"Chtholly!!"
"Wuu wuu wuu..."
A man in his thirties, sitting in his small room, is crying uncontrollably.
Despite the immense sorrow, the emotions that had been building inside him were finally released, perfectly.
A similar scene unfolds all over Japan.
Only those who have read the "WorldEnd" trilogy would truly understand what real sadness is, and how precious the love between these two characters is, after watching this video.
Others might feel sadness or sorrow too, but their emotions are only skin-deep.
The discussions from fans of the artist and the author, the heated debates, and the controversies surrounding the work...
All these things came together, creating an unstoppable flood of emotions that eventually erupted all over the internet.
But that's a story for another time.
For now, there are more people like Hikari Nohara, loyal fans of the work, who, after venting their inner sorrow, couldn't help but pick up their pens and write long posts of reflection.
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"I'm a man who's almost 30."
"My daily life is rather dull—working, overtime, and sometimes going out with colleagues to a izakaya... There's nothing much beyond that."
"When did things start to change? Looking back now, it's kind of funny."
"That day, my boss unexpectedly didn't assign me overtime. I had an early shift and suddenly felt lost, not knowing what to do with all this free time."
"That's when I noticed a group of young guys, their eyes sparkling as they passionately discussed everything related to the world of anime. It reminded me of my younger self."
"Back then, I was just like them, wasn't I?"
"Except, back then, anime wasn't something people could openly talk about."
"I had to keep my interests a secret and couldn't share them with others the way they were doing."
"My past passion was slowly wiped away by the demands of life, but the memories it stirred led me to a bookstore."
"And there, I picked up a book that, looking back now, I'd call a fateful encounter—WorldEnd."
"The first volume, with its sorrowful and out-of-place tone, captivated me."
"It felt just like my own experience, coming to a big city alone, trying to survive, unable to fit in anywhere."
"By the second volume, I was even more engrossed."
"The heartbreak of the battles lost on the frontlines tore at me. Chtholly's revival brought me joy, but the author's writing made it clear—this was going to be a tragedy."
"And then, the story reached its peak in the third volume!"
"The love between Chtholly and William was heartbreaking, yet I couldn't help but envy it."
"At least from Chtholly's perspective, we could see how happy she was. She had no regrets about their love."
"Her wish to be remembered, to leave behind a bond, had been fulfilled!"
"Just like the edited video said, no matter what others think, I'm surely the happiest girl in the world right now!!"
"So, Chtholly's death, while tragic, made me feel deep sympathy for her. At least, in her final moments, she found love and the kind of bond that many people would envy!"
"In contrast, William, still alive, makes me feel even more sorrowful."
"Their love burned so brightly, and compared to the deceased Chtholly, William—alive, still thinking—makes me want to pity him even more."
"Ultimately, William is the true protagonist of this story, and Chtholly is just one part of his long life."
"His life has been filled with tragedy, driven by the belief that even if he couldn't protect the whole world, as long as he could protect one person, it would be worth it."
"He even reached the limit of human endurance for that."
"Yet, in the end, it was all for nothing."
"He couldn't protect her. In the end, it was her who protected him."
"There will probably be other characters in the future, and I imagine they'll face similar tragedies, right?"
"Going back to the present, we can see the emotions between the two from their dialogue. But compared to Chtholly's passionate love, William is clearly lost."
"Because even he realized, does he truly love her, or does he see her as just a tool for his own redemption?"
"The answer lies in William's heart. We, the outsiders, will never know."
"As of now, William, still alive, seems directionless. I think the story might eventually take us to the prequel?"
"The true ending must be drawing near."
———————————————————————
This post was naturally written by Hikari Nohara.
After going through such intense pain, he instinctively wrote this long review, spilling his emotions.
As expected, after posting it, the review received countless praise and admiration.
"This is amazing! This review really speaks to my heart!"
"Even though Chtholly's death left me heartbroken, it's William who really tugs at my heartstrings."
"I'm a little worried, though. After such a climactic moment, how will the story continue to bring sorrow?"
"I just hope the ending doesn't disappoint!"
———————————————————————
"Shadow-sensei!!"
Akifumi, looking slightly annoyed, pushed his phone away.
After hearing silence on the other end, he finally brought it back to his ear:
"I know you're excited, but can you keep it down? My ears are about to go deaf."
"Sorry, sorry."
Machida Sonoko laughed heartily, though her voice was softer than before.
But her joy was no less intense.
"So, any good news this time?"
"Shadow-sensei is always like this!" Machida sighed helplessly
"Am I the only one who is happy here... doesn't that make me look like an idiot?"
"I'm happy too, I just don't know how to show it."
"Sure, sure." Machida tone was dismissive, clearly not buying it. "Although the first-day sales of The WorldEnd Vol. 3 were 22,000 copies, that video from last night really ignited everyone's enthusiasm!!"
"Today, the printing department is working overtime, and many bookstores are frantically restocking. It looks like this month's sales will hit a new record!!"
"That's wonderful." Akifumi finally smiled.
The second volume of The WorldEnd sold 126,000 copies in its first month!
It was a massive improvement over the first volume's sales.
The online promotion during that period played a big part in making this happen.
With the current level of buzz, it's likely that the third volume will reach new heights in sales!
On top of that, the sales of the first two volumes will also benefit from the increased popularity and see a boost!
"By the way, while yesterday's spike in attention also brought with it more negative reviews, but such discussions will only fuel the fire even more!"
"The people on the top and I agree—let the controversy simmer a bit longer."
"After all, once Akifumi-sensei finds the right time to reveal their identity, everything will be settled!"
Akifumi nodded noncommittally. "I understand."
"Well, I won't say much more. The release just happened, and I'm busy too. See you, Shadow-sensei."
After hanging up, Akifumi's gaze drifted to the screen of his computer.
What appeared there wasn't the overwhelming praise from yesterday, but visible malice.
———————————————————————
"I don't deny that 'WorldEnd' Volume 3 is excellent, but I just have one question."
"Take me as an example—how is it possible to release a new volume every month, maintaining such high quality? Isn't it strange?"
"Looking at the pen name 'Shadow,' it's clear this person is likely fictional or doesn't exist. Otherwise, why choose this particular pen name?"
"I wouldn't be surprised if a company like Fujimi could produce such a great work, but from the perspective of a single author, I doubt anyone could maintain such high-quality work while keeping up with such a fast release pace!"
———————————————————————
At first, some people questioned the quality of the work itself, but after the release of the third volume and Akifumi's video, those doubts disappeared.
What replaced them were questions about the identity of the author.
Clearly, the emergence of such a strong work had threatened not only the publishers ahead of Fujimi but also those behind them.
The best result would be to crush this threat in its cradle!
"Well, professionals should handle professional matters."
Akifumi closed the webpage and stopped paying attention to the online noise.
Instead, his thoughts turned to his next project.
No doubt, as December arrived, Akifumi had already finished preparing for both Guilty Crown and WorldEnd manga.
Currently, WorldEnd manga was about to be serialized in a magazine starting next week, and Guilty Crown was being scheduled under the name Masahi.
It's worth mentioning that Shokugeki no Soma had steadily risen in popularity, with its reputation improving week by week in the magazine rankings.
After all, no teenager could resist Erina's captivating art style.
Moreover, the series itself had plenty of fan service.
Just like before, after finishing Guilty Crown and WorldEnd, new ideas for stories began flooding Akifumi mind.
There were still two new works, but this time, there was only one slot left for a serialized story.
So, he had to carefully consider which work to debut first!
"Although this new one is amazing, I might be questioned now even if I draw it. People might say I've run out of ideas, right?"
Despite this concern, Akifumi felt a stronger inclination towards the new story.
After all, the twists in this one would leave readers speechless and full of excitement.
While the other story was also good, it couldn't compare to the level of shock that awaited in the former.
Just as Akifumi was struggling with this decision, a phone call dispelled his doubts.
"Minano-san?" Akifumi asked, surprised.
He knew that in the past, it was always the junior editors who contacted him, so this was the first time the editor-in-chief was reaching out personally.
"Actually, there's something I'd like you to help with. Could you come to the office?"
"Alright, I'll pack up and head over right now," Akifumi replied without hesitation.
After all, Shueisha had always been supportive of him, helping in many ways.
When they needed something, he was happy to assist.
———————————————————————
Soon, Akifumi arrived at the company.
As the elevator doors slid open with a soft chime, Akifumi stepped into the bustling office of Shueisha.
His eyes quickly spotted his editor, Otosuna Mihari, who stood near the reception desk, flipping through some documents. Without wasting a moment, he approached her.
"Didn't you hear anything?" Akifumi asked, trying to mask his curiosity.
Mihari glanced up and shrugged, spreading her hands in a gesture of helplessness. "Minano-san said to wait until you arrived."
With a sigh, Akifumi decided to rein in his impatience and followed Mihari down the hallway.
They soon arrived at Minano's office, where the she greeted them with a calm smile.
"Would you like something to drink?" Minano offered politely.
"Just some water, please," Akifumi replied.
Mihari, ever efficient, poured a cup of water and handed it to him. The three settled onto the plush sofa, the air thick with anticipation.
Minano leaned forward, her expression turning serious. "Here's the situation..."
In a concise yet detailed manner, Minano laid out the scenario.
Shueisha, known not only for its dominance in the manga industry but also for its ventures into light novels and animation, had been tasked with an important mission.
Akifumi was being requested to assist in writing a script for the upcoming Japan Animation Awards next year.
Akifumi raised an eyebrow, puzzled. "Why specifically me?"
Minano shook her head. "It's not that we singled you out, Akifumi-sensei. This time, all scriptwriters without active projects are being assigned."
Akifumi blinked. "So... this award is that crucial?"
Minano nodded solemnly. "Absolutely. For major corporations like Shueisha, the stakes are high. To maintain our animation production qualification, we must have twenty works rank in the top ten at the Japan Animation Awards within five years, with at least three works in the top three. Otherwise, we lose our qualification."
Akifumi frowned. "That seems... intense. What's the reasoning behind such a rule?"
"The ACG industry is one of the three major industries in Japan. The competition is fierce, and this regulation prevents large corporations from becoming complacent.
"Only by continuously producing exceptional works can a company earn more privileges. This rule applies not only to animation but also to manga and light novels. Unfortunately, animation is Shueisha's weakest point."
Before Akifumi could respond, Minano continued, "Moreover, the Japan Animation Awards only accept original animation works for consideration. This places us at a significant disadvantage compared to other companies."
After listening to Minano Matome explanation, a heavy silence filled the room as the weight of the task settled on Akifumi's shoulders.
He took a sip of water, his mind already racing with ideas and challenges that lay ahead.
Comparing it to the separation of the animation, manga, and light novel industries in his past life, it was hard for Akifumi, as an outsider, to judge which approach was more reasonable.
However, the current model of how things work was undoubtedly the best way to ensure the quality of a company's works.
"I understand it now, so you're asking me to write the script, right?"
"And the specific deadline?"
The reason Akifumi agreed wasn't just because the other party was helping him, but because if the project in his hands can immediately adapted into an anime, that was undoubtedly the perfect opportunity for him.
"Since it needs to be submitted for the Bright Awards, we must submit part of the script by February next year."
After speaking, Minano apologized with a bit of embarrassment. "I'm really sorry, Akifumi-sensei. I know this request might be a bit demanding, but just do your best."
"If the project gets selected, the company will offer you corresponding payment as a gesture of goodwill."
Akifumi waved his hand. "No need to be so formal, Minano-san."
"To be honest, I'm not being entirely selfless. My decision is based on the potential this project has. Besides, the company didn't consider me at first, right?"
"It was only after some unexpected circumstances and the success of 'WorldEnd' that this idea came up, correct?"
Minano smiled but didn't answer directly.
However, the answer was clear enough.
Not wanting to dwell on this topic any further, Minano continued, "Though it might be a bit early to mention this, I'll tell you now about the benefits you'll receive if it's successful, to motivate you."
"The royalties for light novels and manga will increase to 20%."
"Merchandise share will go up to 10%."
"The fee for animation adaptations will rise to 6%."
Upon hearing Minano Matome terms, Akifumi was a little taken aback.
He couldn't help but comment, "Minano-san really believes in me, huh?"
With such generous terms, it was obvious that the company's animation department must be in trouble.
Realizing this, Akifumi knew that if he managed to produce an excellent script, even if he asked for more, the company would likely agree.
It was like a negotiation where one side revealed their final offer, giving the other side more room to operate.
This trust made Akifumi feel touched.
Minano smiled nonchalantly, "After all, Akifumi-sensei is a highly valued talent in the company."
"In the future, we might need your help in many areas."
"If a small favor can help us better understand someone, then it's definitely worth it."
Even so, the trust was still incredibly significant.
Akifumi shook his head, not wanting to delve deeper into the issue.
"By February next year, right? I'll make sure to deliver the script as soon as possible."
"I'm confident in your speed, Akifumi-sensei," Minano said with a smile, extending her hand.
"Then I'll leave it to you."
"With such generous conditions, I'm really quite envious!"
Akifumi laughed self-deprecatingly and shook Minano Matome hand.
———————————————————————
After leaving Shueisha,
Akifumi couldn't help but sigh. "I didn't expect such an opportunity."
The two projects he was struggling to balance now seemed clear at last!
"With the excellence quality of 'Steins;Gate', getting into the top three should be no problem, right?"
Although the first 12 episodes might feel a little slow.
But he was the scriptwriter! If he handed the entire script over to Shueisha, they would be able to immediately connect the dots.
They'd be amazed by the brilliance, not give up because the first 12 episodes were too boring.
The initial hesitation about whether to serialize the work in Weekly Shonen Jump was mainly due to the long, tedious build-up.
What if the series were cut off before reaching the climax due to poor reviews?
For someone like Akifumi, whose career had been smooth sailing, that would be a major blow.
His "genius" reputation would be tainted.
He had hesitated to give up because of a lingering hope.
Now, with Minano suggestion, he no longer had to worry.
He could focus on drawing Your Lie in April with peace of mind.