Unlike other shonen mangas he'd read before, “A Concerto of Youth” wasn't about monsters, ghosts, or martial arts, but instead focused on teenagers trying to find their place in life before graduating high school. The creator told a simple story with a simple message. Be yourself, don't be afraid to be different, and keep going forward in life to find happiness. It was, in Hideki's opinion, a beautiful story that anyone of any age and gender could enjoy. Not surprisingly, Hideki's opinion wasn't an unusual one. This was Kazuhiro Tsuchiya's debut piece, a classic, gentle tale that kickstarted his career in the industry. The reviews highly praised the work and were also very interested to see what else he would go on to create.

However, that was 10 years ago, and compared to the many rising stars in the growing industry, Kazuhiro Tsuchiya seemed to be a forgotten whisper. Where was he now? Hideki probably would never know, or at least, not for awhile. These days, he didn't have much free time to be entertaining his wayward thoughts. In fact, he hardly had any free time, period. He wasn't always a manga enthusiast, but due to his recent position, he had to be. He was now just getting used to some of the most popular titles, and was even now starting to develop some favorites of his own, "A Concerto of Youth" being one of them. Even so, it was difficult for him to find the time to wind down and actually read something on his own. Right now was that rare exception.

As the train came to a stop, the repetitive announcement faded in the back of Hideki's mind as he slipped the manga into his briefcase and rose from his seat. When the doors to the train opened, Hideki merged himself with the flood of passengers stepping out and continuing with their lives. He was headed to yet another average, typical day of work, and yet...there was a touch of optimism in his steps. Hideki smirked as he realized that a comic mainly made for kids was giving him that kind of feeling. He had to admit, it was a good story, and he couldn't help but be interested in finding out if that author published anything else. After all, the author started out in his career at a young age, so surely...he must have?

It all started with the“Boyz Spot” manga contest. It was his last year of high school and Kazuhiro decided to join on a whim. Aloof, distant, and hardly interacting with peers enough to make friends, Kazuhiro blew through his school years by spending most of his time alone, usually doodling in notebooks to appease his boredom. His simple hobby of drawing conditioned him into a passionate, dedicated artist. He'd always been fascinated with drawing whimsical and childish cartoons, though boys his age wouldn't want to be caught dead still enjoying things for “babies”, as his brother put it. When he read the submission announcement to his favorite magazine, a story suddenly hit him; his trademark childishness, but with an edge that older kids could still enjoy.

Kazuhiro's fate was hanging on the outcome of that contest, as melodramatic as it seemed. After all, if it wasn't for that contest, he would have never been noticed by any magazine and ultimately never make a humble career out of comics. Like an opportunity simply meant for him, Kazuhiro was blessed. In those years, everything felt great. People actually believed in him, believed in his skill and believed in the story he wanted to create. At the time, he felt like the world was in his palm, that the wheel of life was beginning to spin for him. To be truthful, it was. It was spinning in a direction, that was for sure—but in a good direction? A career he spent so long and so hard to grow for nearly a decade, and yet only now Kazuhiro was questioning whether it was worth it, or if it was all for nothing.

What was the use of having skill if there was no happiness while using it?

It was strange looking at the pages now, especially from all those years before. Back then, he was a completely different person, but Kazuhiro could feel the youth in his veins like it was yesterday. Back then, he lived to create those books; he truly loved that story and wanted to continue it forever. He still felt as though he wanted to continue it, even though it was already complete. Then, the momentary spark faded.

Kazuhiro shut the book immediately, then shoved it back to join the other secondhand outdated volumes on the shelf. Feeling exasperated, Kazuhiro rubbed around his temples and questioned why he was standing idly in this bookstore in the first place. If anything, he'd rather be hiding himself in his messy apartment and forgetting all about how his editor called him to come out into the city, only to meet up and practically dictate his next book like usual...

“I'm sorry Tsuchiya-sensei, but after looking at these storyboards...they're just not what boys are into now. Back then this kind of stuff was all the rage, but times have changed now. You need to think of something that will appeal to this generation of teens.”

Kazuhiro was used to constructive criticism, in fact, he relied on it. However, in that moment, sitting across from his editor that he'd only known for a mere month, he snapped. Couldn't this guy at least think carefully about what kinds of things came out of his mouth? Why tell him something so vague like that? Although his editors words were grating, he couldn't help but be even more irritated by his overdressed appearance. Looking him up and down, Kazuhiro was repulsed by the fact this man was so obviously younger than him. He practically looked like a teen masquerading in his father's polished suit. It wasn't just this editor, it was everyone surrounding him. From the bank tellers calmly stating that his checks had bounced, to the vendors in Isezakichō trying to sell him expensive silk ties; they were all so young and more successful than him. He knew he was being too bitter about all this, but he was fed up with the state of his life. He was just so damn tired of being finanically and emotionally broke at nearly thirty years old.

At the thought of all of this, he felt sick. Kazuhiro abruptly rose from his seat and gazed around the cafe, trying to figure out where the nearest exit was. It was quite busy this early in the morning, and in between the crowd of people, Kazuhiro was having a hard time deciding where to go next. He wasn't familiar with these kinds of upscale places, either. This cafe was the choice of his fresh new editor, Kageyama. If it was up to Kazuhiro, he would have settled for something more quiet and relaxing. To be more specific, something like “The Whitney Brew” near the Tokyo station—but it wasn't like he expected Kageyama to pick that kind of place anyway.

“Oh, come on Sensei—please, sit back down. I'm not doing this to hurt you, on behalf of myself and the publishers, I'm just trying to help!”

“Help?” Kazuhiro scoffed, then leaned in uncomfortably close to Kageyama, “Then what do you propose I do, then?”

Obviously stunned by Kazuhiro's brash remarks, Kageyama cowered back, feeling intimidated. His eyebrows knit together as his gaze shifted around everywhere but his sensei.

“Well...for one, sex appeal—you know? Heroines, a love interest, maybe? The thing is, this story isn't bad per say, it's just that this would fly better with...a shonen demographic.”

“Kageyama-san,” Kazuhiro paused to relax the muscles in his face to the best of his abilities. “You've read the main outline, haven't you? Then you should realize that this story is unlike my others, it's unsuitable for a younger audience. This is specifically why I've turned to your magazine.” His last remark sounded too uncomfortably desperate, and Kazuhiro cleared his throat soon after. He wondered if he'd be developing a cold soon.

His editor's smile stayed still for a very long moment before fading. Kageyama let out a small sigh.

“Sensei...I really respect you for breaking out and doing something different. I have to admit, it's fresh.” The man paused again to look down at his shoes before hesitantly continuing. “But don't take this the wrong way, it's just...in order for it to make sales, it needs to be changed. Drastically. That's all, really.”

Kazuhiro, of course, did take that the wrong way. Cutting through all the bullshit, Kageyama was simply stating that he needed to find a new publisher, yet again. The cycle was endless. His stories were “too much” for countless shonen magazines he'd long grown out of, and yet even the seinen couldn't stomach it either. Where exactly did he belong?

“Well. This has been an extremely helpful and productive meeting, Kageyama-san. Extremely.”

“It has?”

“Yes,” Kazuhiro fished around in his jean pockets to find Kageyama's business card. Surprisingly it was still in there. He'd actually worn these same jeans the day he'd initially met with Kageyama.

Kazuhiro met with his editors confused gaze before exacting his grand finale. He held out the card, plain as day for Kageyama to witness as he ripped it to pieces, letting it fall in Kageyama's empty coffee saucer. His eyes bulged when he realized it was his own business card.

“It's shown me that I need to find a new angle. And this angle is not with your piece of shit magazine.”

The last thing Kazuhiro saw before storming out, was the completely flushed face of his former editor, eyes widened in shock and completely rendered to a stuttering mess.