Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

She fell in love with Doraemon starting with the love story of Shizuka and Nobita. She would watch every episode and enjoy the beauty in the comics. This was also her way of coping with her busy work in Tokyo and relieving stress.

"What should we do next?"

She hesitated, her gaze involuntarily drifting towards the counter.

There are things in there that made the older generation feel very happy when they smoked them.

She reached out and picked up a pack of cigarettes.

"I'll just give it a try, I won't smoke much."

……

Why did you end the comic that everyone loves? Are you going against us readers?

"Sunday's editors should commit seppuku!"

"I'm never watching Sunday again! Shogakukan, get out!"

The complaints and calls from readers, whether in a light or heavy tone, all expressed their dissatisfaction.

Even if the editors told them that it was Oikawa who chose to end the manga, they would still question it.

"I can feel the deep affection that Oikawa-sensei projected onto 'Doraemon.' Why would he choose to go to such extremes? It must be something your editorial department did!"

"The salary is very low? You make him draw comics all day? You don't even let him rest because the paper scratches his hands? Maybe it is, maybe it isn't, but I don't want to hear your excuses."

His completely unreasonable behavior left the editor speechless.

They had no choice but to grit their teeth and deal with the readers' anger.

By Wednesday, something even more serious had happened.

The Tokyo Shimbun's culture section featured a lengthy headline about the end of Doraemon.

Although it didn't take advantage of the situation, the report had a focus, drawing readers' attention to the editorial department.

Major news agencies still maintain their own modesty, while gossip and entertainment magazines like Weekly Bunshun completely disregard it.

They unanimously blamed Sunday, accusing Sunday of doing something to wrong Oikawa.

Even the fact that Oikawa Ji had never signed an annual contract was reported by Weekly Bunshun.

This led to even more boycotts of Sunday.

Every day there are people protesting downstairs, and some extreme readers have even burned copies of Sunday magazine in public.

The area outside the elementary school building had become a stage, making it difficult for the editorial staff to carry out their work.

"What's going on? Don't these people have anything to do? I seriously doubt how bored they are. Are they sick in the head?"

"It's all the editor-in-chief's fault for ignoring Oikawa-sensei's efforts."

"Shh, be careful the editor-in-chief doesn't hear us."

Yesterday, when public opinion was in an uproar, Shizuo Watanabe was summoned by Yoshitsugu Yoshi, a director of Shogakukan, and severely criticized.

It's no longer possible for him to be promoted to a board member. Whether he can perform well as editor-in-chief depends on his future performance.

Coupled with external criticism, Shizuo Watanabe was in a very bad mood.

He was no longer able to understand why he had repeatedly refused to provide Oikawa with the annual contract fee.

Perhaps it was simply because of his arrogance as someone in a superior position.

How did things get to this point?

He rubbed his face, hoping that things wouldn't get any worse.

Chapter Seventy-Five: The Future Society, Unexpected People

In mid-December 1971, in a science and technology park near Waseda University, Fushimikawa looked around at the surrounding environment and nodded in satisfaction.

Unlike Tokyo's commercial buildings, the buildings here are spaced far apart, with lawns and tree-lined paths in the center. Trees and shrubs are everywhere, and the scattered buildings seem to be placed in a park, without the heavy and oppressive feeling that modern high-rise buildings give people.

This place lacks the cramped feel of typical Tokyo architecture and is very inspiring.

I studied diligently every day during Fushimikawa High School and worked hard to get into Waseda University. Today, I am finally enjoying the benefits of being a student at a top university.

Fujiwara Maki was waiting for Fushimi River at Building No. 2, where a quarter of the three floors of the building temporarily belonged to Mirai-sha.

This is the name Fushimikawa chose for his own publishing house. It's simple yet leaves room for imagination, and he's quite satisfied with it. Fujiwara Maki also didn't object.

"That's really amazing," Fushimikawa exclaimed in amazement upon seeing the club president. "They actually managed to persuade the school to reserve such a great place for us."

Maki Fujiwara wore a fitted suit, and the shoulder pads gave her a sense of reliability.

Her usual simple straight hair has been changed. After being cut shorter, simply permed and dyed, and slightly curled outwards, it gives her cute little face a slightly serious look.

After two months of training, she became much more capable. After looking Fushimikawa up and down, Fujiwara Maki stepped forward and straightened his upturned collar.

“This is actually a collaborative startup park between Waseda University and companies. It is not a free incubation project for student startups on campus, so you need to pay the full commercial rent.”

Fushimikawa asked in confusion, "Then why are we rent-free?"

“We need office space of more than 200 square meters, which the school cannot provide. So they helped us pay the rent and other expenses here.”

Fushimikawa asked, "What does the school need from us?"

It can't be that Waseda University, as a private university, is wholeheartedly serving its students and solving their problems, can it?

"Of course, it's because the school trusts us, especially your abilities. When the benefits outweigh the losses, it's much easier for them to pay."

Maki Fujiwara's abilities are well-known, and Fushimikawa is the most famous manga artist today.

His comics are not only popular with readers, but also more famous than Go Nagai, who drew "Shameless Academy," because they satirize past mistakes.

With excellent creative abilities and high taste, his future prospects are naturally limitless.

It's only natural for Waseda University, a private university that prioritizes profit, to invest a sum of money.

This investment is just wrapped up in the teacher-student relationship, so it seems to have a warm touch.

“I see,” Fushimikawa nodded.

This is certainly a good thing; collaborating with universities is something many companies dream of.

Putting everything else aside, just considering graduates, Future Society has the opportunity to recruit the most outstanding batches first.

Waseda University is known for its social sciences and literature departments, making it a good source of talent for filling editorial vacancies and nurturing new talent.

Mirai-sha maintains a good relationship with Waseda, ensuring sustainable profits.

"Everyone's here, waiting for you upstairs."

"I'm so sorry I'm late."

……

The Oikawa Studio and the company address are not far apart. The reason why Fushimikawa was late was because he was delayed by someone.

That person's name was Yamashita, and he was Takei Toshiki's often-complained, incompetent colleague from Sunday magazine who was always going against him.

Fushimikawa therefore did not have a good impression of him.

"Hello, Mr. Oikawa."

Yamashita had his hair neatly styled and was dressed formally, exuding an air of sophistication.

Fushimikawa frowned and asked, "Is there something you need?"

"I am Yamashita, the editor of Sunday," he said proudly, puffing out his chest like a rooster.

"Well, then what?"

Upon noticing that Fushimikawa remained unmoved and spoke calmly, Yamashita coughed awkwardly.

“I heard that you have started a comic book publishing house, and I think that is exactly when we need senior editors, so I came to recommend myself.”

Fushimikawa is indeed lacking editors, especially someone who can carry the banner of Mirai-sha.

This person needs to be very familiar with the work of a comic book editor, have the ability to discover talent, and have experience in nurturing top comic book artists.

Such editors are extremely hard to find. Most are tied to their original magazines, and no matter how much effort is put in, it's difficult to persuade them to risk supporting Future Publishing.

"Which work in Sunday magazine were you in charge of?" Fushimikawa asked him.

“This…” Yamashita paused, stammering, unable to speak, “I… I’ve never had the opportunity to show my abilities, I just need a platform.”

"In other words, you don't have a resume that you can present to prove your abilities." Fushimikawa nodded. "That's all for now. I have to go. Goodbye."

He had absolutely no interest in the area down the mountain.

Regardless of whether he has the ability of a professional editor, he can't even lie to himself. I don't know how he managed to stay at Sunday for so long.

Rejected without mercy, Shan Xia hung his head in dejection, his back hunched, like a stray dog.

I think I'll never see this person again.

Fushimi River thought.

……

"So you're late because you were delayed by someone named Yamashita?"

While riding the elevator, after learning about Fushimikawa's experience, Fujiwara Maki nodded thoughtfully.

“Of course not,” Fushimikawa shook his head. “I quickly got rid of Yamashita. I was held back by someone else, someone you know. He’ll be here soon.”

Maki Fujiwara analyzed, "You think he's more important than our Future Society's first meeting, so he must be a heavyweight. Hmm, I think I know who it is. With his addition, we can fill the last vacancy."

As her voice faded, the two arrived at the company entrance.

There is a Future Society logo at the entrance, which is a right hand raised.

It represents Fushimikawa's confidence that "it's easy for those who know how" and "life is as easy as turning one's hand."

The company is bright and clean, with a simple layout. There are only a dozen or so desks at present. Since business has not yet started, it is more like a showroom than a real company.

The meeting room is on the right-hand side as you enter; it's not far, just a short walk away.

Fujiwara Maki pushed open the door, and Fushimikawa walked into the conference room. Before he could even speak, the initial thirteen employees stood up and applauded continuously.

"We've finally waited for Oikawa-sensei," Hirokane Kenji said with a smile.

The person standing next to him is Ryo Watanabe. The two of them belong to the earliest group of manga artists signed by Mirai-sha.