Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

He is a member of a large club that organizes the "Japan Manga Convention". I read his manga yesterday, and it's utter nonsense. It's impossible for it to be serialized.

This person is still pestering me, looking like they're determined not to give up.

Yamashita frowned: "Haven't I already read your manga?"

“I have other comics for you to see,” the man said with a fawning smile. “Besides, I don’t have any other works right now, so please do me the honor of reading, editor.”

"Sigh." Yamashita sighed deeply and shook his head. "That's it."

On the way to his stall, Yamashita overheard the tourists' conversation.

"Have you guys read Weekly Bunshun? It has an article about CM convention. I heard there are a lot of manga artists there, and there are more than 160 doujinshi booths. The storylines are all kinds of things, and it's really interesting!"

"Anyway, there's nothing new here, there are only a few comics. Let's go to the CM exhibition now, before it closes."

"Yeah."

After discussing their plan at the foot of the mountain, these people turned around and left without looking back.

"What's the exit rate?" Yamashita asked the person next to him.

"I...I don't know."

Looking at the intermittent crowd at the gate, anger surfaced on Yamashita's face.

"Even without thinking, this number is staggering. The Japan Manga Convention hasn't even been a success yet, and you've managed to turn it into this mess. You're utterly useless!"

He left, panting heavily.

There's no way he can compete with the CM exhibition; he might as well go check it out there.

……

Backstage at Yoyogi National Gymnasium, Fushimikawa, who wanted to take a break, saw Fujiwara Maki sketching and writing in a notebook.

He took a closer look and found that they were all names and home addresses.

"Aren't you busy with the exhibition? I heard there are long lines at the restrooms."

"Huh!" Fujiwara Maki was startled, her voice squeezing out like a little mouse. She only breathed a sigh of relief after realizing it was Fushimikawa.

"Oh, it's you. You really gave me a fright. Utsunomiya and the others are busy here, but I have more important things to do."

“There are many editors hunting for talent at our exhibition. I need to take advantage of the organizer’s position to note down outstanding newcomers so that I can contact them to submit articles in the future.”

Chapter Sixty-Three: What is she doing?

"The second CM Comic Con was a great success, all thanks to the selfless comic fans who poured their hearts and souls into creating doujinshi, attracting a large number of visitors to us without earning much money themselves. In the future, we will continue to serve them, making CM Con bigger and stronger, and letting more people know about us!"

"Oh!"

At the celebration party, after Fujiwara Maki gave her speech, everyone burst into laughter, their faces flushed with excitement, and everyone felt very proud.

The members of the manga club, like the doujinshi vendors, didn't actually receive much in return.

But that's the thing about hobbies; they can make people dedicate themselves to them without expecting anything in return.

This is similar to the translation groups that will emerge in China in the future; even if investigated by the police, they will be released without charge because they did not seek profit.

"There are more than 2 people here this time."

"Pretty much, there are people everywhere, and not enough restrooms."

"I bought some really interesting comics!"

Everyone was chatting excitedly, but Asano Megumi was lost in thought. She remembered what Nagai Miyuki had said yesterday, and her gaze kept glancing at Fushimi Kawa. When he turned his head away, she would immediately look away.

'Kissing...kissing and stuff, I can't do that!'

That's the person who's been taking care of her since she was little.

but……

Asano Megumi lowered her head, fiddling with her fingertips, and her mind wandered again.

seem……

It's not impossible to kiss.

That tastes really good.

Thinking like that.

She mustered her courage, raised her head, and looked in the direction of the Fushimi River, then discovered...

"Achuan, I have something to tell you."

My best friend, who's like a father to me, was actually lured away by that wicked woman, Maki Fujiwara.

They didn't even try to avoid people; they walked out of the room one after the other.

"President Fujiwara is going there to confess his feelings, isn't he?"

"possible."

Hideki Kurokawa and Ryoichi sang in unison.

"Before graduation, I successfully completed the CM exhibition. This is the only thing that President Fujiwara didn't finish."

"They are a perfect match."

They started chatting.

Asano Megumi became increasingly alarmed as she listened, and she quickly stood up: "I'm going out for a bit."

Ignoring the stares behind her, she quickly walked out of the room, searching for the two figures.

……

This restaurant near Yoyogi National Gymnasium has a beautifully decorated backyard with potted plants and artificial rocks arranged in a charming way.

In August, the bright moon hangs high, casting its cool light across the earth, so even without artificial light, the backyard is completely visible.

The shadows of bamboo and cypress trees were cast and intertwined at the feet of Fushimi River and Fujiwara Maki.

The two were in different moods; one was enjoying the scenery, while the other was somewhat nervous.

Facing Fushimikawa, who was quietly waiting for her to speak, Fujiwara Maki mentally prepared herself before slowly revealing her purpose.

"Achuan, I've told you about my dream, haven't I?"

“Yes,” Fushimi nodded, smiling, “Even if you don’t say it, we all know.”

Fujiwara Maki paused for a moment, then quickly composed herself.

“I put in a lot of effort for this. I convinced my father that the family printing plant could provide me with the necessary services; I also got to know many creators, so I figured getting it for weekly magazines wouldn't be a problem. I did a lot of market research too, in short…”

She looked at Fushimi River, her eyes sparkling in the moonlight.

"I can't promise anything, but I've done my best. Achuan, would you... join my plan?"

“So serious,” Fushimikawa scratched his head, “is it just a commission? I thought it was a confession.”

“How can confessing my feelings compare to asking you for an article!” Fujiwara Maki’s expression turned serious. “I struggled for a long time before I could finally say it. Please give me a straight answer. Even if you reject me, our relationship will not change.”

“It sounds more like a confession,” Fushimikawa shook his head slightly. “Just providing manuscripts won’t do.”

Maki Fujiwara turned pale.

Fushimikawa bluntly stated, "If you're going to submit your work, which manga magazine in all of Japan can't I get published in? Why do you have to choose your newly established magazine with a bleak future? Please think about it carefully."

“So,” Fujiwara Maki said, fiddling with the hem of her clothes, “Oikawa-sensei, do you have any requests?”

Under Fushimi's gaze, her twin ponytails trembled slightly, and her head tilted back as she stared at him with a pleading look.

Her flawless skin, bathed in the pure white moonlight, possessed an even more sacred quality, exuding a captivating allure that seemed to invite desecration.

"Anything is fine?"

“Hmm,” Fujiwara Maki took a deep breath, then nodded, her voice trembling, “Go ahead and say it.”

“Okay,” Fushimikawa said with a smirk, “The manga market is currently chaotic, and new magazines could emerge at any time, so manga artists are in a relatively good position. But in the future, when the market stabilizes, the exploitation and oppression of manga artists by publishers will begin.”

"Huh?" Fujiwara Maki was taken aback. She had thought it would be some outrageous request like asking her to be her girlfriend, but she never expected Fushimikawa's words to be so serious.

Her face flushed slightly. She thought that if she had feelings for him, it wouldn't hurt to agree, but in this situation, it seemed that she was just imagining things.

"I want to be a business partner in the magazine you founded, hold shares, and serve as a director."

"So, you agreed!" Fujiwara Maki asked excitedly as her thoughts shifted and she got into work mode.

"Can you grant my request?"

“Of course! Of course!” She nodded repeatedly. “The value of the comic IP you create belongs to you personally, and the shares can all be given to you, provided that I hold a majority stake.”

Her sincerity was evident, so Fushimikawa naturally didn't make any further demands.

He nodded: "Let's agree on this for now."

“I can’t believe it…” Things went so smoothly. Staring at Fushimi River, Fujiwara Maki was incredulous, feeling as if she were in a dream.

She took two steps forward, pressing her body close to Fushimi River, the fabric of her clothes rubbing against her skin, which felt hot in the summer.

And then...

"It hurts."

Fujiwara Maki released her grip on Fushimikawa's face, overjoyed: "It's true!"

I've signed with Oikawa No. 2; my dream is halfway to success.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, I should be able to survive in Japan.

It's even possible that they could create a miracle like Weekly Shonen Jump.

"that is really good!"

"Hiss~" Fushimi Kawa gasped, his cheek burning from being pinched. "You!"

He wanted to question her, but unexpectedly, a small, pink mouth came close, silent, covering the spot where he had been pinched.

The cool sensation on his cheek startled Fushimi Kawa.

"Like this..." With her hands behind her back, Fujiwara Maki took two steps back, her face flushed and her gaze darting around. "This is fine."

Goodbye, Fushimi-kun.