Full-time comic artist

"Because I'm really poor," Nanase explained embarrassedly, "I can barely afford Jump anymore."

Hibiki Higashino recalls wanting to drop Nanase from Kaifeng Jump.

Hibiki Higashino declined, saying, "Let me pay for this."

"How could I let you pay?" Chairman Kadota said. "I've bothered you for so long, consider this a small token of my appreciation."

Hibiki Higashino could only accept: "Thank you very much."

“Well,” Chairman Kadota sat up, “Brother Higashino, then I’ll take my leave.”

"Excuse me," Nanase looked up, "does today count as my official start of work?"

Chairman Kadota glared angrily at Nanase, "Of course not!"

"Okay." Nanase said listlessly.

……

Carrying their suitcases, Hibiki Higashino and Akemi Akemi arrived at the second floor of the hotel.

“Any room is fine,” the landlady said. “Because it’s not peak tourist season, the rooms are empty.”

Hibiki Higashino asked, "Manager, then why don't you welcome Chairman Kadota?"

"Why support something that won't work?" the proprietress said expressionlessly.

Higashino Hibiki has gained a thorough understanding of the current situation in Manoyama.

The tourism association has made many efforts to improve the declining tourist town that reflects the characteristics of its era, but to no avail.

Traveling to such a place might be quite interesting.

……

The Higashino couple settled into a room near the corridor.

"It's so beautiful."

Outside the window, the trees are lush and green.

Bathed in sunlight, the room was a vibrant green, and unusually cool.

It's late September now, and in a while it will be hard to see any greenery.

However, this is just a common scene in rural areas. Akemi Akemi has just stayed in Tokyo for too long and has not experienced the scenery of nature.

Higashino Hibiki didn't express any sentiments; he put down his suitcase and lay down on the tatami mat.

"Ah, that feels so good."

He hadn't enjoyed a moment of leisure in a long time.

In Tokyo, Hibiki Higashino was like a wound-up toy, constantly on edge and in a state of high alert.

"Rest, take a rest," he mumbled to himself, forgetting that he was used to sleeping in the same bed, and lay down on the floor.

“Okay.” Akemi Akemi took out a blanket, walked to Higashino Hibiki’s side and covered him with it. After sitting down with her legs together, she tossed her hair, looked at him with pity, and said softly, “Good afternoon.”

"You've really worked hard."

……

When Higashino Hibiki woke up, it was already dusk. The sound of birds flying past the window woke him up.

"Ah, you're awake."

Akemi Akemi, who was admiring the scenery by the window, turned her head and said with a smile.

Higashino Hibiki rubbed his eyes. "I'm sorry."

"It's fine."

It was time for dinner, so the two went downstairs. Higashino Hibiki told Akemi Akemi about the situation in Masanoyama as they walked.

Akemi Akimiya was not angry at all; on the contrary, she was looking forward to it. "That's great. There must be many places worth recording."

After asking the proprietress, Hibiki Higashino and Akemi Akemi went to a small restaurant near the market.

This is Jianye Mountain, and the local delicacies are naturally the delicacies found in the mountains.

"You've come at the perfect time! Pine trees are growing in September. Would you like some stir-fried pork with pine trees? It's delicious!"

Higashino Hibiki readily agreed and then inquired about local delicacies.

"Our fish here is also very fresh, would you like some, sir?"

"Please bring me about two pounds."

"okay."

Thirty minutes passed. The dishes were served one after another.

Higashino Hibiki was very curious about Matsuma, so he picked up a piece and put it in his mouth. After chewing it a little, the delicious juice burst out.

"It has an enticing aroma, thick and juicy meat, and is tender and delicious with an excellent flavor."

It's very fresh and delicious; it's a delicacy you can't find in Tokyo.

“Not bad,” Akemi Akemi closed her eyes to savor the taste. “It tastes like mushrooms and has the richness of meat. It’s delicious.”

The fish was also very good; it didn't taste muddy and had a sweet flavor after steaming.

The two enjoyed their meal very much.

My impression of Manoyama has improved.

Indeed, delicious food is the most direct way for Higashino Hibiki to enjoy himself.

As the sun set, Higashino Hibiki patted his stomach, "This dinner would have been even more delicious if Ms. Akimiya had prepared it."

Akemi Akemi said with a smile, "Then bring some ingredients home with you."

Hibiki Higashino thoroughly enjoyed this time, taking leisurely walks together, something they hadn't done in a long time.

He suddenly didn't want to draw comics anymore; it would be so much better to just enjoy life.

“No way,” Higashino Hibiki shook his head violently. The moment he thought of the manga, all he could think about was the Sannoh battle, and the leisurely atmosphere vanished instantly.

"What's wrong? You look like you're about to throw up. Is there something wrong with the mushrooms?" Akemi Akemi touched her stomach.

"It's nothing, I was just thinking about manga," Higashino Hibiki waved his hand.

The more he saw the light, the more he felt the cruelty of the darkness.

It's inhuman to serialize in a weekly comic book magazine.

Akemi Akimiya said, "Then let's forget about manga for a while."

"That's true. I know nothing about comics and stuff."

……

Tokyo.

No! No! No!

Someone roared angrily!

"Not only Hunter x Hunter, even Slam Dunk has gone on hiatus!"

"Damn it! Coach Anzai's tactics revolve around Sakuragi Hanamichi as the offensive core. I wanted to see Sakuragi show his prowess!"

Why is the magazine taking a break here?

Countless people bought Jump with great anticipation, only to close it in disappointment.

I've been looking forward to this for a whole week!

Online novel readers are already suffering enough when they see an author taking a day off.

"I'm going to die if I don't get to see the latest chapter of Slam Dunk."

The resentment was growing strong enough to resurrect the Evil King, the Dark Shadow Mage.

Hibiki Higashino then laughed nonchalantly, "How about we take another break, haha."

As soon as he finished speaking, Nanase ran over. The appearance of this reader made Higashino feel uneasy.

Nanase's forehead was covered in sweat. "Want to soak in the hot spring?"

Akemi Akimiya asked excitedly, "Are there hot springs in Mount Mano?"

Nanase gave a thumbs up, "Of course, this is my advance service!"

She led the Higashino couple from the main road to the side path, and from the flat land into the mountains.

Half an hour later, deep in the mountains of Jianye Mountain, we came to a flat area where countless wildflowers were in bloom, a breathtaking sight.

As we walked into the flowerbed, fireflies flew out, their light twinkling in the darkness.

Akemi Akemi exclaimed, "Ah, fireflies! I haven't seen them in so long!"

She lunged at him.

There are no fireflies in Tokyo. For city kids, fireflies are practically an urban legend.

They could hardly comprehend that at night, with only moonlight and starlight, countless shimmering green lights fluttered about, creating a dreamlike and exceptionally romantic scene.

"Are there fireflies at the end of September?" Higashino asked, puzzled.

"Because there are hot springs," Nanase said.

The hot spring is not far away, and there is a small room built next to it.

"This was my secret base with my friends when I was a child, but now only Shiori and I are here."

As Nanase spoke, she opened the door and invited the two inside.

"Sorry to bother you," Akemi Akimiya said excitedly.

She was exceptionally excited tonight, having witnessed a different kind of scenery.

It felt like an adventure, very exciting.

“There’s nothing much inside,” Nanase said. “It’s like the secret base in Akino Tori’s ‘Anohana’, very simple.”

"It's alright." Akemi Akemi's eyes lit up. "I've never seen a secret base before!"