Funding continues to be a major obstacle as Hachiken tries to get his business up and running. Ookawa-still unemployed-has pinned all his hopes on Hachiken's new venture, so when proposal after proposal comes back rejected, he suggests a new source of funding: good, honest hard work. Picking up whatever part-time jobs he can, Hachiken pours every ounce of energy into realizing his goal. The year seems to fly by, but when spring comes again, will his efforts finally blossom into reality?

Hiromu Arakawa, artist of Hero Tales, is the creator behind the hit manga sensation Fullmetal Alchemist. Her work on Fullmetal was honored with the Tezuka Osamu Cultural Award 2011 for her innovation.