Cartoonists and their assistants

"Aren't there other tasks like background work, blacking out, whiteing out, and adding halftone dots? Why aren't you going to ask me for help?"

He responded with a "hey".

"Forget it, it's a waste of your time to give it to you."

After saying that, the girl flicked her tail and lightly went up to the second floor.

"Good heavens, they've just abandoned me like that?"

Mizuki Machi looked completely bewildered.

"Eri is really something..."

At that moment, Sayuri Sawamura came out of the room and looked at the boy with a playful expression.

"Then let your older sister keep you company, little Zhenzhi."

11. Original manuscript completed

"Clap."

Steam rose from the teacup, and a similar face was reflected in the water.

"I never expected that Eriri would get so caught up in her interests that she would forget about even her most important friend."

Sayuri Sawamura said with amusement in her eyes.

"When people are pursuing their dreams, they will always go all out. Eriri must have been looking forward to this day for a long time."

Kanzuki Masaki calmly responded.

"Young people seem to have a lot of feelings... Girls this age should be more mature, but Eriri is already in junior high and she's still like a little kid."

Sayuri Sawamura sighed.

To be honest, when she first heard that her daughter wanted to become a cartoonist, she thought it was quite absurd and even wondered if her daughter had any idea what was going on.

With my daughter's brain, drawing comic books is already the limit.

However, when she thought of the child, Zhenzhi, she felt that it was not impossible, so she nodded in agreement.

"Everyone's experience is different. Aunt Sayuri, you don't need to worry about Eriri. She will grow up one day."

Mizuki Machi took over the conversation.

"Which aspect of growing up are you referring to? If it's that, Machi is probably going to be disappointed. It seems Eriri inherited my genes."

Mrs. Sawamura suddenly smiled.

He's teasing me again!

He pretended not to hear and changed the subject.

"Aunt Sayuri, do you think Eriri and I can become manga artists?"

"Of course, Eriri may be an idiot, but if she has Masami, it's possible."

"So Aunt Lily approves of me that much?"

"Yes, so this hurdle is pretty easy for me..."

The two chatted as if they were having a casual conversation, and got along very well.

Time passes unconsciously.

"...Then I'll take my leave now."

Before noon, Mizuki Machi declined Aunt Sayuri's invitation and returned home.

His task was complete, and the manuscript was entirely handed over to Eriri. Unless she needed help with certain parts of the story that she didn't understand, she probably wouldn't contact him again until the girl finished the manuscript.

As for the upcoming summer vacation, he plans to indulge himself and make up for lost time.

After all, becoming a comic artist was just a way to forge a stronger bond with the young lady; indulging in frivolous pursuits was his true ideal.

"Well, if I keep working hard like this, won't I become a self-made millionaire?"

Mizuki Machi suddenly thought of this and was somewhat speechless.

Isn't this putting the cart before the horse?

"Forget it, I'll go to the bookstore tomorrow to replenish my collection. I've basically finished reading all the comics and light novels I bought before."

He made the decision without much thought.

On the second day.

Shinji Mizuki took the tram and arrived at the nearby Adachi Ward.

Just a few months ago, because the only comic book store in Toshima Ward had closed down, he chose to come here to look for a bookstore, and then he found Takasago Bookstore and got to know the female clerk who was the store's signboard.

As you exit the station, a bookstore appears just around the corner not far ahead.

"Ding dong."

The automatic door opened in response.

"Isn't this the busy Guanyue? What brings you here today?"

Takasago Chie, who was reading at the front desk, looked up and, upon noticing the newcomer, immediately flashed her signature gentle smile and quickly walked out.

"I've had some free time lately, so I came to the bookstore to see what interesting new works there are."

As the girl approached, Mizuki Machi noticed the slight protrusion of her chest beneath the apron, and he clicked his tongue in amazement.

Why can people of the same age have such different levels of development?

"Oh? Has Mizuki-san finished her work?"

Chie Takasago looked like she wanted to find out more.

"Well, I'll leave the rest to Eriri. Hopefully, she can finish submitting it by the end of the month."

His expression also revealed a hint of anticipation.

"Wishing you both smooth sailing and a spectacular debut!"

Although Chie Takasago didn't quite believe the two could do it, she still offered her friendly wishes.

"Well, Mizuki-san, would you like me to recommend someone?"

She clapped her hands and asked with a smile.

"No need. I know best what kind of works I like. I'll choose for myself."

He refused.

"Then please do as you please, this troublesome guest."

The girl turned her head away, extended her right hand, and made way for him.

......

Chie Takasago returned to the front desk, bent slightly, rested her chin on her hand, and looked at the boy who was trying out the books one by one by the bookshelf, as if she was worried that someone would secretly take the books away.

"Clerk, I want to buy the latest rolls..."

Her attention was diverted only when a new guest arrived.

"......Here is your change of 400 yen. Thank you very much for your patronage."

After dealing with the guests, Chie Takasago looked up and noticed someone still reading there, feeling slightly resentful.

"Mitsuki-kun, you've been reading the same book for a long time now. Are you planning to finish it in the bookstore?"

She moved closer to the boy, her voice full of resentment.

"Oh, sorry, I got a little engrossed in reading. Please wrap this one up for me."

Mizuki Machi then realized what was happening, handed the light novel to the other person, and went to seek her next 'prey'.

"alright."

Chie Takasago returned to the front desk and prepared to put it in a plastic bag.

She glanced at the title of the work, her red lips slightly parted, her expression as if she hadn't expected it.

"Game Cafe Love Love? A light novel with a school romance comedy. Boys really do like this kind of thing. Even Mizuki-san can't resist it. But this one is really good and very original."

After a while, the shopping bags on the table were full.

"how much is it?"

Mizuki Machi went to the front desk to pay.

"Thank you for the 1 yen. I've already rounded it down for you, Mizuki-san."

Chie Takasago blinked one eye.

"Thank you so much, Takasago-san. I'll buy from you again next time."

Without any hesitation, he paid the bill, turned around, and walked out of the store carrying a large bag of comics and light novels.

At the front desk, Chie Takasago watched the boy's departing figure, muttering to herself, "Next time? Who knows when next time will be? Can't I just ask for a recommendation? Humph!"

During the summer vacation that followed.

Aside from occasionally communicating with Eriri via Line, Mizuki Machi is mostly immersed in reading. When he gets tired of reading, he will go online to play games, practice fighting skills, or try to woo pretty girls.

Carefree days are truly wonderful!

Until a phone call rang.

Eriri's excited voice came from beside me.

"Zhenzhi, the original manuscript we're submitting is finished!"

Submit your work here!

In Eriri's room.

Mizuki Machi was reading through the stacks of manuscript paper.

The girl next to him was breathing slightly heavily, and her heart was beating faster, as if she were waiting for a teacher to grade her homework.

"What do you think, Zhenzhi?"

Only after he flipped the manuscript over and over once did the girl ask in a slightly trembling voice.

"is acceptable."

After thinking for a moment, Mizuki Machi gave a fair answer.

For Eriri to have achieved this much is already quite impressive.

Judging from the details of her paintings, it is clear that she has a very solid foundation in painting, which could not have been achieved without long-term practice.

"But... is it still okay?"

The girl seemed somewhat disappointed by this answer.

"It's okay" means "not good enough".

This shows that his painting did not bring any surprises to Zhenzhi, and was no different from before.

However, considering that this is the two people's first comic, it's acceptable.

"Eri, you're not thinking of redrawing it, are you? No, there's no time left. Just take this original and submit it."

Seeing her expression, Mizuki Machi raised her finger and shook it.

"I'm not obsessive-compulsive to that extent!"

Eriri retorted angrily.

"That's good."

He nodded in satisfaction and was about to steer the conversation to the next topic when the girl suddenly stepped forward.

"True knowledge".

Eriri called his name solemnly.

"What's wrong? Why the expression?"