I Refuse to Become Scumbag in Tokyo

Shishio sipped the warm black coffee slowly as he observed Ayano.

"I have read the manga, and personally, I hope that this manga can be published right away," Ayano said as she looked at Shiina and Shishio with a smile, thinking that they were the key to her promotion.

When she met Shiina for the first time, Ayano knew that Shina had the talent to draw, but it wasn't something unexpected since Shiina was a world-class painter.

However, Shiina lacked the ability to create a good story.

Ayano had read all the stories that Shiina wrote, but they were so bad that she didn't know what to say. However, she felt that it was normal since when God gave someone a talent, God would rob something from that person, which would be fair. Still, some people were born with many talents from their birth, but this was a rare case, and she couldn't apply it to Shishio.

Shiina's talent at painting was undoubted, and Ayano saw the possibility to become one of the best mangakas, but at the same time, she also knew Shiina's trouble.

In the beginning, Ayano thought to tell Shiina to create a story based on whatever around her, what she felt, what she saw, every experience that she had experienced. However, she didn't expect that Shiina would ask someone to make her a story, and that story was so good!

The story that Shishio had made might be something from his previous life, but even so, he had enhanced it, so it would be even better. After all, he had an "Art Mastery," so while the status quo was good, he thought of the possibility of going beyond.

Shishio didn't hesitate and went beyond that and reached the plus ultra with "5 Cm Per Second."

Ayano felt that Shishio was a genius at writing and Shiina was a genius at drawing, the combination of the two would give her the best mangaka in history!

When Ayano saw that was a possibility, she was so excited, but at the same time, she didn't want them to be arrogant, which was why she tested their reaction after they heard that their manga was about to be published. Still, out of all the reaction that she had thought, her lips twitched when she saw them calmly drinking a melon soda float and black coffee.

"Um... did you hear me?" Ayano asked unsurely since their reaction was too calm, right?

"Yeah, we did hear you." Shishio nodded.

Shiina also nodded as she kept eating the ice cream on her melon soda float.

"Then show some reactions! You two are just 15 and 16, right? Yet you have published your own manga! It is an achievement that some people can't achieve in their lives! You should be happier!" Ayano's emotions exploded as she told the two of them. She stood up as she slapped at the table, causing everyone to be surprised, wondering whether something had happened again.

"Wait a moment before we're going to celebrate and be happy. There are some questions that I need to ask," Shishio said calmly.

"Please ask." Ayano sat down and looked at Shishio curiously.

"Our manga is going to be published in Weekly Magazine, right?" Shishio asked.

"Yes." Ayano nodded without hesitation.

There were two types of manga magazines: weekly and monthly.

The difference was simple, and someone could tell the difference from the name alone.

If it was weekly, then the manga would be updated one chapter per week, while on the other hand, the manga would be updated one chapter per month.

"We're students, and don't you worry that we can't do a serialization for weekly manga?" Shishio asked. "Is it alright for you to decide right away?"

Shishio and Shiina were students, and they needed to go to school.

The school would usually end in the evening, so the only time they could draw was at night. With that limited amount of time, they needed to draw at least 18 to 24 pages of manga every week. It was challenging, and it was taxing.

Shishio knew that Ayano knew that, so he was confused as to why this woman could be so reassured to believe them that they could do a weekly serialization.

Ayano smiled when she heard Shishio's question. "I'm happy that you asked that question, and to hear that, I assure you that you'll be able to do a weekly serialization."

"Oh? Why?" Shishio asked.

"Because of her!" Ayano looked at Shiina and said, "Shiina-san's drawing speed is something that normal people can't achieve. She's also a genius, and from what I have heard that the story has been completed, right?" She looked at Shishio and asked, "If possible, can you let me read the story? I have heard from Shiina-san that you have written the story into a novel."

"I don't mind." Shishio nodded and didn't say much since Shiina's manga serialization had been decided, so there was nothing to worry about. "Before that, can I see the contract?" Still, he also understood why Ayano was reassured with Shiina's ability since she could draw one page of the manga in an hour or less when usually a normal mangaka needed to use at least three hours to finish one page of the manga.

Her speed wasn't the only amazing thing, but the quality of her drawing was also something that many people couldn't achieve.

Shiina's drawing skills are impeccable.

The story of the manga also had been completed, so what was Ayano worried about?

Ayano never felt so reassured when she was assigned to become an editor of mangaka until she met the two of them. She might have been worried about Shiina in the past, but with his lover, she felt that worry disappear since she could see how dependable he was.

"Yes."

Ayano nodded and took out the contract from her bag, giving it to Shishio. She also understood why Shishio asked her since she could tell that he was worried about Shiina being fooled, considering how lacked Shiina's common sense was.

Shishio knew that Shiina's common sense was simply zero, and he was afraid that Ayano might cheat Shiina.

However, Shishio thought too much since Shiina's treatment was something that a newcomer might not achieve. He looked at Ayano in surprise and asked, "It's amazing. How did you do it?"

Usually, a newcomer mangaka would receive 9,000 yen to 11,000 yen for one page of the manuscript. Some unscrupulous publishing houses even dared to pay their mangaka with 4,000 yen to 6,000 yen for one page of the manuscript.

It could be said that the manga industry was cruel, there were thousands of people who dreamed of becoming mangaka, but only a few of them could be one. Some people were even desperate to become one and didn't care if the publishing house worked them out as a slave and didn't give them fair compensation as long as they could become one.

In addition to the manuscript fee, there was also a royalty income.

Usually, most newcomers would receive 8% to 10% of the royalty from one book that was sold.

If a manga was priced at 500 yen, then a mangaka would receive 50 yen for every manga that was sold if the royalty was 10%.

The manuscript fee that Shiina had received was 15,000 yen, and her royalty was 12%, which was why, Shishio was surprised, considering her status as a newcomer, the contract that she received was luxurious.

Still, compared to the famous mangakas and others, there was a distance, but even so, it was amazing.

"Because she's Shiina Mashiro."

Ayano's answer was simply because the one who would become a mangaka was Shiina Mashiro.

".........."

Shishio couldn't say much since Ayano wasn't wrong, but he sighed, thinking this was reality.

"Nyaa..." Shiina hummed happily when Shishio caressed her head.

Shishio also smiled gently and thought that this girl was adorable, but at the same time, he thought that if Sorata was in his place, he could imagine him clenching his fists tightly, hearing how amazing Shiina was before drowning in his inferiority complex.

Still, Shishio knew that if it was other people, they wouldn't receive Shiina's treatment, they would be doubted since they were newcomers, but Shiina was simply a superstar in the art world. Her name was loud, her skills were impeccable, and she was beautiful.

If there was a disadvantage, then it was her common sense.

Shiina had been using all of her time to study painting, so she didn't know anything about other things, which was why she often acted like a kindergarten student.

Still, among those factors, some people might argue whether being beautiful was useful or not, but being beautiful was one of the factors someone could be popular.

It might be depressing, but beautiful girls and handsome boys had more chances than someone who lacked in terms of appearance.

People often say that no one should judge a book by its cover.

However, most, no, almost all the people judged people by their appearance.

With how handsome Shishio was and how beautiful Shiina was, along with how good the story and drawing were, Ayano knew that it was simply a time before their manga became popular.

"By then, your manga will be made into an anime, tv drama, movie, novel, and other related goods..." Ayano simply said as Shishio read the contract silently.

Shiina didn't say anything and only looked at Ayano curiously since she was quite interested in anime, tv drama, and movies.

"Don't put too much expectation on us. You should know that if the manga isn't well-received, then your disappointment will be big," Shishio said calmly, but he wouldn't reject the contract since it was generous. It might not be much for his current net worth, but it was good for Shiina's pocket money.

"Sorry." Ayano apologized and said, "But that's how I feel about your manga. I feel that it can become a big hit."

"Thank you for your praise." Shishio looked at Ayano and said, "I have read the contract, and I don't think that there's something that we need to change."

"I have worked hard to get that contract." Ayano smiled and said, "Still, if you have something to ask, then you should ask away."

"I don't have one now." Shishio looked at Shiina and asked, "Mashiro, do you have something to ask?"

"Movie?" Shiina looked at Ayano curiously.

"Well, this is a romance manga, right? So if it's become popular, then it won't be weird if it receives an offer to create a live-action or a movie," Ayano said simply since this matter was a common thing.

Shiina thought for a moment, but then a voice interrupted them.

"Are you done with your discussion? How about you eat first? I have poured all of my feelings into this dish. Try it," Masaki said with a smile as he brought three Spaghetti Neapolitans to their table.

"Thanks!" Ayano smiled.

"Thank you." Shishio also nodded.

Shiina looked at the Napolitan for a moment and decided to eat first since she was famished.

The three of them decided to eat the lunches first since they were hungry, but then, Shishio's nose twitched a moment when the door of the cafe was opened.

"Welcome!" 2x

The plump boy and the beautiful woman greeted the new customers who entered.

Shishio didn't overthink and continued to eat, but then he didn't expect this new guest would sit behind him, and he was familiar with the smell of this person.

'No way, right?'