Black Mangaka-013: Unlucky Editor
With one hand in front of her, Yinsha used the other hand to button up her blouse, but because she was too flustered, she fumbled for what felt like an eternity. Tears that had just subsided threatened to spill again.
Nakahara Hiroshi stood nearby, arms crossed, watching the chaotic scene before him with a bemused expression.
"Not allowed to watch?"
He smirked. "Innocent question. Who would listen to such words?"
Two minutes later, Yinsha finally succeeded in buttoning her clothes and sighed in relief.
Hiroshi looked away with mock regret.
"You… what is your purpose?" Yinsha demanded, glancing at him with embarrassment. Her cheeks flushed crimson as the memory of the earlier scene replayed in her mind.
Momentarily, her earlier fear and anxiety had been replaced by irritation.
Hiroshi casually unlocked his phone, pulled up the recording app interface, and handed it to her.
"The recording? It never existed to begin with," he said matter-of-factly.
"Huh? Eh?!" Yinsha's eyes widened in disbelief.
"I was lying from the start," Hiroshi admitted, shrugging. "Come on, Editor Yinsha. Who edits a recording while they're in the middle of speaking?"
The crushing weight she'd been feeling lifted entirely at those words.
"Nakahara-san!" Yinsha raised her voice, her face red with both frustration and humiliation. "Do you find it fun to tease adults?"
"Eh?" Hiroshi pretended to be surprised. "Do you really think this was a prank, Editor Yinsha?"
"Isn't it?!"
"While I didn't record anything, I did keep your email," Hiroshi said nonchalantly. "So could you maybe… adjust your tone?"
"Hmph." Yinsha glared at him.
This kid's a devil! she thought.
"I'm sorry," she muttered begrudgingly, bowing her head slightly.
Hiroshi looked satisfied. "I hope this serves as a lesson. Think things through carefully before acting next time. I'd hate to hear that my editor got fired because of carelessness."
Yinsha wanted to retort with, Do you think I'm stupid?! But when she recalled yesterday's mistake, she realized he wasn't entirely wrong.
"Ugh, you're so annoying! Were you doing this to remind me?"
Hiroshi smiled. "If you want to thank me, treat me to a meal."
"I didn't even say thank you, you idiot!" Yinsha yelled internally. This guy! He could've handled this a hundred better ways but chose to make a fool of her instead!
Suppressing her annoyance, Yinsha forced a smile. "Fine. I'll treat you—when I get my salary for last month."
"I'll look forward to it," Hiroshi replied cheerfully, as if oblivious to her anger. "By the way, could you bring me the contract? It's already been a while."
"You mean the unnecessary one?" Yinsha rolled her eyes but got up and left without further argument.
---
A few moments later, she returned with the contract in hand.
Hiroshi inspected it carefully, then signed and stamped it without hesitation.
Yinsha watched his swift movements, dumbfounded. "That's it? No second thoughts?"
"What else would there be?"
"But aren't you only 16? Don't you need a guardian's approval?"
"Of course. It's all in here," Hiroshi replied, pulling an envelope from his bag. "Signed approval from my parents. Want me to call them to confirm?"
Yinsha opened the envelope, glanced at the documents, and nodded. "You're surprisingly well-prepared."
"Always good to plan ahead," Hiroshi said with a grin.
Is this really a high school student? Yinsha wondered, staring at him in disbelief. He seemed more mature and composed than most adults she knew.
"Alright," she said after composing herself. "Nakahara-kun, listen carefully. These are important tips for serialization."
"Has my title been demoted from 'Teacher' to 'Kun' already?" Hiroshi teased.
"It's punishment for your prank!" Yinsha snapped.
---
The conversation shifted to business, and Yinsha began explaining the process of serialization.
"You'll need at least three chapters ready before starting. Have you completed them?"
"No worries there," Hiroshi said confidently. "I've already prepared two additional chapters."
"Seriously?" Yinsha stared at him, speechless.
Hiroshi pulled out a stack of manuscripts from his backpack and handed them over. "Take your time and review them, Editor Yinsha."
Yinsha was silent for a moment, processing his confidence. "You're… something else."
"Not confidence," Hiroshi corrected. "Just preparation. This is my first work, after all. Even if it doesn't get serialized, I still want to give it my all."
Such passion! Is this what it means to chase a dream? Yinsha couldn't help but feel a little envious.
She nodded. "I'll review it thoroughly later. For now, let's continue. Have you considered recruiting assistants? Serialization will be tough to balance with school."
"I'll think about it," Hiroshi replied, though he didn't sound entirely convinced.
"If you need help finding candidates, let me know."
---
An hour passed as Yinsha finished her explanations.
"Any other questions, Nakahara-kun?"
"You've covered everything, Editor Yinsha."
"Ugh, you brat." Even though it sounded like praise, it somehow felt annoying.
As Hiroshi got into the elevator, Yinsha sighed deeply.
"Are all high schoolers this impressive nowadays?"
Despite being an adult, she felt like the one in over her head.
"Yin-chan, how was meeting your author for the first time?" a colleague asked teasingly.
"Easy to get along with?" another chimed in.
Polite but irritated, Yinsha smiled stiffly. "It went… fine."
So annoying! she thought.
But at least there's hope he won't cause too much trouble.