Cartoonists and their assistants

The girl first opened a pink envelope and began reading its contents.

Lost Cat: Thank you, Tsukishiro-sensei, for creating the work "Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day." It touched me deeply. I once had a very trusted friend, but due to an accident, we went our separate ways, and we haven't reconciled to this day. I have that thought in my heart, but I don't dare to take that step...

That's all.

Clearly, the other party simply wanted to use this channel to express their feelings to an unknown person.

"Hmph, what a coward!"

Eriri showed no pity whatsoever; instead, she scoffed at it.

Mizuki Machi glanced at her, smiling without saying a word.

Then came another letter.

Icarus Meir: I hope Tsukishiro-sensei can maintain this pace, and I hope Menma can attain Buddhahood!

The content is quite simple, and most fan letters are like that.

Only a very few people will write long speeches.

For example, in the last fan letter, a reader named 'Knight' rambled on for a long time, speculating about the plot and trying to get a reply. He was clearly trying to get attention.

"It doesn't feel like there's any meaningful content."

The true meaning of "gazing at the moon" is that it's boring.

"Damn it, I was so excited..."

Eriri also muttered something indignantly.

Many things that seem extraordinary in our imagination sometimes seem quite ordinary after we've experienced them.

"Eri, what are you planning to do?"

"Put it away."

Although it wasn't of much value, it was the first fan letter the two of them had ever received, making it a memorable occasion.

......

November is the season of the Beginning of Winter, and the weather is gradually getting colder.

Eriri also put a scarf around her neck.

It's worth mentioning that this was a birthday gift from my childhood sweetheart this year, but since the weather had already started to warm up by then, I didn't use it for more than a few days.

"The weather isn't that cold yet, is it? Didn't Eriri usually only wear a scarf during the New Year? Could it be...?"

Mizuki Machi saw through the girl's little thoughts and deliberately teased her.

"Wha...what? What does it have to do with the date! Doesn't this just mean it's colder this year than last year? You haven't misunderstood anything, have you?"

Eriri stammered for a moment, then tightened her scarf, feigning embarrassment and annoyance.

That’s the taste!

He looked at the girl with a half-smile, then suddenly remembered something and became serious again.

"It's definitely colder this year than last year, so Eriri, you need to make sure you keep warm so you don't get sick again."

Is this someone who cares about me?

Eriri secretly enjoyed the moment, but stubbornly replied, "No need to worry, I'm perfectly healthy now. I haven't taken a day off for three months straight!"

That sounds like setting a flag.

Guan Yuezhenzhi was quite speechless.

"Then let's hope it can continue like this."

However, his blessing was clearly more like a jinx.

It was the next day when I went to school.

There was a vacancy in Eriri's position.

"Sawamura-kun is absent today due to illness. Is anyone else here?"

The homeroom teacher announced it in front of everyone, and after confirming it, continued.

"Then, let's begin the lesson."

Sitting in his seat, the boy rested his chin on his hand, looking at the blue sky and white clouds outside the window, and suddenly sighed.

"Alas, as expected, I couldn't escape this calamity after all."

31 Sick

"Mitsuki-san, do you know what's wrong with Sawamura-san?"

After class, Chie Takasago arrived and inquired about her well-being.

"He must be sick. It's been cold lately, so it's understandable that he's like this."

"I'm used to it," Mizuki Machi said casually.

"Speaking of which, it seems like Sawamura-kun was frequently absent during the early part of the semester?"

"There's nothing we can do, Eriri has been sickly since she was little... By the way, are you two close? You seem to care about her a lot."

"Mitsuki-san, you don't think I have a bad relationship with Sawamura-san, do you?"

Upon hearing this, the girl asked in surprise.

"Huh? Is it really that good? I haven't seen you guys talking to each other much at school."

"Hehe, this is a secret among us girls, do you want to know?"

The girl smiled mysteriously, anticipating his further questions.

"Stop keeping me in suspense, Ms. Takasago."

"Actually, after I met Sawamura, I have been recommending light novels and manga to her via LINE. I found that we actually get along quite well. Unfortunately, she has been too busy lately, so I felt bad about bothering her."

"I see."

That makes sense to him.

After all, in their usual interactions, there are no girls of similar age to talk to Eriri about ACG-related topics. It's not easy to meet one, so naturally their relationship will be very good.

However, that guy will definitely not admit it verbally.

After school.

Mizuki Machi took her notes and rode the tram back home.

After arriving at the station, instead of going to the secret base or going home, they headed towards Sawamura at the top of Detective Hill.

He was already quite adept at sharing his notes even without the teacher's prompting.

"Little Machi cares so much about Eriri. She couldn't wait to come and visit her right after school."

Upon entering, he was immediately confronted with the flirting of a mature woman.

How is Eriri doing now?

He didn't respond at all, and went straight to asking.

"Well, the doctor has already come to see me. Due to overwork and a bad cold caused by the weather, I'll probably have to take a week off. I'll be troubling you, Xiao Zhenzhi, a few more times during this period..."

Sawamura Sayuri's expression turned slightly serious, and then she suddenly sighed.

"But even at a time like this, Eriri is still worried about not making it to the deadline for chapter three. She's really obsessed with manga and turned into an idiot."

"Does Aunt Sayuri regret supporting Eriri's manga drawing?"

Observing the moon reveals true knowledge, a tentative path.

"Do not."

Sayuri Sawamura immediately denied it.

"It's because I've seen Eriri's enthusiasm lately that I feel this is the right decision. Her body can be adjusted as long as she pays attention, but some things, once missed, may never be available again... So, Machi, I hope to continue to support her dreams."

These earnest words made him realize for the first time, beneath his aunt's usually unreliable exterior, the deep affection she held for her daughter.

At that moment, he felt as if the burden on his shoulders had become even heavier.

Now, it is the hopes of both mother and daughter.

"I see."

Kanzuki nodded deeply.

In his second life, the boy realized for the first time how important his own existence was.

This is a feeling I've never experienced before.

"Sorry! Don't take that to heart, Makoto... Eriri should have just woken up. You can go check on her; she'll probably feel more alert if you're there."

Suddenly, Sayuri Sawamura lightly touched her red lips with the folding fan in her hand, her eyes filled with a smile.

Her topics and emotions changed very quickly.

It's because I felt that what I just said was still too heavy for middle school students.

After all, although Mizuki Machi appears very mature, in her eyes, she is still just a child the same age as her daughter.

Inside the spacious room.

On the bed, the girl lay quietly, covered by a thick blanket, with only her small head exposed to breathe fresh air. Her usually fair face was flushed with a sickly redness.

"Achoo..."

She couldn't help but sneeze.

"Why did I catch a cold at this time...?"

The girl mumbled in a daze, and in a daze, she seemed to hear a knock on the door.

"Yinglili."

"How could I hear the voice of truth? Am I dreaming...?"

"So, Eriri, you do dream about me?"

"Ok?"

She finally realized something was wrong, turned her head to look, and met a pair of eyes that seemed to be smiling but not smiling.

"Why are you here, Machi?"

"School's out. The teacher asked me to bring my notes and also to check on your condition... but it doesn't look good. You're delirious with fever and didn't even hear the knocking."

Guan Yuezhenzhi gently shook his head.

"Did you come here just to mock me...?"

Eriri's response was weak and listless.

"You mean what happened yesterday? It's nothing to worry about. After all, your body has always been like this since you were a child. In fact, it's a bit strange that you only got sick this year after all this time."

"Yes... Oh."

The girl felt very down when she thought about it.

If she had a healthy body, she wouldn't have had to suffer so much.

"Even so, your symptoms this time are much more severe than usual, and there must be some underlying issues from overwork, so... do you understand what I mean?"

Mizuki Machi pondered for a moment, his eyes fixed on the girl.

"I...I know."

Eriri, feeling pressured by his gaze, looked away and said weakly.

Admittedly, monthly serialization is less difficult than weekly serialization, but for a middle school student who is still in school, it is definitely a heavy burden.

But the girl gave up social interactions on campus and her free time in order to realize her dream. She would definitely not be willing to stop here.

Therefore, the only solution now is to get back on track and hire an assistant to lighten her load.

After this 'accident', the girl naturally had no further objections.

However, this matter required the two of them to discuss it properly with the editor. Eriri was clearly in a condition where she needed to rest, so after discussing the matter, Mizuki Machi did not stay at the Sawamura residence for long before leaving.