Becoming A Father Figure

Chapter 122: The Novelist Turned Manga Artist

Building a house requires money. With just the funds Yuta currently has, constructing a luxury mansion is clearly unrealistic. Therefore, making money became a necessity!

While preparing the mansion's construction design, Yuta is also putting his all into earning money. The best way to make money? Sell what you already have.

Today, Yuta arrived at the entrance of Dengeki Bunko with the first two volumes of March Comes in Like a Lion.

March Comes in Like a Lion is a manga that appeals to a very specific audience.

At first glance, its art style doesn't strike one as particularly beautiful or eye-catching.

If it weren't his own creation, Yuta admitted he wouldn't have given it a chance.

However, as he read on, he realized this was exactly the kind of work he had always wanted to create!

This is an inspiring manga that tugs deeply at the heart.

The story of March Comes in Like a Lion is straightforward, following the growth of a high school shogi player, Rei Kiriyama, and the people and events he encounters along the way.

However, the anime adaptation doesn't rush to unfold the main plot.

Instead, it spends significant time and episodes on what appear to be unrelated side stories, carefully fleshing out each character.

There's a distinct difference between the first and second halves of the story.

The first half focuses on Rei's childhood experiences and the warm, everyday interactions he shares with the Kawamoto sisters.

The second half shifts its focus to the intense Lion King Tournament, an important shogi competition.

While shogi is a central theme throughout the story, the manga isn't really about the game itself.

Though the protagonist has explicitly stated his reason for choosing shogi, that reason has little to do with the joy of playing the game.

In fact, if you replaced "shogi" with any other competitive activity, it wouldn't impact the story at all.

In many other works, this might be seen as a flaw, but in this case, it feels like a stroke of genius.

It's a tale of a restrained and determined boy whose fierce journey of growth is as captivating as it is profound. Through his stumbles and roars, the young lion will eventually learn to stand in quiet strength.

Yuta believes this is a remarkable work and hopes such a gem can reach a wider audience.

While Dengeki Bunko isn't primarily known for manga—it's more like a small player compared to mainstream manga-focused publishers—it does belong to the Kadokawa Group, which provides access to manga distribution channels.

Yuta didn't know anyone at the major manga publishers and felt that building new connections would be too much trouble.

So, he decided to publish his manga with Dengeki Bunko, reasoning that it wouldn't make much of a difference where he published it.

Typically, newcomers need the exposure provided by reputable magazines to build their fame and attract readers.

However, Yuta didn't need to rely on that.

The company he was affiliated with would handle the promotions for him and could even publish the manga directly as a standalone volume.

When he reached the building's entrance, Yuta called Sonoko, telling her he needed to speak with her.

Sonoko, except during tight deadlines, usually worked in the company building, and today was no exception.

"August-sensei, you're like a typing machine with your incredible output. If we had a few more authors like you, our editors' jobs would be so much easier," said someone who wasn't Sonoko but rather the company president, who had come out specifically to greet Yuta.

Dengeki Bunko was currently in need of a high-profile author, and Yuta fit that role perfectly.

A writer capable of producing two first-class works within two months—how could such a person not be considered promising?

For someone who could bring significant results and profits to the company, the president naturally treated Yuta with the utmost respect, considering him a VIP.

Yuta, unfamiliar with the person addressing him, turned to Sonoko and said, "Ms. Machida, I got bored of writing novels, so I drew a manga instead. Your company accepts manga submissions too, right?"

Sonoko was momentarily stunned but then assumed Yuta had casually drawn something to relax. She didn't pay it much mind.

The president, still smiling, said, "Yes, we handle such projects. Mainly, we adapt works from our catalog. For instance, both of your novels have strong potential for adaptation. Preparations are already underway, and once their popularity peaks, we'll move forward with publication and release."

Noticing that this man held a higher position than the editors and seemed to be a leader, Yuta raised the manuscript in his hand and said, "This is my new work. It's not a novel; it's a manga. I'm here today to discuss the terms of publication."

"A manga?" The president took the manuscript, judged its thickness, and flipped through it briefly.

He noticed that the art style was unconventional and didn't align with the typical polished look of handsome men and beautiful women.

After scanning the pages, the president said, "August-sensei, I think you should focus on your novels. The royalties you earned last time were just the tip of the iceberg. Writing novels can be highly profitable—far better than working at a major corporation. And as long as you write a few more books, the steady income could easily ensure you a comfortable life."

Yuta knew his own abilities well and quickly realized that the president was looking down on his manga. He responded calmly, "I personally believe this manga is on par with my previous two works. It's a very inspiring story. If possible, I'd prefer that you read it before making a judgment."

"My apologies for my rudeness. I'm truly sorry," the president said, bowing slightly. A pragmatic man, the president had a warm and welcoming attitude toward those who could bring him benefits, but for those he deemed unhelpful, his demeanor was as cold as a winter wind.

After apologizing, the president continued, "August-sensei, you are incredibly talented. I heard that you personally illustrated the artwork for your previous novel as well?"

"Yes," Yuta confirmed. "This manga is called March Comes in Like a Lion. It's a story about shogi, but even readers unfamiliar with the game can understand it. I've completed two volumes so far, and at the pace of one volume per month, I plan to finish the series within two years."

Yuta's ability to create this manga stemmed from the drawing skills he had acquired as a reward from the system.

"Shogi? August-sensei, you've amazed me again. Are you also a skilled shogi player?" The president's eyes widened with astonishment as he looked at the young man before him.

From the president's perspective, Yuta's writing speed was no longer akin to a typing machine—it was more like a printing press.

And now, to discover that he also had time to draw and play shogi? It was hard not to be impressed.

This kind of speed and productivity aligned perfectly with what the president valued most: rapid results that could generate substantial profits.

Yuta, however, wasn't interested in engaging further with the president or the other editors. He simply said, "Please review it and discuss it among yourselves. I'll wait here."

"Ms. Machida, please keep August-sensei company," the president instructed, aware that many writers weren't particularly skilled in social interactions.

He decided to leave Yuta in the hands of his editor while he consulted the other editors about the potential value of the manga.

Sonoko nodded and led Yuta to a nearby VIP lounge.

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