Chapter 58: A Leisurely Arrival
At the monthly editorial meeting in early January, Lee threw out a proposal that stunned everyone.
"Alex Walker's new work, Non Non Biyori," he projected a proposal onto the screen. "The genre is ultimate heartwarming rural slice-of-life. It tells the leisurely life of five girls in the countryside. No main plot, no profound discussions, just eating, sleeping, looking at the scenery, and chatting."
The conference room was silent for three seconds, then exploded.
"Chief, this..." Kevin Zhang pushed his glasses. "FMA is at the climax of the Northern Arc. Suddenly launching such a completely opposite new work, can readers accept it?"
"And the art style will conflict, right?" An editor questioned. "FMA is dark and profound; Non Non Biyori is relaxed and healing. Same author drawing both, will it be split personality?"
Lee waited for the discussion to die down before speaking slowly. "That is the point. We want to tell everyone—Alex Walker can draw more than one genre. He can draw the darkest FMA, and he can draw the warmest Non Non Biyori. And—"
He paused, pulling up another document. "For this new work, Alex proposed collaborating with White Night. He provides the script and storyboards; White Night handles the art. Joint credit."
The room went silent again, but this time it was shocked silence.
Sue reacted first. "Is this to create a 'Master-Apprentice Duo' brand effect?"
"Correct." Lee nodded. "FMA proves Alex's depth; Non Non Biyori proves his breadth. Plus the collaboration with White Night—we will use this work to completely shut the mouths of those saying 'he only draws darkness' or 'he's leading newcomers astray.' At the same time, this is the most powerful response to the Shonen World Alliance—you guys dig for newcomers with awards, we unite top authors."
"But White Night..." Kevin hesitated. "The Thorn Bird is still serializing. Can she handle two works simultaneously?"
"That is the meaning of cooperation." Lee said. "Non Non Biyori is a monthly release. No rushing progress, no pursuing explosive points, purely relaxed creation. For White Night, this is a chance to liberate herself from heavy themes and learn how to handle daily life genres from Alex. And—"
He looked at Sue. "Gavin Zhao has already agreed. Terms are generous—simultaneous serialization in both magazines, equal promotional resources, 50-50 revenue split. This is true strategic cooperation, not one relying on the other."
Sue took a deep breath. "Then what is Alex's intention?"
"He has already started preparing the storyboard for Chapter 1." Lee said. "Next Monday, simultaneous with FMA Chapter 28 serialization, we release the teaser for Non Non Biyori. A double strike to completely ignite the market."
Same afternoon, Manga Weekly Editorial Department.
Gavin Zhao looked at the final version of the cooperation agreement, unable to suppress his smile. Klein asked beside him, "Chief, are we really going to cooperate with NextGen to this extent? Simultaneous serialization, equal resources... this ties our brand with theirs."
"We need to tie them together." Zhao said. "In this market now, fighting alone has no future. Shonen World crushes with capital; we counter with a quality alliance. And—"
He paused, lowering his voice. "This is White Night's chance. Collaborating with Alex Walker, her value will at least triple. By then, negotiation chips for The Thorn Bird's anime adaptation and overseas rights will be completely different."
"But Non Non Biyori's genre..." Klein was still worried. "Slice-of-life healing, does it have an advantage in the current market? Readers want depth, explosive points."
"You are wrong." Zhao shook his head. "Precisely because the market is too intense now, readers reading dark profound stuff like FMA and heavy real stuff like Thorn Bird every day need a place to relax more. Non Non Biyori is that place. And—"
He looked out the window. "Have you noticed a voice appearing online recently, saying manga is too tiring, reading a chapter takes half a day of thinking and writing reflections? This voice is growing. Alex keenly sensed this, so he launched Non Non Biyori. This isn't escape; it's supplementation. Like a meal needs meat and vegetables, reading manga needs depth and lightness."
Klein nodded thoughtfully.
"Go prepare." Zhao said. "Teaser release next Monday. We promote with maximum effort. I've thought of the headline—'Darkness and Light, Profound and Healing, Alex Walker and White Night's Ultimate Contrast Collaboration'."
_______________
Ranch, evening mist.
Alex was drawing the storyboard for Non Non Biyori Chapter 1 in the studio. Simple plot: five girls move to an old house in the countryside. First day, they clean rooms, cook, eat, then sit on the porch watching the sunset.
No dramatic conflict, no emotional explosion, just calm daily life. But he drew seriously—drawing the angle of sunlight through the window, the steam from rice, the unfurling of tea leaves in a cup, the grain of wooden floorboards.
He deliberately used a completely different paneling style from FMA: slow shots, lots of white space, little dialogue. The visuals spoke for themselves.
Drawing the sunset part, he stopped, thought, and tried a few compositions in his sketchbook. Finally chose the plainest one: five girls sitting side by side, backs to viewer, sunset stretching their shadows long. No one spoke; the scene was quiet enough to hear cicadas.
Very ordinary, but ordinary with a healing power.
Phone buzzed. White Night's message: "Teacher! I received the script for Non Non Biyori! So warm! Completely different world from the Thorn Bird I'm drawing now!"
Alex replied: "Yeah. Relax when drawing. Don't think about technique or depth, just draw the leisurely life you imagine."
"But I'm a bit worried... afraid I can't draw that leisurely feeling. I'm used to heavy themes..."
"Then go experience it," Alex typed. "Come to the ranch tomorrow, I'll take you to the back hill. See what real leisure looks like."
"Okay!"
Next morning, White Night arrived on time. No art tools this time, just a small bag and casual clothes.
Alex took her to the ranch's back hill. January woods were quiet, leaves mostly fallen, distant mountains visible. They walked slowly along the path, no destination, just walking.
"Teacher," White Night said suddenly, "before my sister got sick, we used to walk like this. Back then felt like we had lots of time, could walk slowly, chat slowly. Now... always feel rushed, rush to draw, rush to improve, rush to prove myself."
(To be Continued)