Anime Crossover: Becoming Mangaka in Anime World

Elsewhere,

Akifumi, seated on the subway, casually scrolled through his phone, reading the flood of comments.

"Give the author a big shout-out!"

"Unbelievable! These details I totally missed it!!"

"Read the post, then re-read the manga—suddenly, the fun level skyrocketed! Thanks, OP!!"

"I thought the author's work had gone downhill, but turns out, I just didn't get it!!"

"Darn it, another new series to follow! I guess I have to buy Weekly Shonen Jump now!!"

"With so many amazing series in there, it's a solid investment!"

"I'm a girl, so those intense Weekly Shonen Jump stories don't really grab me."

"Same here."

"..." 

The title of the post Akifumi was reading stood out clearly:

"Does anyone really think the author's Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai has gone downhill? Here are some clues you missed!" 

"Speaking of which, it doesn't feel too good for the author to get directly involved, huh?"

If it was discovered, it would surely be another addition to his list of embarrassing moments, right?

Yep.

That long comment was written by him.

Just like the previous post, where he mentioned that this work meant even more to him than Madoka Magica—that wasn't just empty talk, it was the truth!

As for why...

Madoka Magica was loosely based on a manga he'd read before, with just a few tweaks.

On the other hand, Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai was based on an anime he remembered, and adapted it according to his own ideas.

To describe the difference between the two works:

The former is like a daughter brought into a second marriage, already grown and independent—no need for much care, just a little attention, and in return, they'll help in old age.

The latter, though, is like a child he raised with painstaking effort from the very beginning!

No blood relation, but their father-daughter bond is undeniable!

So, on the day of the new issue's release, Akifumi was keeping a close eye on it.

When he noticed some skewed opinions online, he took a moment during class to write that detailed review.

As everyone saw, the mood soon shifted in a positive direction.

"Hey, what's Akifumi-kun looking at?"

A graceful, melodic voice interrupted his thoughts.

Akifumi looked up to see Shiina Mahiru standing beside him. "A review of a newly released manga."

"By the way, Shiina-san, do you read manga?"

"Not really."

Figures.

Someone like her definitely wouldn't have much in the way of hobbies outside of school.

Shiina Mahiru thought for a moment before speaking again: "But I often hear the boys in class talking about it."

"Is manga it really that fun?"

"Some people think it's fun, others find it boring." Akifumi casually reply it.

Shiina Mahiru nodded thoughtfully before breaking into a smile:

"But Akifumi-kun seems to think it's fun, right?"

"Of course!"

Even though he's now the creator, that fact doesn't change.

If anything, being the creator only strengthens his belief in it.

"Listening to you talk about manga, I'm... kind of interested in it now."

"Want to give it a try?"

"Eh?!"

Shiina Mahiru blinked in surprise before quickly waving her hands, her face flushing:

"No, I can't afford it."

"I have a ton of light novels and manga at home, and besides, you won't be..."

He paused, and Akifumi added: "Just making sure, but you're not planning any trips during the break, are you?"

"Trips..."

Her eyes briefly sparkled with longing, but then that glimmer was extinguished by a sense of loss.

She shook her head, voice tinged with disappointment: "No, I'll be alone."

"Even during the break, nothing will change. Probably."

Her eyes clouded with a faint sadness, a wordless confusion about the future.

"Ouch."

Shiina Mahiru lightly rubbed the back of her head, looking at Akifumi with a puzzled expression:

"Why did you hit me?"

"Just saw a idiot zoning out on the train, couldn't resist reminding her to snap back to reality."

Shiina Mahiru tilted her head:

"Are you calling me an idiot?"

"Who else could I be talking about?"

"Eh! I'm not an idiot!"

She scrunched her nose and pouted slightly, clearly annoyed.

Akifumi didn't pay much attention to her irritation.

"Well, during the break, you'll still be cooking for me right? so how could you be alone?"

"You forgot that, and yet you're saying you're not an idiot?"

Shiina Mahiru froze, and then her previously perfect features brightened into a dazzling smile.

"Akifumi-kun, you really are too much! It's already vacation, and yet you're still making me cook!"

Akifumi shrugged, "Not my fault. You insisted on cooking for me, and now you're stuck with me as your bossy overlord."

"You're calling yourself an overlord? Akifumi-kun, you're such a character," she giggled.

He ignored her teasing and returned to the previous topic:

"Since you're not doing anything special for the break, why don't you come over and read manga when you're bored?"

"I've got plenty here."

The girl's face lit up with clear interest.

"Eh, really?"

"Why not?"

"I've already read them, so if you can enjoy them, you're just helping them get more use."

Shiina Mahiru hesitated for a moment but then tried to refuse:

"Wouldn't it be a bother to you, Akifumi-kun?"

In response, Akifumi reached out and ruffled her delicate, shimmering golden hair with his large hand.

"If you're worried about that, then you shouldn't have agreed to help me cook my food in the first place."

"Ugh!"

She let out a little groan, but her tone remained gentle: "Akifumi-kun, you really are cruel!"

"You messed up my hair!"

"Well, you were practically asking for it with that 'come bother me' look on your face."

"I was not!"

"By the way, do we have any ingredients at home?"

What an awkward change of topic!

But...

'Is this what it feels like to trust a friend?'

It's nice.

Shiina smiled tenderly: "We still have some."

"I don't need to go shopping today."

"Got it, then let's head home."

"Mm, let's go home~"

"Ugh, this weather's getting hotter."

"It's already July, after all."

........

When they enter his apartment Shiina smiled softly: "Akifumi-kun, you should rest now. I'll go cook."

"You really don't have to rush to cook as soon as we get home!"

Akifumi shook his head helplessly, knowing full well she wouldn't listen, so he let her go.

At the same time,

A certain blonde girl with twin tails, holding a stack of original manuscript pages, arrived at Akifumi's door.