The mangaka bit his lower lip in dismay, he immediately knew that was the answer he'd get. He argued with the book and the editor whom he was working with. It's always that way. He was always like that. He always get his intellectual workings getting slammed shut immediately right when his ideas looks like it'll bear fruit of readers. This is why he should be the one who proposes the idea himself to persuade them better. Admittedly, the only reason his last manga was published without any shutdown like this was due to his slick communication and persuasive skills. The last manga contains some major graphic violence and there was even an argument that it should be banned. This mangaka has always been looking outwards and onwards, one magazine can say about him, and he depicts reality in his works.
"Haneul, sensei- I'm sorry for this fail." The assistant immediately bows in sorry and regret for reading the written words on the paper.
"It's not your problem. You just read what is written." Haneul inhaled sharply. Standing up, he swiftly picked up his manuscript on the table that he had been working all night. Haneul knew settling down wouldn't fix anything aside from that; his money was running down low due to the extensive research that he'd been doing for the plot he had been writing the manuscript. That same manuscript he dreamt a little earlier. It was vivid, and he could contest it'll look like it is the truth. Haneul immediately knew this would be a hit in foreign settings. He, after all, doesn't write just for his country but he writes for his truth and enjoyment.
Haneul sucks.
His writing sucks so bad. I want to kill him off.
"W-Wait Haneul, sensei- Where are you going?" Haneul's assistant was shocked at what he was doing, just running off somewhere. The assistant even questioned if he was going to the publisher himself. It was an insane idea but he is Haneul. As the mangaka reached the door, he picked up his plain dark shoes, the polished ones. He was, after all doing another proposal by himself. He wasn't the one who proposed his work, and he was overworking himself in the last few months and even got sick. He thought to himself it was a mistake to just rely on his editor when he could just bring the damn manuscript and pursue the boss himself. He is, after all, Haneul.
"Going to propose my other manuscript."
"You have another- What?" His assistant couldn't believe it. Meanwhile, the other assistants who were in the other office room in his house just waved goodbye. They know Haneul always has this backup story proposal and they know he doesn't like to rest even though he's sick. Even though Haneul despite being pure Korean in blood, he seemed to be inclined to what people can call overworking. His new assistant just scratched his head at what he had just witnessed and got back to the office. As the door opened an immediate stab surprised Haneul and stabbed him multiple times before fleeing away. His blood stained his deep red jacket. Despite his shock, something came to mind. He must remember the feeling of it. How at first, it wasn't that much pain, but the longer it was, the it felt more difficult to move. He is losing blood. But suddenly, his instinct to survive kicked in at least that's what he calls it, "Hey." He shouted. Sometimes he forgets himself when thinking about his works. "Help me. I got stabbed." He shouted but his lips slightly formed a smile and a laugh. As one of his older assistants was about to go to the comfort room she sees him on the ground with his back on the door frame with him hand stopping the flow. The assistant immediately asked for the other's help as they called up the ambulance.
I really should remember the feeling of getting stabbed. Haneul told himself repeatedly.
When he woke up, he found himself at the hospital as he thought his assistants took care of him as always. He has been here multiple times due to different circumstances, others for research for the manga, his immune system collapsing, and him looking out for his live-action manga series taping. So the ambulance came in fast, he thought. It was sort of relief that it did. if it didn't he possibly won't get a chance to write how it felt.
"Haneul Jeo. What situation have you placed yourself into?" The "grumpy dad" voice was coming from his editor sitting on the chair beside him. He is familiar with that voice, his old *ss editor, Midori.
"Sorry."
"Ah. Seems like whatever I tell you doesn't get inside your head." Midori smiles weakly at him. He has always been pale and weak, along with his dustlike grey hairs unruffled on his head and his distinct blue eyes that don't fit his name which means green, a name that was given by his parents. "You do know I'm only in my position now because of your work. Don't make it hard for me. I've done my work in persuading them to get your work."
"I know."
"Your works are always controversial, that's why some people are mad at you." Midori grabbed the manuscript folder Haneul was holding. "It hits close to home to them in the worst way. Some real people experience these terrible acts of violence and injustice, Haneul. Change some of these." Midori tapped the folder. "I've already read some of this. This was a little under the nose." Midori knew that Haneul was talented in the first place and that his comeback to the manga industry as an editor made an impact and got them excellent sales. "I knew you always wanted to make it realistic, true, and relatable but please do be careful. We can't afford any lawsuits nor enemies." Midori was understanding, he always knew Haneul Jeo wanted to speak the truth. He was chasing after a ghost of his past that was already resolved yet it hunts him. Midori knew Haneul Jeo was after the people who intended harm against him and his family. Haneul Jeo has always been this way ever since it shaped him as a child. It is a terrible backstory unelaborated to others for such a gifted writer. A tragic picture.
"Though since you always do something that sells and I think I can't stop you, I'll propose it to the head. Just rest for a while. You can't write what you want if you're sick." He said that but he always knew Haneul wouldn't stop moving. It was a passion of his. Haneul even didn't finish college just to pursue this. Haneul is hard-headed. He's always moving towards what he thinks he deserves. Midori can't sympathize with his actions, but all he can do is support his belief in this mangaka that he thinks will progress the views of the people around him. "Thread carefully at what you want to express." He sighed as he pointed toward the paper bag on the bedside table. "I brought you food. Eat up. I'm going to go now." As Midori went out walking towards the counter of the hospital to pay for the bills, Haneul got the food out of the bag and ate it up. He was hungry. He hasn't been eating well since he was sick for the whole month when his immune system dropped. Midori has been monitoring him, though, so he gets medication nonetheless despite having a family of his own. His children have now sons and daughters for themselves and he's used to taking care of people so he looks at these fledgelings as his own children. He is an old man now. H also has been looking out for his other talents wanting to progress the way of thinking of people around him.
"I'm sorry." He muttered as he was hit by the shoulder by some man. The man muttered no response yet he just bowed as he moved on. The man walked towards the hallway, and he slowly opened the door where Haneul was. Haneul was unfazed as he then was shot by the man unceremoniously. Haneul always had this thought to himself that he would be killed young so he always expected something would go wrong.
The beeping of the monitor slowly drops.
Haneul is dead.