Original subtitles

"It's as if nothing has changed when we're like this..."

EPISODE 1: A CERTAIN MANGAKA AND HER EDITOR.

"Can I really protect..."

No, that's not right.

"I want to protect him, but..."

I did it.

Ha-san, I finally finished the storyboards.

Great work.

Thank you.

All that's left is to send these to my editor.

No, wait.

It's already past 2AM.

That makes it a bad time to reach out,

even if day and night are often flipped in the manga industry.

On top of that, my editor, Sato-san, is basically a hottie.

Uh, what does how hot your editor is have to do with anything?

Wh-What I'm saying is...

What if...

she's in the middle of something...

with an attractive man?

Maybe this isn't the time for storyboards!

Futami-sensei, just get back to work.

But Ha-san!

You're overthinking and your imagination's running wild.

You never know! It's 2AM!

Because it's impossible.

There's no such thing as "impossible" in this world!

Well, even if it is possible, the chances are extremely low.

Besides, why would Sato-san, who's supposed to be at the editorial department, be at a bar?

Anyway, "It's from the gentleman over there" is way too much of a cliché.

What's so wrong with clichés?!

The first five pages are already approved, so quit fooling around and get it sent.

Then, start adding characters.

But...

Sato-san took me under her wing when I was a total nobody,

and guided me to my very first manga serialization.

Sensei...

So I just don't want her to hate me, whatever happens.

Especially...

if it's for something like getting in the way of a fling!

That won't happen. What's with that imagination of yours, Sensei?

It's an occupational hazard!

Just do your job.

I've uploaded the match room files, so please check them.

Oh, thank you very much.

They're perfect.

Thank you.

By the way, how are you sending your storyboards?

I usually just scan them and send them by email. Or occasionally, I fax them.

What time it is doesn't really matter if you email. You might as well just send them.

- But... - Yes?

It's 2AM right now.

You already said that.

You can only email someone this late at night

if you're their lover or it's an emergency.

You don't have to be her lover to email her.

And by that logic, this totally counts as an emergency.

Why are you reading into it like it's a rom-com? You're so funny.

Like I said, occupational hazard.

You've never drawn a love story even though your series runs in a shojo magazine.

IT'S FUTAMI. SORRY FOR CONTACTING YOU SO LATE AT NIGHT. I FINALLY FINISHED THE STORYBOARDS.

PROFESSIONAL EMAIL POLITE MISSED DEADLINE

How long does it take to send one email, Sensei?

I can't get the wording right!

Just send what you have.

No, because if I leave it too short, it'll seem like I'm not sorry about being late.

Oh, but if I write too much, it'll sound like I'm just making excuses.

Huh? Who really cares about wording as long as the file's there,

and you're at least somewhat polite?

You fool. Mangakas are self-employed, so even a single email is part of the job.

What if I send a rude email and—

And?

And Sato-san ends up hating me for it?!

She deals with mangakas, so she's probably used to that kind of rudeness.

Stop taking shots at people you don't even know.

Man, what is this? Your first time messaging a crush like some middle schooler?

This is getting annoying, so just fax it.

Who are you calling "annoying"?!

Huh?

How dare you send it without my permission?!

Well, you were taking forever.

What's the point of worrying about the time, anyway?

If she's busy, she'll leave it for now. If she's free, she'll look it over.

It's your fault if she ends up hating me, Ha-san.

Huh? But Sensei, what'll really make her hate you isn't sending storyboard late at night.

Missing the deadline will.

That's true.

Right?

I should get to work.

Please do.

Okay, then. Please do this part of the background on the title page.

Oh, I already took care of that while you were whining.

So competent.

It's almost 3AM, and I haven't heard back from Sato-san.

Which means...

"Don't fight over me!"

As if.

How can you be so sure?!

Your fantasies are way too flashy.

Is Sato-san really the type to go out partying like that?

Nah, she's the type who keeps her walls up.

So why are you imagining that?

Don't you get it?

It's human nature to want to see if you can loosen up a woman that's so uptight! Right?!

I'm just an innocent girl, so I wouldn't know.

Even if I did get it, I wouldn't imagine stuff like that about someone I know.

Uh, that makes me sound like a creep.

You didn't realize?

SATO-SAN

- Is it Sato-san? - Yeah.

Great. The storyboards can finally...

Well, pick it up already, Sensei.

B-But it looks like she's calling from her smartphone, not the office phone.

So?

See? I knew it!

Whatever. Accept.

Hello, Futami?

G-Good evening.

I heard you screaming.

O-Oh, that was nothing.

Yeah? Sorry for getting back to you so late.

N-Not at all.

Is now a good time?

Sure.

Why are you crying?

Because I turned in the storyboards so late.

You sure did.

I can't tell her about those improper fantasies.

Well, you did finish them, so it was worth the wait.

They're good.

But let's fix up some of the dialogue. For the second panel on page eight—

Oh, sure. Lemme grab the storyboards.

Okay.

- Ready? - Yes.

Akane's dialogue in the second panel on page eight...

Right.

How she says "I also"...

Sato-san.

Yes. Yes.

Okay, see you Friday night. Okay.

Sounds like the storyboards got approved.

What are you crying about?

Sato-san liked the storyboards.

What? That's awesome.

Yeah. But I feel bad because she waited for me and did her job.

As for me...

I'm such a fool!

Yeah, totally.

I'm so ashamed of the ridiculous assumptions I made about her!

You should learn to trust people from now on.

Wow, so many detailed backgrounds.

Oh, I wonder if seven days is enough time for her to finish it up.

I could actually give her an extra day.

Well, it should be fine since she always pulls through while keeping the quality up.

You've reached the Clover Editorial Department. Oh, hi.

Futami is excellent at coloring.

I hadn't seen her color work before, but it's pretty striking.

I should call her to say so.

But she's coming here for a meeting at 6PM, so I can just tell her in person.

No, I might forget to tell her since that's still four hours away.

So I should tell her now.

The idea of complimenting her directly gets me all shy.

Okay, let's send her a text instead.

Oh, but...

Why are you frozen holding two phones?

Hey, Sato-san, it's been a while. You been doing okay?

Uh, fine. But what are you doing here, Toda-san?

I had a little business with the editor-in-chief.

Oh, is that Futami-san's color illustration?

Wow, not bad.

But it feels like her work's missing something.

I can't put it into words, but something's not there, you know?

She's good at playing it safe, but it lacks punch—

Excuse me.

I'm in charge of her now, so please don't interfere.

You're right.

Okay, I'm off. Say "hi" to Futami-san for me.

Sure. If I get the chance.

Oh, you will.

Wow, sorry you had to go through that.

Hi, boss lady.

Asakura.

Man, Toda-san's so annoying, huh?

Hey.

Don't worry. I don't care if he doesn't like me.

That's not the point.

Oh! Is this Futami-sensei's color illustration? It's so awesome!

It's so cute. I love the way she colors.

This could totally work as a volume cover.

It's really eye-catching. I love it.

- Asakura. - Yes?

A chocolate for you.

Yay.

I-I made it. 6PM on the dot.

Yes, that'll be great. Thank you.

Shoot. I gotta go.

A meeting with Futami-sensei?

Yeah, she's coming here.

What? Seriously? Take me with you!

Can I say hi to her?

Sure, but what about your work?

I'll be productive later.

But Futami's pretty shy, so it might be awkward.

That's totally fine. I don't mind at all.

You're determined, huh?

Well, it's because Futami-sensei is like a rare character. I so wanna meet her.

Well, she avoids coming here, so...

FUTAMI

Yeah, what's up?

Sato-san! I'm sorry! The gate's closed because it's past 6PM!

Um, how do I get in?

Oh, right. There's a back door on the right.

Right from where?!

Fine. I'll come get you.

Futami?

S-Sato-san!

Why are you hiding behind a pillar?

I took the wrong exit at the station and got lost.

I freaked out and got scared since I was by myself.

Aren't you 25?

Come on. Let's go.

Okay.

So this is what Futami-sensei looks like.

Nice to meet you. I'm Asakura from the Clover Editorial Department.

Huh? Why are you hiding?

Relax. She's my junior editor.

Once again, my name is Asakura.

Nice to meet you. I'm Futami!

Um, I'm sorry I don't have a business card I can give you.

Let's all have a seat first.

We're here today to talk about the color pattern of the logo

for the next color spread, and the volume, uh...

What's the matter?

I forgot to bring the logo samples.

Are you an airhead?

I'll go grab them, so talk among yourselves.

Okay.

Anyway, please take a seat.

Th-Thank you!

Your manga, To Subaru, is so good.

Uh, you think so?

Absolutely! I enjoy proofreading it.

Micchan is my fave.

I'm so happy. Nobody's ever said that about my manga.

What? I don't believe it.

Sato-san's always saying stuff like, "Subaru-kun's so cute,"

and "That scene with the match in Chapter 3 was so cool," right?

Sh-She's never said anything like that to me.

That boss lady...

"Boss lady"?

Well, the boss lady kind of keeps to herself, but I'm sure she secretly loves your work.

"Boss lady"...

B-But I won't know if she doesn't tell me.

True. She's probably just shy.

Is she a maiden or what?

Well, the boss lady is young at heart.

Sh-She is?

Oh, isn't it obvious? Like in her choice of outfits?

Sorry for making you...

Uh, why the sudden silence?

It sounded like you were having fun. What were you talking about?

Why won't you give me compliments?

What were you talking about?

Futami-san said you never compliment her work. Why don't you?

Uh...

I give compliments when manuscripts or storyboards get turned in.

It motivates the artist.

I do admire that about you. And I do try to give her compliments. But...

But?

I forget.

You forget?!

And...

And?

- It's embarrassing. - Are you a maiden?!

Getting embarrassed or flustered about compliments is my job!

She's right, boss lady. You need to tell her, or else she won't know!

Yeah. I know.

So about the logo...

You're not going to say something nice?

Please say something nice to me.

Uh...

What are you doing?

I haven't heard back about the storyboards I sent this morning.

Sato-san usually gives me her feedback within four hours.

Why is she leaving me hanging? Or is she teasing me?

What kind of game is this?

She's not playing games.

I'm not some kind of masochist. I'm normal. This doesn't make me happy at all.

She's probably just busy or whatever, since you aren't her only mangaka.

I wonder if this is how a mistress feels, not being the legal wife.

Uh, sorry? What are you talking about?

Well, all her mangakas except me are well-known.

Oh. Doesn't she oversee a manga that's getting an anime adaptation?

That's right. I'm the weakest card in her hand.

Doesn't saying that make you sad?

It sure does. But it's the truth.

So maybe that's why she's slow to respond.

You're being way too paranoid.

It's an occupational hazard.

Well, the deadline is close, so why not just call her?

- Don't wanna. - Why not?

Because I don't wanna seem like a pain in the neck who's slow with my storyboards

but expects everyone else to reply instantly!

Wow, so you do know what you're like pretty well.

Then, why don't we forget about Sato-san for now and get back to work?

Ugh, but...

- Fine. I'll call her instead. - Why?

Because you keep whining about her.

Yeah, but...

Wait, Ha-san... You have Sato-san's number?

Huh? Oh, sure.

Remember when you went to the hospital 'cause stress messed up your stomach

while working on Chapter 1?

Back then, I called the editorial department to work out a new deadline.

You didn't tell me!

I sure didn't.

Sure, I got an email saying, "We can extend the deadline" like it was planned,

and thanks for doing that...

But why does it feel...

like I got cucked?

Gee, thanks.

Anyway, can I call her?

No! I don't want you contacting her ever again!

Who's that supposed to be?

I just don't like it, okay?

I don't want you two becoming friends behind my back!

But I've never called her for private reasons.

Then, call her yourself.

If she matters that much to you, you should call her yourself.

Ha-san.

Yeah, okay. I'll call her.

SATO-SAN

Surprise.

Why are you here?!

I was in the neighborhood.

But why drop by my house?!

Talking out in the open might bother the neighbors, so can I come inside?

No, you may not!

So intense.

What's the matter?

Sato-san's here.

I'm gonna head out to a meeting with her.

What? I can leave, so have her come in—

What idiot lets a girl she's not even dating into her house?

Hey, hold up.

So where does that leave me if you use that logic?

This part would be better if it played out like...

the girl toys with him while having her fingers wrapped around him.

Give me some good examples, Sato-san.

You're great at that.

What?

NEXT EPISODE: SHE'S A TRULY DEPENDABLE ASSISTANT.