Full-time comic artist

Such a good opportunity to slack off, yet Tori Akino doesn't make good use of it. He's still young and energetic.

"Teacher Toriyama, have you been following the news about the end of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'?"

“Of course,” Akira Toriyama answered the phone. The other party was Hisashi Sasaki, the editor-in-chief of Weekly Shonen Jump.

He had assumed that Sasaki's call was about his collaboration with Jump's star Eiichiro Oda on a manga project, but to his surprise, after greeting him, Sasaki mentioned his apprentice, Mirai Toriaki.

“My child loves it so much, but lately he often cries when he’s sad.”

"Ah, this..."

"Is that guy Higashino enjoying making readers cry? Has he been corrupted by Hirohiko Araki?"

"Perhaps it is, perhaps it isn't."

It was as if he hadn't said anything at all. Akira Toriyama looked at the receiver. "Editor-in-Chief, is there something you need for this call?"

He wasn't very familiar with Sasaki.

“Actually,” Sasaki said, “after Madoka Magica ended, Tori Akino-kun was planning to retire from writing… I…”

“Impossible! Absolutely impossible!” Akira Toriyama said decisively.

"How could Higashino have stopped writing? He's still incredibly enthusiastic about it."

Before I stopped writing, I was almost driven crazy by Dragon Ball, so I tried to save as much writing as possible.

"Little Circle" was created with meticulous care, and every original draft was in perfect condition.

With this mindset, how could Tori Akino possibly be in the state he was in before he stopped writing?

Moreover, Tori Akino had never told him this.

Sasaki was taken aback. "This was informed to me by Tori Akino-kun's editor, Yoshida Koji, so it shouldn't be wrong."

“There might be a misunderstanding,” Akira Toriyama said.

"Yes, I apologize for bothering you this time, Mr. Toriyama. I will try to find out more."

Sasaki hung up the phone.

"Retiring?" Akira Toriyama looked at the television, where the commercials for the "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" anime adaptation were still playing, and shook his head. "How could that be?"

……

Koji Yoshida took two deep breaths in front of Hibiki Higashino's house.

He still didn't dare to go in.

After receiving the original manuscript of "Puella Magi Madoka Magica," his working exchanges with Hibiki Higashino were basically over.

After that, I worked on things like manga and anime, and I would only come over occasionally. I didn't have the close relationship I have now with Akino Mirai, who is my editor.

"The last contact."

He felt uneasy.

"How should I face Mr. Tori Akino?"

"Editor Yoshida, what are you doing here?"

After getting off work, Xiaohe opened the door and saw Yoshida Koji looking conflicted.

“Ahem, Mr. Koga,” Yoshida Koji said after organizing his thoughts, “I was just about to go in.”

"It's because 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' ended," Koga said confidently.

He felt the same way.

Today is his last day working at Toriakino Studio.

From now on, I will have to leave this place again.

I wonder when we'll be able to work together again?

I wonder if there's still a chance?

Xiaohe was a little disappointed and politely declined Toriya Mirai's offer to see him out, leaving alone instead.

He wanted some peace and quiet.

He ended up meeting Yoshida Koji, who shared the same mindset as him.

They looked at each other and saw the bitterness in each other's eyes.

"Mr. Xiaohe, I will contact you if there is an opportunity for cooperation in the future."

Katsura Hoshino is a girl, so she's not suitable to be a male assistant. Otherwise, Koji Yoshida would really like to introduce Koga to Katsura Hoshino.

Such a seasoned assistant will surely relieve the pressure on Hoshino Katsura.

"Thank you," Xiaohe said gratefully.

Koji Yoshida nodded and walked towards the living room.

"Wait...wait a minute..." Xiaohe suddenly stopped him.

"Is there anything else?" Yoshida asked, turning around.

"Um... Editor Yoshida, if Professor Tori Akino needs an assistant, please be sure to contact me!" Koga said earnestly, touching her chest.

“I understand, if there is a next time…” Yoshida said in a heavy tone.

He strode towards the studio.

……

Hibiki Higashino looked at the manuscript and sighed.

Each time he finishes a work, it feels like a friend has left him, leaving him sighing and melancholy.

"Teacher Akino, I'm coming in." Yoshida knocked on the door.

"Please come in," Higashino Hibiki said.

"Where is Akimiya-sensei?" Yoshida looked around.

"After she finished the manuscript for chapter 24 of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica,' she took the child home because the father missed his grandson."

That is... only he and Mr. Toriakino are in this house.

Yoshida's tense mood relaxed a little.

Hibiki Higashino said with a smile, "This is the final manuscript of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica'."

"I'll start reading now." Yoshida took the manuscript and began to read it carefully.

"Yoshida-kun, our collaboration is coming to an end again. Just like with Death Note."

"……Um."

“You’ve made tremendous progress during this time. You’ve grown from a clumsy newcomer into an editor who can bring positive benefits to cartoonists.”

"……Um."

"I'm really glad that my previous editor was Mr. Sasaki, and now my editor is you."

"..."

"Thank you for tolerating my willfulness and for supporting and helping me in every way. Thank you, Yoshida-kun. You've worked so hard all this time."

"I……"

Yoshida had so much to say: words of gratitude, words of farewell, words to express his feelings, words of admiration...

But his vision gradually blurred.

Tears are about to fall...

He couldn't stop feeling sad whenever he thought about a world without Toriyama Akino.

It's really unfair of Teacher Tori Akino to say those things.

Yoshida quickly turned around, put the manuscript away, and began to sob and cry.

Higashino looked at him, his body twitching, and he couldn't help but make sucking noises.

"Yoshida-kun, are you eating noodles?" Hibiki Higashino lectured. "It's one thing to disobey me, but you also don't check the manuscript. Now you're eating noodles; don't get my manuscript dirty!"

"Pfft! Cough cough!" Yoshida Koji choked on his saliva and coughed violently.

"Teacher, you really are..."

He turned around, his face covered in snot.

"Haha," Hibiki Higashino laughed, "It's just the end of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica,' why be so sad?"

"I've worked so hard for so long, I should celebrate with music and dancing!"

“Yes, yes.” Yoshida nodded. “Please wait a moment.”

He put down the manuscript and went to the restroom.

……

Watching Yoshida's retreating figure, Higashino Hibiki shook his head.

This editor is too sentimental.

He was so moved by what I said, which also hurt Higashino Hibiki.

The doorbell rang, interrupting his thoughts.

Hibiki Higashino arrived at the gate and found it was Sasaki.

"Editor-in-Chief, what brings you here again? Didn't you just come a couple of days ago?"

He was puzzled.

Sasaki is a very busy person.

Is Yoshida with you?

"Hmm, what's up?"

“I have some questions for him, but…” Sasaki looked directly at Higashino Hibiki, “it would be better to ask you, sir.”

"I wanted to surprise you, but I have to ask."