Do you even sleep with eyes open? Yes, you will.

Back to Fred Universe,

Modern Earth, 20xx + 3

It was a few minutes past 10 pm.

“Humu. I’ve given this a read already, but this really is written good. It’s actually better than Mae-SUF. That’s great improvement.”

Kyrie was at her usual gothic Lolita outfit with twin drills. The season was already transitioning to winter so she’s now even more clad with black and white frills that covers mostly 90% of her skin, rendering only her head, hands and feet visible.

She reached out for the teacup at the small table after she spoke, smelled the aroma, and take a quick sip to soothe her soul.

“All of a sudden she really started talking like Old Hag. I wonder if it’s really contagious.”

“Of course I would. You should know the extent of my talent. Or perhaps you need to experience it firsthand.”

“No, that’s enough. It’s fine. Stop flexing already. I know, we know.”

It was not even an hour ago when Kyrie decided to extend her utmost 100% help towards the competing Fred and Anemone, the two winners of the annual ‘Fresh Aspirants’ competition that discovers young talents on drawing manga. Just how fate turned its wheels upon the people currently living under Ingrid’s apartment complex.

The setup was simple:

Anemone was Kyrie’s junior at high school and she’s a year younger than Fred in terms of experience and she’s still just starting her career. Still in terms of talent, she’s a bit ahead on creating plots and twists compared to Fred. She’s experienced quite a lot in high school due to being affiliated with Kyrie. Her warped and twisted mentality had been a result of being associated with Kyrie, and it had been one of her assets on creating good stories. She’s currently occupying Unit5 and was struggling by herself to meet her deadlines by herself.

Fred on the other hand, even though he had his arts upon his sleeve, he was really struggling on creating a story that will pass the reader’s ‘standards’ just like his award-winning oneshot. He had a rough past (including side Mytherion) and he’s really trying to write something in reference to his past experiences. He could make an adaptation so he’ll just have to rely on his imagination and artistic feature but he’s already given up on that and tries to improve his writing. He’s currently occupying Units 6 and 7 and had employed Ara and Kyrie.

Ingrid runs the apartment complex, but she’s currently the one freeloading at Fred’s though…

“Uhhhm… Kyrie-chan… Are we even doing a brainstorming here?”

Ara was wearing pajamas. She’s about to sleep and was brushing her teeth when Kyrie rang her doorbell. She was at her imouto-mode since the other two personas were currently sleeping inside her due to a day of hard work.

Being someone who runs multiple personality, the stress of the involved personalities had been adding up and shows takes a toll on her current health, so even though the other two personalities have been swapped out of her they must have been resting somewhere deep within her subconscious. That left imouto Ara with all the household chores after a long day of work within Fred’s.

Kyrie dragged her sorry state to participate the emergency meeting at the most crucial time. Having nobody to tag to, she was forced to attend a brainstorming while being the weakest entity among the three.

“No, not really. Actually yes. That’s why I’m asking for your inputs. Maybe we could come up with several new ideas. Humu… Actually I could steer the conversation towards that point.”

“No. I’m not letting you be in charge of this. I’ve agreed on your terms and conditions of helping but it’s only because you will still let me handle the flow of the story based on my preferences.”

“Humu. Of course you won’t. That’s why I’ve initiated this meeting as a brainstorming. That way all of us will have our inputs at the story, since you are staggering to create one that would sell lots. Ah, I don’t mean this draft though. There are too many factors that might affect this.”

Ingrid was lazing around at her usual spot at Fred’s bed but this time she’s awake and was even more attentive on the discussion.

For some reason she’s been really attentive when it comes to Fred’s improvement. That’s because she’s helped Fred a great deal when he decided to follow the path of drawing a manga. She looked at the members of Team Fred with discrete concern as they’re really getting nowhere for an emergency discussion.

She started wondering about Kyrie’s intentions for another late night meeting and tried to put a stop to it.

“Uhm… Guys? It’s already late night. Can’t we do this tomorrow? Besides, Kyrie you haven’t told us what this emergency meeting is about. You said you’d help out Fred, but this is you we’re talking about. You won’t just ask for us if it’s really nothing and you just want to re-read Fred’s draft because he’s made you as his primary character reference on his work… Unless…”

“Ah, no Landlady Ingrid. Don’t take this wrong. I’m not really fond of flexing around when it really won’t do any good for me to rattle you up just for a prank. Not at the end of a busy day.”

“Sorry to burst your bubble Kyrie, but… I mean… Look at Ara. She’s on constant imouto. It means her other two useful personas are already taking a rest. I could only assume that. Besides, Fred…”

There’s already a bubble forming at the dozing Fred at the front of them. Besides the individual stress for Ara’s personas, Fred had been transported to earth as a normal human with humanly limits, so working a whole day with minimal breaks would be taxing, even towards the previously Great Maou from the planet Mytherion.

The bubbles then popped as Fred dozed off as he seemed to be still attentive of his surroundings.

“Oh, yea, of course I’m still here… Morgianna why didn’t you wake me up even though I’ve still got tons of paperworks… Wha—I’m sorry guys, forget about that. Where are we again?”

“No Fred, there’s no Morgianna here. Cut your late night fantasies and help me put a stop to this nonsense meeting already.”

“Fu fu fu… Humu. Fred you can sleep, but after you hear what I’m about to tell.”

“Hmm?”

“Really. I’ve already laid out the plans in my mind on how to help you for this story. You will still be the one to finish the story though. I’ve just asked for the draft again for a reading to clear up my second thoughts and confirm everything.”

Those were strange words that actually came from Kyrie, and it seemed like she’s got a hint from what Fred and Ingrid had been hiding on them. But that was not really the case. She really had just laid out the plans for guiding Fred towards a story that could compete with Anemone. That goes both ways for helping the two mangakas.

But of course Fred and Ingrid wouldn’t know without Kyrie pointing that out. They thought Kyrie must have figured out something so they were wary and anxious but they still tried to hide showing it.

“Humu. Fred. For now, how about starting chapter 1 already? We still have plenty time before sunrise so let’s do this. You just draw what’s on your mind and I’ll be you coach/assistant for free.”

“I see, I see. Kyrie both Fred and I are already at the age where we won’t be able to cope up with the enrgy of young’uns like you. Please let us rest already.”

“Eeeeeh? Awawawa… Waaaah!! Are you serious about that Kyrie-chan? I doubt I would be able to cope up with helping Fred since aneki is still asleep.”

“Hmmm. I’ve got things in my mind, so writing them while they’re still fresh would be the best course of action. But are you really sure you want to continue?”

Kyrie took a final sip on her teacup and responded.

“Maybe I’m just waaay to excited. Even the great me could still think irrationally when being excited about something. Thanks for noticing something about me is amiss.”

“Kyrie…”

The four of them went silent for a while. They were having a feel with each other upon how to respond with Kyrie’s sudden change on tone.

Ara hadn’t really been able to catch up with their discussion yet, she’s seen a side of Kyrie which her mind couldn’t process without the help of her other two personalities. Wearing her sleeping gear, she wipes off the tears from her eyes due to her deep yawning (while catching up). She then again went silent read between the mood.

Ingrid, on the other hand, stood up and gathered the materials lying at the table to tidy up. It’s one of the times she needed to act as a proper landlady and be wary of her tenants.

“Come on guys, let’s continue this tomorrow. Meeting adjourned.”

After Ingrid told the exact words, Ara jumped at the available bed behind her. It seemed like she’s waiting for the go-signal to sleep.

Kyrie and Fred were left sitting by the table, overthinking their massive brains about the future which shouldn’t be done. But they still work it out even though Ingrid gave them a warning to stop already and sleep. But not much time after that, Kyrie stood up and crammed herself at the small bed where Ara was already sleeping. She hugged her like one of her prized stuff toys at home and immediately fell asleep too.

That left with Ingrid cleaning up and Fred, staring at the void.

Out of nowhere, Ingrid pulled out a mattress and an extra blanket under the bed Kyrie and Ara were currently sleeping, and laid it on the floor. Lying on the floor on a cold pre-winter night won’t really be a good idea. Nobody would want to catch a cold with an upcoming deadline.

“This, turns out to be a slumber party. Come here, sleep. We’ve got a long day tomorrow. Don’t worry I won’t jump on you while you’re sleeping. I’m too tired for it.”

But there was no response.

“Yoohoo Fred?”

Ingrid stood up again and headed towards ‘Fred.exe has stopped responding’. She waved at him and still got no response. He’s already asleep with eyes open.

“Of course, you’re asleep already. Sweet dreams Fred.”

She turned the lights off and headed to the mattress.

The lives of the three tenants and the landlady herself at Ingrid’s Apartment Complex was shaken up by the several events a year after Fred started his career. That included Old man accepting the offer to be assigned to the new oneshot awardee; Anemone’s appearance and occupancy at Ingrid’s; Seria’s tyrannical but strategic editing; and many more mixed fun and not events.

They were barely hanging on with adapting to the happenings and changes but little did they knew that it was only the beginning.

--Maou Decides to Write a Shoujo--

--Arc 1, end--