in getting to know her further until after work. There was still that damning question as to why she went from author to editor and one outside her preferred genre. Yes all that would have to wait until they were done fighting authors for their storyboards, getting them to agree to changes, and gear up for the next few steps through the month.

At the end of the day, Takano found Onodera and Meiri hitting it off really well. He actually felt a bit jealous in the beginning and almost regretted his decision to have her work under him. That is...until he remembered on her resume how it said she was married as well as the rose gold wedding band on her finger.

According to Kisa, Meiri is the wife of a prominent actor whose forte is musical theater, Uehara Takuya. She also seemed to gush about her husband a bit while she was working (even put up a little picture of them in the corner of her new workstation), so Takano's worries were quickly laid to rest as far as that was concerned.

"Ahhh I think that about does it for today," Takano sat back and stretched. There was nothing more they could do with their authors for the day. "If anyone else is interested, how about a small drinking party to welcome our new Emerald member?" he smiled. He wasn't much for these kinds of things, but he really spoke for everyone in his department that was curious and really wanted to know more as to her situation. "Unless you have plans, Meiri-chan?"

"Oh no not at all!" she cheerfully quipped. "I'd love to get to know you guys too! And...I kinda feel like I'm being watched," she sweatdropped. Both her AND Takano were receiving some looks from Meiri's former editor who happened to be editor in chief of the Sapphire BL department. Though she made no real move to confront them.

"Yeah we should converse in peace," Takano agreed. He's only met the Sapphire head on passing occasion since they shared the same floor. But now it seemed he was on her 'to-die' list by the way she was glaring at him through the day.

The team sought out a little hole in the wall not far from the Marukawa building. The pub had a very peaceful atmosphere and the snacks and drinks were something to brag about. "Okay well first question," Mino started. "You were a mangaka? Why are you going back to editing?"

"I'm actually still considered a mangaka," Meiri causally sipped her beer. "But I came back to editing because I'm in a slump right now. A BIG slump. I don't know if you've heard of my most recent series, but it's receiving HIGH regard. It's received tons of awards and such. I know it sounds like I'm bragging...but that's the problem..."

You could literally hear the 'eh?' in everyone's head as they waited for her to continue. "How am I ever gonna follow up such a great story like that? It's actually been bugging me for the past year when I knew it was about time to end this series. I felt this oncoming slump fast approaching and before I knew it, my series was over. It's not good for me to get rusty, so I consulted with Isaka-san about returning to editing with a special interest in shoujo manga. You know...just for the time being," she'd already explained to them that she chose shoujo to see if she could make a story that was more fluff than sex. It was actually something she was criticized on quite a bit.

"Your editor doesn't seem too happy about you going back to editing though..." Takano commented, speaking of course of the person who couldn't keep her eyes off them all day.

"Ahhh...no she isn't. But she all she really did was tell me 'You'll come up with something, just do it!'. As if that helped in anyway..." the red head layered on the sarcasm. She could feel Takano's pain as she'd been glaring at the both of them all day. "I figured she'd glare me down...but I don't see why she's staring daggers at you. You didn't have a say in where I was placed...Isaka-san did...Matter of fact, I asked him to," she told Takano. It was actually a bribe, but she didn't know if she should go around telling anyone that information just yet. It did draw some curiosity, but Takano spoke up first.

"I didn't even have a say in where I was placed when I got hired by Marukawa last year...that was also Isaka-san's idea," he offhandedly remarked.

"I don't think anyone did..." Kisa added and Mino and Hatori all nodded in agreeance. Onodera as well. The disastrous mid-career placement of going from literature to shoujo manga is a moment he'll never forget.

"So if she wants to place blame on anyone, it should be Isaka-san right?" Kisa continued.

"Well...knowing her, she's staring daggers at Takano-san for another reason. I think it's because I had no intention of going back to editing with Sapphire. I assume that would be the case no matter where I was placed,"

"Sooo she's jealous of Takano-san?" Onodera spoke up.

"Yep!" Meiri quipped. "She obviously isn't happy that I'm back at editing and to make matters worse, didn't even request to go back to Sapphire. ...where she could bug me, in other words... And I'll bet after she's done staring at the both of us, she'll finally come forward and confront us,"

"As if we need such interruptions during work..." Takano sighed with a griping tone. One could imagine a 'pyun-pyun' on the side of his head.

"Can't help it, that's how she is. Try being her author for the past seven years..."

"Well thanks for the heads up, now I know what to say to her if she ever does decide to disturb me,"

Author's Remarks

Ahhhh! This is just a story to get off my chest. I hope you like it. /(^x^)\

Ah and when I say "Please look favorably upon me" it goes back to the term "Yoroshiku Onegaishimasu" in Japanese culture that you use when greeting new coworkers or people you're about to do business with. (どうぞ よろしくおねがいします)

I decided to spell out the phrase in English because for me, it can get confusing when using Japanese terms and pleasantries in writing something that's primarily in English. And I'll try to keep it to a minimum because blending two languages can be VERY confusing. Though I'm sure our fellow fans of SiH or Junjou Romantica might know Japanese suffixes and their importance since they were never dubbed...and if not...GOOGLE IT and learn the wonderful world of Japan and it's language. Not just the anime/manga business. #LearnJapan