Full-time comic artist

"Last week, Kawakami-sensei took a break because he'd never done a break before, and this week, Tori Akino-sensei said he didn't have the energy to draw manga. These manga artists are really outrageous."

"That's right, that's right, their reasons are all untenable, they don't take us seriously at all."

"I'm really worried that Teacher Tori Akino will go astray."

Online, many readers are discussing it.

The news of the next issue's suspension angered and upset them, leaving them helpless and with no choice but to vent to fellow enthusiasts online.

"I remember when 'Hikaru no Go' was being serialized, the author never took a break. Back then, the newcomer Akino Tori was very dedicated, but now he likes to mess around."

"Ugh."

A netizen named "Information Merchant" said: "I heard from my wife's colleague's brother that he heard from a friend that Akino Tori is planning to retire from writing, and that 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' is his last manga, so he must be feeling discouraged."

"what?"

"Nonsense!"

"How could a teacher possibly stop writing!"

"What a clown."

"Even if you like to make your presence known, you can't just make things up like this."

"It's true, it's spread among Jump editors and manga artists!" The informant sent the message again, but no one paid any attention to it.

……

"Taking a break from publication because of working too hard on community activities is really absurd, hahaha."

On Monday, at Tori Akino's studio, Omori, whom Hibiki Higashino hadn't seen in a long time, appeared. He looked radiant and very happy.

“It was tough,” Higashino Hibiki glanced at the gold medal, thinking how great it would be if he had Twitter now, so he could post a photo and let his readers know that he wasn’t lying.

"That's quite rare. The teacher must be getting old to start participating in community activities. I remember not seeing the teacher participate in these activities a few years ago," Omori said, following Higashino Hibiki's gaze and noticing the medal, slightly surprised.

He had been Tori Akino's assistant for many years, and Tori Akino would avoid him at all costs, whether it was a community table tennis tournament or a spring outing.

"Older...me?" Higashino snapped his fingers at himself, then looked at Omori. "You're about 7 or 8 years older than me, aren't you?"

"Oh, I think so."

Perhaps it's a matter of mindset, but now Dasen feels like a young man, full of energy.

His more than ten years of accumulation have finally been put into serialization. This happiness and excitement is something that Higashino Hibiki cannot understand.

"But teacher, serialization is really difficult," Omori complained smugly. "A week is far too short to draw 19 pages of manuscript. I haven't even finished the previous chapter before a new one started. I've been working non-stop every week. Only today have I been able to find time to visit you."

This is how everyone feels when they first start serializing a story. Higashino Hibiki has seen it all before, so he just lets him get used to it.

"I wish I could announce a hiatus as easily as you, teacher," Omori said enviously, looking at Higashino with envy.

"Unfortunately, if I take a break from publishing, it might be canceled halfway through."

New comic artists' works lack reader engagement, and if they cannot consistently produce content, they will be eliminated.

"Tch, judging from your current state, you wouldn't even agree to take a break from publishing." Higashino looked at him with disdain. "Even if you were sick and hospitalized, lying in a hospital bed, you would still tremble as you picked up a dip pen and draw non-stop."

"Hahaha, the teacher was right." Omori scratched the back of his head and nodded with a big laugh. "I really don't want to part with Jump now."

He didn't stay long at Higashino Hibiki's place; he left after only an hour.

Watching Omori's energetic figure, Higashino Hibiki shook his head slightly. The passion of a middle-aged man is truly rare.

……

on Tuesday.

"Aren't you working today?"

Higashino Shio entered the living room and was surprised to find Higashino Hibiki watching a TV series.

At this time of day, Higashino Hibiki is usually drawing manga with a serious expression and complete concentration. Higashino Shio doesn't dare to disturb him and tries her best not to make a sound.

"There's not much work left, no need to rush," Higashino Hibiki replied with a smile.

Even during his hiatus, he continued to draw "Little Circle".

I'm not rushing anymore; I'm drawing at a leisurely pace.

"I see." Higashino Shio nodded thoughtfully.

She felt sorry for her son who worked so hard, so she asked, "Could you take a break from publishing a few more times?"

"Huh?" Higashino Hibiki was taken aback. "It's not that it's impossible, it's just... the readers won't be able to handle it."

One Yoshihiro Togashi from Jump is enough.

"That's a real shame." Higashino Shio shook her head.

……

After school, Ken Miyano went to the door of Higashino's house and lingered there for a long time.

He wanted to rush in and question Toriya Mirai, asking how she could be so easily exhausted after just half a day of activities.

He was clearly angry with himself.

He dared not do that.

I'm worried that Jump will later publish a message saying, "I was bullied by the neighbor's kid and have to take a week off."

In the end, Ken Miyano could only sigh and return home dejectedly.

At eight o'clock in the evening, Mr. Miyano returned home. "Ken, there's a children's drawing competition in the community this weekend. Do you want to participate?"

Ken Miyano thought for a moment and then nodded.

……

"A children's drawing competition?" Higashino Hibiki looked at his one-and-a-half-year-old son when he heard the news from Higashino Shio.

"Haha."

Higashino Mirai can only smile foolishly, and even walking is difficult for him.

"It has nothing to do with our family."

"It would be good to go and take a look," Akemi Akimiya said, her mind beginning to wander.

“Speaking of which, I remember now,” Higashino Ichiro said. “When I was in elementary school, I also participated in the school’s drawing competition, and I received a lot of praise and even won first place.”

"The principal said, 'Higashino is very talented,' which is why I decided to let Hibiki learn to draw."

"Oh! I remember that too!" Dongye tide covered her cheek, reminiscing. "Back then you said that even if you had to sell everything you own, you would still let your son learn to draw."

Akemi Akemi exclaimed, "This is truly meaningful."

The fate of an ordinary person was changed because of this.

"So this is why our family's quality of life suddenly dropped so drastically!" Higashino sighed. "If I had known, I wouldn't have participated in the first place."

"You silly child," Higashino scolded playfully.

……

The Dongye family went to see a children's art exhibition over the weekend.

The location is in the square of the residential area, and it is covered with children's paintings.

Although the graffiti is naive, it is very imaginative and looks more interesting than an art exhibition.

"Tori Akino-sensei, you've come to watch too!"

"Hello, Mr. Miyano."

The Higashino family encountered their neighbor.

"With your expertise, teacher, you must find these paintings full of flaws, right?"

"Otherwise, these paintings are so imaginative that I, as an adult, could not have imagined them."

Higashino and the Miyano couple exchanged a few polite words.

Mr. Miyano suddenly said, "My son also participated in the event. Would you like to offer some feedback?"

Higashino Hibiki looked at Miyano Ken, somewhat surprised, "It's an honor."

Mr. Miyano led Hibiki Higashino to a painting.

The illustration depicts Madoka, wearing a pink dress, just like the magical girl from the opening color page of the first volume of "Puella Magi Madoka Magica".

Xiaoyuan lowered her head and wept, which stunned Higashino for a moment.

"How about it?"

"It seems like you have basic skills; the figure drawing is quite good. It's just that it doesn't show a sense of three-dimensionality, and you need to work on spatial perspective."

Ken Miyano's drawings are different from children's doodles; they have a manga style.

"I'm sorry you had to see this."

"No, I just had high expectations. Actually, it's excellent."

Ken Miyano made Hibiki Higashino understand his love for "Puella Magi Madoka Magica".

Recently, Madoka is feeling powerless and heartbroken because of her senior's death and Sayaka becoming a magical girl.

The characters in the comics are all listless, absent-minded, and with lifeless eyes.

Hibiki Higashino gave Ken Miyano a thumbs up, "You drew very well."

"Thank you, teacher!"

……

Next Monday, "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" will finally begin serialization.

Sayaka is a stubborn and inflexible person.

But she is also very gentle and courageous, and will do everything in her power for others.

She becomes a magical girl, and also carries on the mission of Mami Tomoe, to protect the people of the city.

"Excessive gentleness leads to naivety, and recklessness leads to carelessness. Moreover, no matter how much you give, you will not get anything in return."

Mami Tomoe also lost her life because she didn't understand this point.