Full-time comic artist

When Sasaki said those words, Hibiki Higashino felt a wave of dizziness. He had put in so much effort for the serialization...

Oh, not many.

But it is indeed inspiring.

Higashino Hibiki was overjoyed and embraced Akemi Akemi, who was happy for him.

Akemi Akemi was taken aback, her body stiffening. After a while, she gently patted his back.

"I'll come to see you tomorrow to sign the contract. Please let me know when you're available."

When Sasaki Hisashi's voice came, Higashino Hibiki still didn't move. Akemi Akemi nudged him, and Higashino Hibiki left unhappily.

"Because it's already a holiday, I have all day tomorrow."

They agreed to meet at Higashino Hibiki's house around 10 a.m. the next day, and Higashino Hibiki gave him the specific address.

Afterwards, Higashino saw Akemi Akemi making a move, but was deterred by her dangerous gaze.

The next day, Higashino Hibiki got up early and rushed home.

"Have you gained some weight?" Higashino touched Higashino's face and felt that he had gotten a little chubby.

"I've been having late-night snacks lately," Hibiki Higashino replied. When drawing manga, Akemi Akemi would always make some desserts to keep him awake, and Hibiki Higashino couldn't resist the temptation.

As a result, there were some changes in her physique.

"Hmm, he looks much better than before." Higashino Ichiro nodded. He had just come home from his night shift and usually goes to sleep immediately, but today, seeing Higashino Hibiki, he didn't leave and just sat in the living room with his eyes closed to rest.

Higashino Hibiki glanced at the exhausted Higashino Ichiro and said, "Dad, don't drive the night shift anymore."

Driving at night is inherently risky, requiring constant vigilance. Moreover, for middle-aged and elderly people, reversing day and night cycles can be very harmful to their health.

Previously, he had no status and was not qualified to dissuade Higashino Ichiro from making money.

Things are different now. Hibiki Higashino has become the family's highest earner and has more say in the matter.

That's right, he's ready to be open and honest.

Higashino Ichiro felt a warmth in his heart, but he pretended to be calm. "I'm used to driving at night, so there's really no problem."

Higashino opened her mouth, then fell silent.

She didn't want Higashino Ichiro to ruin his health, but their family situation was what it was.

Ordinary families don't have the luxury of thinking too much, especially given the current situation, which is particularly difficult to endure.

I heard that Mr. Sakata from the next street got fired from his company, and Mrs. Sakata is currently getting a divorce from him.

Without money, nothing can be done well.

“Dad, Mom,” Higashino Hibiki knelt down, looking at the two elderly people and leaning forward, “I’m actually a manga artist!”

"A manga artist?" Higashino Ichiro asked in surprise. "What does that do?"

“It’s the author, the one who creates literary works,” Hibiki Higashino said. “Astro Boy and Tokyo Love Story are both adapted from the works of manga artists.”

Higashino Ichiro's eyes widened; he hadn't expected such an amazing job.

He didn't know what to say anymore; it was beyond his comprehension.

As an elder, I felt both gratified and somewhat helpless, and could only ask, "What about your paintings? Aren't you going to study art?"

Higashino waved his hand. "Manga artists tell stories through drawing. My success is all because my father had me study art since I was a child."

“Is that so?” Higashino Ichiro pursed his lips and nodded repeatedly.

"Won't it be very hard?" Higashino asked with concern.

“Look how much stronger I’ve become,” Hibiki Higashino patted his chest. “Drawing manga is easy; after all, cultural workers use their brains, not their bodies.”

“That makes sense.” Higashino Ichiro nodded, feigning understanding.

Seeing that he had seemingly fooled her, Higashino Hibiki took out his final report card.

With his natural talent, he improved his ranking to twentieth in the grade this time.

The progress compared to the last time is simply phenomenal.

The last remaining doubts of the Higashino couple were put to rest.

If the child's studies are improving, what more could you ask for? Let them do whatever they want.

Higashino then told them that an editor would come to sign the contract in an hour.

Higashino Ichiro washed his face, changed into a formal suit, and sat upright in the living room to wait.

When Sasaki arrived, his serious and reliable demeanor put the Higashino couple at ease.

"I apologize for disturbing you, it's really presumptuous of me."

After entering, he put down the gift and bowed.

"No, no, no, you're too kind, editor."

Higashino brewed the tea and brought it over, then left the living room, leaving the men alone.

"Mr. Higashino Ichiro, you have taught Mr. Higashino very well. He is a valuable asset to our company. We are very grateful for your hard work over the years."

Sasaki's words made Higashino Ichiro burst into laughter; it was the first time Higashino Hibiki had ever seen his face laugh like a chrysanthemum.

As expected, Sasaki had a solution.

“Previously, a single manuscript for a short story cost 8000 yen, but it’s different when it’s serialized,” Sasaki took out the contract and pointed it out to Higashino Hibiki: “The fee for a new writer is 10,000 yen, but because of Higashino-sensei’s outstanding performance, editor-in-chief Nobuhiko Horie specially raised the price to 12,000 yen per manuscript. As for color manuscripts, they are 1.5 times the price of black and white manuscripts, which is 18,000 yen.”

"Hiss," Higashino Ichiro gasped. He had worked all night and could only earn a maximum of 2 yen.

According to Sasaki, it's not even as good as two sketches.

He hurriedly tugged at Higashino Hibiki's sleeve and smiled apologetically at Sasaki.

Sasaki keeps his eyes on his nose, and his nose reflects his heart.

"How many drawings can you do in a day?" Higashino Ichiro asked in a low voice.

Hibiki Higashino: "If all goes well, it'll be six."

"Hiss! This is just..." He did the math in his head, "...7.2 yen!"

"Yes."

Sasaki's lips curled into a smile as he continued to offer his chips, "There's also the annual contract fee, though it's not high..."

Hearing this, Higashino Ichiro was disappointed.

“But it’s about the same as a baseball player’s annual salary,” Sasaki continued.

Higashino Ichiro's eyes widened in utter disbelief.

Baseball players are very popular in Japan. Even second-rate players earn tens of millions of yen a year, while the most popular players earn hundreds of millions.

This is a job with an extremely high salary.

"How much...how much is it?" The taxi driver was so shocked that he could barely speak.

“2500 million yen,” Sasaki said calmly.

Such a large number made Ichiro Higashino worry: Could it be a scam?

“Of course there are conditions,” Sasaki said.

Higashino Ichiro was relieved. "Please speak."

Sasaki said, "If we can't continue the serialization for several years, then the annual contract fee will be cut off."

"What is this..." Higashino Ichiro was speechless.

Judging from his tone, even if he can't continue serialization next year, he will still receive an annual contract fee.

"Is this company some kind of charity?" Higashino Ichiro hesitated.

Finally, they went to a law firm together and successfully completed the signing.

Chapter 36 of "Hikaru no Go" (Serialized)

After signing the contract, Hibiki Higashino returned to his dormitory.

He had intended to continue drawing manga, but Sasaki told him to stop and observe the readers' feedback.

Moreover, they can take a break during the Chinese New Year, and then they'll be busy again.

So he had no choice but to go home again and enjoy his studies.

I didn't get back to my dorm until the 10th when school started.

Before leaving, Higashino called him aside, covered her face shyly, and said something.

"Um... um..."

"Please just say it." Hibiki Higashino almost laughed.

“Hmm,” Higashino Shio squinted her eyes shyly, “The creator of Tokyo Love Story is your colleague, right? Can I get an autograph? I really like this drama.”

“They are magazines from different companies…” Hibiki Higashino wanted to say that, but seeing his mother’s expectant look, he nodded.

"Yes, I will. I've also wanted to visit Professor Shibamoto for a long time."

……

January 15th, not long after the New Year.

Hikaru no Go began serialization in the first issue of Weekly Shonen Jump.

It is the first new manga to be published after the serialization meeting on December 25th.

It's clear that the editorial team values ​​"Hikaru no Go" highly.

While others were still enjoying the New Year, some couldn't wait to buy Weekly Shonen Jump.

"A powerful serialized work by a high school student!"

"Tezuka Award-winning work 'Hikaru no Go' makes its dazzling debut!"

"A once-in-a-decade genius manga artist, Toriaki Mirai!"

Starting from October 25th, Jump began to build up its strength.