Bakuman 69

Chapter 69

01

Miura: Huh? "It feels like its power has dropped some since it was in Akamaru." "It's well made, but you need to come up with something to keep it from getting old."
Editor: Huh? "It has gotten much better than when it was in Akamaru". "Since it makes one curious as to what happens next, you should aim for a serialization."
Text: An astonishing contrast between the results!!

Miura: I thought "Tanto" would do better than this...
Editor: I didn't think "Time of Fresh Leaves" would do this well...

SFX above Miura: *shock*
SFX above editor: *smile*

Editors: Ah, let me see mine. I submitted Tadokoro-kun's because I had nothing to lose.
Editors: I need Hino-sensei's.
Editors: How did Arai-sensei do?

Editors: Just like I thought, Arai-sensei's "Husslemin Ace" is pretty much a sure thing.
Miura: This is bad. With 3 mangas starting and 3 ending, "Business Boy Kenichi" is in trouble. But with 3 starting, "Tanto" is sure to be one of them. Ideally, "Business Boy Kenichi" will continue and "Tanto" will get serialized, but...
Editor: Now Shizuka-kun and Aoki-kun could both get serialized.

Editor: I can't wait for tomorrow.

Title: Page 69 Special Relationship and Hometown

02

Takagi: What did you say your dad does, Miyoshi?

Miyoshi: He runs a small real estate company in Yakusa. And on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays he teaches karate at a nearby dojo.
Takagi: Oh, that's right. And you said your mom helps with the real estate work.
Mashiro: So you're the only daughter of a company president.

Miyoshi: Yeah, so he might be opposed to our marriage.
Takagi: Don't threaten me. I'm scared enough knowing he teaches karate.

Miyoshi: Anyway, tomorrow your serialization will be decided and the day after that you'll be coming to my place to meet them, so let's practice.
Miyoshi: Mashiro, you play my dad.
Mashiro: Eh? Okay.

Takagi: Hello. I am Takagi Akito. Nice to meet you.
Miyoshi: We've been going out since we were in middle school and now we go to the same college.
Mashiro: A-ahem... I am Kaya's father.

Mashiro: W-well, have a seat.
Takagi: Oh, okay.
Takagi: Thank you very much.

Mashiro: ...Hey, this is embarrassing. I'm not doing this.

Miyoshi: This is no time to be embarrassed.
Mashiro: W-we can do this once we know we got the serialization. Also, I don't know what your dad's like.
Miyoshi: Geez, you sure are shy. Can't you just ad lib?

03

Box: The next day. The serialization meeting.
Sign: Shueisha

Yuujirou: Huh? Has the meeting started already?
Editor: How can you ask that after getting here after 3?
Miura: Please let "Tanto" get serialized.
Editor: If both Shizuka-kun and Aoki-kun get a serialization, I can finally quit being the editor for "Batter Man".

Takagi: Today both the serialization and my marriage are on the line. This is major junction point in my life.
Miyoshi: Tah-dah! I've got the marriage registration form.

Takagi: You already have it! That was fast!
Miyoshi: What are you saying? This is what it means to enter our names in the family register.
Takagi: But we do that after the serialization is confirmed and we get our parents' permission.
Mashiro: Could you give it a rest!? I'm on edge enough without your arguing!

Sign: Takahama

Nakai: With men, it's all about their technique. Oh, I mean manga technique of course. Ha ha!
Natsumi: Oh, don't be so dirty, Nakai-san.

Takahama: Um...

04

Takahama: I didn't mention it, but there's a chance "Business Boy Kenichi" will get cancelled at today's serialization meeting.
Nakai: Eh?

Natsumi: I didn't know that... If it does end, we'll have to say goodbye.
Nakai: Goodbye!?

Nakai: But even if it ends, we can still socialize.
Natsumi: ...True. Since we got to know each other, we could call each other I suppose.

Nakai: Just call each other?
Natsumi: Well, we're not dating or anything. It would be weird to actually go anywhere together.
SFX above Takahama: *annoyed*

Nakai: Natsumi-chan only thinks that much of me...?

Nakai: ...I-I see. S-so I guess I'm just not fit to be the target of your love.
Nakai: Ha ha.
Natsumi: Eh, of my love? No, definitely not. You're fun to talk with and I respect you as an assistant, but didn't I tell you I prefer younger guys?
SFX all around Takahama: *annoyed*

05

Nakai: Definitely...not...
Nakai: She prefers...younger guys...

Nakai: No...This isn't just about the serialization ending.
Nakai: If the serialization ends, it's all over.

Nakai: I can't believe Natsumi-chan would just say goodbye after coming on to me like that.
Nakai: Maybe I should've just worked with Aoki-san towards getting a serialization without saying she had to go out with me... This is ridiculous.

Nakai: B-but I really do like you, Katou-san.

Natsumi: Eh? That again? It's no use.

SFX around Takahama: *annoyed*

Takahama: Don't talk about that here anymore!
Natsumi: Okay. I'm sorry.

Nakai: ...This is the first time I've seen Takahama-kun get mad.
Nakai: Is he so pissed because "Business Boy Kenichi" is in a fair amount of trouble?

06

Takagi: Ahh. My stomach hurts.
Miyoshi: Eh? Why? Are you okay?
Takagi: What do you mean why? It's clearly because we're waiting to hear the results.
Miyoshi: Oh, I see...

Miura: ...This is bad. I pretty much told Ashirogi-kun that if they made 3 chapters they would get the serialization for sure. What am I going to do if they don't get it?

Miura: Ugh... My stomach hurts.
Editor2: Don't be so worried, Miura. There were only 8 mangas submitted. Even if only 2 get serialized, that's a 1 in 4 chance.
Editor2: And from the quality of those 8, "Tanto" has a more than 50% chance.
Editor: Aarai-sensei's is pretty much a sure thing, so if only 2 get serialized, that's only a 1 in 7 chance for the rest.

Editor2: Yamahisa, stay out of this.
Editor: Oh, I'm so scared.

SFX: *silence*

07

Aoki: Congratulations. "Time of Fresh Leaves" will begin serialization in the 2nd volume of the new year.
Aoki: Really? Thank you so much.

Editor: To tell the truth, I wasn't sure what was going to happen until right before the meeting...
Editor: but everyone thought it was completely different in a good way from when it was in "Akamaru".
Editor: It's like we won by how much better it looked in comparison.

Aoki: It's all thinks to Fukuda-san and the others.
Aoki: I need to thank them.

Editor: Unlike when you were just writing your manga, you'll have some assistants. Can they work in your house?
Editor: If you'd rather rent a room, I need to start searching immediately.
Aoki: I-I think I want to start off working in my own room.

Aoki: But I'd like for my assistants to all be women.
Editor: I see. Got it. I'll do my best to find them as quickly as possible.

08

Takahama: Eh? Only 4 more chapters...?
Nakai: It's ending...

Takahama: So "Time of Fresh Leaves" is starting ... Oh, Miura-san, I don't need to know which mangas are starting.
Miura: I see...

Nakai: "Time of Fresh Leaves"...!
Nakai: Aoki-san got a serialization... Damn it. If only I had joined with her.

Miura: Can you meet with me tonight? We can always do it on another day if you'd prefer...
Takahama: No, today's fine. I'm prepared.

Takahama: There's no need to get ahead on our work. I'd like for you to leave for today. I'd like to be alone.
SFX: *click*
Natsumi: Okay.

Natsumi: Goodbye.

Takahama: Damn it...

09

Natsumi: So it's ending in another 4 chapters.

Nakai: Katou-san, there's something I want you to know before it's all over.
Natsumi: I'm sorry.
Natsumi: I can't have a special relationship with you, Nakai-san.

Nakai: Damn. It's over with Natsumi...
Nakai: I know! Aoki-san will need assistants for her new serialization.

SFX: *smile*

Nakai: But after what happened...
Nakai: No, if I say I'm just doing to have work as an assistant...

10

Takagi: Yes?

Takagi: It didn't happen?

Miura: Don't be so disappointed. We just have to make it even better and submit it for the next meeting. We'll definitely get it then.
Takagi: B-but you said we'd get it if we made 3 chapters...
Miura: If there are high expectations for an author's work, it has to be handled a little more carefully. This was a good result. In a way, it was the best possible result... Ha ha.

Miura: Unfortunately, "Business Boy Kenichi" is ending, so I have to go see Takahama-kun.
Miura: We'll talk more another day.
Takagi: So "Business Boy Kenichi" is over, huh?
Miura: Maybe it's because of my youth. Ha ha ha...

Takagi: He says we're sure to get it next meeting...

11

Takagi: So this is how it is...
Mashiro: *sigh* I guess we were naive to think we could get a serialization so easily.

Miyoshi: Why didn't you get it!? This is wrong.
Miyoshi: Takagi, did you hold back because you don't want to get married?

Takagi: Of course I didn't!
Takagi: Arai-sensei and Aoki-san got the serializations.
Miyoshi: Aoki-san did!?

Mashiro: Hoo... We got first in "Akamaru" and yet we didn't get it.
Takagi: There's an element of chance to what makes it in the serialization meetings and what doesn't.
Takagi: Miura-san was just too optimistic.
Takagi: We have to get a serialization in the next meeting and overtake Aoki-san.
Mashiro: I can't help but notice that Takahama-san's manga is ending and he has the same editor.
Takagi: Don't worry. We just have to trust him. It was thanks to Miura-san that we got first in "Akamaru" after all.

Takagi: We'll get serialized next time for sure! Let's stay positive and work towards that.
Mashiro: Yeah!

Miyoshi: Ahh. We have to wait longer to get married.
Takagi: S-sorry.

Editor: Female assistants? I know a few and I think there was one on "BB Kenichi" which just ended, so that's perfect.
Editor: Yeah, but Miura-san isn't really speaking to me right now.
Miura: "Business Boy Kenichi" is over and "Tanto" didn't make it.
Miura: I don't have any serializations now. What am I going to be put in charge of now...?
SFX: *click*

12

Aoki: Nakai...

Nakai: ...? This is Nakai.

Nakai: I heard your manga got serialized.
Nakai: I was wondering if you needed any assistants. I'm fine with just being an assistant and not a full artist.

Aoki: I think you have something you need to say to me first.
Aoki: But since I've already decided I'm only going to have female assistants, apologizing might be meaningless.

Nakai: Only women...?
Nakai: Y-you won't take me no matter what? Th-the manga I was working for is ending. My serialization with Natsumi-san is over and she left me.

Aoki: He's just coming to me because he was dumped...
Aoki: What a horrible person.

Aoki: Sorry, but never call me again.
SFX: *click*
Nakai: Ah... I screwed up again.

13

Box: The next day
Sign: Takahama

Takahama: Nakai-san didn't say anything about taking today off, did he?
Natsumi: ...No.

SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*

Nakai: ...Shut up.

Takahama: This is Takahama. What's going on?

Nakai: I'm quitting manga and going back to my hometown.

Takahama: W-wait. Why are you going back to your hometown? We still have 4 chapters left here.
Nakai: I'm just a helper; your editor can replace me easily enough.
SFX: *click*

14

Takahama: You turned Nakai-san down?

Natsumi: I told him we couldn't have a special relationship.
Takahama: That's why he's quitting manga and going back to his hometown?

SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*

Takagi: *sigh* The next serialization meeting isn't until the end of the year.
Takagi: Should we make these 3 chapters as hilarious as we can or stockpile gags so the 4th chapter isn't drastically less funny.
Mashiro: We should do both.

Mashiro: It's Takahama-san.
Takagi: Is he complaining about his serialization ending?

Mashiro: Nakai-san's going back to his hometown!? Why...?
Takagi: Eh?

Takahama: It seems Katou-san rejected him.
Mashiro: Oh, like Aoki-san did before...
Takahama: Yeah. I guess it was the shock of those two events.
Mashiro: Th-thanks for telling us. We'll stop him.
Takahama: He may be like that, but there's no one who draws as well as him.
Takagi: What an idiot. I understand what it's like to be down, but...

15

Mashiro: Anyway, I'm going to call Nakai-san.
SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*

Nakai: And now Mashiro-kun, huh?
Mashiro: Why are you going back to your hometown? No one draws as well as you.

Nakai: I was using my art for a different purpose and they started to hate me.

Mashiro: A different purpose...? Oh, he means romance.

Nakai: There's no use in trying to stop me. I'll have taken care of everything and be leaving tomorrow night.
SFX: *click*
Mashiro: Nakai-san...
Mashiro: He hung up.

Takagi: I don't really feel like stopping him. After the horrible things he did, I feel like it's his own fault.
Takagi: Well, I'm going home to think up some gags.
Mashiro: You sure are cold, Shujin.

SFX: *beep*
Mashiro: I need to talk to Fukuda-san about this.

Fukuda: Nakai-san isn't motivated anymore; he's hopeless.
Mashiro: ...No way.
Fukuda: No matter what we do, it's not going to help. And he's already 36 or 37 anyway.

Mashiro: Even Fukuda-san...

16

Mashiro: That means the only one who can stop him is...
SFX: *beep*
SFX: *beep*

Aoki: I can't stop him.
Aoki: Yesterday I even told him never to call me again.

Mashiro: Was Shujin right about it being his own fault...?

Aoki: It seems he's going back to his hometown because of me.

Fukuda: Do you want to stop him?

Aoki: I didn't say that... I hate Nakai-san.

17

Mashiro: Nakai-san.
Nakai: Mashiro-kun.

Nakai: My hometown is Akita. I'll grow rice and apples.
Nakai: I'll send you a whole bunch of apples.

Mashiro: Please don't leave.
Mashiro: You're the one that taught me the basics of backgrounds.
Nakai: Is that so? Then I'm glad I drew manga.

Mashiro: I-I only do art, too.
Mashiro: I aspire to be as good as you.
Mashiro: Don't...don't give up on your dream of success.

Nakai: Thank you.
Nakai: But nothing you say will change my mind.
Nakai: Like I said yesterday, I'm not fit to draw manga.

Nakai: Well, take care of yourself.
Mashiro: Nakai-san.

18

Mashiro: Fukuda-san! Aoki-san!

Aoki: Thank you for your work on "hideout door".

Nakai: Sorry for all the problems I've caused you.

19

Fukuda: It doesn't have to end like this!

Left margin: One of their sworn friends...is gone!!