After hearing Sora's words, Haruki thought for a few seconds and finally nodded.
To be honest, he had originally planned to draw the storyboards for the first three chapters from the start, but now he'd only been interrupted by Sora.
However, now that he had already completed more than a third of the work, he figured he might as well finish it all.
After all, the reason other manga artists typically submit storyboards at serialization meetings is due to publishing requirements and the time-consuming nature of drawing the final manuscripts. If the serialization fails, a lot of effort would have been wasted.
But Haruki didn't have those concerns. Unlike Sora, who had barely grasped the full scope of his work, Haruki had already consumed the entire Rurouni Kenshin Remembrance series from start to finish.
He didn't think there was any chance this work wouldn't be serialized. Even if Sora rejected it, there were plenty of other publishers willing to give it a shot.
In that case, he figured it would be better to get the work done now. It would save time in the long run.
Besides, as Sora mentioned, submitting the final manuscript directly would give the reviewing editors a more intuitive sense of the work, leaving a stronger impression.
Sora looked at Haruki and let out a sigh of relief.
"I've been an editor for a long time, and I can say for sure that you're one of the most dedicated creators I've worked with."
"Other artists, I have to hire assistants, visit their studios three or five times a week, sometimes even staying at their place just to make sure they get anything done. And you, you're drawing three chapters solo in two weeks, without breaking a sweat…"
"Alright, enough with the praise!"
"Well, since you've already made up your mind, I won't waste any more of your time," Sora said with a sigh, half teasing but mostly resigned. "You've got tea, snacks, and Wi-Fi—what more could a mangaka ask for? I know better than to get in your way when you're in the zone. Go on, get those pages done!"
"Got it, Boss," Haruki said with a small grin as he cracked open a can of coffee, drained it in one long gulp, and made his way to the drawing table.
Sora raised an eyebrow, ready to chide him again for calling her "Boss," but when she caught the heavy fatigue in his eyes and the dark circles beneath them, she let it slide.
As Haruki picked up his pen, his tired expression shifted to one of intense focus. Seeing that, Sora felt an unexpected surge of confidence for the serialization meeting two weeks from now.
Talented and dedicated—how could someone like that not succeed?
"Hey… Haruki!" Sora was silent for a few minutes before interrupting Haruki's work.
"I have a suggestion…"
"A suggestion? What kind of suggestion?" Haruki raised his head.
"Of course, I absolutely trust your speed and your talent," Sora continued. "But, all things considered, completing a two-week workload by yourself is still a lot to handle…"
"You have school during the day, then you come home and stay up all night to draw. Even if your work passes the serialization proposal, it won't be worth it if your health suffers."
"After all, once the serialization gets approved, what follows is the official serialization. You can't maintain this high-pressure, sleepless routine for too long!"
Haruki was silent for a while after hearing this. He knew Sora was right—this kind of workload wasn't sustainable.
"So what's your suggestion?" he asked.
"Have you thought about hiring an assistant?" Sora looked at him carefully.
"Help? An assistant?" Haruki frowned.
To be honest, Haruki had thought about it before, but he was hesitant. He wasn't well-off financially, and he didn't know anyone in the industry who could help. It had always been just an idle thought.
But now that Sora mentioned it, Haruki started to reconsider.
For a short while, pushing himself was manageable. But what about long-term? The first three chapters of Rurouni Kenshin Remembrance had already taken a toll on him. What would happen once serialization actually started? If he was doing long-form work, could he keep up the pace? He'd probably burn out before he turned twenty-five.
After thinking for a while, Haruki explained the challenges of hiring an assistant.
"First, I can't really afford to hire someone who charges a high rate. And I'm also worried that their skill level wouldn't be up to par and could hurt the quality of the work."
Sora nodded. "I understand. As far as I know in Kyūshū, short-term assistants usually charge about 80 yen per page. Compared to the 220 yen you're getting for your manga, it's a big difference."
"Manga artists, especially before they become famous, tend to work long hours without help. It's only the big names who can afford to hire multiple assistants."
Haruki knew that even with the support from The Garden of Words, hiring an assistant was still a stretch.
"But," Sora added after thinking for a moment, "I know someone who's available right now."
"Don't worry about her drawing skills. I've recommended her to other artists as an assistant before, and she's definitely capable. Plus… she's actually a fan of your work."
"A fan? From The Garden of Words?" Haruki asked.
"Yes, and more importantly, she's a great beauty!" Sora teased.
"A beauty, huh?" Haruki rolled his eyes. "I bet it's someone who spends all their time on their face."
Sora just laughed. "Well, the decision is up to you. As an editor, all I can do is offer a few suggestions."
Haruki leaned against the wall, considering the proposal carefully.
First, if he wanted to go further in his career as a manga artist, he would eventually need a team to help him. Sora's suggestion was only for a short-term assistant, and at 80 yen per page, it wasn't an unmanageable expense. He could afford it, and the alternative—working alone for another week—might really hurt his health.
If the serialization proposal went well, then hiring an assistant would definitely be necessary. This week could serve as a trial period, giving him a feel for the process.
If the serialization didn't get approved, he wouldn't have lost much either.
Haruki made his decision quickly.
"In that case, I'll leave the assistant candidate to you, Boss Sora," he said, with a nod.
Sora immediately frowned. "I told you not to call me 'Boss'!"
Haruki winced, feeling her grip on his face. "Alright, alright! My bad!"
"Don't forget it next time!" Sora gave him a playful shove.