Thus Spoke Kishibe Rohan (岸辺露伴は動かない)

No way.

This house...

What's up?

Look at this.

It's that super famous manga, Pink Dark Boy.

It's been in Shonen Jumbo magazines since I was a kid.

I used to love this.

Hey!

What do you mean, "used to"?

Part eight of Pink Dark Boy just began serialization last month.

At this very moment, readers should be waiting in anticipation

for this manga that they love so much,

but not you.

You said "used to love", didn't you?

In other words, you stopped reading my manga before it was done,

which is a fatal error, worse than not reading it at all.

I would love to know why!

Very much so.

It's Kishibe... Rohan.

What's this?

You know my name, even when you don't read my work?

Another fatal error.

N-Now wait a second!

Just who do you think you are?

Don't you understand the situation you're in right now?

I have stumbled upon the break-in of my home, presumed empty.

No... that's not right.

If you perhaps knew I was here when breaking in,

then that would change things.

This would be an attempted burglary, wouldn't it?

If I was, by chance, asleep, then it would be thievery.

But now that you've been discovered,

the burglary has become a robbery.

Isn't that right?

Excuse me?

You sure you're okay in the head?

At the moment,

I'm doing some research into theft, you see?

Leaving the door unlocked every night proved effective.

I was able to get some good material tonight.

Huh? Material?

Indeed.

Material for my manga.

Huh?

Well, this is looking bad.

Let's get outta here.

Heaven's Door.

Let the door to your mind now open.

What... is this?

Now, then...

What kind of life leads a man to become a thief?

I'll have you show me every detail.

However...

What made you stop reading my manga?

He said he read it as a kid, didn't he?

if that's the case...

Around here, I suppose.

"I only get up early on Mondays.

On my way to school, I stop by the convenience store

to pick up the early release of Shonen Jumbo,

just so I can read the latest Pink Dark Boy.

The human body remembers everything that has ever happened to it.

Even if a person forgets, the body does not.

These are 100% real memories that can't be found in any interview.

This reality is what breathes life into his work,

providing only the finest entertainment.

"UNIVERSITY DROPOUT"

Of course,

this is only possible due to Kishibe Rohan's natural talent.

My back!

Here we go.

Alright!

Mr. Rohan!

This is Izumi from Shumeisha!

Actually, I know this is sudden,

but I was recently appointed as your new editor,

so I came by today to introduce myself.

I have these documents for you!

You have to be joking!

I have to carry all this stuff back?

Please, no!

Oh!

Okay, then.

Doesn't look like anyone's home.

I'll just leave this here.

Could this day get any worse?

Hey!

Keep it down out there!

Do you understand?

I'm trying to get to work!

You're Mr. Rohan, right?

So, you were home.

This is Izumi from Shumeisha.

I already heard you!

Oh, about the documents...

I don't need them anymore!

Get out of here!

Hold wrists at a perfect 90 degree angle.

Keep all fingers straight and unbent.

Place palms forward.

Bend each finger, one at a time.

1... 2... 3... 4... 5.

And now open them again, one at a time.

1... 2... 3...

4... 5.

And done.

Preparation exercises for drawing manga are now finished.

I'm coming in!

Oh, boy.

It's a pleasure to meet you.

I have recently been appointed to the editorial department at Jumbo.

My name is Izumi Kyoka.

Starting today, I'll be your editor.

Like I said, I heard you.

More importantly, what compelled you to come in

after I told you to leave?

The editor-in-chief told me to make sure to introduce myself.

He also had me bring you these crime documents.

Your last editor said you'll need them for your next story.

Again, I heard what you said.

And I told you I don't need them.

But it seems like such a waste!

They feel really, really professional.

Only a third-rate manga artist

could pull anything from documents like that, alone.

Really?

So, where should I put these?

Come on...

Do you ever listen to what people say?

Is your next story about a criminal?

No.

But a thief does appear for one panel.

"One panel"?

That's what this research is for?

Of course I am! He has lines, after all.

I see...

He's just an average thief, though, isn't he?

An "average thief"?

There's no such thing.

They have different upbringings, and reasons they became thieves,

For instance...

A child has his favorite manga taken before taking his entrance exam.

He ends up failing his exam, ruining his life,

and ultimately becomes a thief.

Using that as a reference, the lines will exude realism.

They will be given life.

Doesn't he only have one line, though?

The number of lines doesn't matter!

A single contrived line

would completely ruin the entire story!

As if the great Kishibe Rohan could ever write something like that!

I see... I'll just put these on the shelf.

Heave, and...

Izumi... wasn't it?

You don't read manga, do you?

Nope!

I did start reading yours,

but I'm still only on part one.

Hold on!

Huh? What is this?

Those are the living material that I was after.

Wait, but they're actually alive!

What happened?

I captured some thieves who broke into my home at night.

Thieves?

We have to call the police!

Of course I'll hand them over,

but not until after I gather some information.

Isn't that right, you two?

Yes, sir.

We will gladly cooperate with Mr. Rohan.

Huh?

Now...

It's time for you to go.

I want to start drawing right away.

Wait. Just hold on.

Whoa!

What in the world...

Oh, man.

I was correct to write that in, just in case.

Until Rohan releases them,

they shall devote themselves as material for his manga

The orders I write down can never be disobeyed.

Now then...

What will be the thief's line?

"Damn it all!"

No, that's not it.

A brief silence.

That's all.

Taro!

Sorry for the wait!

Maron came, too.

It was such a pain!

I knew that a lot of manga artists were odd,

but he's on a whole new level.

It's not normal!

The thieves were arrested the next day, though.

On top of that, he finished his manuscript,

and he's got a great reputation.

It makes me think,