Full-time comic artist

The relationship between the two of them was exceptionally fragile.

Only when the storm comes can we reunite.

Yukino had just recovered somewhat, but because it wasn't raining, she went back to the way things were.

"I really hope it will have a happy ending," Naoko said, closing the comic book and letting out a soft sigh.

In her view, it was just a twelve-year age gap, but in this work, it became the biggest divide.

Yukino's problem has not progressed much because she doesn't consider Takao as someone she can confide in.

If Takao were the same age as them, the two of them would have been boyfriend and girlfriend long ago.

Monthly tickets? Recommendation tickets?

Chapter 80 Reader's Letter (Please Read Further)

"I recently watched a work called 'The Garden of Words.' It was really interesting, but I'm worried it will have a bad ending. I want to tell its author, please be merciful! Let Takao and Yukino be together!"

Naoko Takeuchi always likes to express her thoughts in her works, talk to readers, and share her life.

In the collected volumes of "Sailor Moon," she even dedicated a section to thanking her readers.

I will select some of the readers' letters to reply to.

This endearing personality is one of the reasons why readers call her "Naoko-hime".

Most grown men who write shonen manga wouldn't do that.

In short, Naoko Takeuchi's readers have developed a habit of enjoying the author's rambling, which they find quite amusing and makes them feel closer to her.

At this very moment, many young female readers have seen the comic recommended by the author, Ji Qingqing.

"The Garden of Words sounds intriguing; it seems like a refreshing love story."

"Is it inappropriate to recommend other comic magazines?"

"That's the Naoko we know."

Naoko Takeuchi was a simple and kind person, like a princess.

Next week.

Weekly Young Jump has suddenly noticed a slight increase in the proportion of female readers.

"Is it the effect of 'The Garden of Words'?" the editorial department wondered.

Young Jump, which champions "love, violence, and rights," already has few female readers. After much thought, the only manga that could suddenly attract female readers to buy the magazine is this short manga that's currently being serialized.

"Could we contact Mr. Tori Akino?" the editor-in-chief said, "so that 'The Garden of Words' can be serialized on an ongoing basis."

"I'll give it a try."

……

Hibiki Higashino refused, saying that this story was not suitable for long-term serialization and that he didn't have that much time.

After drawing for just over a month, his body was already giving out.

If I continue working like this, I'm really worried that I'll get liver disease, be hospitalized, and have surgery.

Subsequently, the Jump editorial department strongly requested that "Hikaru no Go" be suspended until it was fully resumed.

He absolutely does not want to do such a thing.

Seeing his resolute attitude, the editor of Young Jump left dejectedly, leaving behind only a box of reader mail.

Hibiki Higashino was very curious about this, wondering if there were any threats involving razor blades.

He was somewhat disappointed at the thought that the editorial department would definitely screen submissions, which hindered and affected the author's updates.

He rummaged through it and first took out a pink letter.

"Tori Akino-sensei, who can draw 'The Garden of Words,' must be a very gentle person."

I really like this story: on a rainy day, you meet someone who warms your heart.

There is still a barrier between the male and female leads, but I know that their feelings for each other are genuine.

The manga is on its fourth chapter, and according to the magazine, it will end in just one more chapter.

Ms. Yukino rejected Takao's confession.

I hope there will be a twist at the very end, otherwise, I curse you!

I curse the person you like so they won't accept your confession.

An ordinary high school student

Upon seeing this, Higashino Hibiki shuddered. What a vicious person! How could someone go so far?

“Sigh,” he sighed.

Ever since "The Garden of Words" revealed that Yukino was the teacher, Akemi Akemi stopped talking to him.

She was always anxiously looking at her feet, afraid that Higashino Hibiki might have ulterior motives.

Even indoor slippers have been replaced with fully covered ones.

Higashino Hibiki himself does have a slight liking for feet, but it's similar to his liking for breasts and legs; it's not that perverse.

This is clearly judging a gentleman by the standards of a petty person.

He then read the next letter.

"There's something in the fourth episode that really touched me. Takao was very unhappy when he found out that Yukino was a teacher at the school."

She knew her own identity, but she knew nothing about Yukino.

He wasn't even told that he was a teacher.

However, when she learned that a girl in Yukino's class was jealous because her boyfriend liked Yukino, she organized all the girls in the class to slander and defame Yukino, causing her to be under too much psychological pressure and eventually have to resign, she still stood up, confronted the girl, and slapped her.

This is probably the most intense conflict in the four episodes, but it doesn't feel abrupt at all; it feels really good.

There's one last episode. Whether it's sad or happy, I have no opinion. I just hope that the male and female leads can move on and embrace a brighter tomorrow.

I hope that Akino-sensei can also have her own Yukino-sensei.

He glanced at the sender; it was also a girl. Hibiki Higashino was deeply moved. Girls were indeed more thoughtful, unlike the crude writing of the boy.

He made a decision to remove the letters from "Hikaru no Go," but indeed, the letters from "The Garden of Words" were more worthy of being treasured.

"A faint rumble of thunder, a gloomy sky, but I hope the wind and rain will come, so that you may stay here."

"A faint rumble of thunder, a gloomy sky—even if it doesn't rain, I will remain here."

These two lines from "Thor's Short Song" actually depict the transformation of the male and female protagonists.

"Even if it hadn't rained, I would have stayed here." On a sunny day, the male protagonist went to the Garden of Words, where the female protagonist was indeed waiting for him. At that moment, I thought we were about to have a happy ending.

Even without the rainy day's help, Takao can stay. He can stay with Yukino.

Unfortunately, there is another line.

It refers to the identities of teachers and students, and the distinction between adults and minors.

In terms of status, the two are not equal.

"Miss Yukino, I think I've fallen in love with you."

Yukino was overjoyed when Takao confessed his feelings.

But she still said, "No, Ms. Yukino. You should call me teacher."

They still couldn't overcome the age gap. Takao had tried for a long time, but in Yukino's eyes, he was still a child.

Having understood this, I actually felt no anger. It was simply a natural outcome of the work's creation.

However, there's one last chapter, isn't there? I have a feeling that even without rain, we can stay here.

Higashino Hibiki was somewhat surprised; he was watching very intently.

It feels like it was meticulously crafted shot by shot, one by one.

She's someone who really likes "The Garden of Words".

He himself savored the work, constantly experiencing the feelings in the story, and shared the same thoughts as this reader's letter.

He didn't know if he shared the same thoughts as Shinkai, but in his opinion, this reader was indeed a confidant.

Hibiki Higashino is very happy to have readers who carefully appreciate his works.

The letter was written by Gao Xueji.

Some of the names are familiar.

Hibiki Higashino had a good memory and quickly remembered that it was the name of a member of the Musashino Animation Club at the animation festival.

I just don't know if it's the same person.

There may still be contact.

After reading the letter, Higashino Hibiki did not rush to put it away.

He looked at Akemi Akimiya, who had arrived on time to draw her manga, and said to her with a smile.

"A reader has written in; come and take a look."

Chapter 81 A Sudden Realization

Akemi Akemi was wearing a white dress, and she sensed that Hibiki Higashino's expression was malicious.

She pulled her foot back; this guy was a bit of a pervert.

There was something she didn't tell anyone: at night, she would dream that Higashino Hibiki would rub her feet until her whole body turned red, and then she would wake up feeling embarrassed.

“It’s a letter from a reader,” Hibiki Higashino repeated. “Please take a look, Mr. Akimiya.”

Akemi Akemi felt her legs go weak, but she mustered her courage and approached Hibiki Higashino. She was also very interested in the readers' thoughts.

She took out a letter, and the more she read it, the redder her face became, and her whole body trembled.

"That's too much..." She raised one hand, but in the end couldn't bring herself to hit him. She snorted and turned to sit down at her desk.