Bakuman 66

Chapter 66

01

Takagi: I've decided on the gum that makes you say nothing but cool things and the cast that returns punches at double the power for chapter 1.
Takagi: What do you think would be good inventions for chapter 2 onwards?
Text left of Takagi's last bubble: Saiko is feeling restless from the preparations for their new serialization.
Title: Page 66 Monkeys and Marriage

Mashiro: Azuki's already a voice actress...

Takagi: Not being able to talk with Azuki via email for 2 months has really gotten to him...

Azuki: We'll work hard without looking away until we accomplish our dreams.
Azuki: I'll be waiting always.
Mashiro: Once our manga gets turned into an anime and Azuki does the heroine's voice, we'll get married...
Mashiro: That promise should still be valid...I just have to get this serialization turned into an anime... *sigh* Will I not be able to email her until it's made into an anime? Will Azuki and I really be able to...

02

Takagi: Saiko.
Mashiro: Ah!?

Takagi: I'm going back home to think. Put the inventions on this list in the order of how much they interest you.
Mashiro: Got it. You've been working hard.

Takagi: Hoo...

Takagi: This is going to affect his work.
SFX: *open*

Takagi: This is no time to be stubborn.
Takagi: I'll email her first.
SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*

Azuki's mom: How are you and Miho doing, Kaya-chan?
Azuki's mom: You've come over to have fun, but you seem down.
Miyoshi: Sorry for coming over for this long...
Miyoshi: I had a fight with a friend.
Azuki's mom: A boy?
Miyoshi: Yeah.

03

Azuki's mom: How are Miho and Mashiro-kun doing? It seems they haven't gone on a date yet, but she doesn't really talk about it much. Could you give me all the details before she gets back from work?
Miyoshi: Eh...? All the details?

Miyoshi: Oh, an email.
Miyoshi: Thank god...She can be a bit insistent with her questioning.

Miyoshi: Takagi.

Top of cell phone: No Subject
Body: If you're still at Azuki's place, go somewhere where she can't hear you and I'll call you in 30 minutes.
Bottom-left of cell phone: Reply
Bottom-right of cell phone: Options
Miyoshi: What the hell? How can he be so self-important!?

Miyoshi: Sorry, I'm gonna step out to make a call.
Azuki's mom: Go on, I don't mind.

Miyoshi: I'm not waiting half an hour; I'm calling him.

Takagi: Hey, that was fast.
Miyoshi: What do you mean "hey"? Are you two idiots!? What was with that manga!?
Takagi: Eh? You didn't like "Tanto"? But it got first place.

04

Miyoshi: No. The manga that used ours and Miho and Mashiro's love stories!! The one by the beautiful Aoki Kou! Why are you telling people about that!? Miho was mad too and said she couldn't believe it.
Takagi: O-oh, that. I forgot about that.
Miyoshi: "That"? It shows that you were talking with both Iwase and that woman author. Were the four you having a 2-man 2-woman group date everyday? That must have been fun! Having two beautiful women there. That's so wrong! You cheat! You've never actually gone on a proper date with me, but you're getting along so well with them!? If you're going to do that, just break up with me properly...!

Takagi: Shut up!! Just be quiet for a second!!
Miyoshi: Ah?

Takagi: Are you still at Azuki's place? The second term of college is starting, so come back!
Miyoshi: Huh!? How can you be ordering me around like this and in that email!? Do you not understand your position here!?

Takagi: Just come back! I can't stand what's happened to Saiko and Azuki because of us.
Miyoshi: Same here, but it's not because of us. It's because of you!
Takagi: Quiet. I can at least explain why the reason Azuki's mad is a misunderstanding, so come on.

Miyoshi: Oh! So what I'm mad about isn't a misunderstanding!? You cheater!
Takagi: I said shut up!

05

Sign: Aoki

Nakai: Natsumi-chan is waiting for me.
Nakai: Farewell.

Aoki: I can't have Nakai-san draw for me anymore.
Aoki: What should I do...?

Aoki: I'll talk with Takagi-san...

SFX: Doo...
SFX: Doo...

Miyoshi: How can you say you love me while you're cheating on me!?
Takagi: I said that was a misunderstanding, didn't I? I said I loved you 1000 times more than I do Iwase! I was serious!
Miyoshi: ...Then how much more do you love me than you do Aoki!?

Takagi: Hmm. 3 times as much.
Miyoshi: What's with the realistic sounding number? Are you an idiot?
Miyoshi: But since you're being realistic, I guess I can at least believe that you love me the most.
Takagi: That's right. I love you the most in the world, Miyoshi.
Miyoshi: Then go on a date with me at the zoo.
Takagi: What...?
Miyoshi: You just said you loved the most in the world.

06

SFX: Doo...
SFX: Doo...
Aoki: Again...

Takagi: Okay, I'll explain it so you'll understand at the zoo. How about that?
Miyoshi: Ohh. So once we make up we can have a nice date? But if you can't make me understand, I'm really gonna let you have it!

Takagi: It's up to you, because I love you the most in the world.
Miyoshi: ...O-okay. I'm heading there now.
Takagi: Yeah, we'll meet at Monkey Mountain at 3.

07

Takagi: Monkey Mountain... I hope I'm able to tell Miyoshi apart from the monkeys.

Takagi: Eh!? Aoki-san!

Aoki: Takagi-san.

Takagi: Wh-why...? Could Miyoshi have arranged this...?
Takagi: No, she wouldn't do that...

Aoki: I tried to call you a couple of times a bit ago, but it was busy.
Takagi: Huh? Oh.

08

Aoki: I can't believe I've run across you at this time again...

Takagi: This time...?
Takagi: It looks like her eyes are damp.

Aoki: What should I do...?
Takagi: Wh-what happened?

Takagi: Oh...She smells nice... Wait, am I forgetting something?
Takagi: Miyoshi! If Miyoshi were to see this. Actually, that's not all that unlikely because...

09

Takagi: I knew it!!

Miyoshi: Now that you've shown me that, I understand completely!!

Takagi: No!!

Takagi: Th-that's the girl I'm going out with.
Aoki: Eh? Oh, no...

Aoki: Please wait!!
Takagi: Wow...She can yell that loudly?
Aoki: I-I...

10

Aoki: I'm not someone you need to be suspicious of!!
Takagi: "Someone you need to be suspicious of"...?

Miyoshi: Of course I need to be suspicious of you. How can you say that after you were embracing like that!? You thief!

Takagi: We weren't embracing! I just had my hands on her shoulders.
Miyoshi: A little difference like that isn't going to change anything. Why didn't you just kiss? You'd like me to see that, wouldn't you!?

Miyoshi: I get it already. Just go be happy together! I don't even feel like punching you.
Aoki: Wait, Miyoshi-san.

Takagi: Miyoshi!!
Aoki: Shut up already!

11

Takagi: Marry me!!

Takagi: Like I said, I love you the most in the world.
Takagi: So marry me!

Miyoshi: Are you an idiot? Do you think you can get me to stop by copying Mashiro?

Takagi: I'm not copying him. Marry me right now.

Miyoshi: R-right now? I'm 19 and you're still 18!!
Takagi: We're old enough to get married legally!

Takagi: It'll be fine! I still have just under 5 million yen in my savings and we'll definitely get a new serialization!!
Miyoshi: I'm still a student!

12

Aoki: I think student marriages are wonderful things.
Miyoshi: How can you say that? I thought he was cheating on me with you and Iwase.

Aoki: Oh... I'm Aoki Yuriko. I write for "Jump" under the pen name Aoki Kou.
Miyoshi: I know that, but...

Miyoshi: You were just embracing and, with that manga you wrote, you two are clearly getting along well.
Aoki: I can't deny that.
Takagi: Eh...?
Takagi: No, we just talked about manga.
Miyoshi: Huhhh!? You talked about manga while embracing?
Takagi: There was a reason I had my hands on her shoulders then...
Takagi: Right?
Aoki: Eh? Oh, yes...
Aoki: Well, there may not have been a proper reason for him to embrace me. I'm sorry.
Miyoshi: There wasn't one...
Miyoshi: Geez...
Miyoshi: I don't get you two!
Takagi: You don't understand because you won't listen to the whole story! Just calm down and listen.

Miyoshi: Fine.
Miyoshi: Since I came all the way here, I'll listen.

13

Miyoshi: This isn't a manga. It's hard to believe you would meet at the zoo by chance twice. And both times were when Aoki-san was troubled with something.
Takagi: It's what happened, so you'll just have to believe it.
Aoki: We really shouldn't have exchanged ideas without you knowing, Kaya-san. I'm truly sorry.

Aoki: I won't talk to him again even if he calls me or we meet by chance.

Takagi: I'm sorry, too.
Aoki: So don't worry. You can trust him and marry him.

Miyoshi: So you just said that to get me to stay here, huh?

Takagi: No, if you're willing, I'll do it.

Takagi: If we're always together, these kinds of misunderstandings won't happen. I was planning on doing it once I became a famous mangaka, but I'm fine with working alongside you.
Aoki: That's right. Strengthening your bonds while working together is a wonderful thing.
Miyoshi: How can they make such good points?

Miyoshi: B-but won't the wedding and getting my parents' permission be hard?
Takagi: Oh, that's right... I'll say something like, "Please let me have Kaya-san's hand in marriage."
Takagi: Will they let me...?
Takagi: I mean, I'll do my best.

14

Miyoshi: Okay, we'll get married once you get serialized!
Takagi: O-okay.
Aoki: Congratulations!

Miyoshi: But you'll be busy then, so we'll just get it put in the family register.
Miyoshi: We'll do the wedding when you have time.
Takagi: ...Okay!
Aoki: Oh, please invite me.

Aoki: Oh...I'm sorry. I just want to wish you two luck.
Aoki: But I just said I wouldn't talk with Takagi-san anymore.

Miyoshi: But isn't Takagi the only guy...
Miyoshi: that you trust and can discuss things with?
Aoki: I'm bad at opening up. I've never met someone I've clicked with like Takagi-san before.

Miyoshi: So you admit that you two click...
Aoki: I'm sorry. I think I've fallen in love with him.

Takagi: Ehhh!?

Miyoshi: Why did you just come out and say that? Now you can't claim you were just exchanging ideas as mangakas.
Takagi: That's right.

15

Miyoshi: You and Nakai-san are idiots. If I was a guy, I'd definitely choose Aoki-san.
Takagi: Ha ha. Is it too late for me to?
Aoki: Takagi-san, how can you say that to her after proposing to her!?

Miyoshi: Oh, that's just one of his jokes.
Aoki: Eh...? Oh, I'm sorry.

Miyoshi: Aoki-san, you can still talk with Takagi.
Aoki: Eh!?

Miyoshi: In exchange, please be friends with me.

Aoki: I-I'm very grateful...But I don't want to be a bother.

Miyoshi: You won't be.
Miyoshi: I just misunderstood the situation. Improving your mangas is a good thing. I can't trust Takagi, but I can trust you.
Takagi: What do you mean by that?
Miyoshi: Just kidding. I wouldn't marry you if I couldn't trust you.
Miyoshi: I've grown to like you just from talking with you this much, Aoki-san. I want to be friends with you.
Small text in the bottom left of Miyoshi's bubble: Can I?
Aoki: I-I would like that as well.

16

Sign: Shueisha

Editor: Oh, Yoshida-san. How's this? It's Shizuka-kun's new storyboard.
Editor: The new one? That was fast.
Editor: He did it in a single day. He sees making manga like a game. He sees how quickly he can complete it.

Editor: Treating manga like a game...? He's underestimating this.

Editor: What? It's still "True Human".
Editor: The title's the same, but look at the contents. It's even more of a shonen manga now.
Above title on storyboard: Title
Below title on storyboard: Shizuka Ryou

Editor: You're right. "True Human" has changed a lot from before.
Editor: You should be able to aim for getting this serialized.

Editor: See!? I'm gonna try to make it in time with this.
Editor: The second stage is cleared.

Editor: To solve a problem, be adaptable and find the quickest effective way of winning... Maybe the path to victory is to treat it all like a game...
Editor: And now for the next stage...
Editor: With this, we can beat "Tanto". "True Human" will do the best at the next serialization meeting.

17

Takagi: If we tell her everything, will Azuki understand?
Miyoshi: Miho and Mashiro are both partially to blame...
Miyoshi: But yeah! I think Miho will understand.

Azuki: Marriage!

Miyoshi: Mm-hm.

Takagi: Yeah.

Aoki: It's wonderful.

Mashiro: *sigh* I did hide that fact that Shujin was talking with Aoki-san. If I don't apologize, Azuki might call the whole thing off. But Azuki should really trust me more.
Mashiro: *cough*
Mashiro: *cough*
Mashiro: *sigh*
Mashiro: It's no good. I can't concentrate on drawing. Maybe I should go home, too.

Mashiro: An email!

Mashiro: Azuki!!
Mashiro: Crap. This could be a goodbye email. Why am I doing this? I should've...

18

Name on cell: Azuki Miho
Subject: Aoki-san
Body: It's hard to forgive you for hiding the exchange of ideas with Aoki-san. But I forgive you.

Mashiro: Wh-what!?
Body: Aoki-san is a good person. We've become friends (lol).

SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*

To line: Azuki Miho
Subject line: Re: Aoki-san
Body: ?? I'm not sure what you mean...

Text at the top of the next panel: Ha ha ha...
Miyoshi: Takagi, you must look like quite something. You've got 3 beautiful women along with you.
Azuki: He only has 2.
Miyoshi: I'm including you, Miho.

Azuki: Ah.
Miyoshi: Is that Mashiro's response!?
Takagi: What did he say?

19

Azuki: "?? I'm not sure what you mean..."
Azuki: I'll respond saying that the four of us our talking over tea.
Miyoshi and Takagi: Ha ha.

Mashiro: Th-the four of them!?
Mashiro: Oh, Shujin must have...
Mashiro: And he said he was going home.

SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*
Left margin: Has deciding on marriage solved everything!!?

Takagi: Hey, Saiko.
Mashiro: What do you mean "hey"? Why are you leaving me as an outcast?
Takagi: Sorry. But you can't meet Azuki until you achieve your dream.
Takagi: You've started emailing again, right?

Mashiro: Yeah...thanks.
Takagi: Yeah, you should thank me. Thanks to this, I'm stuck marrying Miyoshi when we get the serialization.
Mashiro: M-marrying!?
Takagi: Yeah.

Miyoshi: What do you mean "stuck" marrying?
Aoki: That's right. How can you say that to the person you just proposed to?
Takagi: W-wait. I'm talking with Saiko.
Takagi: Saiko. We're seriously going to get married.
Mashiro: Married...Wow...

Mashiro: Shujin, let's get that serialization and make our manga famous!!
Takagi: Yeah! We'll get it made into an anime and you and Azuki can get married too!!

Text at bottom: Next Chapter: Color pages in celebration of this manga being made into an anime!!