Chapter 104: Manga Schedule
Because it was already late, Asakura and his mother did not accept Sawamura Sayuri's invitation to sit inside for a while, and headed straight back.
After entering the house, Sawamura Sayuri went to the bedroom with Eriri.
"Eriri, did you have fun today?"
"Mhm!"
Eriri smiled and nodded: "Asakura and Reiko were both very kind to me, and Reiko doted on me a lot. She specially made a huge spread of dishes for lunch, and again for dinner."
"I heard from Reiko too. I'm glad you had fun."
Stroking Eriri's little head, Sawamura Sayuri breathed a small sigh of relief.
"And... between you and Kaede-kun?"
"Huh?"
"Between you two..."
Sawamura Sayuri made a gesture with a teasing smile on her face.
Eriri instantly understood, blushing furiously as she shouted, "We didn't! Mom, why are you talking about these things with your own daughter?"
"Oh my, isn't this normal? After all, I noticed at the door just now that your eyes were constantly fixed on Kaede-kun."
"Ugh... Anyway, no, we didn't! Stop overthinking it!"
Eriri explained again: "We didn't do anything weird!"
"Aww~ You really didn't?"
"Why do you sound so disappointed!!!"
"Pfft~~ Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore, Eriri." Sawamura Sayuri waved her hand and said, "So, have you finished explaining everything that needed to be explained?"
"Mhm, I finished explaining, and then Kaede-kun gave me a big surprise. Yes, it was a truly big surprise."
Eriri nodded, then opened her computer under Sawamura Sayuri's gaze, logged into her email, and downloaded the files that had been sent.
Watching Eriri unzip the files, Sawamura Sayuri asked, "What is this?"
"Didn't my previous manga submission fail?" Eriri said, a smile appearing on her face, "And Kaede-kun, he has actually been secretly preparing a manga script for me all this time. When I first saw him working on it in the club, I thought he was preparing a new novel. I only found out today that he was preparing it for me!"
Next, Sawamura Sayuri saw the files containing the scripts, character designs, and panel layouts, and showed a surprised expression.
"All of this was prepared by Kaede-kun for you?"
"Mhm." Eriri nodded. With Kaede not present, she felt her emotions starting to overwhelm her again. "Kaede-kun is truly amazing. He prepared the outline for a long-form manga script with a clear main storyline in such a short time, even writing some of the detailed plot, and he even taught himself paneling. When I first saw it, I was almost speechless."
After processing this, Sawamura Sayuri looked at her daughter, gently pulled her into her embrace, and said with a smile, "Kaede-kun is very good to you."
"Mhm."
Eriri nodded vigorously and said, "I really like this script. I must draw it well next, it can definitely be serialized."
"Then, Eriri, you must work hard. This time, you and Kaede-kun are working together, so I believe you will definitely succeed. However, drawing manga is very tiring, so make sure to take care of your health, okay? And don't neglect your studies either."
"Ugh... I know, I know. I will study hard, and I will also regularly hold study sessions with Kaede-kun."
"That's good."
Initially, Sawamura Sayuri was worried that her daughter might neglect other aspects, such as studying, after starting to date. But now, it seems things are developing for the better.
She hoped these two children could continue this way in the future.
After talking with her daughter for a while, Sawamura Sayuri left the room. Eriri rested for a bit, took a shower, and then officially began researching the manga project again.
Tonight, no games. She needed to prepare seriously!
... Sunday. Although they didn't go out, Eriri and Kaede started communicating via voice call after waking up in the morning.
Eriri drew, and Kaede typed. Although they didn't talk much, the occasional word or two while wearing headphones kept both of them happy, as if the other person were right beside them.
After finishing their work in the morning and having lunch, Eriri was pulled by Kaede to start studying and doing homework in the afternoon.
While doing homework, Kaede said, "Eriri, if we start drawing manga next, will we run out of time? You already have to study, and you don't plan on finding an assistant. If it's just the two of us aiming for weekly serialization in Jump, it's going to be very exhausting!"
Having this point brought up by Kaede, Eriri also began to ponder. "That's true, but there's nothing we can do. Who told me I'm still a student? The most time I have for drawing is only on weekends, right?"
"Hmm~~ Say, how about we use our Art Club time to draw at school too?"
"Wouldn't Mizuki and the others find out then?"
"If it's just manga, it shouldn't be a big problem, right? Plus, it's only within the confines of the Art Club."
Putting down her pen, Eriri frowned in thought. She knew Kaede was right. They would basically stay in the Art Club until high school graduation unless they actively quit. The atmosphere there was great, and the members were all nice.
"Then... Kaede-kun, if we tell them, do you think there will be a negative reaction?"
Kaede said confidently, "I'm not sure about others, but when it comes to our Art Club, there will definitely be no problem. Hehe, of course, I mean without exposing your identity as Kashiwagi Eri. For the manga submissions later, let's choose a new pen name."
After thinking for a while longer, Eriri finally nodded. "Mhm, although it will be a bit of a waste of the popularity I've accumulated, it can't be helped, as long as my identity as a doujin artist isn't exposed. We can't waste all that time after school in the afternoon, so let's agree on this. Tomorrow... Tomorrow, Kaede-kun, remember to bring your laptop and drawing tablet, and let's tell everyone about this during Art Club."
After all, she had to take that step eventually. Compared to letting everyone know about her hobby, only letting the club members know was something Eriri could accept.
The thought of being able to fully utilize the afternoon Art Club time to draw manga without having to quit the club made Eriri sigh in relief.
"So how should we arrange our time on the weekends?"
"Come to my place? My mom would definitely welcome you," Kaede said, smiling. "We can draw together then, and I can be your assistant. Doing some simple tasks won't be a problem. What do you think?"
Eriri was tempted, but she also felt it wasn't good for her to keep going to his house.
After thinking, she suggested, "How about we alternate every week? One week I come over, and the next week you come to my house?"
That seemed acceptable too?