Tokyo, everyone is drawing comics, who still wants to fall in love?

The Cartoonists Association's 2023-2024 Japanese Manga Appraisal Conference was held at the Tokyo Bunka Kaikan.

This is a comprehensive venue located in Ueno Park, Taito District, Tokyo. It has a beautiful environment and complete facilities. It is one of the first choices for high-end business meetings.

The Cartoonists Association's Cartoon Awards have been held here for decades.

Oda Shingo arrived at the venue with two female assistants. Mrs. Yukino didn't like to appear in public, so she didn't come with her.

"Teacher Oda." Assistant Okita greeted him at the door.

Saburo Mikami had arrived very early because of business entertainment.

Oda Shingo arrived almost stuck in time. Because he is just a formality, and his main focus is entirely on comic creation.

Assistant Okita showed Menying three invitation letters and participation tickets, and then led Oda Shingo and his entourage into the venue.

"Three award invitations? Thank you very much, Minister." Oda Shingo knew his business and immediately understood that Mikami Saburo was taking care of him.

Assistant Okita quickly said politely: "This is as it should be."

This type of awards ceremony is generally divided into two stages, the reception stage and the awards stage.

The Houhui is in the exhibition hall, mostly for displaying works and small-scale exchanges in the industry, and is also a part where assistants can participate. Even cartoonists who are not selected or have not yet entered the industry can still participate with a participation ticket.

In the comic plot of "Bakuman King" on Earth, the two protagonists met a large number of people in the industry for the first time on a similar occasion.

The awarding part is held in the awarding hall and requires an awarding invitation letter. Only cartoonists who are nominated or have higher status will be invited, and those with assistant status will generally not be given.

Therefore, Assistant Okita himself only had a participation ticket and no invitation letter.

"You're welcome, that's as it should be."

"No one from the Comics Association is greeting you at the door?" Oda Shingo felt a little strange.

This is not according to the rules of ordinary business meetings.

Assistant Okita whispered: "I noticed that after they checked the main list, the receptionist left."

Oda Shingo frowned.

As a nominee, I am not considered a big shot in the industry. If there is no one to greet you, it doesn’t matter.

But at least it shows the Comics Association’s attitude towards itself: dispensable!

The first thing to enter is the exhibition hall. There are many display boards in the tens of thousands square meters of the exhibition hall, which are all kinds of comic works from this year.

Although to be fair, all panels are the same size. But the placement is very particular, and the size of each comic is also different.

There were many people in the industry chatting or commenting on the comics near the display board.

It's not yet time for the awards, and most of the attendees are here to rest and have something to eat.

The people attending the meeting were talking in groups of twos and threes.

Oda Shingo glanced at the display board and didn't see his manga at first.

He knew it in his heart.

Namikaze Yukaku and Toudou Kojo separated and quickly shuttled between the various display panels.

Soon, Namikaze Yukaku waved to them, but she was polite enough not to shout loudly.

"It's actually here." A small display board near the bathroom has display boards for "One Punch Man" and "Parasite". And it shares the same exhibition board with the banned "Sword of the Goddess"...

Assistant Okita said nothing. In fact, he came early and had noticed this before.

"Sure enough, we have no hope of winning this time." Oda Shingo didn't take it to heart.

He had already been mentally prepared.

In my previous life, I had already experienced this.

"..." Namikaze Youhe pursed his lips. If Oda Shingo said she wanted to kill members of the organizing committee, she would definitely do it.

"Teacher Oda, can't we fight back against them?" Todo Kouchi asked.

The two girls had heard Oda Shingo's analysis on the way here and knew that Vice President Koyama must have used his connections to suppress his side.

Oda Shingo's eyes were sharp: "Yes! When our results reach a level that they can't ignore at all, and if they don't give us awards, the selection will be despised!"

After seeing the comic display panel, the two women began to become nervous.

They realized that this was a gathering place for cartoonists and there were many big names in the industry.

Both women looked at the people around them cautiously, fearing that they would do something wrong and embarrass Oda Shingo.

They are students after all. Oda Shingo noticed their predicament and gently pulled them: "Let's go eat with me."

"Huh?" Namikaze Youhe was stunned.

"Eating? Isn't it embarrassing?" Todo Xiangcheng's eyes lit up.

"The food supply for this kind of business entertainment is all outsourced. If the Cartoonists Association is generous, they can provide good snacks." Oda Shingo led the two girls straight to the food collection area.

"We can't eat in front of so many people, right?" Namikaze Yukuru whispered to Oda Shingo.

Oda Shingo looked like he was a prostitute for free: "Don't worry, one person is too conspicuous, and we won't attract attention at all when we come together. The trick is: don't take too much at a time, don't eat too fast, and don't pack it." Just take it away.”

Assistant Okita who was following him didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Come on, you're already a rookie comic artist, you're good at that, right?

"It's good to just follow Mr. Oda." Toudou Xiangcheng was already staring at the dining area with bright eyes.

"It's actually the snacks from Torindo and Kawabata Miki. It's quite good." Oda Shingo saw the sign on the edge of the plate, "Choyuaki, yokan, steamed buns, Kakizune rice crackers, Michi rice dumplings, matcha dumplings..."

Hamikaze Yuzuru looked at him in surprise, not expecting him to know everything.

Fujido Kaoshi was also curious: "How do you know so much? Aren't these snacks girls' favorites?"

"Girls are afraid of getting fat, so they eat less, right? I like these snacks more. I didn't have the money to buy them before, so I often studied pictures online." Oda Shingo made an excuse, took the small plate and started eating without hesitation.

"Who said that? I never mind." Fujido Kaoshi also started to move the fork.

Are you eating too much? Hamikaze Yuzuru looked at Fujido Kaoshi's figure and decided to learn from her.

So, the three people in Oda Shingo's studio didn't come with the mood of winning the award, but left with the mentality of eating their stomachs full.

"Humph, even if we don't get the award, we have to eat the snacks to make up for the cost!" Fujido Kaoshi complained in a low voice while eating.

At this time, a slightly fat figure came out of the bathroom and saw Oda Shingo from a distance.

He hesitated for a moment, then strode towards Oda Shingo.

Oda Shingo soon noticed that it was Vice President Koyama.

"Oh, Shingo."

"Hello, Vice President." Oda Shingo was neither humble nor arrogant, and politely put down the tableware.

Vice President Koyama deliberately glanced at Assistant Okita, and then asked Oda Shingo: "Come, go to the VIP room with me, it's more comfortable there, and you will feel more suitable."

His identity was that he was welcomed to the VIP room as soon as he got off the car.

This is not simply the identity of the vice president, but represents the power of the consortium behind Shueisha.

Vice President Koyama deliberately watched Assistant Okita's movements, and then asked Oda Shingo to go to the VIP room with him, which clearly carried a different meaning.

Come with me, our relationship can be eased...

Assistant Okita was next to him, a little nervous.

"Sorry, Mr. Koyama." Oda Shingo smiled, "I like the masses, and I'm afraid I won't feel comfortable sitting in a place that is too far away from the bottom."

Assistant Okita smiled.

"..." Vice President Koyama's smile faded, and he turned and left.

Oda Shingo continued to eat.

Fujido Kaoru forked him a piece of watermelon, handed it to Oda Shingo's mouth, and said with a smile: "I like you to confront annoying guys like this!"

Oda Shingo rolled his eyes: "Feeding is prohibited in public places."

"Hey, this is the first time I take the initiative to feed a boy, can you leave me a good memory?"

"No."

"Teacher Oda, you can't do this, a girl's first time is very memorable."

"Don't talk nonsense in public, or I won't take you out next time!"

"Okay, then I'll talk nonsense when I get back."

"Deduct your salary!"