The Scent of Milk Powder

Izumi Kotomi sat in front of her computer, working on the latest page of Chainsaw Man's first chapter. Compared to writing a novel, drawing a manga was on a completely different level. If she had written it as a novel, the first chapter of Chainsaw Man would have been done by now.

But drawing a manga was a different story.

Even though she had worked on it all night and had even skipped the new event in Azur Lane today to focus on drawing, her progress had only reached the scene where Denji and Pochita walk home after hunting the Tomato Devil.

Choosing Chainsaw Man as her debut manga as a mangaka came with its risks. If Kotomi wanted a safer debut, she could have picked a more conventional and successful genre for her first manga, instead of going with Chainsaw Man, a work that could potentially spark polarizing opinions.

Fans who liked it would love it intensely, likely screaming, "Izumi Itsuki, you're such a maniac!" while they devoured it eagerly.

But those who didn't like it... well, they just wouldn't.

Kotomi had full confidence in the story of Chainsaw Man and in her current drawing skills. The only lingering doubt was whether readers in this world would accept Chainsaw Man.

In her previous life, Tatsuki Fujimoto had already built a foundation with Fire Punch before creating Chainsaw Man. Readers familiar with his work already knew that he was a "mad genius."

But in this life, Kotomi was doing the reverse—she wanted to draw Chainsaw Man first, and then Fire Punch.

Her pen name, Izumi Ki, was still only known in the light novel world, and soon she would be a debuting mangaka as well.

However, unlike the widely accepted Sword Art Online, Chainsaw Man had extreme styles in both art and plot. This was both its charm and its risk.

Once she finished the first chapter, she would submit it to Shueisha.

Would the editors at Shueisha be willing to sign a contract with her after seeing such an unconventional manga?

That remained uncertain for now.

After all, she was a complete novice in the manga world, with no previous works to her name. Her experience level was basically a blank slate.

For a newcomer to debut with such an unusual manga… in the eyes of the editors, she could either be a genius destined for greatness or an overconfident rookie trying to fly before she could walk.

Despite the risks, Kotomi had still chosen Chainsaw Man as her debut manga. She didn't want to settle for a safe, cookie-cutter debut. She wanted to be the freest creator on the planet! Naturally, her first manga needed to stand out and be a jaw-dropping success!

She wanted every reader who finished it to exclaim, "Izumi Ki, you crazy woman!"

"That being said, drawing is really exhausting… You can sit for an entire day and not even finish the rough sketches. It must be tough for Hanayui-sensei, who has to draw so many illustrations each month."

As Kotomi muttered to herself, she suddenly remembered something.

It wasn't something major, but it did feel odd not knowing.

What was Yui's mother's full name?

She only knew her pen name was Hananoyui, and since she called her "Aunt Yuigahama," she had never learned Yui's mother's actual name.

"I've known her for a few days now, but I don't even know her full name? That's embarrassing… Whatever, I'll call and ask."

Kotomi mumbled as she dialed Yui's mother's number. They had exchanged contact information when they met at Dengeki Bunko last Sunday.

Meanwhile, at the dango cake shop, Mrs. Yuigahama had closed up early today, two hours earlier than usual. Not only today, but she had decided to close two hours earlier every day from now on.

Two hours might not seem like much, but those extra hours would give her more time to work on her illustrations, allowing her to finish them faster and get a little more sleep each night.

Mrs. Yuigahama knew she wasn't a superwoman—just a normal person who got tired and sleepy. If she continued running the cake shop late into the night and then stayed up even later drawing, she wasn't sure if she'd even make more money. What she was certain of was that her health would fail first.

Ever since her husband passed away, she had been the sole provider for the family. Fortunately, her two daughters were both obedient and sensible, which eased her burden significantly.

But if she collapsed, who would take care of her daughters?

It would be nice to have someone to rely on...

That fleeting thought crossed her mind, but she quickly dismissed it.

Where would she find someone like that? And even if she did, there was no guarantee they'd be a good match. She knew firsthand how hard it was to be a single mom.

Rather than waste time thinking about such things, it was better to bake more cakes, draw more illustrations, and earn more money!

"Phew—! I've got to work hard and raise my two daughters all by myself!" Mrs. Yuigahama clenched her fist, mentally cheering herself on.

When she got home, the moment she opened the door, she heard the sound of tiny feet pattering toward the entrance.

"Mommy~ Welcome hoooome!!" A cute, babyish voice called out as Yuka Yuigahama came bouncing over.

With her chubby little face, bright orange hair, and endearing eyes, Yuka's voice was soft and childish—so much so that Yui often said Yuka's words had a "baby formula scent" to them.

Yuka's adorable voice and little face instantly made Mrs. Yuigahama feel healed, as if all her exhaustion from the day had vanished.

"Yuka~ Did you behave well for your sister?" Mrs. Yuigahama asked gently, scooping Yuka up into her arms.

"I did!" Yuka replied happily, nuzzling into her mother's arms and enjoying the rare moment of closeness. Despite being well-behaved, Yuka was still just a small child who had only recently started kindergarten.

"Where's your sister?"

"She's in the bath. Dinner was shrimp fried rice, and it was super yummy! We saved some for you too, Mommy."

After taking off her shoes, Mrs. Yuigahama went into the kitchen and put the leftover fried rice into the microwave. She sat down at the table, waiting for it to heat up.

Because of the shop, Mrs. Yuigahama wasn't able to come home in time to make dinner for her daughters every night.

In the past, Yui and Yuka had to wait until very late for dinner. But ever since Yui started her second year of middle school, she had volunteered to learn how to cook and take over dinner duties.

At first, Mrs. Yuigahama had been worried, but after a few attempts, Yui had not only managed to cook dinner but had also made it taste great.

Feeling reassured, Mrs. Yuigahama handed over the responsibility of making dinner to Yui.

So every night, Yui would cook dinner in advance for herself and Yuka, leaving a portion aside for their mother.

When Mrs. Yuigahama returned home, all she had to do was heat it in the microwave, and she'd have a warm meal waiting for her.

With a soft beep, the microwave signaled that the fried rice was ready. She took it out, and after one bite, the rich aroma and perfect flavor filled her mouth.

"This is so good. Yui's cooking skills are already surpassing mine," Mrs. Yuigahama said, feeling a sense of pride as she enjoyed the shrimp fried rice her daughter had made.

Ding-ding-ding—

Suddenly, her phone rang from where she had placed it nearby.

It was odd to be getting a call this late. Could it be a cake order?

She picked up the phone and saw that it was Izumi Kotomi calling.

"Kotomi?"

Surprised to see Kotomi calling her so late, Mrs. Yuigahama answered the phone with some curiosity:

"Hello, Kotomi! Good evening~ Is there something you need?"