Several days had passed since 『Jump Festa』, but seeing the three assistants again during break time, they couldn't help but enthusiastically chat about what they had seen and done that day.
And since Akira had supported them with ten thousand yen in activity funds, they indeed had a much more enjoyable time at the event venue that day.
At least they could directly buy the food and water sold on-site, as well as some relatively cheap merchandise and toys, without feeling constrained by money.
For these reasons, combined with the special nature of 『Jump Festa』, it was indeed a deeply unforgettable memory for them.
Just then, Hayato suddenly remembered something and asked Akira, "By the way, Mochizuki-sensei, didn't you go to see the main stage show for One Piece?"
"Hmm?"
Hayato's sudden question left Akira a bit bewildered. "I did watch it. Why do you ask?"
?
Hayato said in surprise, "But I carefully scanned the entire audience at the time, and I didn't see you anywhere."
"Uh... are you just too free or what...?"
Akira bantered speechlessly, then explained with a chuckle, "Of course you wouldn't see me in the audience seats. I was watching from backstage."
"Ah."
Only then did Hayato realize that the other party was someone who could freely enter and exit the backstage area, so of course he didn't need to squeeze into the audience seats with them.
"Must be nice!"
He couldn't help but sigh in envy, then asked curiously, "In that case, Mochizuki-sensei, you must have met those three voice actors, right?"
"Of course."
Akira smiled. "Oda-kun even introduced us to each other."
"?! Must be nice—!
"
While Hayato was burning with envy, Shota had an issue he was more concerned about, though he didn't know if he should speak up.
After hesitating for a moment, however, he still couldn't help but ask Akira, "Um, Mochizuki-sensei, about you and Shimizu-san..."
The moment this question was asked, Hayato instantly shut up, and even Daisuke, who was standing to the side, couldn't help but look over with curiosity.
Seeing the three of them looking at him with eyes full of gossip and curiosity, Akira didn't know whether to laugh or cry.
This time, however, he thought about it and smiled. "Well..."
But just as he spoke, the phone in his pocket rang. Under the speechless gazes of the three assistants, he could only smile, wave them off, and head to the balcony to answer it.
Unsurprisingly, it was a call from Hisashi, the customary rank-reporting session for shōsei.
However—
"This will be the last time we report shōsei's ranking for this year,"
Hisashi sighed. "Whenever this time of year comes around, it always makes one marvel at how fast time flies."
"Indeed."
Akira nodded in agreement.
Without realizing it, he had already been in this world for over half a year. Looking back now, he had actually accomplished quite a lot during these six months.
"So, I'll have to trouble Mr. Sasaki to keep looking after me next year as well."
"Even though it's the end of the year, isn't it still a bit too early to say that?"
Hisashi teased with a laugh, then added sincerely, "But of course, I look forward to working with you in the future as well."
"Alright, let's talk about work first."
This week, Chapter 23 of shōsei topped the rankings again, taking 1st place.
This result was not unexpected.
While battle chapters themselves are usually quite popular, the appearance of Sasaki Kojirou also pleasantly surprised many readers.
After all, Sasaki Kojirou was a highly renowned sword saint in Japan. Fighting on his home turf not only gave him a combat boost but also a significant boost in popularity.
Meanwhile, a new serialized manga titled "Bremen" was also published this week. The first chapter landed in 7th place, which seemed neither too good nor too bad.
However, Akira found that his memory of this manga was completely blank.
So he took a quick look at the beginning of the manga and found it a bit boring, or rather, not quite to his taste.
Unsurprisingly, this manga didn't seem to get an anime adaptation later on, likely becoming just another drop of water swallowed by the great waves of time.
Aside from that, there was nothing else worth mentioning this week.
But Akira had a question he wanted to ask Hisashi: "Mr. Sasaki, when will the Shonen Jump New Year's party be held?"
"About that..."
Hisashi laughed. "The New Year's party is usually organized after we return from the New Year holidays, so there's no need to rush."
"Even if you don't ask, I'll take the initiative to notify you when the time comes."
"After the New Year, huh..."
Akira understood. "Alright, I see."
That was the end of the official business, but before hanging up, Hisashi asked with a grin, "By the way, how are things going between you and Shimizu-san?"
"Uh..."
Akira was instantly speechless and said, half-laughing, half-sighing, "I say, why are you all so gossipy?"
"After all, today is—"
"Alright, alright, I know what to do. Just stop nagging me."
He flatly hung up the phone and returned to the living room.
By this time, the assistants had started chatting about the upcoming New Year's holiday again.
After finishing the drawing work for the latest chapter, he officially announced the start of their vacation, which would last until January 9th—a full half-month off.
Although serialized Manga Artists and their assistants were usually busy to death, at least the New Year's holiday was longer than what normal companies offered, which was somewhat comforting.
Of course, the "busyness" he referred to applied to most other serialized Manga Artists; it had nothing to do with him.
As for their holiday plans, the three assistants were basically all preparing to return to their hometowns for the New Year, and he was no exception.
Among the four of them, only Daisuke was a bit of an exception, as he also had to stay at his in-laws' house for a while.
"Come to think of it, today is Christmas Eve."
Hayato sighed helplessly. "Looks like I'll have to rush home after finishing work this afternoon. I really don't want to see couples flaunting themselves all over the streets in front of me."
"Agreed."
Shota nodded in deep agreement, a rare moment of consensus between the two.
At this point, however, Daisuke smirked rather smugly. "Sorry, but my wife and I have a date tonight."
Who asked you?
The two of them instantly gave him jealous and disgusted glares. Then, Hayato remembered something and looked tentatively at Akira.
Although he felt the answer was probably obvious, he still couldn't help but ask, "What about you, Mochizuki-sensei?"
To this, Akira smiled. "Of course, I have a date too."
Damn it!
I knew it!