Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

So for now, Osamu Tezuka is just complaining a bit.

Even if you tell him to give up, he won't stop, even if he's near death.

"You really gave me a lecture..."

Scratching his head, Osamu Tezuka felt a little embarrassed. He looked around and thankfully, his son, Tezuka, who really wanted to read comic books, had run off to the side.

Otherwise, his weakness as a father would be laid bare to him.

“Oikawa-kun, you came here today because…” He changed the subject.

“I’m here to commission an article!” Fushimikawa answered decisively.

The atmosphere is so good right now, it would be a waste if we didn't hurry up and reveal our purpose.

"Naruto alone can't carry the ship. For the sake of Weekly Shonen Future's sales, I've thought carefully and among the manga artists I know, only you, Tezuka-sensei, can help me!"

He silently apologized to Fujiko Fujio in his heart.

"You want to commission me to write?" Osamu Tezuka's expression was complicated. "As you know, my recent works haven't been doing very well."

“I believe in your abilities, Tezuka-sensei!” Fushimikawa replied decisively. “It’s just that we haven’t found a market yet. In that regard, I think I can offer some suggestions.”

Osamu Tezuka's heart skipped a beat.

Both of Oikawa's books are bestsellers, and his disciples, Hirokane Kenshi and Adachi Mitsuru, have started serializing their own works. His judgment and insight must be quite good.

"You said."

"What kind of comic do you most want to draw right now, teacher?"

Osamu Tezuka didn't think for long: "A doctor, a doctor who heals the sick and saves lives, a doctor who specializes in curing stubborn diseases."

“As expected,” Fushimi nodded.

Their conversation had just revolved around doctors, so it's not surprising that Osamu Tezuka chose to focus on doctors.

"Black Jack" is a comic book that will be released in the next few months, and he probably already had related ideas in mind for a long time.

If Osamu Tezuka had been given a chance, this manga would have been published much earlier.

Satisfied, Fushimikawa said, "Then I'll draw this."

Osamu Tezuka couldn't help but complain, "Isn't this a bit too perfunctory?"

"Instead of chasing the market, we should chase your heart, teacher." Fushimikawa said like a charlatan. "Besides, isn't a protagonist who possesses unparalleled medical skills, is not bound by worldly rules, takes life as the highest principle, and steadfastly upholds the true heart of a healer in solitude very cool?"

"Is that the kind of character design?" Osamu Tezuka pondered, stroking his chin.

The more he thought about what Chuan Er had just said, the more tempted he became.

This is the kind of protagonist he envisioned.

Heal the sick and save lives, without getting involved in the petty squabbles of the medical system, like a hermit, with conscience above the rules.

Seeing that Osamu Tezuka's expression was gradually relaxing, Fushimikawa understood and probed further.

"Teacher, how is it?"

Osamu Tezuka did not answer Fushimikawa's question.

He turned slightly to the side, facing the doorway, and called out to Tezuka Makoto outside, "Makoto, come here quickly."

Hearing his father call, the little boy came running over excitedly.

Just as Fushimikawa was feeling utterly bewildered, Osamu Tezuka proudly puffed out his chest and cleared his throat in front of his son.

"I've accepted your commission, Mr. Oikawa."

Fushimikawa: "..."

He achieved his goal, but he wasn't happy at all; instead, he felt it was absurd.

Osamu Tezuka, the god of manga, is too childish. He insists on belittling himself in front of his son, simply because Tezuka likes Naruto more.

His expression now looks like he's talking to his son.

"You see, even the cartoonist you admire has moments when he begs me."

Tezuka's eyes sparkled, just as he had expected.

"Dad, you're amazing!"

"Hahaha."

It's a time of filial piety and parental love once again.

……

Having achieved their goal, they sat for a while longer to discuss the specific details. Seeing that the Tezuka family was about to start their meal, Fushimikawa quickly took his leave.

"Why don't you sit down and eat something with us?"

"No need, the president is waiting for me to tell her the good news. She's been waiting for it for ages."

“Hmm,” Osamu Tezuka nodded, then suddenly said:

"Oikawa-kun, you didn't know, did you? Parasyte has made it to the final round of the Bungei Shunju Manga Award."

Chapter 120 Luring the Enemy into the Trap: A Young Girl in Her Boudoir

Fushimikawa knew something about the "Bungei Shunju Manga Appreciation".

When it comes to the highest indicators of Japanese literature, the Akutagawa Prize and the Naoki Prize are undoubtedly the top choices.

These two top awards are held by Bungei Shunju.

As a publication with significant influence over awards, Bungei Shunju has also ventured into the comics industry.

That is the "Literary Spring and Autumn Comic Award". "Sazae-san" and "Matsu-san" were both winning works selected by this award.

It can be said to be one of the most valued awards by manga artists today, on par with the "Shogakukan Manga Award".

Fushimikawa was quite happy that "Parasyte" might win an award.

Although he doesn't go out of his way to win awards, it's certainly a good thing to have honors and be recognized by the industry.

It can also increase the popularity of Parasyte.

The "Bungei Shunju" brand was quite good. If Namo San Neng had managed to get a spot back then, it wouldn't have been suppressed to the point of disappearing.

However, the situation is still uncertain. It was just a casual remark by Osamu Tezuka, and he only told Maki Fujiwara about it.

"Akawa, you're going to win an award!" Fujiwara Maki beamed. "That's wonderful news! I've always thought you were worthy of the Shogakukan Manga Award, but you were held back because of the competition. Now with the Bungei Shunju Manga Award, you can finally receive the recognition you deserve."

"Parasyte has only made it to the final round; whether it will win an award is still uncertain," Fushimikawa quickly explained, lest Fujiwara Maki be disappointed if it fails to win. "And right now, the most important thing is to arrange the serialization of Osamu Tezuka's new work. This is an opportunity I've worked so hard to get, and I'm sure it will bring positive feedback to Future."

He steered the conversation in that direction, but Fujiwara Maki remained engrossed in thinking about the "Bungei Shunju Manga Award."

"We should celebrate properly."

"Ok!"

"About your award."

"what?"

"The manga has achieved excellent results, 'Ikkyu-san' has also been adapted into an anime, the collected volumes are selling very well, and the three volumes of 'Parasyte' have an average sales volume of 500,000 copies. All you need to do is get recognition from a high-level award. Now you have it all, it's fantastic."

With her hands clenched into fists and held to her chest, Maki Fujiwara looked radiant.

"Such great news! It's just the two of us, let's have a drink together."

……

Fujiwara Maki was overjoyed by something that was still unresolved. That night, she was unusually excited, drinking beer after beer, without any regard for her work the next day.

Her hair was messy and her face was flushed, but instead of looking sloppy, she had a kind of messy beauty.

His eyes were misty, all because of Fushimi River.

Fushimikawa seemed to be trapped inside Fujiwara Maki's heart, feeling Fujiwara Maki's joy at her good news.

This person who cares about him so wholeheartedly makes Fushimikawa feel somewhat confused.

"Okay, that's enough for now. Don't get drunk."

He stopped Fujiwara Maki from asking for more drinks, paid the bill, put his arm around her shoulder, and led her out of the izakaya.

However, it was too late. Fujiwara Maki was dizzy and seemed to have lost the ability to go home alone.

She chuckled foolishly, "A-Chuan."

Fushimikawa had no choice but to take her to the Fujiwara residence by hailing a taxi.

"Honestly," Fushimi Kawa sighed as he combed her hair in the taxi and looked at her smiling face, "She trusts me too much. She got herself completely drunk and wasn't even worried about me..."

He tried his best to support Fujiwara Maki so that she could rest properly and not feel nauseous from the bumpy ride in the taxi.

Half an hour later, they arrived at the Fujiwara residence.

At this moment, Fujiwara Maki was still completely limp. If Fushimikawa hadn't held her waist tightly, she would have collapsed to the ground.

"Ding dong."

Fushimikawa rang the doorbell, and shortly afterward, the door was opened.

A little girl ran out hurriedly, calling out, "Sister, sister."

She was Fujiwara Chiko, and she had grown much taller since the first time they met.

She looks to be about 1.4 meters tall and is about the same age as Shizuka.

She went from a toddler to a girl who is almost over Children's Day.

For many perverts, it's already a bit old.

"It's you?" She was stunned when she saw Fushimi Kawa, and memories of the past resurfaced in her mind. "You and my sister?"

"Miss Chiko, slow down," someone said quickly as they came out. It was the middle-aged nanny from the Fujiwara family. Since Fujiwara Maki had been busy with work, they had hired this Ms. Matsumoto to take care of Fujiwara Chiko around the clock.

"Even if you want to see Ms. Maki as soon as possible, you should ask about the situation first. Don't just open the door for someone without asking."

Upon arriving at the gate, Ms. Matsumoto got a clear look at Fushimi River.

“Oh dear,” she adjusted her glasses, “it’s Mr. Fushimi.”