Full-time comic artist

In 2002, Miraisha's "The Twelve Kingdoms" was a huge success, winning numerous awards.

Although The Twelve Kingdoms did not achieve the same success as Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day, it still brought considerable prestige to Miraisha.

"This company is dedicated and responsible in its production. The employees are all top students from Musashino Art University, so their artwork is highly artistic and their foundation is solid. It gave me quite a surprise."

Katsura Masakazu gave his evaluation.

Akira Toriyama smiled. "Yes, it's this 'Mirai-sha' (Future Society). Do you know who the president of 'Mirai-sha' is?"

"who is it?"

Katsura Masakazu didn't care about that; after all, he wasn't an animator. His entire world was filled with comics.

"When Anohana aired, it was already widely publicized."

But this is news that only those who care will pay attention to; for the average person, it's just seeing a great animation on TV.

"Well, then what?"

"Actually, the president of 'Mirai-sha' is Higashino...Akino Mirai, are you shocked?"

"Ha!" Katsura Masakazu stood up in surprise. "How come I've never heard of this? This is really something that's kept quiet..."

Osamu Tezuka was very diligent in drawing manga, serializing several manga at the same time, all to save money to establish an animation company.

Mushi Production Co., Ltd. was founded in 1961, but went bankrupt in 1973.

As a result, Osamu Tezuka incurred a massive debt of 300 million yen.

Unexpectedly, Akino Mirai quietly built a successful animation company.

“That’s why I said he was lazy,” Akira Toriyama sighed helplessly. “Can you imagine? Tezuka-sensei was so busy making Mushi that he barely had any time to rest.”

"No one noticed that Tori Akino Mirai was the president of the animation company, which shows that he didn't care."

"In the early days of Mirai-sha, aside from 'Gag Manga Biyori' and 'Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day,' Akino Miku didn't contribute anything else to the company."

"This laissez-faire style is the future of Tori Akino."

Therefore, Akira Toriyama felt that all the praise circulating in society was excessive.

If he didn't know Higashino Hibiki, he would have thought he was a Tezuka Osamu-like figure.

Promoting comics and being enthusiastic about helping newcomers.

“That’s outrageous…” Gui Zhenghe shook his head as he listened.

It's like leaving the original manuscript blank until Friday when the manuscript is all finished.

As Akira Toriyama said, the willful Akino Mirai is indeed an excessively lazy guy.

……

There is research on "Hanzawa Naoki" in the market.

When Kuriyama Minami passed through Kabukicho, someone sent him a survey questionnaire asking about his intentions.

Expectations for related merchandise from "Hanzawa Naoki".

What type of merchandise do you want?

It seems the manga magazine publisher is having a lot of trouble. Kuriyama Minami couldn't help but smile.

True, what kind of merchandise can a workplace comic spawn?

I simply can't think of that.

Surely you wouldn't print Hanzawa Naoki's image on a short-sleeved shirt, would you?

Want to give your boss some eye drops?

Chapter 379 Double the Return of the Steamed Bun

Looking at the questionnaires being distributed on the street, Kuriyama Minami was momentarily lost.

The side was bustling with cars and people.

But his mind was completely occupied by this piece of paper.

What kind of merchandise should be made for "Hanzawa Naoki"?

Or rather, what do readers like him hope to gain?

Is this the autograph of Mr. Tori Akino?

No, these shouldn't be confused; it has to be something useful.

"A Hanzawa Naoki doll kneeling and apologizing?"

He subconsciously asked the Shueisha employee in front of him, "If that were true, it would be very interesting."

"Oh, how can you say that..." The employee was taken aback and immediately declined.

This is too damaging to Hanzawa Naoki's image; it will incite outrage from hardcore readers.

The idea that Hanzawa Naoki was defeated by capital is just a myth.

Please think about it carefully.

Upon hearing this, Kuriyama Minami scratched her head and looked at the questionnaire with a troubled expression.

If it were a survey for other works, he would have ignored it long ago, or rather, he would have avoided it like it was a major problem.

But he loves "Hanzawa Naoki" so much that offering a little help wouldn't hurt.

"It smells so good." Kuriyama Minami's nose twitched.

He looked up and saw that the steamed buns at the shop not far away were ready.

The aroma of wheat combined with the sweet and creamy red bean paste made his mouth water.

"Ah, this is it!"

Kuriyama Minami immediately picked up her pen and wrote "double-sided steamed buns" on the questionnaire.

"If they release this, I'll definitely buy it!"

He told the Shueisha employee in front of him with great conviction.

"Could you please leave your contact address?"

"Ha! Why?"

"To thank you for taking the time to provide us with your ideas," a Shueisha employee bowed deeply. "I will report it to you. Please wait patiently. If your idea is selected, we will give you a small gift."

"No need for that." Kuriyama Minami waved her hand. "Goodbye."

He bowed in return and then walked toward the pastry shop.

……

"The soft crust is made with brown sugar, filled with red bean paste, and printed with 'Double the Return' on the surface. It also comes with a Hanzawa name card sticker. Perfect for gifting or personal enjoyment—delicious and a way to repay friendship!"

Sho stood in front of Higashino Hibiki, eloquently displaying a box of Japanese steamed buns.

While Higashino was still dumbfounded, he regained his composure and calmly said, "That's what my colleague in charge of the surrounding area told me."

Higashino closed his wide-open mouth, looked at Akemi Akemi, and seemed somewhat vulnerable.

He hadn't paid much attention to things related to his work before, but he had a general understanding of them.

Whether it's "Hikaru no Go", "Slam Dunk", "Death Note", or "Madoka Magica", the merchandise is all about figurines, posters, stickers, and the like.

Collaborate with clothing brands to create memorable catalogs.

But what on earth is this "double return steamed bun"?

"Why steamed buns?"

"I heard it was Chairman Kazuhiko Torishima who made the decision."

Speaking of this, Xiang looked at Higashino Hibiki with admiration. It was astonishing that something as trivial as his work could involve the chairman. As expected of the veteran teacher, Tori Akino.

"Chairman Kazuhiko Torishima... Ah, he's been promoted again..."

Higashino Hibiki had heard Torishima Kazuhiko mention this incident some time ago, but he hadn't paid much attention to it.

With sufficient seniority and outstanding contributions, Torishima would have no problem becoming chairman, given the seniority-based system common in Japanese workplaces.

"He made the decision?"

Hibiki Higashino picked up his phone and dialed the number out of curiosity.

……

"Ah, it's me."

Torishima Kazuhiko said with a smile, his voice slightly muffled, "The 'Double Repayment Buns' taste surprisingly good; I don't need to eat lunch today."

Carbs plus sugar, it's no wonder it tastes good.

Hibiki Higashino questioned, "Why steamed buns?"

When a reader saw it, pointed at him and said, "That's Akino Mirai, the bird that makes steamed buns," he was utterly humiliated.

“Because it’s so much fun, hahaha,” Torishima Kazuhiko replied with a laugh.

"I've seen the reader feedback data, and there are suggestions like 'ballpoint pen and notebook set,' 'business card keychain and kendo uniform phone strap set,' and 'double payback badge,' but those are all too ordinary. 'Double payback steamed bun' is much more suitable."

Higashino Hibiki was completely devastated.

He picked up a steamed bun and chewed it while venting his frustration. Then he froze.

"It smells good."

The coffee-colored steamed buns have a caramelized aroma, and the brown sugar and red bean filling are just right. There isn't too much sugar, just the right amount, making them delicious without being too sweet.

It's an excellent dessert.

“Right,” Torishima Kazuhiko said, “this one will do.”

"Mmm." Hibiki Higashino was overwhelmed by the delicious taste.

……

While sleeping, Higashino Mirai was attracted by the fragrance and wandered into the living room in a daze.