Though what she said sounded harsh, that wasn't really the case.
I was still given a lunch; it's just that...I don't have time to laze around.
After the first class in the afternoon,
"Sigh…"
Akifumi Mugiho slumped his head on the desk, letting out a heavy sigh.
There had never been a moment he regretted more than now.
'I should've never told those two about my identity.'
Who would've thought that the tough-as-nails Hiratsuka-sensei would be so affected by the emotional turmoil in Madoka Magica?
It was honestly beyond his expectations.
But…
'Hmm… There's something oddly endearing about this contrast!'
It's a pity, though.
That I didn't she her cry… well, it's something he'd just have to imagine.
'I wonder if I'll ever get to see her cry like a mess, like a flower in the rain.'
The afternoon classes wrapped up.
It felt like it had barely started, but the weekend was already here.
Thanks to school start on Friday, the break would continue into the weekend.
Being a teacher wasn't as easy as it seemed.
Returning home with Shiina, the girl immediately changed into loose, comfortable pajamas and headed into the kitchen, leaving Akifumi alone outside.
'It's still weird without Eriri here.'
Though they were back at school, even though they were now close by, it wasn't the same.
She wouldn't be popping in every day like during the vacation.
'Click!'
The door swung open.
A familiar voice followed.
"I'm home~!"
Akifumi blinked in surprise.
She said 'I'm home'—Eriri, entering like it was her own house, changing into her slippers, heading straight for the fridge to grab a soda, then lounging on the other side of the sofa.
Noticing his gaze, Eriri tilted her head and looked at him.
"What's wrong?"
Akifumi, looking a bit annoyed, deadpanned: "This is my house."
"I know."
"Well, it certainly doesn't look like it's my house!"
Eriri waved off his complaint casually.
"Don't mind the details."
"Besides, I've been coming over all summer. Are you guys not going to miss me now that school's back?"
While Akifumi did feel that sense of absence when Eriri wasn't around, now that she'd pointed it out, it just felt more annoying.
'Damn it!'
Shiina, from the kitchen, spoke up, "Of course I miss Eriri! Without you, it's just not the same making food."
Akifumi could only roll his eyes.
He stood up and said, "You girls continue chatting. I have some things to take care of."
As Akifumi retreated to his room, the two girls exchanged a glance.
"Do you think he's mad?" Eriri whispered.
Shiina smiled gently, "No way."
"He didn't get mad when you were here all summer, right?"
"True."
Eriri nodded in agreement, "So, what's up with him then?"
Shiina paused for a moment before speaking thoughtfully.
"Remember how he finished drawing Anohana yesterday? Maybe he's stressed about his next project?"
"He's stuck because he doesn't know what to draw?"
"Well, if that were the case, he wouldn't have asked you to draw Food Wars, Eriri."
Eriri scratched her head. "Tch, that true. He's always got it figured out, no need to worry about him."
"By the way, Shiina, what are we having for dinner tonight?"
"Beef burgers, Mapo tofu, and tempura…"
"Whoa, what's the occasion? Why such a feast?"
Tears had already started to form at the corner of Eriri's eyes as she imagined the delicious food.
Shiina tapped her chin, pondering.
"It's the first day of school?"
"The first day of school?!"
Eriri grinned with understanding, "Ahh, that makes sense! It is a day worth celebrating!"
Shiina couldn't help but laugh at Eriri's excited expression and shook her head.
"Alright, sit tight. I'll get it ready as quickly as I can."
"Need any help?"
"No, just stay there and relax."
Back inside his room, just as Shiina had predicted, Akifumi was deep in thought over the end of Anohana.
But it wasn't that he didn't know what to draw—he just couldn't decide what to work on next!
It wasn't about a lack of inspiration. It was a simple case of too many choices.
He had thought that finishing Anohana would lead to him picking just one project, but now he had two to choose from!
And neither of them had a manga adaptation yet!
"Ugh, this is so annoying."
He sighed deeply, staring at the two names written on the blank page in front of him.
The first was 'Guilty Crown.'
The second was 'What Do You Do at the End of the World? Are You Busy? Will You Save Us?'
'Both are amazing!'
But why did both have to show up at the same time? He couldn't decide which one to start!
The first one was all about flashy effects and intense battles.
The second one was a beautiful, poignant love story set in the apocalypse between Will and Chtholly.
Both were equally exciting, but...
'Wait, now I remember. Shonen Jump is already running two ongoing series…'
There was no way he could start another one there.
'No matter how good I am, I can't just monopolize the entire Jump lineup!'
Even if he had the talent, it wouldn't happen.
He couldn't just fill up all the pages in a single Weekly Shonen Jump with his work.
'I guess I'll have to wait until one of them ends before starting the next one.'
'But hold on, my drawing speed's pretty fast now…'
Instead of stressing over what to do next, why not draw both at the same time?
[TL Note – This GUY is Saitama level mangaka, like wtf?]
He could dedicate one day to 'Guilty Crown' and another to 'What Do You Do at the End of the World?.'
'Yeah, this will be perfect! One volume of each, and I'll get Jump to publish them together!'
That idea brought a spark to his eyes.
And if Shueisha didn't want to agree to it?
Once he had both completed, and Jump didn't have room for another serial, he knew they wouldn't just let those two projects sit there.
They would have to publish them!
'It's decided!'
One day for 'Guilty Crown', another for 'What Do You Do at the End of the World?'
A single, uninterrupted Sunday each week for one, and a bi-weekly Sunday for the other.
This was perfect. A little challenge to spice up his creative process!
'And since tomorrow's Saturday, I'll work on one of them then. One last day of rest for me tonight.'
......
Friday at Shueisha.
No need for long introductions; we all know what happens at the editorial meetings by now.
At the meeting, the editor-in-chief, Torishima, went straight to the point.
"How were the sales of Madoka Magica Volume 2 last month?"
Everyone at the table held their breath, guessing the number in their heads.
'200,000?'
'210,000?'
'220,000?'
The first-day sales of 45,000+ had raised their expectations.
.....
[TL Note]
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