Shiori wanted to stay, and Takumi, naturally, would not refuse. He was delighted that she would receive more guidance as a voice actress.
Vacation's Eve 2015 was February 18th, and Hinotori Publishing would officially go on holiday on February 11th, which left Takumi less than a week.
Haru took the Pokémon sample film to negotiate with the Osaka television station, and Takumi took the opportunity to intensify work on Detective Conan and Inuyasha. The company had more than ten days off for New Year's, but the weekly magazine only stopped for one week, and Takumi had to draw the three episodes of the manuscript.
This work kept him busy from the 4th to the 8th, and he finished it with great enthusiasm.
The collaboration of Hiroshi Kawakami and Tomoko played a crucial role. Takumi and Sakura focused on drawing Inuyasha, while the Detective Conan case was directed by Hiroshi Kawakami. He and Tomato were very attentive. When Takumi gave them the first draft, he was very satisfied.
"Modify some details, and these cases can become manuscripts."
Takumi reminded them to modify some details. The key lies in the personality and tone of voice of the Detective Conan characters. Hiroshi Kawakami did not master them perfectly, but essentially he adapted to the market.
On the night of the 8th, Alice reviewed the finished drafts of the two manga at Takumi's house.
"Not bad, it's good."
After reading it, Alice announced that she had approved it, and the four applauded.
"I finally approved it! I'm so tired these days!" she exclaimed.
"It's time for a vacation."
Everyone was very tired these days. In addition to helping Takumi with his work, Tomato and Sakura had to go home to draw their three chapters. Even with the help of their assistants, they didn't sleep much these days. Hiroshi Kawakami seemed to be the easiest, but he faced greater pressure. To maintain the quality of Detective Conan and get Takumi's approval, he prepared eight cases and finally selected three. He almost lost his hair.
The manuscript was delivered, and the assistants were looking forward to going home and getting a good night's sleep.
"Thank you for your effort." Takumi sent them downstairs and said with a smile: "Starting tomorrow, you'll have holidays and can go home to have a good New Year. I'll notify you of the work schedule."
"Okay."
"No problem."
"Thank you, Mirai-sensei."
Several people bid farewell to Takumi and prepared to leave with a smile.
"Wait, I'll have someone take you back." Takumi called the driver and asked him to escort the three assistants home. It was already late, so the assistants didn't refuse, but they were all stunned when they got into the car. They saw three large red gift bags with names written on them.
"This is a New Year's gift for you." Takumi smiled and said: "There are some New Year's gifts. Take them home for New Year's!"
He didn't specify what they were, but the three assistants were very satisfied. 'Mirai-sensei's concern for his assistants is uncommon among mangaka.' So, despite the hard work, Sakura and Tomato never thought of leaving; there are still many mangaka interested in them.
However, Sakura and Tomato have some financial means, so they don't care too much about the contents of the gift bag. Hiroshi Kawakami is different. He opened the gift bag with his wife upon arriving home, and both were very surprised.
Several fruits, high-end nutritional products, and other New Year's gifts; all of this is relatively normal, but...
"How can there be so much money!"
His wife looked through several bulging red envelopes and counted them. There were at least 2,000 large red bills inside.
"More than 200,000 yen..." She swallowed, took Hiroshi Kawakami's hand, and said nervously: "Hiroshi, ask Mirai-sensei if he put it in the wrong place."
"No need to ask." Hiroshi Kawakami looked at a piece of paper, shook his head, and said: "This is a blessing letter written by Mirai-sensei, and it states the amount of the red envelope."
His wife took the paper and saw that, as expected, Mirai-sensei expressed his gratitude to Hiroshi Kawakami and left them over 200,000 yen to celebrate the New Year.
"With so much money, we can go back to our hometown for New Year's!"
"Hiroshi, do you think Mirai-sensei knew we were in financial trouble and helped us on purpose?"
his wife suddenly asked, and Hiroshi Kawakami suddenly understood that yes, he had only worked for a month, 'what did he have to be grateful for? After earning a month's salary, he couldn't afford to visit his relatives during the Spring Festival. He and his wife originally planned not to return to their hometown, thinking they would just spend the Spring Festival in Osaka.'
But now, with the extra income of over 200,000 yen, there's no problem returning home to honor their parents and meet friends.
"You're right, Mirai-sensei is helping us."
Hiroshi Kawakami's eyes welled up with tears. Mirai-sensei helped him in this way, which moved him.
"This time you've met a noble person!" his wife said joyfully. She quickly reminded him: "You must work hard in the future. Mirai-sensei is such a good person that he will undoubtedly treat us well."
"That's right!"
Hiroshi Kawakami nodded, his chest burning. Although he had just finished work, he decided not to waste any time. During the Spring Festival, he had to think about Detective Conan cases and make this manga more interesting.
As for Takumi, he slept well all night. On January 9th, Haru called him to inform him that the Osaka television station had accepted Pokémon.
"Mirai-sensei, your fan is really capable. She talked to us a bit, and the station agreed to include Pokémon as an animation candidate." Haru was surprised on the phone. The fan she mentioned was Rina. Although she had resigned, Rina still had contacts at the station.
"Animation candidate?"
Takumi noticed the loophole in Haru's words. 'Was the broadcast of Pokémon not completely confirmed?'
"Yes, it's a candidate. The station is going to launch an animation slot, divided into two time slots: afternoon and night. Now there are two candidate works, so, no matter what, there will be no problem with the broadcast."
Haru's explanation reassured Takumi. He was worried about NHK's rejection and suspected that Osaka TV would not broadcast Pokémon. But now it seems that, after a few months, that matter has faded.
"What is the other candidate work?"
Takumi asked curiously.
"Uh..." Haru was a little speechless and replied after a long time: "It's The Young Emperor from Kira Kira Animation Studio, which tells the story of King Qin Ying Zheng. It is said that the cost of each episode exceeds 40,000,000 yen. The first four episodes have already been completed, which is a big advantage over us."
"Mirai-sensei, the television station will hold the Osaka Carnival tonight to announce some plans for the future program. They're asking you to participate and decide on the spot the broadcast time for our Pokémon and Kira Kira Animation Studio's The Young Emperor."
"Okay." Takumi nodded: "What time and place?"
"Osaka Media Center Hall, the carnival starts at 8:00 PM. Our company will send representatives to participate. Mirai-sensei, please prepare your suit first."
- - - -
Big News!
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