"Even if I wanted that limited-edition figure of my favorite character, I should at least think about my financial situation!"
He tossed the wrapper into a nearby trash can and sighed deeply.
Being friends with someone like Aki Tomoya, the ultimate otaku, didn't require much imagination to figure out the original body's interests.
Thanks to this, even though the original was good-looking and had excellent grades, he had very few friends.
Even though anime was a major part of Japan's economy, being an open otaku still made him a target for some discrimination.
Though, he did receive a few love letters.
Unfortunately, back then, all he cared about was his "waifu," so he just tossed the letters without a second thought.
"At least check who it's from first... and see if they're attractive!"
Akifumi Mugiho shook his head. He realized he was still too young back then.
"I wonder when I'll get any news about the manga"
"I need to finish the next two chapters when I get home."
His goal was to have at least three chapters ready for serialization in the magazine. After all, anything could happen during serialization, so it was always best to have a buffer.
That was the publisher's rule.
Besides...
"The high-energy moments in Madoka Magica only start in the third chapter!"
Thinking of the scenes in his mind, Akifumi Mugiho smiled.
As for being broke and wondering how to survive for the next two weeks...
Well, he could either borrow some money from a friend or ask his parents for a little extra.
Anyway, working a part-time job was out of the question.
He wasn't desperate yet, so there was no need to make things harder on himself.
...
When Akifumi Mugiho arrived at class, there were still more than 10 minutes before class started.
Being an invisible presence in the class, no one paid much attention to him.
Except...
"I thought you got into car accident last week?"
[006] A Sincere Apology Should at Least Show Some Effort, Right?
The girl's light and airy tone had a strange calming effect, making it hard not to feel relaxed just by listening.
Her words sounded sharp on the surface, but there was an unmistakable hint of care beneath her calm demeanor.
As Akifumi Mugiho sat down, he turned to the girl on his right and smiled.
"Kato, are you worried about me?"
Wait... was it Kato who took me to the infirmary back then?
Akifumi Mugiho stood at 177 cmquite a bit taller than the typical 170 cm average in Japanand even with a lean build, he weighed over 130 pounds.
Anyone who's ever helped a drunk person knows how exhausting it can be.
What happen if the person is completely unconscious? It's just become a pure torture.
At least you can toss a sack of rice that heavy onto your shoulder.
But carrying a person on your shoulder and marching forward? What is Kato, a superhero?
"So you just happened to see me then?"
"Akifumi, you might not know this," Kato said calmly.
"Even if I saw a stray puppy abandoned on the side of the road, I'd still buy it a sausage from the convenience store."
Her tone remained perfectly flat.
"Considering we've known each other for almost a year, I guess our relationship is a bit better than that of a random stray puppy, right?"
"Taking three days off for something sad like thatchecking in on you seems pretty normal to me."
"But judging from how you look now, you're fine."
"Good to know"
Her analogy left Akifumi Mugiho with complicated feelings.
Wait... did she just compare me to an abandoned puppy?
Is she secretly this dark-hearted?
No, that can't be right. Probably just my imagination.
Akifumi Mugiho didn't have many friends.
Few none.
And the girl sitting beside him, Megumi Kato, was one of those rare friends.
They became friends for a simple reason.
As fellow "invisible people" in class, Akifumi Mugiho had struck up a conversation with her out of a sense of camaraderie.
Things naturally progressed from there.
At least, that's what he used to think.
But now that he'd regained memories from a past lifeand knowing Kato's portrayal in animehe couldn't help but reconsider.
"Did we really become friends just because I made the first move?"
If you think about it, this girl was already used to being alone.
There's no way she'd connect with someone just because they were both "invisible."
Wait.
Friends?
Akifumi Mugiho thought back carefully.
Neither of them had ever explicitly said they were friends.
"Wow, was I really living the stereotypical anime otaku protagonist life back then?"
He sighed inwardly, looking genuinely puzzled.
"Has it already been a year? Is that all our relationship amounts to?"
"I thought we were friends, Kato."
Kato froze, her usually expressionless face showing a hint of surprise.
She reached out and touched his forehead.
Akifumi Mugiho batted her hand away, annoyed. "What are you doing?"
"Checking for a fever." Kato tilted her head thoughtfully. "So..."
"Was last week just too stressful for you?"
"...," Akifumi Mugiho rolled his eyes.
"Don't joke around."
"Are you gonna ask me what I think defines a friend now?"
"Why would I say that?" Kato tilted her head, her voice calm yet amused.
"Even if someone doesn't have friends, saying something like that is way too twisted, don't you think?"
Somewhere, a certain girl name after snow sneezed, rubbed her nose, and looked confused.
"Did I catch a cold from kicking off the covers last night?"
Ignoring that particular girl...
Kato nodded thoughtfully. "You're right."
"We've known each other long enoughI'd say we're friends."
She lifted her head, her clear gaze meeting Akifumi Mugiho's bright eyes.
"I'm sorry about earlier, Akifumi. I misspoke."
"Kato!" Akifumi Mugiho's tone turned serious. "That apology lacked sincerity!"
"Eh?"
"If you really want to show sincerity, at least show your boouh, your stomach!"
Realizing that saying the wrong thing might sink their fragile friendship boat, Akifumi Mugiho quickly reined himself in.
"Is that so...?"
Kato remained expressionless. "I can't believe you want to see a girl's stomach. Akifumi, you're such a perv."
"Tch." Akifumi Mugiho clicked his tongue.
"Kato! If you're upset, at least show some emotion!"
"Huh?"
Even Kato was stunned.
He's upset over that?
Akifumi Mugiho really is a strange guy.
Whether it was noticing someone like me or taking the initiative to be friends...
"Oh, right, Kato."
"Hmm?"
"Did you see who carried me to the infirmary that day? I want to thank them in person."
[007] Cute...
"She didn't see it?"
Akifumi Mugiho thought back to the girl's response before class.
There was no doubt about it.
"That was obviously a lie."
From her previous apology and their year-long friendship, it was clear they had formed a strong bond.
If the situation were reversed, and Akifumi Mugiho saw Kato collapse unexpectedly, would he just stand by and do nothing? Obviously not.
"So why did she lie to me?"
The reason wasn't hard to figure out.
"Does she not want me to know who it was?"
But then, another question popped up:
"Why wouldn't she want me to know?"
Akifumi Mugiho rubbed his chin, confusion evident on his face.
Bang.
The crisp sound echoed through the now-silent classroom, cutting through the air.
Pfft.Hahaha.
A few students couldn't hold back and burst into laughter.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Then came a series of sharp, rhythmic noises.
The ones who had been laughing were now wincing.
"Ow! That hurts!"
As if contributing to global warming with their chaos, they grumbled quietly.
Akifumi Mugiho, the first victim, rubbed his head.
Seeing the others suffer the same fate made him smile. Even the pain on his forehead felt less intense.
"What is so funny, Akifumi?"
A deep voice cut through the room, dripping with anger.
Akifumi Mugiho's expression turned serious. He grabbed the white "bullet" from the desk and stood up immediately and salute.
"Reporting to Cut-Hiratsuka-sensei! It's Not funny at all!!"
Phew, that was close. He almost blurted out "Cute Shizuka".
Standing before him was a woman with long black hair and delicate features that could rival any fictional heroine. However, the frostiness on her face slightly marred her beauty, adding a layer of intimidation.
Still, even like this...
"Cute, I want"
"Hmm?"
Shizuka's eyes narrowed dangerously.
Akifumi Mugiho immediately shook off the inappropriate thought.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, I was wrong!"
To avoid Shizuka's signature iron fist, Akifumi Mugiho swiftly confessed his sins.
"I shouldn't have spaced out in class!!"
Hiratsuka-sensei anger softened, and she let out a sigh.
Don't ask why Hiratsuka Shizuka, who should be at Chiba General High, was suddenly here at Toyogasaki in Chiyoda.
Even I don't know it
"Come to my office after class. Now sit down and pay attention."
"Yes, ma'am!"
Yes! No iron fist today!
Sure, he had to visit the office, but that was a small price to pay.
Class ended quickly.
As Hiratsuka-sensei left the room, the class's suppressed energy erupted into lively chatter.
After waiting a minute, Akifumi Mugiho stood up.
"Good luck"
Kato cheerful encouragement earned her a playful eye-roll. Akifumi Mugiho waved dismissively without turning around.
Come on, it's just Hiratsuka-sensei what was there to be afraid of?
At the office door, Akifumi Mugiho took a deep breath and looked down at himself.
Clean clothes? Check.
Not a single wrinkle? Perfect.
All buttons fastened? Excellent.
Looking sharp and confident!
Satisfied, he nodded to himself, knocked on the door, and stepped inside.
"Akifumi! You're here!"
"You feeling okay now?"
"Any discomfort? Want me to talk to Hiratsuka-sensei and get you a couple more days off?"
"..."
The office was bustling with teachers, and their warm greetings made Akifumi Mugiho smile sheepishly as he politely responded.
"I'm fine now."
"If I actually did that, wouldn't Hiratsuka-sensei go berserk?"
Teachers loved good students, and Akifumi Mugiho was one of them.
As last year's top student, his high academic standing earned him their admirationeven if his emotional intelligence was sometimes questionable.
He made his way to Hiratsuka sensei desk.
"Sit."
Akifumi Mugiho obediently took the seat next to her.
She pulled out a cigarette, tapped it on the table, hesitated, and put it back down.
She patted Akifumi Mugiho's shoulder and sighed.
"Life's unpredictable, Akifumi. Sometimes things happen that we can't control."
"No matter how sad it gets, we still have to move forward."
"Akifumi, do you understand what I'm saying?"
Wait... she didn't call him here because he zoned out in class? She was worried about him?
As expected of Hiratsuka-sensei she really was adorable!
A warm feeling spread through Akifumi Mugiho's chest. But waitnow wasn't the time for those thoughts!
"Don't worry, Hiratsuka-sensei! I'm fully back on track now!"
She observed him carefully before nodding.
"Since you say so, I'm relieved."
"Actually, I called you here for another reason."
"Huh?"
"I remember you haven't joined any clubs since last year. Is that right?"
Wait... no way?!
Akifumi Mugiho's heart filled with dread.
He nodded. "That's right."
There was no point in lyingShe could easily check that information.
While admitting it wasn't an issue, it didn't mean Akifumi Mugiho would comply with her expectations.
"Club activities can help develop skills, relieve academic pressure, and improve organizational and communication skills"
Before she could finish, Akifumi Mugiho interrupted:
"Sorry, Hiratsuka-sensei, but I don't have time for club activities right now."
"Because of your studies?"
"That's part of it, but I also have personal reasons."
He spoke with a hint of embarrassment.
"Oh? Personal reasons?" her curiosity was piqued. "Mind sharing?"
At that moment, she seemed less like a teacher and more like a curious girl eager to hear a secret.
Akifumi Mugiho hesitated but then steeled himself.
"Hiratsuka-sensei, you have to promise not to tell anyone!"
His emotional performance was Oscar-worthy.
Hiratsuka chuckled inwardly. Despite his mature demeanor, he was still just a kid.
"Don't worry, I won't tell anyone."
Since it was a private matter, she respected his wish.
Having received her promise, Akifumi Mugiho finally confessed:
"It's because I spend my free time drawing manga. That's why I don't have time for club activities."
[008] Sensei, Are You Trying to Get Free Content from Me?
"Drawing manga?"
Hiratsuka Shizuka blinked, surprised by the unexpected answer.
Then, with a playful tone, she teased, "Don't tell me your career plan is to become a mangaka, Akifumi?"
If this were the previous world, just mentioning manga would naturally bring to mind that one particular country.
And even in this world, manga is still Japan's cultural treasure.
Plus, with strong copyright protection, the industry looks promising on the surface.
But...
Akifumi Mugiho sighed deeply.
"Sensei, being a mangaka isn't something to be taken so lightly."
In the public eye, mangaka seem glamorous, earning millions in royalties and basking in fame.
But if you really think about it, only a handful of names ever consistently make it big.
The rest?
Most struggle just to survive, working part-time at convenience stores and living in tiny, cramped apartments.
That's the harsh reality for most of the industry.
"Huh?"
Wait... did my student just lecture me?
She wasn't angry.
She didn't know much about the manga industry, after all.
But she couldn't help but find it funny.
"Oh? Then why don't you tell me what being a mangaka really means?"
"A mangaka is someone who can make a living drawing manga for their entire life," Akifumi explained.
"Even if you're lucky enough to get serialized in a weekly magazine, you still have to maintain high rankings from reader surveys. If your work isn't popular, you'll get cut without mercy."
"Only if your works consistently sell well, and you keep creating hits,
can you truly live without financial worries."
"Otherwise, you're just a gambler."
The best example? The author of Death Note once joked in another work,
