Full-time comic artist

Chapter 234 Marriage

"Director Inoue Kaede, Jump has informed us that Akino Tori is planning to end Slam Dunk after the Sannoh match. This will be a huge loss for Toei Company, just like the end of Dragon Ball."

"We learned that Professor Tori Akino invited you to his wedding. Therefore, please try to persuade him to change his mind when you meet him."

"I'm entrusting everything to you. Please take this seriously."

When Inoue Kaede received the notification from his superiors, he was extremely surprised.

"Slam Dunk will end after the Sannoh match? That's impossible!"

"Is Mr. Toriaki no-sensei really that unwise?"

At the moment when "Slam Dunk" is at its most popular, he clearly saw Akino Tori's future potential.

During the three years and nine months of serialization, Tori Akino Mirai's storyboards and his drawing skills reached a new peak, achieving a state of perfection.

Every chapter is thrilling for the reader.

In the first half of the game, Shohoku's offense revolved around Mitsui Hisashi.

And Mitsui was in excellent form in today's match.

Whether it's the sense of balance, the seamless feel of fingertips touching the ball, or the smoothness of wrist movement, everything is flawless.

He felt he could score a lot of points.

Sure enough, after receiving the pass, he immediately took a three-pointer. While the basketball was still in mid-air, Mitsui had already clenched his fist.

Goal!

After that, when facing the defense, Mitsui acted decisively without the slightest hesitation and made the shot with agile movements.

He made all three of his shots, giving Sannoh a rude awakening right from the start.

"Mitsui played exceptionally well against Sannoh. His fluid goal made me incredibly excited. I was thinking that if Mitsui hadn't had that break, he would have been even more amazing."

"He shone brightly in the national high school tournament using only the techniques he learned in junior high. Mitsui was amazing back then. No wonder he was the MVP."

"But Mr. Tori Akino drew it this way using the help of Kiminobu Kogure."

"His remorse for himself was so intense that he subconsciously romanticized the past and felt deep self-blame for his present self."

Mitsui Hisashi did indeed think that way. When he was exhausted during the match against Shohoku and his body was so drained that he couldn't even open a can, he hated his past self.

Coach Anzai looked at Mitsui, who had played in the previous match, and said:

"Whenever he felt the immense pressure of the two-year hiatus, he lost faith in his own abilities."

"However, you should be able to regain your confidence now."

"Because you have now completely surpassed your past self."

The current Mitsui is an even more formidable Mitsui Hisashi than he was in the past.

During the game against Shohoku, he felt unwilling to accept defeat. After going through trials and tribulations, he finally honed himself into someone even more brilliant.

In order to leave no regrets, even if he burned out completely, he never gave up and became an even stronger Mitsui Hisashi.

Coach Anzai stood up, bowed to Mitsui, and acknowledged the current Mitsui.

Slam Dunk has reached a new level of success. In this new chapter, Akino Tori's thinking is more active, his writing is more agile, and his manga is more loved by readers.

"So even so, you'll still finish it, Akino-sensei?"

Kaede Inoue was confused. He had poured his heart and soul into "Slam Dunk," putting 100% of his energy into the animation.

He also blocked the higher-ups' request to fill in the plot with unnecessary scenes. Even if he could catch up with the manga's progress, he would rather temporarily end the anime than affect the quality of the work.

He's put in so much effort, and now, is Slam Dunk going to come to an abrupt end?

Inoue Kaede wanted to get to the bottom of things.

……

There's only one day left until the wedding.

Late at night, in the studio.

Hibiki Higashino is still drawing manga. Even though he's getting married tomorrow, he has to hurry up and finish drawing the storyboard for the next chapter of "Slam Dunk".

Although he would be taking a break from publishing the manga for one issue due to his marriage, he still had the "Slam Dunk" spin-off to complete, so he couldn't afford to slack off.

The living room lamp cast a dim yellow light as Hibiki Higashino sat working in his pajamas. The lights of the buildings outside the window had all been turned off, and the room was completely silent and dark.

There was not a sound in the residential area at this time.

It was already very late at night.

"Swish."

Higashino's pen kept moving.

Just then, Akemi Akemi, wearing a yellow nightgown, stood next to Hibiki Higashino and asked with concern, "Take a rest."

“Yes,” Higashino Hibiki nodded.

He looked up and saw the coffee Akemi had prepared. He took it with both hands and said gratefully, "Thank you."

Akemi Akemi smiled and said, "There's no need for us to be so polite."

She walked to the window, looked at the only bright moon in the sky, and exhaled, "We're getting married."

Higashino Hibiki had just taken a sip of coffee when he heard this. He quickly put down his coffee, stood up, walked behind Akemi Akimiya, and hugged her arm from behind, asking with concern, "What's wrong? Are you feeling uneasy?"

“No.” Akemi Akemi shook her head, her flawless white face even more alluring in the dim light.

"I just never thought about what I would be like after getting married."

Hibiki Higashino said softly, "After we get married, we will only become closer and never be apart for the rest of our lives."

Akemi Akemi lowered her head, a blush spreading across her cheeks, and she softly murmured an "Mmm".

Higashino Hibiki had no time to draw his manga. He picked up Akemi Akemi, buried her head in his arms, and carried her back to the bedroom, where she exuded a captivating fragrance.

Soon, creaking sounds came from the bedroom, but the lingering aroma of coffee on the table remained.

Tonight's night is exceptionally long.

……

The next day, before the wedding, the makeup artist joked, "You're so excited about getting married that you can't sleep. Your dark circles are so bad. Mr. Tori Akino, you're just like a child."

She covered it up with extra concealer.

Higashino Hibiki, who was half asleep, was startled by these words and quickly said, "Yes, that's how I am!"

Neither he nor Akemi Akemi were religious, so they didn't get married in a church. Instead, they got married in a hotel, which was already decorated and had a lively atmosphere.

After finishing her makeup, Hibiki Higashino wore a suit and styled her hair like an adult, giving her a much more sophisticated and elite look.

When I arrived at the wedding venue from backstage, there were already quite a few people there. About a third of the 12 tables were occupied, and everyone sat together according to their relationship with the guests.

Relatives, cartoonists and editors, classmates and friends of both sides.

"hello."

Nishimura waved to Higashino Hibiki, with Kitamoto beside him.

Higashino looked over and saw that Nishimura had changed drastically.

His body had become much stronger, and he had shed his frivolity, becoming much more composed.

There's a sense that I can rely on.

As for Kitamoto, he's still the same as ever. Or rather, he's always been very mature.

Higashino walked over.

Nishimura exclaimed, "You look so handsome today, you're dazzling!"

Hibiki Higashino smiled gently, pursing his lips: "After all, I'm getting married."

He felt very uncomfortable with the powder on his face.

"Ah, how enviable," Nishimura whispered jealously, "Is your wife really Ms. Akimiya? That very, very beautiful Ms. Akimiya?"

"Mm." Higashino Hibiki nodded reservedly, but he couldn't hide the smile on his face.

"Damn you, Higashino!" Nishimura yelled in frustration. "You're always hiding things from me."

It's as if he is Tori Akino Mirai; if we hadn't met at the autograph session, I wouldn't have known about this at all.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it's always hard to bring up these kinds of things," Higashino Hibiki said to Kitamoto. "Kitamoto must feel the same way."

Kitamoto nodded. "Higashino, long time no see. Congratulations on your marriage."

"Huh?" Nishimura looked at the two of them in disbelief. "What are you two hiding from me? Am I the only one who doesn't know?"

"Excuse me."

"Um, I'm sorry."

Nishimura: "..."

Hibiki Higashino changed the subject, "Nishimura, you really went all the way from Hokkaido back to Tokyo to attend my wedding, that's really kind of you."

“Of course,” Nishimura grinned, “that’s me.”

He talked about his own story, mentioning that his ranch daughter wanted to come to his wedding, but he refused.

"Higashino, you didn't invite her, what is she doing here? Honestly."

Higashino patted Nishimura on the shoulder and sighed silently.

Kitamoto shook his head regretfully.

……

Hibiki Higashino was very busy today. After chatting with the two for a while, he went to meet the other people.

When Hibiki Higashino walked towards him, Odagiri immediately stood up.

"Mr. Tori Akino, happy marriage."

It had been a long time since we'd last seen each other, and he seemed a little reserved.