Anime Crossover: Becoming Mangaka in Anime World

After class.

Akifumi returned to his seat after using the restroom.

He immediately felt the gaze of the girl sitting next to him.

He touched his face, somewhat confused, and asked, "Is there something on my face, Kato?"

"No," Kato shook her head.

"Then why are you looking at me like that?"

"I'm just curious about how Akifumi managed to get Shiina-san to fall for him."

"..."

Akifumi couldn't help but smile wryly.

"Should I be impressed by you, Kato? Acting like it's nothing, but making such an explosive statement?"

"Is it true?" Kato blinked.

"Everyone's been talking. The school genius, Akifumi, is dating Shiina-san."

"That's definitely not the case."

Akifumi gave her a side-eye.

"If we're close, isn't it normal for us to walk to school together?"

Kato nodded.

"So, what you're saying is that you and Shiina-san are close?"

"I wouldn't say we're that close," Akifumi said with a shake of his head.

"Even if it developed into something more because of various reasons, we wouldn't call ourselves really close... but we're not exactly just friends either."

'Such a complicated relationship.'

Even with a grown-up mind, Akifumi couldn't figure out how to explain it.

He sighed.

"It's because for some reason, she lives right below me. So we end up going to school together."

"And that's pretty much it."

"I see," Kato nodded, her face unreadable.

It left Akifumi wondering what made her bring up the topic in the first place.

He didn't think too much of it, but he did become a little curious about her earlier words.

"By the way, Kato, you mentioned that everyone's talking about this. What's that all about?"

"Well, it's a long story."

"Then just shorten it!"

Kato took a moment to organize her thoughts before speaking.

"This morning, Akifumi and Shiina-san were seen walking to school together by some of the other students. They started speculating about your relationship, and eventually, it became unanimous that you two are dating."

"..."

"These bored people," Akifumi shook his head.

Though he felt a bit helpless, it didn't bother him too much.

When he agreed to Shiina-san request, he had expected something like this to happen.

"I guess Eriri probably knows about this by now, huh?" 

Knowing her personality, she should've been here by now.

"That's strange."

"By the way, Akifumi, did you have a good birthday party yesterday?"

Akifumi snapped out of his thoughts.

"It was just me alone, so there wasn't really much to be celebrate about."

"I'm sorry..."

Akifumi raised an eyebrow.

"Why are you apologizing, Kato?"

"Because I had already planned to visit some relatives, so I couldn't spend some time on your birthday with you," Kato said, looking a little embarrassed.

Akifumi smiled and said, "But didn't you already mentioned this last Saturday."

"And I even helped you pick out a gift for me."

Though it was something they chose together, it made him feel a little complicated.

From the standpoint of being friends, there was nothing wrong with it.

So Akifumi just waved it off.

"Just don't worry about it, Kato."

"I'm past the age where I care about birthdays party," he said with a relaxed smile.

"Even if I spend it alone at home, I'm perfectly happy."

Kato gave him an ambiguous look.

"Saying that only makes it sound even sadder."

"..." Akifumi lips twitch a llittle.

"But based on what you just said, it sounds like you actually had a good time yesterday."

Her internal thoughts seemed to pity him, though she quickly added, "I'm really glad."

Before Akifumi could respond, the bell rang, signaling the end of class.

The day passed quickly.

Aside from a few trivial rumors circulating, everything else seemed as calm as usual.

However, one thing left Akifumi puzzled...

"Eriri didn't come to find me at all today."

Considering her personality, this was so odd that it could qualify as one of the "seven mysteries of school."

'I was a little worried about her.'

After finding out, Akifumi learned that she didn't attend school today.

"That's girl is really..."

He couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head.

As for the reason she didn't show up to class, he found out from Aunt Sayuri that she was preparing for a summer comiket.

She might even have to take a day off tomorrow or the day after for it.

'I guess after all that delay, she finally started working on it'

Back in the day, she wouldn't have skipped class to work.

After confirming that Eriri was fine, Akifumi felt relieved and headed home.

..........

Meanwhile, earlier that day.

In the Shueisha office, in the office of Minano Matome.

With a hint of apology, Minano said, "Sorry, Mihari."

"I saw the email you sent a few days ago, but I've been tied up with work and couldn't get back to you."

"No, no, it's actually me who should apologize," Mihari scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

"It was supposed to be my responsibility to handle Akifumi-sensei's matters, but I've been bothering you with everything."

Minano smiled, shaking her head.

"Even the editor-in-chief has been paying attention to Akifumi-sensei. If you didn't tell me about something this important, that would've been careless."

"I've taken some time to catch up on the continuation of 'Madoka Magica,' and while there's still plenty of room for expansion, but if Akifumi-sensei prefers it this way, we'll just go along with it."

"As for Akifumi-sensei's new work..."

Minano thought for a moment, then said, "You should ask him about what has he's been thinking about the plot moving forward form now."

"And please I told him not to rush on the ending. If we can't get him a serialization opportunity, let's see how he handles it in his new work."

While it sounded like she was complaining, it was clear she was actually worried about him.

Mihari nodded, "Understood."

"If Akifumi-sensei is confident enough with this work, I'll make sure to help him secure a serialization opportunity in the meeting."

"Alright."

Mihari seemed to take this casually at first, but then her eyes widened in shock.

"A serialization opportunity!?"

"Do you mean...?"

"I think this new story has a lot of potential."

Minano smiled. She paused, and then added, "Yes, I really like this work."