Hosokawa Koharu can be said to be busy these days, and he can't find the south, south, west, and north.

Because after an emergency internal meeting a few days ago, the editor-in-chief of Urashima immediately announced a piece of news that the entire Urashima Press editors did not expect - Urashima Press and Fuji Press are about to merge.

To be honest, when he heard the news, Hosokawa Koharu only felt that there was something wrong with his ears.

Because Fuji Publishing has always been their sworn rival, how can it be said that the merger is the merger?

If this news surprised her, the next one was even more bizarre...

Urashima Press and Fuji Press are going to work together to launch a new manga magazine to compete with Chiyo, the new manga magazine of Shiniwazuki Press.

It's kind of dreamy...

It's like the gangsters on both sides are fighting to grab territory, and the Urashima group has the advantage and eats a lot of Fuji group's territory, and then suddenly the leaders of both sides stand up and say that we are actually a gang, we have been fighting the wrong fight for a long time, and we should work together to occupy a larger territory.

It's just fantastic.

It makes people feel at a loss.

Not only the editors of Urashima Press, but also the editors of Fuji Press.

I finally fought for a long time, but I was pulled by my boss to stop, and they were a little helpless with knives and baseball bats in their hands.

But...

Merger with Urashima Press... That's not a bad thing in a sense.

Fuji Publishing has been pressed by Urashima Publishing for many years, and the editorial staff at the bottom has no aversion to the merger.

You can even say that politely... In fact, there are several editors within Fuji Press who are fans of Tsukasa Higashino.

Now that there is a chance to meet Tsukasa Higashino, these editors who have long wanted to jump back are even more looking forward to it.

In fact, most publishing houses in Japan today have more or less fans of Tsukasa Higashino.

After all, he is now the leader of the Japanese manga industry.

That's it.

The merger of the two publishing houses is slowly but surely moving.

As for the issue of the faction of the publishing house ...

This is certainly unavoidable.

The upper echelons of the board of directors were mainly divided into the former Urashima Publishing House and the former Fuji Publishing House.

But this division does not affect the people at the bottom below.

After all, everyone is a salaried editor (office worker), and the top level is fighting for each other, and it has nothing to do with them at the bottom.

As a result, in this noisy atmosphere, the name of Urashima Publishing and Fuji Publishing after the merger was also finalized.

Urashima Publishing House and Fuji Publishing are collectively known as Fushima Publishing House, which is also part of the name of their respective publishing houses.

Immediately after that, the new magazine's manga serializer and magazine name were all finalized.

Toshima Press's new manga magazine is called "Kazuyo", and "Chiyo" by Shiniwazuki Publishing House can be said to be on the tip of the needle.

And the comic book author who took over the first issue of "Heshi"...

"Sure enough, the main author who took over was Mr. Higashino."

Looking at the choice of the frontispiece's color page, Kana Nemoto, who is the former editor of Fuji Press, looked at Hosokawa Koharu on the other side with some envy.

"Team leader Hosokawa, congratulations, Mr. Higashino successfully won the position of general."

Kana Nemoto walked to the side and congratulated.

This is indeed a thing to congratulate, after all, everyone in Toshima Publishing House today knows that "Washi" is a manga magazine strongly promoted by Toshima Publishing House.

It stands to reason that Tsukasa Higashino was determined by the editorial department to be more or less dissatisfied with the comic book authors who were serialized with Tsukasa Higashino at the same time.

Everyone draws comics, so why are you condemned? Do you have more hands and feet than we do?

But Tsukasa Higashino is different.

All manga writers know Tsukasa Higashino's achievements, and even if she asks Suzuki Ha, a pillar of Fuji Publishing House today, to speak, she probably claps her hands happily to congratulate Tsukasa Higashino.

No way-

It's completely a lack of strength.

Tsukasa Higashino's work is good.

There is nothing to doubt about this.

"Now that the specifics of the new magazine have been confirmed... Let's get started, editors, and get ready for the receipt. ”

On the stage, Shinji Furuta, who has officially become the deputy editor-in-chief of "Washi", beckoned the editors below to receive the manuscript.

He was in a good mood now, after all, the merger went unexpectedly smoothly because of Tsukasa Higashino, and there was almost no chaos.

In the past, he was very envious that Urashima Publishing House could have such a real author, but now-

This author also belongs to him!

He was very happy, so he looked at Hosokawa Koharu on the other side, and took the initiative to say hello: "Editor Hosokawa, the editor-in-chief of Urashima was looking for you just now." ”

"I see."

Hosokawa Koharu, who was already about to get up to receive the manuscript, stopped, nodded and turned to the office of the editor-in-chief Urashima.

"It's about personnel arrangements."

When she passed by Furuta Shinji, the other party suddenly spoke.

Personnel arrangement?

Hosokawa Koharu was stunned.

Hasn't she already joined the editorial department of "Heshi"? Is it necessary to downgrade her?

"It's rude." Hosokawa Koharu didn't think about it, and after half bowing, he walked into the office of the editor-in-chief of Urashima.

At this time, the editor-in-chief of Urashima was sorting out various forms.

Since he was going to release a new comic magazine, he was also very busy when it came to reconsidering the catalog, cover, and sidepage gifts.

But as soon as he saw Hosokawa Koharu come in, the busy and anxious editor-in-chief Urashima also raised his head and said with a smile: "Editor Hosokawa, you are finally here." ”

"It was Deputy Editor-in-Chief Gutian who called me over, is there anything wrong?"

Hosokawa Koharu is a little strange.

"It's naturally a good thing to ask Hosokawa Editor to come over."

Urashima editor-in-chief smiled, then put down the form in his hand and asked her, "Do you have any thoughts of going down to be the editor-in-chief of "Bad Cold"?" ”

"Downgraded to "Bitter Cold" as the editor-in-chief?"

Hosokawa Koharu was stunned for a while, and then he barely came back to his senses.

She had already thought about a lot of possibilities when she came over, but she didn't expect that the other party called her over mainly to downgrade the matter of being the editor-in-chief.

She is still the team leader in "Heshi", and this position is naturally not as high as the editor-in-chief.

Even if "Bad Cold" is no longer the main manga magazine of Toshima Press... The position of editor-in-chief is still much higher than her status as a team leader.

For Hosokawa Koharu, this is not so much a downgrade as a promotion.

"After the merger, there was a lack of editors-in-chief for our former Urashima Publishing House's "Bad Cold" and the former Fuji Publishing House's "Trembling", and I valued Hosokawa's editors very much, so I recommended this place to you."

The editor-in-chief of Urashima politely stated the reason.

In his opinion, this is a good thing that Yiyue is on the same level as him, and Hosokawa Koharu should not refuse.

But...

Hosokawa Koharu immediately thought of a question.

She was downgraded to "Chill" after ...

Who is in charge of Tsukasa Higashino, who joined "Wayo"?

As if seeing Hosokawa Koharu's thoughts, Urashima explained, "Higashino-sensei, we'll pick a new editor to be in charge... After all, upgrading the editor-in-chief is an opportunity for Hosokawa to edit you, and it depends on how you choose. ”

If Hosokawa Koharu volunteered to be the editor-in-chief of the editorial department of "Bad Cold", then even Higashino Tsukasa probably wouldn't have any opinions.

After all, this is Hosokawa Koharu's own choice, and no one forces her.

Hearing the words of the editor-in-chief of Urashima, Rao is Hosokawa Koharu couldn't help but struggle a little.

If she chooses to downgrade, she can become the editor-in-chief of "Bitter Cold"...

That's a terrible location.

Even after its decline, "Bad Chill" is still a first-class comic magazine.

She went all the way to the position of team leader for two years with Tsukasa Higashino, and now she has this rare opportunity.

If she gives up, then she is undoubtedly a big fool!

Thinking of this, Hosokawa Koharu raised his head and spoke softly.

"Editor-in-Chief Urashima, I've decided... I still want to be the head of the editorial team at "Kazuyo", and I want to be in charge of Higashino-sensei. ”

After saying this, she couldn't help but rub her face - well, she's just a fool.

I really gave up!

She regretted her words a little, but she didn't have any intention of changing them.

At most... Regret...

It's a real regret.

"Huh?"

Even the editor-in-chief of Urashima was stunned by Hosokawa Koharu's answer.

"Editor Hosokawa, you have to think about it, this is a great opportunity, you can be promoted directly from team leader to editor-in-chief."

He couldn't help but speak.

Belch...

Hosokawa Koharu opened his mouth, shouting in his heart, 'Yes, such a rare opportunity!' Why didn't I say yes soon? ’。

But when the words came to his lips, they became again: "I have already made up my mind, Urashima editor-in-chief, you don't have to persuade me." ”

At this point, Hosokawa Koharu no longer knew what he was talking about.

It felt as if his mouth was no longer his own at this moment, and he couldn't control what he said.

Struggle! It's a real struggle!

Urashima's editor-in-chief is not clear about Hosokawa Koharu's current psychological thoughts.

He just sighed a little - he deserves to be an editor who has cultivated a famous author like Tsukasa Higashino!

Sure enough, the perspective of things is different from that of ordinary working women! Not moved by authority at all!

He couldn't help but shake his head and praised: "It's worthy of being an editor in Hosokawa, but this decision is likely to affect your editing career for the rest of your life, so I suggest you think about it." ”

After saying this, he said thoughtfully:

"As the editor-in-chief of Urashima, I understand your thoughts very well, and I know that you must want to stay in "Kazuyo" to win the title of Japan's No. 1 manga with Higashino-sensei, and then become a famous editor... But now everyone doesn't know what the finished "Hanzawa Naoki" looks like... So I also hope that you don't be blindly confident. ”

Ay? Winning the first place in Japan? Become an editor?

No... I don't think so.

I just... That one... Pure hard mouth...

Hosokawa Koharu opened his mouth to say something, but he couldn't express the words when he reached his mouth.

Naturally, the editor-in-chief of Urashima didn't listen to her idea of continuing to speak, he still had a lot of work at hand, so he smiled and waved his hand, signaling Hosokawa Koharu to go out and consider the matter of being downgraded to editor-in-chief.

Looking at the reclosed door of the editor-in-chief, Hosokawa Koharu couldn't help but think.

Japan's No. 1 manga "Naoki Hanzawa"?

It's a very tempting name... Can Higashino-sensei do it?

No. 1 in Japan... It's easy to say, but it's hard to do... Compared to that-

"There's still Mr. Higashino's manuscript to collect."

Hosokawa Koharu glanced at his watch, and then reacted and went straight out of the editorial office.

Tsukasa Higashino's original manuscript had been drawn two days earlier, and this was what the other party told her.

It's just that Hosokawa Koharu's mind at this time was squeezed by a large amount of information to a greater or lesser extent, and it was a bit of a sense that he couldn't turn around.

It wasn't until she walked to the door of Higashino's house that she came back to her senses.

It's time to get it! You can't keep thinking about some nonsense!

She shook her head, tossing all the nonsense out of her head, then reached out and rang the doorbell.

"Editor Hosokawa, you're here to pick up the manuscript, right? Come in. ”

In just two or three seconds, the door opened, and Higashino ushered Hosokawa Koharu into the house.

The two said hello and drank tea, and then Higashino Tsukasa handed the original manuscript of "Hanzawa Naoki" to Hosokawa Koharu.

"Then let me meet Higashino-sensei's work."

Hosokawa Koharu took the original manuscript of Tsukasa Higashino with both hands, looked at the original manuscript that had been drawn with colored pens, and began to look through the pages one by one.

On the other side, Higashino Tsukasa glanced at her obliquely, his eyebrows slightly raised.

Hosokawa Koharu didn't speak, and Tsukasa Higashino didn't speak.

This silence remained for more than a minute, and Tsukasa Higashino, who had been observing, suddenly spoke.

"Editor Hosokawa, do you have something on your mind?"

"Huh?" Hosokawa Koharu was stunned for a moment.

"The expression on his face is written, and he usually doesn't be so restrained... Is there something going on? ”

Tsukasa Higashino pointed to his face, and then to Hosokawa Koharu.

It was only then that Hosokawa Koharu realized that his face seemed to be tense all the time.

"I'm so sorry, I was rude!" Hosokawa Koharu hurriedly bowed and apologized.

"It's just a small thing." Higashino Tsukasa smiled: "Then Editor Hosokawa, if you have any concerns, let's talk about it, and I can also share your worries and solve your problems." ”

Belch...

Originally, it was not possible to tell outsiders about personnel transfers within the editorial department.

But looking at Tsukasa Higashino's expression, Hosokawa Koharu hesitated for a moment and told him everything.

Similarly, it also includes the matter of downgrading to editor-in-chief.

Her unexpected reaction appeared.

Higashino didn't show much anger, but just showed an expression of sudden realization: "Really? Isn't that a good thing? Hosokawa editor has been promoted. ”

"Huh...? Higashino-sensei... You don't... That..."

Hosokawa Koharu wanted to ask Tsukasa Higashino if he wasn't angry?

After all, when she was transferred, Higashino Tsukasa also made trouble about breaking the serialization.

This time the nature was similar, but Tsukasa Higashino didn't get angry.

"If it was Hosokawa's own choice, of course I wouldn't be angry." Tsukasa Higashino smiled and waved his hand: "As a friend, I should send my blessings." ”

"Higashino-sensei..."

Higashino's attitude moved Hosokawa Koharu a little.

But the next moment—

"Besides, shouldn't the person who should be disappointed and angry be editor Hosokawa?"

Tsukasa Higashino asked with a smile.

"Huh? How do you say that...? ”

Hosokawa Koharu was stunned.

In response to her question, Higashino Tsukasa just smiled and said directly: "Editor Hosokawa missed the manga "Naoki Hanzawa" that can get the first place in Japan because of his position as editor-in-chief, shouldn't he be uncomfortable?" ”

Assertive.

Unspeakable confidence!

Listening to Tsukasa Higashino's words, Hosokawa Koharu couldn't help but glance at "Hanzawa Naoki" in his hand, and his expression was a little abrupt...

Japan... First?