*Note: I'm thinking about translating a fic that I read a long time ago but I liked it. There are two of them. A Detective Conan fic and a Honkai Impact fic. The second one is still publishing and have more than 1000 chapters and the first one have like 600 or so and is finished. +1 in the comments if you want the first one or +2 in the comments if you want the second one.
...
Today, Mizuki went to work with a radiant smile. After talking in detail with the authors, she realized that even though they were basically children, they were quite eloquent and intelligent. It was very easy to talk to them and they understood everything right away. Even that girl, Kari — when she started giving her some constructive criticism to help improve her manga in the future — didn't protest or make a face. Instead, she listened attentively to her suggestions with great concentration.
Akira and Kari left a very good impression on her. It seemed that not only were their stories pure gold, but their personalities were also excellent, which was very good considering they would be working together for years. Mizuki knew perfectly well that she had gotten ahead of herself and said certain things she shouldn't have said yet, but she was certain that both stories would succeed and she already wanted to see the results. She was impatient to know the readers' reactions. As for delivery deadlines, contracts, and everything else, she would talk to them once her superiors decided to serialize the mangas.
"Even their anime adaptations aren't far off!" Mizuki told herself as she returned to work.
The stories were so good that she had no doubt they would greenlight them, although obviously that would take some time. No matter how good the manga was, the process to turn it into an anime was long and tedious. They didn't just need approval from their superiors, but also other tedious matters like which studio would produce the anime, which seiyuu would voice the characters… In short, there was still a lot to do. Even so, Mizuki predicted that by early next year — February, maybe March — production on the anime could begin.
"Mizuki, stop dreaming. We still have to see the readers' opinions," she told herself.
With a joy she hadn't felt in years, Mizuki got to work hard.
…
Sunday.
Shouhou's magazine was officially published on Friday and, as usual, thousands of people bought it hoping to see the latest releases. Most didn't expect anything major — maybe something moderately interesting, the announcement of an anime adaptation for a manga they read, or perhaps an interesting one-shot. But when they read Dragon Ball and Digimon, the internet collapsed.
That day and the following ones, social media talked about nothing but Digimon and Dragon Ball. Both stories immediately captivated people. Many even reread them dozens of times over those two days, turning them into the talk of the internet. Abroad, those who read mangas on pirate sites also had the luck of reading both one-shots thanks to anonymous heroes who translated mangas for free.
{Note: Amen to them and may God bless them}
The repercussion was brutal. Those people who read Dragon Ball and Digimon began sharing the stories on social media and soon, thousands of people were talking about both one-shots, many of them wishing for them to be serialized.
Of course, all this commotion didn't go unnoticed by Shouhou itself. That same Monday they held a meeting about what had happened over those two days on social media with the publication of the two one-shots that had been included in their new issue. Mizuki, the editor, of course attended.
{Note: Let's take a look into the future before returning to the past}
Mizuki was in a large conference room. Several veteran editors and her superior were present, all there to discuss the acceptance and popularity that both one-shots had achieved in just a few days — popularity that had even reached abroad.
"Well, let's talk about what happened this weekend," Mizuki's superior said.
He was a middle-aged man of slim build, wearing a black suit and a red tie, with a serious expression on his face.
"Sir, it's been incredible. In just three days, both one-shots have gone around the entire world. Social media is talking about nothing else — they're trending!" a veteran editor said.
"They're specifically at number 1," another added.
"Well, honestly I didn't expect them to be this popular, but at least delaying the release was worth it just to publish them," the boss said.
"Sir, I told you you wouldn't regret it," Mizuki said.
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves. We already know both one-shots are very popular and many people are already asking for serialization, but we must take this calmly. First, I'd like your opinions. What do you think if I say I want to serialize both mangas immediately?" the boss asked.
At first, when Mizuki asked to include those two stories at the last minute, he had refused. The magazine was scheduled to come out on Thursday and they had never been delayed before. But he changed his mind after reading both one-shots. So, contrary to everyone's expectations, they had to delay the release by one day to include both stories. Since the magazine was already done, they couldn't include them as part of the regular issue and had to add them separately.
"Sir, I think it's a very good idea. The repercussion both stories have had, not only in Japan but also abroad, is extremely high. I believe we should take advantage of the opportunity," a veteran editor said.
"I think we should take things more calmly. It's true their popularity has been massive, and in just three days, but we're talking about something very important. Serializing a manga isn't just saying 'let's serialize it' and that's it. I think it's better to wait and be patient. Besides, we don't know if this popularity will last long and even if we serialize them, who guarantees they won't be failures?" another said.
"I disagree. I think we should take advantage now that their popularity is at its highest point. It's not the first time we've serialized a manga so quickly, and in those cases they hadn't even had such a big repercussion as this. I believe we should talk to the authors immediately and announce their serialization on social media once the authors give the green light," another said.
"What if it goes wrong? I think it's too soon to make a decision…" another said.
Everyone present, except Mizuki and the boss, began arguing about whether they should serialize them immediately or not. Most thought it was better to take advantage of the growing popularity while others thought they were being too hasty.
"Enough," the boss said suddenly.
Everyone fell silent instantly.
"Why don't we ask their editor about it? Ayanagi-san. What's your opinion on this?" the boss asked.
"Sir, I stand by what I said the other day. Both stories have unlimited potential and their fame won't be limited to just Japan, but to the rest of the world as well. Many may think I'm being too exaggerated, and right now I can't prove my words, but I'm sure time will prove me right," Mizuki said.
"I understand…" the boss said.
"Sir, I sincerely believe you should seize this opportunity, otherwise you might regret it in the future," Mizuki said.
Some frowned. Those words were a very big lack of respect toward the boss. She should have used more appropriate wording. However, the boss didn't take it badly.
"Very well, I've decided. Ayanagi-san, today you will dedicate your day to drafting a contract with the conditions you consider fair and deliver it to my office. Once I review it and if I think the content is appropriate, I'll give you the green light and you'll be in charge of scheduling a meeting with the authors to discuss more serious matters. Understood?" the boss said.
For some reason, the boss also felt he had to seize the opportunity or he would regret it in the future. It was just a hunch, his instinct, and his instinct had rarely been wrong. Otherwise, he wouldn't be where he is now.
"Understood! I'll prepare it as soon as possible!" Mizuki said.
"If possible, I want you to schedule a meeting with them today at the latest for Wednesday, so even though I don't like saying this, you need to hurry," the boss said.
"Of course. I'll have it ready in a couple of hours," Mizuki nodded.
Since she had already intuited this would happen, she had spent the entire weekend thinking about the contract conditions, so she only had to write it, review some parts, and then take it to her boss for the official company seal. Once it had that seal, it would be possible to meet with Akira and Kari to sign the contract.
"Excellent. Then we can go. This meeting is concluded," the boss said.
After nodding, everyone went off to do their respective tasks, including Mizuki who, after politely saying goodbye to her boss, hurried off to draft the contract. She was very excited about it — so excited that before she realized it, she had already finished the contract and not even a full hour had passed since the meeting ended.
Enthusiastic and confident that the conditions were beneficial for both sides, Mizuki took the contract to her boss. After reading it several times and thinking it over carefully, he concluded that the conditions were beneficial for both parties. Obviously, since they were two separate mangas and not just one, he had to make three additional copies. Two of them were for Akira and Kari, while the other two copies would be for the company. This was always done in case either party breached what was established in the contract — a security measure for both sides. Although in truth it was rarely breached. Most mangakas affiliated with their company usually met the deadlines and contract conditions, so there were rarely any problems.
With that said, the boss used the company seal on the four contracts and handed them back to Mizuki.
"What did you think of my conditions, sir?" Mizuki asked.
"Excellent. They are very generous and fair conditions for both parties," the boss nodded.
With those conditions, both sides would benefit enormously. Neither would be at a "disadvantage" against the other, so to speak.
"Then I'll proceed to call the authors and schedule a meeting with them," Mizuki said.
"One moment. Before that, I want to ask you a few questions," the boss said.
"Ask whatever you want, sir," Mizuki said.
"According to what you told me, both are minors. Does that pose any problem?" the boss asked.
The contract already specified that both were minors, except that one of them was their own guardian. The problem was that the other — or rather the girl — was an 11-year-old child with parents, so she couldn't sign the contract. Instead, her parents would have to give their consent.
"Don't worry, sir. Sato-sensei is, as already specified in his contract, his own guardian, so there are no issues. As for Yagami-sensei… in our first meeting she said there would be no problems, so I assume her parents are already aware and will come to the next meeting," Mizuki explained.
Mizuki had already mentioned this to Kari and Akira and neither had even reacted, saying they had it under control. So Mizuki assumed Kari's parents were aware of their daughter's situation and had already given the green light.
"Excellent, but remember we need the signature of one of her parents, otherwise we won't be able to publish her manga," the boss said.
"Don't worry, boss. I'll remind them during the call," Mizuki said.
They already knew, but she had the obligation to remind them, by law.