Minano quickly picked up on Mihari's thoughts.
She smiled and reassured her,
"Don't worry, Mihari. If they're sharing this number, it's definitely been verified multiple times. If they made a mistake this big, it would cost them a hefty chunk of their bonus."
Mihari immediately realized how her earlier comment might have come across—like she was questioning their competence.
Thankfully, there were no outsiders in the room.
She scratched her head and laughed awkwardly.
"Ahaha, I was just so shocked, that's all. No other meaning behind it. Nearly 50,000 copies on the first day?! That's insane!"
Minano nodded.
Yes, the number was indeed staggering.
Some lower-tier manga don't even hit that number in half a year, and Madoka Magica did it in a single day.
Even as a seasoned editor, Minano found it hard to believe.
But when she thought about it, it wasn't entirely impossible.
"It's summer break, so students have both time and extra pocket money. Plus, with Akifumi-sensei's teasers on social media and the company's heavy promotion, it's not entirely unreasonable for the first day to be this explosive."
In other words, fans who might've hesitated or waited before buying skipped the deliberation phase and jumped straight into purchasing on day one.
"Sales will definitely drop after this, but even so, Madoka Magica Volume 2 is guaranteed to be this month's bestseller!"
Watching Mihari's excitement, Minano smiled.
While it's risky to celebrate too early, a first-day performance like this was enough to leave the competition in the dust.
At this point, even she couldn't see how they could lose.
"Minano-san, I'm going to tell Akifumi-sensei the good news right away!"
"Go ahead," Minano replied.
"I should probably head over to the chief editor's office too. He's probably waiting for me."
After the excitement of the volume's release yesterday, Akifumi wasn't in the mood to work hard today.
He lounged lazily on the couch, enjoying the cool air from the AC.
When his phone rang, he picked it up slowly.
"Hello, this is Akifumi."
"Oh, Otosuna-san. The sales numbers are out?"
"Why do I sound so calm? Well, you've already told me the numbers are out, so whether I get excited or not won't change the results, right?"
"Besides, the fans were incredibly enthusiastic yesterday. I spent six hours just reading their comments on my social media. With that kind of buzz, I can't imagine Madoka Magica flopping."
"You think I'm boring? Ah, don't worry about that. Just tell me the final numbers. I don't want to waste your time or phone bill."
"46,786 copies? Got it."
"Not excited? Of course I am! I'm practically moved to tears."
"I never lie."
"Alright, I'll hang up now. Don't forget to come by and pick up the latest chapter of Anohana."
Ignoring Mihari's exasperated tone on the other end, Akifumi hung up decisively.
"46,786 copies…"
He repeated the number, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Not bad at all. I guess I'm officially a semi-popular author now, huh?"
He absentmindedly opened the group chat he'd joined after winning the Tezuka Award. The conversation was lively as usual.
"Two months! It took me two whole months to revise my manuscript according to the editor's demands!"
"So jealous. I'm still stuck in revision hell."
"Isn't your release scheduled for September? It's already August!"
"What can I do? I've been working nonstop these past two months!"
Reading their messages, Akifumi paused.
Then it hit him.
Many of the Tezuka Award-winning works were short stories, so they'd be compiled into a special magazine featuring all the winners.
Even Madoka Magica, which was already serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump and had two volumes out, would have its first chapter reprinted there as a promotional piece.
Not that it mattered much to Akifumi.
While he was lost in thought, the chat kept buzzing.
"I'm so jealous of the 'Warrior of Love and Hope' (Akifumi-sensei). His work's not only serialized in a major magazine, but he's already got two volumes out."
"Even though we're only one rank apart in the awards, the gap in skill feels like an ocean!"
"Did anyone buy Volume 2 yesterday?"
"Of course!"
"Ugh, I overslept and missed it! I didn't expect it to sell out so fast! Can someone lend me their copy?"
"You'll have to wait for the second print. Volume 2 is incredible—so much to study and learn from!"
"+1"
"I really want to crack open Love and Hope-sensei's skull and see how his brain works."
"!!"
"That's terrifying!"
"Are you a demon?!"
Akifumi couldn't help but smile as he lurked in the chat.
Who knew his peers could be so complimentary?
Keep the praise coming! I can handle it!
Though the skull-cracking comment was a bit much—let's not go there, please.
"By the way, since Madoka Magica sold so well yesterday, does anyone have insider info on the first-day sales?"
"Nope, but I'm curious."
"Same here."
These guys…
Well, since they're so eager to know, and I hate leaving people hanging, I'll just drop the answer here.
"Just got the numbers. First-day sales for Volume 2: 46,786 copies. You're welcome."
"46,786?! Did you accidentally add an extra digit?!"
"Idiot! Check the sender's name first!"
"Holy—! It's the Warrior of Love and Hope himself!"
"Bow before the master!"
"Sensei, do you need a human backpack?!"
"Teach me how to draw, sensei!"
"How do I become as amazing as you? Fast, talented, and handsome?!"
Akifumi sighed as the notifications flooded in.
Why are you all focusing on me instead of the sales numbers?!
Is 46,786 copies nothing to you?!
Though I have to admit, that last comment about me being handsome was spot on. Good eye, that one.
Still, Akifumi decided it was best to stop engaging.
This was supposed to be a peer group, not his fan club.
If their editors saw this, it'd be awkward.
Though, admittedly, it did feel pretty good.
After all, praise from fellow creators hits different.
Just then, the sound of the door opening interrupted his thoughts.
Eriri walked in, her eyes red and her mouth set in a pout, looking like she was about to bite him.