Became a Manga Artist

The Shinsei Comics building loomed over the bustling Shibuya district, a sleek, modern tower of glass and steel. Aoki Junichi felt a nervous flutter in his stomach as he stepped out of the elevator, the quiet hum of the building contrasting sharply with the city's ceaseless energy below. This was it. The place where the magic happened, where stories came to life.

He followed a receptionist through a maze of corridors, past bustling offices filled with editors hunched over light tables and artists sketching furiously. The air thrummed with a focused intensity, a creative energy he could almost taste. His heart hammered against his ribs. This was real.

He was led into a modestly sized office, clean and efficient, dominated by a large desk piled high with manga manuscripts. Behind the desk sat a man in his late twenties, with keen, intelligent eyes and a friendly, if slightly tired, smile. This was Gō Shōen.

"Aoki-kun, welcome!" Gō Shōen stood, extending a hand. "Thank you for coming all this way. Please, have a seat."

Junichi took the offered chair, trying to appear calm, but his mind raced. "Thank you for having me, Gō Shōen."

"No, thank you for creating 'She and Her Cat'," Gō Shōen replied, leaning forward. "We truly believe in its potential. I want to personally congratulate you on securing the Rookie of the Year Serialization Contract. It's a significant achievement, especially for a new talent like yourself."

He then laid out the details of the contract, speaking clearly and patiently. "Your series, 'She and Her Cat,' will be serialized monthly in Shinsei Monthly. We'll start with an initial six-chapter run, with options for extension based on reader feedback and sales. We offer a page rate that increases with experience, plus royalties on tankōbon sales."

Junichi listened intently, processing the numbers. A base page rate of ¥8,000 per page for a monthly serialization meant a steady, predictable income. For a typical 20-page chapter, that was ¥160,000 per month – a sum that felt astronomical compared to his convenience store earnings. And the royalties on future collected volumes (tankōbon) could be even more substantial if the series gained popularity. It wasn't life-changing wealth, not yet, but it was a stable income, far more than he'd ever earned from convenience store shifts alone. Enough to live comfortably, to focus almost entirely on his art, and perhaps even put some money aside. The constant, gnawing anxiety about his next meal, a lingering phantom from his past life, finally began to recede.

"Beyond the financial terms," Gō Shōen continued, "Shinsei Comics believes in nurturing talent. We'll assign you a mentor – Ryuji Kajiwara, one of our veteran mangaka, highly respected for his craftsmanship and his ability to guide new artists. He'll help you refine your techniques, especially with digital tools. We're also prepared to provide you with a professional-grade digital drawing tablet and software. It's an investment in your future."

Junichi felt a surge of gratitude. This was beyond anything he'd expected. "A mentor? And a digital tablet? That's... incredibly generous, Gō Shōen." He thought of the hours he'd spent poring over digital art tutorials online, dreaming of the tools he couldn't afford. Now, they were being handed to him. The financial burden of acquiring such equipment, which would have taken him months, if not years, of saving, was completely removed. This wasn't just about money; it was about access, about removing barriers to his growth.

"We see it as necessary," Gō Shōen smiled. "You have the storytelling instinct, Aoki-kun. Your art has a unique charm. With the right tools and guidance, you'll flourish. Our goal is to make 'She and Her Cat' a success, and to help you grow into a top-tier mangaka."

He then shifted to the practicalities. "Your first official chapter is due in two weeks. We'll work closely on the outline and character designs. We want to maintain the gentle, melancholic tone that made your one-shot so impactful, but we'll need to expand on the world of Shirahashi Yukine and Jūketsu to sustain a monthly series. Perhaps explore Jūketsu's inner world a bit more, or introduce new, subtle interactions."

Junichi nodded, his mind already buzzing with ideas. The pressure was immense, but it was a welcome pressure, a challenge he craved. This wasn't just a job; it was his calling. He thought of his past life, the endless financial struggles, the quiet despair of unfulfilled potential. Here, now, he had a chance to build something real, to create without the constant shadow of poverty. The bottomless pit of his stomach, which had once been a source of anxiety, could now be sated without worry. He could buy better food, maybe even some new clothes that weren't hand-me-downs or convenience store uniforms. Small luxuries, but they represented a profound shift in his circumstances.

"I understand, Gō Shōen," Junichi said, his voice firm, resolute. "I'll do my absolute best. I won't let you down."

Gō Shōen's smile widened, a hint of genuine satisfaction in his eyes. "I have no doubt, Aoki-kun. We're very excited to have you as part of the Shinsei Comics family. This is just the beginning."

As Junichi left the office, the Shibuya streets seemed to pulse with a new vibrancy. The weight of his past, the burden of his predecessor's regrets, felt lighter. He was still the boy with the bottomless appetite, still navigating a strange new world, but he was also something more: a creator, a professional. The System had given him the cheat code, but he was the one writing his own story now. He was on his way, fueled by determination and an insatiable hunger – for food, for knowledge, and for the blank pages waiting to be filled.