Chapter 44: Do Scumbags Really Deserve To Die?
“What, I’m not a scumbag, and you’re disappointed?”
Sakamoto Ken suddenly said this, and Natsume Mio’s emotions became incoherent.
“Ah? I, I just…” She hurriedly explained, “I, I just… just talked about that dream, it was just a dream… A Jian, I didn’t mean to say you’re a scumbag…”
“No problem, actually just like Denji.” Sakamoto Ken continued from her words, “Denji likes Makima, has feelings for Power too, was moved by Himeno, oh right and Reze. If Power is like a female brother and Himeno is pure sexual impulse, then Reze is his second official love interest…”
“Eh?” Natsume Mio blinked her eyes and said, “Himeno? Reze? This is…”
“Oh right, Himeno’s debut manuscript has been submitted but not updated yet, as for Reze… um, that’s plot I conceived later, haven’t drawn it yet.” Sakamoto Ken said with a slight smile, “Sorry, spoiled it a bit.”
“Ah, so… Denji is actually a scumbag?” Natsume Mio said uncertainly.
“No, I said, Denji is pure love.”
Sakamoto Ken paused, then said seriously: “Even stepping back ten thousand steps, even if he’s a scumbag, he doesn’t deserve to die, right?”
“No… he doesn’t?” Natsume Mio’s tone was even a bit uncertain.
Sakamoto Ken smiled slightly, packed up the bento box on the desk, and tossed it into the trash bag.
Natsume Mio didn’t continue the scumbag topic either; she tossed her finished bento box into the trash bag too.
Turning her head, her gaze swept to the laundry basket in the corner, which had a few dirty clothes inside.
On the low cabinet nearby, scattered drawing materials were placed.
The bookshelf wasn’t very neat either; it could only be said the books were barely on it.
Especially Sakamoto Ken’s drawing desk, with manuscript paper, paintbrush, various tools, somewhat messy.
“A Jian, living alone is really too tough for you.” She said in a very heartbroken tone, “Drawing manga and managing life… right, how about I wash your clothes too while I’m at it?”
With that, she walked toward the laundry basket.
“No need.” Sakamoto Ken refused immediately, “I take them to the coin laundry store next door.”
“You can’t toss underwear and socks into the coin laundry too, right?” Natsume Mio asked casually.
“Those are already washed.” Sakamoto Ken said.
“Oh…” Natsume Mio was a bit disappointed.
However, her goal today wasn’t to get that close to A Jian anyway.
According to her mom’s guidance, romance can’t be rushed; if the other person is particularly firm, soften him up slowly.
Unless the target is extremely popular with several rivals, then thunderous measures are needed.
But Natsume Mio wasn’t worried now.
After all, Sakamoto Ken draws manga at home every day, just going between home and the convenience store.
School hasn’t started yet; no rivals will appear during this time.
Natsume Mio tidied the two trash cans in the room; actually only waste paper and plastic bottles, clearly A Jian doesn’t cook at home, no induction cooker, just a microwave oven.
Then, Natsume Mio took a broom from the corner by the kitchen counter and swept the room.
Then she stood at the entrance and said to Sakamoto Ken: “A Jian, good luck with the manga, I’m off to work.”
Sakamoto Ken had watched her bustle about the whole time without a word.
This wasn’t like her style at all…
Back in the previous life, she confessed loudly in front of everyone.
And he just nodded lightly, and she pounced, hugging him tightly.
Their interactions after were the same, her emotions always fuller than her breasts.
But no problem, Sakamoto Ken was confident everything was under control.
Sakamoto Ken nodded and said: “Yeah, thanks for the bento, I’ll transfer the money to you on LINE.”
“Hehe, okay~” Natsume Mio didn’t refuse; she waved to Sakamoto Ken and said, “Then I’m off, bye~ Don’t work too hard, A Jian, balance work and rest when drawing manga.”
With that, she put on her shoes, grabbed her small bag, and opened the room door.
Finally, she turned back with a slight smile to Sakamoto Ken, a dashing turn, ponytail swaying.
Room door closed, footsteps faded away.
Sakamoto Ken sat there for several more minutes; a breeze blew outside the window, and he felt the room still held the girl’s fragrance.
His gaze swept around, inexplicably feeling the room suddenly empty…
Done for, he was influenced.
Sakamoto Ken touched his chest, breathed deeply, then slowly exhaled.
Just like he told Natsume Mio earlier, no plans for romance before becoming a bestseller writer.
That stuff comes after having money.
Moving to the drawing desk, before continuing to draw, he still needed to transfer money to Natsume Mio.
Fried pork cutlet bento is among the most expensive at the store, 598 yen.
Normally Sakamoto Ken only buys around 400 yen ones, and waits for 50% off at night.
Three meals a day add up to about one full-price fried pork cutlet bento.
Sakamoto Ken transferred 598 yen to Natsume Mio.
Natsume Mio: 「Actually wanted to treat A Jian.」
Sakamoto Ken: 「Received.」
Natsume Mio: 「Okay~」
Just about to put down the mobile phone, a message notification popped up on the screen.
Kaji Keiko: 「Sakamoto Sensei, this time’s reader survey results are out!」
Kaji Keiko: 「『Image』」
Kaji Keiko: 「As far as I recall, Sakamoto Sensei’s work is the first new serialization within a month to exceed ten thousand votes, absolute potential to go big!」
Sakamoto Ken zoomed in on the image.
First place: 《Chainsaw Man》, votes: 10916.
Second place, 《Young Lady, Sniper Rifle, and Pantyhose!》, votes: 5011.
Overwhelming victory.
But this result still surprised him a bit; not that 《Chainsaw Man》’s votes were too high, but 《Young Lady》 manga.
His previous life’s manga, processed once in Haruna’s hands, really improved a lot.
After seeing the vote results, Sakamoto Ken planned to continue 《Look Back》, but he spun the pen in his hand and put it down.
Yeah, Mio was right earlier, can’t push himself too hard, needs to rest.
So, Sakamoto Ken lay straight back on the tatami, watching the breeze blow the curtain, floating in the air.
Closed his eyes, planning a nap in the gentle sunlight.
……
At the same time, in a villa in Shibuya Ward, Shoto.
Mikazuki Haruna received a call from the chief editor.
“Miyuki Haru Sensei, last week’s reader survey results are out.”
Mikazuki Haruna quickly put down her pen and said full of expectation: “How many votes?”
“《Young Lady》 got 5011 votes, quite good.” Ono Tomohiro said.
“Almost doubled from the first week.” Haruna said.
Ono Tomohiro said: “This result is already very impressive for a newbie, shows the work’s potential…”
“First place? How many votes did he get?” Haruna directly interrupted the chief editor.
“First place 《Chainsaw Man》…” Ono Tomohiro paused in tone, then said, “He got 10916 votes.”
Haruna was silent for a few seconds.
She took a deep breath, lightly “hmph”ed, and said: “Okay, got it, thanks chief editor.”
With that, she hung up the call.
Still more than double mine, but no problem, from the next serialization, all illustrations will be replaced with new ones.
Then, definitely counter-kill that Sakamoto Ken!
She stood up, circled the manga studio partitioned off from the first floor lobby.
Four desks lined up by the terrace, big glass outside to a carefully designed retro garden, light naturally shining in, perfect drawing spot.
The girl at the first desk just finished inking a page, handed the manuscript paper to Mikazuki Haruna and said: “Haruna Sensei, you seem particularly concerned about that 《Chainsaw Man》, is there some grudge?”
Haruna walked behind Shijiyuan and said to her: “Of course, our grudge… is deep!”
“I think that work’s drawing is just average; our votes will definitely surpass when the time comes.” Another assistant chimed in.
“With Shijiyuan Sensei helping, our illustrations are unbeatable; I’ll talk to the chief editor to get JUMP+ to do a special page introducing our remade illustrations.”
Mikazuki Haruna sat back in her ergonomic chair, organized the drawings, and stretched lazily.
“Just finished eating; how about everyone takes a lunch break first, drawing all morning is tiring.” Mikazuki Haruna said.
Shijiyuan waved her hand and said: “No problem, not tired at all.”
Mikazuki Haruna herself was tired; after assistants leave daily, she still does storyboards, feeling sleepy now.
So, she reclined the ergonomic chair and said to Shijiyuan: “Then I’ll nap; wake me in an hour.”
