Anime Crossover: Becoming Mangaka in Anime World

After days of hard work, Eriri finally beamed with satisfaction.

"Finally I'm done! That went smoother than I expected!" she declared cheerfully.

Her hand had moved as if guided by divine intervention.

Even without fully forming the ideas in her mind, her body instinctively drew ahead of her thoughts. The result? Beyond satisfying.

"This is the fastest I've ever completed a project," she admitted with a mix of pride and disbelief.

Since debuting under the name Kashiwagi Eri, the deadlines had always loomed like grim reapers.

But this time, finishing 20 pages a whole month early? Is unprecedented.

However...

"Uh-oh… I got so absorbed in drawing that I forgot about his birthday!" Eriri's smile faltered. Her hand, poised to knock on the door, froze.

"He's probably… still mad, right?"

She sighed, switching perspectives.

"If he forgot my birthday? Absolutely unforgivable!" Eriri thought grimly.

"At least three days of the silent treatment! No… a week! Actually, no—three days. That's fair."

But guilt gnawed at her. Would her limited-edition Kakarot figurine be enough as a peace offering?

"He liked it last year, but that was last year," she muttered nervously.

Pushing aside her doubts, she squared her shoulders. "Whatever! Worst case, I'll… cooperate with him a bit if he acts clingy."

A vivid blush crept across her cheeks as she recalled that incident in his room—how unexpectedly bold he had been.

The memory was so intoxicating that it often became her guilty bedtime indulgence.

"No! Stop!" She shook her head fiercely. "It's broad daylight, Eriri! Focus!"

Steeling herself, she reached for the door.

Before she could knock—

"Click."

The door opened from the inside.

Eriri blinked, momentarily stunned.

The person standing there made her pause.

She wasn't used to being impressed by other girls' looks—after all, she was a certified beauty.

But this girl? She was on Eriri's level.

Long, silky ash-brown hair cascaded down her back, and her fair, flawless skin gleamed under the light.

Her delicate features were framed by long lashes, and her full, glossy lips hinted at a sweetness Eriri couldn't ignore.

Her presence radiated a calming elegance, reminiscent of a traditional Yamato Nadeshiko.

But… what was she doing here?

Eriri's gaze darted to the nameplate on the door. Nope, she hadn't gotten the wrong place.

"What's… going on?" Eriri's brain short-circuited.

The girl holding a garbage bag blinked in surprise too but quickly composed herself.

"Hello, are you here to see Akifumi-kun?" she asked politely, setting the trash bag aside.

Eriri's scattered thoughts reassembled. "Uh, a-and you are…?"

"I'm Shiina Mahiru, Akifumi-kun's neighbor," she introduced herself with a polite smile.

Shiina Mahiru… that name rang a bell, but Eriri couldn't quite place it.

'Wait, even if you're his neighbor, why were you inside his house?!' A wave of irritation surged through Eriri.

Mahiru seemed to sense her confusion.

"Why don't you come inside first? It's hot out here."

Inside, Akifumi sat casually on the couch, flipping through channels on the TV.

Eriri, seated nearby, was too agitated to relax.

Meanwhile, Mahiru returned to the kitchen.

"So… care to explain what's going on?" Eriri demanded, unable to suppress her rising frustration.

Akifumi, clearly expecting this confrontation, smiled wearily. 'I knew this was coming' He opened the fridge and handed her a cold soda. "Want one? It's hot outside."

Eriri accepted but didn't drink it, her glare never wavering.

Akifumi sighed. "Long story."

"Then make it short!" she huffed.

"Shiina lives downstairs. She noticed I was living off takeout and offered to handle my meals."

Eriri blinked. "That's it?"

"That's it," he confirmed, shrugging. "You told me to keep it short, right?"

"Not that short!" she fumed. "Do you think I'm an idiot?! What kind of classmate does that?!"

Akifumi shrugged innocently. "Maybe Shiina has ulterior motives 'cause I'm too handsome?"

A soft voice chimed in behind him, "Akifumi-kun, spreading baseless rumors is rude~."

Akifumi nearly jumped. "Wha—? When did you get behind me?!"

Mahiru smiled serenely. "I just have good timing."

Turning to Eriri, Mahiru's expression softened.

"Please don't misunderstand. I moved here recently, and Akifumi-kun helped me when I got caught in the rain."

"I just wanted to repay his kindness by cooking for him. That's all."

Eriri's suspicion didn't completely fade. But Mahiru added with a knowing smile:

"And no, nothing inappropriate has ever happened between us!"

"Wait, what situation are you imagining!?"

Eriri's face turned slightly red.

Not that I'd been thinking about that sort of thing anyway… though maybe just a little...

But seriously—when a juicy opportunity lands right in front of a big bad wolf like him, and he doesn't take it?

That's so not like him!

Feeling Eriri's incredulous gaze, Akifumi Mugiho scoffed. "Do you think Shiina is like you?"

Wait, hold up! What does that even mean? What does me thinking Shiina's like me even imply?!

It's not like we have some super special relationship or anything! We're just regular childhood friends, okay?

Though Eriri kept telling herself that, her body betrayed her. Her flushed cheeks clearly spoke of something entirely different.