A world without manga

Chapter 4: A New Beginning - The Bookstore

The days following Ryuuji's first successful manga creation felt like a blur. Every time he looked at the screen of his Manga Creation System, he couldn't help but feel that something big was waiting for him, something that would push him forward. His first volume of Naruto had been completed and shared, but that was just the beginning.

Ryuuji's thoughts were racing. What if he could do more than just create manga? What if he could share those stories with the world in a tangible way? He had been living in this world for a few weeks now, and he knew that people here, though living normal lives, were missing something. Missing the kind of vibrant storytelling that manga could offer. The kind of escape that he had taken for granted.

He couldn't shake the feeling that he could be the bridge. He could be the one to bring manga to the masses. But how?

As he mulled over the idea, he remembered something: a small, quaint bookstore on the corner of his street. It had always caught his eye when he passed by. An old, dusty place, with wooden shelves packed with books that looked like they hadn't been touched in years. It was a place that, much like the world itself, seemed to be frozen in time—untouched by the growth and change of the modern world.

He had seen the For Sale sign outside the store the previous week, but hadn't thought much of it at the time. The store had been abandoned, and the owner was retiring. Now, the more he thought about it, the more the idea seemed perfect. What if he bought the bookstore?

Ryuuji had a modest amount of savings from his past life, and though it wasn't a fortune, it was enough to make an investment. Enough to buy that bookstore. He could post his manga there, display his stories, and get them into the hands of people who would never have had access to this kind of art before. He could create a manga haven, a space for people to explore worlds beyond their own.

He stood up from his desk and walked to his window, gazing out at the familiar scene of his neighborhood. This could be his chance.

His heart raced. He couldn't let this opportunity slip by. With a sudden surge of determination, Ryuuji grabbed his coat and rushed out the door. His legs moved of their own accord as he made his way toward the bookstore.

The small bell above the door chimed as Ryuuji entered the bookstore. The smell of old paper and dust greeted him. The store was as quiet and dim as he remembered. Shelves stretched to the ceiling, and the atmosphere felt nostalgic, a place where stories lived in their own little world, waiting for someone to find them. But it was clear—this place wasn't thriving. It was stagnant, waiting for a change.

At the counter, an elderly man looked up from his glasses, blinking in surprise at Ryuuji's sudden entrance.

"Ah, young man," the shopkeeper said, his voice raspy but kind. "Can I help you with something?"

Ryuuji smiled. "Actually, I was wondering about the bookstore. I saw the For Sale sign outside, and I'd like to know more."

The old man's face softened. "Well, it's been in my family for generations. But, alas, I'm getting too old to manage it. And, well… I don't know who will want to buy it." His voice trailed off with a sigh.

Ryuuji stepped closer. "I think I might be interested in buying it."

The elderly man blinked, clearly surprised. "Oh? You'd want to take over this place?"

Ryuuji nodded, his voice steady. "Yes. I've always loved books, and I have some plans to bring in new content. Something a bit different. Manga, actually."

The old man raised an eyebrow. "Manga? The drawings you see in those comic books? People still read those?"

Ryuuji's smile grew wider. "Trust me, sir. People will. I have some ideas for how to bring new life into this place. It won't just be books. It'll be a destination, something special."

The elderly man studied him for a moment, then slowly nodded. "Well, you certainly have conviction. Alright then. If you're serious, I'll show you the terms. It's not a huge place, but it has potential."

Later that afternoon, Ryuuji found himself in the back office of the bookstore, finalizing the deal. After some paperwork and negotiating, Ryuuji handed over a portion of his savings. He was now the official owner of the bookstore.

He couldn't help but smile as he left the building, the keys to his new empire dangling in his hand. This wasn't just a bookstore—it was the start of something much bigger. He now had the perfect venue to share his creations, to bring manga to life in a world that desperately needed it.

The first few days were filled with cleaning and organizing. Ryuuji moved through the store, wiping away dust and rearranging the shelves. He could already imagine the walls lined with volumes of manga—his manga—soon to be shared with anyone who walked through the door.

He placed a small sign in front of the store with the words: "Manga Books Now Available."

Then, as the store began to take shape, Ryuuji returned to his most important task: his manga. He had the Naruto Volume 1 completed, but he knew that if he wanted this bookstore to thrive, he needed to do more.

The system's voice chimed in, offering him a simple but revolutionary solution.

"Manga Printing Option Unlocked. As the creator of your manga, you may now print physical copies of any work you've drawn. Simply purchase printing credits with Manga Points to have your manga printed and delivered."

Ryuuji's eyes widened. So, it wasn't just digital copies. He could have physical books printed and distributed to his bookstore.

He quickly navigated through the system menu and saw the option for Manga Printing. It was so simple: select the manga, choose the printing option, and it would be physically reproduced and delivered. No need for complicated negotiations or outsourcing—it was all handled by the system.

He selected Naruto Volume 1, and after confirming the order, a small message appeared:

"Printing Order Confirmed. 10 Copies of Naruto Volume 1 will be delivered to the designated location."

Within minutes, a delivery truck pulled up in front of the bookstore, carrying boxes filled with printed copies of the first volume. Ryuuji couldn't help but feel a rush of excitement. His work was no longer just digital—it was real. People could walk into his store and hold the stories he had created.

The next day, the bookstore was officially open. Ryuuji had made sure to arrange the store with a special section for manga. Shelves were lined with his first creation, Naruto Volume 1, along with a few sample manga from other creators that he had purchased through the system. The door was open, and people from the neighborhood began to trickle in.

Saki, his next-door neighbor, was the first to visit.

"Ryuuji!" she exclaimed, her eyes widening as she walked in. "This place looks amazing! What's all this stuff?"

Ryuuji smiled, gesturing around the store. "It's a manga store. I've been working on some of the stories, and I wanted to share them with everyone. If you like, you can take a look."

Saki immediately wandered over to the manga shelves, her fingers running over the covers. She picked up a copy of Naruto Volume 1. "Wait, this is your work?" she asked, her voice full of disbelief.

Ryuuji nodded. "Yep, it's all me. Well, the system helped a bit."

Saki grinned. "This is incredible! I didn't know you could do something like this. I've never seen manga like this before. How do I get more?"

"Just come back anytime," Ryuuji said. "And you can always read them right here in the store."

As Ryuuji looked around the bookstore, the world felt a little less strange. The isolation he had once felt began to fade. He wasn't just a stranger in this world anymore—he was a creator, someone who could share his love of storytelling with others. He could see it in the smiles of the customers as they flipped through the pages of his manga. This was just the beginning, and Ryuuji was determined to make it last.

The world may not have manga, but now, it would. And Ryuuji was going to make sure of it.