Seeing that Abe's follow-up remarks had barely managed to smooth things over, Watanabe Satoshi breathed a sigh of relief.
But he didn't dare let the man improvise again.
This guy just said whatever popped into his head.
Social finesse was something Watanabe had to handle himself.
"Kanzaki-sensei, please don't hesitate to share any requests. You don't need to worry about us not being able to deliver." Watanabe smiled. "Studio Pierrot is Japan's top animation company. We'll assemble a team of outstanding professionals, including Ohashi-sensei, Yamazawa-sensei, and Kitayama-sensei, to produce Death Note. We will fully support your creative vision."
"The per-episode production budget and the number of animators will be set to the maximum. Prioritizing Death Note is something we all agree on."
Kai nodded without thinking much of it.
It was too early to be talking about specifics.
Still, he could see Studio Pierrot's sincerity.
Second only to Kyoto Animation, whose president had visited in person.
Kai rubbed his brow, feeling completely drained.
Talking to these people was more exhausting than drawing manga.
'A manga artist just needs to draw manga. The editorial department handles all the IP licensing and development afterward. They're the ones with the real headache.'
"Kanzaki-sensei." Noticing that Kai was getting impatient, Watanabe handed over the proposal. "Please take a look at this."
He exchanged a few more pleasantries, left the proposal behind, and took Abe with him to say goodbye.
Kai walked them out. Watching their backs as they left, he found himself with a favorable impression of Watanabe.
'He really does live up to his reputation as a producer who coordinates entire animation teams. The man has impeccable social instincts.'
These people were sharp. They'd read Kai perfectly. As a manga artist who barely left the house, he should stay out of the business side and leave that to Shueisha.
After all, even Tezuka Osamu had gone bankrupt from founding his own animation company.
Even so, Kai flipped through the proposal.
It included the animation style, character designs for the protagonist, and even storyboards for two complete episodes.
The storyboards were Abe's work.
Kai examined them carefully.
Just as Abe had promised, there were no bizarre alterations. Only the manga's narrative rhythm had been adapted for animation.
'Studio Pierrot really is going all in.'
...
In the afternoon, Kai took a taxi to Tokyo Station to see Rika off.
Summer vacation had ended in a whirlwind. The weather was still warm, but the worst of the heat had finally broken.
Over the past two weeks, a steady stream of visitors had come bearing gifts. Kai had originally planned to send everything home with Rika, but one look at his sister's small frame and he decided not to burden her.
"Call me as soon as you get to Aomori." He rubbed her head, reluctant to let go.
"Mm." Rika nodded.
"Tell Mom and Dad not to push themselves too hard. Their health comes first."
Kai meant every word, but Rika tilted her head. "Wouldn't it be easier to just call them yourself?"
"Your brother can't bring himself to say stuff like that." He patted her head. "So I'm counting on you."
"Okay... okay!" Rika agreed, exasperated.
"And be careful on the..."
"You're so long-winded." Rika cut him off. "You're barely in your twenties and you already sound like a grandma. It's annoying."
"Nothing's going to happen on the bullet train. Dad's picking me up at Aomori Station. So..."
Rika grabbed her luggage and walked through the ticket gate.
"Stop worrying about me and go take care of your own stuff!"
Kai stood there in silence.
'Has Rika hit her rebellious phase?'
Back in the spring, she'd been her brother's eager little helper.
He didn't understand her anymore. Was this what the "generation gap" his old textbooks used to talk about?
It really was kind of sad.
Kai's shoulders slumped.
"Big brother!"
A voice rang out. Rika cupped her hands around her mouth and shouted from the other side of the barrier. "You take care of yourself too! Don't overwork yourself! If it gets to be too much, just take a break from serializing!"
"Bye-bye!"
She waved with everything she had.
"I'll come back during winter break!"
"Bye." Kai waved back, warmth spreading through his chest.
Rika turned and disappeared into the boarding area. Kai watched until she was completely out of sight. Then he had the sudden urge to turn to the nearest stranger and announce, "My little sister is the cutest."
His phone rang before he could.
"Heishi-san..."
"Something about your tone is off. Have I been calling too much? Am I getting on your nerves? That's terrible!"
A pause.
"But I do have good news this time."
"What good news?"
"Are you free right now? Can you come to Shueisha?"
Kai looked around at the bustling station and nodded. "Sure. Give me an hour."
He walked out of Tokyo Station and hailed a taxi.
The meter started ticking. The numbers climbed, jumping a hundred yen every few seconds.
Kai didn't flinch.
Those days were behind him. He'd reached the point where he could take a cab without thinking twice.
...
Arriving at Shueisha, Kai reached for the door.
Through the glass, he noticed someone standing just inside. A young man with a round face, breathing hard and looking furious.
Kai studied him for a moment and recognized who it was.
He let go of the door handle and stepped back to greet him.
"Oda-sensei. It's great to see you again."
Oda didn't expect anyone to recognize him. He blinked, took a closer look, and his eyes went wide. "You're... Kanzaki-sensei!"
"Wait. You actually know who I am?"
Right now, Oda was a nobody. He hadn't even started serialization yet.
And the hottest newcomer in the industry knew his face?
It felt surreal.
"Of course." Kai nodded. "I ran into you at Shueisha back in early April, when I came to submit my manuscript for the first time. I'm a real fan of your work."
That brief encounter had left a deep impression.
"Early April." Oda did the math. That was right around the time his editor had told him One Piece got rejected.
In barely five months, this newcomer had blown past him and become the savior of Jump.
And during that same stretch, Oda had been getting ground down by Torishima.
'Damn you, Torishima! You wasted my time!'
He clenched his fists, seething internally.
He never once believed that One Piece failing to get serialized was his own fault.
______________________
Bonus chapter at 666 Power stones
Support me at patreon.com/CulturedOne and read 50 Advanced Chapters