Anime Crossover: Becoming Mangaka in Anime World

Thursday afternoon.

The final exam had just ended, signaling that summer vacation was just around the corner.

Even though the exams were over, no one left the classroom immediately.

Hiratsuka-sensei was scheduled to give some announcements, and anyone who dared sneak out early might face her infamous "iron fist of love."

That would likely come with the added bonus of a special summer assignment.

"Kato, how was the exam?"

Kato responded calmly, "I probably won't get grades as high as you, but I think I passed."

"That's good. At least you won't need remedial lessons during the break," said Akifumi, grinning as he waved dismissively.

"But hey, no need to praise me for my brilliance!"

Kato gave him a blank stare.

"Your shamelessness is really getting out of hand," she muttered.

"Shameless? Me? No way!" Akifumi laughed before turning to Shiina Mahiru.

"How about you? How did you do?"

Shiina smiled gently.

"I think I should be in the top ten."

"Wow, there are some pretty strong students at this school," Akifumi remarked.

"Do you think you'll get first place this time?" Kato ask.

Akifumi blinked playfully, "You want the truth or a lie?"

"Lie first."

"I don't think I did well, but I tried my best, so it's up to luck now."

Kato frowned.

"Wait, that's supposed to be the lie?"

"What's the truth, then?"

"Even if I intentionally made two mistakes, first place is still locked in."

Kato was speechless.

Why was she even talking about grades with two overachievers?

Oh right, Akifumi started it.

Never mind then.

Shiina looked curious.

"Wait, why would you intentionally make mistakes?"

Kato answered before Akifumi could.

"To make sure he doesn't get a perfect score."

Shiina tilted her head, confused.

"What's the point of doing that?"

Kato sighed, "Shiina-san, remember this guy's twisted logic?"

"If the gap between first and second place is too wide, it makes people give up. But if it's only a few points, it motivates them to try harder next time. He's basically doing it to give the second-place student hope."

Shiina looked shocked.

"What?! There are people who think like that?"

"Of course," Kato muttered.

"Akifumi's just that type of person."

Akifumi smirked.

"Hey, hey, Kato-san, are you secretly in love with me? How else would you know me so well?"

Shiina blinked in disbelief.

Was this actually true?!

Kato remained expressionless.

"No thanks. I don't want to be accused of being a third party in someone else's love life."

She glanced at Shiina and continued coolly, "It's just that Akifumi's weird behavior is really easy to predict."

"Oi! What's that supposed to mean?"

Kato shrugged.

"Every exam in this semester, the gap between you and Yukinoshita was really narrow."

"Oh?" Akifumi raised an eyebrow.

"In our first year, you two had a 10-to-20-point gap. But now it's always within a few points. You're clearly controlling your scores."

Akifumi rubbed his neck awkwardly.

He hadn't realized it was that obvious.

Would Yukinoshita notice?

If she did, she'd probably feel insulted and furious.

But then again...

"If she gets mad, that might actually be kind of funny," Akifumi chuckled.

Shiina couldn't hold back her curiosity any longer.

"But how do you predict other people's scores so accurately?"

"It's not really predicting," Akifumi explained.

"I've just observed Yukinoshita long enough to know where she's likely to make mistakes. Combine that with the exam format, and it's easy to guess."

[TL Note - How??]

Shiina's eyes widened.

"That sounds... terrifying."

"If Yukinoshita ever hears this, and she punches you, I'll say you totally deserved it," Kato deadpanned.

Akifumi shrugged.

"She's just too predictable, you know? Even when she gives it her all, she never gives up. That stubbornness is admirable in a way."

Shiina pondered this.

"So Yukinoshita has been second place since our first year?"

"Yup," Kato confirmed.

"Honestly, I didn't expect Akifumi and Yukinoshita to have any connection."

"We don't," Akifumi clarified.

"We've never spoken a word to each other."

"Then how do you know her so well?" Shiina asked, puzzled.

"It's like that saying: your enemies understand you best. Just looking at her test mistakes tells me a lot about her personality."

"Is that even a thing?"

Kato waved dismissively, "Shiina-san, wake up. Only someone as weird as Akifumi could pull that off."

"True enough," Shiina agreed.

"Hey! Calling me a weirdo is harsh!"

"I was complimenting you."

"Oh, in that case, I'll graciously accept it," Akifumi grinned.

At that moment, Hiratsuka-sensei stepped up to the front of the class, her usual stern expression softening into a rare smile.

"Alright, listen up. I know this is repetitive, but it's important, so I'll say it one more time: be mindful and stay safe during the break."

"And don't forget to show up this Saturday morning!"

With that, she paused dramatically.

"Now then... go ahead and celebrate! Enjoy your well-earned summer vacation!"

Cheers erupted through the classroom.

"Woooooo!"

"Sun, beach, beautiful girls, here I come!"

"Summer dates and unforgettable festival memories, yes!"

"Binge-watching shows and eating ice cream!"

"Sleeping in and gaming all night long!"

"Yay!!!"

The thunderous excitement practically shook the roof.

Hiratsuka-sensei watched with a relaxed smile.

Akifumi covered his ears, grimacing.

"Idiots," he muttered.

Sure, the beach had plenty of beautiful girls, but did that have anything to do with them?

Summer romances? More like heatstroke under the blazing sun.

Gaming all night? Let's be real — their parents would probably confiscate their consoles by day two.

'Still so naive, even after all these vacations,' he sighed.

As the noise settled, Akifumi turned to Kato.

"So Kato any plans for the break?"

"Probably a family trip first," Kato said thoughtfully.

"After that, I'm free."

"What about you?"

"Staying home, of course! A summer without staying indoors has no soul!"

Kato shook her head in resignation.

"You really never change."

Turning to Shiina, she asked, "What about you, Shiina-san? Any plans for the break?"