Misaki set down the manga manuscript she was holding, her gaze shifting to Rei with a newfound intensity.
When her younger sister had mentioned a close friend from the manga world wanting to submit work to her, Misaki had initially been inclined to refuse. Learning that this friend was the same age as her sister only strengthened her resolve.
While Japan boasted a vibrant manga culture, the vast majority of artists were adults. How could a high school student possibly balance their studies with manga creation? Talented high schoolers like her sister, who possessed genuine artistic talent, were rare enough—and to think one of them happened to be her friend? This submission was likely just a self-indulgent piece by an amateur.
Thus, Misaki's initially intimidating demeanor toward Rei had stemmed from her suspicion that he was trying to use her sister's connections to take shortcuts. She had hoped to scare him off.
But now...
Misaki scrutinized the manga manuscript on the table, her gaze darting back and forth between the pages and Rei's face. She had a premonition that this work, once published, would not go unnoticed.
"Rei-sensei, is it?" Misaki stood up.
"I apologize for my previous attitude. I underestimated you and was overly arrogant."
Rei-sensei?
Rei froze, while Miyu, standing behind Misaki, also tensed.
Both immediately understood the significance of Misaki's change in address, now referring to him as "Sensei."
"I've received your submission," Misaki said. "It's truly an exceptional manga."
"So, my manga has been accepted for publication?" Rei asked, his expression grave.
Before coming, he had already anticipated this outcome.
Even if 5 Centimeters Per Second wasn't Makoto Shinkai's most outstanding work, it still ranked among his best, alongside Your Name and Weathering With You.
How could it possibly fail to pass the submission standards of a third-tier manga magazine in Japan?
Yet, when the confirmation finally came, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
"Absolutely. From an editor's perspective, I adore this manga. It's the most memorable work I've encountered in my two years as an editor at Hoshimori Publishing Group. However..." Misaki paused thoughtfully.
"While I believe Rei-sensei's work is remarkable, whether it gets serialized ultimately depends on the decision made at the Serialization Meeting of our Editorial Department."
"Serialization Meeting?"
Misaki and Rei explained further.
Hoshimori Publishing Group oversaw multiple serialized manga magazines. Whenever older series in these magazines were nearing their conclusion or facing cancellation, the Editorial Department would convene a Serialization Meeting to discuss new manga submissions for serialization.
In essence, it was a discussion forum where the Editorial Department's editors collectively reviewed outstanding manga submissions received during the period and voted to select the works that would ultimately secure serialization opportunities.
As an ordinary editor, Misaki lacked the authority to unilaterally decide which works would be serialized in Sakura Weekly.
For 5 Centimeters Per Second to be considered at the Serialization Meeting, it needed to gain the approval of a significant majority of the Editorial Department's editors.
"When is this Serialization Meeting scheduled?" Rei asked.
He recalled Miyu mentioning earlier that several series in Sakura Weekly, the magazine she wanted him to submit to, were nearing their conclusion.
"The day after tomorrow," Misaki replied, glancing at Rei.
The day after tomorrow?
Rei turned to Miyu, who gave him a slight nod.
No wonder she was so eager to drag me here this afternoon to submit my manuscript. She must have known about this and that's why she was in such a hurry.
"In short, Rei-sensei, your work is exceptionally good, and—" Misaki said.
"I believe it has a very high chance of making it through the Serialization Meeting and securing a serialization opportunity. Would you allow me to make a copy of your manga manuscript? Although the Serialization Meeting is the day after tomorrow, the editors in the Editorial Department will actually be registering and submitting their artists' submissions tomorrow. If you agree, we can consider this a preliminary cooperation agreement."
"I—"
Rei paused, then realized something and straightened his slightly slouching posture, adjusting the corner of his shirt.
"Of course, Editor Misaki. That's precisely why I came here." Rei extended his hand.
A faint smile touched Misaki's lips as she shook his hand.
At nine o'clock that evening, Miyu personally escorted Rei out of the villa and to the entrance of the residential complex.
Throughout the process, Miyu seemed somewhat distracted.
"Miyu-san, what's wrong?" Rei asked, noticing her unusual demeanor. After all, she had done him a great favor.
Rei couldn't dismiss her concerns with a casual "None of my business."
"I've been thinking about the ending of 5 Centimeters Per Second, Rei," Miyu said after a pause. "Do you really think it's right for Akari and Takaki to just pass each other by in the crowd like that?"
As a fellow manga artist, she knew it was impolite to criticize another creator's work. But she couldn't help herself.
"Manga should showcase a kind of beauty that doesn't exist in reality, right? Your ending is just too sad." By the end, Miyu's voice was tinged with genuine distress.
"Then think carefully about what kind of beauty doesn't exist in reality," Rei replied after a moment's thought.
"Is it the idea of former lovers, who have almost forgotten each other but still cling to a lingering attachment, rekindling their romance after many years? Is that the unique kind of beauty you imagine for anime?"
Miyu was taken aback.
"Or perhaps it's like Takaki, who finally finds closure after many years. He can turn away with a smile, ready to embrace a new life. That's the kind of beauty we creators should be showing our readers—the beauty that belongs to anime."
Miyu nodded slowly.
"You talk like you've been in love before. Aren't we both just fifteen-year-old high school freshmen?"
Rei smiled faintly, keeping his true thoughts to himself.
Of course. In my past life, I had two relationships in college, though neither worked out in the end.
"This is just my interpretation of 5 Centimeters Per Second. Even though I introduced the work, it's perfectly fine for you to have your own understanding of the ending, Yukishiro-san. But I can't imagine a better conclusion," Rei said.
Just like with literary works like Hamlet, many creators struggle to provide a universally convincing final interpretation of their stories. Rei, as merely a translator, was even less qualified to offer such definitive answers.
"You don't have to call me Yukishiro-san anymore. Just call me Miyu," Miyu said, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. After a moment's pause, she sighed.
"Rei, a word of caution: many readers of Sakura Weekly are emotionally fragile. If your work gets serialized, you'll likely receive a flood of thank-you letters from devoted fans."
Thank-you letters?
Rei's expression turned peculiar.
Hmm, that means I need to come up with a pen name before the manga serialization starts. I can't use my real name.