What Ryoka Konoe didn't expect was that this afternoon, Tsukasa Higashino did not attend the activities of the art club.

So she could only look at the empty seat next to her stupidly all day long, scratching her head from time to time, holding a canvas and brush in a daze...

Tsukasa Higashino, of course, will not be present in the studio today.

He had an agreement with Hosokawa Koharu that he would go to Urashima Press today to talk about "Midnight Bell".

So he left the school as soon as he got out of class and headed for the Hitotsubashi area in Chiyoda-ku.

Tokyo's Chiyoda Ward has long been the political and economic center of Tokyo.

This Hitotsubashi area is also a place where Tokyo news and publishing houses are concentrated.

Not only Urashima Press, but also the famous Iwakaku Press and Mozuki Shoten, all of which are headquartered in the Hitotsubashi area of Chiyoda-ku.

When you enter the first floor of Urashima Press, you will be greeted by a smiling receptionist in charge of the counter.

Higashino stepped forward and said simply:

"I'm Tsukasa Higashino, who has a reservation with editor Koharu Hosokawa of Urashima Publishing House."

"Please fill out this form." The lady in charge of reception glanced at the itinerary and then took out a form.

Tsukasa Higashino took a cursory glance, and it was probably the kind of visitor form that filled in the name and contact information.

"By the way, I don't know what Miss's name is? I'm Tsukasa Higashino. Tsukasa Higashino asked with a smile as he filled out the visitor form.

Not?

The reception lady was stunned, she didn't expect Tsukasa Higashino to ask herself such a question.

"Maybe I'll have to visit here more often in the future, it's always good to be familiar."

Higashino Tsukasa smiled and handed the completed form to the other party, and added: "And sister, you are so beautiful, it makes sense for me to ask for a name to think about, isn't it?" ”

Listening to this funny remark, the reception lady also laughed happily:

"Just call me Miss Uzaki, Brother Higashino."

There was another round of greetings, and Tsukasa Higashino smiled and waved to Miss Uzaki, who was already half-cooked, and a set of processes was completed.

This is also a type of interpersonal communication.

In the future, I will come here from time to time, and how troublesome it is to fill out the form every time?

Tsukasa Higashino estimates that when he comes back next time, he will bring some more fruit to Miss Uzaki, and he will be able to mix it completely.

But come to think of it...

The most important thing now is to negotiate all the follow-up matters of "Midnight Bell".

Entering the editorial office, Tsukasa Higashino identified himself, and was then taken to a cubicle where he was talking.

There is also the same cubicle next to it, where some editors and authors are talking.

Some of them are authors who celebrate their winning of the "Bitter Cold" weekly newcomer award, and some are authors who have lost their souls because of the decline in the popularity of their works.

The thing that impressed Tsukasa Higashino the most was undoubtedly the middle-aged author and editor who talked to him in front of him.

"Please, Editor Oshima, I really need this serial, and I have two children at home waiting for me to get my tuition."

The middle-aged author suddenly stood up with emotion, his eyes were red, his nose twitched, and his palms were pinched to death.

The middle-aged author had a light in his eyes, as if he wanted to tell the editor-

Give him one more chance, give him another chance... He will be able to change his fate.

But in this regard, the male editor opened his mouth and couldn't say half a sentence, but just pressed the other party's manuscript with his fingers and clenched it tightly.

He didn't speak.

The wordless silence calmed down the otherwise excited author.

The fire that was dancing under his eyes gradually extinguished, and his soul seemed to be withdrawn and left with nothing.

It's the kind of... It's still that person, but it doesn't look like that person anymore-

The middle-aged author sat down in a trance.

Only then did he realize that this was not a matter of whether the editor was willing to give himself a chance to change his fate.

It's the world... I don't care about his fate at all.

Yes.

In reality, is it as beautiful as comics, novels, and animation?

The world of adults.

It has nothing to do with dreams, nothing to do with fate, many people sell their dreams and exchange them for firewood, rice, oil and salt, which is very normal.

This middle-aged author has never been the first person in this industry, nor will he be the second person in this industry.

At this moment, a voice came from next to Tsukasa Higashino.

"That's Mr. Tamura and Editor Oshima."

Tsukasa Higashino turned around.

I saw a young female editor holding a stack of original manga manuscripts, and her eyes were heavy on the editors Tamura and Oshima in front of her.

"I called Mr. Tamura over today to discuss the matter of cutting in half with him, and his manga has been fifth and sixth in three consecutive years. And his comics are mandatory..."

The female editor looked at Tsukasa Higashino: "It's Mr. Higashino, your "Midnight Bell" is serialized in the magazine." ”

When Hosokawa Koharu said this, he was actually very strange in his heart.

She was a little surprised.

No matter how you look at it in front of him, Tsukasa Higashino is in his teens, and he is still wearing a high school uniform.

A young man of this age drew "Midnight Bell"?

For a moment, Hosokawa Koharu even wondered if he had made a mistake.

"I'm Koharu Hosokawa, editor of Bitter Chill weekly."

She sat down, poured a cup of coffee for Tsukasa Higashino, and introduced herself.

"I'm Tsukasa Higashino, hello."

The two shook hands, even if they had met.

Looking at Tsukasa Higashino, Hosokawa Koharu said: "Before we talk, I want to ask one thing, may I ask if "Midnight Bell" was created by Higashino-sensei alone?" ”

To be able to draw such a high-quality manuscript, she never thought that a teenager would have that free time.

"I created it independently."

Higashino didn't know what Hosokawa Koharu was thinking, and nodded in acknowledgement.

“... What kind of quality manuscript was created by Higashino-sensei alone? ”

Hosokawa Koharu's heart is getting more and more weird.

"Yes." Higashino still nodded.

"Does Higashino-sensei have any previous experience drawing manga?"

"No, it's the first time."

"Uh..."

Seeing that Higashino Tsukasa was very calm and did not have a weak expression, Hosokawa Koharu couldn't help but open his mouth.

The first time I drew a manga, I drew "Midnight Bell" with no experience before...?

Could it be that there is really a genius in this world?

Hosokawa Koharu couldn't help but think, then took a sip of coffee and didn't continue to ask.

Tsukasa Higashino is a rookie author, and she's a rookie editor, which can be regarded as 'embarrassment and complementing each other'.

"Well, I've already read the first episode of "Midnight Bell", and there is basically no problem, and I have passed the serialization meeting, and I will be able to start the official serialization next week, and the price we give here is 11,000 yen per manuscript, I don't know what Higashino-sensei wants to say?"

Hosokawa Koharu flipped through "Midnight Bell" and explained.

But after a long time, she didn't hear Tsukasa Higashino's reply, so she subconsciously looked up.

It turned out that at some point, Tamura, who had just been cut in half for the manga, was already standing next to him.

Oops!

Hosokawa Koharu's heart jumped.

You must know that it was Tsukasa Higashino who squeezed out the quota for Tamura's serialization.

If he had heard the conversation... Will you do it to Tsukasa Higashino in a fit of rage?

Atmosphere... For a moment, it became scorching and stiff.