"Ten days?"
Even though Rei had mentally prepared himself for this possibility, he still felt a jolt in his chest when Misaki delivered the news.
Originally, everyone expected the serialization slot at Dream Comic to open near the end of January or early February.
But now, the slot was opening in early January.
After ending the call, Rei stared at the manuscript pages scattered across his desk.
For the past month, most of his time was spent polishing redesigned character sheets. In truth, he hadn't actually drawn much of the manga itself.
Even so, he was confident he could finish the first four chapters required for the January 9th serialization meeting.
Still, he couldn't stop the slight shakiness in his fingers.
"No, stop overthinking."
Rei inhaled deeply.
"Back in my previous life, when Hikaru no Go was proposing for serialization, the situation was the same.
A niche theme. Editors doubtful. No one optimistic."
"And yet, it was approved by Weekly Shonen Jump."
He exhaled.
"There's nothing wrong with Hikaru no Go."
"The only question is, are the editors at Hoshimori Group sharp enough to recognize it?"
Time marched into January.
Across the entire manga industry, excitement was building for the grand Japan Manga Awards Ceremony, held every mid-to-late January by major publishers. The televised broadcast routinely drew massive viewership.
The ceremony wasn't only for the New Manga Artist Award.
It also included:
Manga of the Year
Best Commercial Performance
Critical Excellence Award, etc.
Long-running series weren't eligible; only works born within the year were considered.
As the date approached, the arguments among the three biggest fanbases, Shirogane, and the two rival newcomers, became fiercer every day.
Especially Shirogane's fans.
Although Rei's two works (Five Centimeters per Second and Tonight) were short, their fan communities were enormous, and emotionally united.
During December and January, Shirogane's supporters practically flooded the internet promoting his works, unknowingly fueling conflict with the other two newcomers.
Online flame wars reached their peak.
@FireStorm_89: People seriously praise this self-pity tragic-romance writer?? If Shirogane wins New Manga Artist of the Year, the manga industry is finished lol.
@GossipCrow: Bro, stop pretending. All you Shirogane-fans got hypnotized by that "genius high school girl" rumor. Are you even reading the manga?
@SnowPetal_ShiroFan: Which eye of yours saw us liking her because of beauty? Shirogane-sensei has never released a private photo. We follow her works because they're good. Even if she's old, young, ugly, cute, male, female, or a raccoon in a hoodie, WE DON'T CARE.
@LatteAndInk: Exactly!! If Shirogane-sensei goes on stage and it's literally a dog accepting the award under that pen name?
I'll still buy every volume.
Unlike you Comic Artist fans whose fave only trends because of his famous dad.
@AprilRain_Illustrator: And seriously, Comic Artist-fans need to chill. Always marketing: "She quit her job in her 30s to chase the dream~!"
Shirogane draws manga after school, juggling exams. Everyone works hard, but only your side tries to monopolize the word "effort."
@NeutralReader21: Isn't all this arguing pointless? The judges decide the awards, not you guys.
@BluePhoenix77: Wrong. Judges ABSOLUTELY check online reputation.
If Comic Artist/SecondComic fans smear Shirogane everywhere and we don't counter it, they'll think Shirogane's disliked and drop her from gold-award consideration.
@TeaCupGhost: That's actually true. The committee monitors SNS sentiment every year.
@NightOwl_Studio: Anyway, can't wait to see Shirogane's real face on TV. Bet she's hiding because she's ugly af lol.
@MoonlitLibrary: Keep crying. Even if Shirogane-sensei turns out to be a balding 60-year-old uncle, I'm still reading.
Talent > looks.
"…"
Rei could not control fans, nor did he have the energy to bother.
But naturally, the two other nominees began harboring resentment, and even hostility.
After all, Shirogane's works had far larger fanbases than theirs.
And since he hadn't revealed his face, jealousy and pettiness grew:
"What genius high school beauty? If she was really beautiful, she wouldn't hide."
"Bet she's ugly."
"Wait till she accepts the award. When her fans see the truth, they'll scatter."
Rei couldn't help but sigh.
January 4th- Evening -At Rei 's home
"So this is your house?" Rika looked around curiously.
Before Rei's parents passed away, the family was financially comfortable. Although the house itself was an aging suburb building, the interior décor, warm-toned walls, tidy bookshelves, framed artwork, felt inviting and cozy.
Rika and Rei had been collaborating through messaging apps for two weeks now.
She had already constructed the Go records for Chapters 1 through 4, referencing real games from former pros and modifying them to match the story's momentum.
But Rei was still a Go novice.
Even with the diagrams, the deeper meaning behind critical moves was beyond him.
And since the characters in the manga discussed these moves in detail, Rika had to come in person to teach him the exact reasoning behind key sequences.
"Your house is surprisingly clean," she murmured.
"Much cleaner than the disaster zone I imagined a manga artist's place would be."
"Thank you," Rei replied with a small smile.
"What are you thanking me for? I wasn't praising you, I was praising your..."
Rika's gaze shifted to the framed portraits hanging on the wall.
A man and woman. His parents.
Her words froze mid-sentence.
Ah…so that was why he drew manga at such a young age.
"Alright," she said quietly, "let's get to work."
Rei placed the completed four-chapter manuscript on the table and pulled out the key pages involving the Go matches.
Rei laid out the printouts of the Go records across his table, the pages spreading out like a battlefield of black and white stones.
He exhaled once, then began asking questions one by one, each extremely specific.
Most of what he asked centered on the second game between Sai and Akira in chapter two. This was the match where Sai, the thousand-year Go spirit, crushed the rising prodigy with overwhelming strength, a game that would haunt Akira even after he became a pro.
Rei asked carefully, because the placement of every stone had to match the emotional beats of the story.
And this game wouldn't only appear in chapter two, later, when Hikaru studies it again online, it becomes a key pivot in the plot. Rei knew this. He had to get it right.
Rika, sitting opposite him, answered just as carefully.
She watched Rei's serious expression as he marked notes on the diagrams, recording move sequences, joseki variations, and the intention behind each key placement.
Then she couldn't help commenting with a light laugh:
"Honestly… most readers won't understand pro-level games at all. Even if you cut corners, nobody will notice. Why push yourself this hard over Go records… when you're just drawing manga?"
Rei paused, then replied without the slightest hesitation.
"Because if this manga gets serialized… it will definitely get popular."
He flipped another page and continued.
"And I really like Sai. I don't want people mocking him because I was lazy. If the manga becomes a hit, fans, or even real pros, will dissect every detail."
Rei's tone stayed calm, but Rika could tell he was completely serious.
"I don't want people saying: 'This Sai guy is supposed to pursue the Hand of God? He plays worse than amateurs.'"
Rika blinked.
She had expected a theoretical answer, something about professionalism, or art, or integrity.
But this boy was simply trying to protect a character he loved.
After a moment, her voice softened.
"Misaki told me about your drawing speed. You probably drew half a chapter in the time I've been preparing these notes. You really put this much effort into, defending a fictional character?"
Rei smiled slightly.
"I told you. I love the character Sai."
Then Rei looked at her, quietly but confidently.
"And I'm pretty sure you already like this manga too."
Rika stiffened slightly, caught off guard.
"If you keep working on it with me, you'll end up loving Sai as much as I do. And when that happens, you'll understand exactly why I'm doing this."
But then Rei sighed.
"However… I still can't figure out one thing."
"The Hand of God."
The phrase alone made Rika feel a headache coming.
Rei touched the papers, frowning.
Ever since taking on this task, Rei had been urging her to find a go game from this world's history that could be considered the concept of The Hand of God in the manga, and if found, it would be best to modify it for use in the later manga plot.
He slowly turned his gaze toward her.
Rika instantly raised both hands like she was surrendering.
"Don't look at me. I'll try… but I'm not a miracle worker."
She could already feel a migraine building.
This boy wasn't just serious, he was terrifyingly serious.
"For The Hand of God… I'll look through historical records. But no promises."
Rei laughed softly.
"Sorry. I know I'm asking a lot."
He bowed his head lightly.
"Thank you, Rika-san. After we finish today's work. I'll treat you to a late-night meal."
Only then did she relax a little, clicking her tongue.
"Finally, something I actually want to hear."
She crossed her arms and smirked.
"You'd better work hard. I came all the way here to help you, don't let your manga get canceled early. If it flops, even a hundred midnight meals won't save your reputation."
Over the next few days, Rei and Rika exchanged notes, diagrams, analysis, and dialogue revisions non-stop.
By January 7th, they finally completed all Go-related materials for the first four chapters of Hikaru no Go.
Rei had already finished most of the art. Now, with Rika's corrections, the project was ready.
That evening, Rei arrived at Misaki's home.
He pulled a thick stack of manuscript pages from his bag.
These were the fully drawn first four chapters of Hikaru no Go, more than twice the page count of an average debut manga, each sheet dense with story, emotion, and polished artwork.
Rei never padded his chapters. Every panel carried weight.
Every scene pushed the story forward with meaning.
Misaki accepted the heavy stack, and the sheer density of the pages made her expression grow serious.
"Alright," she exhaled slowly. "Leave the rest to me, Rei. I'll bring you good news."
Rei smiled lightly.
"I'll be waiting."
Miyu, who had been standing quietly behind her sister, looked at Rei with a complicated expression.
Her own series "Sakura Rain" had just ranked fifth in last week's Ametsukage Weekly popularity poll.
Anyone else would be thrilled.
But there was no feeling of triumph in her chest.
Because Rei had already stepped into a completely different battlefield , aiming not for a weekly slot, but for a serialization spot in Dream Comic, one of the Big Six magazines in Japan.
If things went well, then by February, Hikaru no Go would make its public debut. Not to thousands, but to tens of millions of readers all across the country.
Miyu clenched her fists.
"Good luck," she whispered to Rei, and to her sister Misaki as well.
The Next Morning
Misaki submitted Rei's manuscripts to the editorial department, completing the application process for the January serialization meeting.
She wasn't eligible to attend the meeting itself, not yet. Only editors whose running series consistently ranked in the top five of Dream Comic could earn that privilege.
Right now, she could only: submit the work, ensure it passed the initial screening, and then pray.
The first screening was harsh.
Entries from weak, low-quality artists, messy drawings, sloppy plots, amateur pacing, would all be eliminated before the real meeting even began.
But Hikaru no Go was different.
The story was strong. Rei's art was breathtaking.
And the editor-in-chief, Han, had personally encouraged Misaki to push Rei toward serialization.
And just like she anticipated, Hikaru no Go passed the initial screening.
It officially entered the serialization meeting scheduled for January 9th at 9:00 AM.
But the moment Misaki saw the finalized list, her breath caught.
Nineteen works.
Nineteen competitors.
One of the fiercest and most competitive Dream Comic serialization meetings in recent years.
January 9th
The day that would decide the fate of Hikaru no Go arrived.