Tokyo 1970: I'll draw Doraemon?

If we're talking about favorites, it has to be my "The Laughing Salesman"!

Fujimoto Hiroshi's thoughts differed from his friends'; he was simply moved.

The poor performance of "Doraemon" was so disheartening that he dared not mention the new work in his correspondence with former readers.

After hearing Fushimikawa's words, Fujimoto Hiroshi felt much more confident.

At this point, he would agree to any request Fushimikawa made.

"Fujimoto-sensei!" Fushimikawa suddenly said, "Please give me permission!"

"What license?"

"Permission to create Doraemon fan fiction."

“Of course, there’s no problem with that.” Fujimoto Hiroshi nodded decisively.

However, he soon regretted it.

The boy who had just declared himself a huge fan of Doraemon suddenly asked his friend Abiko for an autograph, making Abiko feel betrayed.

“I’ll get an autograph too,” he said decisively.

Chapter 10 Fan Art Exhibition

Back at university, he handed the autograph of Abiko Motoo to Onishi Naoya. Amidst Onishi Naoya's praise of "Brother Fushimi, Brother Fushimi," Fushimi Kawa temporarily put aside "Ikkyu the Clever" and started drawing "Doraemon."

That was a chapter that left a deep impression on him, titled "Trying to Say Goodbye".

Before drawing this comic, he first drew a character introduction panel, which consisted of four panels.

1. This is Nobita Nobi, who is terrible at sports, gets zero on tests, and likes the class beauty, Shizuka Minamoto;

2. She is Shizuka Minamoto, a very responsible person who is worried about Nobita Nobi, who always makes mistakes.

3. Gian and Suneo, the two who bully Nobita, like Shizuka;

4. This is Doraemon, a childcare robot from the 22nd century. He came from the future to help Nobita. His four-dimensional pocket contains prohibited gadgets such as the Devil Passport and the Earth Destruction Bomb.

That's all.

Fushimikawa nodded in satisfaction and began to paint diligently.

……

The next day, after class, in the manga club activity room.

"Fushimi, I heard you went to Fujiko Fujio's studio yesterday?" Senior Kurokawa Hideki stopped Fushimi and asked curiously.

"Yes." Fushimikawa nodded.

"Wow! I'm so envious!" Hideki Kurokawa stomped his feet excitedly, "Ahem..."

Realizing he had lost his composure in front of his juniors, he coughed lightly, squeezed out a sound from his throat, and said in a low voice, "But I'm not bad either. The manga I just finished will definitely be published in Jump."

Fushimikawa clenched his fist: "Good luck, then I'll take my leave."

"Wait a minute!" Hideki Kurokawa said with a grin. "I'm really curious, what's a manga artist's studio like? Please tell me, Kurokawa!"

His ability to control his emotions left Fushimikawa speechless.

"Yes, tell us about it, we're curious too."

"What did Fujiko F. Fujio's original manuscript look like?"

Did you ask him for an autograph?

Before they knew it, Fushimi River was surrounded by a crowd.

Not only freshmen, but even juniors and seniors looked on with curiosity, eager to learn about a day in the life of a cartoonist.

"Fushimi, just tell me."

Utsunomiya, a senior member of the manga club who holds a high position, also spoke.

Fushimikawa couldn't help but shake his head. The manga industry these days is really terrible, making these people feel so stifled.

"Then I'll talk to you..."

Before countless bright, sparkling eyes, Fushimikawa sat on the high stage, telling his enthusiasts the story that happened yesterday.

……

Half an hour later, Fushimikawa fulfilled their expectations and stepped down from the stage, his mouth dry.

"Ah, the manga studio is really interesting," Naoya Onishi said, offering him water and asking with concern, "Did you show your new work to Fujiko-sensei, Kawa-nii? What did he say?"

Fushimikawa felt better after drinking half a bottle of water in one go.

"My teacher thinks highly of my comics." He didn't mention the serialization, since it was still far from being finalized.

"That's great!" Onishi was happy for Fushimikawa.

Fushimikawa then changed the subject: "However, I don't plan to draw 'Ikkyu the Clever' for the time being."

"Why?" Daishi's eyes widened, unable to understand.

Holding a paper cup, Fushimikawa explained, "I'd rather draw another manga."

Naoya Onishi was speechless.

Instead of appreciating the work he created that was praised by a famous cartoonist, he conceived a new work that he found even more interesting.

Talent is a truly unreasonable thing; geniuses can be quite willful.

If it were him, he would definitely focus on comics with a promising future.

Onishi asked cautiously, "What about the other comic?"

Fushimikawa replied, "It's a Doraemon fan comic."

"A doujinshi!" The voice boomed, and Onishi exclaimed in shock, "Isn't this something that can't be serialized and is only good for casual entertainment?"

Instantly, his gaze toward Fushimi was like that of someone looking at a spoiled child, full of reproach.

“Yes,” Fushimikawa nodded, “there will be copyright conflicts. However… it’s not impossible to make a profit.”

He drank the water in one gulp and then tossed the paper cup into the trash can.

"Clang."

……

The Comic Research Club has always had a core small group.

Led by President Fujiwara Maki, and assisted by Utsunomiya, Ryo, and others, they frequently hold meetings to decide on the activities of the manga club.

That's normal; when dozens or even hundreds of people are arguing and making a racket, nothing gets done.

“My submission was rejected by Weekly Shonen Sunday again,” Ryo said, his head bowed and his voice trembling. “Does this mean I can only publish in the school magazine? I want more people to see my comics…”

“You’re alright,” Utsunomiya adjusted his glasses. “My Astro Boy fan comics are only for my own enjoyment.”

Hideki Kurokawa sighed, "Everyone's having a tough time. It looks like my serialization is in danger..."

Feeling the low pressure, Fujiwara Maki couldn't hold back anymore, and even her dimples couldn't be maintained.

"What's going on with you guys? Cheer up!"

Just two days ago she was full of confidence and looking forward to the future, but now she has to face these cowards.

Life is truly unpredictable; I like to joke around with myself.

'Isn't there anyone more reliable?'

"Doujinshi! Isn't this something that can't be serialized and is only good for passing the time?"

A sound came from the other side of the activity room, and Fujiwara Maki stood up and looked in that direction.

It’s the rising stars Fushimikawa and Onishi Naoya.

Her eyes lit up immediately: "Ryo, go and invite Fushimi-kun over here."

……

"President Fujiwara, Ryo-senpai, Utsunomiya-senpai, and Kurokawa."

Upon entering the inner conference room, Fushimikawa greeted everyone.

Ignoring the clamor of "What do you mean Kurokawa is still here!", Fushimikawa asked, "Is there something you need?"

Maki Fujiwara stood and clapped: "Welcome."

"welcome."

"welcome."

Everyone in the conference room stood up and applauded Fushimikawa with friendly smiles.

"Welcome to what?" Fushimikawa frowned.

Fujiwara Maki spread her arms wide: "Join us!"

She was wearing a white shirt today with flared lace trim at the cuffs, which made her look even more charming and cute.

Fushimikawa thought to himself, "This outfit is really not suitable for drawing comics; it'll get stained with ink easily."

"Oh." He nodded and sat down in a seat right next to the door. "Then let's continue your conversation."

Fujiwara Maki clenched her fist. How arrogant this person is!

Let him run errands from now on.

"Okay... okay."

……

And so on, and so forth.

Through Utsunomiya's explanations, Fushimikawa gradually came to understand everything.

He couldn't help but smile; this was exactly what he wanted.

Maki Fujiwara couldn't stand it any longer.

"Fushimi-kun, what's your opinion? Tell me quickly, I'm a little thirsty now."