Full-time comic artist

Then, his eyes were glued to the steamed bun, and he started drooling.

"Ah, Mr. Go," Higashino asked, winking, "this steamed bun isn't suitable for a child, is it?"

A box contains nine pieces, and Higashino Hibiki is worried that it won't be enough for him.

“Yes, it’s possible,” Xiang replied seriously, puzzled. “There are no additives, it’s made with proper ingredients, and the shelf life is only a few days. It’s very healthy.”

So Higashino's little black hand landed on the steamed bun.

Higashino Hibiki sighed helplessly.

“Give me a few more of this steamed bun,” he said.

……

An advertisement for "Double the Return Steamed Buns" appeared on TV, with the tagline that it was a delicious treat that even the teacher, Akino Mirai, loved to eat.

It will be available for purchase at 10:6 AM on June 16th at any Shueisha store in Tokyo.

"Huh?"

Kuriyama Minami exclaimed in shock; his idea had actually been adopted.

"At 840 yen, there's nothing to regret."

He didn't leave an address, so naturally no gifts were mailed to him.

He didn't care much.

Although coding is hard work, the pay is quite high.

"I'll go to the Shueisha department store in Jimbocho tomorrow to buy it," he decided.

Anyway, it's Sunday, he has plenty of time.

You can also buy other merchandise while you're there.

The next day, when Kuriyama Minami woke up, she looked at the clock and found that it was only 8:30.

“Honestly,” he muttered, “I’m usually so sleepy, but I wake up really early on weekends.”

He also wanted to sleep in.

Having woken up early, Kuriyama Minami simply got up, washed up, and headed towards Jimbocho.

He didn't eat breakfast, thinking that he would just buy steamed buns, which would be enough to fill his stomach.

Jimbocho is densely packed with bookstores, publishing houses, and book wholesalers and distributors, making it Japan's largest bookstore district.

180 bookstores dazzled Minami Kuriyama.

He kept walking and walking, smelling the aroma of curry, and when his stomach started growling with hunger, he finally reached his destination.

……

"what?"

Kuriyama Minami spotted the long line immediately; instead of resting properly on the weekend, the overworked office workers were queuing up to join in the fun.

He looked at the sign at the shop entrance, which read "Double the Steamed Buns" - 400 servings!

There are so many big exclamation marks.

Kuriyama Minami couldn't help but worry, "With so many people, will I be able to buy any?"

It's only nine o'clock! Just how obsessed are they with this steamed bun?!

Hey, you office lady, your stockings are ripped, what are you waiting for here in your suit?

He really wanted to shout it out.

Despite her fear, Kuriyama Minami eventually obediently joined the end of the line and took the queue sign from the person in front of her.

"Oh, I regret it so much! Why didn't I leave my address? Maybe I'd be eating delicious steamed buns right now!"

The arrow at the end of the line was pointing directly at him, and Kuriyama Minami was extremely disappointed.

He was almost fainting from hunger when it finally came to 10 o'clock.

Amidst applause, the store door opened.

The staff bowed and said, "Welcome."

And so the team finally started moving.

Many people buy three to five portions. Although these steamed buns are overpriced, they are not expensive. They make a good gift to show your thoughtfulness, and you can also eat them yourself, so the more the better.

As a consumable item, it can only be said that Kazuhiko Torishima's decision was a great success.

The group moved quickly, and after 20 minutes, Kuriyama Minami was about to reach the head of the group, where there was only a chubby guy.

"Ten left!" the salesperson shouted.

Kuriyama Minami licked her lips and patted her stomach, preparing to feast.

We're finally about to achieve our goal!

"Give me 10 servings," the nerdy guy in front said, holding up one finger.

"Yes." The sales clerk nodded.

"Bang." Kuriyama Minami fell down, staring blankly at the sky.

He questioned himself, why was he, a wage slave, queuing up to buy steamed buns? It didn't fit his own self-image at all.

The sky was exceptionally clear, without a single cloud; it would be perfect to eat udon noodles at this time.

……

"The 'Double Refund Steamed Buns' are sold out!"

The village excitedly informed Higashino Hibiki.

From the start of the sale to its end, it took no more than half an hour.

"It's really rare to see adults so eager to buy comic book merchandise; everyone keeps calling to urge them."

Although the sales volume was only a few million, it was a good start. The "double payback steamed buns" could continue to sell until customers got tired of them.

"Yes, I understand." Higashino Hibiki's face flushed red.

Looking at the Mapo Tofu in front of him, he couldn't help but sigh, "Mapo Tofu is definitely best when it's both numbing and spicy!"

Akemi Akemi was speechless. "I don't know what kind of appetite you have, that you like to eat this kind of food."

……

At a press conference surrounding the "Hanzawa Naoki" series.

"Editor-in-Chief Tanaka."

The reporter raised the microphone and pointed it at Jun Tanaka, asking, "The 'Double Repayment Buns' are hard to find. What measures are you taking?"

There are many messages on the internet about "double the return steamed buns". Many people say that they have bought them and found them very delicious. They say that this kind of thing can only be found in heaven and is rarely tasted on earth.

Some young women even took photos and showed them off online, drawing envy from many.

In today's world, where the internet is not as developed, this is a rare topic of great interest.

“That’s true.” Tanaka Jun nodded. “Even I had a hard time getting my hands on the ‘Double Repayment Buns.’ The last few were taken by Mr. Toriakino.”

He shrugged, looking utterly helpless.

"However, the second batch of 'double-refund steamed buns' is being rushed into production and will be available for sale tomorrow, but only two servings per person, first come, first served."

Thank you for your reply.

Looking at the television, Mr. Akimiya snorted coldly, "It's nothing but scarcity marketing."

It's not as delicious as they say on TV.

"The advertisements for merchandise these days are getting more and more flashy, and only young people are fooled."

It could also be said that readers who were happy to be fooled and loved "Hanzawa Naoki" simply put on a grand celebration.

One is willing to hit, and the other is willing to be hit.

Just then, his doorbell rang.

He learned about the visitor through the voice recording.

Higashino Hibiki, along with his wife and children, came to visit his father-in-law.

Dissatisfied with the "double the steamed buns" and having been neglected for so long, Mr. Akimiya received Mr. and Mrs. Higashino with a cold face.

They hadn't visited Mr. Akimiya's house in a long time.

Higashino Hibiki smiled awkwardly; he was usually too busy.

Akemi Akemi lowered her head in embarrassment; she had almost forgotten about her elderly father since having a child.

Mr. Akimiya remained silent, and the living room was eerily quiet.

"Grandpa!" Higashino Mirai ran over and hugged Mr. Akimiya's leg. "My dad, mom, and I brought you some delicious steamed buns. They're really tasty!"

"Yes, thank you, Mirai." Mr. Akimiya said with a smile as he looked at his grandson's finally smiling face.

The atmosphere eased and warmed up.

"Yes, Dad, you should try this steamed bun. It might be a bit of an exaggeration, but it's just as good as Mingmei's cooking."

"Shut up." Mr. Akimiya glared at Higashino Hibiki, then looked at Akemi Akimiya. "Your cooking... I've forgotten what it tastes like."

“Ha…ha,” Akemi Akemi chuckled and looked up, “I’ll go make a plate of Mapo Tofu, Dad’s favorite.”

Mr. Akimiya's expression softened slightly.

Akemi Akemi quickly stood up and went out to buy groceries, giving Higashino Hibiki a final look of respect.

Higashino Hibiki's expression turned sour.

……

After eating the steamed bun his grandson handed him, Akimiya said to Hibiki Higashino, "You've been doing really well lately."

“No way,” Higashino Hibiki quickly waved his hand, “It’s just some minor achievement, nothing to mention in front of you.”

Cartoonists are not as well-regarded as novelists, and novelists are not as well-regarded as ukiyo-e artists.