Tokyo life starting with painting

Higashinoji received a call from Editor-in-Chief Urashima about half an hour ago.

He also knows what the other party wants to do with him.

It seems that the president of Urashima Publishing House wants to meet him.

This can be considered a big shot.

It’s perfectly fine to at least say ‘capitalist’.

Urashima Publishing, Iwakaku Publishing and Mozhu Bookstore have a semi-monopoly on the publishing of textbooks for primary and secondary school students in Japan. Fuji Publishing, known as the fourth publishing house of comics, has red eyes. The reason why it is not as good as Urashima and Iwakaku This is why these three companies, Mozhu and Mozhu, also focus on comic publishing.

The profits from printing textbooks are huge, and Urashima Publishing also has printing departments as well as editing departments for history, science, literature, etc.

The money these departments earn in a year can be said to be terrifying.

Therefore, the director of Urashima Publishing House is really a capitalist.

"Teacher Higashino." Hosokawa Koharu, who was standing by the gate of Urashima Publishing House, looked around and happened to see Higashino Tsukasa walking this way, so he waved.

"Editor Hosokawa, long time no see. This is the original manuscript."

Higashinoji also saw Hosokawa Koharu, smiled and handed the manuscript to her while walking towards her.

No matter what happened to President Urashima, he still had to hand over the manuscript to Hosokawa Koharu - this remained unchanged.

Looking at Higashinoji's smiling face, with no nervousness at all, Hosokawa Koharu couldn't help but smile, nodded, and then walked away while explaining to Higashinoji about the Urashima Publishing Company. The reason for meeting him.

"President Osawa is probably here for the serialization issue of "Unnatural Death". He just called me up in advance for a talk."

"Understandable." Higashino nodded.

Just thinking about this kind of thing for a moment will make you understand that there is no way that the director of Urashima Publishing House came to him to chat about family matters.

Hosokawa Koharu and Higashinoji talked while walking, their voices kept low.

From Hosokawa Koharu's narration, Higashinoji also roughly understood what President Osawa was thinking.

The other party obviously wanted Higashinoji to continue serializing "Unnatural Death" on "Abominable Cold". After all, this is a popular work, and there is no need to end it so simply. This time he called Higashinoji over mainly because he wanted to ask him the meaning of.

Along the way, many people took the initiative to say hello to Hosokawa Koharu, and their attitude was very cordial.

This made Higashinoji couldn't help but joke: "Why do you feel that after your previous transfer, Editor Hosokawa, your status in the publishing house has actually improved?"

It was just a simple joke, and Hosokawa Koharu also understood.

But there was a complicated expression on her face. She lowered her head and smiled sideways: "It's only happened in the past few days. This is also thanks to Teacher Dongye."

She really received a lot of cold looks after she was transferred away from Higashi Yesi.

Many people felt that she had no future as a female worker, and she had offended the deputy director of the Human Resources Department, so no one was willing to greet her like before.

But later, after Otakajiro was urgently transferred to the branch to manage the obscure magazine of Urashima Publishing House, the attitude of these colleagues became eager again, which was in sharp contrast to before.

This is human nature.

But Hosokawa Koharu could still keep a calm mood and greet them with a smile, which was also a sign of human kindness.

I just don’t know how long this human connection will last.

If Higashinoji and President Osawa break up, the face-changing monsters will probably change their faces again.

She sighed in her heart, took Higashinoji in the elevator, and headed to the president's office.

The president's office is on the fourth floor, just above the editorial office of the publishing house. There are no decorations along the way.

Hosokawa Koharu reached out and knocked on the door, saying hello inside. After receiving permission, he opened the door and walked in with Tonoji.

Among them, there are middle-aged men waiting for a long time.

One is the editor-in-chief Urashima, and the other is more unfamiliar. He should be the president Osawa mentioned by Koharu Hosokawa.

President Osawa, whose real name is Osawa Akiyoshi, is a shrewd and capable middle-aged man. Although he looks thin, it is obvious that the other party usually drinks out and has a slightly fat belly.

At this time, Osawa Aikichi happened to be drinking tea. After seeing Higashinoji, he immediately put down the tea and said hello with a smile: "Teacher Higashino, this is the first time we have met. I am Osawa Aikichi."

He took the initiative to stand up and shake hands with Higashinoji. He seemed calm and very talkative.

"Hello, President Osawa, I am Higashinoji." After shaking hands with the other party, Higashinoji introduced himself and was kindly pulled to sit down by the other party.

"Teacher Higashino is the signature and mainstay author of our Urashima Publishing House. Do you remember? I met Mr. Higashino at the last annual meeting."

At that time, Higashinoji did meet Osawa Aikichi, but that was ten months ago, and Higashinoji thought that the other party had forgotten about it.

Osawa Akiyoshi seemed to understand what Higashinoji was thinking.

So he explained: "At that time, Mr. Higashino had already produced two outstanding works and participated in the planning of the "Midnight Ring" animated film. Of course I would pay attention to such a genius."

"Then I would like to thank President Osawa for the compliment, and I would also like to thank Urashima Publishing House for always assisting me." Higashinoji replied with a smile.

This sentence made Osawa Aikichi couldn't help but look at him one more time.

He was indeed praising Higashinoji just now, but generally speaking, shouldn't humility be the main thing at this time?

Not only did Higashinoji not show much humility, but he nodded calmly.

The most important thing was that he couldn't hear any arrogance in the other person's voice, as if it was normal to praise him.

It is true that he is different from ordinary comic book authors. Others are arrogant, but Higashino is restrained.

After thinking for a moment, he continued with a smile:

"Teacher Dongye, there is no need to thank me. This is the treatment you have earned through your own abilities. Whether it is "Midnight Bell", "The Winner is Justice", "The Lonely Gourmet" or "Unnatural Death", you have always done it. Never disappointed.”

When Osawa Aikichi said this, his voice paused slightly.

"Let me just say it directly here. Urashima Publishing hopes that you can continue to serialize "Unnatural Death"."

Should I be said to be the president in charge of the entire Urashima Publishing House? Osawa Akiyoshi was very straightforward. After roughly figuring out Higashinoji's character, he immediately jumped to the topic and went straight to the topic, leaving Higashinoji no room to think at all.

This feeling of mastering the scene from beginning to end made Hosokawa Koharu, who was watching from the side, feel frightened.

Some people say that the terms "aura" and "aura" are all bluffing, and they don't exist in reality.

But Hosokawa Koharu really felt the ‘aura’ from Osawa Aikichi.

Be decisive and resolute.

However, what attracted Hosokawa Koharu's attention even more was——

Higashinoji's expression didn't change much, he just said softly and firmly: "I'm sorry, I have already expressed my thoughts about this matter before, "Unnatural Death" must be finished, President Osawa .”

He had already made his decision. No matter what the other party said today, he planned to finish "Unnatural Death".

This unwavering and unflinching reply made Osawa Aikichi sigh a little.

When he was Higashinoji's age, he was probably still thinking about how to woo the beautiful female student in the next class, but Higashinoji was already able to talk to him directly at this age.

This is really admirable.

But despite admiration, he still had to try to convince the other party.

Osawa Akiyoshi took a sip of tea to moisten his throat, but was not discouraged by this small failure.

"Teacher Higashino, have you really thought about it?"

He asked softly, with a questioning tone, and at the same time took out a form: "Here are the internal comic sales rankings of our three major comic publishing houses."

"The first place is "Unnatural Death" by Urashima Publishing House, which has sold nine volumes so far, with a total annual sales of 19.86 million volumes. The second place is "Magic Machine God X" by Iwakaku Publishing House, which has sold one volume so far. One hundred and twenty-five volumes, with a total annual sales volume of 8.2 million volumes, ranking third.”

Osawa Akiyoshi listed the data word for word.

Only then did Hosokawa Koharu discover the horror of "Unnatural Death".

Just looking at the sales volume of the single book, the second place is not even a fraction of "Unnatural Death"!

Yes!

Not even a small change!

This is not so much a ranking list as it is a list in which "Unnatural Death" crushes other works.

There's no need to compare at all.

If the sales are based on this, "Unnatural Death" will bring 7.9 billion yen to Higashinoji this year alone. Even if the tax payment is cut off, Higashinoji will still earn nearly 6 billion yen.

Six billion yen.

In an instant, both of Hosokawa Koharu's eyes almost turned into yen symbols like in the anime.

Because this is too exaggerated!

Tonoji can even swim in it after changing it to banknotes!

Although she had known that Higashinoji was rich, Hosokawa Koharu did not calculate it in detail and she never thought that Higashinoji was so rich.

It’s no wonder that Urashima Publishing didn’t want Higashino Tsukasa to finish “Unnatural Death”.

The interests involved are too great.

While Hosokawa Koharu was thinking this way, Osawa Aikichi on the other side started talking again.

"Teacher Higashino, although this is a bit unpleasant for me to say as the president of a publishing house, with "Unnatural Death", even if you can't draw anything later, it will be enough for you to live for one or two lifetimes. We don’t even require the quality of your painting here.”

Yes, Urashima Publishing House does not even require the quality of "Unnatural Death", as long as it continues later.

This condition made the editor-in-chief Urashima and Hosokawa Koharu on the other side feel very excited.

A huge temptation is in front of them, and there is no need to take any risks. If it is, they will definitely agree directly.

and

"Teacher Higashino, are you so confident in yourself?" Osawa Aikichi persuaded him earnestly: "Are you so sure that "Unnatural Death" is not your highest peak?"

After the peak there must be a trough.

I don’t know who said this, but it makes sense.

Because it is difficult for people to break through themselves, not to mention that the sales of "Unnatural Death" are so exaggerated. This year, "Unnatural Death" almost single-handedly dominated the Japanese Manga Oricon list.

Is Higashino so confident that his next work will become a hit and surpass "Unnatural Death"?

This consideration is too idealistic, and even feels a bit like wishful thinking.

It’s not that Osawa Aikichi looks down on Higashinoji’s talent, it’s because the record set by “Unnatural Death” is too exaggerated.

If Higashinoji's subsequent works are mediocre, he will be the only one who suffers in the end.

Choosing "Unnatural Death" is a safe path without even having to consider unnecessary circumstances.

Choosing to finish is an ideal path full of challenges and thorns.

No matter who it is, no matter which author it is, they should choose the first path.

"Think more carefully, Mr. Higashino, "Unnatural Death" may be the most accomplished work of your life."

Osawa Aikichi ended the topic, and at the same time looked at Tonoji, waiting for his answer.

In response to this, Higashinoji just nodded lightly, and then said what he wanted to say: "I have confidence in myself, President Osawa."

It was still neither salty nor bland, and no arrogant words could be heard.

But at this moment, Osawa Aikichi truly recognized Higashinoji.

This person's level of confidence in himself has simply reached the level of narcissism! And it’s not just ordinary narcissism!

have faith in yourself

Can you produce another work like "Unnatural Death" if you have confidence in yourself?

"I am confident that my next film will surpass 'Unnatural Death'."

After hearing Higashinoji's words, even Osawa Aikichi was stunned.

He originally thought that with his ability to persuade others, it wouldn't be difficult to convince Higashinoji.

But now it seems that he felt that he was completely wrong.

Osawa Aikichi couldn't help but shake his head, and then smiled, as if he was telling, but also as if he was sighing:

"Teacher Higashino, this is the first time I have seen someone like you. You are more like an artist than a cartoonist."

Many artists are weirdos.

In Osawa Akiyoshi's view, Higashinoji's behavior is no different from that of a weirdo.

"I have met many confident comic book authors, but they are far behind you, Mr. Higashino."

Osawa Aikichi took a sip of tea and commented without hesitation: "It's not just the difference in painting skills, it's that none of them can carry an indescribable courage like you."

He finally understood why Higashinoji would break the record of never suspending publication for Hosokawa Koharu.

The young man in front of me is this kind of person.

It has nothing to do with money, interests, fame, or connections.

He just wanted to do it, so he did it.

Higashinoji just followed his heart.

Never do anything you don't want to do.

Even if it would bring him tens of billions or hundreds of billions of profits

What a wonderful person

Osawa Aikichi finally couldn't help but sigh in his heart.