My girlfriend is Saiki Kusunoki

However, the judges found it somewhat difficult to work out with the straight man.

"Both of ONE's manga were nominated?"

"That's absolutely right. After all, there was less than a month between 'The Bloodline' and 'Parasyte'."

"So what should we do? Which film should we choose?"

"Both works are very popular, especially since the number of votes for both is quite close."

"Couldn't both of your works win awards at once?"

"What are you thinking? Two works winning awards in the same year? How is that possible? There has never been a precedent before."

"But both works are excellent, we can't just give up on one like this, what if one of them doesn't win an award..."

"This is infuriating. He's just a high school student, yet he's caused us so much trouble."

"You still think of ONE as a high school student? What high school student has the influence of ONE? Didn't you see it yourself? He just posted a tweet and it caused such a huge storm."

"This is terrible, what should we do now?"

At this moment, in the SF review meeting, the reviewers stared impatiently at the forms in their hands.

Logically speaking, no one had any objection to Naoto winning the award; even the famous judge cast a vote for Naoto's manga.

But the dilemma now is, which of Naoto's works should win the award?

Just then, someone made a comment that immediately put everyone into deep thought.

Chapter 147: Winning Two Awards

At 7:30 sharp, the Nebula Awards ceremony for the year XX officially began. Under the illumination of the giant artificial crystal chandelier, countless well-dressed men and women returned to their places and began to applaud, extending their enthusiastic greetings to the highest award in the Japanese science fiction world.

In the meeting room, Naoto, dressed in a formal suit, walked to his table, led by Shueisha executives and the editor-in-chief.

In addition to established comic book artists, the Nebula Awards venue also featured well-known novelists, excellent screenwriters and production teams. Naoto even spotted the production team of "The Bloodline" in the venue.

Because there were many people in the venue, Naoto didn't go up to greet them. However, Naoto probably wouldn't have had the chance anyway, since the production team members seemed to be greeting their industry peers at that moment.

"Naoto-kun, are you nervous?"

At this moment, Mr. Masuda, the head of the Overseas Division of the Copyright Affairs Department of Shueisha, who was sitting next to Naoto, asked Naoto a question.

The reason why this big shot would come to the Nebula Awards is because Naoto's works are currently selling very well overseas, so this big shot wanted to get to know Naoto in advance and came to participate in this Nebula Awards together.

Although Naoto didn't know much about this big shot, at least the other party was quite friendly to him so far, so Naoto smiled and said to him, "It's alright, I don't feel much."

"Oh dear, look at my memory. After all, Naoto-kun has already participated in major art competitions, so he should be used to this kind of atmosphere by now."

Naoto smiled but remained silent in response to Section Chief Masuda's words. Perhaps he had truly grown accustomed to it.

However, for some reason, when he learned that he was about to win an award, Naoto himself did not feel particularly happy. In fact, he even felt a little... bored and annoyed.

Naoto just thought that he was probably too tired lately.

Based on current information from the outside world, it seems that the award for "Parasyte" is a sure thing, since everyone has witnessed the strength of "Parasyte".

Even the other nominees didn't think there was anything wrong with Parasyte winning the award this time.

Rather, it would be a real problem if Parasyte didn't win an award.

After Naoto completely defeated the other two weekly manga magazines, even those in the industry who disagree with him have to admit that Naoto's strength is truly remarkable.

Moreover, after Parasyte became a blockbuster and a widely discussed topic in the industry, all science fiction writers had to admit that, at least among this year's works, there was really no one more outstanding than Parasyte.

It's even said that some environmental organizations have adopted parasites as their action plan, referring to humans as parasites of the Earth.

While it may be somewhat laughable, it has undoubtedly increased the popularity of Parasyte.

Even overseas, Parasyte is considered a masterpiece.

So if Parasyte doesn't win an award this time, the other winners will probably be in a very awkward position.

Perhaps Naoto was the least stressed person in the room today.

As the awards ceremony began, the hosts, holding the list they had received from the judges, started announcing the names of this year's winners.

As an award with a history of several decades, the presentation of various works follows a set procedure. Awards are constantly being won, and several people frequently stand up to receive their prizes on stage, creating a lively atmosphere. However, Naoto's eyelids started to droop a little.

Such a boring ceremony, where you can't even use your phone, is pure torture.

But seeing all the adults around him looking very happy, clapping and congratulating him from time to time, Naoto had no choice but to perk up and listen to this boring content.

After waiting for more than an hour, the awards ceremony for media and film works finally began.

This award is the most important one in every Nebula Awards, and it can be said to be one of the three most important awards in the Nebula Awards.

Originally, this award shouldn't have been relevant to Naoto, and Naoto himself didn't think his work was worthy of an award.

But when the host announced the first winner, everyone in the audience was stunned.

"Congratulations! The first winner for film and television this year is 'The Strain'!!!"

When the winning entries were read out, many people stood there stunned and didn't react.

"The Bloodline? Wait, this work couldn't possibly be..."

"It should be that work, ONE's work."

"But how could this be? Was 'The Strain' nominated this time as well?"

"Yes, there is one, and it's quite popular. Look, even the production team members are here."

"But shouldn't ONE's work have been awarded to 'Parasyte'? How could it have won two awards?"

"An author who won two awards at the same time? That's unprecedented, isn't it?"

"However, if it's a film and television award, strictly speaking, it's awarded to the entire production team, so it's not considered ONE's work alone."

"You mean, this might be a vulnerability?"

"Of course, you could also think that the judges didn't award ONE the prize for Parasyte."

Faced with such remarks, everyone just laughs it off.

After all, everyone knows that Parasyte is bound to win an award this time. There's no suspense at all; its popularity is undeniable and there's no way to shake it.

If that's the case, then it's only possible that the judges took advantage of some loopholes.

However, no one seems to object to "The Strain" winning this award.

Putting aside the fact that *The Bloodline* is an excellent work in itself, coupled with its superb animation production, it was also last year's top-rated anime series. Given all that, there's not much to say; it won awards, so what? What else can you say when you can't beat them?

Everyone applauded and congratulated Naoto on this result.

At just seventeen years old, he has already become a double winner of the Nebula Award. Such an achievement is truly limitless.

The people in the hall looked at the boy who stood up and couldn't help but wonder how far he would go if given more time.

"It's possible, he might actually become the world's number one cartoonist?"

As Sasaki watched Naoto walk towards the awards stage, he couldn't help but recall the first time he met Naoto.

That boy who always shouted that he wanted to become the number one comic artist has taken another step forward in his creative history.

Chapter 148: A Social Gathering Between Best Friends

One weekend morning, Nanzi got up very early, something she hadn't done in a long time. She even dressed up carefully at home before heading out.

Seeing her daughter dressed up so beautifully, Qi Mu's mother jokingly teased her, saying that her daughter had become more and more womanly since she and Naoto started dating.

"Kusuna-chan, are you going on a date with Naoto-chan today too? That's great, my daughter is getting more and more beautiful."

Nanko remained silent in the face of her mother's teasing; she wasn't going on a date with Naoto today.

"I am leaving."

After telling her mother, Nanzi went to a secluded corner and then began to change her appearance. The next moment, Nanzi appeared behind a coffee shop.

Unlike her usual weekends, Nanko didn't go on dates with Naoto today. Instead, she planned to have a nice get-together with the girls from the creative department.

The invitation was mainly extended by Akito's girlfriend, Mikichi. Mai-senpai also thought it would be a good thing for the girls in the same club to get together, so she accepted.

Yukino didn't want to agree, but she couldn't resist everyone's enthusiasm and had no choice but to agree.

Four girls came out for a get-together, and the meeting place was a coffee shop near the school.

When Nanko went in, Mai-senpai was already sitting inside.

"Mai-senpai, you've arrived already?"

"Yes, I left home a little early today because I didn't have any work, and I didn't expect to be the first one to arrive."

Nanko had a lot to say about Mai-senpai's comment that she arrived too early.

I clearly set off early, and even used teleportation, so why was Mai-senpai able to get here so early? How early did she have to leave?

"Hasn't the others arrived yet?"

"I think I saw Yukino outside just now, but she didn't seem to come in."

"Outside?"

Looking out the window, the two discovered that Yukino was standing on the opposite street, looking at the cafe in front of her with a hint of hesitation. She was holding her phone, seemingly about to leave.

When Yukino discovered that Kusunoko and Mai were both looking at her from the window, she could only sigh deeply and walk into the cafe.

Although Yukino's displeasure was no longer apparent outside, both of them could see the resistance on her face once she entered.

"It seems that Yukino rarely participates in these kinds of activities?"

Seemingly sensing Yukino's discomfort, Mai kindly inquired about her feelings.

"I... don't have many friends, and I'm usually at home."

When Mai asked her question, Yukino replied somewhat shyly that this was actually her first time participating in such an event.

She didn't want to come in the first place; she had already planned to make up some excuse and go back.

Unfortunately, because I wasn't paying attention, everyone saw it.

Both Mai and Kusuno deeply sympathized with Yukino's statement that she had few friends.

All I can say is that even for the two of them, this was their first time having a social gathering. The entire creative department has basically become a different place, and I have very few friends left.