Chapter 11: Chapter 11
The next day starts with a slow pace. After Kiyoko's departure, I decide to take a break from drawing manga and take a walk outside. A few minutes later, I found myself standing on the public court where Oikawa, Iwaizumi, and I were playing together. Oh, small detail that I forget to tell you, I am starting to train with Aoba Johsai's duo every weekend morning.
After looking at the empty court, I decide to go to convenient store and buying some snacks, coffee, and tea to prepare the arrival of Yoshida-san. I want to make a good first impression by being a good host. I spend the next hour doing the chores, and when the clock changes its number to ten, I can hear someone knocks on my door.
'wow, this guy sure is very disciplined. He arrives on time at 10 a.m.' I thought. After opening the door, I can see a middle age-old man standing next to the door, and ask the question,
"Good morning, are you by any chance Hori-sensei?"
PoV Yoshida
I look at this person who opens the door. He looks young. Maybe 18 or 19 years old. He nods at my question and asks me to join him at his house. It is a normal house, nothing fancy but still decent enough for living here. After sitting in the living room, he starts small talk with me.
"So, Yoshida-san, right? What can I get you for the drink? Do you want a coffee or a tea?"He asks while preparing some snacks.
"Yes, I am Koji Yoshida from Shonen Jump magazine. And coffee is fine with me, sorry for bothering you."
"It is alright. While you are waiting, do you want to see my workspace? It is also my bedroom so I am sorry if you see a lot of my personal things there."
"No problem for me." I shrugged. It is not the first time I see a mangaka whose workspace is his bedroom, so I will not judge him. After getting a nod of approval, he shows me where his room is, and to my surprise, it is very tidy, not like a teenage boy's room.
And the biggest surprise is the bookshelf in this room. There are only a few mangas, not like the mainstream mangaka who collect a lot of Jump editions from time to time. In fact, the only Jump that I can see is the issues for this week. The remaining books contain a lot of foreign literature, mainly written in English or German language. If not for the workspace with a lot of screen tones and other manga equipment that I can see, I will believe that he is just a normal college student.
Looking at his table, I also see a trophy, a gold-like medal, and a bronze-like medal among his other personal things. Feeling a bit curious, I decided to see and read what those medals are.
'Most Valuable Player Japanese Volleyball National Spring Tournament 2011, Hiroyuki Hori'
'1st place Japanese Volleyball National Spring Tournament 2011, Nekoma High School, Tokyo'
'3rd place Junior World Cup Volleyball 2011 Italia, Japan'
Damn, I look at those trophies and medals with amazement. He is the best volleyball player in the high school this year? And he is also a member of Japan's junior team? That is very awesome. And looking at the school he attended, it is in Tokyo! That means he was living in Tokyo this early year and looking at his medals, I guess that he just moved into Miyagi right after this graduation. Damn, I am really curious. It feels like he is a protagonist character in the sports manga. If he doesn't want to tell me, I will have to do my research later.
A few minutes later, I can see him bringing the tea with some snacks. I look at his appearance curiously. He really has a good body, like many high-schooler who plays sport. After waiting for him to sit, I decided to start a small talk,
"So, Hori-sensei, before I tell you my impression, can you tell me what do you think about your manga?" He put a thinking face, and answers my question,
"I don't think it is a bad manga. I put a lot of effort to create it. The story is good and the drawing is not bad either. And the important thing is, I am satisfied with the message that I want people to read. You already read the last panel right? What Kumatetsu said to Rin, 'You may not come from my blood, but you are my family by my choice.' I am very satisfied with that scene. So, if I can be a bit arrogant, I think Bakemono no Ko is better than the average rookie one-shot. What about you, Yoshida-san?" He looks at me curiously.
After hearing his answer, I scowled internally. A good story and a not-bad drawing? Damn, those are top-quality manga. Good at sport, good looking, and good at creating manga? Is he a damn protagonist character?
"Hori-sensei, I think your manga is far better than averages. In fact, the first time I read Bakemono no Ko, I think it is work by professionals who have a decade of experience. I will start with the story. The background story of the main character is good, and the cohesion between each character is also incredible. The progress between Kumatetsu and Ren is Awesome too. Ah, the romance between Ren and Kaede is also heart-warming. And finally, the message that you want to tell the reader is delivered beautifully." I decide to take a breath and drink my coffee. Seeing his frowning face, I know that he doubts his manga is as good as I tell him, but I ignore him and continue giving the review.
"As for drawing, Damn Sensei! That is one of the best manga I have ever read from a rookie. Your character design is very cool, the background detail is breathtaking, and how you draw the intensity of the battle really makes me feel that the battle is happening in front of me. I can also feel the emotion of your character. Feel the loneliness from Ren's childhood, Kumatetsu's anger when Ren decides to go to the Human world, and when Kumatetsu died.. Damn, I read it three times when you first sent it to me, and I am still crying each time I read it. You have the talent for manga, Sensei."
"In fact, I will tell you about the reaction of my boss. I have not let anyone except my boss read your manga because I want to surprise everyone with it. But to make sure the manga is good, I want to ask the opinion of the chief editor. You know Hisashi Sasaki right? The famous editor of Yu-Gi-Oh, Super Hero Legend, and the first editor of Naruto. He is a very strict old man who has a high standard for manga. Do you know what is his reaction? He cried! Damn, he had tears in his eyes, and he only cried for a very emotional moment like when Jiraiya died in Naruto or when Ace died in One Piece. I believe you have an idea about how good your manga is, right?"
After my outburst, he chuckled, and start adding the coffee to my cup. I smile a little at the gesture, and after a small thanks, I sip the coffee to calm myself. After a minute of silence, he decides to ask me.
"So, what is going to happen now? Can this manga be published in Shonen Jump?"
"Yeah, it can. In fact, if you agree, I can submit this manga for the Tezuka Award. That is an award for the best newcomer mangaka, with the judges for this year are Eichiro Oda-sensei, author of the famous One Piece (Author notes: I will make One Peace has already ended in this series because I don't know if how I could rank it), Nobuhiro Watsuki-sensei, author of Rurouni Kenshin, and Hideaki Sorachi-sensei, author of Gintama. What do you think about it?"
"Hmm.. Where do you think this manga will be placed in this Tezuka award? Can it win at least Honorable Mention's position?" He asks me once again. Seeing his serious face, I decide to tell him about Eiji Niizuma.
"I will be honest with you, Sensei. Before you called me, we have already found a genius high-schooler who is also a newcomer. His name is Eiji Niizuma, and he is from Aomori. Today, together with our meeting, my Boss also had a meeting with him in Aomori, and the boss himself is going to talk to his parents. That should tell you how good he is right? He will be your competitor on that award." Seeing his small nods, I continue my explanation
"Everyone in the editorial has faith that he will win the Tezuka Award easily, including me before reading your manga. But after Bakemono no Ko? I have to say Niizuma will not have a chance of winning against you. He is good, better than average, but his work is still a rookie, while your work has already reached a professional level. So, I think you will sweep this award easily." I decided to stop talking and wait for him to process all of my words. After a minute, he nods,
"Okay, if you want to submit this manga, I will follow your lead. Does that mean you are my editor?"
"Yeah, for now until you have a serialization, you will work together with me. Is that alright?" I glance, worried that he doesn't want to work with me. But, he just smiles and bows his head
"No, it will be my pleasure to work with you. Please take care of me, Yoshida-san."
"Please, take care of me too Hori-sensei!"
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Author note:
You can also read five more chapters at my patreon account, pat_reon.com/zwolf1 (without '_' ). Thank you.
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