"Manga artist? Why do you need a manga artist?"
Takayushi had considered that her child might be short of money, might not be doing well.
But she never expected Takayuki would ask her for help finding a manga artist.
Takayuki could look for one himself, but he probably wouldn't find a suitable one in the short term.
As a painter herself, Takayushi might not be in the same field, but she would definitely be more reliable than anyone Takayuki could find.
"Mother, I'm doing some small business now and need some help with drawing promotional art."
"Oh, I didn't expect little Takayuki to start doing business. It seems you're getting more and more mature. You really make your mother proud."
Takayushi showed a pleased expression.
But soon she said, "Since it's drawing promotional art, you definitely need a well-known artist. Let me introduce you to some artists I know; their skills are excellent, even better than manga artists."
At Takayushi's level, the well-known artists she mentioned were likely traditional artists with some international recognition.
But that wasn't the type Takayuki was looking for.
Upon hearing this, Takayuki quickly shook his head. "No, mother, I don't need that kind. I need younger artists. My products don't require high-end art styles; I need something more fashionable, and preferably manga-style."
Hiring a renowned artist to draw a few original pieces might work in the short term.
But Takayuki's intention was to have someone draw game art for him in the long term.
After all, Dragon Quest wasn't just a one-time product; it was a long-lasting game IP spanning over twenty years. So he needed someone younger; otherwise, if they passed away midway, it would seriously affect the game's reputation due to sudden changes in art style.
Moreover, those somewhat renowned traditional artists, even if they were his mother's contacts, would never agree to work for him long-term.
Those artists might not even be willing to take on such troublesome tasks even if they were paid; they would feel it beneath them.
On the other hand, some manga artists, as long as they were paid enough, wouldn't refuse.
Manga artists tended to be more commercialized.
And Dragon Quest was originally drawn by a well-known manga artist; Takayuki didn't plan to change that.
"I see. In that case, I may not have anyone suitable to recommend to you because I'm not familiar with the manga industry. But I can give you a contact; he might be able to help you."
"Who is it?"
"He used to be an editor for an art magazine, and now he seems to have moved to a manga magazine as the editor-in-chief. He surely has some suitable candidates under him."
Directly asking the editor-in-chief to pick someone made Takayuki's eyes light up.
"Mother, you're the best. That's a great suggestion!"
"Huh? Takayuki, you seem to have changed a lot. It's been so long since we've seen each other, and now you know how to please your mother. From now on, talk to me more; mother likes to hear from you!"
Takayushi was very pleased.
The previous Takayuki was somewhat introverted and not very articulate, so it was quite difficult to hear compliments from him.
"No problem! Love you, mother!"
After hanging up the phone, Takayuki immediately dialed the number his mother had just given him.
Meanwhile, on the other end of the phone, Takayushi was still holding her cellphone, blinking her eyes.
"Takayuki, he... he said he loves me?"
Suddenly, her mood today became super wonderful!
Daigo Ikeda was a man in his late thirties, with slightly graying hair from long nights of work.
He liked wearing slippers to work and casually chatting with other editors about the daily lives of those manga artists.
"Juni-sensei's magazine has been on hiatus frequently lately. Ota, you should pay more attention; otherwise, there might be trouble."
"Come on, chief, you know Juni-sensei always disappears. I can't even find out where he is now."
"Idiot, stake out his house. If he doesn't show up, just keep waiting."
Ota said weakly, "Chief, it's winter now..."
"What's wrong with winter?" Daigo Ikeda glared, "Our job is to take care of the senseis and the readers. Go buy some gifts; the company will reimburse you."
"Alright... alright."
After scolding Ota, Daigo Ikeda shook his head helplessly.
Times were tough now, but some manga artists didn't appreciate it; he felt helpless.
"Is Tsuchiya-sensei's Swordsman Legend still not doing well?"
At this point, Daigo Ikeda turned to another editor.
The editor shook his head. "No, its ratings have dropped significantly; it should have been canceled this week."
"Ah... let's give it another month. If it still doesn't improve... inform Tsuchiya-sensei and... let him take a good rest before drawing again."
As he said this, Daigo Ikeda seemed somewhat weary.
Tsuchiya-sensei was a manga artist he had once nurtured.
After the success of his first manga, he had declined rapidly.
As they say, "After the peak, it's all downhill."
Five years had passed, and he still relied on the success of his first book; he hadn't produced any outstanding works since.
Thanks to the dividends from the past, Tsuchiya-sensei could continue serializing his work until now. If he were a newcomer, he wouldn't have had so many chances. However, the magazine wasn't a charity; they had given Tsuchiya-sensei plenty of opportunities.
The atmosphere was somewhat heavy, but at that moment, Daigo Ikeda's phone rang.
"I'll take this call."
This phone call lightened the somber mood.
Times were indeed tough, but even if people were poor, they still had money to buy magazines. So, the magazine company was doing quite well, and there was still a relatively relaxed atmosphere.
"Hello, this is Daigo Ikeda."
"Hello, Ikeda-kun, I'm Takayuki Takeyu. My mother recommended you to me, saying you could help me find suitable candidates."
"???" Daigo Ikeda was confused.
Game producer?
Mother's recommendation?
"Wait, who is your mother?"
Daigo Ikeda suddenly realized Takayuki's surname.
Takeyu?
"My mother's name is Takayushi Takeyu, she's a painter."
"Oh, so you're Takayushi-sensei's child. I'm glad you called. How is Takayushi-sensei doing? "
Takayushi Takeyu, now a somewhat famous painter abroad.
And before that, Takayushi Takeyu had helped him out of a difficult situation.
So when he heard that it was Takayushi's child, he became very serious.
On the other end of the phone, Takayuki said, "My mother is doing well now, she should be having an art exhibition abroad."
Daigo Ikeda sighed, "Takayushi-sensei is really amazing, being able to make a name for herself as a woman. I've always admired Takayushi-sensei. By the way, what can I do for you, Takayuki-kun? Feel free to tell me; I won't refuse any help I can provide."
"Well, I have some products that need promotional artwork, and I think it would be best to lean towards manga-style art. So I want to find a well-known manga artist to help me with this. Of course, I'll provide satisfactory compensation."
"Just drawing some promotional art? That's completely fine; I can arrange that for you right away."
But Takayuki shook his head, "No, it's not just drawing promotional art. If possible, I'd like to have a manga artist who can cooperate with me long-term. In the future, I hope they can assist me in drawing textbooks and similar texts."