Cartoonists and their assistants

"Let's talk about it tomorrow."

The next day, at Shimamura Junior High School.

The school bell rings.

A blonde girl with twin ponytails came to his seat, holding a bento box in her hand, and said hurriedly.

"Zhenzhi, shall we take a lunch break together today?"

It seemed like an inquiry, but it was actually urgent.

"Ok."

He readily agreed, picked up the lunchbox, and went out with the girl.

This attracted the attention of the students still in the classroom, who began to whisper among themselves.

The fact that the two people know each other is no secret to everyone, but the intimacy of being able to take a lunch break together has a different meaning.

In reality, the two were actually closer when they were in elementary school. They would whisper secrets to each other and sit in front of and behind each other during breaks to chat about comics. However, as they grew older, they may have become more aware of the differences between boys and girls. The girl's mind became more sensitive, and she also cared about the opinions of others, which is why she appeared distant in front of outsiders.

He had experienced that period himself, so he wasn't as fragile or sensitive, and he let things take their course.

But sometimes I can't help but sigh to myself—

Growing up really is an inevitable decay process for humankind.

"Zhenzhi, where is your reply?"

Arriving at her seat in the small garden, Eriri placed her lunchbox on the stone table and then turned around and called out loudly.

At this moment, anyone who didn't know better would think it was a young girl confessing her love and earnestly asking her sweetheart for a response.

"Let me think about it some more?"

This dismissive remark unleashed the fiery and ferocious nature hidden beneath the young lady's facade, causing her to open her mouth and reveal a cute little tiger tooth.

"What are you still considering!"

"Don't keep living like this, in a daze!"

"Is this all there is to your life?!"

Eriri looked agitated, cursing and swearing, her azure eyes fixed on him.

A devastating triple strike with incredible force.

Mizuki Machi felt a little embarrassed, never expecting the girl to be so persistent, and couldn't help but sigh.

"Eri, it seems you really want to become a manga artist."

"Didn't I say? This is my dream. Doesn't the truth exist?"

"No......"

"Then... I'll share half of my dream with you."

"Ha ha ha ha......"

He immediately laughed.

The girl was more difficult to deal with than I had imagined.

“Okay, I can promise you, Eriri... but before that, there’s one more thing I want to confirm.”

"You said."

Eriri's eyes lit up with joy, and she quickly urged them on.

"Eri, do you know how difficult it is to become a manga artist?"

Guan Yuezhenzhi's expression turned serious.

"Of course I know! I've done my research beforehand."

"If that's the case, are you still going to make me gamble everything for this? I'm not like Eriri. The Sawamura family is a prestigious clan. Even if you fail, you'll still have plenty to eat and drink and can go back to inherit the family fortune. But I was born into an ordinary family. Helping you will take up a lot of my free time and affect my studies. If I don't achieve anything in the end, then this is how my life will be. At most, I can only do odd jobs at convenience stores or something..."

"this......."

The sudden heavy words left the girl speechless.

She hadn't thought about things too far ahead until her childhood sweetheart brought it up, at which point she began to consider it.

"Team up with me and become a comic artist..."

"So, Eriri, just how much determination did you have to say such a thing?"

"You're just a high school student, how can you take responsibility for my life?"

The boy bombarded him with questions.

The girl was stunned for a moment, but soon her determination prevailed.

"I...I can!"

As mentioned earlier, the girl's family background gave her enough confidence to say such things.

"Although I believe that my team, Makoto and I, won't fail, but what if that situation actually arises..."

“I can… nurture true knowledge for a lifetime… no, that’s not right, I can bear the cost of true knowledge.”

Eriri's voice was loud at first, but it quickly became as soft as a mosquito's buzz. Her ears and cheeks turned red, clearly realizing the ambiguity of her words, and she quickly changed her head.

"Since that's the case, then I'll agree to team up with Eriri and become a manga artist... for the rest of my life."

Mizuki Machi said with a half-smile.

OK, PUA was a huge success!

3. Debut early

Lunch break time is limited.

After discussing it, the two decided to eat and chat at the same time.

"Eri, although I agreed, the support of your family is essential for you to fully commit to something like this. Have you talked to your aunt and uncle yet?"

Mizuki Machi closed one eye and glanced at the girl with the other.

Facing his scrutiny, the girl seemed to have expected it, patted her chest, and proudly declared, "I've already told Gasan and Odosan! They're both willing to support me."

Also.

That person is a true otaku and a fujoshi (a female fan of male-male romance), and if she can support a young girl to draw doujinshi (fan-made comics), then becoming a serious manga artist is naturally a piece of cake for her.

He instantly realized that the question was somewhat unnecessary.

"What about Zhenzhi? Your aunt and uncle will support you... right?"

Eriri's tone was uncertain.

The two had known each other since elementary school, and their childhood sweetheart relationship was mainly between the two of them. They had only visited each other's homes a few times, so their families had no contact with each other.

Therefore, the girl's understanding of her childhood sweetheart's family relationships was also very limited.

"Of course, it would have been harder to convince them before, but now I have enough leverage to get their support."

Mizuki Machi smiled slightly and raised a finger.

The so-called chips here are obvious.

At that moment, the girl's blush spoke louder than any words.

"Then... I'll wait for your good news."

That night.

At the dinner table, Mizuki Machi explained everything to her parents.

At first, Mom and Dad were surprised, but after thinking about it for a while, they both nodded and agreed to support them in fulfilling their dreams.

"You've got some skills, kid. If only I had those skills to pick up girls back in the day..."

Afterwards, Dad was filled with emotion.

"Ok?"

Mom snorted.

"Well, that way you can win over your mom sooner."

Dad looked embarrassed and coughed twice.

The boy tried hard to hold back his laughter.

"Machi, since you and Eriri have already discussed it, we won't interfere anymore. But don't overwork yourselves. Even if you fail, it's okay. When you're young, being happy is more important..."

My mother then turned around and said earnestly.

"I understand."

Feeling the care from his family, he nodded and smiled.

After solving this more practical problem.

Only in this way can young men and women wholeheartedly embark on this journey of pursuing their dreams.

Before going to sleep, both parties went online and exchanged messages via Line.

Zhenzhi: OK, I've convinced both my parents.

Eriri: That's wonderful! Your aunt and uncle are so kind and understanding!

Zhenzhi: Now, let's get to the main event!

Eriri: It's too late, Kasang told me to go to sleep!

Eriri: It's a holiday tomorrow, why don't you come to my house, Machi?

True Knowledge: Good.

Early Saturday morning.

"I am leaving."

After finishing breakfast, he said goodbye and went out.

As an ordinary family, the Mizuki family's residence was not a luxury apartment, but a typical detached house in Toshima Ward.

After walking for ten minutes, he came to a boardwalk nicknamed 'Detective Slope'. The slope looked quite steep, and at the end of the slope was the luxurious mansion of the Sawamura family, which resembled the old Furukawa Garden.

Because he had been there several times and was quite familiar with the security guard, he was allowed to enter without being stopped.

After passing through the quaint courtyard and climbing the steps, you arrive at the entrance of the villa.

"Ding dong."

Not long after the door opened.

Before them stood a young woman who looked very similar to Eriri, but with a more mature and elegant demeanor.

Sayuri Sawamura, who is Eriri's mother.

If it weren't for her purple hair and twin ponytails, outsiders would probably easily mistake the two for being related.

"Oh my, is Machi here to see our Eriri again?"

She was wearing a purple kimono, and held a folding fan to her red lips as she spoke in a teasing tone.

"Good morning, Aunt Sawamura."

He greeted them politely.

"How annoying! You actually called me auntie, even though we're so close."

"Then... Aunt Xiaobaihe?"

"I actually preferred you to call me 'older sister,' but whatever."

A mature woman's flirting is truly hard to resist.

Sawamura Sayuri didn't embarrass him and quickly let him off the hook, saying, "Eri is still practicing drawing in her room. Go find her."

As he took a step, another sound came from behind him.

"Oh, right, I already know about Eriri's promise to Machi~ Don't worry, if Eriri isn't able to keep it, I'll help her fulfill it."