Master of the Machete Style Manga

Chapter 58 2470 million (Seeking monthly votes!)

In the afternoon, Ken Sakamoto sat at his table and continued drawing "Looking Back Suddenly".

The lines of the character "Suddenly Looking Back" are more delicate than those of "Chainsaw Man," and the emotions are calmer. Sakamoto Ken also drew it more slowly.

Unlike when drawing Chainsaw Man, Ken Sakamoto would enter a state of intense passion, drawing with lightning speed.

Ken Sakamoto's G-pen moved steadily across the manuscript paper, outlining the subtle emotional changes on the girl's face.

At that moment, the phone started vibrating.

Ken Sakamoto glanced at the caller ID on the screen: Shunta Uchida.

He immediately frowned and put down his pen.

This is the public interest lawyer he previously hired, who is specifically responsible for handling the mess left by his father.

Ken Sakamoto put down his paintbrush and answered the phone.

"Hello, Sakamoto-san, this is Uchida." A very formulaic voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Uchida-san, is there any result regarding the debt?" Sakamoto Ken's tone was equally calm.

“That’s right,” Uchida said. “Regarding debt relief, after several rounds of negotiations, the creditor finally only agreed to waive all the interest accrued so far, but as for the principal… I’m sorry, their attitude is very firm.”

"Is the amount still over twenty million?" Sakamoto Ken asked.

He wasn't particularly moved, as it was an outcome he had anticipated, perfectly matching his memories from the previous playthrough.

“Yes, after deducting interest and a small reduction, the remaining total amount is 2470 million yen.” The lawyer paused. “If Mr. Sakamoto still finds this amount unacceptable, I can try to continue talking to them, but… to be honest, the chances are slim.”

Last week, he went through several months of back-and-forth with this lawyer over this money, and even went to court, but the final result was no different from what he has now.

“No need, Attorney Uchida,” Ken Sakamoto said decisively. “This amount is fine, but it’s just that we can’t pay it off in one lump sum right now.”

Ken Sakamoto continued, "I'm going to university soon, so I'll pay it back in installments after I graduate."

“That’s exactly what I proposed to them,” Attorney Uchida said. “Considering your actual situation, this plan is reasonable and justifiable, the court will support it, and the creditors have also indicated that they can accept it.”

"That's good, thank you for your help."

"So, Sakamoto-san, would you be able to come to our office tomorrow? We need to confirm the final agreement in person and sign the relevant documents."

"Tomorrow... then I'll come over this afternoon."

I'm going to Shueisha for a live broadcast on Friday night, and my law firm happens to be in Chiyoda Ward, so it's on my way.

"Of course, see you tomorrow afternoon."

"Ok."

After hanging up the phone, Ken Sakamoto looked at the half-finished manuscript paper in front of him and let out a long sigh.

24.7 million yen.

Last week, this number was so overwhelming that he could hardly breathe.

Fortunately, Haruna helped him pay it off, otherwise he would have been burdened with debt for who knows how many years.

He opened the bank app on his phone and looked at the balance: 72350 yen.

This amount of money is only enough to pay two months' rent.

Or rather, it's only enough for one month's rent and living expenses.

However, everything will be alright once the payment for the manuscript is made.

After all, the royalties are expected to arrive in the account on March 25th.

As for that debt, we'll have to see if my book, "Looking Back Suddenly," can get a good ranking in the call for submissions.

Even if he doesn't get it, it doesn't matter. At least for the four years before he graduates from university, he won't have to worry about debt.

Four years is enough time to earn enough royalties from "The Chainsaw Man".

He wanted to pay off the debt as soon as possible, if possible. Being debt-free would certainly make him feel much more at ease.

After all, this debt was a major contributing factor to his getting caught up in that complicated and chaotic situation last week.

For the sake of money, he readily accepted the young lady's tip...

……

After taking a short break, Ken Sakamoto continued working on the storyboard for the page on the table.

I glanced at the time; it was already 8 p.m.

He got up, stretched his limbs, changed into his outdoor clothes, and headed towards the convenience store.

The store was brightly lit, and Shota Miyamoto was wandering around aimlessly.

Upon seeing Sakamoto Ken enter, he quickly greeted him.

"Ajian!"

"Shota, why aren't you on the night shift today?" Ken Sakamoto asked casually.

"Don't even mention it," Shota Miyamoto said with a look of utter despair. "After working so many night shifts, I feel like my body is being completely drained. I have to get my sleep schedule back on track."

"That's true, working day and night is bad for your health."

"It's not just bad for your health!" Shota Miyamoto sighed and said, "I just started dating a girlfriend, and she broke up with me a couple of days ago because I work the night shift!"

"why?"

"She said that we didn't have sex while we were together..."

"Can't it be done during the day?" Ken Sakamoto asked, puzzled.

"Huh? During the day..." Miyamoto Shota's face instantly turned bright red, and he stammered, "Well... it's mainly... well, it's because of the night shift thing... I'm taking care of my health right now..."

Ken Sakamoto pursed his lips, understanding the situation perfectly.

Is your problem with working the night shift? There must be something you're having trouble saying.

That really won't work. One girlfriend is enough; if you date three at the same time, your kidneys would probably die on the spot.
Shota Miyamoto quickly changed the subject, walking over to the magazine shelf and picking up a copy of Weekly Shonen Jump.

"Hey, Ken, you actually got published in JUMP!"

Ken Sakamoto shrugged: "You've seen it? What did you think?"

"That's amazing! I've already downloaded JUMP+ and followed all your updates. I never imagined you'd actually become a manga artist, Ken!" Miyamoto Shota exclaimed. "Oh, by the way, should I start calling you... Sakamoto Ken-sensei from now on?"

"Stop joking." Ken Sakamoto waved his hand, took a half-price bento from the refrigerator, and placed it on the cashier's counter. "Heat it up for me."

Ken Sakamoto didn't take the bento box back; he simply sat down in the restaurant's dining area.

Shota Miyamoto quickly joined him and sat down opposite him.

Shota Miyamoto asked, "By the way, Ken, are you really going to pay back that money your dad owes?"

“Of course,” Ken Sakamoto said matter-of-factly, “unless I’m willing to be a deadbeat for life.”

"Tsk tsk, that's really not easy..."

"To be honest, Jian, I used to think about becoming a cartoonist and a novelist." He said with a sigh, "But it was just a thought, and I gave up after less than half a month."

“Creating art is not easy,” Ken Sakamoto said, swallowing a mouthful of rice. “You need a strong motivation to keep going.”

"How can I find the motivation?" Miyamoto Shota asked humbly.

Ken Sakamoto looked up at him earnestly and offered his advice: "Take on 20 million in debt first, and you'll have the motivation."

Shota Miyamoto: "..."

(End of this chapter)