The man who had just stood up spoke with a cold expression.
Everyone present in this meeting had earned their seat through skill and influence. But after reading the opening of the script, he couldn't help but feel utterly bored.
Of course, that wasn't the main reason for his dissatisfaction with Minano Matome.
The man speaking was Misaki Yoshikuma.
Today's meeting was meant to finalize a few scripts from the dozen or so being considered, determining the key projects for the coming year.
These would become the company's primary focus moving forward.
Among those scripts, one-third were backed by people in Yoshikuma's circle.
If someone unexpected were to take a spot, it would mean his share of the benefits would shrink.
That was his real reason for targeting Minano Matome.
As tensions rose, the others in the room stopped reading and instead watched with amused expressions.
While they also found the script's quality questionable, they were well aware that Minano had been sent directly by headquarters.
Even the company president had to show her some respect, so none of them dared to be openly disrespectful.
Still, since someone else was willing to challenge her, they were more than happy to sit back and watch the show.
Yet, despite the questioning tone from Yoshikuma, Minano Matome's expression remained calm.
"What's your name?" she asked evenly.
What is she up to?
Yoshikuma frowned slightly.
He was wary, given her status, but with so many people watching, refusing to answer would make him look weak.
"Misaki Yoshikuma."
Minano nodded, then said flatly, "You don't even have the patience to finish reading a single work... I think it's necessary for upper management to reconsider whether you're suited for your current position."
The blatant threat made Yoshikuma's face darken instantly.
He wanted to retaliate, but considering her connections, he wasn't sure she didn't have the power to actually make good on her words.
For the moment, he chose not to press further.
"Misaki," an older man, Marukawa Masato, who had been silent until now, finally spoke.
"Since Minano-san has enough confidence to bring this work to us, why don't we finish reading it before making a judgment?"
With that, he offered Yoshikuma a graceful exit.
"Hmph."
Still glaring at Minano, Yoshikuma returned to his seat, clearly displeased.
Seeing the conflict come to such an anticlimactic end, the others in the room looked slightly disappointed, but they soon returned to reading.
Interestingly, they now flipped through the pages much faster than before.
...…
Twenty minutes passed in relative silence.
Then, suddenly—
"Huh?"
A surprised voice broke the quiet.
"What's wrong?"
"Nothing... I just need to read this again."
The man who had spoken awkwardly shook his head, but his face now held a serious expression as he focused back on the script.
Strangely enough, over the next few minutes, similar exclamations were heard around the room.
Gasps and murmurs of disbelief spread among the executives.
Their expressions reflected shock and awe, as if they couldn't believe what they were reading.
Minano Matome's lips curled into a faint smile before she quickly masked it.
———————————————————————
Two hours passed.
Many had now put down their scripts, their expressions complicated.
When they looked at Minano again, their gazes held newfound respect—and even gratitude.
With their industry experience, they could already see it.
If this work made it to the screen, it would be nothing short of revolutionary.
Saying the entire next year would belong to this series was not an exaggeration.
Just the thought of it made them excited.
The last to finish reading was the elderly Marukawa Masato.
"Phew..."
He exhaled deeply, setting the script down with a complex expression.
Then, looking at Minano Matome, he said sincerely, "Minano-san, thank you for bringing us such an incredible piece of work."
Minano shook her head. "It's all for the company."
Marukawa turned toward Yoshikuma, who now sat with his head lowered in silence.
"Misaki, do you still think this script is garbage?"
"..."
Yoshikuma clenched his teeth, his face burning with humiliation.
Finally, he muttered, "I sincerely apologize, Minano-san."
"I was wrong to judge before finishing it."
"Please forgive me."
There was no denying the script's excellence.
The twist at episode 12 was a masterstroke, taking the series to new heights.
The early foreshadowing, once overlooked, now appeared as a work of sheer genius.
At this point, denying its brilliance would only make him look like a fool—worse, it would call his professional judgment into question.
He had no choice but to admit his mistake.
Marukawa glanced at Minano, leaving the decision to her.
She gave Yoshikuma a brief look but said nothing about his apology.
Instead, she simply stated, "Let's not waste everyone's time on trivial matters."
Her meaning was clear—she had no intention of forgiving him so easily.
Being kind didn't mean letting people walk all over her.
Especially when they had dared to question the work of one of her top writers.
Marukawa nodded, showing no further sympathy.
They were all adults. Actions had consequences.
"Marukawa-san, I'd like to hear your thoughts on this project."
Marukawa took a deep breath before responding with conviction, "Miss Minano, please entrust this work to us. We will handle it with the utmost care."
Minano nodded. "Since you've accepted it, I have one condition."
"The first twelve episodes must be released together. After that, the series can follow a standard weekly release schedule."
Marukawa froze.
Twelve episodes released at once?!
While multi-episode releases weren't unheard of, an entire cour at once was highly unusual.
"Marukawa-san," Minano's tone sharpened. "I'm not asking if you can do it."
"I'm saying if you want this script, you will do it."
"If you can't, then find a way."
Marukawa shivered. Without hesitation, he nodded fervently.
"We can do it! Absolutely!"
Minano smiled. "Then I leave it in your hands."
"I won't be staying for the rest of the meeting. Please continue without me."
With that, she rose to leave.
Marukawa immediately stood to see her off.
"No need," she waved him off, then added, "Oh, and the character designs will be delivered in a few days."
Character designs, too?!
Marukawa's face lit up.
"When will the project be ready?" she asked.
"Fo—"
Seeing Minano frown, he immediately corrected himself, "No, three months! Mid-March!"
"As soon as we have the designs, we'll begin production immediately!"
"Mid-March?" Minano considered before nodding.
"Speed is important, but don't compromise quality."
"Of course!" Marukawa assured her. "Leave it to us!"
Satisfied, Minano gave a slight nod before glancing at the silent Yoshikuma one last time.
"Phew..."
She looked young, but the pressure she exuded was immense.
"Guess I'm getting old," Marukawa muttered, then turned to the others.
"You all heard me! 'Steins;Gate' will be completed by mid-March, no matter what it takes! This is our top priority!"
"Understood?!"
"Understood!"
Masato Marukawa nodded and said, "Then let's begin today's meeting."
"Considering the excellence of Steins;Gate, making it into the top three or even first place isn't impossible, but this is an insurance policy."
"We also need to demonstrate our strength!"
Akifumi was unaware of this little side story sparked by Steins;Gate.
At the moment, he couldn't help but sigh.
"It feels like the holidays just started, and now school is already beginning tomorrow!"
———————————————————————
January 8th.
The last day of winter break.
The next break wouldn't come until the end of February.
Having a month off every other month was nice, but the day before school resumed always felt particularly melancholic.
"I don't want to go back to school..."
Mashiro, half-buried under the kotatsu with her upper body sprawled over the table, nodded her little head in agreement.
Even though the room had the heater on, she still instinctively wanted to curl up under the kotatsu—perhaps it had become an unshakable habit.
"Want some peeled persimmon?" Smiling, Mahiru offered the fruit she had peeled.
The two each took half.
"Thanks." x2
"By the way, don't you guys have work today?" Mahiru asked, curious.
Since the start of the break, these two had been diligently drawing for at least twelve hours a day.
"Don't mention work while we're resting, Mahiru!!"
"...…..Mmn" Mashiro nodded in agreement.
"It's the last day of break. If we spent it all working, wouldn't that be even more miserable than school?"
"Even worse than school!"
Watching the two echo each other, Mahiru smiled helplessly and suggested, "Then how about going out for a bit?"
"Eh, but we just went out on January 1st..."
Recalling the overwhelming crowds during their shrine visit, Akifumi, a self-proclaimed introvert, shuddered.
"Yeah, we just went out on January 1st!"
Mashiro nodded in agreement but then mumbled softly, "But we're almost out of Baumkuchen at home..."
Akifumi rolled his eyes at this little glutton.
"It's fine."
"The New Year is over. Mashiro should go back to her normal quota of three Baumkuchen per week."
"The ones we have left should last two more weeks."
Mashiro froze.
She slumped onto the table, utterly defeated.
"..." Mahiru gave a helpless smile.
Mugiho-kun was great in every way, but his reluctance to leave the house was a real headache!
She sighed inwardly.
"Oh, right, isn't Eriri coming over today?"
"Nah, she said she's rushing to meet a deadline..."
"I see." Mahiru nodded, then murmured to herself, "What should I make for lunch..."
Since it was the last day of break, she decided to make something extra delicious!
With a plan in mind, Mahiru rested her head on the table, enjoying the peaceful moment.
For every student, this day was filled with a special kind of melancholy.
Tanaka was no exception.
But...
"I can't miss sensei's new chapter of Your Lie In April on this final day!"
Since he had plans to hang out with friends in the afternoon, he decided to spend the morning reading manga.
Armed with the latest issue of Weekly Shonen Jump, he picked up some snacks and drinks on the way home.
The perfect morning was already playing out in his mind:
Snuggled under the kotatsu, surrounded by fruit, snacks, and drinks.
Just imagining it was bliss!
Most importantly, his parents were at work.
He could indulge without fear of being nagged!
Double the bliss!!
Back home, he arranged his fruit and snacks, then eagerly dove under the kotatsu and flipped open the magazine.
One hand fed him snacks while the other turned the pages.
A perfect day. Not even a god could tempt him away!
———————————————————————
Wataru Ryota: "So what?"
"It's normal for the girl you like to have someone she loves."
"It's precisely because of love that she shines so brightly."
"That's why people—hopelessly—fall in love!"
Arima Kousei: "But... it's impossible for me."
———————————————————————
Ryota was right.
But when I came to my senses, the fiery sunset sky... the black curtain behind my eyelids replayed the same scene.
The manga panels depicted a girl passionately performing on stage.
Over and over, endlessly...
———————————————————————
Every time, my heart—the part of me that my mother had left behind—seemed to be swept away like the wind.
I wanted to hear it again, but I also didn't.
I wanted to see her again, but I also didn't.
She stood under the cherry blossom tree, backpack in hand.
A breathtaking, dramatic scene.
How could one describe this feeling?
How could one put this emotion into words?
She, radiant among the outstanding.
The girl extended her hand, speaking those deceptively simple words—Friend A.
———————————————————————
Seeing the exquisitely drawn panel, Tanaka's heart, lonely for over ten years, stirred slightly.
But...
"Damn it! How could it end here?!"
Tanaka was furious.
Just when the protagonist was about to start playing the piano, the chapter cut off?!
"Sensei's cliffhanger skills are god-tier!"
No matter how frustrated he was, an ending was an ending.
He had no choice but to wait for next week.
"I miss last year's format where they released the volume before serializing!"
That way, he wouldn't have to suffer through weekly updates!
———————————————————————
Online, under Akifumi's SNS posts, fans flooded the comments after reading the latest chapter:
———————————————————————
"Your Lie In April is amazing! I love Sensei's style!"
"That scene with Kaori under the cherry blossoms felt like a romance moment!"
"'Friend A' is such an interesting name!"
"Kousei is finally going to play the piano! I can't wait!"
"Sensei, please release the volume first! Weekly updates are torture!"
"Begging for a volume release!!"
———————————————————————
Initially, fans discussed the plot, but soon, the entire comment section was filled with demands for a volume release.
Had Akifumi seen this, he would've been speechless.
Unexpectedly, that evening...
"You're suggesting we release the volume first?!"
Hearing the proposal over the phone, Akifumi was surprised.
He had considered it before but put it off due to his busy schedule and the new project.
Now that the publisher was suggesting it, he was tempted.
"Actually," the editor explained, "we received many requests for this, but we didn't bring it up before since we knew you were busy."
"But now, with fans' demand rising, we wanted to see if you'd be interested."
Looking at Akifumi's past works, he have Madoka Magica, which was adapted into a manga from the original anime, Anohana, which was exclusively an anime in the original to a manga.
But Your Lie In April?
It stands out as the most "make over" of them all.
'Your Lie In April' manga consists of 44 chapters, each spanning over 40 pages.
If we publish them as volumes with around 180 pages each, that means the full series will be completed in 11 volumes.
In Weekly Shonen Jump, manga chapters are serialized in 20-page increments, and as of now, the series is only up to Chapter 5—halfway through what would be the third chapter of the original story.
That leaves just four more chapters before Volume 1 is complete.
So…
"I'm more than happy to have the series published as a collected volume," Akifumi said with a smile.
Editor Mihari let out a small sigh of relief—until Akifumi continued:
"But just releasing Volume 1 alone feels a little… underwhelming, don't you think?"
Akifumi may have only had one completed chapter in reserve, but it wasn't for finishing Volume 1.
Many might forget, but serialized manga artists usually keep a three-chapter buffer to account for unexpected delays.
What Mihari was suggesting—publishing the first volume—actually meant dipping into that reserve.
However, for Akifumi, that "buffer" didn't count as a real stockpile.
What he had in mind?
Was Volume 2.
"Huh!?" Mihari froze for a moment before her brain caught up. Her voice involuntarily rose.
"Wait… are you saying—?!"
"Well, we've done this before, haven't we?"
"A simultaneous two-volume release… again?" Mihari let out a resigned chuckle.
The last time he pulled this stunt was with Anohana, wasn't it?
But back then, Volume 1 had already finished serialization in the magazine, so they were only rushing to put together Volume 2.
This time?
They were aiming for a two-volume release from the start.
This was nuts.
Shaking her head, Mihari muttered, "I'll have to run this by Chief Editor Minano."
"After all, I'm just a lowly editor—I can't make this call."
Of course, given how much Minano doted on Akifumi, she'd probably approve it without a second thought.
Still, procedures were procedures.
"I'll leave it in your hands, Editor-san."