After renting the apartment, the next step was a massive shopping spree.
Beds, washing machine, refrigerator, air conditioner, pots and pans...
Workbenches, printer, scanner, fax machine...
Ink, brushes, manuscript paper, screen tones, tone cutters, cloud rulers...
When factoring in the costs of purchasing, transporting, and installing all these items, the total amount not only wiped out the 500,000 yen special fund provided by Shonen Jump, but he also had to chip in a few hundred thousand yen of his own.
It really felt like money was flowing away like water; more than half of the two million he had just received was already spent.
...
...
Procurement, installation, and setup... Although he poured all his energy into this, the entire process still took him six days to finally complete.
In the living room, his workbench was positioned at the end near the balcony, facing the interior. The other three workbenches, prepared for the assistants, were arranged in a row against the wall to his left, forming an overall L-shape, with frequently used supplies stored in the corner.
Because there was plenty of space, he was able to place a set of coffee table and sofa for guests in front of his workbench, and a television in the other corner, where he could eat and watch TV.
One of the guest rooms was converted into a storage room, where large, noisy equipment like the printer, scanner, and fax machine were kept, along with some backup supplies.
"—It's finally done."
Looking at the result before him, Akira couldn't help but sigh, then thanked Rin beside him:
"I've really troubled you during this time."
Although they didn't live on the same floor, they were coincidentally neighbors living one floor apart, and during this period, she often came over to help him tidy up the room.
Otherwise, if he were alone, it might have taken him even longer to finish.
Rin chuckled and waved her hand:
"It's fine, I don't have anything to do anyway."
"Besides, I'm a bit interested in a manga artist's studio; this experience is quite novel for me."
He smiled and asked:
"Is that so? Then what do you think of it now?"
"Hmm..."
Rin pondered for a moment and said:
"It's a bit different from what I imagined."
"In my mind, a manga artist's studio should be filled with manga, and look all messy everywhere."
That was indeed a stereotype, but it didn't seem entirely wrong.
He had initially wanted to decorate the room with the manga he'd collected over several summer vacations, but his remaining funds didn't allow for such extravagance, so he hadn't done it yet.
So for now, the bookshelf he prepared only had a few copies of Weekly Shonen Jump, with most of the other spaces empty.
As for looking all messy everywhere...
He smiled helplessly:
"Once this place starts being used officially, it should quickly become the way you described."
Rin laughed:
"Then I'll wait to come back later."
"Of course, you're welcome anytime."
The studio's venue and hardware were now ready. As for the assistants, Hisashi had already found candidates, so they could start working the same day they met.
If everything goes as expected, tomorrow he would officially enter the serialization rhythm.
As for today...
"Anyway, thanks to Miss Shimizu's help over these past few days, the moving process went so smoothly."
He smiled at Rin:
"As a token of my gratitude, how about I treat you to a meal? Right here at my place, I'll cook it myself."
"Eh? Mochizuki-kun, you cook yourself?!"
Rin's eyes widened in surprise, looking somewhat incredulous.
"Of course."
He nodded in affirmation, then smiled somewhat embarrassedly:
"However, my cooking skills aren't particularly good, so you might have to bear with me."
"How could that be."
Rin shook her head upon hearing this, but seemingly afraid he might misunderstand, she quickly nodded and said:
"Okay, I'll come."
---
After receiving a positive reply from Rin, he began purchasing the ingredients and seasonings needed for dinner.
Although this meal was intended to repay her help, to be honest, he had been craving this flavor for a long time.
For this period, it had been beef bowls, pork cutlet bowls, fried chicken bowls, and various ramen every single day...
He really wanted to eat some Italian food!
Unfortunately, his financial situation hadn't allowed for it before; wanting to make an authentic Italian meal here meant that the ingredients and seasonings to buy were quite expensive.
And eating at a restaurant was even more expensive, and the taste wasn't guaranteed to be authentic.
For this dinner, he specifically found a grocery store, bought all the necessary ingredients and seasonings, returned home, and began prepping the food, keeping track of the time.
At 6:00 PM, the doorbell rang right on time.
Akira opened the door and saw that it was indeed Rin standing there. He smiled and said:
"You're here."
However, upon seeing him, her expression froze slightly, and she hesitated, saying:
"Mochizuki-kun, um, what is this outfit...?"
"What's wrong?"
He looked down at the apron he was wearing, didn't see anything strange, and asked with some confusion:
"Is there a problem?"
"...Nothing."
Rin took a deep breath, composed herself, and then handed the gift she had prepared to Akira, saying:
"I haven't said it formally before, but congratulations to Mochizuki-kun on your new home. This is a small token of my appreciation."
"Uh, thanks?"
Akira took the gift, feeling a mix of amusement and helplessness:
"But, is it necessary to be this formal? You've already been to my place quite a few times, right?"
"Of course it is."
Rin explained seriously:
"Before, I just came to help, but this time is a formal visit, so naturally, I have to observe proper etiquette."
"Alright. Then here's the question..."
He took a volume of one piece out of the gift bag and said with amusement:
"May I ask, in what culture is it customary to bring manga books as a gift when visiting someone's home?"
To be precise, what Rin gave wasn't just one book, but a whole set.
From the first volume of one piece to the latest volume released not long ago, there were eight books in total.
"Mm..."
Regarding the issue he pointed out, Rin blushed slightly and explained in a small, embarrassed voice:
"It's because we talked about it during the day, so... I hope it can become part of the studio's decor."
Looking at Rin's appearance, he couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips and smile knowingly:
"Alright, thank you."
"Although it's quite unexpected, I really do like this gift."
Whether it was the manga volumes or one piece, these were actually topics they had discussed before.
So, although the whole process was a bit of a prank, he truly felt that this gift was carefully chosen by her, which was what touched him the most.
Hearing him say that, Rin finally breathed a sigh of relief and revealed a moving smile.
"Mm, I'm glad you like it."