Full-time comic artist

He pursed his lips and began his duel with Go enthusiasts from all over the world.

15 minutes later,

"Tch, is that all?"

He shook his head and left the computer.

The people around were very curious. After looking at Higashino Hibiki's back, they looked at the screen.

"Still so arrogant even after losing..."

……

Stepping out of the internet cafe, the air was slightly hot; August in Tokyo is the hottest time of the month.

As the clock struck eight, Higashino looked at the large clock beside him and exclaimed in surprise, "Oh no, it's 8 o'clock!"

I rushed home, and by the time I got back, it was already 9:20.

"A bolt from the blue!"

The living room was brightly lit, and a loud, forceful shout came from the television.

Higashino Shiori was kneeling and watching TV when she saw Higashino Hibiki return, panting, and said with a slight reproach, "Why are you in such a hurry?"

"I'm sorry I'm late, Mom."

He sat down next to Higashino and watched TV with her.

It's "Attack No. 1".

When he was a child, he watched this TV series with his mother.

It depicts the story of a group of female high school students striving to participate in the volleyball competition at the 80 Moscow Olympics.

Watching the innocent Junko leap high and score a point with a smash, his eyes were glazed over as he nestled beside his mother, as if he had returned to his childhood.

Chapter 6 Akimiya Akemi

"Go to your art class in a little while."

The next morning, Higashino Hibiki, who had just returned from a run, heard a tired-looking Higashino Ichiro say this.

When he got back from his night shift, instead of going to sleep, he waited for Higashino Hibiki in the living room.

"Did you pay your tuition?" Hibiki Higashino asked in surprise.

This summer, the boy "Hibiki Higashino" rebelliously refused to go to art class and struggled for a long time, which led to the initial conflict between the father and son.

Unexpectedly, Higashino Ichiro has now signed up for another spot.

It was supposed to be a good thing, a chance to review what was in his mind, but now it's conflicting with his plans.

“Yes,” Higashino Ichiro nodded, his face stern, staring at Higashino Hibiki with bloodshot eyes. “You absolutely must go this time; it was a hard-won spot.”

Higashino neither agreed nor refused.

Let's find out the situation first.

Higashino Ichiro is very stubborn; the teacher might be the breakthrough point.

After taking a shower and changing his clothes, he set off.

……

The art training room is located in Nerima Ward, Tokyo, near Hibiki Higashino's high school.

The tram ride takes two hours, and I don't know why Higashino Ichiro signed up for a cram school that far away.

It's not convenient at all.

"I'll go talk to him." Torishima Kazuhiko, who was in the driver's seat, narrowed his eyes and got out of the car.

Hibiki Higashino was moved to tears. "Thank you so much, Mr. Torishima."

He called to ask when we were leaving. Hibiki Higashino casually mentioned the current situation, and to his surprise, Hibiki volunteered to come and help.

"The last leg of a journey is the hardest; now that I've taken action, I must reap the rewards."

“I’ll go up with you.”

This is a 20-story commercial building, and the sign for "Qiugong Art" hangs on the second floor.

After identifying yourself at the front desk in the lobby, you can proceed to the second floor.

All six classrooms were completely full, with teachers giving lessons.

Nearly a hundred people sat in front of easels, a truly magnificent sight.

Higashino saw some familiar faces; they were classmates from the Art Department of Enhiko High School. They were engrossed in drawing and didn't notice Higashino.

It's true what they say: those who shine in public suffer in private.

The innermost part is the teachers' office.

The two walked to the office door, and Torishima Kazuhiko asked, "Are you ready?"

Hibiki Higashino took a deep breath. "Mmm."

So he knocked on the door.

"Enter."

A woman's voice came from inside.

The two went inside. The office was empty, with only one woman working with her head down.

Hibiki Higashino could see her long hair piled up, as well as her fair nape, which exuded a gentle feminine beauty.

Although I don't know her full appearance, judging from her demeanor, she must be a beautiful woman.

"Is this Higashino-kun who came to study today?" she asked.

“It’s me,” Hibiki Higashino replied.

Then she raised her head, revealing a round, oval face with well-defined features, snow-white skin, and bright, expressive eyes.

The pale yellow dress accentuated her unique beauty.

Her graceful demeanor, perhaps enhanced by her art studies, gives her the air of a well-bred lady.

But when she looked at Torishima Kazuhiko, she suddenly froze.

Slowly, he opened his mouth wide.

"Wait...why is it Bird Island editor?!"

He hurriedly stood up, flustered and clumsy. The red ink beside him was bumped by his arm. If Higashino Hibiki hadn't reacted quickly and caught it with his hand, it would have fallen to the ground and spilled everywhere.

She hurriedly stood up, glanced at the door, and carefully closed it.

His sneaky appearance surprised Higashino Hibiki.

"Please have a seat," she said, and went to the tap to get two glasses of drinking water.

Torishima Kazuhiko led Higashino Hibiki to sit down on the sofa.

She came over with a glass of water, very attentive.

"How did it go? Did my comic get approved?" She asked eagerly, a smile playing on her lips. "Did they come to let me know?"

“Akimiya,” Torishima said casually, crossing his legs and taking a sip of water, “I’m no longer an editor for Jump, but…”

"but?"

"I do know the outcome of your comic."

"How is it?" She sat up and moved closer to Torishima Kazuhiko.

Higashino Hibiki saw that she was extremely obsequious, lacking any semblance of elegance and instead resembling a goofball.

“Sasaki says, absolutely not!” Torishima Kazuhiko shouted, his arms crossed.

"How could this be..." Miss Akimiya sighed, picked up the water glass in front of Higashino Hibiki, and drank it all in one gulp.

His hearty manner suggested he was drinking to drown his sorrows.

“After all, you’re an idiot.” Torishima Kazuhiko shook his head and said bluntly, “You’ve been drawing manga for so long, and the content is still a mess.”

I've said it countless times: with your literary skills, you're better off collaborating with others to draw comics. At least when it comes to drawing, you're presentable.

"Idiot?" Her focus was on the insulting remark. "I'm a master's graduate from Musashino, a top student. How could I be an idiot?"

Torishima Kazuhiko pointed at her, "Isn't that because your father gave you a letter of recommendation?"

Akimiya stammered, lacking confidence, but still stubbornly retorted, "I...I'm very good too."

Torishima Kazuhiko ignored her and, seeing Higashino Hibiki's puzzled look, explained, "Master Akimiya is a master of ukiyo-e. He has a great reputation in Musashino, no, throughout Japan."

So it turns out she's like Jia Qianqian.

Looking at Akimiya's face, Higashino lowered his head; at least it was much more pleasing to the eye.

Moreover, judging from the previous conversation, his drawing skills seem to be quite impressive.

"Did Akimiya-senpai graduate from Musashino Art University?" Hibiki Higashino asked curiously.

After listening for so long, he roughly understood.

The beautiful woman in front of me, named Akimiya, frequently submits her manga to Jump, but she suffers repeated defeats, yet she never gives up.

He was very curious about Musashino, after all, it was his short-term dream.

“Of course,” Akimiya nodded, then asked curiously, “Who are you?”

Only then did she turn her attention to Higashino Hibiki.

It seems they weren't too upset about their submission not being accepted.

Perhaps they've become numb to setbacks, used to failure, and therefore indifferent.

"As I just said, I am Hibiki Higashino."

"Hibiki Higashino?" She blinked, then suddenly realized, "Oh! You're a new student today, hello."

She stretched out her hand; it was slender and long, with skin as smooth as jade, and the veins beneath the skin were faintly visible.