Tokyo: Earth Online Manga Artist

Page 85

So what's with this cute and adorable girl in front of me?

But after hearing what Ayane Takeda said about her dream...

She recalled that she had a similar dream in her past life: to draw comics and become a comic artist, but her parents shut her down with the words, "Studying is the right thing to do."

Then she asked softly, "So, Ayane, you chose to major in computer science because..."

“That’s right! Senior, I want to make my own game someday, so I’ve been working on it all along.”

Ayane Takeda nodded, her eyes shining as she looked at Eri Aragaki, "Just like when you draw manga, senpai!"

Upon hearing this, Eri Aragaki suddenly realized what was happening and changed her previous attitude.

"Ayane, then I wish your efforts will bear fruit, and I wish your dreams will come true."

She dropped her teasing expression, which had been implying she was bad at the game but had a huge addiction, and instead smiled gently, saying, "When your game is finished, I'll be the first to play it."

Ayane Takeda immediately said gratefully, "Thank you, senpai."

Eri Aragaki also wanted to offer some words of encouragement to Ayane Takeda...

"Ta-da~"

But just then, her phone rang.

The flip phone screen in the corner of the sofa lit up, and the ringtone was that familiar song, "Conecting".

"I need to take this call..."

She picked up her phone, glanced at the caller ID, and saw that it was Masaya Sakurai calling, so she answered.

Chapter 100 Year-End Party, Jump Festa

The fact that Masaya Sakurai is calling at this time most likely means it's work-related.

Seeing this, Ayane Takeda decided not to disturb Eri Aragaki for the time being. She turned down the TV volume and then picked up the controller to try to pass the level in Metal Gear Solid that she had been stuck on.

This time she learned her lesson and first crouched in a corner for a while to observe the enemy's movement.

"Mr. Sakurai, is it another part that needs to be revised?"

Eri Aragaki asked instinctively.

"Yes, I will send the parts that need to be modified to the teacher via fax."

As expected, Masaya Sakurai's voice came through the receiver, "Besides that, there is one more thing I need to inform you about, teacher. You need to submit two weeks' worth of manuscripts by the 14th of this week."

Because of the combined year-end publication, the deadline for these two weeks is now set for submission, and the page count is double the usual amount. After that, there's no need to prepare any manuscripts for the next two weeks, which is essentially a holiday.

"Okay, I know."

Eri Aragaki nodded and said.

"Also... on the 18th, we will be holding a year-end party for cartoonists..."

Masaya Sakurai continued, "We'd like to invite teachers, their families, or assistants to attend. The location is in Chiyoda Ward..."

A year-end party?

Eri Aragaki blinked and switched her phone to her other hand. "Is this a place all manga artists go to?"

She knew nothing about it, mainly because she had never heard of it before.

But it sounds like an event similar to a cartoonist gathering.

"No, it's just invited manga artists and editors from within Shueisha who will be attending."

Masaya Sakurai explained in detail, "It's mainly about renting out the hotel so everyone can eat and chat together. There's also a lucky draw with prizes. Last year's grand prize was a brand-new game console. I wonder what it will be this year..."

"So that's how it is."

Eri Aragaki suddenly realized that this was similar to her company's annual party in her previous life.

However, it should be much better. The first participants are all important manga artists from Shueisha who have been invited, such as popular manga artists from various publications.

These people are not ordinary office workers; they are truly top figures in their respective industries.

Secondly, as the leader in the Japanese manga industry, Shueisha's benefits are self-evident. The annual meeting venue is directly booked with a hotel, and the prizes for the raffle are likely to be very generous.

"Okay then, no problem."

Eri Aragaki agreed, as she had no other plans for the 18th.

The key point is that it's also a good thing to be able to meet other popular comic artists.

I bet Kishimoto, Oda, Tite Kubo, and Akira Toriyama will all be there for this gathering.

However, Masaya Sakurai then asked, "Riko-sensei, besides the year-end party, there's also a JUMP Festa afterwards, which you absolutely have to attend."

"what?"

Eri Aragaki blinked, then asked, "What is this? Mr. Sakurai, could you tell me?"

"Um……"

Masaya Sakurai immediately replied, "JUMP Festa is an offline event for readers hosted by JUMP at the end of each year. It includes autograph sessions with popular manga artists and announcements of new works. It is mainly for readers and fans to have face-to-face interactions and get autographs."

In previous years, new manga artists usually didn't participate, but Attack on Titan did very well this year, and the editor-in-chief specifically requested that you attend the autograph session.

"This... is fine too, okay."

Eri Aragaki, however, was mentally prepared for this. She closed her eyes briefly, then opened them before speaking.

The real photos are already printed in the magazine, so there's no point in trying to cover them up anymore.

Moreover, her mindset has changed now. If showing her face can help Giants sell better, she doesn't mind showing it a few more times.

"Then we'll ask the teacher to be there."

Masaya Sakurai said, "In addition to the teacher himself, the teacher can also bring 2 to 3 assistants or family members to the event. They will also be eligible for a lucky draw and receive a gift, but they need to inform us of their names in advance so we can prepare them."

"Ah...this..."

Needless to say, Eri Aragaki definitely wanted to bring Erina, Ayane Takeda, and Akane Natsume along.

Erina just finished her exams on the 17th, and the results came out, so we can go to the year-end party together and relax.

However, Erina is her younger sister, so she can basically make decisions for her, but she'll have to ask Ayane Takeda and Akane Natsume for their opinions.

What if Ayane Takeda and Akane Natsume have class or other plans that day?

So she immediately replied, "Then I'll give my name to Mr. Sakurai and the others later."

"Okay, no problem."

Masaya Sakurai replied immediately.

The call was then disconnected.

Eri Aragaki puts down her phone, only to see the image of Ayane Takeda failing at the game again...

"Hey……"

She sighed, feeling somewhat helpless.

"Senior...you've finished your call..."

Hearing Eri Aragaki's sigh, Ayane Takeda blushed again.

"Ayane... I have a question for you..."

Eri Aragaki briefly explained the year-end party, but hadn't yet asked Ayane Takeda if she wanted to go.

Ayane Takeda asked, "Senpai! Can I go?!"

"Forehead……"

Eri Aragaki blinked and said, "Actually, I just wanted to ask if you wanted to go..."

"Of course I want to go!"

Ayane Takeda said, "After all, there will be delicious food, and... lots of amazing manga artists. I want their autographs!"

"All right……"

Eri Aragaki breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Then I'll ask Akane again later. If there are no problems, the four of us will go together on the 18th."

"Great!"

Ayane Takeda was so excited that she cheered, "Long live senpai!"

"Um... there's no need to go to such extremes..."

……

And after hanging up the phone...

On the Shueisha side, Masaya Sakurai put down the microphone, looked at his cup, and finished drinking the coffee.

He immediately stood up and prepared to go to the tea room to make a new cup of coffee.

result……

"What do you all think..."

"Tomorrow is..."

"Which ones did you vote for...?"

"I think it's '81diver'..."