Cartoonists and their assistants

Her fair face immediately turned very red, and she quickly turned around and casually picked up the novel that had fallen to the ground.

"Ahem, Zhenzhi, I've finished reading all the books I bought recently. What about yours? Can you recommend a few?"

"It's on this bookshelf, you can look at it yourself."

"So many? That must have taken so much effort to select them."

"Anyway, you don't lack time now."

"That's true."

.......

Winter break is over, and the third semester begins.

Students have returned to campus.

"What does Mizuki-san do during her vacation?"

Sakura Chiyo asked curiously.

"Let's play games."

"I know it all," Guan Yue said without hesitation.

"Hey, aren't you bored? You have plenty of time, don't you want to go out and have some fun?"

"Oh, I did go to Winter COMIC."

"Two people?"

"There were four of us, including Pipi and Kuroko. It's a pity we didn't come across many doujinshi we liked... Speaking of which, why didn't Sakura go?"

"I had no choice but to go back to the countryside. I'll go again if I have the chance! By the way, where's Miss Ashisu?"

"Miss Saho is at her busiest right now."

"Yeah...indeed."

Sakura Chiyo imagined it for a moment and wholeheartedly agreed.

Putting aside the creative issues, Ms. Ashisu has to do the work of both Tsukishita Yuriko and herself. In addition, there are financial requirements. Ms. Ashisu, who comes from an average family, would face a lot of pressure if she wanted to hire an assistant.

These things are all quite annoying.

Therefore, the smooth-sailing life of Yuriko under the moon offers little to reference...

Being a cartoonist is really tough!

Even the most optimistic young girl couldn't help but feel pessimistic about such a future.

......

1 month 12 day.

The first issue of GANGAN for the new year is now on sale.

Mizuki Machi decided to buy it after school and asked her childhood friend.

"I'm going to the club for a while, then I'll go to the secret base."

Considering the need to wear a school uniform, Eriri made a decision.

"Alright, I'll wait for you at the secret base."

After saying goodbye to the girl, he boarded the tram and headed to Takasago Bookstore.

Chie Takasago came out from behind the counter and put on an apron in front of everyone.

"Is it just Mizuki? Where's Sawamura?"

She asked casually.

“At school.”

"Is that right?"

Upon receiving the answer, the girl's lips curled into a slight smile.

"Sawamura is really working hard. He has to take care of things at school after finishing his work."

"Being too proud leads to suffering. The more you worry, the more trouble you get. That's the problem with Eriri."

"Haha... People as open-minded as Mizuki are rare, especially since Sawamura is a young lady; face is very important to her."

Takasago Chie didn't join in the denigration; instead, she was quite understanding.

So... let her be.

Mizuki Machi didn't want to talk too much about this, so she casually picked up this issue of Monthly Shonen Gangan.

"Which book was Ms. Ashisu's debut work?"

"Let me see, this is the book, 'The Devil Has Descended on My Side'."

He turned the page to the page containing the title.

Just then, the guests arrived.

"Welcome, guest..."

The shop assistant had no choice but to deal with it first.

So, Mizuki Machi stood aside and began to read.

Compared to the short stories I remember, the serialized version's narrative unfolds more gently and is less rushed.

"Hmm, the pacing is alright. Now it depends on whether Ms. Saho can maintain it. The hardest part is to make the daily life interesting in this kind of story."

He made his own assessment.

After looking around, he noticed that the Takasago Bookstore had opened and customers were coming in one after another, so he decided to leave first.

"Goodbye, Mizuki~"

Chie Takasago saw her to the door with a gentle smile and waved softly.

Although it's a pity, there's nothing I can do about my job.

.......

After returning to the secret base for some time.

Eriri opened the door and entered.

"Zhenzhi, you should buy Gangan!"

"It's on the small table next to the sofa."

She sat down on the sofa and turned to that page.

After watching it, the two exchanged their thoughts and came to similar conclusions.

However, after considering it, they did not tell Miss Sahoto these words.

After all, their status is different now.

People still need to have some sense of boundaries.

The New Year's party was filled with a strong sense of tension.

1 month 15 day.

The New Year's party for Monthly Shonen Gangan was held as scheduled.

When Yuriko Tsukishita first participated last year, she was just a fledgling manga artist. Although she was known as the "youngest and most talented in history," her recognition within the industry was not necessarily high.

A year later, Yuriko Tsukishima ranked among the top in popularity, even number one multiple times, and her work was adapted into an anime, which won over many industry professionals.

Today, Yuriko Tsukishita is no longer a newcomer, but a 'senior' who has achieved some success.

After all, while many people can serialize their works, very few can actually complete a work on time.

At dusk, outside the secret base.

The two were waiting for the editor to arrive.

"We are different now."

Eriri looked at the night sky and suddenly sighed.

"Nothing's different."

Mizuki Machi turned around and glanced at her.

The height and shape seem to be no different from a year ago.

That's probably the end of it.

"Your gaze is offensive!"

"It's your illusion."

Eriri pouted, of course not believing it, and clasped her hands to her chest.

I meant mindset!

she emphasized.

"Indeed, Eriri, you are much more relaxed today than you were a year ago."

"Whoa! What right do you have to say that! I remember clearly that someone admitted to being nervous last year!"

"Is that so? I don't remember it."

"......shameless!"

Even with a girl's personality, she was speechless at the shamelessness her childhood sweetheart was displaying.

"Hiss..."

Just then, a black sedan pulled up to the side of the road.

The car window slowly rolled down.

Minamoto turned his head to the side and said calmly, "Get in the car."

After getting on the bus, it wasn't long before Mizuki Machi discovered that the itinerary was quite different from what she had expected.

"Ms. Minano, are we going to pick up Ms. Sahoto?"

"That's right, I just happened to be on the way to pick her up."

Minamoto nodded.

Some time passed.

"Long time no see, Machi, Eriri."

"It's been a long time, Miss Saho."

Saho Ashisu, sitting in the passenger seat, greeted the two of them.

Compared to them who were still in disguise, Sha Sui was dressed more formally today, wearing a long dress and giving off a sophisticated urban vibe.

"She looks so beautiful. This is the first time I've ever seen Miss Saho dressed so elegantly."

Eriri exclaimed in amazement.

Normally, Asusu Saho wears either shorts and over-the-knee socks or a regular short skirt, and her outfits are not particularly eye-catching.

Although she was cute, her charm wasn't as dazzling as it is now.

"Would...that be strange?"

Asuka Saho brushed the hair behind her ear and asked with a slightly flushed face.

Since it was her first time attending such an important gathering, she simply pulled out her best dress from the bottom of her wardrobe.

Upon seeing Eriri and Machi's simple attire, she couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"No, Miss Saho is very feminine now, she will definitely be the star of the party."

Mizuki Machi praised.

His intention was to give Miss Saho a sense of confidence, but he ended up attracting three strange looks.