Chapter 264: Meeting
For several days in a row, the same news appeared in all major Osaka newspapers.
"Detective Conan's single volume sales surpassed 4 million, and its popularity continued to rise.
"The Detective's Son" followed closely with 3.5 million." "Detective Conan's single volume has sold 5 million copies, and The Detective's Son has surpassed 4 million, and the difference is widening!"
"Detective Conan..."
As time passed, the sales difference between "Detective Conan" and "The Detective's Son" gradually widened, which surprised people and confused some regular newspaper readers.
"Why has the tide turned?"
This morning, a man sighed as he consulted the Osaka Evening News. Today's Osaka Evening News no longer talked about sales. Its headline was "Mirai-sensei vs. Aika: The Winner Is Decided!"
The content of this report used a series of data to illustrate the comparison between Mirai-sensei and Aika. The data was very detailed, so much so that it was based on reader votes to estimate "The Detective's Son"'s influence on "Weekly Boutique". If "Weekly Boutique" hadn't added other manga, The Detective's Son's popularity would undoubtedly have been lower than Detective Conan's.
It also included various data on Detective Conan readers, including the approximate number of readers accumulated over time. The overall reading was very convincing, and people would think it was normal for "The Detective's Son" to lose to "Detective Conan".
It also included data on other manga in the newspaper, the most prominent of which was One Piece. Since Mirai Manga only had one magazine, One Piece, One Piece's strength was the easiest to calculate. The magazine's achievements were equivalent to its achievements.
Excluding the Weekly Boutique bonus, if it's only "The Detective's Son", its actual sales volume isn't even one-sixth of One Piece's.
"What? Don't tell me Mirai-sensei used two books to compete against one! That new mangaka didn't even surpass one of Mirai-sensei's manga!"
The man was stunned. It turned out that, without Weekly Boutique's help, "The Detective's Son" was completely out of control. What he said about being a new era mangaka who surpassed Mirai-sensei now seems like a lie!
In fact, The Detective's Son's sales volume was already very good, but now, with the media's change of direction, readers' perception will gradually change.
They will think more about what happened in the past two months. Thinking about it, many will get angry. They were deceived by the media and Kanto's news.
Before, seeing Mirai-sensei's two books against one, everyone thought the media was reasonable. That new mangaka is better than Mirai-sensei, and now they see the real data. Everyone is stunned.
Mirai-sensei's home forum, a pastry shop.
"Look!"
A university student carried a bag by her side and boasted: "This is what my roommate lost to me! We bet on who would win between Mirai-sensei and Aika, and I won!"
"This bag is from the Matsumoto brand, a luxury brand from Japan. I remember the cheapest one cost 60,000 yen. Your roommate is very rich!"
"Stupid... That's not the point. The point is that her roommate bet that Aika would win. What kind of brain is this!"
. The girls around her laughed. It was a group of girls from different universities. They are young and active, with a lot of time and nothing to do. They often visit Mirai-sensei's home forum.
"My roommate is a rich lady. She never got along with me and always likes to contradict me. She had never read manga and laughed at me when she found out I was a fan of Mirai-sensei...".
The university student holding the bag laughed: "She saw the news about Kanto and Aika a while ago and immediately became proud in front of me, so she bet with me!"
Of course, the result was a big victory.
"Great. How come I don't have such a foolish roommate nearby?"
"Yes, everyone in my dorm likes Mirai-sensei very much. It's so boring...".
"You're happy this time. Not only have you won money, but you can also mock that young woman in the future."
The other girls showed envy on their faces. Just as boys hate tall, rich, and handsome men, these ordinary girls also dislike white, rich, and beautiful women. They all harbor some hostility in their hearts.
"Oh, ridicule is impossible..."
But after hearing what her companions said, the girl carrying the bag smiled bitterly: "That young woman knows I'm in the Older Sisters Alliance. Now she has joined Mirai-sensei's personal guard. From now on, we are mortal enemies!"
The Older Sisters Alliance and Mirai-sensei's personal guard are two fan groups that are now incompatible. They often fight, and in fact, many people also object.
"Wait... didn't you say she supported Aika? Why did she join the personal guard? What's going on?"
The other girls were confused. How could Mirai-sensei's personal guard support Aika?
"You should blame me. I didn't read manga before. When I bet, I just followed what the newspaper wrote... But then the situation changed. I bought Mirai-sensei's manga out of curiosity...".
The university student didn't continue, but those around her immediately understood. Just by reading some of Mirai-sensei's manga, few would dislike it. They became fans of Mirai-sensei and, unintentionally, became fascinated with manga.
"She must have read 'Five Centimeters Per Second'!"
a girl said. She was a fan attracted by "Five Centimeters Per Second". Bitter love manga are too lethal for girls.
"You guessed it!" The university student nodded, covered her mouth, and laughed: "When she finished reading 'Five Centimeters Per Second', she went to the bathroom in the middle of the night and cried. I happened to be awake and heard her."
"And the last time I saw a picture of Mirai-sensei in her makeup box..." She shook her head: "I guess she fell in love with Mirai-sensei, and it's not just any love. Once a young woman like her falls in love with someone, it's over."
"She's done for, but we've been for a long time..."
Another girl with glasses suddenly said, and the scene fell silent.
"Haha... What are you talking about? Mirai-sensei is just an idol! Who would really like him? Don't you think?"
"Yes, Mirai-sensei is too cold. He always stays at home. I don't like this kind of man."
"Yes, idols are only idols when you look at them from afar. There shouldn't be any idiot who wants to grab the moon from the sky, right?"
The girls seemed a little embarrassed, then laughed, and the topic quickly shifted to Mirai-sensei's anniversary celebration.
"Have you heard about Mirai-sensei's anniversary celebration? They say there won't be any stars, but Mirai-sensei will perform on stage... Oh! I'm so excited... I wonder what kind of celebration it will be!"
The official news has been leaked. The older sisters in our group will also participate in the preparations. It's true, but it hasn't been announced yet. But I think it's good. There's no need to invite stars to Mirai-sensei's celebration.
I just need Mirai-sensei and my fellow manga readers. The appearance of those stars will attract their fans and ruin the atmosphere!
Okay, I want activities in the manga industry. Mirai-sensei defeated Aika this time, and his morale is high. The celebration will be very lively!
Since his appearance at the Osaka Carnival last year, Mirai-sensei has only appeared in the media twice: once in an interview with Osaka Television and once in distant Tokyo. As soon as the news of this anniversary celebration leaked, it immediately attracted the attention of countless readers.
This is the first time Mirai-sensei has appeared before readers in Osaka, and he also holds the title of "musical genius." Readers are full of anticipation for the celebration.
Hinotori Publishing is also rushing with planning, including the voice acting agency. All departments will participate. In a few days, the planning will be finished. Then it will be announced to the public.
However, at that moment, Takumi received an invitation from Shiori.
"Is a friend sick?"
This invitation was very special. Shiori is a fan of Mirai-sensei, whom Takumi had known for a long time. The friend she mentioned is also a fan and gets along well with Shiori.
"Yes, I heard she has bone cancer...".
Shiori's face lit up with sadness and she said: "Advanced bone cancer, there's no cure. She wants to see you, Takumi, how about you go see her?"
To be precise, the friend is a guardian administrator. Shiori is usually authoritarian, but she is not a ruthless person. After receiving the request, she agreed to notify Takumi.
"...Okay."
Takumi also agreed. He thought of two people: Mirai-sensei and Rei. Both were saved, but this time this person was incurable...
Human life is certainly fragile, but even more so this time, Takumi felt he should help in every way possible.
At night, he and Shiori went to this fan's house. On the way, he learned that her family was poor and that she had given up treatment, which aroused Takumi's compassion.
But when they entered an old family apartment and knocked on the door, the person who opened it stunned them.
"Hello, Mirai-sensei...".
She was a blonde, fair-skinned maid. She smiled and greeted Mirai-sensei saying: "I'm sorry to invite you this way. My name is Anne, and I am Duke Anthony's maid...".
She stepped aside and made way. In an instant, Shiori and Takumi knew they had been tricked. Shiori was furious. She had never thought of being tricked by someone close. In fact, she trusted her own strength too much.
However, just as Shiori clenched her fists and was about to burst, Takumi stopped her: "Don't be impulsive...".
He shook his head, then led Shiori into the room and met the mysterious British Duke.
The old Duke had just risen from his chair. His appearance was not very outstanding, but his eyes, with a firm will, were impressive and exuded an imposing majesty.
"I've always wanted to see you...", he said, his voice full of emotion. "Mirai-sensei, it's very difficult to find you today... How about we chat?"
"..."
Takumi nodded without hesitation, and the two barely introduced themselves. But he had the strange feeling that Duke Anthony harbored no resentment towards him.
"What should we talk about?"
he asked, looking up.
"About a lot, how about this?"
Anthony smiled; the boy's performance was exactly as he expected.
"We should start with the story...".
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