"From Naoto Date"
They had the nerve to send one again this year.
It's from Naoto Date-san.
You have your backpack that I bought for you.
Of course, yours is the best, Daddy.
But I felt bad, so I tried putting them both on.
You're such a nice girl, Hime.
All right. Let's get a picture of you using it again this year,
then put it away so it doesn't get damaged.
We have so many.
We could basically open up our own shop with these.
Come forth and bloom, flowers, and catch the fragments of dreams
The future you wished for will soon, yes, bloom into spring
Beneath the sunset, two shadows
Sit on swings and blend into the sky
The higher I go from the momentum
See, the higher my happiness rushes up, too
These ordinary days
The only thing we awkwardly have in common is the fact that we can't be honest with each other
I keep the words I want to say a secret as I look up at the sky
May the wind blow and color this world and your smile shine
Don't be afraid and take the universe that's filled up both of your hands
Come forth and bloom, flowers, and catch the fragments of dreams
Start heading towards the future you wished for
"School Rucksack"
Naoto Date strikes again.
Who's that?
They have the nerve to send Hime a backpack every year.
Oh, like that one thing I've heard about for a while now.
So, who is this Naoto Date anyway?
Huh?
You need to learn...
...how to mind your own business!
Naoto Date... I'm sure they're not that great.
Not to mention the Naoto Dates of the world have the wrong idea.
How impudent are you to say that you bought a backpack for someone else?
You should say that you were given the privilege to buy someone a backpack!
Buying someone a backpack is a privilege!
"From me" "Grandchild"
People familiar with a child basically fight for the privilege to gift a child
"From me" "Grandchild" with a backpack with the parents' blessings!
It's not okay for a complete stranger to give them without permission!
Ah...
So that's what's bugging you.
You know, you could probably make a killing auctioning off
"[Rare] The Privilege to Buy My Grandchild a Backpack" "Gee, I'd love a backpack" You know, you could probably make a killing auctioning off
"[Rare] The Privilege to Buy My Grandchild a Backpack" "Gee, I'd love a backpack" the privilege of buying her a backpack.
So is the person sending the backpacks to your place also a complete stranger?
Yeah, they are... to me, at least.
She's so adorable.
You seem to be in a good mood today, sir.
I see.
So buying one is not an obligation. It's a privilege.
Hopefully comics readers will also think that they're given
the privilege to buy them rather than them doing us a favor.
That's it!
What?
What a kind world.
I-I was just kidding. No godly reader like that exists.
True.
If we want our readers to be a part of this kind world
we, the creators, have to already be a part of this kind world ourselves.
Erase, erase.
I've been given the privilege to erase this!
Cross... hatch...
I've been given the privilege to do these annoying crosshatches.
I've been given the privilege to draw this
complicated bird's eye view of this cityscape.
Well? How does it feel to be a part of this kind world?
We feel totally refreshed!
You all sound like corporate slaves, to be honest...
"Kind" You all sound like corporate slaves, to be honest...
"Kind" Yes! We're given the privilege to be in a major weekly magazine!
"Kind" Yes!
"Kind" Wow...
Yeah, exactly.
I wish they'd try a little harder to be honest.
I mean, we're letting them be in this major weekly magazine.
Did you come to destroy this kind, gentle world?!
What in the world?
Haven't you ever thought about being thankful to strangers?!
Of course, I have.
To be honest, I'm eternally grateful to all of
the booksellers across the country allowing us to sell our products there.
That's important.
Yes, so...
"Kanimate" "Toranohana" "Suica Books" Yes, so...
"Kanimate" "Toranohana" "Suica Books" What are all those?
Twenty vendor-specific bonus illustration cards.
Twenty...
It sure is rough living in this kind world...
My kid absolutely refuses to listen to me lately.
Same here.
I wish kids understood that all they need to do is listen to their parents.
Don't they realize we're the ones raising them?
That's not exactly the case...
At least for me.
I'm given the privilege to raise her.
Welcome home.
I'm home.
Work is fun... Work is fun...
"Work is fun" "Work is fun"
What's that all about?
"Work is fun" "Work is fun" Citizens of the kind world have taken on too much work and are about to explode.
"These past few days..." Citizens of the kind world have taken on too much work and are about to explode.
"These past few days..." These past few days...
"10 shikishi drawings for gifts (in color)"
Yes, of course, I'd be honored to draw that.
"Shirina-sensei Fanbook 4-panel comic submission, 8 pages" Yes, of course, I'd be honored to draw that.
"Anime end card" Yes. Of course. I'd be honored to draw that.
What the heck are we supposed to do with this schedule?
It's a privilege to receive so much work.
Sensei has changed...
Yeah, he's basically a corporate slave right now.
No, manga artists are self-employed.
Therefore, Sensei right now isn't a corporate slave...
"Man slave" Therefore, Sensei right now isn't a corporate slave...
"Man slave" He's a man slave!
"Man slave" Could you not look like you feel so accomplished, yet satisfied,
"Man slave" about supposedly creating a new word like that?
Well, we live in a world now where manga artists have to do more than draw manga,
so he's becoming more and more of a man slave.
"Autograph signing" so he's becoming more and more of a man slave.
"Autograph signing" For example, this autograph signing.
Wait, an autograph signing?
For who?
Really?
What?! No way!
I must've agreed to it without realizing it!
Curse you, you stupid man slave!
You're the only stupid man slave here.
What if Hime finds out my job after I expose myself to the public like that?!
I need to turn this down immediately!
You probably won't be able to cancel anymore.
It's all over the Internet already.
And it's on a Sunday...
I was supposed to...
I can't wait until Sunday.
We were finally able to get a reservation for Kidzanira.
Kidzanira?
It's a popular theme park for kids.
Kids get to experience all kinds of occupations
and it's apparently really hard to get a reservation.
I'm heading out.
Good work today.
I wonder why Sensei turned into such a good person suddenly.
I wonder if something happened.
I'm sure that's the case.
Could you stop sending her backpacks already?
I'm running out of explanations for her.
Are you still holding a grudge?
I mean, I'd be lying if I said I'm not.
I'm sure you somewhat understand how I feel now that you're a parent yourself.
If one day, Hime brings home the man she says she wants to marry
and he draws a manga called Balls of Fury,
would you allow it?
Of course, I wouldn't!
See?
See you later.
He's right...
I wouldn't let Hime marry a guy who draws manga like I do.
Over my dead body!
I'm a freakin' paradox!
Who the hell would want the autograph of the guy who draws Balls of Fury anyway?
Yeah, something definitely happened. He's lost all confidence.
Is he just trying to be a good person because of his lack of confidence?
If no one's coming to this stupid autograph signing,
I'm going to go play with Hime!
Yeah, I don't think that's going to fly...
You know...
"Depot" "Books Quinokuniya" You know...
"Depot" "Books Quinokuniya" ...we might be able to make this work after all.
No adults allowed beyond this point.
I'll see you later.
Have fun!
I see... So that's what she meant.
"A few days before..."
How the hell am I supposed to make both the autograph signing and Kidzanira work?!
Normally, adults are just watching their kids from the lounge at Kidzanira.
You're going to do the signing then.
See?
"Depot" "Books Quinokuniya" See?
"Depot" "Books Quinokuniya" The bookstore that the signing will be at is in the same building.
"Depot" "Books Quinokuniya" How lucky is that?
"Depot" You're right!
Wait, it's too close!
"Dirty Manga Artist Autograph Signing" Wait, it's too close!
"Dirty Manga Artist Autograph Signing" If anything just happens to go wrong...
"Dirty Manga Artist Autograph Signing" Daddy?
Nope, nope, nope, nope! Not happening!
But you're just going to have to do it.
We'll all be there to support you.
Sensei.
Over here!
So, if it's just a signature, you're able to do it dressed like that.
Of course...
...I can't.
It's just around that corner.
I'm going home!
What's gotten into you?!
I'm telling you! No one's going to even show up!
Looks like he's lost all confidence.
Don't worry. I'm sure plenty of people will come.
"Has nothing to back this up" Don't worry. I'm sure plenty of people will come.
Oh, come on. Get going!
Nope, nope, nope, I can't! Stop!
Wow...
You've got a huge line.
See? I told you.
Plenty of people came.
"Morido-kun autograph signing and photo book release celebration"
Mori.
"Morido-kun autograph signing and photo book release celebration"
It's an autograph signing...
...for a local mascot...
This is pretty hard.
Why am I the one who has to watch this?
Is your child one of the bakers, too?
Huh? Oh, no. I'm just watching one of the little girls.
She's not my ki--
Watching one of the little girls? She's going to think I'm some creeper!
Y-Yeah, she's my daughter.
The girl with the straight bangs.
Are you here by yourself today?
Um... Her mother is at work.
It must be hard working on Sundays.
My wife...
...is a flight attendant on an international airline
and she just happens to be on a flight right now.
Hey, I'm here to switch.
Sorry, I need you to take this!
"Mom" "Flight attendant" "IQ 200" "Former Miss Kodaira" "TOEIC 860 points" "Descendant of a great general (Can't say who)"
"Mom" "Flight attendant" "IQ 200" "Former Miss Kodaira" "TOEIC 860 points" The hell is all this?
"Mom" "Flight attendant" "IQ 200" "Former Miss Kodaira" "TOEIC 860 points" The background info on Hime-chan's mom.
No one would believe this even if it was in a manga!
Oh, who might you be?
Huh?
My wife is on a flight right now!
I'm, uh... that girl's...
...older sister.
I'm fifteen.
"'Tights in the Wind' author Kakushi Goto autograph signing"
See? I told you.
No one showed.
I mean, it's an hour before we start and we haven't let anyone in yet.
"Kakushi Goto-sensei autograph lottery" I mean, it's an hour before we start and we haven't let anyone in yet.
"Kakushi Goto-sensei autograph lottery" And the ones getting autographs
"Kakushi Goto-sensei autograph lottery" are the 100 people who entered and won a lottery.
And I'm sure those poor fools just entered for a chance
to sell my autograph thinking I was some popular writer,
but decided not to come once they realized how unpopular I am.
I can understand why you'd be so nervous.
But the ones who are the most nervous...
...are the bookstore employees!
It's not you?
They're doing everything they can
to make sure they don't embarrass the author!
If all else fails, they're prepared to change
into their normal clothes and get in line themselves!
I knew it!
Okay, I've memorized your faces.
If I see you people in line...
...I'm going to cry!
Looks like we got another pain in the ass author...
I guess they get to experience various jobs.
Allow me to go over this one last time.
Autograph signings are a battle against time.
If you're going to include a character in your autograph, please limit it to one.
Also, to discourage reselling,
please include their name.
We're going to begin momentarily.
Sure, if all people you paid to line up are here, go ahead.
The guests are coming in!
Hello.
I'm a huge fan of yours, Sensei!
You're not even a paid person. You're someone I know!
You couldn't even pay people to be here?!
But I actually did the lottery and won! I'd like your autograph, please.
"To Ichiko-san"
Here you go.
Thank you so much!
Hello.
I don't remember seeing her anywhere. Maybe she's an actual fan.
Oh, you came, Momo-chan.
Yeah! I totally won the lottery. Talk about lucky.
If you told me, I would've totally gotten you in!
But I'd feel bad.
Here you go.
Thank you very much.
That's one of my friends from college and she's a huge fan of yours.
Do you really think I'd believe you?
Of course not.
How pathetic...
No one is benefiting from trying to make me feel better.
"Smile Smile" No one is benefiting from trying to make me feel better.
"Smile Smile" On the other hand,
"Smile Smile" why do these people look so happy when they're being forced to line up?
I see... they must be...
You're a part-timer, aren't you?
Huh? Wow, I'm surprised you knew. Yes, I am.
I knew it!
I'm an aspiring manga artist who works the night shift at a convenience store.
"He's not listening" I'm an aspiring manga artist who works the night shift at a convenience store.
Hello.
Are you another part-timer?
No, I'm a temp employee.
They're not even trying to hide the fact that they were hired by a temp agency!
It's hard becoming a full-time employee.
"He's not listening" It's hard becoming a full-time employee.
How much are they paying you an hour?
Huh?
I mean... I live in the country, so about 850 yen.
Oh, but they help pay for my transportation.
I see.
Sensei, you finished signing autographs for all 50 people in the morning session,
so please go take a break.
Say, Tomaruin...
Why don't you up their pay a little more?
Huh?
Well, I've got a lunch date with Hime.
I made this myself.
Looks like you had a lot of fun.
I made sure everything was top quality.
What other jobs did you try out?
A pâtissier, a delivery person,
a police officer...
I want this moment to last forever...
Sensei! It's almost time for the afternoon session!
"Kairi Imashigata's World Expo" Sensei! It's almost time for the afternoon session!
"Kairi Imashigata's World Expo" Please hurry!
"Kairi Imashigata's World Expo" What are you doing, Sensei?
"Kairi Imashigata's World Expo"
I think this is taking place in Ueno.
You've heard of him?
He's one of the masters of Japanese paintings.
I really love his art and have nothing but respect for him.
Huh...
They're that amazing, huh?
I actually have one of his pieces at home. Wanna see it?
Oh, come on.
A renowned master painter, huh?
Though we both draw or paint for a living, an artist like him and I are worlds apart.
You're late, Sensei!
We're still continuing this façade?
No one's benefiting from this.
I finally understand what you were saying earlier, Sensei!
Of course, those people weren't hired to be here!
Where's your proof?
Like we could afford to hire people to stand in line for someone like you!
What do you mean, someone like me?!
Could you make up your mind on if you have pride or if you've lost it all?
I mean, look at all these.
These are all letters and presents we got from your fans.
Do you really think someone that was hired to be here would go this far?
They really do like your manga, Sensei.
Have a little more confidence.
We will now begin the afternoon session.
Thank you so much!
It's hard to believe, but...
...all these people...
...are actually reading my manga.
But I still can't let Hime...
Thank you.
You seem to have brought your little boy here, but...
...are you aware of what I draw?
I draw dirty jokes!
Of course, I know.
We're both huge fans.
Daddy, it's Tights!
Isn't it great?
--I'm so happy!
--Make sure you take good care of it. --I'm so happy!
--Make sure you take good care of it. --Yeah!
That's why I asked you to have a little more confidence.
Look. You even made that little boy happy.
I mean, yeah... Even the little boy there...
Do you realize how much trouble we'd be in if we actually hired him to be here?
Really?!
Well...
I'm just drawing the manga that I believe in.
Thank goodness.
Looks like he regained his confidence.
No matter what any master artist might say...
...my job... is a manga artist!
Sh-She found me out!
Come on! Hurry up and switch with me! It's my turn!
What are you doing, Sensei?
T-Trying out different jobs.
Oh, so this is a Kidzanira for adults.
Exactly!
I guess adults get pretty bored just waiting around.
Oh, I should go look for Daddy.
He didn't show up at the time we're supposed to meet up, so he must be lost.
Does this mean she actually didn't realize it's you
because you're dressed so differently right now?
Good for you. Your manga artist cosplay finally paid off.
I'm not cosplaying!
So what job did you enjoy the most today?
They were all fun...
But I think I had the most fun... working in a bookstore.
Sounds like a rough job...
It was a lot of fun though.
Here, Daddy. I got you a present.
Huh? Where'd you get that?
I bought it with the money I got from working.
Working? You mean at Kidzanira?
When you work, you get money called "kidza"
and you can use that in the shops there.
Hime bought me this with the money she earned...
Thanks.
But the entrance fee is definitely more.
I mean, you're paying them to let us work there.
Yeah...
I mean... I guess artists do their job, even if they have to pay for it.
I wonder... how long I'll be able to keep doing this job.
Hey.
Does the Kidzanira for adults have an employment agency, too?
Have you ever been there, Daddy?
I might check it out eventually...
There were even more boxes.
And those boxes...
"17 years old"
...were prepared by my father.
Manga?
"We're having curry today" "It's too spicy!" "It's not spicy at all! It's-- Ack! It's spicy!" "You didn't taste it first?"
"We're having curry today" "It's too spicy!" "It's not spicy at all! It's-- Ack! It's spicy!" It was...
...an extremely boring manga.
There were no swords or magic.
Nothing exciting happened.
It was just
a story about a father, mother, and daughter
living out their mundane lives.
"Happy 17th birthday!" living out their mundane lives.
"Happy 17th birthday!"
But that mundane life...
...was everything that I'd ever dreamed of.
A smirk forms on your face
Your expression hints that you're plotting something
Because you were concealing any hints
Of our parting within your pocket
My memories are in monochrome
Please give them color
Come to my side once again
And bring some fun to my life, my lovely
Color Girl
Nothing incomplete can be called a masterpiece!
I'm shocked!
You're getting that as inheritance along with the dog.
That's Hime-chan's mom when she was little?
"'Inuhoshiki: Dog Wanted'" "'The One Who Connects Mother and Child'" That's Hime-chan's mom when she was little?