Full-time comic artist

This made Amano Akira even more anxious.

She would glance at the clock every now and then, and occasionally peek out the window to observe the scene below.

"Could it be that my grades were so bad that Editor Aida was afraid to contact me?" Amano Akira looked at Higashino Hibiki with a bitter face. "I'm sorry, Mr. Tori Akino, I've tarnished your reputation."

Higashino Hibiki couldn't help but laugh. "Amano-sensei, don't be in such a hurry. We don't know what the results will be yet."

"Yes, that's right." Amano Akira nodded, his gaze becoming unfocused.

A short while later, she suddenly slapped her face, "We can't waste any more time."

Finally, she sat down at her desk, took out a blank sheet of paper, and began to devise the plot for the next episode.

Instead of wasting your energy, you should roll up your sleeves.

It's always better to spend time perfecting your work than to worry about it alone.

Higashino looked at her without saying a word.

These mainstream manga artists really have the feel of protagonists from shonen manga.

On the contrary, I don't have that kind of passion.

Hibiki Higashino looked out the window. "Ah, Editor Aida is here."

……

Today, Soichi Aida arrived at Akira Amano's studio ahead of time.

The points he wants to emphasize.

After all, Akino Mirai is there.

It's disrespectful to notify him only by phone.

The three of them sat on the sofa. Under the intense gaze of Amano Akira, Aida Soichi coughed twice uncomfortably to ease the awkwardness.

“Well… um, I’m here today because of Xiao Zheng’s grades,” he rubbed his Adam’s apple, “sixth place.”

"what!"

Under Amano Akira's stunned gaze, Aida Soichi repeated, "Sixth place."

"awesome!"

Higashino saw it; the thirty-something-year-old Amano Akira was jumping around like a child.

After a long pause, she said shyly, "This result was brought to me by Mr. Tori Akino, but I'm so happy... Thank you so much, Mr. Tori Akino."

She bowed deeply to Higashino Hibiki.

Hibiki Higashino asked, puzzled, "Katekyo Hitman Reborn! is your work, so why are you thanking me?"

Akira Amano said, "The readers who voted for 'Katekyo Hitman Reborn!' were all brought in by the teachers. It was because of the teachers' participation that it was able to reach the sixth place."

"For me, it would be good if I didn't fall to 15th place."

Her words were tinged with self-deprecation, attributing the manga's success to Hibiki Higashino, while blaming herself for its failure.

Higashino sighed.

“Ah, that’s not entirely true,” Aida Soichi suddenly said.

He brought several reader survey forms with reader comments.

"You see?"

Soichi Aida handed these reader survey forms to Akira Amano.

"I've always loved Akira Amano's 'Katekyo Hitman Reborn!'"

"The everyday scenes are depicted in a very warm and cozy way. No matter what kind of person you are, once you spend a lot of time with Tsuna, they all become like family to him."

"The two assassin kids are always bickering. Gokudera Hayato is like an immature older brother, trying to look cool... Tsuna is as tolerant of them as the sky. I really like this character."

"I definitely want to support Amano-sensei in her courageous attempt to improve her manga!"

"That's a great drawing! It's very interesting. Keep it up, Amano-sensei!"

“Look, all these readers who have built up their support for ‘Katekyo Hitman Reborn!’ are supporting you, Amano-sensei,” Aida Soichi said.

“Hmm…” Amano Akira covered his mouth and burst into tears as he read the reader’s heartwarming words.

"I see."

……

A thousand letters from readers would certainly contain all sorts of things.

It's not difficult to pick out a few that support Akira Amano.

Akira Amano was so engrossed in the letters from his readers that he was overwhelmed with joy, happiness, and encouragement.

Hibiki Higashino and Soichi Aida left the room, leaving it to Akira Amano, and the two talked in the hallway.

"Thank you, Mr. Toriakino."

"what?"

“You know I wanted to encourage Mr. Amano, and you’ve been cooperating with me.”

Satoshi Aida noticed Amano Akira's problem a long time ago.

The poor performance of "Katekyo Hitman Reborn!" gradually caused Akira Amano to lose confidence.

When Akino Mirai chose to cooperate with her, her inferiority complex became even more severe.

So today, he asked a colleague to select a few letters.

Hibiki Higashino exclaimed, "Editor Aida, you are truly dedicated and responsible!"

Excellent editors even consider the mindset of cartoonists.

"I just think 'Katekyo Hitman Reborn!' is very interesting. I would feel guilty if I didn't support Amano-sensei in completing this manga. I have to make sure it doesn't end up being canceled."

Soichi Aida chuckled.

……

Akira Amano is in even better shape.

The story of the "Obsidian Arc" continues.

"The battle between Gokudera Hayato and Kakimoto Chikusa is so interesting, a battle of bombs and yo-yos."

"What a pity. If it weren't for Tsuna's influence, Gokudera Hayato would have won."

"It feels like watching JoJo's Bizarre Adventure."

Both sides possess a unique ability, engaging in a battle of wits and courage, using their brains to fight.

As the story progresses, Sawada Tsunayoshi's friends become heavily injured while protecting him from constant attacks.

His mindset is also changing.

To help a timid person mature, you probably have to touch what they care about most.

As for the attackers, they were a trio who had escaped from an Italian prison.

In retaliation against the mafia, the leader is Rokudo Mukuro, who was once subjected to human experiments by the mafia.

The other two were Chikusa Kakimoto, who defeated Hayato Gokudera, and Kenjiro Shiro, who defeated Ryohei Sasagawa.

"Oh, it feels like things are finally getting serious!"

"Down with Rokudo Mukuro, that pretentious show-off!"

"I really want to see Tsuna unleash his full power!"

Reader feedback continued to pour in, with overwhelmingly positive reviews, which gave Amano Akira even more confidence.

And so, 2004 came to an end, and Hibiki Higashino ushered in 2005.

This was the first time he had spent the New Year in a shonen manga.

……

Jump is on holiday for the New Year, taking a break from publication.

Higashino Hibiki was able to rest and relax at home.

"Ugh."

Akemi Akemi turned around and looked at Hibiki Higashino.

At the height of the excitement, when manzai was playing on TV and Higashino Mirai was laughing heartily, Higashino Hibiki was sighing.

She asked with concern, "What's wrong?"

“It’s nothing,” Higashino Hibiki shook his head. He picked up an orange and played with it in his palm. “How should I put it? I’m feeling a bit bored drawing ‘Katekyo Hitman Reborn!’”

"Is that so?" Akemi Akemi said with a smile. "Anyway, it won't be long, let's hang in there a little longer."

"Yes." Higashino Hibiki nodded.

During this month, he drew "Katekyo Hitman Reborn!". It shifted from the attack and provocation of Sawada Tsunayoshi's gang to their direct assault on Rokudo Mukuro, the troublemaker.

Many exciting fight scenes were drawn, and the results continued to improve, moving from the bottom of the rankings to the upper-middle tier of Jump magazine, with mostly positive feedback from readers.

However, Higashino Hibiki found it boring and thought the drawings were uninteresting.

He tossed the oranges around, saying, "You have to be patient."

……

Rokudo Mukuro's red right eye harbors a special ability known as the Six Paths of Reincarnation, which he obtained from the afterlife.

The numbers in the right eye will change when the corresponding ability is used.

He also possesses powerful illusion magic, capable of mind control and interfering with others' vision.

They are a very formidable opponent.

Sawada Tsunayoshi's friends are controlled and constantly attack him.

His friend was being manipulated and he was helpless, so he could only beg for mercy.

When his body could no longer hold on and he was lying on the ground on the verge of unconsciousness, Sawada Tsunayoshi prepared to give up.