Tokyo: Oreimo

Page 151

"Hey you, wait for me!"

......

Today is Hideo Nomura's first day at his new company.

He was still at his workstation getting familiar with the new office environment, while also worrying about his future performance in his new position.

But at this moment, he felt that happiness had come too suddenly.

"Hey, Nomura, you're being too relaxed. What are you grinning about in your seat for?"

The new colleague sitting next to him couldn't help but chuckle when he saw him grinning foolishly, and couldn't resist teasing him a little.

"Ah, sorry, Kimura-senpai, an author I've worked with before messaged me saying they want to submit a manuscript."

The man next to him is named Kenta Kimura. They are probably about the same age, but at Shueisha, Hideo Nomura considers himself just a newcomer. He can never be wrong to call anyone "senpai" (senior).

"No need to be so polite. You're a veteran in the industry. Just call me Kimura. We're both editors in the same group. I look forward to your guidance in the future."

"But it seems you were prepared in advance. Did an author join you right after you joined?"

It's relatively rare for editors to switch jobs in the industry because of non-compete agreements. Generally, only those with poor abilities are let go.

After all, editors are the direct point of contact with authors. If they are allowed to leave, they might take away excellent authors as well, which would be a huge loss for the platform.

This is how Kenta Kimura originally viewed Hideo Nomura.

So I was quite surprised when I heard that an author wanted to submit a manuscript to him.

"No, no, no, it was just good luck."

Hideo Nomura was almost moved to tears.

'Saito, is this the surprise you were talking about? I'm so happy I could faint!'

He never imagined that CLAMP would personally send him a text message saying they had a new work they wanted to submit.

"By the way, I heard that you're the editor of 'Cardcaptor Sakura', right? Besides that, you don't seem to have any other particularly famous works. Could it be that Rumiko Takashiro asked you to submit a piece?"

"Haha, if that's the case, Kadokawa will suffer a huge loss!"

"A genius shoujo manga artist joining Shueisha might well warrant a big feature in the new magazine."

"If it's true, Editor-in-Chief Akiyama will definitely be so happy that the whole team will eat together."

My colleagues in the office suddenly started to tease me.

"You guys, don't scare Nomura like that. Making jokes like this on his first day at work."

Kenta Kimura stood up, jokingly scolded his colleagues, and then turned to look at Hideo Nomura with a slightly apologetic expression.

"Don't take it too seriously. They don't mean any harm. These guys are just used to being wild and always like to say things they don't know their limits."

Actually, this is a common practice at Shueisha; when a new person arrives, this kind of joke can, in a way, start a conversation.

"Sorry, new colleague, but this is something I can only dream about."

“That’s right. If there’s a real possibility that Rumiko Takashiro might join Shueisha because of Nomura’s departure, then no matter how you look at it, it’s impossible to let him go.”

"Exactly, that's practically cutting off your own arm. Speaking of which, Rumiko Takashiro is incredibly popular lately. The works she participated in producing and served as art director for are quite interesting. I even bought a signal receiver specifically for that."

"You're talking about Madoka Magica, right? It's so good, I'm really looking forward to what happens next."

"However, compared to Rumiko Takashiro, I pay more attention to Gen Urobuchi. After following Madoka Kaname, I read all of that author's works. I have to say, that guy is simply a devil."

"And I feel that author is a very interesting person. He said that Gen Urobuchi has now returned to normal, which almost made me laugh my head off."

"I got Mami, hahaha."

The atmosphere in Shueisha's editorial department is completely different from that of Kadokawa. Even when discussing topics unrelated to manga within the company, there doesn't seem to be any older members who would jump out to stop it.

Nomura stared blankly at the editors, who were now discussing the plot of Madoka Magica one after another, even using popular internet memes, a look of astonishment on his face.

"Don't be surprised, that's how Shueisha is. Editors have to keep up with the times. You'll get used to it eventually."

Kenta Kimura picked up his coffee cup from the table, got up to go to the lounge for a refill, and patted Hideo Nomura on the shoulder as he passed by to show his encouragement.

"Oh, right."

He paused for a moment.

"So, which author wants to submit a work to you? A newcomer?"

Kenta Kimura was quite curious about this.

For Hideo Nomura, who was already a manga artist, this was a great start.

After all, Shueisha is about to hold the Tezuka Award. If the work is of good quality, it can be shortlisted. Even if it is the worst work, it might still be featured in the serialization conference.

"Not a newcomer."

Hideo Nomura shook his head.

"Could it really be Rumiko Takashiro?"

The editor at the opposite workstation peeked out with a smile, wanting to continue the banter, but was glared at fiercely by Kimura Kenta.

“Making the same joke repeatedly becomes provocative, Kato.”

"Oh dear, Editor Kimura is angry. I'm so sorry."

The editor, referred to as Kato, immediately chuckled and withdrew his head.

"Yes."

Kenta Kimura heard Hideo Nomura, who was standing in front of him, suddenly say something.

"What? What is it?"

He was a little taken aback.

"As editor Kato said, the person who submitted the manuscript to me was Rumiko Takashiro, the author of Cardcaptor Sakura, and CLAMP herself."

Almost instantly, Hideo Nomura felt the eyes of almost the entire editorial department focused on him.

'Is this what it feels like to be watched?'

It felt like being targeted by a pack of hungry wolves at the same time.

Chapter 144 The Perfect Score Incident

March 28, evening.

After sending the text message in the morning, Hideo Nomura called Ryosuke again after he arrived home to express his gratitude for his trust. The two also arranged a time for him to deliver the manuscript to Ryosuke's home.

After chatting for a while, the call ended, and it was dinnertime.

After hearing Mieko's call, Ryosuke slowly went downstairs.

Tonight, the Takashiro family is having a very lavish dinner because there's something to celebrate.

After a year and a half, Ling Nai finally got her first perfect score on the test paper with Ryosuke's help.

"As expected of Takashiro Isao's daughter!"

Holding the academic ability test paper with a perfect score, the criminal police officer father burst into tears.

I never imagined that my daughter would bring home such an exam paper one day.

A perfect score! I, who had never passed a test as a child, saw my daughter achieve a perfect score on the academic ability test at Chiba High School.

At this rate, getting into the University of Tokyo, or even Keio University, shouldn't be a problem, right?

His father's large hand wrapped around his neck, and Ryosuke felt as if he were locked in place by something, unable to move at all.

"Ryosuke, thanks to you so much, Dad is so grateful!"

Takashiro Isao was crying and sniffling, and the smell of alcohol on his breath almost made Ryosuke faint.

This head of the family, once he got too excited, drank without restraint, completely lacking his usual composure, and was clearly drunk.

Although I didn't want to spoil the father's fun, what was with those lips getting closer and closer? Was he getting excited and wanted to reward me with a kiss?

Being kissed by a middle-aged man is completely unnecessary.

Ryosuke twitched the corners of his mouth and tried to keep his distance.

"It's all the result of Ling Nai's own efforts..." He struggled desperately, trying to break free from this bondage that was comparable to shackles, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't budge an inch.

"What are you talking about? Do you think I don't know my daughter?"

Fortunately, his words diverted Takashiro Isao's attention, and he waved his hand dismissively.

"Impossible! It would be completely impossible without your help!"

"She doesn't have that kind of bright mind. If she were to rely on herself, she might not even graduate from high school."

The blonde girl, who had been watching Ryosuke suffer with great interest, suddenly became indignant upon hearing these words.

"Who said that? Without that guy, I...I..." Ling Nai originally wanted to say that she could get a perfect score without Ryosuke, but then she realized that it was indeed unlikely, so she changed her words to:

"No matter what, graduating from high school shouldn't be a problem!"

"That's about it, isn't it? You should thank Ryosuke properly, Ryouno."

As he spoke, Takashiro Isao suddenly stretched out his other hand, and then Ryosuke found that a golden head had appeared in front of him.

"Huh?"

Takashiro Ryouno was also tucked under her father's arm, the girl looking on incredulously.

What just happened? Why was I suddenly locked out?

"Heh." Ryosuke couldn't help but laugh when he saw the expression on the other person's face.

"What are you laughing at? Tell Daddy to let me go!"

Ling struggled with all her might, but it was all in vain.

The girl's superhuman strength was inherited from her father, but due to the age gap, it was ruthlessly suppressed.

Ryosuke rolled his eyes at her.

If it's useful, will it be locked?