Cartoonists and their assistants

"...I will try my best!"

"In short, I am optimistic about your future. Your writing style is also quite compatible with our magazine. I feel that it won't be long before we see your work serialized in Monthly Shonen Gangan."

Minamoto put the manuscript back in its place, and finally a smile appeared on his face.

"So, are you going to participate in the newcomer award? If you get into the top three in the selection next February and gain enough reader recognition, you'll have a high chance of getting into the serialization conference and making your debut... However, the current content isn't quite right; it would be best to revise it into a short comic."

Eriri suddenly raised her head, her previous disappointment vanished, replaced by excitement and exhilaration.

Although it did not pass directly, there is no doubt that such a proposal means they are only one step away from victory.

However, the timing and requirements put the girl in a difficult position.

15. You're such a comic book addict!

"What's wrong."

Minamoto Matsumura, who had been observing the girl's expressions, immediately noticed her condition.

"Um, if possible, I'd like to debut as soon as possible... Participating in the newcomer award takes too long."

Eriri pursed her lips.

"They're really impatient."

Minamoto said softly, then suddenly clapped his hands together, as if he had suddenly remembered something.

"It just so happens that one of the comic artists I'm in charge of is finishing his work next month, which will open up a position. However, the competition is fierce, and experienced artists usually have an advantage. Would you like to take on the challenge?"

"I want it! Where is the truth?"

Eriri responded instinctively, then realized that they were a duo, so she turned to ask him what he thought.

"Haa~ whatever you want, anyway my job is very easy."

Mizuki Machi yawned.

As they chatted, he grew a little tired.

"Okay, there are still two months until the next serialization meeting. If you can submit a better manuscript that satisfies me before then, I will submit it to the serialization meeting."

After making an agreement with the two, the editor turned and left.

Arrived at the editorial department.

"Ms. Minano, how did it go with that group of two junior high school students?"

A young man in a suit and tie came to greet them.

His name is Tomiya Takenori. He was originally in charge of this meeting, but Minamoto intercepted it halfway through, so he is very curious.

"What a fantastic group! I think they'll debut by next year at the latest, especially the original author, Mizuki, who has unfathomable potential and might become the future pillar of Monthly Shonen Gangan."

Minamoto paused for a moment, seemingly after careful consideration, before reaching this conclusion.

"Wow, is she really that good? Does that mean she's on par with our No. 1, Ms. Konno? I'd be at a huge loss if that happened!"

Fu Dugangjian was furious after hearing this and immediately stepped forward to argue.

He largely agreed with Ms. Minano's assessment.

On the tram home.

"Eri, you're in too much of a hurry."

Only then did he issue a stern warning.

The girl went a little overboard in trying to achieve her goal.

Is it really worth sacrificing yourself for a dream?

He doesn't understand.

"What are you talking about, Makoto? I'm having a blast right now!"

Eriri's smile was very pleasant.

"You should be happy too! We're just one step away from our debut! If we can get Ms. Minamoto's approval and pass the serialization meeting, we'll be the youngest manga artist duo in history... Why aren't you excited, Machi?"

"Wow, it really is! I just realized! That's amazing."

Mizuki Machi read it aloud expressionlessly.

"It's just an opportunity. You don't get this kind of good thing so easily. The competition among professional cartoonists is fierce."

"I believe we have the ability, don't we! Our editor noticed our work on our very first submission."

The girl remained very excited when talking about it.

Because this is indeed not easy to do in this world, it is entirely worthy of being called a 'genius'.

"hehe."

The true meaning of "observing the moon" remains to be seen.

After all, their hard work and sweat, as well as their insignificant memories of their past lives, contributed to this.

It would be strange if they couldn't do it.

"Machi, what do you think of Minano-san?"

Eriri changed the subject.

"How about what?"

"Look, Ms. Minano looks just like an elementary school student..."

"But he's very reliable. That person has a very discerning eye and is a good editor."

"You think so too, right? That's great! If we debut, let's make the editor our editor-in-chief!"

"Let's talk about it then."

The two left the station and chatted all the way until they parted ways at the intersection of Detective Slope.

After returning home, both of their parents inquired about the outcome of the trip with great concern, and upon learning the answer, they were all happy for the two of them.

......

After the submission failed, the new semester began.

Eriri did not become discouraged by this; instead, she became even more motivated, striving for that dream that might come true.

Moreover, the probability of realizing this dream does not seem so slim.

So, in order to polish the original manuscript better, she would meet with her childhood sweetheart every day at noon to discuss it.

"Zhenzhi, do you think it would be better to handle the panel layout here this way?"

"Zhenzhi, how exactly do you suggest I change my painting to fit the atmosphere of the artwork?"

"True knowledge, you say..."

Mizuki Machi was completely bewildered.

"Eri, you're always thinking about manga."

He couldn't help but complain.

"True knowledge".

Eriri's eyes suddenly hardened, and she stared intently at him before raising her arm and clenching her fist.

"The opportunity to debut is right in front of me, and I have to consider whether this might be the only chance I'll ever have!"

Are you planning to revive the glory of cartoonists?

Mizuki Machi turned his head to the side and sighed helplessly.

The next moment, the girl's voice became soft and sweet, and she grabbed his wrists with both hands, launching a tender offensive.

"Please help me again."

"Alright, alright, I'll go with you. After all, I already promised."

"I knew it... Machi would help me."

The blonde girl with pigtails smiled sweetly, revealing a cute little fang.

At this moment, Mizuki Machi realized that he hadn't seen such a smile in a long time.

Humans are indeed more innocent when they are children.

......

Physical education class in the afternoon.

Machi Mizuki was resting on a shady bench.

"Mitsuki-kun."

Just then, a girl in sportswear walked over, her chest puffed out.

"Takasago-san."

he responded.

"I finally found a chance to talk to Mizuki-san."

Chie Takasago remarked with a sigh, then continued.

"By the way, did Mizuki-san and Sawamura-san's submissions go smoothly? You two seem to have gotten busier lately."

"I'd say we've succeeded halfway."

"What is that? Is it just a way to comfort yourself?"

She said it as a matter of course.

"Of course not..."

Mizuki Machi gave a brief explanation.

"Huh? Did that editor really give that evaluation? Or did you just make it up?"

Takasago Chie, of course, didn't believe it and raised many questions.

"Why would I need to lie to you?"

He picked up the can and poured himself a sip of soda.

Chie Takasago sensed the confidence in his words and was instantly filled with respect.

"Does this mean I'll soon have friends who are manga artists? Mom and Dad, it looks like Takasago Bookstore is going to thrive under my leadership!"

Soon, her eyes lit up and she became excited.

"Ahem, Mizuki-san, if you're going to hold a book signing event, Takasago Bookstore might be a great choice..."

"I haven't even written my horoscope yet."

16 Go out to collect materials

on Friday.

The two childhood sweethearts took their lunch break in the pavilion on campus, just like always.

Just as she finished eating her bento, Mizuki Machi felt her sleeve being tugged.

Needless to say, the girl is about to start again.

"Zhenzhi, do you have any thoughts on the background of the story? I feel that it's a bit awkward to imagine it out of thin air."

Eriri asked, frowning.

"Do you have any ideas?"

Instead of answering, he asked a question, hinting at something.

"I want to find a location! Judging from the background of the story, it should take place near mountains and rivers, so my idea is to find a suitable place in reality to use as material. After all, many comics are created by authors based on reality."

Eriri spoke up.

At this moment, Mizuki Machi suddenly realized that the background of the story of "Anohana" only existed in her memory and was quite unfamiliar to Eriri, who was drawing it. She didn't have a specific concept of it, so under the vague background of the name, Eriri had to rely on her own imagination to reproduce the background in the name.