Chapter 41: Daki X Nezuko
"That's truly wonderful."
Izumi Chihiro couldn't hide the smile on his face.
It was like a farmer's involuntary expression of joy after seeing a bountiful harvest from his hard work.
For him, better results were a motivation to move forward. Even an author who writes for love would hope that more people would like his work.
"I knew that after Ni-san worked so hard, he would definitely be rewarded. Everyone can see it!"
Sagiri was also delighted, even more excited than he was.
"Effort doesn't necessarily mean reward, especially in the world of creators. To create content that satisfies everyone, it definitely takes more effort, and to some extent, effort can also be considered a talent of Izumi-dono."
Takasago Tomoe shook her head.
In her eyes, Izumi Chihiro was also a 'genius'.
Or rather, in many people's eyes, it would be so.
Izumi Chihiro's gaze shifted slightly, but he didn't try to explain anything further.
Although he didn't consider himself a genius, and it was entirely due to the legacy of his previous life that he could improve so quickly, others didn't see it that way.
If he kept denying it, it wouldn't be humility; in others' eyes, it would become hypocrisy.
From then on, this would also be equivalent to placing a layer of public pressure on himself.
Therefore, his future performance had better live up to the image of a 'genius', otherwise, ridicule would come flooding in.
However, pressure is also a ladder for human progress; within a suitable range, it can lead to faster growth.
And for him, whose goal was to become a light novel master, if he didn't become a 'genius', he would never be able to reach that realm.
After buying some recently released light novels from Takasago Bookstore, the brother and sister returned home.
Along the way, Sagiri seemed to be walking with a skip in her step, much lighter than before.
His sister's emotions were always clearly visible on her face.
"Ni-san, want to play a game?"
Sagiri extended an invitation.
"Okay."
Izumi Chihiro nodded in agreement.
He had originally planned to take some time to finish the light novels he had just bought, but seeing Sagiri's innocent smiling face, he ultimately couldn't bring himself to refuse.
It's fine, he can read them later.
Anyway, he would have a period of time to rest.
Due to his inherent fatigue, he didn't plan to work himself to death on the upcoming fourth volume; reaching 80% to 90% of the third volume's state would suffice.
And the time taken would probably be reduced by more than half a month compared to before.
To be able to perceive and recognize his current limits and then deal with them in an appropriate way, this was actually a helpless situation.
Sagiri couldn't feel her brother's true feelings at the moment, because he had always hidden them.
The girl just wanted to celebrate joyfully with him now.
...
Meanwhile, Eriri, who had been slacking off for a while, also had to start her work.
In addition to her main job as a doujin artist, she also had to serve as the main original artist for the doujin game in her club. Even though she had years of practice, it was still quite strenuous for her.
Fortunately, after getting used to it for over a year, she gradually became more proficient, and her working hours began to decrease.
Although her progress in drawing skills had slowed down significantly compared to before, in terms of drawing speed and accuracy, she had improved in some aspects.
"Kashiwagi Eri, who has only been working for a year, wants to become a manga artist. That's too naive."
Eriri scoffed at herself, abandoning that decision.
Although she usually acted very proud, she wasn't so arrogant as to think she was incredibly good and could do anything just because fans praised her a few times.
In fact, when it came to drawing, the thing she loved most, she had always felt very inferior, but she had never confided in anyone else.
If she wanted to become a manga artist now, she was still not qualified.
Or rather, if she debuted now, she could only become an unknown mangaka.
Her pride did not allow her to do that.
If she was just an unknown ordinary mangaka, then she might as well become a well-known 'Kashiwagi Eri' in the back world.
Therefore, she wanted to continue to accumulate strength, waiting for the opportunity to appear that day.
If there was a day of 'alternative enlightenment', would she be able to be a little more confident in front of that person?
If it was just traditional painting, then she would never be able to become the first in his heart.
That's what she thought.
No, she should admit it.
Because that was an absolutely impossible to change, iron-like fact.
She opened the computer and checked the tweet she posted yesterday. The content was of course discussing the subject of the next doujinshi.
The previous two times, everyone had their own opinions, and everyone had their own preferences, arguing endlessly, but this time it was exceptionally peaceful, and most people were discussing the same goal.
["Is there even a question? Daki X Nezuko! The passionate collision of the two sisters is very exciting to think about."]
["Ahem, hasn't there already been a passionate collision? Chest kicked through, body torn apart, that's passionate enough, right?"]
["Hehehe, it's best to be humiliation-based, no pure love! No pure love! It's best to tie Tanjiro to the side, and then let Tanjiro watch Daki use her sash to train Nezuko... and finally let her fall..."]
["Upstairs, you are very wrong! But it is indeed quite exciting, and for a moment I don't know whose perspective to adopt."]
""Sister X Sister, Bloody and Pure White Filth, Daki's Training Hell ~""
["Does everyone understand so well? You must have read a lot of doujinshi?"]
["Hurry up, hurry up, Kashiwagi Eri-sensei doesn't need to struggle this time, right? Everyone is urging you to submit the manuscript!!"]
...
Looking at these comments, Eriri sweated slightly.
Everyone was too enthusiastic this time, right?
However, it was also because 'Kashiwagi Eri' recommended 'Izumi Masamune's' work, coupled with the wonderful performance of the third volume of "demon slayer", which made everyone focus on one goal.
It wasn't that other people didn't have objections, but they were all drowned in the crowd.
"Then let's do this, the subject of this doujinshi will be Chihiro's "demon slayer"!"
A strange smile appeared on Eriri's lips.
She directly announced the news.
As a result, a fan comment quickly appeared below, making her not know whether to laugh or cry.
["Kashiwagi Eri-sensei and Izumi Masamune-sensei are friends, right? When the time comes, you can give him the finished doujinshi in person, and then describe his expression to everyone!"]
Silly netizens always want to find some fun.
"This... is actually possible."
Eriri said with a wicked smile.
She also wanted to see what kind of interesting expression Chihiro would show.