A Word in Your Eye

a.k.a. spreading the word

Toyokawa, the Shonen Land editor, and Funayama, the TV producer, sat at the table with Shigeru. Toyokawa said, "We've got a broadcast slot starting October 6." Shigeru said, "Wow, that's really soon." Fumie set tea cups in front of the men, and started to leave. Shigeru waved her into a chair.
( there's a song in the air... )
Kurata yelled, "You're bending the page! Be careful." Komine said, "Today of all days, don't make a mistake." Sugai scurried over to his desk.

<to be continued>

a.k.a. guess who's coming

One morning, Sachiko, Shigeru's brother's wife who was doing accounting for Mizuki Productions, sat with Shigeru and Fumie in the kitchen. Sachiko grumbled, "I hate to say it, but Sugai..." Fumie said, "What happened now?" Sachiko said, "This morning, he dumped a cup of coffee over a page. And the other day? He put a finished package of manga in the trash! If the publisher's assistant hadn't found it, we would have lost a whole job! I mean, is his drawing worth it?" Shigeru said, "Well..."
( You can't fire me... I'll leave! )
This episode ended with bits from the next week, including various people reacting to Devil Boy, a group of people watching the television, and several different groups clapping. The final scene was Fumie on the floor in the kitchen, with Izumi asking her what was wrong...

<to be continued>

a.k.a. amusement or compulsion?

Fumie raised her kitchen cleaver and brought it down with a whack. She split the fish head on her cutting board. Then she looked around. Aiko was sitting by the table, watching Shigeru work on a model. He was chuckling as he worked. Fumie said, "Are you helping your father make the Nagata?"
( I can't help myself? )
Later, at the bookstore, Michiko laid out a tableful of food. Kiyo and Taichi looked at Fumie and AIko. Michiko said, "It's only been a little while, and she's changed so much." Fumie laughed. "She eats a lot, and sleeps, too." Michiko said, "Like her father, eh?" They all chuckled. Taichi said, "I've already read Devil Boy." Michiko said, "You've checked it out several times." He laughed. "Yes, it's really good. Complex. You can tell that Mizuki-sensei worked on it, and really put his heart into it. Will there be more?" Fumie said, "Well, there are four more books in this set. And the publisher says if it does well, there will be more after that." Tiachi said, "Wow. So you're really doing well." Fumie said, "Sort of..."

<to be continued>