Abiko Samejima/Plot

## History

Samejima Abiko first approached her former mentor, Yoriko Kichijouji, about how much she loved the *Sweet Today* manga and wanted to become her assistant. In her work, rarely did she ever converse with her colleagues, but opened up with her sensei, Yoriko, about herself and her in-the-works manga. Not long after, Abiko's manga, *Tokyo Blade*, began serialization and surpassed *Sweet Today* in sales and popularity.

Due to only knowing success, she grew an ego, often butting heads with her editors and berating media and even the stage-play of her manga. This behavior caused her to have bad relations with her editor and no assistants to help her: She saw their art as lifeless. Her behavior escalated to the point where she threw away her own health for the sake of maintaining her manga's vision.

## 2.5D Stage Play

Samejima Abiko invited Yoriko Kichijouji, to some drinks, but her main motive came from seeking advice. Abiko knew she had experience in anime and drama adaptations of her work, her manga, Sweet Today. Abiko looked towards her since her manga was being adapted as well. She invited her to visit the play's rehearsals and see the progress.

When Abiko arrived along with Yoriko, she greeted the cast timidly. She complimented their looks and stated how much that stressed her when making eye contact. Shortly after, she was invited to sit back and watch their performances. Although she was very much elated by the talent displayed -- acknowledging everyone's hard work and performances, she asked for the entire script to be revisioned, much to the dismay of all involved parties. She heavily disliked the direction the scriptwriter, Goa, took -- stating he turned her babies into idiots: Characters saying and doing things out of character. Miscommunication played a part in the results of the final script. She threatened to scrap the play and remove Goa as scriptwriter if her demands weren't met.

Abiko was confronted by Yoriko about this. Despite Yoriko suggesting she be more considerate of their circumstances, Abiko was firm in that only she was competent enough to see things through. That lenience and understanding are the cause of the disaster that was Sweet Today's live-action adaptation.

Later on, Yoriko visits Abiko to give her a ticket -- one she attained from Aquamarine Hoshino. There, it was clear to Yoriko that Abiko's work ethics and methodologies were unacceptable. She helped her fill backgrounds while arguing her views in creating manga. Abiko pushes back, stating she lacks time to train assistants and trusts only herself to do the hard work. They bantered on until they couldn't. A revelation came afterward, Abiko's communication problems have a part to play in why she does things in a particular way.

The day after, Abiko attends a performance with the ticket given to her for scriptwriting references. She was treated as a VIP once news got out that she attended. She then discusses with Raida Sumiaki the state of the script and the scriptwriter. Abiko eventually accepts his proposal of Goa staying on the condition that all parties communicate online so that everything is clear. Goa and Abiko collaborated in making the script -- the two providing valuable insights to each other on the directions they take. The end product turned out to be something Abiko genuinely liked.