Full-time comic artist

Time passed slowly, and the moon rose high in the sky.

Hibiki Higashino couldn't help but advise, "Go to the Mizuchi Festival, don't worry about me."

Akemi Akimiya's "Sakura Quest" is based on the story of Mount Mano, and the current Mizuike Festival is definitely the core plot of "Sakura Quest".

Today's research is particularly important; we may never encounter such a thing again.

Akemi Akemi had been planning today's trip to Mount Mano for a long time, and Hibiki Higashino didn't want to affect her manga because of her.

Akemi Akemi remained silent for a long time.

“Hibiki,” after a long while, Akemi Akemi sat on the ground, hugging her knees, her hair hanging down to the ground, and said softly, “I am not the same as before.”

"Why do you say that?"

"In the past, I considered comics to be the most important thing, and I believed that the center of my future life would definitely be drawing comics."

"But now, when I see you surrounded by enthusiastic readers, I'm really worried. I'm worried something might happen to you, that you might..."

She paused for a moment, her voice becoming choked with emotion.

Hibiki Higashino comforted her, "Ms. Akimiya... I'm fine. The readers just want Slam Dunk to continue serialization. Don't overthink it."

“I understand… I just,” Akemi Akemi looked up, her watery eyes fixed on Hibiki Higashino, “I just realized that I’ve lost the motivation to do research. You’re more important to me now than the manga.”

Her life took a turn, and Higashino Hibiki became the center of attention.

These words made Higashino Hibiki's heart skip a beat; he felt Akemi Akemi's love.

“Alright, let’s leave it at that.” Higashino Hibiki sat down next to her and pointed to the bright moon in the sky. “Miss Akimiya, look, the moon is so beautiful tonight.”

……

On the second day, the tourists gradually left Mount Mano.

Hibiki Higashino finally dared to step forward.

After Nanase Yui apologized to Higashino Hibiki, she took out a disc.

"This is a video recording of the Mizuchi Festival. It should be useful... as a gift to express our apologies."

"Of course it's very useful!" Hibiki Higashino took the materials with both hands; they were back.

Although Higashino Hibiki's trip to Mount Mano was filled with regret because he didn't see the amazing festival, his heart was full and he was extremely happy.

However, they couldn't stay any longer, as Akemi Akemi still needed to draw manga.

After saying goodbye to Nanase, the two returned to Tokyo.

……

Kanda is currently working on something big. While he is busy, a former friend calls him, sounding anxious, and asks him to watch a video circulating online.

Kanda readily agreed, turned on his computer, and entered the website address.

The video begins with an event where a shrine is being carried out in some unknown location.

There were many people around, and it looked very lively.

Kanda was getting impatient.

Until the video played—

"It must be Teacher Toriakino! It must be Teacher Toriakino!"

the sound of.

He quickly moved closer to the computer and found that Tori Akino was indeed there.

He was surrounded by the crowd and questioned, his face looking very grim.

The video didn't end until three minutes later when the organizers rescued Tori Akino.

"How could they do this! It's outrageous!"

He couldn't help but slam his hand on the table and shout at the top of his lungs.

My friend said that the video has a high number of views and is widely circulated; it has even been featured on television programs.

The news of "Slam Dunk" ending has once again caused a great stir.

Many people support these readers' ideas, believing that it was Torino Akino Mirai's fault.

As he watched the comments circulating online, Kanda's expression grew increasingly grim.

……

Not long after Higashino returned to Tokyo, Sasaki visited him to comfort him and hope that he would not feel pressured.

"Do I look stressed?" Hibiki Higashino asked rhetorically.

Sasaki saw that he looked radiant and was indeed in great spirits. Feeling much relieved, he didn't say anything more.

Two days later, Yoshihiro Togashi also contacted Hibiki Higashino.

Don't worry about what the readers think!

He talked about how he finished writing Yu Yu Hakusho.

The Yu Yu Hakusho manga concludes with the tournament of the strongest fighters in the Great Demon Unification War, which is the most exciting and climaxing part.

As a result, he was criticized by readers for a long time.

Now, Yoshihiro Togashi is passing on his experience to Hibiki Higashino.

"Ignore these comments and enjoy the carefree days without serializing comics."

He became jealous again when he heard this.

"It's so good not having to serialize it; it's like the sun shining after a cloudy day."

Hibiki Higashino expressed his gratitude, but then remarked, "Togashi-sensei, isn't it like your work has already ended?"

They can suspend publication whenever they want.

"Hahahaha." Yoshihiro Togashi laughed as he ended the call.

In mid-April, just before Hibiki Higashino moved, Sasaki came to see him again.

He brought a petition from readers.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Sasaki."

With the end of Slam Dunk, Sasaki is no longer Hibiki Higashino's editor.

Now that Torishima Kazuhiko has handed over his work to Sasaki, he still has to frequently take time out to work for him, which makes Hibiki Higashino feel embarrassed.

"You're welcome," Sasaki waved his hand.

He said, "Do you remember Koji Yoshida?"

Hibiki Higashino nodded in agreement. "Is it that college student who wants to become a Jump editor?"

“That’s right, he’s now joined Jump as an editor for Hunter x Hunter,” Sasaki said.

"That's great, please congratulate him for me."

“Yes,” Sasaki said, pointing to the petition. “Yoshida asked me to let him take charge of your work and the editorial department. He wanted to give you this petition on my behalf, but I refused.”

The work Sasaki was referring to was Higashino Hibiki's work before a new serialization began, such as handling reader letters, notifications about copyright usage, the release of color illustrations for collected volumes, and events held by Jump, etc.

What do you think?

"Of course!" Higashino Hibiki nodded, somewhat disappointed.

Sasaki is about to become the editor-in-chief, so their working relationship will naturally have to end.

There is no way.

Sasaki smiled slightly, "Yoshida will definitely be very happy."

After this incident, Higashino Hibiki looked at the petition and was stunned.

This thick petition actually has several thousand signatures!

The content is about requesting the revival of "Slam Dunk".

Hibiki Higashino watched intently, while these people believed that the editorial department had forced the story to end.

Hibiki Higashino couldn't help but put down the petition.

Even today, they are still deceiving themselves.

Ending "Slam Dunk" is definitely not Akino Mirai's idea.

How could the editorial department possibly finish a goldmine like "Slam Dunk" if they ignored it?

Chapter 264 End and Moving

The petitioners were all moderate readers who, in a pleading tone, hoped for a reboot of "Slam Dunk".

"The match between Shohoku and Sannoh was very fulfilling and exciting. For a moment, I felt as if there really were two teams playing against each other. I don't know if it was reality or an illusion."

"When I saw Sakuragi Hanamichi say, 'My most glorious moment is only now,' my hair stood on end, and I felt like I'd eaten wasabi—a tingling sensation from the top of my head to the soles of my feet. I don't want to put down Slam Dunk; it has become an important part of my life."

"..."

"Even at the very end, Mitsui was still regretting that he had wasted his time. I really wanted to see the look in Coach Anzai's eyes when the never-give-up Mitsui held the national championship trophy."

In this petition, many people described their love for "Slam Dunk".

This fervor was almost scorching Higashino Hibiki.

"Tori Akino-sensei, it must have been the Jump editorial department that forced you to finish Slam Dunk!"

"Rest assured, we are your most loyal shield! Just give the order, and we will immediately support you in serializing 'Slam Dunk' in other magazines or online."

However, there are still some unrealistic sharp edges.

Hibiki Higashino handed the letter to Sasaki and then looked at the signature himself.

There are several thousand people involved, and the total word count is over ten thousand words.

Higashino Hibiki's movements as he flipped through the papers slowed down. He realized that behind these names were people who fervently hoped for the revival of "Slam Dunk".

Their signatures, imbued with pure conviction, have been conveyed to Hibiki Higashino.