Full-time comic artist

His legend will live on.

Thankfully, I no longer have to go to school.

“Next one, please,” he said to the staff member coordinating the time.

"Tori Akino-sensei, please."

It was another familiar face, Shinoda, a 4-dan player from the Go Institute.

Higashino Hibiki quickly stood up, but was pressed back down.

"No need to be so polite. You're the star of the show today, so please give me your autograph." Shinoda said with a smile.

Higashino nodded. "Of course, no problem."

"Thank you for your help with the manga supervision, Toriakino Mirai."

Shinoda looked at Higashino Hibiki's signature and nodded in satisfaction.

"There are several students behind me who really like your work."

Higashino Hibiki gave them plenty of face and wrote down his blessings for each one.

Until the last one, this excited little boy said shyly, "My name is Odagiri, and I started my journey as a Go player because of 'Hikaru no Go'."

Higashino was taken aback. He looked at the name and then at the age, realizing it belonged to his online friend.

I haven't seen him play chess online for so long; it turns out he's become a student at the academy.

Counting the time, it's been less than a year since he started learning chess. He's truly a genius.

With a heart full of joy, Higashino Hibiki entrusted his life's work in Go to the boy in front of him, "To the future Honinbo Odagiri—Tori Akino Mirai."

"Come on."

Upon seeing Higashino Hibiki's message, Odagiri bowed deeply, "Thank you so much!"

Another half hour passed.

The number of people in line didn't seem to decrease, so Higashino encouraged himself, treating it as if he were drawing a manga.

I kept my head down and kept working, telling myself not to sign documents like Liu Xiao Ling Tong (a famous actor who played the Monkey King).

Maintain a proper attitude and stay calm and stable.

"Because of Ms. Tori Akino Mirai, I joined the school's Go club and became its captain, saving the club from being disbanded and attracting many other students to join. My name is Nishimura."

A long string of chanting-like sounds entered his ears, and Higashino wanted to laugh.

That's definitely Nishimura's style.

"Nishimura, you haven't been going to the Go club much lately, have you? You're working as a lackey in the animation team now," Higashino joked.

"Hey!" the idiot exclaimed, "How did the teacher know?!"

"Pfft," Kitamoto behind him laughed, and exclaimed, "As expected of Higashino."

"What is Dongye? Where is Dongye?" Nishimura Jōer was completely baffled.

“Kitamoto is smarter,” Hibiki Higashino raised his head, “Nishimura, who brags without thinking, is much dumber.”

“Higashino? Eh! Higashino!” Nishimura stared at Higashino Hibiki, his eyes practically crossed.

"Why are you sitting in Ms. Torino Mirai's seat?"

Kitamoto couldn't stand it anymore, "Because Higashino is just like Akino Mirai."

"Oh, wow!" Nishimura exclaimed in surprise.

"My best friend is a famous cartoonist?"

"Should I sign this sentence? 'My best friend is the great manga artist—Tori Akino Mirai'?" Higashino asked, tilting his head.

"No, no, no," Nishimura shook his head repeatedly. He realized what was happening and stared intently at Higashino Hibiki, looking him up and down. "Is it really Higashino?"

"Is that really Higashino?" Higashino asked.

"Please write it for me: 'The Fool Who Was Kept in the Dark by His Best Friend.'" He was a little annoyed.

Chapter 67 Giant Panda

“Okay, then let’s write ‘The Fool Who Was Kept in the Dark by His Friends’,” Higashino Hibiki replied with a smile, lowering his head and pretending to start writing.

"Stop! You're actually writing it?" Nishimura said anxiously, "Write me 'Dedicated to my best friend Nishimura—Tori Akino Mirai'!"

"Wait, it should be Kitamoto!" Kitamoto said, unconvinced.

The two of them started arguing in front of Higashino Hibiki.

As time dragged on, Higashino Hibiki shook his head speechlessly and wrote in their respective volumes:

"Dedicated to Kitamoto's best friend, Nishimura - Torino Mirai";

"Dedicated to Nishimura's best friend Kitamoto - Tori Akino Mirai."

Finally, he handed it to the two of them, waved, and told them to leave quickly.

"We'll wait for you," Nishimura said expectantly.

The book signing event lasted from morning until noon, and Higashino Hibiki finally breathed a sigh of relief.

His right hand trembled slightly, but fortunately, he needed to paint frequently and was considered a professional, so it wasn't too serious.

The editorial staff came over with bottled water: "Thank you for your hard work, Ms. Tori Akino Mirai. It's all over now."

“I should thank you all,” Higashino Hibiki said, taking a sip of water before continuing, “It was all thanks to you maintaining order that things went so smoothly.”

"Thank you for your understanding," the other party bowed slightly. "Today's work is temporarily finished. We've organized a party and would like to invite Mr. Tori Akino to attend."

"Excuse me," Hibiki Higashino said apologetically as he saw Nishimura and Akemi Akemi waving to him. "I also have my own gathering."

“I apologize for my intrusion,” he said, taking out the first volume of the manga and speaking cautiously. “Actually, my son also really likes ‘Hikaru no Go.’ Please give me your autograph.”

"Of course, no problem."

After signing his autograph, Higashino said goodbye. Then, he tightened his coat and walked towards the group of people waiting for him in the cold winter.

……

"Higashino, why didn't you tell us?!"

When Higashino called out, Nishimura, who had been all smiles, suddenly pulled a long face and questioned him with great displeasure.

Kitamoto didn't say anything, and seemed a little angry as well.

“Because someone is a big mouth, and I’m worried he’ll tell everyone,” Higashino Hibiki replied calmly.

Upon hearing this excuse, Kitamoto nodded slightly, agreeing that it made sense.

Nishimura was very self-aware; he knew he was right.

"What does it matter if it gets leaked?" he asked.

“It’s possible to be envied or bullied,” Kitamoto said without speaking.

He's not angry anymore.

"Alright, alright, that's all for today's work," Higashino Hibiki changed the subject. "I'll take you to Ueno Zoo as an apology."

"Ueno Zoo!" Before the two from the Northwest could even speak, Akemi Akimiya squealed excitedly, "Is it the Ueno Zoo with giant pandas? I've wanted to go for ages!"

"Giant panda, hehe, giant panda, hehe."

She laughed like a pervert.

The Japanese are so obsessed with giant pandas that even the Chinese are surprised.

There are people who visit giant pandas every day, even more diligently than clocking in for work. When China brings giant pandas back to China, there will be a farewell ceremony, and the public will spontaneously come to say goodbye.

Some people suggested exchanging their prime ministers, who were not yet "open-minded," for giant pandas, and countless others agreed.

The rise and fall of commerce in the Ueno area is determined by whether or not there are giant pandas.

"I want to go!" Nishimura cheered, raising his hand.

Even the usually composed Kitamoto is now excitedly restless.

Higashino bought a Polaroid camera nearby, and after everyone had lunch, they took the tram over there.

Ueno Zoo is not far from the bookstore; it's in the adjacent district.

Before long, we arrived at the entrance of the zoo.

They were very uneasy.

Because Nishimura asked, "Can we see pandas during winter break?"

I started to worry that there wouldn't be enough time left to queue.

As soon as you enter the zoo, the panda enclosure is right in front of you.

Ueno Zoo places its most popular panda at the main entrance, demonstrating the importance it places on the panda.

But before we even entered the museum, we saw a long queue outside.

Looking ahead, you can't see the end.

"Compared to pandas, my fanbase is still far behind," Higashino Hibiki remarked.

If pandas need to sign autographs, their hands would be so tired they'd break and they still wouldn't be able to finish.

There's a sign at the entrance saying that you can only stay for one minute inside. After that, you must come out and give your spot to someone else.

"Huh?" Higashino Hibiki couldn't understand.

In his previous life, there was a Qinling Wildlife Park near his home, so there was no such requirement.

"How about we skip the pandas?" Hibiki Higashino asked. "Red pandas, giraffes, penguins, and the like are cute too!"

Queuing here is a waste of time; looking at other animals is the best solution.

He even bought a camera, and took photos to enrich his photo library.

"I don't want to." Akemi Akimiya pouted and shook her head.

"I don't want it either," Nishimura refused firmly.