Full-time comic artist

“It’s only been three days…” He flipped through the thick storyboard, “There must be over a hundred pages, right?”

Sasaki was astonished; in just three days, he had conceived a short comic strip of over a hundred pages.

Such talent is truly enviable.

“It’s page 153,” Hibiki Higashino replied, then asked, “What do you think?”

“It’s very interesting,” Sasaki said. “Although it doesn’t follow the conventions of manga and has a lot of narration, it’s more like a light novel than a manga. But it’s very interesting.”

"As long as a comic is interesting, it can be serialized." He pondered.

This comic, like an essay, depicts the protagonist's state of mind, gradually deepening the story and allowing Sasaki to empathize with it.

This is a unique style, which can also be found in "The Garden of Words," though less so.

Sasaki is not an editor bound by rigid frameworks. While minimizing the number of sentences in a manga is correct, it is not entirely accurate.

"5 Centimeters Per Second" is suitable for this style, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the protagonist's state of mind.

“5 Centimeters Per Second could definitely be serialized,” Sasaki said, putting away the manga manuscript. “There’s just one problem: it has too much content.”

Based on the calculation of a short story being fifty pages per episode, there are three episodes in total. However, in this short story competition, each work only has one week to be presented.

Hibiki Higashino smiled and shared his thoughts.

The reason he chose "5 Centimeters Per Second" was not only because he liked the film very much and was deeply impressed by it, but also because of its clear segmentation.

"The novel '5 Centimeters Per Second' consists of three short stories: 'Cherry Blossoms,' 'The Astronaut,' and finally, '5 Centimeters Per Second,' which is the title of the novel," explained Higashino Hibiki.

"The story I'm submitting for the competition is 'Cherry Blossom Mantra.' The next two stories will be published as serialized works later."

“I understand.” Sasaki nodded. “I will report this to the editor-in-chief.”

Whether or not it can be serialized depends on Hibino Hibiki's opinion. He personally agrees, but it also depends on Torishima Kazuhiko's opinion.

……

Jump Editorial Department.

"I agreed."

After reviewing the storyboard for "5 Centimeters Per Second," Kazuhiko Torishima nodded.

"The story is very interesting, so let's serialize it."

However, he seemed somewhat uninterested in "5 Centimeters Per Second," as it had a light and refreshing feel to it.

Similar to Akira Toriyama's "COWA!", although the content is good, it doesn't fit the platform's style, so the results will be mediocre.

This was just a short story competition entry, and Torishima Kazuhiko didn't expect it to be very exciting.

After all, it was just a playful work created during the serialization period.

Cartoonists don't put much effort into it, and most of their works are just mediocre, merely expanding the reader's reading space.

“But you have to be careful,” Torishima Kazuhiko said to Sasaki, “make sure Tori Akino-kun gets plenty of rest. He’s still a student and might not be able to take care of himself.”

His studies, Slam Dunk, and 5 Centimeters Per Second, coupled with the fact that Hibiki Higashino had never left the ivory tower, all made Kazuhiko Torishima concerned.

After all, there are quite a few authors in the Japanese manga industry who have run into trouble.

Sasaki nodded solemnly.

"I will."

……

Hibiki Higashino handed the storyboards for "5 Centimeters Per Second" to his assistants and waited for them to look at them quietly.

After they finished reading, Higashino Hibiki asked with a smile, "How was it?"

Yoshii Yamahisa's eyes welled up with tears. "What an interesting manga! 'Cherry blossoms fall at a speed of five centimeters per second.'"

He was somewhat sentimental, which Higashino Hibiki understood very well.

Akemi Akimiya had already read the manga and was very satisfied with it, especially since the backgrounds would be very detailed. So she was eager to put her skills to use.

Higashino Hibiki was surprised to find that Tanakai remained silent for a long time.

"What's wrong? Is there a problem with the comic?"

“No,” Tanakai shook his head, “I was just thinking about my childhood.”

He also moved frequently and said goodbye to many friends forever.

He understood the feelings of the male and female protagonists very well.

At that moment, I was overwhelmed with mixed feelings and speechless.

Higashino patted him on the shoulder, offering silent comfort.

He then changed the subject and said to his assistant, "Due to energy constraints, I've decided to ask Ms. Akimiya to complete the illustrations for this short comic, and I will serve as her assistant."

No one else had any objections, after all, a cartoonist's energy is limited.

After dividing the work into different parts and finishing the work assignments, it's time to start drawing comics.

Hibiki Higashino turned to Sasaki and asked, "Is everything alright?"

“No,” Sasaki coughed, “Don’t worry about me.”

He came today to check on Higashino Hibiki's daily work, whether he eats on time and gets enough rest.

Higashino gave him a suspicious look before returning to his post.

Noon.

Sasaki, who had been silent all along, glanced at the time, sighed, and stood up to invite everyone to dinner.

Just then, the dormitory doorbell rang.

Akemi Akemi quickly stood up, strode out of the living room, and opened the bedroom door.

At the entrance stood Minami Chiharu, a smile on her face.

"You've gone to so much trouble." She welcomed Nan Qianchun in. "I'm very busy with work right now and don't have time to cook lunch, so I'll have to ask you for help for now."

"It's nothing, that's how I got through high school."

The two talked as they went to the kitchen to tidy up.

After a while, Akemi Akemi came out awkwardly. "I'm sorry, Mr. Sasaki, I didn't know you would come."

After giving instructions to Minami Chiharu yesterday, she completely forgot about lunch.

The next day at work, her brain was working at lightning speed. She was starving and couldn't bear to give her share to Sasaki.

“It’s alright,” Sasaki said in a deep voice as he stood up.

But his departing figure looked exceptionally tragic.

……

It was already dark outside; it was seven o'clock in the afternoon.

The day's work was over, and the assistants all left.

Sasaki, who had been sitting upright with his face turned straight ahead, also stood up and said goodbye.

Hibiki Higashino didn't try to stop him; he had already decided to quit drinking and couldn't go out and fool around with Sasaki now.

Light snow was falling from the sky, and the ground was covered in snow.

Sasaki exhaled, and white mist filled the air.

He glanced back at Higashino Hibiki's studio, feeling a little more at ease.

"There shouldn't be any problem."

The day went smoothly, and they ate lunch and dinner on time.

"It's time for Sasaki to make a graceful exit."

……

A month later.

"Sakuragi's special training began before the second and third games of the final round-robin tournament."

Looking at the manga, Kazuya Takasugi nodded.

The National University Basketball League has just concluded, with last year's runner-up, Donghai University, winning the championship.

Kazuya Takasugi watched that match, and it was so intense it was like something out of a manga.

In the final seconds, the East China Sea center dunked to win the game, and the crowd erupted in cheers and applause.

Kazuya Takasugi, who was in the audience, had been excited for a long time, but now he had calmed down and started looking at a manga magazine.

There was no match in this episode of Slam Dunk, but he unexpectedly liked it.

"Sakuragi, who never liked basic training, has now become more diligent."

After the basketball team's regular daily training, Sakuragi would also practice shooting in the paint with Takenori Akagi.

"Practice repeatedly, tirelessly, until your body is familiar with it."

Looking at the manga, Kazuya Takasugi smiled with satisfaction, "After shaving his head, Sakuragi is truly a completely different person."

Sakuragi Hanamichi's clothes were soaked with sweat, as if they had just been washed.

Everything is moving in a positive direction, full of vitality and a wonderful atmosphere.

In the manga, Kiminobu Kogure also joins in, accompanying Akagi as he trains Sakuragi.

The reason is:

"I'm already a third-year student, and this is my last chance. If I don't make it to the national tournament... the match against Ryonan the day after tomorrow will be my last one."

"I'm retiring in three days, and I don't want to have any regrets."

This is the last chance for third graders.

Having already lost to Hainan, Xiangbei is indeed under a lot of pressure, but because of this, they are working even harder.

"I will definitely make it to the national competition!" Akagi said firmly.

The manga ended, and Kazuya Takasugi let out a long sigh.