Aniverse:This Managaka is Black hearted

BlackMangaka 032: Kato's Request

"63,648 copies? Isn't this too much!?"

"Isn't it an exaggeration to say that he's the strongest newcomer?"

"The strongest newcomer? Even among those famous first-line mangaka, he's in the first tier, okay?"

"It feels so unfair to let this guy participate in the Tezuka Award! He's totally out of their league!"

"Warrior of Love and Hope: I, kill indiscriminately!"

Other authors: 'We'll take care of it.'

"Speaking of which, with such exaggerated first-week sales, isn't it possible that the volume could break the million mark!?"

One million copies!?

Even for top-tier mangaka, not every single volume can reach such sales!

If he can pull this off, doesn't that mean a newcomer who has just entered the industry has already achieved what countless authors dream of?

Hiss—

Thinking about this, everyone couldn't help but take a deep breath.

"Editor Insha is so lucky!"

"Damn it! Why don't I have an author like that?!"

"I'm treating! Xiao Insha must treat us this time!!"

Hearing the editors express their genuine admiration and envy, Insha enjoyed the moment immensely.

She smiled and nodded, promising to treat them in a few days before saying, "Um... I haven't even had time to notify the author yet, so let's keep this under wraps for now."

"Got it!"

"Then, Insha should get busy!"

Sitting back at her seat, Insha took a deep breath.

"Why does it feel like I'm about to call my boss?"

She mentally prepared herself before dialing the phone.

Beep.

After two soft beeps, the call connected.

A helpless voice came through.

"I said, Editor Insha, have you forgotten my identity?"

Identity?

What identity?

The best high school mangaka? The best newcomer? A million-seller?

Or… wait, the strongest high school student!?

Insha finally snapped out of her thoughts.

"Sorry, sorry! Nakahara-sensei's talent is so overwhelming that I completely forgot you're still just a high school student!"

Is this the difference between people?

It's so big it makes others feel hopeless!

"There's no benefit in praising me."

Despite his words, Nakahara Hiroshi's voice carried a hint of amusement.

"Don't worry, I wouldn't have answered if I were in class."

"So, what's the reason for this call?"

"Sensei is really perceptive! It's about the first-week sales of the volume!"

"It's out? So what's the number?"

He's always so calm. Is he even human?

Suppressing the urge to grumble, Insha responded with a sweet tone.

"The total sales in the first week are 63,648 copies."

In other words, at least 40,000 more copies were printed compared to the initial 30,000 copies?

Which means… more money.

Never mind, I'm too lazy to calculate. Probably around 4 million yen?

One step closer to the goal of 10 million yen!

Nakahara Hiroshi chuckled. "Is that so? That sounds pretty good."

Not bad?

Insha couldn't help but twitch the corner of her mouth.

At that moment, she suddenly understood how her colleagues felt.

It was like an emperor on a secret visit looking at beggars in confusion and saying, "Why can't I even see rice in your porridge?"

The same principle applies.

"Why don't you just eat meat?"

Sighing, Insha explained, "It's really good! Even the chief editor was shocked when he saw the numbers!!"

"And there's a real chance it could hit one million copies!"

One million!?

Wouldn't that mean tens of millions in royalties!?

"That's definitely exciting news!"

After hanging up the phone, Nakahara Hiroshi leaned back in his chair.

"A single volume breaking a million?"

He wasn't too familiar with the Japanese market and didn't really know what that meant.

Since he was now part of the industry, he subconsciously searched it online.

"...Huh? I didn't expect that I was already this amazing?"

Currently, fewer than 50 mangaka in the industry have ever had a single volume sell over one million copies!

From another perspective…

"Doesn't that mean I'm already one of the top 50 mangaka in Japan?"

Of course, that was just a joke.

A couple of successful books don't mean much.

The real deal is consistency over years!

For example, some mangaka have been in the industry for decades without achieving major breakthroughs.

But as long as they keep releasing new works, the capital they accumulate far surpasses what a newcomer like Nakahara Hiroshi could achieve.

And for those at the top of the rankings? It was even more true.

Besides, he knew himself well.

Other series could serialize for years and release over ten volumes.

Meanwhile, the remaining plot of "Magic Circle" was only enough for one more volume.

Even if both volumes sold over one million, it was nothing compared to the top-tier names in the industry.

Of course, if he expanded the world of "Magic Circle" by introducing multiple world lines, he could add a lot more content.

Unfortunately, he had no memory of those routes.

He could always create new stories within the same world, but anyone who understood this industry knew one thing—sequels are a trap.

So many have fallen into that pit.

Unless he was absolutely confident, Nakahara Hiroshi wouldn't touch it.

If he accidentally turned a masterpiece into garbage, he'd never forgive himself.

As for future plans, he'd take it one step at a time.

Lost in thought, Nakahara Hiroshi returned to the classroom.

Inside, students gathered in small groups.

Even Shiina Mahiru, who had been a quiet presence a month ago, now had familiar faces around her.

Perhaps the only exceptions in the entire class were Nakahara Hiroshi and Kato.

Aside from each other, nobody really approached them.

As Nakahara Hiroshi sat down, Kato spoke casually.

"You were only gone for a bit, but you seemed distracted."

Nakahara Hiroshi looked at Kato in surprise before smiling.

"Oh? You can even see that, Kato?"

"It's just a feeling."

Kato's expression remained unchanged.

"If something's bothering you, try talking about it. Maybe you'll feel better."

"What book did you read that from?"

Kato blinked, looking a little surprised.

"Isn't that how it works?"

"Of course not!"

Nakahara Hiroshi spoke seriously.

"For example, if Kato had a crush on someone and was worried about confessing, would talking to me about it make you feel better?"

Kato thought about it seriously and shook her head.

"No."

"...So—"

"So, does that mean Nakahara-san has someone he likes?"

"...???"

Nakahara Hiroshi stared at her in disbelief.

"Wasn't that just an example I gave you? Why did you conclude that I have a crush?"

"There are many examples to choose from. Why did you only mention that one?"

That makes sense... Wait, why didn't I think of another example?

Hiss.

Nakahara Hiroshi looked at Kato cautiously.

Is she really the "Saint" Kato?

Scary.

I almost got tricked!

"There are many reasons. I just thought of a convenient and easy-to-understand example. You can't just force me into that role, right?"

Without waiting for Kato's response, Nakahara Hiroshi quickly changed the subject.

"But seriously, why did you call my name so deliberately?"

"Was it that obvious?"

Kato nodded solemnly.

"I'll try to be more natural next time."

That's not the issue here!?

"So, what is it?"

"Are you free this weekend?"

Nakahara Hiroshi thought for a moment.

"I don't have any plans."

Kato dragged out her words.

"Then… can I trouble Nakahara-san to go on a date with me this Saturday?"