Growth is not a straight line. Understand that it is usually a winding path.

Reaching point B from point A rapidly, as if warping.

That magnificent leap is something many people aspire to.

However, such aspirations rarely become reality.

Most growth is unglamorous. In other words, there is no choice but to build it up steadily.

Looking back on half my life, I have done many things far removed from my current job, such as aiming to be a manga artist and taking my work to publishers.

It is embarrassing to say, but there was a time when I proudly took a completed manga to a major publisher, only to be told with a straight face, 'You are not cut out for this, you should look for a different path.'

I returned to Osaka in a state of shock so profound I wanted to die. Convinced that my future must be bleak, I shut myself away at home for a while.

I cannot say I don't sometimes wish I had arrived at my current writing career sooner. That feeling is not zero even now.
But it is also certain that many of those unsuccessful experiences are connected to where I am today.

It was precisely because I was so ill-suited for being a company employee that my resolve to live as a freelancer solidified.

Yes, life continues while experiencing many setbacks.

While hitting your head on unexpected things, you eventually acquire flexibility.

Even if you are feeling a sense of stagnation or are on the brink of despair right now, it is absolutely no problem.

Because you will definitely crawl your way back up from there.

In fact, it is more dangerous to feel that everything is going well.

Having some kind of challenge at all times is the natural state of things.

A state where you can declare that everything is fine is highly likely to mean you are turning a blind eye to something.

Your suffering is necessary for you to move on to the next step.

The fact that there is pain means that you are facing things that seriously.

There will be times when you stray from the path or lose your balance.

You move forward desperately, not in a straight line, but while winding your way.

There will always be people who resonate and empathize with who you are.

I am rooting for you from the bottom of my heart as you move forward in your own clumsy way.