Original subtitles

Sato-san tells me you're coming to Tokyo.

Nekonote

On call

Yes. It's almost spring break, so I'm gonna meet Sato-san in person.

Are your parents okay with it?

Oh, there's nothing to worry about. Sato-san let them know.

Wow, so reliable. Kudos to the mid-level publishing company employee.

Nekonote

On call

Yup. So, um, are you sure I can stay at your place while I'm in Tokyo?

Sure. But you'll be sharing a room with other people.

Nekonote

On call

That's no problem at all. Thank you for your kindness.

Which means we need to take care of this.

This species is a bad influence to young people if left in the house.

Hey, Nashida-san. Work or not, you should get up. It's already noon.

You should adjust your body clock.

What are you going to do when you start working on the spin-off?

About that...

I'm starting to freak out.

Post-serialization depression.

You're so annoying.

WOOF

WOOF

Episode 11: It's Important to Actually Experience It.

Episode 11: It's Important to Actually Experience It.

So you came here to back out?

No, um...

And what's Futami doing here?

Huh?

I brought her with me because I was scared to come by myself!

Huh.

But we already agreed on it, so I need a proper explanation.

An explanation?

Yup. Is it because you want to start your own series?

Do you wanna give shonen magazines another shot?

Nah, I'm seriously just anxious.

Huh?

Honestly, I know this is more than I could've hoped for, and a real learning experience.

Right.

Plus, a spin-off of a hit series has a guaranteed print run.

So?

Well...

Your fans are scary, Takizawa-sensei!

The TV anime for Kimi Cho was amazing, but a ton of people still complained.

So if I take on the spin-off, I'll get bashed for sure.

We don't know that. You sayin' you can predict the future?

You bet I can!

You can't be serious.

Well, I bet you have no idea what it feels like when your series gets canceled like mine was!

Readers will say, "What? This nobody's doing the spin-off?"

"Looks like we pulled a dud."

For the record, I had a series canceled in the past, too.

What? You're lying.

The search results for Takizawa-sensei show wall-to-wall hits.

Well, duh.

It was under a different name.

No way!

It was back when I was 18. I won an award and made my debut.

What? At 18?! So you are a natural-born genius, after all!

Well...

The 13th Manga Grand Prize Award Ceremony

I was unstoppable back then.

The 13th Manga Grand Prize Award

Kurokawa Renji

My serialization debut was set and everything was going perfectly.

I wasn't worried about a thing.

Until I got the news that my first series was being canceled.

I guess going at a slower pace was a bad idea.

But you said it was fine for me to string it out.

Well, everyone gets axed sooner or later. It's no big deal.

We'll do better next time.

There's no guarantee there will be a next time.

Your worries rub off on those around you. My relationship with the staff fell apart.

And of course, I couldn't get my storyboards right.

My next series didn't catch on, so it never got a volume release.

Kurokawa Renji-sama

I hope this email finds you well. The reader survey for Chapter1 has been finalized and unfortunately, the ranking remains the same as the preliminary results. There's still hope of turning things around with the new character that appears in Chapter 2.

Kurokawa Renji-sama

I hope this email finds you well. The reader survey dropped even more with Chapter 3, and frankly, we're now closer to the bottom of the list.

Kurokawa Renji-sama

I hope this email finds you well. I'm afraid this is unfortunate news, but given the current reader feedback, the editorial department must ask that we end the serialization early. I'll give you a call later today.

And before I knew it, I was 25.

We got married

We would like to announce our marriage.

We still have much to learn,

but we hope you will continue to support us.

It felt like everyone had moved on without me.

Tokyo — Takizawa

My pride and money were draining away.

I wanna die.

And then, I changed my pen name and publisher, and reincarnated.

"Reincarnated," you say?

Wow, that was a bold move.

I did have my doubts, though.

I felt like I owed my first editor something,

and I truly wanted to do my best at the magazine.

But in the end, that was just my bias toward the status quo talking.

Trying something new scared me,

but it beat how I felt when my series got canceled.

What fear are you feeling, Nashida?

And for the record...

Cigarette butts

I only approved the spin-off because I figured you could be trusted with it.

Master!

Your attitude changes so quick, I swear.

C-Come on in. I-It's a bit cramped, though.

O-Okay. Th-Thank you for having me.

Why the awkwardness? We talk all the time for work, and we've already met.

Oh, no, no, no. Seeing her on a screen and seeing her in person are two different things.

Yeah.

She's not an idol.

Silence in the room!

Can't you see I'm working here?

Then, go work at your own place.

Or even a family restaurant.

No way. I'd be lonely.

Um, who's this?

Oh, meet Nashida-san. She's my senior. She had a series called Koku-san Is Safe! until recently.

What?!

Um, you're Nashida-sensei? I have your books!

Y-You do? Wow, I'm so flattered.

So easy.

So today was your first time meeting Sato-san, right?

How'd it go?

Huh?

To be honest, the meeting didn't go well at all.

Oh.

Yeah, that's pretty obvious.

Nashida-san!

I was supposed to have her look at my new storyboards, but I didn't manage it.

What kind of story did you have in mind? Any ideas about the main character?

Sato-san asked me a lot of questions, but I couldn't come up with good answers.

So I just stayed completely silent.

Been there.

What could I have done better?!

Huh? You should've gotten the storyboards together.

Oh, c'mon. That's exactly what she's having trouble with.

That's not what I mean.

So you had nothing done for your storyboards?

No, I had the first ten pages done. But I can't turn in something incomplete.

Nah, it would've been totally fine to hand those in.

Huh?

Even if it's unfinished, sharing what you have gives both of you something to talk about.

And if you're stuck on later developments, you can talk it over with her.

I see.

Yeah, that. That's what I meant.

The audacity.

I'm serious. It's a common rookie mistake that happens all the time.

Trying to make it perfect, so it never gets done.

That's why the truly talented ones find out sooner...

...that it's impossible to create perfection on your own.

So at the storyboard stage!

How do I bring it all together?!

At the draft stage!

I can't figure out the layout!

At the manuscript stage!

Is this even worth reading?!

We ask for help when we need it.

You two are hopeless.

The real problem is not finishing on time.

So we're fine.

But you do know you're hopeless, right?

I should've come to you first.

If I had, today's meeting wouldn't have been a waste.

Nah.

Just set up another meeting tomorrow.

Huh?

Heck, do it today! Right now!

Hit by a thought? Pick up that phone!

B-But won't I be interrupting her schedule?

Editors are used to that kind of stuff, thanks to people like us.

Maybe just try calling. It's why you came all the way to Tokyo, after all.

Okay.

I hope it all works out for her.

Yeah.

But it's funny how you two are really practical when it's about someone else.

You're being way too snide, punk!

Well, it's true things don't go so smoothly when it's about myself.

Wrong. We always know what the right answer is in our heads.

We just can't act on it.

That's not better.

Plus, you don't even have any storyboards stocked up,

so lecturing someone else is bold.

What's that? Just so you know, it's not because I'm short on ideas.

The plot's fixed because it's a spin-off, but I'm having a hard time coming up

with dialogue and gestures that seem like stuff Takizawa-sensei's characters would say and do.

I've known Takizawa-sensei for years, so I know what she'll shoot down.

But there's also the editor's expectations and standards to take into account,

so getting all that straight is taking a stupid amount of time.

Wow, that's the hard bit about working on a series with a pre-existing story.

So you were actually using your brain, Nashida-san? That's surprising.

What do you take me for?

I made it this far by hiding my lack of talent behind every cheap trick I know!

Cheap tricks, huh?

Clover

I studied the hell out of rom-coms because Toda's into them,

then came up with an on-trend heroine that isn't currently in the magazine.

That's how I got serialized on my first try.

Still, it got canceled because it was all cardboard inside.

That's amazing.

I didn't know you put that much thought into it.

That's what sets pros apart.

Jeez, don't make me blush.

You're so easy to please.

You've finished talking to Sato-san?

Yes. She said we can have another meeting at 3PM tomorrow.

Nice. Will you be going straight home after?

Y-Yeah.

Tomorrow? You didn't tell me that. I'll miss you.

Same here.

You can totally stay longer if you want to, Nekonote-san.

Huh? Uh, but I don't want to cause you any trouble.

You wouldn't at all.

We already have Nashida-san staying, so... you know.

What's that supposed to mean?

Okay, I'll ask if Sato-san can let your parents know.

Sensei...

Thank you very much!

Sure thing. Relax and make yourself at home.

You're not the one who gets to say that, Nashida-san.

This is absolute nonsense.

Your storyboards don't have enough romantic spark.

Go get yourself a date with someone you actually like.

A d-date?

Wow. So this is how you come up with the shogi scenes, huh?

Yeah. Toko-san always helps me with things like supervision and research.

Wow.

Toko-san!

Whoa!

Just one day...

Or even half a day is fine...

But please go on a date with me!

Wh-Why?

She looks so nervous.

But Nekonote-san, you sure you wanna do this? Tail Nashida-san on your spring break, I mean.

Yes. Just being able to observe Nashida-san's fieldwork is more than enough.

I'm so grateful for the opportunity.

I mean, we just need to stop tailing her, that's all.

T-True. We should just take Nekonote-san sightseeing...

But this is too good to walk away from!

We're so sorry.

Not at all. Nashida-san's amazing for putting herself into her work,

but you're just as amazing for never losing your curiosity, no matter what.

It's not as great as you're making it sound.

Nashida-san!

Sorry for keeping you waiting.

Not at all. I just got here myself.

Really?

Should we get going, then? We're watching a movie, right?

Y-Yeah.

Uh, which way was it again? Let's see...

It's this way.

I know the area well, so just follow my lead.

What?

I definitely want...

a girlfriend like her!

Toko-san, I'm sorry.

The movie sucked. It was so boring.

It's fine. I'd never watch a movie about sharks on my own, so it was a fun, new experience.

I-It was?

Yup. I love coming to the movie theater, because I feel I'm escaping normal life.

Wait, is she a saint?

Wow. Toko-san's girlfriend vibes are off the chart.

For sure.

Where did she even learn these skills? From a past life?

A bit more to the left? Or maybe I should go back a touch?

I think it's a little to the right.

That should do it.

Okay.

This is the super rare figure you can only get as a prize.

You want it?

Oh, no, um...

I'm in. Let's do it.

What?

Got it!

Go in the hole!

Wow! We did it!

Yay.

We did it!

Tingle.

Ah, it's been forever since I did something fun.

So how was it?

Huh?

Did this give you inspiration for your work? Like a romantic sparkle?

Yes, for sure! Totally! Big time!

I'm glad.

But I'm sorry for dragging you into this when you must be busy.

Don't worry about it.

I had fun, too.

So if it's okay with you, let's do it again, even if it's not work-related next time.

I love you!

Huh?

Uh, well...

I totally feel that.

Toko-san's such a sweetheart.

Yes, this is so sweet.

It's overflowing. It keeps bursting out!

Looks like it was a great experience for you.

Yeah. I can finally express my love for Toko-san!

How is it, Master? I think I packed it with sparks this time.

Yup, you sure did.

But...

But what?

It's a shojo manga. We want the fluttery feeling from the girl's POV.

What you've captured here is a middle school boy's vibe.

Fix it.

What?!

I ended up doing three redrafts of the storyboards,

and when I finally got 'em approved, my schedule was a mess.

I'm cranking out pages nonstop without drinking a drop,

but there's no way I'll make the deadline!

So please help me with the manuscript. I beg you.

But don't you have your own assistant?

You're so young and naïve, Hazama-san.

Don't think the woman you broke up with is still waiting for you.

Say what?

You mean your assistant got a different gig after the cancellation?

That's right!

I see. Life sure is rough.

Then, I guess we have no choice. Shall we lend a hand?

Yes, we shall.

You will?!

M-May I help out, too?

What?

But you're on your spring break, Nekonote-san.

Well, actually...

I've always admired the setup you see in workplace manga and dramas,

where everyone's working together in one room.

Ah, yeah, I get it.

Thanks a bunch!

We're definitely still charging an assistant fee, though.

Can you use tone No. 50 for this page?

Okay.

I'm giving you the backgrounds, Hazama-san.

The reference pics are already uploaded.

Roger that.

I want this part to look really cute.

I see! Okay.

She figured it out just from that?

They're totally in-sync.

Backgrounds done.

Already? Talk about skills. Lemme send you the next page.

Want me to finish up the following scene, too?

Yeah, thanks.

How are you doing, Nekonote-san?

Do you need to rest?

No, I'm fine. Seeing how manga is created is another dream come true for me.

The reality's pretty incredible.

Shoot. My eyes are getting all blurry.

Something smells good.

Here. I made udon noodles.

T-T-T-Toko-san!

Why are you here?

Futami-sensei told me you were swamped with work, so I just couldn't help myself.

I happened to be here for a match, so I dropped by to cheer you on.

Throb.

You must be a goddess. You are, aren't you?

Huh?

Just eat up already.

It's done!

Congratulations!

Thank you. Thank you.

Good for you.

I was scared how things would turn out, but thanks to all of your help...

I'm grateful to be alive!

You're always so dramatic.

Huh? What's wrong?

I'm just so happy I got to be here. It really touched me.

It's great being part of a team.

Flutter.

Thanks to all of you, I was able to learn so much. Thank you for welcoming me.

I'll continue doing my best to become a full-fledged mangaka one day.

Quit as Futami's assistant and come work for me instead!

That's so not happening!

Don't get too cocky!

Translation: Timing: Editing + Typesetting: Quality Control: Translation Check:

Naomi Suda Andy Ellis SMR Ashley Barboza Michelle Tymon

Huh? You've read it already?

Yeah. It was pretty good.

You should tell her that, not me.

She gets carried away too easily, so no.

Speaking of which, did they also come to you about the spin-off?

Uh, yes.

I knew it. No offense, but I would've turned you down.

Your own series is doing good right now, so make that your top priority.

Okay!

Next Episode

Next Episode: I'm So Glad I Kept Going! I'm So Touched.

I'm So Glad I Kept Going! I'm So Touched.