Full-time comic artist

After school, Hibiki Higashino met Akemi Akemi.

I feel like she's changed; her eyes have started to dart away.

"Higashino, can a teacher and a student with a seven-year age gap really be together...?"

She thought to herself as she watched Higashino Hibiki's retreating figure.

It took them a week to get to know each other again.

Higashino Hibiki simply attributed it to the girl's changeable temperament and didn't pay much attention.

October is another month that often happens in animation: filling out college applications.

Most of the students majoring in fine arts applied to art universities.

They are basically all very good schools in Japan.

There were no cases of graduating from high school immediately.

Hibiki Higashino considered that Musashino Art University was nearby, he was more familiar with the environment, and he also needed a senior assistant, Akemi Akimiya, so he wrote Musashino as his first choice.

Following that are Tokyo University of the Arts and Tama Art University.

This was the decision he made on his very first day after he transmigrated.

So there's not much to say.

While drawing manga, Hibiki Higashino continued to read diligently, all in order to fulfill this vision.

Chapter 62 of the animation aired.

After reviewing everyone's application choices, the homeroom teacher began asking questions and explaining to each student individually.

When it came to Higashino Hibiki, she smiled and said, "Musashino Art University is a very good school. And you, Higashino, have always worked very hard. Your artistic skills and academic performance are both among the best. There's nothing to worry about."

She was always very pleased with the student in front of her.

Mature, sensible, and steady—these are practically the epitome of a good student.

“I haven’t done enough,” Hibiki Higashino replied.

He spends most of his energy drawing comics, and his current academic ranking is only eleventh in his grade.

They are still far behind the first-place team, Beiben.

"As an art student, you've already done very well," said the homeroom teacher, Matsuzaki, praising you generously. "The reason I'm talking to you today is because our Enhiko High School is a branch of Musashino High School and also our neighbor, so we have five recommendation slots every year."

"There are four spots available in the art department, and I'd like to give one to you."

Higashino Hibiki readily agreed.

In another week, I can go to Musashino for the exam.

This was his motivation for agreeing, just like his senior Kiko Takagi, who was admitted early and didn't have to spend her time studying, so she could draw more comics.

"Thank you so much."

During this week, Hibiki Higashino summarized his portfolio and reviewed his lessons.

On a rainy day, I arrived in Musashino.

He had longed for the university for a long time.

Everything went smoothly, and one of the teachers who conducted the interview was very curious after looking at his information.

"Are you Hibiki Higashino? The screenwriter of 'Hey—Come Out'?"

As soon as he said that, the other teachers started whispering among themselves.

They had all seen this animation, which, based on its animated content, contained a deep artistic flavor.

It's hard to imagine that this is the work of a young man.

"Is it him?"

"I heard it was a work by a high school student."

"The ending was brilliant."

Higashino nodded in agreement.

Because he applied to the art department, he didn't include the script for "Hey—Come Out" in his collection of works. Judging from their expressions, this was the thing they cared about the most.

He underestimated the new star; even just a short story was incredibly moving.

“Yes, thank you for joining our school,” the teacher continued.

"However, in your personal introduction, you say you are the author of the manga 'Hikaru no Go'?" He adjusted his glasses and stared at Higashino Hibiki.

“It has Jump’s stamp, which can serve as proof,” Hibiki Higashino replied.

"I haven't seen such a talented student in a long time," the teacher remarked.

They didn't press him further, nor did they ask Higashino Hibiki why he applied to Musashino; they simply agreed to let him enroll.

Higashino Hibiki was a little surprised, but after signing the contract, he went home and told the Higashino couple the good news.

……

Since being admitted to Musashino, Hibiki Higashino has rarely appeared at school, and Kitamoto Nishimura can't find him, so he inevitably complains.

More than two months later, a week after Christmas, the New Year arrived, and winter vacation was just around the corner.

"Seriously, I've already made it into the top 30 in my grade, but I can't even brag to that guy Higashino," Nishimura said, unable to hide his loneliness as he looked at the ranking list. After all, his best friend of two and a half years had suddenly disappeared, leaving him feeling disappointed.

"Ha~ Higashino has already been admitted to Musashino, and he was ranked 11th before. What's there to brag about with your little bit of knowledge?" Kitamoto yawned wearily. He always studies until late at night now and has become a true exam king.

“I’m not like you. You’re number one…” Nishimura said sourly.

He was a little confused. How come his two younger brothers suddenly seemed like completely different people, suddenly becoming frighteningly mature?

In contrast, he still looks like a child.

"I absolutely have to get first place," Kitamoto glanced at the rankings, his face lighting up with excitement, before turning back to continue studying.

“Wait a minute,” Nishimura called out to him, “Don’t forget to come with me this weekend for the book signing of the first volume of Hikaru no Go!”

"Yes, yes, I won't forget that," Kitamoto rubbed his temples and agreed.

……

At 6 p.m. on Wednesday, a large group of people sat in front of the TV at Yoshiwara-sho.

Looking forward to a prime-time animated film airing.

His nervous demeanor made him seem more like the author than Higashino Hibiki, leaving him both amused and exasperated.

"Takagi-senpai, why aren't you home for winter break? What are you doing here causing trouble?"

Kiko Takagi was in high spirits, twisting and turning.

Hearing Higashino Hibiki's words, she pouted in dissatisfaction, "I was just worried about you, junior."

“Tch,” Higashino Hibiki shook his head and looked at Asahina.

She looked innocently at Hibino Hibiki, and only after realizing he was talking about her did she say quietly, "My dream is to become a director, so watching new anime is perfectly reasonable, isn't it..."

Higashino Hibiki was speechless.

Akimiya Akemi and Yoshii Yamahisa are assistants.

And Minami Chiharu.

"Hahaha, here comes the chicken soup!"

She had been busy in the kitchen the whole time, and only now did she finally finish.

"Drinking a bowl of warm soup in the dead of winter is such a wonderful thing."

Higashino Hibiki, having been fed, had no choice but to turn his attention to Yamazaki Akira.

She stood with her hands on her hips, head held high, looking extremely proud.

She will appear at the end of the first episode; in her opinion, this is the main story, and the animation is just an appetizer.

Get ready for my amazing performance!

She said this to the others.

"Ah, it's starting."

On television, Higashino Hibiki's familiar prelude began to play.

"You are now fully supporting me."

"And now, I also have the strength to support you."

"Even when we feel lost and helpless, we should still walk together."

"Heading Towards the Future—"

……

This is the original opening theme that Higashino Hibiki recalled. It's so classic that the song and background music immediately reminded him of "Hikaru no Go".

Uplifting and tender.

So after the animation production team communicated with director Tetsuya Endo, who valued Hibiki Higashino's talent, he specially invited the music production manager, the very famous Taisho Award winner for arrangement, Ms. Megumi Wakakusa.

He has collaborated with famous female singers such as Akina Nakamori, Mariko Takahashi, and Sumi Tagawa, and is a very well-known composer.

Hearing that the other person hadn't graduated from high school yet, he was reluctant to come, because it would be a waste of time.

Students hum a tune and think it's a song. Instead of wasting that time, why not send him to Honinbo Shusaku's island to see the tourist attractions related to him and see if he can resonate with this ancient man from a hundred years ago and get some inspiration?

Lately, a tune has been playing in his mind, long and passionate, on and on.

However, the fact that she couldn't catch its tail made Wakakusa Megumi very angry.

He wore glasses and usually looked like a refined scoundrel, but his stern face at this moment made Tetsuya Endo even more embarrassed.

"What's your tune? Hum it." He looked up at Higashino Hibiki, who hadn't even brought his notebook.

Chapter 63 Excellent Animation