Episode 17— Special Relationship and Hometown

Takagi and Mashiro's manga *Tanto* is not selected for serialization, with Miura advising them to improve it for the next meeting. Nakai loses his job when his series "Business Boy Kenichi" is canceled and, after being rejected twice, decides to return home despite Mashiro's attempts to stop him. Meanwhile, Takamara is denied creative freedom by Miura and is told that strong work will force editorial approval, a realization that also dawns on Takagi and Mashiro. Niizuma agrees to illustrate Aiko Iwase's manuscript under the condition that it is serialized, while continuing *CROW*, and Hattori, his new editor, suggests he use a pen name and slightly alter his art style to avoid concerns from the editorial committee.