Full-time comic artist

“He’s different,” Hibiki Higashino analyzed. “He’s a Naoki Prize winner, serialized in Jump, and has media coverage. He has a readership and traffic, so his performance won’t be bad.”

On Tuesday, Sasaki announced that the preliminary results for Hikaru no Go were fifth place.

As this is a transitional chapter, Hikaru Shindo takes Sai to a Go school to learn modern Go, and also provides some simple popular science information for the readers.

Aside from the appearance of Touya Kouyo, the Japanese man closest to the "God's Hand," and Touya Akira's lingering resentment at losing to Shindo Hikaru, there is not much other information.

Therefore, it is understandable that they came in fifth place.

However, on Saturday, Xiao Zheng's grades dropped to seventh, which was a very bad situation.

Conversely, "The Sun Murder Case" was ranked number one.

The disparity is enormous.

Akemi Akemi was somewhat worried when she found out. While Higashino Hibiki was watching TV, she brought him some tea and sat down next to him.

"Are you going to a book signing tomorrow? Why not use the extra time to revise the manga's plot?"

"Or redraw the fourth episode, making it more refined."

Hibiki Higashino shook his head, completely absorbed in watching the "Super Transformation" program on TV, ignoring his predicament.

"Wow, that's amazing! They actually simulated a roller coaster!"

He couldn't help but applaud and cheer; this variety show was so interesting and full of imagination.

"Higashino, you bastard!" Akemi Akemi slammed her hand on the table, glaring at him. "Get your act together!"

Hibiki Higashino turned around in surprise, "What's wrong? Akimiya-sensei, why are you so angry?"

Akemi Akimiya said sternly, "How much effort and hard work have everyone put into getting this serialized in Jump? Why don't you cherish it? What if the work is canceled?"

"Higashino, you'll regret this!"

"I am the author!" Higashino Hibiki retorted sharply.

"Ok?"

Seeing Akemi Akemi's face turn purple with anger, Higashino Hibiki laughed and raised his hands in surrender, "I was just joking, calm down, calm down."

He pointed to his phone and explained, "The second episode of 'Hikaru no Go' came in seventh place. Mr. Sasaki wasn't worried. This result was within our expectations, so there's no need to panic."

Akemi Akemi's expression softened, and she lightly punched Higashino Hibiki in the chest before picking up her tea and quickly leaving.

My tea!

"Hmph, I'd rather throw it away than give it to you."

Hibiki Higashino shook his head helplessly, feeling that his position after marriage was insecure.

The next day, at 10 a.m.

Hibiki Higashino and Akemi Akimiya took the subway to the Mandarake Ikebukuro branch to attend Fumi Saimon's autograph session.

Akemi Akemi looked at Higashino Hibiki with a strange expression as he bought a copy of "Tokyo Love Story" in advance.

Higashino Hibiki, thick-skinned as ever, didn't care at all.

Hibiki Higashino was extremely envious while queuing for Fumi Saimon's book signing.

There was a long queue, and after waiting for more than ten minutes, it was still not my turn.

There were couples and married couples; everyone was looking forward to it.

Hibiki Higashino hopes that one day he can also hold a book signing event like this.

“You can definitely do it.” Akemi Akemi seemed to see through his thoughts and clenched her fist to encourage him. “You’re a genius. A super genius who can serialize a story at the age of seventeen.”

Then she sighed again, thinking about her pathetic lack of creativity.

Hibiki Higashino smiled broadly, "Thank you, Ms. Akimiya. I also believe that day will come."

Honoka Kousaka once said, "One day... one day we will definitely fill this place to capacity!"

Higashino Hibiki certainly had such confidence; he was very capable.

"I will definitely become a popular manga artist and a pillar of Jump!"

Akemi Akemi looked at the person in front of her and almost forgot that he was just a high school student.

He was truly confident, high-spirited, and full of vigor.

That's enviable.

A few more minutes passed, and finally it was their turn.

Ms. Chaimenwen was a middle-aged woman who looked very kind, gentle, and dignified.

Even though Higashino Hibiki didn't hand him "Love White Paper," he still signed it.

When she curiously looked up, she immediately burst out laughing.

"Akimiya, is this your boyfriend? He's quite handsome."

“No, no, no,” Akemi Akimiya shook her head like a rattle-drum. “He’s a manga artist too. I’m his assistant now. And we were just assistants at Akira Toriyama’s place before. We’re just friends.”

Higashino looked at her in surprise, not realizing she hadn't said she was a student.

“Akira Toriyama?” Fumi Shibamoto glanced at Hibiki Higashino, rubbed his chin, and asked, “Are you Akino Toriyama? The author of ‘Hikaru no Go’?”

Higashino nodded.

“I’ve read Hikaru no Go. Although it’s only just started serialization, the story is delicate and very similar to the female author’s style. It’s a very interesting manga. And I really like the character Fujiwara Sai.” Fumi Saimon took out a signed board and pushed it in front of Hibiki Higashino.

"Please sign your autograph for me too. Keep up the good work with your future creations, I'd love to see more."

Higashino lay down and signed his name in a long, flowing style.

It uses Chinese characters, specifically regular script, which is upright and powerful.

"Thank you very much." Shibamoto carefully packed up, glanced at the somewhat anxious crowd behind Higashino Hibiki, and said, "I have to get back to work now. Let's talk again next time."

After the two left, she signed her name while lost in thought.

"Tori Akino Mirai... Akino, what else could they be but lovers? Pfft, still pretending to be friends, that little brat Akimiya, what are you pretending for?"

She smiled as she learned an interesting piece of gossip.

"They're a perfect match, just like I was back then."

When she debuted, she was an assistant to manga artist Kenji Hirokane. They later married and have lived happily ever since.

"It's so good to be young."

……

After leaving the Fumi Saimon book signing event, Hibiki Higashino and Akemi Akimiya went to an amusement park. At the highest point of the Ferris wheel, Hibiki looked out the window at the scenery and Akemi Akimiya beside him, and let out a long, happy sigh.

"It's so nice, right now."

Chapter 42 Gain a Firm Foothold

"In chess, one should not bully the weak or ridicule the underdog. A true gentleman observes a game without speaking."

After watching the third episode of "Hikaru no Go", Nishimura kept nagging at Hibiki Higashino.

He even bought a folding fan to indulge in a bit of elegance in the dead of winter.

Higashino Hibiki found it boring, but the people next to Nishimura were full of enthusiasm and praise.

"That's very well said, Nishimura-kun!"

This person is Hirokazu Nakai, the president of the Yan Yan Go Club. Some time ago, he invited Hibiki Higashino to join the Go club.

Higashino Hibiki naturally refused.

However, after watching "Hikaru no Go", Nishimura was captivated by the charm of Go and took the initiative to join the Go club, starting from scratch.

With two weeks until spring break, just before Nakai graduated, he finally managed to fill the Go club with three members, so the club wouldn't have to be disbanded.

Therefore, I am especially grateful to Nishimura.

"Oh! President Nakai!" Upon hearing Nakai's praise, Nishimura extended his right palm and clashed it vigorously with his.

“Higashino, why don’t you come along too? Haven’t you been studying Go all along?” Nishimura suggested.

Hibiki Higashino shook his head. "I'm very busy."

He stood up to say goodbye, and watching Higashino Hibiki's retreating figure, Nakai smiled bitterly and shook his head, "I wonder when the Go club will be able to truly attract more students to join."

He was always envious when he saw popular clubs like baseball and volleyball.

"Unfortunately, the students have no interest in learning Go."

It seemed as if he was going against the tide of the times, and he became increasingly sorrowful.

"President," Nishimura gave a thumbs up, "there will definitely be no problem. Under the influence of 'Hikaru no Go,' everyone will fall in love with this sport!"

"Oh! Nishimura! Let's do our best together!"

……

In the third episode of "Hikaru no Go," Masashi maintained his 7th place ranking.

They've stabilized somewhat. If they drop out of the top ten and can't turn things around, they could very well be eliminated in a short time.

Many newcomers' works are roughly like this.

Akemi Akemi also breathed a sigh of relief for Hibiki Higashino.

But Hibiki Higashino wasn't satisfied; he hoped to win first place once.

"Jump's manga are ranked weekly based on reader survey results, it's a real battleground! It's like being in a boxing ring every week."

"This reader survey has brought me both joy and sorrow time and time again. I've ranked from second to twentieth."

"The only thing I've never done is win first place. Even if it's just once, I want to try to win first place."

"This is a dream I've held onto since the beginning of the serialization."

At a New Year's party, Hibiki Higashino chatted with a manga artist and, deeply moved, said the following.

While not as talented as Akira Toriyama or Yoshihiro Togashi, he was merely a cornerstone of Jump, but he still harbored the dream of becoming number one.

Higashino remembered that he was also extremely happy when he won first place at Toriyama Akira's house.