CHAPTER 471: CHAPTER 328: TOKYO INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION CENTER EXPO_2

"Is this exhibition free of charge?"

Editor Kawaichi nodded: "Yes, it is. Except for special circumstances, it’s free. However, it’s still crowded—there are two events a year. Last year’s winter session had over 700,000 attendees in just four days."

"Over 700,000? With a daily attendance of at least 150,000, does the company have enough merchandise prepared?"

Uesugi Sakura was a bit surprised; even if each person spent only 100 yen, the four-day event would generate a turnover of 7 million yen.

And what is 100 yen really? That’s too little.

Editor Kawaichi chuckled bitterly, "Definitely not enough; corporate areas aren’t like the fan circle. Merchandise in the corporate area is usually venue-exclusive. Many can only buy after staying up for several days in line, and stocks run out fast. Unlike the fan circle where the sellers rotate daily, offering personal work. Here, it’s all venue-exclusive, and Teacher Hanamaru hasn’t published an art book before, making the ’Witch Lady is a Fox Demon’ art book a hot item this time."

"That passionate?" Uesugi Sakura had never queued up overnight, let alone several days in advance.

"It’s probably love for the work," Editor Kawaichi glanced at Hanamaru Hanabi, and then said with a smile, "Also because Teacher Hanamaru hasn’t revealed her face, besides novel fans, many of her fans want to see her at the event too; rumor has it online that Mr. Hanamaru has always been a beautiful girl."

Uesugi Sakura also smiled but didn’t say anything; he had been keeping an eye on Hanabi’s updates recently.

Actually, since Hanabi started illustrating characters for a game company before, she has gradually gained fame online.

After all, there are few artists manipulating high saturation and vivid colors with such ease.

Her style is so distinct that even random commissions she takes on are recognizable as her work online.

...

Moments later, the group arrived at the SG Library venue; the gates hadn’t opened yet, and the crowd was still blocked outside.

The corporate area clearly appeared more formal compared to the fan circle.

There were life-size standees, LCD screens, character banners, and continuous arrangements instead of a loose setup.

Heading towards the specific booth of SG Library’s ’Witch Lady is a Fox Demon.’

Uesugi Sakura walked up to the standee of the Witch Lady.

The life-size standee with its confident smile paired with vibrant colors indeed left a vivid impression.

If on the street, most would involuntarily be drawn to that confident smile and those bright purple pupils.

Uesugi Sakura even felt that Hanabi put some of her own elements into the character.

He recalled that the female protagonist was named Amami Nana Akatsuki and was a fox.

He hadn’t read the novel much, just recalling that Hanabi mostly illustrated that character.

She wouldn’t sleep with him at night, focusing on painting this.

You could say he grew resentful of it—a definite rivalry.

Uesugi Sakura worked as Teacher Hanamaru’s assistant. Despite being an assistant, Editor Kawaichi observed in detail, noticing the identical ring on his and Hanamaru Hanabi’s hands, realizing he was more than just an assistant.

Editor Kawaichi first mentioned Hanamaru Hanabi’s work today—signing.

The signing wasn’t all-day, just during specific time slots.

Each time she signed for an hour, meaning whether or not one could get a signed limited edition art book depended on luck.

This was unavoidable; signing alone for an hour meant signing a lot of copies.

Uesugi Sakura glanced at the mountain of art books piled up in the box behind and sensed the hefty workload awaiting Hanamaru Hanabi today.

Signing at such high intensity for an hour would undoubtedly tire out her hand.

With his current handwriting, he could completely mimic Hanabi’s style,

but unfortunately, the essence of signing lies in the personal touch of the artist.

Uesugi Sakura thought printed signatures were like an industrial assembly line, losing the true meaning of a signature.

Printed signatures, could those even be called signatures?

Hanamaru Hanabi’s task was simple: appear at cues and sign at the beginning of the art book.

Uesugi Sakura, as her assistant, helped with selling the merchandise alongside the staff.

The greatest benefit of this was not needing to shout out—fans queued up outside already.

Thinking about the dense crowd outside revealed how easily fan-generated income could be made.

Most media companies simply saw fans as crops to be harvested again and again.

Fortunately, SG Library’s merchandise wasn’t expensive, ranging from 500 yen to 1500 yen, mainly featuring character figures, keychains, chibi characters, and plushies.

They also had some prize figurines.

But the art book was expensive, priced at 3500 yen per set, as a limited edition.

Today, the most captivating item was the Amami Nana Akatsuki figurine, being an early-release version limited to 500 pieces.

It would officially be available months later.

Uesugi Sakura had seen fan discussions; the earliest arrivals usually purchased both a figurine and an art book.

Since the novel and the art book were at separate stalls, with half of the figurines at each, fans wanting the limited items had to bring friends with them.

Truly, it was first come, first served.

Yet, seeing so much merchandise piled up, Uesugi Sakura also saw Hanabi’s career progress.

Gaining fans was not in vain after all her days spent drawing.

Aei and Chiaei were visiting such a place for the first time; the two little girls roamed around the SG Library booth, finding many curious and unseen toys.

Editor Kawaichi was quite generous, gifting them two limited edition figurines.

The original author of "Witch Lady is a Fox Demon" was at a booth next door, present to sell signed special edition novels.

Busy preparing everything, the time passed to 7:50.

The venue gates opened at eight; Uesugi Sakura already anticipated the restless crowd outside.

Hanamaru Hanabi sat on a small stool, dressed in a preppy style that made her look like a young college student, and her beret gave her a unique aura.

Maybe... that’s the kind of aura a beautiful girl inherently possesses.

At home, Uesugi Sakura found it hard to imagine the usually timid her could exude such distinct charisma.

"Hana-chan, are you nervous?"

"Not at all..."

"Do you feel particularly cute today?"

Hanamaru Hanabi touched the ribbon around her neck, "If Sakurai-kun doesn’t bite Hanabi, I’d be even cuter."

Uesugi Sakura teased by pointing at the faint bite mark on his neck, "If you didn’t bite me, I’d be even more handsome."

"I’d prefer Sakurai-kun not being handsome."

"Who doesn’t want their husband to be handsome?"

"Sakurai-kun not being handsome means he is all mine!"

Uesugi Sakura couldn’t help but smile, "Even if I become handsome, I’d still be all yours."

"No way! If Sakurai-kun is handsome, many other girls would be interested."

"What’s wrong? Are you worried I can’t control myself?"

Hanamaru Hanabi whispered with a giggle, "Sakurai-kun, you’re a wolf."

"What wolf? I merely, um... patted you a little while helping you put on socks this morning. Let me put it this way, holding your little foot means holding onto cuteness." Uesugi Sakura looked around to ensure no one overheard.

"Naughty, H."

"H is normal, it shows I’m a regular man."

"Even as a cat, Sakurai-kun is naughty."

"I just used my paw to tickle your bellybutton a bit, don’t be so stingy."

"Naughty kitten."

"Speaking of naughty, I know there are many doujinshi for sale at this convention, you aware?"

"What?" Hanamaru Hanabi returned to her soft-spoken voice.

Uesugi Sakura leaned in, whispering in her ear, and then smiled at the blushing young maiden:

"How about I grab a copy, and we can study it together tonight?"

"Why... together..." Hanamaru Hanabi stammered shyly.

"It’s better to practice together; even if Hanabi doesn’t want to, we can still explore a bit. You know, knowledge has no bounds."

"Hmm? What are you talking about?" Uesugi Sakura heard Hanamaru Hanabi muttering with her head down.

Understanding what was happening, Uesugi Sakura leaned his ear closer to her.

Hanamaru Hanabi lightly bit her lip, exhaling softly near his ear, speaking gently with her sweet voice:

"Sakurai-kun... you big wolf."