Cartoonists and their assistants

To become a cartoonist, you have to learn to overcome all kinds of difficulties!

"I'm sorry, Miss Ashisu, I hope I didn't bother you?"

It had been going on for too long, and Eriri felt embarrassed to pretend nothing had happened, so she turned around and asked.

"It's alright, thank you for your concern, teacher. Your health is more important than mine."

Ashisuke Saho's voice was cold yet gentle.

"It's nothing serious, just... ouch! It's just a bit of a cold. I'm used to it. As long as it's not so bad that I can't move, it's fine."

As she spoke, a comforting smile appeared on the girl's face.

In that instant, Shisu Saho suddenly realized the truth.

So that's why Sawamura-sensei hired an assistant...

Seeing that childlike, endearing expression, she also showed concern as an adult.

"Sawamura-sensei, it's almost time. I'm going to prepare lunch."

"Hey, it seems a bit earlier than usual?"

"Yes, we need to do more preparation today."

"I understand."

As she slowly closed the door, Ashisu Saho silently made her plans in her mind—

Let's make some nourishing dishes for lunch today.

As Eriri said, this was indeed a very common cold. Although she sneezed all day, the symptoms subsided quickly, and she recovered in two or three days.

……

It was on a morning when Eriri's health had just recovered.

The two childhood sweethearts received the same message on Line at the same time.

Tsukimi Riyuu: Are you both free this weekend, teachers? We agreed before that I'd like to get to know you both better, so please give me a chance!

"True Knowledge, what do you say?"

Eriri never makes a decision on her own in situations like this.

"Weren't you having a great chat? Besides, I have a pretty good impression of Ms. Tsukimi, and she's also under Ms. Minano's supervision."

Mizuki Machi did not give a direct answer, but the implication was very clear.

"Being able to discuss manga with Tsukimi-sensei would be really great..."

Eriri thought about it again.

Because they are too young, while most active comic artists in the industry are around thirty years old, the generation gap can easily create a generation gap.

As for Kanata Kurusu, he was the youngest manga artist they knew, only about 6 or 7 years older than them, and in fact, they could be mistaken for his age based on his appearance.

Therefore, Eriri felt a rare sense of security when she saw the other person, as if she had met a close friend.

So the girl agreed and invited him to meet at the secret base on the weekend.

Tsukimi Rimai quickly responded: That's wonderful! I'm so happy to be able to see your studio and work in person!

Kanzuki Machi looked at the reply, shook his head and smiled.

If we didn't know each other, we really wouldn't know who was younger between her and Eriri.

……

It's the weekend.

"Good afternoon, Sawamura and Mizuki."

At the entrance of the villa, Kanata Kurusu greeted the two of them and was greatly shocked.

"I've never heard of your 'secret base' being like this! You guys are practically newcomers!"

"There's nothing I can do... this is what Gasang chose."

Eriri declined.

"I see, rich people draw comics... I'm so envious."

Kurusu Kanata quickly understood, but being a worldly person, he didn't take it too seriously.

"Hello, Ms. Tsukimi, I am Ashisu, Ms. Sawamura's assistant."

"Hello, Zusu... Can you call me Pipi?"

The assistant also stopped working and came downstairs to meet her.

"That?"

Both Shisu Saho and others were puzzled by this.

"Because it sounds similar to my sister's name, I like people to call me by that name..."

Kurushi Kanata gestured with his right hand like a pistol, closed one eye and opened the other, explaining the reason with a smile.

The three of them then understood.

"Alright, Sawamura-sensei, now I'd appreciate it if you could show me around..."

She warmly took Eriri's arm.

47. A cartoonist who can't play games isn't a good cartoonist.

"and many more......"

Observing the girl's slightly embarrassed expression from the side, Mizuki Machi knew that she was not comfortable with such direct contact, but she did not show it.

After all, although the other person looks young, he is actually a college student. In terms of age and the age at which he entered the industry, he is considered their senior. In this society, there is a strict hierarchy. Coupled with the goodwill she had previously gained, Eriri was unable to resist.

Once inside the studio, Kanata Kurusu let go of her hand, allowing the girl to breathe a sigh of relief.

"This is our studio. Ms. Zusu and I work in this room."

"It's very clean and tidy, and everything is prepared, unlike Bibi's workplace, where there are all sorts of odds and ends."

Kanata Kurusu glanced around the room and then made her assessment.

"This is our 'library'; if we're lacking inspiration, we can find it in these comics and novels..."

"This is the collection room, filled with our favorite figurines and models..."

Next, Eriri showed her the remaining two rooms.

"This is totally my dream house! I never thought you guys had already made it happen!"

Kurosaki's eyes were filled with envy.

Although she debuted as a comic artist, she could only live with her sister in a decent apartment. Having such a large space was still a dream for her.

"This isn't something we can do on our own..."

Eriri initially denied it, then said, "However, I believe that one day in the future we will all be able to do it on our own!"

"You're really confident, Sawamura."

The way Kurusu Kanata looked at her changed slightly.

"Teacher, I will try my best."

Asahi Saho was also very ambitious, and naturally assumed that she, being present, was included among the teachers.

"Alright, now let me see what you guys are like at work, Sawamura."

Laisubata clapped his hands and said.

Next, Eriri and Saho Ashisu acted as if the two of them didn't exist and went about their daily work.

"You have a good focus."

She moved closer to Eriri and observed her expression and manner of painting from the side and behind, staring at her for a long time.

Throughout the entire process, Eriri remained completely focused, as if no one else was around.

A person who can enter this state of immersion must have not only loved comics, but also undergone a long period of practice.

"No wonder it matches Mizuki's original work so well..."

Kurushi Kanata secretly admired him.

She could certainly tell that the quality of the original work and the artwork for Anohana were somewhat mismatched.

The original work reveals that its storytelling ability was already very mature, and such a simple story structure could not possibly bring out the full potential of its abilities.

The level of drawing is relatively rare among his peers. Compared to those who have published serialized works, there is obviously a subtle gap. However, the fit is quite high. It can be seen that his drawing style is very suitable for the style of the work. But this is not an innate fit. It is achieved through hard work.

Now, seeing this scene, she somewhat dislikes the term "match made in heaven."

This clearly ignores the girl's sacrifices.

After looking at her for a while, Kanata Kurusu went to look at the assistant again.

Where had Ashisu Saho ever experienced being supervised like this? And because of the difference in their status, she suddenly became nervous, her body tense up, and she almost made a mistake.

Soon, Kanata Kurusu withdrew her gaze, turned around, and went out.

She thought the assistant's behavior was perfectly normal.

After all, I had similar experiences when I was someone's assistant.

The difference in status between an assistant and a cartoonist is like night and day.

......

When Kanata Kurusu arrived downstairs, she saw someone engrossed in playing a game.

"You're really taking it easy, aren't you, Mizuki?"

She held up her skirt with both hands and sat down beside him.

"My work is done, what else can I do but play? Cheer them on?"

Mizuki Machi said in a slightly teasing tone.

"Haha, as expected, Mizuki, you're quite interesting!"

Laiqi Bifang laughed so hard that the flowers trembled.

If she were to ask who she was most interested in here, it would undoubtedly be the young man in front of her.

While Sawamura is certainly talented, the main factor that allowed 'Yuriko Under the Moon' to debut was undoubtedly the adaptation of the original work. After all, there's no shortage of illustrators who can draw well.

"Kanzuki, count me in."

Seeing that he was having so much fun, Kurusu Kanata also became interested.

To become a comic artist, one is likely to be an 'otaku', and games are a very important part of ACG culture, so it's normal to like them.

The two started chatting while playing the game.

"How does Mizuki usually come up with stories? The beginning is the part that troubles me the most."

“I didn’t put in much effort in tracing the threads of my past life.”

This kind of talk might sound strange to others, but it's not hard for people in this industry to understand.

For hardcore fans, this kind of "chuunibyou" behavior is perfectly normal.

"That would be wonderful, it would reduce a lot of worries. I wish I had some memories of my past life. I spend so much time researching all day. I really envy Sawamura for having such a great original work to work with."

Therefore, Kurusu Kanata just laughed it off.

She then asked a few more questions, which the boy answered in full.

"By the way, it can't just be me asking. What are your thoughts, Mizuki?"

"Tsukimi-sensei..."

"I already told you to call her 'Bee'!"

"Well... I'd like to ask Bibi about her understanding of character creation in comics."

Having read her manga, Mizuki Machi naturally knew her strengths, so he wanted to gain some experience.