Black Mangaka 020: Discussion

Black Mangaka 020: Discussion

Even passing just one evaluation might give a chance for serialization in a small publishing house!

If Todai (Tokyo University) is the ultimate goal of countless students,

then the Tezuka Prize's top awards are the "Tokyo University Admission Letters" for all aspiring serialized mangaka!

And yet, it's even crueler!

Success in academics can be achieved by effort and learning. But for a mangaka, if they lack talent, no amount of hard work will yield a satisfactory result.

As a teacher, naturally, you hope for your students' success.

Sensing Hiratsuka's nervousness, Nakahara Hiroshi decided to play a little prank.

The smile on his face faded as he spoke in a low, disappointed tone, "Of course..."

Then he grinned, "I passed~."

Hiratsuka Shizuka patted Hiroshi's shoulder to console him. "It's okay. This is your first time participating in the Tezuka Award. If you keep trying, you should be able to pass…!?"

The last two words came out loud and startled the other teachers chatting nearby.

Apologizing with a smile, Hiratsuka turned back to Nakahara Hiroshi, who was trying his hardest not to laugh. Her expression turned dangerous.

"Boy, do you know what happens when you play tricks on your teacher?!"

Hiroshi kept calm, thinking: Wealth and honor cannot corrupt me. Poverty and hardship cannot shake me. Might and power cannot bend me! You want me to bow down with just a fist? Oh, fish-lipped fool!

"Sorry," he said eventually.

It wasn't her iron fist that made him bow—it was pure respect for his teacher.

"Tch."

Hiratsuka clicked her tongue in dissatisfaction, clearly regretting the missed opportunity to land a punch.

Putting the matter behind her, she spoke enthusiastically.

"So, what's the name of the manga?"

Hiroshi hesitated. "Uh… can I not say?"

"What do you think?" Hiratsuka replied with a sweet yet threatening smile.

"... Madoka."

"Huh? What did you say?" Hiratsuka was confused.

Sighing, Hiroshi accepted his fate. "Puella Magi Madoka Magica."

"Pfft, hahahahaha!"

Rolling his eyes, Hiroshi watched as Hiratsuka Shizuka broke into loud, unrestrained laughter, slapping the desk without any regard for her image.

I knew this would happen, he thought. She's probably thinking something like: "Magical girl? Hahaha! I didn't know you had such a girly side!"

"I'm really looking forward to its serialization!" Hiratsuka teased.

With her curious personality, she'd probably end up reading it.

When she finally discovers the truth...

Hiroshi couldn't help but smirk at the thought.

One person laughed loudly, while the other smiled subtly.

After receiving Hiratsuka's encouragement to "keep up the good work and aim for the second assessment," Hiroshi left the teacher's office with a bag of snacks.

As soon as he stepped into the classroom, the bell rang.

The students gathered around Shiina Mahiru quickly dispersed back to their seats.

During class, the life committee member brought a boy to fetch an extra set of tables and chairs.

Now, the seat next to Hiroshi was empty. But...

"Why sit there? Isn't the front better?"

Hiroshi glanced at Shiina Mahiru, who had chosen to sit behind him, feeling puzzled.

Shiina Mahiru gave him a pitiful look. "In this unfamiliar environment, the only person I know is you, Nakahara-san..."

Although she didn't finish her sentence, her meaning was clear.

Still...

You call this "familiar"? We only met yesterday!

Though he thought this, Hiroshi refrained from saying it out loud—it would've been too harsh.

"Being relied upon like this feels a bit stressful!" he joked, but didn't refuse.

Shiina Mahiru smiled happily. "Thank you, Nakahara-san."

---

At the same time...

A regular meeting was underway at Shueisha.

"...The Dark Holy Flame Envoy has ranked at the bottom for four consecutive weeks. It's recommended to cancel its serialization."

"Seconded."

"Seconded."

"..."

The proposal passed unanimously among the eight editors-in-chief.

"Since Mr. Kino supervises this series under Chief Editor Kobayashi, I'll leave it to you to inform him after the meeting," said Torishima Kazumitsu, Shueisha's editor-in-chief.

After the meeting, the cancellation notice would naturally be posted on the official website.

It was customary, however, for an editor-in-chief to deliver the news personally.

"Yes, understood."

The editor nodded calmly. Series cancellations at Shueisha were nothing new.

While the readership figures did impact year-end bonuses, this wasn't enough to faze him.

For every series that falls, another rises. It's just the way things work.

Kazumitsu moved on. "Next agenda: The Tezuka Prize."

The second evaluation list would be revealed at the end of May, and the final ranking announced seven days later.

Though more than 20 days remained, the second-round candidates had already been determined.

This time buffer was to allow communication with authors and prepare for any contingencies.

"First up, the Selected Award. If anyone has a nomination, speak now."

The room fell silent.

A minute passed.

Kazumitsu sighed. "None?"

When was the last time a Selected Award winner was announced? Five years? Six? Or even longer?

"It's been so long, my memory's failing," he muttered.

With no suitable candidates, the decision was unanimous: leave the award vacant.

"Let's move on to the Qualified Candidates category."

Unlike before, hands shot up as editors clamored for attention.

Kazumitsu smiled as he called on a green-haired woman in a white dress, Editor-in-Chief Minano Matoi.

Her proactive behavior surprised the others. Normally, she was reserved and avoided competition.

Curiosity filled the room.

Minano began, "To be honest, I'm not sure how to evaluate this work..."

Kazumitsu raised an eyebrow. "Even you can't decide?"

Her abilities were unquestionable. For her to hesitate was unusual...