Tokyo: Oreimo

Page 156

She thought winning the grand prize would be easy, but the editor said she was only considered a shortlisted candidate?

"The Tezuka Award and Kadokawa's rating system are different," Ryosuke explained when he heard his sister's question.

"As a manga artist, you should know some basic knowledge, right? The Tezuka Award has three award levels: shortlisted, shortlisted, and honorable mention. Being shortlisted is equivalent to winning the grand prize."

Hideo Nomura took over the conversation.

"CLAMP is right, and the selection level is not available every year. If the quality of the works in a given period is not good enough, there will be vacancies."

"This is one of the most prestigious comic book awards in the industry."

Ryosuke nodded.

"Then I'll leave it to Editor Nomura. If there are no revisions, please submit it for review. Once the results are out, please arrange for serialization as soon as possible."

"Don't worry about that. As for the contract..."

The next step is to discuss the royalty sharing.

Hideo Nomura had only been with Shueisha for a short time, but he was already a veteran in the industry.

If someone jumps from Kadokawa to Shueisha, it would be unreasonable not to give them this much face.

He had consulted with the editor-in-chief in advance and applied for the highest level of revenue sharing, which is definitely the top-tier contract standard in the industry.

"Then I'll have to rely on you again, Editor Nomura."

After everything was settled, Ryosuke prepared to leave with Ayano, as they still needed to visit the company later.

"Rest assured, I guarantee with my personal integrity that I will be absolutely responsible for this work."

Hideo Nomura said solemnly.

This is his comeback project; he might even meet his annual performance targets with just this one work. Most importantly, he needs to build good relationships.

He finally understood why Ritsu Saito had resigned from his editing job without hesitation and joined the then-unknown Aniplex.

With these two geniuses around, the animation they produce is bound to be terrible, not to mention the author Gen Urobuchi is also involved.

I had originally planned to invite the two of them to lunch, but Ryosuke declined, saying he had something to do.

Hideo Nomura felt it was a bit of a pity, but he didn't insist.

He opened the conference room door, ready to see the two people off.

As soon as I opened the door to go out, I found someone blocking the entrance.

"Editor Kimura, what's going on?"

He saw Kimura Kenta standing awkwardly behind him, while in front of him stood a pretty girl with twin ponytails.

If I remember correctly, this is the cartoonist they are in charge of, right?

I think I've heard them mention it before; it's called Chun Chang You Cai.

"I'm sorry, Editor Nomura, I really couldn't stop Mr. Haruba."

Kenta Kimura gave him a slightly apologetic look.

"Have you finished discussing business? If you have, please step aside. I need to speak with him."

Arina Haruba glanced at Nomura, pointed to Ryosuke Takagi behind him, and spoke.

"?"

What an impolite attitude!

Hideo Nomura was a little taken aback.

"Looking for me?"

Ryosuke cast a slightly questioning glance at her. She had thought the other person was a fan of Rumiko Takashiro, waiting at the door for an autograph or something. She hadn't expected that the other person would come all the way to wait for her.

"Is there a problem?"

“Yes, I’d like to collaborate with CLAMP-sensei. This is one of my drawings.” As she spoke, Arina Haruba handed over the file bag containing the original artwork. “I’m just as confident as her in this area.”

As she spoke, the twin-tailed girl glanced at Ryosuke, who was standing next to him.

"?"

Ryosuke was taken aback.

Collaboration? Does it mean jointly creating a comic?

That's too direct and presumptuous. We've only met once and don't even know each other's names.

It would be a miracle if this kind of relationship could work together.

Ryosuke felt something tugging at his sleeve. Looking down, he saw Ling Nai with a wary expression, her right hand grabbing his sleeve and pulling it back.

"What? Who are you?"

Before Ryosuke could refuse, Ling Nai walked up to him and slapped away his hand that was holding the file bag.

"My name is Arina Haruba. This is both my pen name and my real name. My personal works have been serialized under Shueisha."

The girl with twin tails responded directly to Ling Nai's dissatisfied question, but she never looked at Ling Nai once, instead keeping her eyes fixed on Ryosuke.

"I mean... isn't it incredibly rude to answer a question without looking the person in the eye?"

Takashiro Ryouno suppressed her anger and forced a smile, looking like a powder keg about to explode.

But Haruba Arina only glanced at her, acting as if she didn't care at all.

"I'm not talking to you, Rumiko Takashiro. Please move aside, thank you."

She completely ignored Ling Nai, walked past her, and stood in front of Takashiro Ryosuke.

"Can we collaborate? CLAMP-sensei, I'm definitely more in line with your requirements for the work than she is."

Seeing Ling Nai about to explode, Ryosuke was both amused and exasperated; he really hadn't expected this situation.

A complete stranger would take the initiative to seek cooperation, especially in front of Takashiro Ryōno.

However, he could not possibly agree to such a request.

"I'm sorry, I don't have the habit of working with strangers."

Ryosuke responded.

Putting aside the issue of a good working relationship, the problem of reconciliation and profit sharing alone can be quite troublesome. If problems arise midway through the project, a falling out could potentially lead to the project being left unfinished.

There's no need to take on this risk for nothing.

"Is that really how it is?"

Haruba Arina muttered to herself, "Is it because of a lack of proper relationships?"

Isn't she incredibly persistent? This girl is a bit difficult to deal with.

Ryosuke originally had a pretty good impression of her.

"That's right, just like you said, so please step aside, we have something to do and are about to leave."

Ryosuke tried to get past her, but she grabbed his wrist.

"In that case, CLAMP-sensei, would you like to date me? If we become a couple, creating together would meet your standards, right?"

As she spoke, the girl with twin ponytails tiptoed and quickly tapped Ryosuke's cheek.

"This is my sincerity."

The atmosphere instantly fell silent.

Only Kenta Kimura anticipated this and couldn't help but cover his face with his hands.

Chapter 148 Is it because of small breasts?

The people standing at the conference room door froze.

The sudden confession caught Takagi Ryosuke completely off guard.

Unlike Ling Nai's passive contact some time ago, the girl in front of him was genuinely and willingly kissing him.

"Shameless!!"

Throughout the entire Shueisha, a furious roar echoed, originating from Takashiro Ryōno.

She immediately reached out and grabbed Ryosuke's other arm, pulling him towards her.

"How could you kiss him? How dare you!"

The girl reached out and, without asking anything else, vigorously rubbed the spot where he had been kissed, distorting Ryosuke's face with her hands.

"This has nothing to do with you, Rumiko Takashiro."

Haruba Arina wasn't intimidated by Ryou's loud voice at all. Instead, she crossed her arms and gave him a "mind your own business" look.

"You two are siblings, right? It's none of your business how your brother falls in love."

The girl with twin ponytails, Suzume, gave a sweet smile.

"If CLAMP-sensei is willing to date me, you can kiss me here."

Haruji Arina stretched out her index finger and pointed to her own pink lips.

"shameless!"

Before Ryosuke could answer, Takashiro Ryouno spat.

What? They're complete strangers, and they just kissed me without even saying hello.

sexual harassment?

Is no one in charge of Shueisha?

The girl was starting to regret submitting her work to this place.