Kakushigoto (かくしごと)

It's finally...

It's finally time for the year-end grind!

The year-end grind happens because the editors take a good chunk of time off

for the New Year's holiday so they become heartless slave drivers

to make sure the manga artists turn their manuscripts in on time.

We'll have to start getting our work done a little earlier.

We've got this!

You're sure being optimistic.

Well, I mean...

"Godansha Thank You Party" Well, I mean...

"Godansha Thank You Party" That's because the Godansha year-end party awaits!

That's because the Godansha year-end party awaits!

Sensei, take me to the party!

Don't say that like you're Minami-chan from Touch!

I'm not even going. It's a pain in the ass.

Don't cry like Minami-chan either!

Well, there goes my motivation if we're not going to the party.

What's the point?

Wh-Why do you guys want to go that much?

We're usually cooped up here while we work...

But when we're invited to the party,

we get to feel like we actually belong to this industry!

-So please, take us!

--Okay, okay, just let go of me! --So please, take us!

Oh, the party's not happening.

Huh?

They cut costs due to the publishing recession,

so they just rented out an izakaya and

karaoke place this year to have a humble gathering.

An izakaya and karaoke...

They're probably going to be really disappointed,

but it's not like it's my fault.

I'm back.

Sensei, isn't it so exciting?!

A hotel party!

I even bought a party dress!

And I bought a digital camera!

Yes, I have a secret.

It's the fact...

...that there's no party.

Come forth and bloom, flowers, and catch the fragments of dreams

The future you wished for will soon, yes, bloom into spring

Beneath the sunset, two shadows

Sit on swings and blend into the sky

The higher I go from the momentum

See, the higher my happiness rushes up, too

These ordinary days

The only thing we awkwardly have in common is the fact that we can't be honest with each other

I keep the words I want to say a secret as I look up at the sky

May the wind blow and color this world and your smile shine

Don't be afraid and take the universe that's filled up both of your hands

Come forth and bloom, flowers, and catch the fragments of dreams

Start heading towards the future you wished for

Morning.

Good morning, Daddy.

The Christmas tree...

Want me to help you put everything away?

Huh? Did I bring out the decorations too early?

Nope! Not early at all! It's already December.

Oh, okay.

That was close...

I just finished the Christmas chapter last week,

so it felt like it was already over.

I even put up a chandelier.

That's... actually a disco ball.

Huh? It's not a chandelier?

Well, I've never seen one before.

You probably just don't remember, but I think you've seen a smaller one in town.

Oh...

I'd love to see a big chandelier.

"Your Lie in December"

But there is a big chandelier!

At the party venue... a giant one.

You'll be able to show Hime-chan if you take her.

Yeah, that's not happening.

Of course not. She'd find out that you're a manga artist.

We'll just have to get an eyeful for her!

I'll get a high-res picture for her!

Sorry, but you guys won't be seeing the chandelier either.

By the way, what's that for?

Reference.

This chapter involves New Year's, doesn't it?

I sometimes forget what timeline I'm in.

Well, it's not even Christmas yet IRL.

Having Christmas come again when it was over for me weeks ago...

I almost feel like a time traveler.

Wow, I can't wait!

I hope Christmas comes soon!

You sound like a kid, Daddy. It's still a bit away.

My acting is perfect. Hime will never find out that I'm a time traveler.

Daddy?

Huh? Uh, er it'll be here in no time!

It's Shiwasu, after all!

Shiwasu?

"Shiwasu" Shiwasu?

"Shiwasu" The old term for December. It signifies a time where even senseis are in a hurry.

The old term for December. It signifies a time where even senseis are in a hurry.

Oh, really? Senseis?

You're right. Sensei is really running.

I mean, Ichiko-sensei's always running, though.

Does that mean everyone running around right now is a sensei?

Yeah, I'm sure all the people running around right now are senseis.

So senseis like schoolteachers?

-Huh?

--Well, a lot of people are referred to as "Sensei." --Huh?

--Well, a lot of people are referred to as "Sensei."

"Doctors (Sensei)"

"Doctors (Sensei)" Like doctors, politicians, artists...

"Politicians (Sensei)" "Doctors (Sensei)" Like doctors, politicians, artists...

"Artists (Sensei)" "Politicians (Sensei)" "Doctors (Sensei)" Like doctors, politicians, artists...

Like doctors, politicians, artists...

...and manga artists.

Sensei, hurry!

"Nomurazaka46 Fair" Sensei, hurry!

"Nomurazaka46 Fair" Sensei! There's one miraculously left!

"Nomurazaka46 Fair" You sure are lucky, Sensei!

You sure are lucky, Sensei!

There sure are a lot of people with the nickname "Sensei."

Well, it's often used as an insult.

Editors calling manga artists "Sensei" is definitely out of spite.

You're not done yet, Sensei?

What? Our great sensei only managed the minimal amount of pages?

It actually only gets used in an insulting way.

O-Oh, really... Goto-san?

You guys are fine calling me that.

"The Virtuoso of Motoyawata" "The Virtuoso of Nishiogikubo" You guys are fine calling me that.

"The Virtuoso of Motoyawata" "The Virtuoso of Nishiogikubo" And once you become a veteran,

"The Virtuoso of Motoyawata" "The Virtuoso of Nishiogikubo" it goes a level higher and they call you "Virtuoso."

"The Virtuoso of Motoyawata" "The Virtuoso of Nishiogikubo" And in that instance, they usually add a geographical location to the title.

Editors are a bunch of elitists...

So they're always looking down on manga artists!

Are you sure you're not just imagining you're the victim here?

Of course not!

You would never call a true virtuoso "Virtuoso" to their face!

Heya!

How ya doin', Virtuoso?

This is exactly what I was talking about!

Even then, I hope someone calls me "Sensei" someday.

I totally understand. I mean, we're a bunch of nameless assistants.

But... we'll always have...

...that one event where we almost feel like we're senseis, as well...

The year-end party!

Oh, you haven't heard yet?

Don't!

Now you've done it!

What did I do?!

I can't.

Motivation zero.

I've lost my will to live.

"Waaaaaah" I've lost my will to live.

"Waaaaaah" There's no party!

"Waaaaaah" What's this chocolate fountain made of tears?

What's this chocolate fountain made of tears?

An instant decline in their motivation...

We won't be able to get through the year-end grind like this.

Here's the one and only way you can regain our motivation.

Huh?

It's this...

It's to go to Chugakukan's party!

Say what?

They're still having a hotel party.

Uh, I haven't done work for them in forever, though.

Not to mention my previous editors there have probably switched departments.

"Fashion" "Kids' books" "Sales" "Different company" Not to mention my previous editors there have probably switched departments.

Not to mention my previous editors there have probably switched departments.

I'm sure no one even knows who I am there.

It'd be super awkward.

You'll be able to take Hime-chan.

I mean, if they don't know who you are,

they won't be able to tell that you're a manga artist.

You'll be able to show Hime-chan that huge chandelier.

And you'll be able keep your dignity as a father saying that you work

at a company that throws a party that big.

My dignity... as a father...

Wow, you're amazing, Daddy!

Okay, everyone! We're going to Chugakukan's party!

Yay!

Let's go!

Sensei, this is a trap...

This is probably pretty risky.

I want to go, too.

Are you stupid?

If an editor from another publisher showed up, they'd be weirded out.

Weirded out? Why, though?

They'd think you're there to steal some of their writers and artists.

Hey! That's the perfect opportunity for me to make a name for myself!

Take me with you!

Like hell I would.

Not to mention, both events are on the same day.

Why wouldn't you go to your own company's gathering?

Why would I want to go to a lame izakaya or karaoke place?

Shut your stupid mouth!

"Weekly Shonen Mangazine"

"Weekly Shonen Mangazine" Goto-sensei's not coming, either?

Goto-sensei's not coming, either?

It's going to look bad if people don't show up.

I don't care who, just make sure someone shows up.

Oh, you don't care who it is?

There's going to be a chandelier?

Yup. There's going to be a party for my company