Rin finished the illustrations for the first volume of Elf's new light novel. But in the world of adults, work is never truly over.
Aside from his own manga, Rin was managing Mashiro's career. Mashiro only needed to draw; Rin handled everything else. As the president of "Baumkuchen," he carried a lot of responsibility. Today, he met with Iida Ayano, an editor Mashiro met through an award submission. They met at a dessert shop.
When Rin arrived, he saw a sharp woman with shoulder-length brown hair in an OL suit. There was a mountain of sweets in front of her. And... she seemed to be pouring salt on them.
"Hello, Ms. Iida. Sorry I'm late."
"I was just early." She pushed a vanilla sundae toward him. "Want to try? It's delicious with salt."
"Uh... I'll pass."
"Pity. This one isn't salted yet."
They ate and discussed Mashiro's work.
"Ms. Iida, you've seen Mashiro's new draft. What do you think?"
"Mmm... Mashiro's old work was like a paradise with no people. Beautiful, but hollow. But now..." Iida frowned. "Now, since you're a doujin artist, I'll use your terms. It's like a 'Squirting Paradise.'"
Rin almost spat out his ice cream.
"Her style shifted from delicate shoujo to a shonen look. The content is basically a harem manga. I told her to add some 'excitement,' but she went overboard. If she goes any further, it'll be a straight-up H-manga."
Rin coughed. His influence on Mashiro was undeniable. He hadn't just stained her "blank slate" white; he had rewired her creative brain. She was now using their real lives as reference. Rin was still the doujin artist, Nanami was the assistant, and Mashiro was the girl training to be an assistant. Rin even suggested the character traits: like his "Lucky H" physique, where he'd accidentally trip and end up with his face in a girl's crotch or his hand squeezing a breast.
"Mashiro's work is great, but my magazine is for shoujo manga. We won't take it. Do you have industry contacts, Mr. Rin?"
"I know plenty of H-manga editors, but not many in the shonen world. I'll help her submit it elsewhere."
They talked for a long while before parting. Before Rin even got home, his phone rang. Akane Kosaka.
"I assume you're free to talk?" her lazy, mature voice came through.
"You're well-informed."
They met at the same izakaya as before. Akane's Porsche 911 was already in the lot. Does she drink this much in the morning?
Inside the private tatami room, Akane was drinking sake alone, her snacks untouched.
"You really like your booze."
"Just a little sip now and then..." Akane studied him. Ever since Elf's party, she'd been curious. She'd realized Rin was the "prototype" for the male leads in Elf and Utaha's new works. Utaha's editor, Sonoko Machida, had confirmed it after a few drinks.
Rin sat down. "You have good sources."
Akane poured him a glass. "The style has changed, but I can tell 'A Manga Artist's Daily Life' is her work. Don't forget, I'm a professional too. I can introduce her to the best editors in the industry."
She smirked. "But... what's the price?"
"Price? I'm just helping a friend. If I introduce her, I get the credit, and if it gets an anime, my studio gets first dibs."
Rin knew she wanted to poach Mashiro. She'd get Mashiro's contact info, build a relationship, and eventually swallow her up.
"Then I won't be polite."
"No need. We both get what we want." Akane paused. "Her art is perfect. As for the story... Elf and Utaha say you give them 'inspiration.' If you handle the plot, it'll be a hit."
It was a cold exchange of interests. She wanted Mashiro; Rin wanted her network.
But Akane wanted more. She wanted to know why two top authors were obsessed with this man. She kept pouring drinks, knowing alcohol makes people honest.