Full-time cartoonist

"Not bad." Sasaki said to Akimiya Akemi after watching "Sakura Mission".

"Is that so?" Akimiya Akemi took two quick steps towards Sasaki, her expression filled with uncontrollable excitement.

"Yeah, very good." Sasaki leaned back and emphasized his tone.

Akimiya Akemi kept pacing. She was so happy that her heartbeat was beating hard for a moment, "My comics are very good, hehe, hehehehehe."

She has been submitting articles since college. Now I have worked hard until I was thirty, and finally saw the light of day.

The satisfaction at this moment is unimaginable by others, and I feel full of accomplishment.

After getting excited, she began to panic, restless, and kept breathing in and out.

Omori opened his mouth wide and looked at Sasaki blankly.

He immediately asked: "Is it a comic that can be serialized?"

Sasaki pondered for a while. He thought about it for a long time. Under Akimiya Akemi's anxious eyes, he slowly said, "It's a bit difficult..."

Akimiya Akemi asked urgently: "Why?"

Omori gritted his teeth and listened carefully.

"Because the style of "Sakura Mission" is too different from Jump. It is not a male protagonist, there are no battle scenes, there are no super powers, and there is no special world view." Sasaki explained.

"Sakura Mission", which centers on several female protagonists saving the economy of Maano City, cannot be serialized on Jump no matter what.

Akimiya Akemi nodded feebly.

She also understood.

"Unless," Sasaki said.

Higashino Hibiki glanced at Akimiya Akemi with pity and asked, "Unless what?"

Sasaki glanced at Hibiki Higashino, "Unless it's a very exciting manga like "Millennium Actress", exciting enough to break boundaries and transcend conventions."

But "Sakura Mission" cannot reach this level.

Omori lowered his head in disappointment, it was indeed like this.

It is impossible for people without talent to serialize.

…

""Millennium Actress"..." Akimiya Akemi murmured.

There is no comic that can rival "Millennium Actress".

Over the years, Jump has only had one copy of "Millennium Actresses".

She was able to draw "Sakura Mission" because of the inspiration brought by her bond with Kanoyama, which means she has already performed beyond her standard.

Akimiya Akemi pretended to be calm, but everyone could see her disappointment, "Thank you, Mr. Sasaki, for bothering you again this time."

She said to Omori again: "Sorry, Mr. Omori, I failed again, but please believe that there will be hope."

On the jump, she saw Takahashi Kazuki playing Yu-Gi-Oh! ten years later, so she didn’t want to give up.

"I will try harder."

"Miss Akimiya..." Omori was at a loss.

Higashikata sighed, silently holding Akimiya Akemi's hand and giving her some warmth.

For a time, a sad atmosphere enveloped the studio.

"I haven't finished speaking yet," Sasaki looked at everyone with a smile. "It's not a problem with the work that the work is not suitable for the platform. "Sakura Mission" may be serialized in "RIBON"."

"It depends on you, Mrs. Higashino, whether you are willing or not."

""RIBON"?" Hibiki Higashino was startled. He had never read this comic magazine, but as an industry insider, he had heard about it.

"RIBON" is a monthly girls' manga magazine owned by Shueisha. It is one of the three major girls' manga magazines in Japan, along with Kodansha's "Nakayoshi" and Shogakukan's "Ciao".

The peak circulation was 2.25 million in 1994. Now in 1999, it should still be around 2 million, right?

After all, the legendary work "Chibi Maruko-chan" is serialized on it.

"The content and audience of "RIBON" are closer to adults. As for "Sakura Mission", an inspirational comic about achieving goals through hard work, its sad success is easier for adults to feel," Sasaki explained.

That is to say, it is more suitable for the audience.

Akimiya Akemi didn't speak for a while.

Dong Yexiang squeezed her palm, and she nodded belatedly, "Of course...of course."

…

"RIBON" is not as good as Jump, but it is also a big magazine. Being able to serialize your work in it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Akimiya Akemi agreed, and she made up her mind to start working hard for the serialization.

Go through serialization sessions and become a cartoonist.

Everything is developing for the better.

"I'm going to take the liberty to ask," someone suddenly spoke, it was Omori. His eyes were round and his mouth was pressed tightly together.

Akimiya Akemi said immediately: "Please speak."

Omori's mouth trembled, and he made up his mind to ask: ""Sakura Mission"... is it really the work of Mrs. Higashino?"

He suspected that "Sakura Mission" was the outline given by Hibiki Higashino to Akimiya Akemi.

"What are you talking about!" Tanaka yelled angrily!

Akimiya Akemi waved her hand and answered seriously, "Yes."

"'Sakura Mission' is not a manga in the style of Tori Akino Mirai," Sasaki continued, "and if it is Tori Akino's outline, then he can come up with more interesting comics, comics that are more suitable for jumps."

"Omori-kun, please don't make a decision rashly." Sasaki said in a serious tone.

Omori's legs were weak and he sat on the chair. He lowered his head and said, "I'm really sorry. I'm running away from myself."

He wiped his face and showed a tired expression.

"Just because you want to give up, tell others that they won't succeed."

"I am really despicable like this."

…

The next day, Omori shaved his beard and came to the studio full of energy.

"Yeah, I've gained ten pounds in this period of time, and there's a lot of fat on my belly."

He patted his belly and made a crisp sound.

Tanaka didn't want to pay attention to him, snorted and turned to the side.

"I will never be like before," Omori clenched his fists. He was full of energy. "From now on, I will not eat fat, take a bath once every three days, shave every day, and use my rest time to come up with new comics! Be a follower Dream Youth.”

"Ah~" Tanaka's jaw dropped, "A 30-year-old young man..."

Higashino Hibiki and Akimiya Akemi came to the studio and looked at the new-faced Omori. Hibiki Higashikata didn't speak, while Akimiya Akemi nodded with a smile.

How should I put it, she was very angry for a moment when she was considered to be cheating, but then she thought about it and realized that this might not be a reflection of her own strength.

After comforting herself, Qiugong Mingmei felt her anger dissipated.

Omori quickly walked over and bowed, "I was such a jerk the other day, I'm really sorry."

"It doesn't matter, you've already apologized, don't take it to heart." Akimiya Minmei forgave him generously.

Several people were sitting at the work table. They had just been working for a while, Akimiya Akemi said quietly.

"Mr. Omori, if I wanted to draw Hibiki's comics, I would have done it long ago..."

"I am so sorry!"

She was still a little concerned.

…

In a square, there are lights everywhere, and there are young people around, wearing down jackets, gloves and hats, counting down excitedly.

"9, 8, 7, 6...3, 2, 1!"

"Happy New Year!"

"Happy Millennium!"

Higashino Hibiki sat in the back seat of the car, looked at his watch, and suddenly realized that two thousand years had arrived.

A new century with which I am more familiar has arrived.

"Happy New Year!"

He said to Torishima Kazuhiko on the side.

Torishima Kazuhiko smiled and nodded, "Happy New Year."

Half an hour later, he was dropped off at his door by Torishima Kazuhiko.

"You're so polite. You even sent me back specially."

"This is the editor's responsibility." Torishima Kazuhiko said.

Then he turned and left.

Higashino opened the door with the key and found that the living room light was on and Akimiya Akemi was sitting at the work table, drawing the original manuscript of "Sakura Mission".

Although Sasaki has not informed her of the specific situation, Akimiya Akemi is already working hard.

Hearing the noise, Akimiya Akemi looked up and saw Hibiki Higashino. She showed a hint of surprise, "Hibiki, you're back."

Dong Yexiang nodded, "Well, I'm back."

Akimiya Akemi said: "The temperature of the water in the bathtub is just right."

Higashikata couldn't laugh or cry, "I don't like taking baths, so you don't have to go to such trouble."

"It's the wife's responsibility."

"But it's such a waste."

"Well," Akimiya Akemi was a little troubled, "Okay... okay."

She stood up and came to Dong Yexiang. She sniffed and found that there was no smell of alcohol, and then nodded with satisfaction.

Recently, I often hear news about drunkards passing out on the roadside and then freezing to death.

Tokyo is particularly serious.

"I already told you to quit drinking," Hibiki Higashikata said.

Today is the day before the New Year. There is a small party in the Jump editorial department. Torishima Kazuhiko called Hibiki Higashino.

Torishima Kazuhiko can't stay in Jump for two years, and Hibiki Higashino has to cherish this time, so it's rare to go.

Akimiya Akemi nodded slightly, her hair was tied back, and the brittle ends of her hair were dangling on her forehead, "Yes, you did a good job."

"Besides," Hibiki Higashino continued, "we also have to start preparing for pregnancy."

He couldn't help but smile, with a hint of cunning in Qiugong Mingmei's eyes.

"..." Qiugong Mingmei was speechless.

"So," Higashino Hibiki added, "we have to hurry up!"

He wanted to pick up Akimiya Akemi.

"You take a shower first."

"Oh, right."

The charming atmosphere disappeared instantly.

Hibiki walked into the bathroom, Akimiya Akemi's heart was pounding.

She clutched her chest, "I'm obviously married, why am I still so shy?"

At this moment, the phone rang.

It was obviously after twelve o'clock, but someone was busy.

"Sister Mingmei! Happy New Year!"

The caller was Nanase Yui, and there was noise all around.

"Happy New Year." Akimiya Akemi breathed a sigh of relief.

"I originally wanted to celebrate New Year's Eve with you," Nanase sighed, "Too bad I forgot. The food at the Tourism Association's New Year's Eve banquet was so delicious!"

"It's okay." Akimiya Akemi waved her hands in confusion.

"Well, that's it." Nanase wanted to hang up the phone.

"Wait a minute," Akimiya Akemi stopped her, and after careful consideration, she said something about "Sakura Mission".

Nanase's first reaction was like this, "What! It's a heroine based on me! Hehe, hahahaha."

"What a heroine!"

"Is Yui-chan crazy?"

"What, it's a comic drawn by sister Mingmei, and the heroine is me."

On the phone, different voices don't ring.

"Hello, are you Mrs. Higashino?" After a while, President Kadoda's voice came.

"It's me, hello, President Kadoda, and Happy New Year."

Akimiya Akemi told the story of "Sakura Mission" again.

"It may be serialized..." She wanted to get President Kadoda's permission.

"Hahahaha!" Unexpectedly, a burst of hearty laughter came from the phone, "My Yamanoyama is indeed legendary! It can be serialized!"

"That..." Akimiya Akemi said weakly: "It's just possible!"

"It's definitely possible!" President Kadota said firmly, "But..."

His voice weakened again, "How much funding does our association need to paint "Sakura Mission"... To be honest, the tourism association doesn't have much funds on its books anymore..."

"Huh?" Akimiya Minmei was shocked.

"One million! Oh no! There is still 5 million!"

"You misunderstood." Akimiya Akemi said quickly, "I want to borrow the story of Kanoyama and get permission without any investment."

"Yes! Of course! Mrs. Higashino, you are such a good person!" President Kadota thanked him and muttered in a low voice, "I thought I had to pay for advertising..."

…

Higashikata wrapped himself in a bathrobe and walked out of the bathroom.

"Have a good fight!"

When he looked up, he saw Qiugong Mingmei, who was waving ink.

She lowered her head and said quickly: "Don't disturb me. I'm in good condition now. If you still have energy, come and be my assistant."

"Ha...ha...ok..." Higashikata shivered in his bathrobe.

…

The next day, the Qiugong Minmei Tourism Association signed a formal agreement.

She has no worries anymore.

A few days later, Shueisha's New Year's party was held as scheduled.

This time, Akimiya Akemi still did not accompany Higashino Hibiki.

She is confident, "I will definitely go to the New Year's party next year!"

She wants to be the manga artist Akimiya Akemi, not Higashino Akemi, or in other words, Tori Akino's future assistant.

After dark, Higashino arrived at a familiar hotel.

"It's such a hassle-free thing."

Same place, same decor, unchanged for several years.

The person in charge today is Sasaki, and he seems particularly busy.

Hibiki Higashino felt that perhaps Torishima Kazuhiko was training Sasaki Nao to succeed him as editor-in-chief.

However, he also remembered that the next editor-in-chief of Kazuhiko Toriyama would be editor Toshimasa Takahashi.

"It should be me." He pinched his chin and nodded complacently.

"What's your reason?" Sasaki took a break from his busy schedule and came to Higashino Hibiki to ask.

"That's a good thing." Higashikata replied with a smile.

Takahashi Toshimasa will not die suddenly because of his job as editor-in-chief, and Sasaki will be promoted early and show his ambitions.

Higashino Hibiki was mysterious, and Sasaki didn't care. He introduced the person next to him, "This is Soma Ichiro, the cartoonist who I was in charge of when I first became an editor."

Higashino Hibiki looked over and saw that the man was wearing black-framed round glasses, with a thin face and stubble. He had a gentle temperament and looked to be in his thirties.

"Tori Akino-sensei, hello, I'm Ichiro Soma. Your comics are very interesting. I learned a lot."

"Hello, Mr. Soma."

Higashikata shook hands with him.

Sasaki saw the two of them chatting and went back to work.