Great Mangaka

On Sunday, Alice pushed her way through the crowd of readers with a magazine in her hand.

"So many people..."

She wiped the sweat from her face, brushed off the dust, frowned, and looked at the sign next to the bookstore: "The first day sales of 'Weekly Boutique' in Osaka reached 1.5 million, setting a historical record for manga!"

That same day, Kanto Manga Company's new magazine surpassed the historical record in Osaka: 1.5 million!

Hinotori Publishing's Weekly Shōnen did not exceed one million on its first day in Osaka, but Kanto sold more at its headquarters. Total sales may be more than five times higher!

This figure is a true miracle, shocking everyone. In Japan, this is a figure that only popular single-volume manga can achieve. Sales of weekly manga magazines are usually higher than single-volume books, but they will never surpass popular manga.

Sales of manga magazines are lower than single-volume books. The reason for this phenomenon is very simple: there are many manga in magazines, and if there are not more than half of what readers want to read, they will not buy them. But single-volume books will not; they have collection value, and popular works are very popular.

Kanto Manga Company's "Weekly Boutique" reached a sales volume of 1.5 million copies on its first day of launch, and it was published in a single city. This is simply astonishing, and it is more popular than the most popular manga today. However, the magazine's popularity will fade from the third day, unlike the high permanence of a single volume. However,

the drawbacks do not outweigh the advantages. "Weekly Boutique" has been unimaginably successful. This magazine is affordable, and it only contains five series, each of which is a masterpiece. The quality is comparable to that of popular manga.

"Takumi..."

Alice was a little worried that the boy would be surprised. This morning, all of Osaka was talking about the new mangaka.

A new mangaka has appeared. His name is Aika, and the title of his new work is "The Detective Sherlock." The plot of this sequel continues after "The Detective Sherlock," but what's surprising is that it takes place in Japan.

The story is set 20 years ago. The protagonist, Sherlock, from "The Detective Sherlock: The Sequel," came to Japan at the invitation of the Japanese government to help solve difficult cases. The masterpiece has been adapted to other countries, which has generated great anticipation among media and experts worldwide.

However, the most unexpected thing is that, in the first episode of "The Detective Sherlock: The Sequel", Sherlock met a Japanese detective as intelligent as him in Japan. As soon as they met, they had a confrontation, and the plot became very exciting.

Forty years later, "The Detective Sherlock" reappeared, with another detective. The official character presentation contained an even more blatant spoiler: this detective would become Sherlock's wife. So when the sequel came out, it immediately drove detective fans crazy, and even many elderly people were so excited that they asked their children and grandchildren to buy it. Speaking of "The Detective Sherlock," the lack of emotional description of Sherlock is a pity for many.

This time, Sherlock and the detective compete again. And the spoiler said she was the heroine, which naturally created expectations.

And most importantly, the drawing style. The sequel's style is completely different from the manga version of "The Detective Sherlock," and the drawing skill of the manga is excellent and sophisticated. It more closely resembles the style of an old man immersed in decades of art. The courage shown in the story's illustrations will still be shocking even for someone like Alice, with a sarcastic heart, to see it.

The drawings of this new mangaka are magical, showing each plot with vivid intensity, making people feel like they are watching a movie.

"..."

Alice sat outside the bookstore and finished flipping through the manga. She felt melancholy. This drawing skill is comparable to Takumi's, and the plot is unexpectedly wonderful. How could Takumi win?

On the side of the road, some passing readers also commented:

"This mangaka named Aika is really incredible, worthy of being a master! His manga are so addictive, and he draws detective manga so well. I've become his fan. Do you think... Mirai-sensei will be able to surpass 'The Detective Sherlock 2'?"

"It's impossible. When this magazine launched yesterday, it was very popular. There were so many people! Among Mirai-sensei's current manga, I can't think of any two together that can surpass this magazine... You see, the other four are also very good!"

Kanto Manga Company said Mirai-sensei was competing against one with two books, but Alice discovered that the current situation was just the opposite. It was clear that Mirai-sensei was competing against the five manga of "Weekly Boutique" with two books!

He used numbers to intimidate a few, but the media didn't seem to believe it. Since yesterday, countless media outlets have reported on the popularity of "Weekly Boutique". This morning, sales of 1.5 million copies drove all the media crazy.

Enthusiastically, they published some titles for Aika and used Mirai-sensei to boost newspaper sales: "Aika, Japan's new number one mangaka!" "The unparalleled genius who debuted by surpassing Mirai-sensei!"

Even on television, this new mangaka's story is broadcast in rotation. Kanto Manga Company has quickly placed Aika on a pedestal. Aika also politely accepts various interviews, and news about her is seen everywhere.

One day... Only one day has passed...

Alice couldn't help but feel a little desperate. She had heard that Takumi also became popular in one day upon debuting, but she had never seen it with her own eyes. Now she sees her enemy gaining popularity in one day, which is not a good feeling.

Looking around, people were crowding to buy "Weekly Boutique". Alice got up feeling a little sad. She had barely taken two steps when she saw a newspaper on the ground.

The newspaper had a young woman's smiling face printed on it and a very long title.

"Interview with the great mangaka Aika. Mirai-sensei is too versatile. I focus more on manga than he does. Concentration determines my success!"

Alice was furious. She lifted her foot and stomped several times with her heels.

"She has no other talents, she just focuses on that. This insolent person..."

She tore up the newspaper image. Then she worried. How is Takumi doing now? Will he be affected by the media's criticism and ridicule and the pressure of 1.5 million sales?

"No, I want to go see him!"

Alice turned around and left. It was the weekend, and she had an important appointment. But she didn't care too much. Anyway, she was scolded. It wasn't the first time. On the way to Takumi's house, Alice's mobile phone rang. It was a man's call.

"Sorry, you're dining alone. I'm not coming."

After refusing, Alice turned off her phone.

She rushed to Takumi's house and rang the doorbell. Aika came out. She looked at her up and down in surprise: "Alice, how come you're free today and why are you so well dressed? I rarely see you in heels. It's like a blind date...".

"Sorry, Aika-san, I want to see Takumi."

Alice interrupted her with a smile. She didn't tell Aika much, but upon entering the house, she was a little confused.

There were three people sitting on the sofa in the room: Tomato, Sakura, and Kenji. The three assistants remained seated with lost expressions, and a strange silence fell over the room.

"What's wrong with them?" Alice asked with relief. The atmosphere wasn't right.

"What happened to Takumi?" she asked nervously. For the three of them to look like that, something must have happened to Takumi!

"Takumi... Mirai-sensei..." Sakura regained her senses first. She turned to look at Alice and smiled bitterly: "Mirai-sensei is fine! He's drawing in the studio!"

But just after she finished speaking, Tomato suddenly stood up. He turned, ran towards Alice, and then suddenly grabbed her hand and shook it.

"Heavens!" Alice was startled. Upon closer inspection, Tomato was crying. He cried and said: "Go see Mirai-sensei! Tell him not to draw anymore! If he keeps drawing, we can't be his assistants!"

We can't be his assistants?

Alice's eyes widened. She was even more confused. What had happened? Just as she was about to ask, Kenji approached.

"Tomato, don't be like that...". He pulled Tomato away from Alice and, with a pale face, bowed his head to Alice and said: "Miss Alice, go into the studio and you'll know."

Alice was sure that the problem was with Takumi, so she put her bag on the floor. She turned and headed for the studio door. She was so nervous that she even forgot to knock and rushed in.

"Takumi!"

She entered the somewhat dark studio and saw Takumi sitting under the window, head bowed, drawing. She felt as if time had stopped: sunlight streamed through the window, the curtains swayed, and the boy sat there...

"Huh? What's wrong?"

Takumi looked up and showed a surprised expression: "Alice, what are you doing here?"

There was no sadness or loss on his face, just his usual self.

Alice was stunned for a moment. Doesn't it seem right to you? There's nothing wrong with Takumi. What are those three guys doing outside? Did they really lie to him like that?

"Oh, no... nothing..."

The blonde editor felt a little embarrassed. She smiled. Since Takumi was fine, she would leave. There was no need to mention the "Weekly Boutique" matter so as not to pressure him.

"Hahahaha..."

However, as Alice was about to say goodbye, suddenly, a gust of wind blew in through the window. The wind blew the manuscripts from Takumi's desk onto the floor. The one on top flew towards Alice. She reached out to catch it.

"I reminded you several times not to draw under the window..."

Alice's voice stopped. She saw the drawing on the drawing paper in her hand and couldn't even speak.

She showed an incredible expression on her face, her pupils dilated, and her mouth opened. In the dim sunlight, the light lipstick on her lips emitted a starry light.

"This drawing...!"

Alice understood why the assistants outside the studio were so out of control...

This drawing was truly beautiful.

- - - - - - - - - -

Hello everyone!

Thanks for reading this chapter.

This week, we'll have 3 daily chapters for you to enjoy. This is possible thanks to all your support with Power Stones.

To keep increasing our chapters, I'm asking for your support. For every 150 Power Stones we collect across all novels this week, I'll add an extra daily chapter for next week.

If you want to catch up and read even more, you can find over 150 advanced chapters of my novels on my Patreon.

Your comments and Power Stones are what make this possible. Thanks!

@Patreon/iLikeeMikee