While Haruki and Haruka were meeting with Saya at T-Bone Animation Studio, news of Initial D's latest milestone spread quickly across the manga industry.
Just weeks earlier, Natsume's Friends Journal had claimed the top spot in Shroud Line magazine's popularity rankings. Now Initial D had followed suit, two vastly different works, both reaching #1 in close succession.
The reaction within the industry wasn't surprise anymore—it was confirmation.
Two series, two genres. And yet the same name behind both: Mizushiro.
There was no question now. Haruki Yuuki had emerged as a powerhouse—versatile, consistent, and quietly reshaping the competitive landscape.
No one was more excited than his longtime fans.
Some had been following his work since his early days, when he debuted with The garden of words in Osaka. They had watched him move to Tokyo, evolve through sheer momentum, and now rise to the very top of the field.
With both Initial D and Natsume's Friends reaching #1 back-to-back, many saw this as the moment Haruki had officially joined the ranks of the top-tier manga artists in the country.
Before this, the magazine's mainstays were few. Jin Takami and Airi Tanaka had long carried Shroud Line's reputation. Jin had since gone on hiatus after finishing Crimson Abyss, promising a new series that never materialized—last anyone heard, he was still traveling abroad.
That left Airi holding the spotlight until now.
Haruki's steady rise was good news for Shroud Line's publisher, Echo Shroud. With Jin absent, their ranks had been thinner than competing magazines like Gilded Lock or Chain Veil, which each boasted half a dozen prominent artists. Haruki's presence now helped stabilize Echo Shroud's standing in a competitive market and if Jin ever returned, the lineup would become a powerhouse again.
Still, even amid the celebration, fans had questions.
With Takumi's dramatic victory over Ryosuke, what would come next in Initial D? Nearly all of Gunma's mountain passes had been conquered. Every rival from Nakaritake and Shingo from Myogi to the Red Suns in Akagi had already fallen to the AE86.
To continue the story, the only real option was to expand the racing scene beyond Gunma. That was the natural next step… but it also meant taking Takumi away from his home turf on Mt. Akina something longtime fans were reluctant to accept.
In the end, many comforted themselves with the same thought: Mizushiro had never let them down.
What they didn't know was that Haruki had already decided to end Initial D along with Natsume's Friends. Both were entering their final arcs, and unless someone could change his mind, they would conclude within the next few months.
From Echo Shroud's perspective, that was a problem.
They needed a buffer period before any official announcement. Typically, series finales were planned at least three months in advance to give fans time to prepare. Spring was the deadline, which meant the next quarter would be crucial.
For Amane, Echo Shroud's next editor-in-chief, it was a headache she couldn't afford.
Meanwhile, on Wednesday, Haruki was once again pulled into a book signing event—this time for Initial D, hosted at a temporary venue inside a repurposed convention hall.
He'd done one of these before, so he thought he was prepared.
But when he arrived and saw the crowd lined up outside, his jaw nearly dropped. Hundreds had already filled the venue, and the line at the entrance still stretched out onto the street.
"Why are there so many people?" he muttered to Haruka beside him. "It's way more than last time…"
"Of course," Haruka said calmly. "You're not the same person you were a year ago."
"Last year, Natsume's Friends was popular, sure, but you were still seen as an up-and-comer. This year? You've released two hit series and two acclaimed anime. You're no longer just a promising artist—you're one of the most influential names in the industry."
"You've become the benchmark for the new generation. Everyone's heard your story , getting trapped in a local publishing that didn't value you, and then moving to Tokyo and rising through the ranks. Whether you think it's dramatic or not, it's inspired a lot of people."
Haruki blinked. He looked down at the crowd, unsure how to respond.
Is that really how people see me?
From his point of view, it had all felt pretty straightforward—he just copied what he had to, drew what he could, and rode the system's rewards. It had never struck him as heroic. But apparently, to everyone else, his journey had taken on a life of its own.
"All right, time to go," Haruka said, checking the time. "Technically, your only job is to sign the special edition volumes… but don't get your hopes up."
Haruki turned. "What do you mean?"
"You'll be signing from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., nonstop. We'll bring you lunch, but don't expect breaks. At this level, it's normal for events to go all day. And trust me, the line will only get longer."
She patted his back and walked off before he could protest.
Moments later, security started letting in the fans.
The first was a middle-aged man in a white shirt that read Fujiwara Tofu Shop above an image of the AE86. His eyes were bright with excitement as he stepped up to the table.
"Sensei! I've been here since 4 a.m.," he said proudly. "I just wanted to be first in line. Could you sign it like this: 'To Yui, Happy Birthday from Mizushiro' That's my wife—she's a huge fan of both Initial D and Natsume's Friends. Her birthday's tomorrow."
Haruki took the book, nodded, and uncapped his pen. Whatever he had been planning to say, he let it go.
This was going to be a long day.
He took a breath and started signing.
Shout out to Snippy for joining my p-atreon! your support means everything to me.
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