Full of Dreams! Making Doujin

Fou, fooou☆

Huh? Senpai, look, over there. Is that...

Um... Maybe we should go see what's going on?

N-not because I think he's done anything wrong or anything. Just out of curiosity!

Hey there. How's it coming along?

Finished it ages ago. This what ya had in mind for my guest art?

Hah, this is incredible. It's exactly what I had in mind. You're the best, girlie. Thanks a million.

Wish I'd met you back when I was alive. The upper class is gonna love this, no question...

But I'm getting ahead of myself. Here's your payment, before I forget.

All right, pardon me while I make sure it's all here... Yup, we're good.

Sorry for taking up your time like this when I'm sure you've got your own doujin to work on.

Honestly, I was amazed you agreed to take this on so quickly. I take it things are going well with yours?

Hell no.

I like to pride myself on my speed, but the number of pages I gotta draw every day is rough, even for me.

Then I really don't get why you agreed to do this guest art. Why didn't you just say no?

Oh, that? More often'n not, you work faster by mixin' it up while you're takin' a break.

'Course, I expect takin' a break from drawin' one art project ta work on another might be weird...

...but that's just how we painter types are. Nothin' we can do about it.

So that's how it is, huh? Well anyway, you helped me out a ton. I'll send you a sample book as soon as they're ready.

Sounds great.

All right, guess I'd better get back ta my doujin...

Hmm. That's most of the contributions I need taken care of. All that's left now is...

He almost seems like...an editor.

I wonder what sort of book he plans on making?

...And look, Senpai. Now someone else is coming.

Mr. Beardyyy!

We're all done!

Hey, that's great. Let's take a look.

Hah, this is great. Really great!

There's some real practical pioneering advice here, and the way it's all presented picture-book style catches the eye and makes it real easy to follow!

Thanks for the contribution! Here's your payment.

(Huh? Another one...?)

Oh my goodness! You're really giving us this many Gil Bucks!? Wow! We're rich!

'Course I am. A promise is a promise, right?

Merci, monsieur! Now I can try REAL Hawaiian flapjacks!

Ooh, I know! Why don't we invite Jack and Jeanne and have a tea party! Would you like to join us too, mister? Or do you still have to work?

Yeah, 'fraid I do. Still got things I have to take care of.

You need great art if you're gonna make a great book. I'm gonna keep working to make that happen.

The road ahead might not be easy...but as long as I keep moving forward, I know I'll reach my destination!

Ah! It's the same with pioneering!

Good luck, Mr. Evil-Looking Beard!

What a heartwarming sight... There really is something wonderful about putting in hard work to achieve your dreams!

Good. Now, let me double-check what I have from guests so far...

Emperor Caligula's poem, "Nero," Fran's handprint, Pārvatī's curry recipe, along with this, and this...

...Hehe. Heh heh heh...

With name recognition like this, even an anthology of guest contributions'll sell in the millions.

If I price it at (mumble), I can pay all my guest contributors and still come away with...

Hahaha! I just can't stop smiling!

I'm so glad I didn't agree to pay them a percentage of the proceeds. 'Course, it helps that I only asked people I knew would never ask for that.

Nobody loses! I didn't have to lie, and it's not even illegal. It's perfect! Everyone comes out of this happy!

And I don't have to write a single page myself.

W-well...I suppose, technically, he's still putting in hard work...

I can't believe how easy it is to make money off other people's work these days. All I have to do is manage them!

This is amazing... This island is like a dream come true... Who knew office work could be this much fun!

？！

You're... You're right. If he plans to sell his book based on the fame of his contributors, they deserve a fair share of the proceeds.

I have no problems with an editor being fairly compensated for their work...

...but that doesn't give one the right to treat their writers and artists unfairly.

I just hope all the contributors can still make that sort of contract with him...

？！

Yes, I agree. We should fight illegal acts with the law, and fight lawlessness with speech.

This is exactly the sort of time to call on him!

Noooooo! Copyright? Author's rights? Royalty payments!?

It's gone...all gone! I've lost everything!!!

But I almost had him! I'll do better next time...! I'm sure of it!

...I'm glad justice was served, but...I can't help but feel a little sorry for him...

Oh? Isn't that...

(Gnash!) (Gnash!)

Wh-what the...!? Get away from me! I'm too sad to fight back!

Hey, watch the beard! Stop gnawing on my anchor! What the hell are these things!?

Oh no! A huge throng of crabs showed up out of nowhere and started attacking !

I can't believe such dangerous creatures were hiding out on this beach the whole time...!

Hold it, girl I've never seen before. Don't go near those things.

Those crabs are the King of the Storm's minions, lured here by the scent of stray dogs.

That man has no one to blame for his current predicament but himself. Don't waste your time trying to save him.

There are some gnarly waves coming in at that beach right over there. They're just like the ones at the Strait of Dover.

So what do you say? (Gleaming smile) Care to join me and Fujimaru?

I'm sorry, stranger, but I'm kind of busy right now!

We need to help ! Let's go, Master!

Huh? But, doesn't catching waves sound a lot more fun?

？！

Oh man, I failed again... I could have sworn I nailed my opening lines this time, too...

You guys really helped me out... I wish you hadn't seen that...

Hehe... Thanks for going out of your way to help an old loser like me.

Now that I've got a second chance at life... I know exactly what to do with it.

Just you wait, Fujimaru and Mash! Who cares about a few little setbacks!?

One of these days, I'll assemble the ultimate anthology, with all the best talent in one book!

I'm gonna be the king of the doujin!