[TL:-For the first time,We just hit 550 Power Stones today—huge thanks to all of you for the amazing support! 🙌As a thank you, here's a bonus chapter. Enjoy!]
Several days had passed since Haruki last met with Kazuya.
During that time, Haruki's schedule had been packed.
He continued his serialization of Natsume while also working on the key frames for Initial D alongside Kenta and Naoya.
Finally, just a week before the upcoming serial planning meeting mentioned by Haruka, Haruki and the team managed—albeit just barely—to finish the manuscript for Chapter 5 of Initial D, where the story finally shifts to the iconic street race between Takumi Fujiwara and Keisuke Takahashi.
That morning, Haruka arrived at the studio to collect the manuscript. Without waiting, she picked up Initial D and started flipping through it.
Her brow furrowed almost immediately.
"Hm? What's up?" Haruki looked up from his desk.
"Why do Natsuki and her... 'father' come off kind of strange in these scenes?"
"For example, this line here—she says, 'Dad, I want to see you in a swimsuit too!' and his response is just as weird. Is that... supposed to be a normal father-daughter conversation?" Haruka looked at him, skeptical.
Haruki blinked. "Wait. You thought they were actually father and daughter?"
"Well... aren't they?"
"No," Haruki said bluntly.
Since he'd already committed to this part of the story, there was no use dodging the topic. He briefly explained the actual relationship between Natsuki and the man she calls "Dad."
Haruka's eyes widened. Her expression shifted to one of disbelief.
"...So you're saying... that's not her father. But they're... that kind of relationship?"
Haruka looked back at the page, then at Haruki again.
"But why? Wouldn't it be easier and frankly, cleaner if you just made Natsuki a normal romantic interest? A typical high school romance arc could contrast nicely with the racing scenes."
"This setup is deliberate," Haruki said, resting his chin in his hand. "Takumi's just an ordinary high schooler. Quiet. Reserved. He's not someone who naturally thinks of himself as a racer. To evolve him from that into someone who embraces the road... he needs a shock. Something that hits hard."
"But even so, there are less... controversial ways to do that. Natsuki could fall for someone else. She doesn't have to be entangled with an older man," Haruka said, frowning. "It just feels too mature. Too grounded in adult drama."
"I get where you're coming from," Haruki said. "But part of what makes Initial D compelling is its realism. Street racing isn't glamorous. It's lonely, intense, and transformative. I'm not setting out to write a standard shonen romance."
Haruka crossed her arms. "Still, aren't you worried this subplot will turn readers away? Things like betrayal, cheating, or questionable relationships—those topics are risky.
"I'm aware," Haruki said. "But I'm not doing this to provoke. This isn't gratuitous. It's about Takumi's emotional growth. He needs to face something painful and come out the other side changed. A standard breakup won't cut it."
Haruka gave him a long look.
"You've never even been in a relationship, have you?"
Haruki laughed. "I've never fought with a sword either, but that didn't stop me from writing Rurouni Kenshin. I don't see spirits, yet I wrote Natsume's Notebook. Just because I haven't experienced something doesn't mean I can't write it well."
He leaned back in his chair. "And besides, Initial D isn't a story about romance. It's a racing story. Natsuki's there to represent what Takumi leaves behind. She's part of the road he outgrows."
"...Alright, alright." Haruka raised both hands in surrender. "I get it. I don't entirely agree, but I understand your reasoning. I'll submit the manuscript as-is."
"Appreciate it," Haruki said with a nod.
"By the way," Haruka added as she packed up the pages, "did you ever follow up with Kazuya about those two other projects you showed him?"
"Oh, right." Haruki perked up. "He loved them said he wanted to co-produce both animations with me. Honestly, that takes a huge weight off my shoulders. If I had to handle all the production myself—finding a studio, securing staff, music licensing, platform negotiations I'd never have time to keep drawing manga."
Haruka blinked. "Wait, Kazuya wants to co-finance the productions? That's... pretty significant."
"Apparently, he sees a lot of potential in both titles. I'm just happy to let him take the lead on the production end."
Haruka shook her head, a little dazed. "He's known for having a good eye, but he rarely commits to new projects unless he's absolutely confident in their success. If he's willing to invest his own money into something from scratch... those two works must be exceptional."
"Too bad they're both short form and not fit for serialization in Shroud Line," she added with a hint of regret.
Even though she hadn't seen the stories herself, Haruka trusted Kazuya's judgment. And if he was on board, the projects clearly weren't ordinary.
"Well," she said at last, "I guess this means you're officially shifting from manga artist to anime creator."
"Not exactly," Haruki said, waving the idea off. "Manga is still my main focus. Animation is just a side venture."
"Let's hope it stays that way," Haruka said. "No matter how talented you are, you've only got so much time and energy. Just don't let the anime stuff get in the way of your manga."
"I won't," Haruki said. "Promise."
(TL:- if you want even more content, check out p-atreon.com/Alioth23 for 50+ advanced chapters)