BlackMangaka 006: Career path for the future
As Nakahara Hiroshi spoke, his tone carried a hint of embarrassment.
"Oh? personal matters?" Hiratsuka Shizuka asked curiously, her eyes lighting up. "Can you tell me about it?"
At that moment, Hiratsuka Shizuka didn't come across as a teacher but rather as a curious girl eager to uncover a secret.
Nakahara Hiroshi hesitated for a moment, his face betraying his reluctance. Finally, he gritted his teeth, steeling his resolve.
"Sensei, you have to promise not to tell anyone!"
Though only a few seconds passed, the shift in emotions on his face was so natural that if captured on film, it might have won an Oscar.
Hiratsuka Shizuka, unaware of what was coming, found herself amused by his dramatic reaction.
Even if they act maturely, they're still kids at heart!
"Don't worry. I won't tell a soul," she reassured him with a grin.
Hearing her promise, Nakahara Hiroshi finally spoke.
"Because I draw manga in my spare time, I don't have any extra time to join clubs."
"Manga?"
The unexpected answer left Hiratsuka Shizuka momentarily stunned. Then, she smirked, her tone slightly teasing. "So, is Nakahara-kun's career plan to become a mangaka?"
If it were in the world he had lived in before, mentioning manga might have instantly conjured up images of a certain country.
Of course.
In this world, manga was also one of Japan's national treasures. With strict copyright protections, the industry seemed to hold great promise.
However…
Nakahara Hiroshi sighed inwardly and spoke in a serious tone, "Sensei, the word 'mangaka' isn't as glamorous as it sounds."
To the public, mangaka appear as shining stars, with their works earning millions or even billions in royalties, sparking envy.
But if you look closer, how many of their names do you see repeatedly?
Those big names represent the top of the iceberg. Beneath them lies a sea of broken dreams—aspiring artists struggling to make ends meet, working part-time at convenience stores, and living in cramped apartments barely big enough for a futon.
That's the harsh reality for the majority in the industry.
"Hmm?"
Did her student just lecture her?
Rather than feeling offended, Hiratsuka Shizuka found it intriguing. She didn't know much about the industry herself.
She couldn't help but chuckle. "Oh? Then why don't you tell me what being a mangaka really means?"
"A mangaka," Nakahara Hiroshi began, his voice steady, "is someone who can sustain their livelihood solely through their manga."
Without rejecting her request, he continued:
"Even if you're lucky enough to get serialized in a weekly magazine, your fate depends on weekly reader surveys.
If your work isn't popular, it'll be axed within weeks—editors won't show any mercy."
"To truly live without financial worries, your work must be a bestseller. Or, you'll need multiple successive hits.
Only then can you truly be called a mangaka."
"Those who don't reach that level are nothing more than gamblers."
A prime example was the author of Death Pen○, who once lamented in another work, 'If I stop working for five years, I'll starve to death after five years.'
While it sounded exaggerated, it was a stark reflection of the truth in both the previous world and this one.
Even such a successful work had its struggles.
How could others even hope to survive in such a fiercely competitive industry?
As Nakahara Hiroshi explained, Hiratsuka Shizuka's expression grew serious.
After he finished speaking, she questioned him:
"You know so much about this industry, yet you still claim your career plan isn't to become a mangaka?"
"Well," he replied with a shrug, "I only draw manga as a personal hobby. But I still feel the need to understand the market."
Hiratsuka Shizuka couldn't help but laugh. It seemed her worries about his future were misplaced.
"If I really had to talk about career plans," Nakahara Hiroshi added with a small smile, "I have plenty of options."
"I could pursue postgraduate studies or even a doctorate, following in my parents' footsteps.
Or, I could aim for the University of Tokyo and later become a politician, lawyer, or researcher. Those paths are all open to me."
He wasn't simply trying to ease her concerns—these were his genuine thoughts.
With the knowledge he had from his past life, countless opportunities lay before him.
It would be foolish to hang everything on a single branch.
"Todai, huh?"
The mere mention of Japan's most prestigious university would intimidate most students. Yet, it rolled off Nakahara Hiroshi's tongue as though it were an afterthought.
But with his academic record—consistently ranking first in his grade—it was entirely feasible.
"You've considered your future so carefully. It's no wonder you're an exceptional student."
Suppressing the regret in her heart, Hiratsuka Shizuka nodded. "It's good that you've thought this through."
Still, she couldn't shake a feeling of disappointment.
There was no chance she could get this guy to join the Service Club.
"Forget it. At least I tried," she thought.
Pushing her complicated feelings aside, Hiratsuka Shizuka asked casually, "You've been drawing manga for a while. Do you have any works you can show me?"
Curiosity sparkled in her eyes as she looked at him.
Nakahara Hiroshi scratched his cheek awkwardly. "I do have a few, but my early works are so rough they're practically graffiti. They're not really worth showing off."
"By the way, Sensei, do you read manga?"
"I've read Dragon Ball and One Piece," Hiratsuka Shizuka replied with a smile.
"Those were during my student days, though."
Hearing her answer, Nakahara Hiroshi's face turned awkward. "Sensei, you're putting me on the same level as those legends. That's too much pressure!"
Even in this parallel world, such iconic masterpieces existed.
It was quite surprising.
"Don't overthink it," Hiratsuka Shizuka said, rolling her eyes. "I was just answering your question."
"I see," Nakahara Hiroshi murmured, realizing her intent.
"Well then, if I showed you my work, Sensei, I'm sure you'd think it's unbearable. Since class is starting, I'll head back now."
As he stood and turned to leave, a hand gripped his shoulder firmly.
A low, ominous voice sounded from behind him.
"Nakahara-kun... You're not lying to me about drawing manga, are you?"
The sound of cracking knuckles followed.
"Why do her joints make such terrifying sounds from just clenching a fist? Isn't this supposed to be a peaceful world?!"
"No, of course not!"
Nakahara Hiroshi sighed, resigning himself to his fate. He sat back down and cast a glance at Hiratsuka Shizuka's pale, slender fingers.
Well, they were beautiful, at least.
Shizuka Hiratsuka, oblivious to his thoughts, tapped her pen against the desk, replacing the imaginary cigarette she'd "lit" earlier.
"Then why can't you show me your manga?"
"It's not that I don't want to," Nakahara Hiroshi replied with a sigh. "But it's a matter of pride, you know?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka narrowed her eyes. "Are you afraid I'll criticize it too harshly?"
Her student met her gaze calmly and muttered under his breath:
"Sensei, do you just want an excuse to spend more time with me?"
Case closed.
Beautiful hands. Painful punches.
**