Chapter 126: 《late-night Diner》! Editor-in-chief Torishima’s Visit! Strategic Work!
Shueisha, Jimbocho, inside that hall standing like a gray giant rock, bearing the manga glory of neon for half a century, the air was filled with an indelible, unique aura belonging to the dreams of countless young people.
Top floor, Editor-in-Chief’s office.
Rather than calling this an office, it was more like a silent throne overlooking the entire manga kingdom.
Outside the huge floor-to-ceiling window was Tokyo’s ceaseless traffic flow, like endless rivers of destiny, all eventually converging into this vast ocean named 《Weekly Shonen JUMP》 built by brush and story.
Kazuhiko Torishima, this editor known in the industry as the “legendary editor,” was now sitting quietly behind the desk with his back to the window.
He wasn’t looking at the scenery outside; those deep eyes that seemed to see through everything were calmly fixed on the young man in front of him, who was slightly uneasy yet couldn’t hide his excitement.
Masato Tadokoro.
“Sit down, Tadokoro-kun.” Kazuhiko Torishima’s voice wasn’t loud, yet it carried a strange power that could calm any restless heart.
“Yes!” Masato Tadokoro quickly bowed and sat on only one-third of that leather sofa that seemed to swallow all light, his posture like a soldier about to be inspected.
Kazuhiko Torishima didn’t rush to speak; he just gently pushed an internal circulation analysis report on recent major manga sales to the center of the desk.
On it, a name was heavily circled in bright red marker pen—Hiroshi Nohara（《Yu Yu Hakusho》《Doraemon》 author）.
“Tadokoro-kun, you’ve done very well.”
Kazuhiko Torishima finally spoke slowly, his voice carrying sincere approval: “I’m not talking about the resources you fought for 《Yu Yu Hakusho》. What I mean is, you personally visited Minister Nohara.”
“Before that young person stirred up the winds and clouds of the entire era, you extended a branch of goodwill to our ancient Shueisha empire. This vision, this posture, is more valuable than discovering ten new manga artists.”
These words instantly filled Masato Tadokoro’s already suspended heart with a huge warm current.
He knew his efforts had been seen by this Editor-in-Chief.
“Editor-in-Chief, you’re overpraising me.” His voice carried uncontrollable excitement: “I was just… simply captivated by Teacher Nohara’s talent. Serving a genius like him is the greatest honor for me as an editor.”
“Very good.” Kazuhiko Torishima nodded in satisfaction: “Tell me, what’s the latest movement on his side?”
“Yes!” Masato Tadokoro immediately straightened his back and began reporting solemnly.
“Teacher Nohara’s 《Yu Yu Hakusho》, Dark Tournament Arc has officially concluded, with unprecedented enthusiastic response! Volume sales have officially broken through the 10 million mark! At this momentum, once the next chapter ‘Demon World Gate Arc’ unfolds, the final sales might even… impact the legendary 20 million realm!”
“As for that 《Doraemon》 aimed at children, it’s… even more of an absolute monster!”
Masato Tadokoro’s voice trembled slightly with excitement: “Though only seven chapters have been serialized so far, the approval rating from reader survey questionnaires is stably above 98% for every chapter! Moreover, Teacher Nohara has entrusted all the early coloring and filling work to that ‘Future Manga Company’ managed by… President Misae Nohara. I’ve seen it; it’s a young team full of vitality and potential, and their execution is astonishing!”
He paused, as if throwing out an even heavier bomb, his eyes behind the thick lenses flashing with near-fanatical light.
“Moreover, Editor-in-Chief! A few days ago when I went to Future Manga Company to pick up manuscripts, I heard President Misae casually mention that Teacher Nohara… he seems to have conceived another completely new manga themed around ‘gourmet’!”
“Gourmet?” A trace of surprise appeared in Kazuhiko Torishima’s eyes.
He slowly leaned back in the chair, a complex look flickering in those deep eyes.
“A shonen hot-blooded manga capable of impacting 20 million sales, a children’s sci-fi that will become a national classic, and now… another completely new gourmet manga?”
He looked at Masato Tadokoro, his voice carrying a hint of solemnity: “Tadokoro-kun, you’re a veteran in this industry too. Do you think a creator’s energy is really… infinite?”
This was more self-questioning than inquiry.
Sure enough.
After asking, Kazuhiko Torishima slowly muttered to himself:
“I’ve seen too many geniuses who, after great success, blindly expand their fronts. They think they’re omnipotent, forgetting that inspiration is like a well—no matter how deep, it will eventually run dry. Dual serialization, even triple, often results in a cliff-like drop in quality for all works. This is the cruelest and most real iron rule in our industry.”
These words instantly cooled the fanatical flame in Masato Tadokoro’s heart by a few degrees.
He certainly understood the Editor-in-Chief’s concerns.
But…
“Editor-in-Chief, perhaps… Teacher Nohara is the exception.” He hesitated for a moment, then spoke softly in a complex tone.
“Exception?” Kazuhiko Torishima smiled noncommittally.
He stood up, walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the prosperous steel city below.
Clearly, Kazuhiko Torishima didn’t believe in exceptions.
After pondering for a moment, he turned around and instructed Masato Tadokoro: “Tadokoro-kun, next week when you visit Minister Nohara again, count me in.”
“Eh?!” Masato Tadokoro sprang up from the sofa, his face filled with incredulous shock: “Ed… Editor-in-Chief! You’re… you’re going personally?”
“Mm.” Kazuhiko Torishima nodded: “I need to see with my own eyes what kind of person this young manga artist is that you praise so highly.”
But as he spoke, a small embarrassment unfitting his status as an ordinary middle-aged man uncontrollably appeared on that always dignified face.
He cleared his throat, those deep eyes drifting unnaturally elsewhere.
“Um… Tadokoro-kun.” His voice unconsciously lowered: “At that time… if… if convenient, could you… also get me an autograph from Teacher Nohara?”
“…” Masato Tadokoro felt his brain go blank.
He stared blankly at this man who existed like a deity in the entire neon manga world; that always dignified face now carried a bit of shy embarrassment.
“Ed… Editor-in-Chief… you’re… you’re also a fan of Teacher Nohara?” he stammered.
“Cough! Nonsense!”
Kazuhiko Torishima’s old face reddened; he quickly covered his guilty conscience with a cough, turned his back to Masato Tadokoro, and forcibly assumed the Editor-in-Chief’s demeanor: “It’s… my good-for-nothing kid at home! He’s… lately obsessed with that 《World of the Strange》 and 《Super Change Change Change》, nagging in my ear every day! I… I’m doing this to… promote father-son bonding! What do you know?!”
But he sighed anyway: “Of course, I quite like his works too; they’re indeed excellent.”
…
One week later, on Tuesday, the autumn sky was exceptionally clear, pristine like a flawless blue gem.
Future Manga Company.
Second floor, President’s office.
The air was filled with the rich aroma of top pour-over coffee, intertwined with the fresh ink scent of new paper, forming a reassuring flavor unique to creators.
Misae Nohara was using a tea ceremony with impeccably elegant posture to serve fragrant tea to the two big shots who could command the winds and rains in the entire neon manga world.
“Editor-in-Chief Torishima, Mr. Tadokoro, please have tea.”
Her voice was crisp and pleasant, neither humble nor arrogant.
That composed demeanor brought a barely perceptible approval in Kazuhiko Torishima’s eyes.
“Thank you, President Nohara.” Kazuhiko Torishima smiled and nodded, but his gaze uncontrollably drifted toward the doorway.
So-called approval.
It was really just affection by association.
What this Editor-in-Chief cared more about was Hiroshi Nohara, the genius-level manga artist in his heart.
That was the purpose of his visit.
At that moment, the office door was pushed open, and Hiroshi Nohara walked in.
He wore simple casual clothes, with his signature gentle smile on his face, exuding a calm and stable aura like autumn’s warm sun.
“Editor-in-Chief Torishima, Mr. Tadokoro, sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Mr. Nohara!”
Kazuhiko Torishima and Masato Tadokoro also stood from the sofa to greet him.
This was etiquette.
After simple handshakes and pleasantries, Kazuhiko Torishima looked at the pair of excessively young talents before him, surging with unprecedented emotion.
At twenty-three, already a legendary producer who stirred the era’s winds and clouds.
This was beyond simple “genius.”
It was an almost destined aura.
“Nohara-kun, President Nohara.” Kazuhiko Torishima sat back on the sofa, and while emotion their youth, he got straight to the point: “We’re not here for politeness today.”
He cut directly to the topic: “Tadokoro-kun has reported to me on the production progress of 《Yu Yu Hakusho》 and 《Doraemon》. Frankly, your efficiency has exceeded everyone’s imagination in our entire editorial department. However…”
He changed tone, carrying a hint of concern: “Tadokoro-kun said you’re… planning another completely new manga themed around ‘gourmet’?”
“Correct, indeed a new gourmet manga.” Hiroshi Nohara just smiled calmly and nodded.
“Forgive my bluntness, Nohara-kun.” Kazuhiko Torishima’s tone became extremely serious: “Your talent is unquestionable. But human energy is ultimately limited. You’re now managing three ace projects at Tokyo Television Station that will enter the history books, while providing our 《JUMP》 with two top manga of completely different styles that both require immense effort. In this situation, starting a third… I’m worried it will be like a bowstring pulled to the extreme, eventually… snapping under unbearable pressure.”
These words were full of sincere concern and stated a cruel industry iron rule.
If the pressure is too great.
It really has a big impact on the manga’s pacing.
“Please rest assured, Editor-in-Chief Torishima.” But Hiroshi Nohara just smiled noncommittally.
He offered no lengthy explanation or argument.
He simply placed the black backpack he carried lightly on the tea table, then pushed it in front of Masato Tadokoro.
“Mr. Tadokoro, please open it.”
“Okay.” Masato Tadokoro was slightly stunned, then understood; he unzipped the backpack and took out the contents piece by piece.
Then the entire office fell into dead silence.
It wasn’t one or two manuscripts.
It was stack after stack, thick enough to use as bricks, emitting fresh ink aroma, flawless manuscripts!
《Yu Yu Hakusho·Demon World Gate Arc》 first twenty chapters!
《Doraemon》 first thirty chapters!
This terrifying stockpile enough for the entire 《JUMP》 editorial department to serialize for a whole month was casually piled on that small tea table.
Like an insurmountable mountain range built of talent and energy, it heavily weighed on Kazuhiko Torishima and Masato Tadokoro’s hearts!
“Hiss!” The two gasped, eyes full of surprise.
But this wasn’t the end.
When Masato Tadokoro pulled out the last item from the deepest part of the backpack, a carefully wrapped kraft paper file, disbelief flashed in his eyes behind the thick lenses.
He tremblingly opened the file bag, revealing the contents: though not yet colored, the fluid lines, story-filled compositions, and the unique flavor between the lines—precipitated from worldly life, enough to warm any weary soul…
“This… this is…” His voice carried uncontrollable trembling.
“《Late-night Diner》, chapter one.” Hiroshi Nohara calmly uttered these words.
“The coloring will be handled here.” Misae also smiled and spoke at this time: “The assistants at our ‘Future Manga Company’ are all newcomers, but they can take a lot of pressure off Hiroshi-kun on basic work like filling colors. After all, this is a very common creation mode in the industry, isn’t it?”
Masato Tadokoro stared blankly at this young couple—one handling fantastical creation, the other solid execution—perfectly in sync, and he was extremely envious.
“Yes, indeed.” He nodded immediately.
Then he opened the 《Late-night Diner》 manuscript and handed it to Editor-in-Chief Torishima, who was also curious beside him.
“Mm.” Editor-in-Chief Torishima eagerly took the 《Late-night Diner》 manuscript and flipped through it.
No earth-shattering battles, no twists and adventures.
Just a man with a knife scar on his face but eyes calm as the deep sea, and a small diner open only at night.
And one by one, lonely souls with their own stories, pushing open the door when night falls.
Chapter one, octopus sausage.
About a yakuza elder brother who looks fierce but has a child’s soft heart, and the gay bar owner who also loves octopus sausage, sharing a friendship full of black humor that transcends identity and gender.
Chapter two, cat food.
About a girl chasing a singer dream but always down in the dumps, who at her life’s lowest point, regains the courage to live through the simplest bowl of cat food with soy sauce and bonito flakes.
…
One by one seemingly mundane yet full of worldly life stories, like cups of warm sake, silently flowing through the hearts of Kazuhiko Torishima and Masato Tadokoro—already filled with hot-blooded battles—leaving an unprecedented warm wetness.
“…Good story.”
After a long while, Kazuhiko Torishima exhaled deeply, as if expelling his recent anxiety with that breath.
He looked up at the young man; all scrutiny and worry in those deep eyes had faded, leaving only pure admiration from the soul’s depths.
“Nohara-kun, you’re right. This is indeed different from all of 《JUMP》’s current works.”
“It’s not hot-blooded, no battles, not even… a proper main storyline. But it has the most powerful force—able to penetrate all age and class barriers—”
He paused, his voice carrying a bone-deep emotion he himself hadn’t noticed.
“—Resonance.”
Kazuhiko Torishima had been in the manga industry for decades after all.
Extremely discerning.
This work might not create a 10-million sales myth like 《Yu Yu Hakusho》.
But it could be like a seed, quietly taking root and sprouting in every reader’s heart.
Ultimately growing into an evergreen tree that provides continuous nourishment to their ancient Shueisha empire for decades to come.
Because many young people see it as gourmet.
But when they enter the workplace.
Get married.
Have children.
They can appreciate it more deeply!
This will be a true generational work.
“Tadokoro-kun.”
Kazuhiko Torishima turned to his subordinate, who was also reading the manga beside him with reddened eyes moved by the stories, and issued an unquestionable order:
“From today, you are Teacher Nohara’s dedicated editor. Use all your resources to support Teacher Nohara and President Nohara’s work. 《Yu Yu Hakusho》《Doraemon》 and 《Late-night Diner》 will be one of Shueisha’s most important strategic projects for the second half of the year—no, the next five years!”
“Yes!”
Masato Tadokoro was briefly stunned, then stood up and nodded heavily to Editor-in-Chief Torishima.
