Cartoonists and their assistants

The two chatted for a while.

The assistant arrived at the secret base.

"Ding dong."

The door opened, and two teachers stood before her, staring intently at her.

She was pushed into the living room.

"Miss Ashisu, what are your thoughts now?"

"What are my thoughts... I don't really have any special thoughts, after all, I haven't even debuted yet."

"Itsuka Saho said cautiously."

"As expected of Miss Asashisu, Eriri's tail is already wagging in the air at this point."

Mizuki Masachika made a disparaging remark.

"It's not that exaggerated. I'm just confident."

Eriri immediately interrupted.

The assistant didn't immediately stop the two of them. Instead, she looked at someone's face and thought of what the editor had said earlier, and her face flushed slightly.

It's all Minamoto's fault! What nonsense is she spouting!

They're just kids.

Keep a calm mind... keep a calm mind...

She kept this in mind, gradually returning to a cold demeanor.

75-year-old Inari is physically and mentally exhausted.

"Teacher, isn't it time to start work already?"

The assistant, realizing what was happening, spoke up to stop the two from arguing.

It is very useful as a break-in agent.

So, the childhood sweethearts quickly exchanged a glance and reached a consensus.

Let's call a truce for now!

During the lunch break that followed.

She then watched as the two teachers sat on the sofa, each holding a comic book, arguing heatedly about a certain issue.

Similar scenes have been experienced by Asashi Saho many times in the past six months, and have become a habit.

But then she suddenly realized—

After I debut, I probably won't see scenes like this anymore.

"It's true, you can feel lonely."

She was filled with emotion, but it couldn't change her yearning to fly.

.......

The July sun grew increasingly scorching, relentlessly baking the earth.

After PE class, Mizuki Machi found a shady corner, turned on the tap, and washed her face.

"It's so hot, even the tap water is hot."

He reached out and tried to wipe the water droplets from his face, then sat down on a nearby bench to rest.

"Phew... The weather is getting hotter and hotter these days. This must be what they call global warming."

Eriri had followed us there without us noticing, looking exhausted and panting heavily.

"Why are you here?"

"What's the problem? Can't I be here?!"

"I mean, why not become your 'top star'?"

"I'm so tired, I'm a little worried about getting heatstroke..."

"It's good that you're aware of that."

"Let me rest for a bit, then I'll argue with you!"

The girl was unable to refute, so she lay down to one side and closed her eyes to rest.

"call......"

A sudden gust of cool wind blew, ruffling my bangs and bringing a slight chill.

The two of them quietly enjoyed this somewhat pleasant rest time.

"Summer vacation is almost here, and the second volume is going to be released soon. It's all good news, don't you think, Eriri?"

Mizuki Machi spoke again.

"Finally, I can take a break for a while."

To everyone's surprise, the girl's answer was something like this.

"Hahaha......."

This made him burst into laughter several times.

"Riri now seems like a programmer who works hard to finish her job and looks forward to the holidays every day. How pitiful."

"I didn't expect it to be this tiring. If monthly comics are already this troublesome, I can't imagine how intense the workload must be for weekly comic artists."

Eriri had lost all will to argue; all that remained was awe for certain manga artists who had remained steadfast for decades.

This is why occupational diseases are very common in the industry.

Cartoonists are a group of warriors who are constantly fighting against illness.

"Let's take a break after 'Anohana' ends."

After a moment of silence, a voice drifted out.

“If it were before, I would definitely have rejected Makoto’s suggestion, but I have to admit... I’m a bit tired, and I need to take a break.”

A few seconds later, another young female voice responded.

really.

Guan Yuezhen thought to himself.

He has always maintained a good balance between work and rest, and NAME's work is relatively easy, so he is quite comfortable.

Eriri, however, is different; the intense painting work compresses most of her time.

Under this prolonged exploitation, the girl finally reached a point of physical and mental exhaustion.

"According to my calculations, Ms. Ashisu will also be resigning from her job around the time we finish... Also, having only one assistant doesn't seem to be enough to save effort, so it would be best to add another one."

He made the suggestion again.

"Hmm... You can arrange it, Masashi. I'll listen to you."

The girl was probably overwhelmed by the summer heat; even her tone was weak and listless.

"Although I know you're saying this because you trust me, I really don't want to do something so troublesome."

Mizuki Makichi smiled wryly.

Besides Sakura Chiyo, he cannot find a second suitable candidate at present.

"I see. Then let Ms. Mina find someone else."

Eriri didn't have the strength to beg or plead, so she could only sigh helplessly.

"You look so tired, would you like to lean on my shoulder?"

He said suddenly.

"Huh? Makoto... what are you talking about! I'm not so tired that I need you to comfort me with your body!"

The girl blushed and then exclaimed.

"Never mind if you don't need it. I'm going back to the classroom. Do you want to come with me?"

"No, no need, I need to tidy myself up first."

Eriri watched her childhood friend's figure disappear, then stomped her foot in place, pondering to herself.

Is this idiot deliberately playing a prank on someone?

Or is it genuine?

.......

The last day before summer vacation.

Compared to the fatigue of the previous period, everyone suddenly seemed much more energetic, as if they had a final burst of energy before death.

"Tomorrow's a holiday, Mizuki-san! What are you planning to do?"

Sakura Chiyo clapped her hands and asked expectantly.

"What can I do? What else can a shut-in do? Play games, read comics and novels..."

Mizuki Machi rested her chin on her right hand and turned her head slightly to answer.

"Do you do this during your holidays? Don't you get bored? You should go out more."

"Oh, right, I should also go to Summer Comic."

"This looks familiar... Ah, right... it's that famous comic convention! But why are these the same things again?"

"And what about you, Sakura-san?"

"Like swimming, going to the beach, going shopping, watching movies, etc."

"It's a very ordinary plan."

"Is this considered a complaint? I'm just an ordinary female high school student."

Sakura Chiyo squeezed her eyebrows.

"So, do you want to become extraordinary?"

Suddenly, the boy in front of me gave a mysterious smile.

"I don't understand what you mean, Mizuki-san..."

Under his gaze, Sakura Chiyo subconsciously avoided his eyes.

At the same time, some comic book scenes flashed through my mind—

Could it be that I, who am inconspicuous at school, am the one most favored?

In the eyes of the other party, she was even more beautiful than a high-mountain flower.

No, no!

That's just wishful thinking!

She blushed with shame at the delusions she had entertained.

"August 12th, Takasago Bookstore, see you there, I will tell you the truth then."

When Sakura Chiyo pressed for more information, Mizuki Machi gave this answer and then said nothing more, seemingly regarding it as an important secret.

This puzzled her.

Why did I specifically invite her to Takasago Bookstore?

What is it about me that makes Guanyue-kun value me?

Could it really be what I thought...?

"Ugh, this is so annoying!"

After returning home, Sakura Chiyo rolled around on the bed a few times before stopping, hugging a heart-shaped pillow, looking at the ceiling, and talking to herself.

"No matter what, we'll know when we meet Mizuki-san."