manga artist Kirito

Page 150

Kiritani rubbed his forehead, then turned around at a 45-degree angle to look at Aki Tomoya, who had the same voice as him, "Please don't call me by my pen name at school, thank you."

Although most of the otaku in the school knew that there was an erotic artist in the first year who used the pen name Fujiwara Echizen, ... this kind of public humiliation felt really annoying, damn it!

"Ah...yes, Fujiwara-sensei!"

Aki Tomoya still seemed a bit nervous. Ah, as expected, aside from asking questions, he really wanted to discuss sword-related things with Fujiwara-sensei, such as the plot, the heroine, and so on...

"I see, it's Aki-kun."

Turning back to look at Aki Tomoya, Kato Megumi had a look of sudden realization. She really didn't know before that Aki-kun had the same voice as Kazuto-kun...

Kiritani reached out and rubbed his limp neck, raising his eyebrows slightly as if somewhat displeased. "Is there something you need?"

"Ah, um... you know, have you read this week's JUMP?"

As expected, Fujiwara-sensei really doesn't like fans like me... Am I being too enthusiastic?

Aki Tomoya couldn't help but smile wryly.

Actually, Kiritani-kun just felt uncomfortable twisting his neck at a 45-degree angle.

"Not yet."

Kiritani rubbed his neck. "What? JUMP has nothing to do with me. Sword Art Online is published by Rouge en rouge, a magazine under Rouge en rouge.

"No, that's not what I wanted to ask."

Aki Tomoya flipped to a page marked as a Dark Souls award winner. "Fujiwara-sensei, do you know... Kaguya Houraisan?"

"The Moon Princess... uh?"

While reading the work titled "Dark Souls," Kiritani frowned, took out his glasses from the drawer, put them on, and read it again.

334

【NO.330 Aunt Kasumigaoka】

I, Kiritani Kazuto, wear glasses when I'm working, but I'm not actually nearsighted; in fact, I wear glasses just for protection.

However, I can hardly believe my eyes now.

Calm, calm

Kirito, you're the Black Swordsman from another world who's seen it all, how can you not even stay calm when faced with something this small?

Calmly, Kirito took out his glasses case, removed a cleaning cloth, carefully wiped his glasses, and then put them back on to look at them again.

"...I must not have seen it wrong."

Kirito was still unsure, so his words were still hesitant.

At this moment, Kato Megumi, who was standing next to her, tilted her head slightly, not understanding what was going on, and then leaned over to look at the page of the magazine that Aki Tomoya had opened. She glanced at it and then showed a look of realization.

Kato Megumi affirmed, "Ah, Kazuto certainly wasn't wrong."

Previously, Kato Megumi would occasionally visit the manga club room, so she knew about the manga club's collective creation. She also knew that this work was, in a sense, a parody of Gintama, because the title of the work was "Black Gintama"—which had absolutely nothing to do with Li Shunsheng. Let me make it clear beforehand—Kato Megumi knew the title of the work and also knew that this work had been submitted to Shueisha to participate in some kind of award.

Now, he's won an award... As expected of Kazuto-kun!

Kato Megumi thought to herself, it was a bit of a pity that she didn't win the championship.

"Ah, that's right... Dark Souls came in second! It won second place in the JUMP Awards!"

Kirito pushed up his glasses, his face full of sighs. He really couldn't believe that this work could reach such a level; it was truly beyond his expectations.

"Fujiwara-sensei, you really know about this work!"

Aki Tomoya's eyes widened slightly as he looked at him with great interest and asked, "Could you ask the creator of this work...?"

"Oh, you mean who drew this comic? You do know the creator, but I can't tell you that."

Although he didn't think this would cause any trouble, and it was only a matter of time before people found out, Kiritani-kun just didn't want to say it... because Aki Tomoya was a chatterbox, and he might get a lecture if he told him.

I don't like talkative people anyway, so why would I tell him something that would cause a conversation?

Aki Tomoya smiled with a complicated expression, "Uh... okay then."

…………

In the manga club room, Kasumigaoka Utaha watched Kiritani-kun laugh uncontrollably, or rather, her heart pounding, because she had just heard some shocking news.

If she didn't believe Yui wouldn't lie, Kasumigaoka Utaha would be laughing so hard she'd be lying on the table, adding—"There's a limit to pranks, teacher! We all know the parody nature of Dark Souls; it's already pretty good that it made it into the top ten. And now you're telling me it got second place… I bet JUMP really can't find any good works!"

Logically speaking, given its position as the top of the three major Shonen Jump magazines, it's only natural that it produces a constant stream of excellent works. However, in an era where manga lacks a storyline and focuses more on fanservice and cuteness, works with a story and that cater to popular tastes will naturally receive positive reviews... well, let's just say positive reviews.

"Aunt Kasumigaoka, I'm so sorry, but what Yui said is all true."

On the computer on the desktop, Yui moved within the screen, waving her hand to list various winners of this week's JUMP Awards. The work called "Dark Souls" ranked second. Although the first place was indeed worthy of attention, for the members of the manga club, "Dark Souls" getting second place was really unexpected, so their attention was completely focused on their own work and they didn't care too much about the first place.

"It really is……"

Asuna smiled slightly, but then her smile gradually became uncontrollable. "Hahaha... This works too!"

Kirigaya suppressed a smile and patted Asuna's shoulder with feigned composure. "Asuna, be elegant! It's just second place, there's no need to be so happy."

The work won an award, and not a low one at that. It would be a lie to say she wasn't happy, but Asuna wasn't smiling simply because she was happy. Rather, she felt that... the fact that such a parody-like work could get second place showed that young people's tastes have really changed these days.

"...It's passionate when it needs to be, and absolutely hilarious when it needs to be...very much like Gintama."

Eriri looked puzzled. "Is this really a review written by an editor? It seems like this person didn't even read the work carefully before giving this evaluation."

"I don't understand, but I guess it's a compliment?"

Looking at the so-called editor's comments, Shiina Mashiro frowned slightly, tilted her head, and hesitated for a long time before finally saying those words, though even she didn't quite believe them.

"Probably... a comment I jotted down casually to address the comedic nature of this work..."

Kiritani pushed up his glasses with a blank expression, but he was completely bewildered. He couldn't understand it at all. Even though it was an unserious work without any substance, editor, at least give me a proper review, you bastard!

"Oh~! There's more to come, and it should have many familiar elements. If the creator can handle it, then the main story is definitely worth looking forward to! — Hmm, that's the comment from the editor-in-chief of JUMP."

"...This is just saying that the work is worth looking forward to, it can't really be considered a review, right?"

"At least it's much better than that random comment Orange wrote at the beginning."

"Wow, that's amazing!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha stroked her long, smooth hair, her face full of joy. "It seems that the editors at JUMP also quite like works with a strong melancholic atmosphere."

"Tch! I think the reason the work didn't win the award is because it was too depressing."

Eriri habitually retorted to Kasumigaoka Utaha, but Eriri seemed to have forgotten the lessons of the past.

"Ultimately, what matters most about a work is its storytelling. The reason it didn't win the crown is obviously because 'My Hero Academia' is closer to the atmosphere of a typical shonen manga in JUMP!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha, on the other hand, saw things very clearly. "However, after winning the award, it will be officially published... Should we wait for the editor, Amano Touko, to notify us?"

"Aunt Kasumigaoka, you're wrong. After the winners are announced, it'll be time for the awards ceremony and interviews. In addition, there will be prize money for each winner!"

With her little hand swiping, a new page appeared on the screen, and Yui-chan calmly narrated.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's forehead veins bulged; this wasn't the first time she'd been called "Auntie"...

Am I that old?

335

【NO.331 Sorry, I can't get excited】

The editorial department of Shonen Jump magazine is located within Shueisha, in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.

Yes, Rouge en rouge is also located in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo. The two magazines are not actually far apart. Although it feels like a strong provocation and... suicidal attitude for a rising star to choose a location close to the industry's strongest giant.

Of course, they won't die, and Rouge en rouge has been on the rise since its establishment, even entering the stage of top-tier clubs. Moreover, it is involved in many aspects of the industry and has never lost its reputation... Well, Akane Akasaka's unilateral decision did not inspire many people in the industry, or rather, many people thought it was better this way.

Naturally, those who want to invest but are rejected will not have much goodwill towards this.

Now, the five members of the manga department arrived at Shueisha, and since three of them had been there before, they easily found the editorial department.

Kasumigaoka Utaha crossed her arms and said somewhat nervously, "I feel a little nervous!"

She was indeed someone who attracted attention on campus, but it was still inevitable that she would feel a little nervous in the face of this kind of thing. Compared to her, Eriri was not much better off. Only Kirito, Asuna, and Shiina Mashiro were extremely calm.

Although this is also the first time Kiritani has experienced something like this, he has been through a lot in the past. If he is still nervous about this, Akane Kosaka might drag him back and give him a good scolding.

As for Asuna, as the eldest daughter of the Yuuki family, she has great prestige even in her own company. Most of her work has already tempered her mind, so even if a member of parliament stood in front of her, she would not feel nervous, let alone a small award.

As for Shiina Mashiro... well, let's not talk about this naive girl. First, we need to make her understand what tension is.

As soon as I entered the editorial department, a very young editor came to greet me.

"I suppose these five must be Kaguya Houraisan?"

The young editor looked at the group of five with a strange expression, feeling a bit uneasy. "I am an intern editor at JUMP magazine. Deputy Editor-in-Chief Amano asked me to wait here. You must be the ones."

"Yes, we are Kaguya of Houraisan."

After greeting him politely, Kirito felt that it was a huge mistake not to change the name "Kaguya" back then.

"Then, please follow me, all five of you. Deputy Editor-in-Chief Amano is waiting for you in his office."

"Ok."

Following the intern editor into the deputy editor's office, I immediately saw Amano Touko, her face serious, her fair fingers rapidly typing on the keyboard. However, her slightly depressed look revealed that she was in trouble.

"Hello, Editor Amano."

"Oh? Cough, you've arrived."

Upon seeing the crowd at the door, Amano Touko temporarily put aside her work and invited everyone to sit on the sofa next to her. The office was not furnished with many items, but rather with various manuscripts. After serving tea, it was time for introductions. However, since Asuna, Eriri, and Kasumigaoka had been there before, only Kiritani and Shiina Mashiro introduced themselves.

"I am Kiritani Kazuto, a member of the manga club 'Houraisan Kaguya' under Soubu High School, and I am in charge of the main art in the works."

"Shiina Mashiro, lead writer."

Unlike Kiritani's elaborate self-introduction, Shiina Mashiro's self-introduction was quite concise.

"Ah! It's Fujiwara-sensei, isn't it! I've seen your photos on your Twitter, you really are cute."

After shaking hands with Kiritani-kun, Amano Touko chuckled, "I'm still your fan, whether it's Sword Art Online or this 'Black Mother' series."

"Please don't do that! But speaking of which, Editor Orange, do you have any orange juice here?"

Kiritani-kun spoke with a natural expression and a very cute smile.

"...I'm sorry, we only have simple tea."

With a forced smile, Amano Touko knew perfectly well what the erotic artist in front of her was talking about—orange juice. How unlikable, Fujiwara-sensei!

You understand perfectly well, Orange Editor!

Kiritani looked at this editor with a lewd thought process, but his heart was not stirred at all, and he even wanted to laugh a little.

It's just being a pervert. I've seen all kinds of perverts. What's wrong with saying it's cute? Those perverts in the Bamboo Forest Group are still figuring out how to draw my doujinshi every day... Ah, the blond guy next to me also drew my doujinshi.

...By the way, I wonder if Kasumigaoka Utaha has ever read that doujinshi. If she has, and found that a certain heroine looks a lot like her, how would she feel?

"The reason I invited you five here is actually because of your awards. First of all, on behalf of JUMP, I would like to congratulate you five."

"Thank you."

"Afterwards, the prize money for second place is 200,000, which will be given to you when you go back."

The creators in the manga club remained unmoved, since Kasumigaoka Utaha was the only one who was relatively poor.

Of course, if we're talking about earning it all herself, then Eriri is definitely the richest, and without a doubt, it's Kirito. He has eight figures in savings on his cards, plus a lot of shares. A mere 200,000 yen... isn't really a lot of money.

"Wow! That's great!"

The almost monotone tone of everyone's voices made Amano Touko's lips twitch involuntarily.

"Now, here comes the important part. First, I want to inform you that your works will be officially published next week, and you will receive more resources than other works. Second, you will all become special targets of JUMP. If possible, you can apply to sign a contract with JUMP..."

"Oh! It looks really good."

"Right, right!"

"I guess so."

Kiritani-kun, as the second-in-command of Rouge en rouge, would be crazy to care about this little bit of attention. You know, Akane Kousaka is determined to overcome all obstacles in her path. Besides, signing a contract... only a lunatic would sign a long-term contract here. Isn't that just asking for trouble? It'll be harder to slack off in the future.

Of course, Kiritani-kun was aware that doing so would earn him special attention from JUMP... but he wasn't interested.

"Hey, at least show some respect! I'm the deputy editor-in-chief of JUMP, after all. Even if you're not really agitated, at least put on an act!"

Amano Touko's eyebrows twitched violently, and the continuous use of a monotone reading tone... it's really infuriating! Is she really worthy of being called an infuriating illustrator?

"...Two years ago, Akasaka said that if I continued to stay in Rouge en rouge, the club would practically be mine now."