Full-time comic artist

In this state, Asahina won't answer anyone's questions; she's completely immersed in drawing and has forgotten about reality.

This was his idea; because she was a beautiful girl, he romanticized her motives.

The truth is, Asahina Yuko doesn't want to be disturbed while she's drawing, so she always chooses to ignore it.

When Higashino Hibiki stood next to her, she sensed someone was there, but she didn't look up.

"How's the progress?" Hibiki Higashino asked her.

Upon hearing Hibiki Higashino's voice, Asahina Yuko looked at him with surprise, as she had some small details she wanted to ask about.

"I've already drawn 10 cuts, and I'd like you to take a look."

The frame rate of "Hey—Come Out!" is 12 frames and 8 frames interspersed, and the scene of dumping garbage into the hole is expanded to 24 frames, so there are not many original drawings in the 1 cut.

"The progress is really fast..." Hibiki Higashino was shocked.

She had just decided on the character designs, scene settings, and so on, and in less than two days, she had already completed 10 cuts.

Hibiki Higashino brought out "Hey—Come Out!", and there's a simple reason why this sci-fi micro-novel was adapted into an anime: there's no main character, the background setting is the same as reality, and there are very few scenes.

But I still didn't expect her speed to be so amazing.

Higashino stared at her, looking tired, and then smiled and said, "Asahina-san, you are truly an excellent professional. You voluntarily work overtime, pay your own salary, and work for the benefit of the company."

During our previous conversation, the copyright to the story was held by Hibiki Higashino.

The bonuses and profits were split in two, even under Higashino Hibiki's strong insistence.

"Huh..." Asahina didn't quite understand. She was just immersed in the joy of making animation. What did she mean by "seeking welfare"? She could only say, "As long as Higashino-kun is happy."

Looking at the innocent Asahina, Higashino Hibiki also became concerned, "If you outsource to a classmate, does Asahina have enough money? Do you need me to contribute some?"

"Huh?" Asahina Yuko said, puzzled, "Including tools and wear and tear, it's only a little over 200 million yen."

She spoke so lightly, but Higashino felt as if he had been struck by a heavy blow.

As expected of a young lady from a wealthy family, she certainly has a lot of money.

For someone as poor as him, it's best to just take care of himself.

"Then I won't bother you anymore."

Yuko Asahina nodded and buried herself in drawing again.

Higashino Hibiki returned to his seat and looked at Shinonome Otoko, who was so shocked he couldn't close his mouth. He was just as bewildered as Asahina Yuko.

What suddenly happened to him?

"Why?" Shinohara looked at Hibiki Higashino with a wistful expression. "Asahina-san would talk to you. I joined the animation group and worked hard to draw the animation drafts, but she doesn't chat with me outside of work."

Higashino Hibiki was speechless; such a simp is truly something else.

Seeing Nishimura wasting his lunch break, smiling broadly as he walked towards Asahina Yuko with his manuscript, he shook his head and ignored Shinohara Oto.

After school in the afternoon, Asahina Yuko went to the animation group's activity room. Higashino Hibiki noticed that Nishimura had followed her there, so he quickly called out to him.

"You're not participating in the Go club's activities anymore?"

“Not for now,” Nishimura shook his head like a rattle.

Higashino asked in surprise, "Why?"

I saw him with tears in his eyes last month, but after more than a month, has he grown tired of it?

“The latest episode of Hikaru no Go was a bit boring,” he said, “so I don’t feel like playing Go for the time being.”

Hibiki Higashino: "...You're so fickle."

He waved his hand, watched Yuko Asahina walk away, and hurriedly followed after her.

……

In "Yoshiwara-so", Hibiki Higashino and Akira Yamazaki, both 2nd dan players, sat facing each other on the floor.

"After explaining the Go competition today," she said excitedly, "a project team invited me to participate in a Go popular science program!"

Higashino nodded; this was his suggestion.

Although Yamazaki Akira has an ordinary appearance, Higashino Hibiki realizes that he is a very interesting person through their daily interactions.

She can engage the audience's emotions, is cheerful and outgoing, lively and active, not shy, and has no airs.

This perfectly matches the needs of the "Hikaru no Go" mini-lesson.

Moreover, he had a vague feeling that having Yamazaki Akira as the host might have unexpected effects.

"Hehehehe, I'm really famous, aren't I? They found me right away," she said with a grin. "Remember to watch my amazing performance."

"Congratulations," Higashino Hibiki said with a smile. He looked around and finally found it. "This is a gift for you to thank you for your selfless help over the years."

Chapter 55 Good luck, Toriya Akino!

"What gift?" Yamazaki Akira asked expectantly.

She looked at Higashino Hibiki with curiosity, her big head full of questions.

Higashino Hibiki took a long, thin package from the workbench and handed it to Yamazaki Akira.

"I'm going to open it now."

"Please go ahead."

Akira Yamazaki opened the package and found a metal rod, about 10 centimeters long, with a rubber-coated tip.

"What is this?" She picked it up and waved it around, but it was too short and didn't feel good in her hand.

"Teaching pointer," Higashino Hibiki asked for the metal rod, pressed the button on the handle, and the metal rod immediately extended to 30 centimeters in length.

It swung twice, making a "whoosh" sound as it cut through the air.

He explained, "Wouldn't it be more convenient to use this to point out moves on the chessboard when appearing on a TV show?"

“Indeed,” Yamazaki Akira nodded excitedly. “Thank you, I’ll accept it!”

Then they couldn't wait to snatch it back.

Higashino watched her, playing with the pointer incessantly, his eyes filled with curiosity.

He pressed it out, squeezed it back in, and shouted, "Poke you! Poke you! Poke you!" like a little kid.

Higashino Hibiki chuckled and teased her, "Fun, isn't it? You've never played this before, have you?"

"Cough!" Yamazaki Akira blushed, put away his pointer, and placed it aside. "You little brat, you dare to make fun of me? How about a game of Go?"

Higashino nodded; it had been a long time since he had played Go with Yamazaki Akira.

Take out the chessboard, and Higashino Hibiki moves first with the black pieces.

Twenty minutes later, Yamazaki Akira, smug and triumphant, touched his nose and said, "Hmph, I won after all!"

I really don't know how she, a professional 2nd dan, has the nerve to argue with a newbie like Higashino Hibiki.

Higashino looked at the chessboard, recalled the game, reviewed it, realized his mistake, and then lowered his head.

"I lost."

He lost by two points, but at least he made it to the endgame without conceding at halftime.

Higashino Hibiki was increasingly able to appreciate the charm of Go. The precise calculations and focused attention made him forget everything else once he started playing, with only the game on his mind.

This feeling of being completely immersed is truly wonderful. Afterwards, there's a sense of loss and emptiness.

Yamazaki Akira put away his arrogant attitude and began to be amazed by Higashino Hibiki's rapid progress. In less than half a year, he had already reached a level comparable to that of a second-rate intern.

"Want another round?" she asked, then put her hands on her hips. "But don't get your hopes up about winning, you're still a long way off."

"No need, thank you for your help today." Hibiki Higashino began to tidy up the Go board.

"Why?" Yamazaki Akira was extremely surprised. He could see that Yamazaki loved Go, so why would he refuse?

After tidying up the Go board, Higashino Hibiki stood up. "I've already wasted a lot of time. I still have to draw manga; that's my job."

Hobbies should be pursued in moderation and should not interfere with serious matters.

Hibiki Higashino is a very self-disciplined person. After saying goodbye to Akira Yamazaki, he entered a state of drawing manga and forgot about himself and his surroundings.

……

After dinner, Hibiki Higashino watched as Yuko Asahina and Chiharu Minami took over the other half of the living room and began drawing animation drafts.

As expected, Minami Chiharu, the most suitable laborer, was hired by Asahina Yuko with money.

And so, they attended classes during the day and came back to draw in the afternoon. The entire dormitory was immersed in an atmosphere of hard work.

The scroll flew up.

On Friday, when Sasaki Takashi came to pick up the manuscript of "Hikaru no Go", he told Higashino Hibiki to watch the interview program on TV Asahi at 7 pm on Saturday.

"You absolutely have to watch it." He repeated it one last time.

Higashino Hibiki was very curious and waited until 7 pm on Saturday to watch the program with anticipation.

Saturday, Sunday, and Monday are the days when Higashino Hibiki draws the storyboard for the next episode, and he doesn't need an assistant.

Yoshii Yamahisa is short of money and works part-time at a convenience store, while Akemi Akemi sits next to Higashino Hibiki.

As the background music ended, the female host came out, holding a script in her hand, and shouted with great momentum.

"The person we are interviewing today is Akira Toriyama, the greatest manga artist in Japan and the creator of Dragon Ball!"

Excited applause erupted throughout the hall. Hibiki Higashino and Akemi Akemi looked at each other, their mouths agape in astonishment.

According to them, Akira Toriyama doesn't like to be in the public eye, so they didn't expect him to participate in an interview program this time.

The person who came out from backstage was indeed Akira Toriyama. He shook hands with the host with a reserved smile, and the two of them sat down on the sofa.

"Calling yourself the strongest manga artist is so impressive, it's embarrassing," Akira Toriyama complained, scratching the back of his head.

"Haha, sorry," the female host waved her hand, "but according to my data, Mr. Akira Toriyama is indeed the most valuable manga artist, and his creation, Dragon Ball, is a work widely loved by readers."

“Yes, I must thank my editors,” Akira Toriyama nodded, “and of course my assistant. Speaking of assistants, I have to mention Mirai Toriyama.”

"Huh?" The female host looked at him in surprise, staring at the script, and gave an awkward smile, unsure of what to do.

This was not rehearsed beforehand.