My elbow was semi-cracked... just a little (but it hurts)

I got all high from a basketball 3 on 3 match with my classmates in BU. I was making a lay-up when Kevin accidentally clashed against me midair while attempting a rebound. The bad thing was that I fell to the ground with my right elbow first. I was taken to Brigham to have some x-rays and pain assessment exams (thanks to Dr. Chiodo of Orthopedics Dept). Lucky that there's nothing wrong with the bone, just a big hematoma / bruise but it hurts like hell especially when you move it when it's unavoidable (like taking a bath or even now as I type on the computer keyboard). There was a minute, minor joint dislocation which was easily corrected by the physical therapist and some support bandages they provided. Kevin treated me with some really good macchiatto from Starbucks, that's the best part, hehe.

I recently uploaded Chapter 42 of F&L2 (which was overdue by the way, thanks to my injury). The chapter was considerable long, but not overwhelming nevertheless - a transition chapter, to be specific. I had a good time editing it (since the chapter has been finished days back) while I stayed in Brigham until around 2 in the morning waiting for my PEs and X-ray results to come out. I added a little bit more of drama AND Meia's requested shower scene (which I did really, really carefully). Imagine how awkward it is to write about a "hot guy" when you're a guy... -#- frown -#-. Feels so gay, man... hehe. It is precisely that big barrier of awkwardness that keeps me from going into concrete details especially when describing male bodies (as opposed to a considerable amounts of stories in Soompi which Meia reads EVERY NIGHT where the descriptions men's bodies are... juicily bloodcurling - at least to me).

"If you were female, you could have done something more descriptive!" Meia kidded.

Frowning, I replied, "If I were female, you'll be the earth's loneliest female coz you wouldn't get the chance to meet someone like me."

Oh, have I told you that I have better pick-up lines compared to Yamazaki Kosuke?

-#-hyena grin-#-

My girlfriend bursted into cute chuckles and we laughed together like fools. For a moment, I completely forgot about the elbow injury I had.

You know, I wouldn't mind describing female breasts in full, juicy detail though (not that I'm perverted but come on, honestly, guys are 'naturals' when it comes to breast assessment, hehe.) Kidding aside, I was wondering - is it the same for female writers who write about "hot girls" too? Do they ever feel awkward? I don't think so... or do they? Judging from the response of readers, I think they enjoyed the Crosse shower scene just as much as Meia did. Meia just gained more and more friends because of it, hehe. I opened my inbox to see 25 emails from readers, saying that Meia's the bomb because of the Crosse shower and forced-kiss scene!

Now that we're talking, has anyone ever wondered why I started writing Fists and Lipsticks? hiro0911 - a writer of fantasy, manga-based stories with swords, dragons, magic, knights, and castles in Fictionpress.com suddenly writing a cheesy high school fic with hot guys and corniness? If you're right in your guess, yes - it's because of Meia. You see, Meia loves reading books, especially love stories. She's also addicted to romance animes, manga, and TV dramas (she has watched the Korean Drama Full House ten times and the Japanese drama Hana Kimi probably a hundred million times, hehe.).

I know that many writers say that authors should write for 'themselves', but in my case, it has always been for Meia. I started writing Fists and Lipsticks as a gift to her more than two years ago (and still running to the present) and she promised me that I'll always be her all-time favorite author.

I worked hard and did my very best to satisfy that criteria.

So, I formulated a kind of plot that would satisfy her romance addiction and, at the same, time blending in one of my favorite genres - mystery. The rest is... a miracle I guess. The story's still surviving and still on the right track. No writers block whatsoever and the scenes are concretely embedded on my mind until the end so there's no room for hiatus or discontinuing.

I received a feedback in a form of private message in Soompi. She told me that she absolutely loved the story, but it could have been better if I used Korean references such as for the names of the characters, the setting, the addresses, the expressions - with this, for sure it would be a 'hit' and would 'gain more popularity' in the forums... I replied to her like this - If I made Fists and Lipsticks 'Korean-ized', then it wouldn't be Fists and Lipsticks anymore (Kosuke-'oppa' sounds weird IMO, hehe). Again, kidding aside, as I was saying, I couldn't imagine this story to be completely something else. It should just be as is. A slight change in the names or even in the way the characters move, talk, and express themselves just wouldn't feel right. This is why I'm hesitant to agree to translation offers, especially if they're planning to change the names (Come to think of it, Crosse-oppa sounds even weirder, hehe). Japanese culture appeals more to Meia and I (because we both love Naruto and sushi), and so even despite my lack of detailed knowledge about Japan, I prefered F&L to be set in Japan.

Regarding what she said about being a 'hit' or 'gaining more popularity', I told her this story about writing FOR Meia... that even I am left with only a reader or two or none at all, I will still continue this story because I know that Meia WILL be there to read it. That prize is more satisfying than ANY amount of recognition, award, or praise this fic could get.

Fists and Lipsticks has been posted from the very start in Fictionpress. It has been posted in Soompi upon Meia's suggestion, to which I approved later on, hoping to share my gift to her to the rest of the world.

With all the readers' warm support, I have always been surprised, overwhelmed, and thankful.

This story has become dear to us. Meia and I would talk about Kosuke and Ayane and the rest of the cast while munching hamburgers and fries in Mc Donalds or in the middle of watching a movie together. Most of the things I add in the story stem from real-life inspiration (eg. the Tsuzuya Ball scene where Kosuke and Ayane strolls around the city wearing clothes that look like wedding attires - I did that scene after Meia and I walked around the malls, checking out wedding gowns to grab ideas for our wedding on 2010; The Chapter in F&L2 entitled Santa Clause when we rode an elevator, where the small stereo played a chipmunk version of Santa Clause is Coming to Town... etc.). To Meia and I, Fists and Lipsticks is more than a story to tell. It is not just all about a complicated plot with gazillion problems, emo characters, corny jokes, and crazy twists. It has grown along with how our relationship has grown. And whenever I see her smile or squeal or frown or laugh out loud or cry from the scenes ranging from cliche to intense, I am happy because I knew I was making her happy.

To the readers both in Fictionpress and Soompi, thank you so much for joining us in this long journey. I will work hard and do my best to make this story even better.

And to Meia, Happy 7th Anniversary . I love you more than anything else in the universe. You know that.

Enough cheesiness and on to the announcements - yes, as I've said the plot will be crazier from here on. We've reached the point where it's about time to pull out the sad reminiscences and 'emo' moments and soliloquy for some hardcore twists and action. Updates will be regular, if not fast. I wanted to finish F&L2 as soon as I could because Meia and I would be busy in the following months to prepare for our "big day in white".

To answer some of your questions - yes, Kosuke is with Kaoru Saori right now and Hidemi and the rest of the gang does not know where he is. Rei has gone crazy, but you haven't seen the peak of his craziness yet. Will he be the enemy? Will the Silver Crescent be the enemy? Well, we'll find out as the plot unfolds.

Did Ayane lose her memories and emotions?
Then, why does she act 'normal' in the latest chapters?
Does it have something to do with bloodtypes (as one of the readers guessed)?
Is Ayane immune to the Oblivion Vapor?
If so, how did it happen?
How about Lin, who was given the drug intravenously?
Will she be okay?
Who is Kaoru Saori?
Who is Kaoru Hiro?
Why is Crosse with the Spectra?
Why is Yoshifumi Shigeo back?
Who stole the Spider Web?
What's going to happen in the war between the Spectra and the Silver Crescent?

Ah, ALL these questions... I bet chapter 43 onwards are going to be one hell of a ride. -#-grins-#-

Will update in two to three days. The next chapter is done but I'm spacing out intervals to give time for readers to catch up.

Thank you for the continued support and welcome to all new readers. Enjoy your stay with us!

-Mark (Hiro0911/HiroLovesMeia)