Full-time comic artist

And this portion of the profits was divided up by the sponsors.

This feast for the senses led these companies to shift their focus to other animations, with "Slam Dunk" becoming the particular focus.

"These are all judgments made by Sasaki-san." Higashino Hibiki took a sip of champagne and, using the excuse that he hadn't eaten and was very hungry, walked out of the crowd.

Toei and Shueisha are not short of money, and Slam Dunk will not lose money, so there is no need for an animation production committee. Only a fool would share the profits with others.

These people think he's a fool. Higashino Hibiki is too lazy to deal with them. Looking at Yamamura and the awkward Togashi Yoshihiro, he walks towards the two men.

……

"Mr. Togashi," Hibiki Higashino greeted, "and Mr. Yamamura, good evening."

"Hello," Yoshihiro Togashi said with a sigh of relief.

"Hello, Mr. Tori Akino," Yamamura Morimichi nodded in greeting. "Slam Dunk is wonderfully drawn. As expected of you, you're improving faster and faster. The solemnity that I once felt because of Hikaru no Go has been transformed into the vigor of high school students, making it much closer to a basketball manga."

Higashino Hibiki was stunned, staring blankly at Yamamura Mamoru.

What's wrong with this guy? It's already a miracle he didn't mock me, and now he's saying so many nice things about me.

Higashino Hibiki felt extremely uncomfortable after being flattered by him.

Yamamura Morimichi also covered his mouth.

"Oh no, I've been spending too much time with Kikuchi Hidemi and I've gotten into the habit of praising Torino Akino."

He felt his personality had deteriorated, and he felt lost for a moment.

"Th...thank you," Higashino Hibiki said awkwardly, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"Uh-huh."

An awkward silence fell between the two of them.

“Tori Akino-kun,” Yoshihiro Togashi interrupted the awkward atmosphere, nudging Hibiki Higashino with his elbow with a gossipy look on his face, “You’re really popular lately.”

"What's hot?"

"About Naoko Takeuchi," Togashi's expression became excited, "Is it really true that you and Naoko Takeuchi are together? I'm really curious!"

Higashino Hibiki's expression turned strange. Why was Togashi so happy about the rumors between him and Takeuchi?

He acted like an outsider, wanting to see himself make a fool of himself.

"Tell me quickly," Togashi urged.

“Of course it’s fake,” Higashino Hibiki patted him on the shoulder. “If Togashi-sensei falls in love with Takeuchi-sensei in the future, please don’t worry about me, just go for it.”

"How could I possibly fall in love with someone else?" Togashi muttered.

But seeing Higashino Hibiki's resolute expression, he himself became uncertain.

At thirty years old, he still enjoys playing video games, mahjong, eating, drinking, and having fun, and hasn't yet considered finding a girlfriend.

But at this moment, he hesitated.

Higashino ignored him, looked around, found Torishima Kazuhiko, and walked over.

“Oh, Torishino-kun, I’ve been looking for you too,” Torishima Kazuhiko said. “There’s something I’d like to ask you.”

Hibiki Higashino replied, "Please speak."

……

The New Year's party officially began, and the servants poured champagne for everyone. Under the guidance of Yoshihisa Boku, Kazuhiko Torishima began to speak.

“Shueisha’s most important magazine is undoubtedly Jump,” Torishima Kazuhiko said, tilting his head back and emphasizing his words. “Last year’s Weekly Shonen Jump was the most dangerous it had been in twenty years.”

He recalled, "I was tasked with reversing the rapidly declining sales, and I actually wanted to refuse. It was an extremely difficult task. With the development of the times, reading comics was no longer a rare form of entertainment. Going against the tide of the times was very difficult."

Applause erupted from the audience, while Higashino Hibiki quietly watched him show off.

"From 650 million, 600 million, at its lowest point, Jump's circulation dropped to 450 million. This is truly a shocking number!"

"But thankfully, despite the pressure, I finally did it!" Torishima Kazuhiko clenched his fist. "Now, Jump's weekly circulation has returned to 510 million copies!"

Thunderous applause! Jump is doing well, so everyone can make money.

Torishima Kazuhiko was full of confidence, almost as if he was about to say, "I am the king of the world!"

He changed jump.

"All of this is inseparable from the writer's hard work. I thank everyone for their dedication over the years." Kazuhiko Torishima mentioned some benefits, such as the increase in annual contract fees and bonuses.

"And then there's Slam Dunk, the work that saved Jump in a critical moment!"

All eyes, filled with jealousy and envy, greed and longing, were fixed on Higashino Hibiki.

"Thank you for your efforts, Professor Toriakino."

"Yes."

"That's really impressive."

"I heard that the manga volume of 'Slam Dunk' has sold 260 million copies."

Many people were whispering among themselves.

Torishima Kazuhiko's lips moved slightly, but until the very end, he did not grant Higashino Hibiki the right to "decide on the completion of the work independently."

He didn't want to break the contract, but other writers would object to what he said here.

After Kazuhiko Torishima finished speaking, and the applause from Yoshihisa Hei and others subsided, he continued, "Next, please let Mr. Akino Torishima, on behalf of the writers, lead everyone in a toast."

Higashino raised his champagne glass high, and following his gesture, the others also raised theirs.

"Cheers!" Higashino Hibiki shouted.

"Cheers!" everyone shouted in unison.

Then you're free to do as you please.

At the buffet table.

“In previous years I was the writer’s representative,” Akimoto Osamu shook his head, “but this year it’s this young upstart.”

Hirohiko Araki, standing beside him, held a milk bottle and looked at Hibiki Higashino with a smile: "After all, he is the current leader of Jump, and 'Slam Dunk' is an extraordinary work."

“Yes,” Akimoto Osamu nodded, and he remarked, “I have seen another talented writer. I see the shadow of Akira Toriyama in him. I am really getting old.”

"Teacher, you're still going strong for your age," Araki said with a smile. "In Jump, we're the only ones enjoying serializations; they're still far behind."

"Hahahaha." Akimoto Osamu laughed.

……

Hibiki Higashino remained calm and composed, sensing that everyone's gaze was focused on him.

Hibiki Higashino initially wanted to refuse when Torishima Kazuhiko asked him to be the writer's representative.

He finally gave in after much pleading and cajoling, and he didn't even have time for dinner.

Hibiki Higashino walked over to Araki Hirohiko and Akimoto Osamu, picked up a plate, piled up fried noodles and seafood, and then sat down contentedly to eat.

“Eat less at night,” Araki said. “It will affect your sleep, make you gain weight, and it’s bad for your stomach.”

"Hmm," Higashino Hibiki nodded, but did not put down his chopsticks and continued to eat heartily.

Araki shook his head.

Based on his experience, Higashino Hibiki, who was only twenty years old, was already quite mature.

These are all bad lifestyle habits, and he is heartbroken to see them.

"You'll understand how serious this is when you get old."

Chapter 166 Japan's Party Culture

Higashino Hibiki has really made a splash today.

It was time for Araki-sensei to go to bed, so after he had eaten and drunk his fill at Higashino Hibiki's place, he said goodbye.

Higashino looked around and quietly prepared to go home.

As he arrived at the gate, someone patted him on the shoulder and said, "You're an adult now, right?"

Higashino Hibiki turned around and saw a mouthful of white teeth.

It's Hiroshi Motomiya, and Sasaki and the others are here too.

It's time for our second get-together!

Higashino Hibiki didn't want to participate, but he had already promised someone last year, so he could only sigh and join the group for the second reunion.

……

It was 11 p.m. in Higashino Hibiki's dormitory.

Akemi Akemi lay on the table, her long, wispy hair spread across the surface. Her eyes seemed to hold a pool of spring water as she stared blankly at a trophy in her hand.

This is the Astro Boy trophy that won the Tezuka Award for the short story "Hikaru no Go". Because of Akemi Akimiya's efforts, Hibiki Higashino gave his trophy to Akemi Akimiya.

"One day, Miss Akimiya will also receive honor. When that day comes, please remember me under the night sky tonight."

Recalling Higashino Hibiki's heartfelt confession, Akemi Akemi covered her face in embarrassment.

Looking at the trophy, she seemed to see the affectionate Higashino Hibiki again.

Akemi Akemi sat up and looked out the dark window.

"I wonder when Higashino-kun will be back."

She would quietly wait at the New Year's party every year.

At this moment, when all is quiet, one can ask oneself a question.

“I’m not young anymore,” Akemi Akemi thought, touching her delicate face.

She is 27 years old this year, and people her age are already married.

"No, no!" Akemi Akemi shook her head violently, feeling like she had become a fool with nothing but romantic thoughts.

"I used to be indifferent, but now I've become someone who jumps on rumors and gets jealous easily. I really hate who I am now."

She sat down at her desk, spread out her manuscript paper, took out a pencil, and began to carefully sketch the storyboard.