Tokyo: Earth Online Manga Artist

Erina was still squatting by the bed, her eyes red, but when she saw that Erina had finished the porridge, a smile finally appeared on her face.

Eri Aragaki glanced at the three of them.

"Thank you."

She said with genuine gratitude, "Thank you."

Chapter Forty-Four: A Visit

Shueisha.

The last day of this week's deadline.

Masaya Sakurai sat at his desk in the editorial department, twirling a pen in his hand and staring at the calendar on the table.

He picked up his phone, scrolled to Eri Aragaki's number, and hesitated for a moment.

He originally thought there was nothing to worry about.

Eri Aragaki had previously submitted five chapters of manuscript at once, which impressed him with her efficiency.

But the silence that lasted several seconds during that phone call a few days ago, and that guilty "almost there, almost there," made him feel like something was off.

Masaya Sakurai still dialed the number.

The phone rang a few times before being answered.

"Hey."

Eri Aragaki's voice came through the receiver.

However... the volume was much lower than usual, and the ending sounds were a bit drawn out, as if it took a lot of effort to speak.

"Teacher Aragaki, I am Sakurai."

Masaya Sakurai cut straight to the point, saying, "Today is the deadline. Is the manuscript for chapter six finished?"

"The artwork is complete."

Eri Aragaki paused for a moment, then continued, "However, I probably can't submit the manuscript in person today. I'll have my sister deliver it to Shueisha later..."

Masaya Sakurai was slightly taken aback.

Although Eri Aragaki was slightly late with her manuscript this time, she always submitted her manuscripts in person before.

She came to sign the contract herself, and she personally delivered the manuscripts for the first five chapters to the editorial department.

The idea of ​​having my sister deliver the package suddenly seems reasonable, but it still feels a bit strange.

"Teacher, is there something going on with you?"

Sakurai Masaya asked.

Eri Aragaki's voice sounded a little muffled as she said, "I'm feeling slightly unwell."

Masaya Sakurai frowned slightly.

"Then I'll personally go to collect the manuscript."

After saying that, Masaya Sakurai added, "Teacher, your current address is in Nerima Ward, right?"

When Eri Aragaki submitted her work to the Tezuka Award, she filled in the address of her rental house in Nerima Ward on the registration form.

"No, Mr. Sakurai, I've already moved."

Eri Aragaki's voice came through the receiver, "My current address is near Kasuga Station in Bunkyo Ward, right..."

She read the detailed address aloud.

Masaya Sakurai took a pen from the pen holder and wrote it down on a sticky note.

"Understood, I'll pay a visit when I have time."

After hanging up the phone, Masaya Sakurai tidied up his work, greeted a few colleagues, picked up his briefcase, and left the editorial department.

It takes about ten minutes by train from Chiyoda Ward to Bunkyo Ward.

Sakurai Masaya got off at Kasuga Station and, following the address given by Aragaki Eri, walked south for about five minutes to find Aragaki Eri's current residence.

There was an automatic lock downstairs. He rang the doorbell, waited a few seconds, and then a girl's voice came through the intercom, "Hello."

"I'm Sakurai, an editor from Shueisha. I've arranged to come and collect your manuscript with Aragaki-sensei."

He answered immediately.

The door lock popped open.

Masaya Sakurai pushed open the door, went inside, and took the elevator upstairs.

When the elevator doors opened, there was a person standing in the hallway.

Erina Aragaki.

She looks very similar to Eri Aragaki, with almost identical facial features and fair skin, only she is slightly shorter and has longer hair tied in a low ponytail.

It's quite obvious that this is definitely the younger sister that Eri Aragaki was talking about.

"Mr. Sakurai, please come in."

Erina Aragaki stepped aside and led him to the door.

The door was already open, and several pairs of shoes were neatly arranged in the entryway.

Women's sneakers, canvas shoes, and a pair of indoor slippers.

Masaya Sakurai took off his shoes and went inside.

Then he saw Eri Aragaki leaning against the sofa, she was leaning against the corner of the sofa.

She was covered with a light gray blanket, and her hair was loose on the sofa armrest.

His face was pale and bloodless, and his lips were a little dry.

When she saw Masaya Sakurai come in, she straightened up a little by supporting herself on the sofa armrest, her movements slow, as if she was gathering her strength.

Sakurai Masaya noticed that when she sat up, she unconsciously pressed her hand against her lower abdomen.

There were two other girls in the living room.

A person stood at the kitchen doorway, holding a steaming cup of water, seemingly having just boiled water.

She was wearing a light blue T-shirt and denim shorts, with her hair tied in a low ponytail. When she saw Masaya Sakurai come in, she gave a slight bow.

Another girl was sitting in a chair next to the sofa.

She wore a white short-sleeved shirt and a dark gray long skirt, with long black hair draped over her shoulders, and delicate features.

These must be Eri Aragaki's friends.

Sakurai Miyabi had no other thoughts. Isn't it normal for Aragaki Eri to have several same-sex friends?

"Teacher Aragaki, are you sick?"

Masaya Sakurai walked to the sofa and looked down at Eri Aragaki.

Eri Aragaki shook her head.

"It's not an illness."

Her voice was much softer than usual, but it was still the same tone that said what she meant, without any intention of hiding anything. She said, "I'm just tired from rushing to finish the manuscript, plus I'm on my period."

As she continued talking, she didn't seem to shy away from the topic at all.

Sakurai Masaya, however, was somewhat taken aback. He coughed, shifted his gaze slightly, nodded, and immediately realized what was happening while expressing his understanding.

He said with a slightly serious tone, "Then thank you for your hard work, teacher."

Eri Aragaki picked up a brown paper file bag from beside the sofa and handed it to him. "This is the manuscript for episode six. Mr. Sakurai, please take a look and see if there are any problems."

Masaya Sakurai took the file bag, opened it, and pulled out the drawings inside.

He stood in the living room, flipping through the pages one by one, using the light streaming in from the window.

He quickly confirmed that everything was correct, then nodded and said, "No problem, send it directly to the printer like this."

He put the file bag into his briefcase.

As he straightened up, he glanced at Eri Aragaki one last time.

Her face was still pale and bloodless. She leaned against the sofa armrest, her hand still pressed against her lower abdomen.

Next to the box of painkillers on the coffee table, two compartments on the aluminum foil tray were already empty.

"Teacher, there's no need to rush the manuscript for the next chapter. Your health is more important."

Masaya Sakurai softened his tone slightly as he spoke.

"Ok."

Eri Aragaki nodded and replied.

"Then I'll take my leave now. Please get some rest, teacher."

He bowed slightly and turned to walk towards the entrance.

"Mr. Sakurai."

Eri Aragaki's voice came from behind.

Masaya Sakurai turned around.

Eri Aragaki leaned back on the sofa, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips, and said, "Thank you for making the trip."

Masaya Sakurai nodded. "It's just my job."

Then he turned around, changed his shoes, and went out the door.

……

With August gone, September, which students dread, has arrived.

Students in Japan have also started returning to school, which is the same as across the sea.