Hiratsuka Ryosuke forces himself to suppress his shock as he sits across from Nozaki Umetaro. He never would have imagined that this popular mangaka, who specializes in shojo manga and has a feminine pen name, would be a man over six feet tall. With his 190 cm height, Nozaki looks more like a basketball player than a shojo mangaka. It goes to show that you can't judge a book by its cover.
"Ryou-sensei, I really love the romance in your work. It gave me a lot of inspiration, and I'm looking forward to working with you," Nozaki says calmly.
He's in a great mood since he came to Undead River Bunko. He's already found inspiration for a manga from a light novel, and he's met a new manga editor named Miyamae Ken. Ken-sensei's replies are super fast, and he gives truly useful advice. He's nothing like his previous editor, Maeno, who was a narcissist and a slowpoke. If Ken-sensei ever changes departments, whether it's to a young adult magazine or a women's weekly, he plans to follow him. And here, he also has the chance to work with his favorite light novel author. It's heaven.
"Yumeno... no, Nozaki-senpai, my real name is Hiratsuka Ryosuke. You can just call me by my name." Facing a man this imposing, Ryosuke can't bring himself to use a feminine pen name. "I already have a long-term illustrator, and she's my best partner. So I'm very sorry!"
"Is that Kashiwagi Eri?" Nozaki, having been informed by Machida Sonoko, knows about the plan to replace the illustrator. He's fine with working with Ryou, but if it doesn't work out, that's okay too. Meeting Ken-sensei and leaving his old company is a satisfying enough outcome for him.
Ryosuke nods and then stands up, bowing deeply to Nozaki. "Nozaki-senpai, I have a request. I would be grateful for your guidance." It's a bit embarrassing to reject an offer and then ask for a favor, but when he thinks of Eriri's sad, wild eyes, he puts his pride aside.
"What is it?" Nozaki doesn't mind the rejection. He's curious about the request.
"My friend, Kashiwagi Eri, is under a lot of pressure and seems to have lost her ability to draw normally." Ryosuke's voice trembles a little. He needs Nozaki's help, so he's completely honest. He explains to Nozaki why Eriri can't draw.
A while later, Nozaki says, "So, Kashiwagi Eri can't draw because she heard you were going to work with me? You must be very important to her." The "Spokesperson for a Girl's Heart" is very sensitive to others' romantic troubles.
Then, in his deep voice, he says, "No matter the reason, there's only one reason why a person can't draw: the artist has forgotten their heart. When you draw with the sole intention of beating a rival, and not because you genuinely love it, you're just piling on drawing techniques and forgetting to put your heart into it. You will never become a top-tier artist."
"A truly top-tier illustration is a work that can resonate with and move the reader." Ryosuke's respect for Nozaki grows. Is this the true insight of a top-tier artist? He's really something else.
"Nozaki-senpai, please tell me how to help Kashiwagi Eri regain her confidence and pick up her pen again!" Ryosuke says seriously, humbly asking for advice. He's read Moe Love, and with Nozaki's words, he realizes this mangaka is the real deal.
"The Swordsman in Black was drawn based on you, wasn't he? It seems Kashiwagi Eri is also an artist who draws from experience," Nozaki says, picking up Sword Art Online from the table and looking at Ryosuke. Nozaki's own characters are based on his friends, so he could tell who the Swordsman was modeled after the moment he saw Ryosuke.
What? Based on me? Ryosuke is a little surprised. He always felt a sense of deja vu with the Swordsman, but because the character's face and movements were so different from his, he didn't think much of it. Now that Nozaki has pointed it out, he agrees. But when did this happen? He never posed for Eriri. Ryosuke nods, waiting for Nozaki to continue.
"I'm also an artist who draws from experience. My characters and plots are all adapted from real people around me. Since Kashiwagi Eri also draws from experience, maybe if she experiences some classic manga scenes, she'll be inspired. Don't underestimate illustration. To make a character come alive, you need to understand them through a story." Nozaki says calmly. He knows this method works since his heroine is based on his handsome friend, Mikoshiba Mikoto.
Ryosuke leans back. This Nozaki-senpai... does he have that many archetypes for shojo manga around him? That's incredible.
Nozaki uses his shojo mangaka imagination, and classic shojo manga scenes appear in his mind. He holds up a finger. "Create some scenes and observe her reactions. If Kashiwagi Eri hasn't forgotten her love for drawing, she'll definitely feel the urge to pick up her pen."
"How about a chance meeting? A shojo manga usually starts with a chance meeting, like bumping into each other on a corner, with the heroine holding a grudge against the hero. Then the story can progress." Nozaki gives his first suggestion.
Ryosuke remembers his first meeting with Eriri. It was a collision in a villa area, but there was no resentment from the heroine. "We've already had that experience, senpai."
"You have? Then what about having her trip and fall, and you catch her? My Moe Love has a similar scene."
"We've had that too, senpai."
"You have? Then how about you go to the library? You both try to grab the same book and accidentally touch hands. Or you both grab the same book from the other side of the shelf and lock eyes. How about creating a heart-fluttering moment?"
"Nozaki-senpai..."
"No way! You've had that scene too?!"
Ryosuke nods. Nozaki is shocked. He frowns and looks at Ryosuke suspiciously. He thinks to himself, Did you and Kashiwagi Eri escape from a shojo manga?
Nozaki pulls out a small notebook and a pen from his pocket. He's now very curious about Ryosuke and Eriri's story. His professional instinct tells him there's a story here. Maybe he can adapt it into his next manga. "If you don't mind, can you tell me in detail how you and Kashiwagi Eri met?" Nozaki's expression is serious.
Ryosuke thinks about it and decides to tell him. He needs his help, after all. A while later, Nozaki closes his notebook and nods with satisfaction. He says gratefully, "Thank you, Hiratsuka-kun. This is great material. Would you mind if I adapt it for my manga?"
"No, I don't mind." Ryosuke has no problem with it. It's normal for mangaka to draw from real life and then add their own artistic flair. He does it himself when he writes light novels. Art comes from life, after all.
"Let's get back to the topic. For Kashiwagi Eri's current situation, I suggest you ask her out. Maybe she'll get some new inspiration. It's hard to see the wonders of the world when you're cooped up at home racking your brain." Nozaki takes two tickets from his bag. "I happen to have two extra tickets for an art exhibit this weekend. If you're interested, you can go."
Ryosuke takes the tickets with both hands. "Thank you so much, Nozaki-senpai." He's willing to try anything. He knows it's easy to get stuck in a rut when you're alone. What he needs to do now is help Eriri regain her desire and confidence to draw. Ryosuke is a man of action. After putting the tickets away, he texts Eriri. He thanks Nozaki and leaves the room.
A Change of Heart
Meanwhile, Eriri is sitting alone at home, staring at a blank sheet of paper, unable to draw. Her phone screen lights up, and she puts down her pen and picks up the phone.
"Eriri, there's an art exhibit this weekend. Can you come with me?"
"By: Hiratsuka Ryosuke"
Eriri grinds her teeth after reading the message. Ryosuke, that idiot! How can he go to an art exhibit at a time like this? She starts writing a message scolding him for being complacent. But her finger hovers over the send button. She hesitates. Finally, she deletes the message and writes a new one. She clicks send, then lies on her bed, staring at the ceiling. Ugh, I should be honing my skills to beat Yumeno Sakiko. Why am I going along with his crazy idea? Am I an idiot too?
Ryosuke quickly receives her reply. The message is short and to the point.
"What time this weekend? Where should we meet?"