The downside? Even if they scrape together every last bit of cash they have, they might still not be able to buy all the things they want!
"I got it," Akifumi replied.
"Be sure to thank Editor-in-Chief Minano for me."
"Don't worry, just focus on creating a great work. I'll handle the behind-the-scenes stuff for you."
"That really makes me feel at ease" Akifumi said with a smile.
"Well, of course!" Editor Mihari chuckled. "I've learn a lot during this time, too!"
At that moment, Akifumi casually added, "Of course, it's also thanks to Minano-san being behind you, right?"
"...What do you mean by that?"
"Are you saying I wouldn't be reliable without Minano-san behind me?!"
Akifumi laughed awkwardly.
"I mean, it's just Minano-san support is essential, right?"
Mihari sighed.
"Anyway, without Minano-san, Madoka Magica wouldn't even be able to release in August! and I wasn't joking about that."
"I didn't think you were," Akifumi replied, amused.
"I'll definitely remember your help, Otosuna-san. Next time, I'll treat you to a big meal."
"Now that's more like it!" Mihari nodded in satisfaction.
"By the way, make sure to announce this news on SNS and to your fans. We'll be doing a simultaneous promotional push on our end."
"Got it."
"By the way, Akifumi-sensei, any interest in holding a book signing event?"
A book signing event in this heat? Even in a mall with air conditioning, it's going to be unbearably hot, right?
He didn't really mind, but if too many fans showed up and the line stretched outside the mall, he'd feel guilty if anyone fainted from the heat!
And besides, this is the final volume of Madoka Magica! The first volume barely got by with a single character deathfans were already sending death threats.
Who knows what might happen with this second volume?
"Well" Akifumi hesitated. "Isn't it a bit soon for a book signing right after the second volume's release?"
Mihari didn't catch the hint. "Nah, not at all. Actually, we could've held a signing for the first volume, but considering you had school, we didn't push it."
Akifumi sighed. "Let me think about it."
"Sure thing."
Book signings didn't require as much preparation as a book release, so they could pull it off within a few days' notice.
They chatted a bit more before Akifumi ended the call.
Time really flies. It feels like summer just started, but now it's already halfway through.
He opened his phone and checked SNS, where he saw fans eagerly commenting.
"Where has sensei been lately? So quiet."
"I miss last month when there was a new post every day!"
"I'm dying without Madoka Magica from sensei!"
"I can't survive without Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai from sensei!"
"Didn't sensei say that Madoka Magica Volume 2 would be out in August? July is almost over, and we haven't heard anything!"
"Looks like Madoka Magica Volume 2 is getting delayed!"
"That's a lie, it's all a scam!"
Akifumi couldn't help but roll his eyes. These fans, talking nonsense as usual.
Then, he smiled brightly.
"So you want news about Madoka Magica Volume 2, huh? Don't worry, I'll give it to you right now."
His hands moved quickly, and soon a long post appeared. After a quick check, he hit send.
"Hello, everyone! How's your summer going?"
"Did you go out with anyone special? In this scorching heat, did you go to the beach or pool with friends? Or maybe you went on a summer vacation with family?"
"Just thinking about it sounds amazing!"
"Too bad for mewhile everyone else is out enjoying their vacation, I'm stuck at home drawing. Otherwise, my editor would come at me with a knife! Shudders"
"I work hard during the school year, and now I can't even relax during summer break. Q_Q"
"But I chose this path, so I guess I'll just have to endure it."
"Anyway, enough with the whining! Here's the big news you've all been waiting for!"
"That's right! Drumroll, please! Madoka Magica Volume 2 is officially will be coming out!!"
"What? Didn't we already say that? Hold on, don't worrylet me reveal the exact date."
"It's coming on the 1st of next month! Isn't that a surprise?"
"Honestly, when I first heard the news, I couldn't believe it either, but it's true! I made my editor confirm it three timesonce might've been a mistake, but surely the editor wouldn't get it wrong three times, right?"
"Before I go, I want to give a huge thanks to the two editors who've supported me since the start!"
"And lastly, I'm probably a bit full of myself here, but I'm confident that Madoka Magica Volume 2's story will not disappoint!!"
"Who is Kyubey really? What's their true purpose? What's the fate of Sayaka and Kyoko? What's the real plan of Homura Akemi? And what wish will Madoka make for herself?"
"Oops, I think I might've spoiled too much."
"But hey, if it gets you excited, then it's all good!"
"That's all for nowhope you're as excited as I am! And of course, thanks again for your continued support of my work, including Madoka Magica and Ano Hi Mita Hana no Namae wo Bokutachi wa Mada Shiranai! Thank you so much!!"
After hitting send, Akifumi refreshed his page and smiled, seeing the flood of responses from his fans.
[080] Pain, Unbearable Pain!! [30 PS]
"Last night I sleep really well!"
Tanaka woke up groggy, a satisfied smile lingering on his face.
An entire summer vacation...
It was the first time he'd had such a perfect chance to relax!
With both parents out of the house, it meant one thing:
Freedom!
A private home, just for him!
"Is too bad..."
Even though he was young, he hadn't managed to stay up all night.
What time did he crash? 4 a.m.? Maybe 5?
He couldn't remember.
Grabbing his phone, he checked the time12:30 p.m.
Ah, youth. Just a few hours of sleep, and he was fully recharged, brimming with energy.
"Good thing my parents didn't call to check in."
If they had, nothing could've woken him up in that state.
Explaining it later would've been bad, his mom will kill him.
He made instant noodles and brushed his teeth while waiting.
His stomach growled.
After all, he'd played game the entire night without eating breakfast. Feeling hungry was only natural.
But...
"I felt like I forgot about something... What was it?"
As the noodles cooked, Tanaka opened his phone's notes appnothing.
"That is weird. I was sure it was something important... Why can't I remember it?"
He frowned, thinking hard.
What was it?
He was obsessing over it before going to sleep, and staying up last night was partly because of that.
Why couldn't he recall it now?!
Then his eyes inadvertently caught the date: August 1st.
Whoa, was summer vacation already halfway over?
Oh well, July was unbearable anywayAugust was a welcome change...
Suddenly, Tanaka's eyes widened as the forgotten memory came flooding back.
"August 1st... Volume 2 of Madoka Magica releases today!"
"Crap!!"
He clutched his head, howling in anguish.
He had planned it perfectly: Stay up all night, go to the bookstore first thing in the morning, grab Volume 2, read it, and then crash.
Now that flawless plan was in shamblesall because he overslept!
The regret was suffocating.
"Well..."
Tanaka sighed. "Forget it."
It was already past noon; the perfect plan had flaws now.
Being a little late didn't matter anymore.
First, food.
He should've felt lucky for waking up late.
After all...
If he had read Volume 2, sleeping would've been a whole other problem.
Twenty minutes later, with stomach full, Tanaka bolted out the door to the nearest bookstore.
"Do you have Madoka Magica Volume 2?"
The shopkeeper, barely lifting his head, lazily replied, "Nope."
"??"
Tanaka couldn't believe it. "What do you mean no?! It's such a hot series!"
"Why run a bookstore if you don't want money?"
The shopkeeper smirked.
"Kid, I'll throw that question right back at youwhy want it if you're coming so late?"
"You think I'm lazy? I hadn't even opened the store this morning, and people were already camping outside."
"Within 30 minutes, every copy was gone."
"Of course I stocked upit just sold out that fast."
What?!
Were people seriously that crazy?
Camping outside before opening and clearing out an entire store in under half an hour?!
[TL Note You never know how much passion otaku in Japan have..]
Even wild animals don't go that hard!
Tanaka wanted to call the shopkeeper's story nonsense but then remembered his own plan.
Had he not fallen asleep, he would've left at 8 a.m. himself.
"Damn... they thought the same thing as me!"
Teeth gritted, he turned to leave.
The shopkeeper called out.
"Looking for other stores?"
Tanaka's face gave it away.
"Don't bother. Every store with stock has already sold out."
"If you really want it, wait for the second shipment."
"When's that?"
"With Shueisha's efficiency? Probably by noon tomorrow."
Tomorrow in noon?!
Tanaka's face darkened.
That might as well be never!
Waiting until tomorrow? Was he supposed to die out of frustration?!
No way.
Tanaka stormed out.
If this store didn't have it, maybe some other store would.
But experience proved the shopkeeper is right.
Tanaka searched every nearby bookstore under the blazing sun.
The only thing he gained was drenched clothes and the same answer: "Wait until tomorrow."
"DAMN IT!!"
He roared in powerless fury.
Was he really going to give up?!
Desperation lit a spark in his brain, spinning faster than it ever did during exams.
Then
"I know!"
Tanaka's eyes gleamed as two familiar faces appeared in his mind: Tadakuni and Tabata!
Maybe... just maybe...
With trembling hands and a racing heart, he dialed.
Tadakuni answered, sounding half-dead, like a fish without a dream.
"Tanaka? What's up?"
"Madoka Magica Volume 2! Did you get it?!"
"...!!"
Tadakuni's voice became booming. "Waitdid you miss it?!"
"I overslept! No time for thatdo you have it or not?!"
Tadakuni glanced at the lifeless Tabata sprawled on the tatami like a corpse, his soul visibly drifting out.
"Tanaka? Is that you?" Tabata whispered faintly.
At his feet, the coveted Madoka Magica Volume 2 lay scattered across the floor.
A sinister smile spread across Tadakuni's face.
"I have it~"
His voice dripped with false sweetness.
But Tanaka, overjoyed by the confirmation, missed the ominous tone.
"You're at home? Don't move! I'm coming right now!!"
"I'll be waiting~"
After hanging up, Tadakuni's smile vanished.
He glanced at the "corpse" on the floor, dragged it to another room, and tidied up.
Looking at the ominous manga on the floor, he muttered,
"Don't blame me, Tanaka... You chose this fate."
With a wicked grin, he whispered:
"Kehehehe."
Ten minutes later.
Thudding footsteps.
The door flew open.
A sweat-soaked Tanaka stood there, eyes glowing green, and hands outstretched.
"Quick where is it!"
"Give me Madoka Magica! I can't wait another second!"
"Tch."
Tadakuni reluctantly handed over the manga.
"Heretake it already."
[081] Yandere Reader [40 PS]
"Yes, Yes, Yesssss!!"
Tanaka let out an excited howl.
"I've wandered aimlessly for half my life without a guiding leader. If you're willing to accept me, I'd like to swear loyalty as your adopted son!"
"Good boy," Shihara amused reply.
"By the way, how's the second volume? Is it good?"
"Good?"
"Heh."
Shihara let out a cold laugh. "Are you doubting love and hope sensei?"
"No, no! It's just a polite question, I swear!"
"Although I hate spoiling things, I can say one thing for surethis work is god-tier material!" Shihara's gaze grew distant, tinged with meaning.
"God-tier!?"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa!! Incredible! As expected from sensei!"
Tanaka's faith was unshakable. Like a devoted disciple, he carefully opened the first page of the manga with reverence.
Shihara wiped the grin off his face and stared at Tanaka with a blank expression. Deep down, he added silently:
"Yeah, it's god-tierbut it also goes completely insane."
Two hours flew by.
"Nooooooo!!"
Tanaka's despair echoed through the room. His face twisted into an expression of pure trauma, color draining until he collapsed dramatically onto the tatami floor, mimicking a certain meme-worthy anime character.
Shihara couldn't hold back anymorehe burst out in wild laughter.
"Hahahahaha!!"
After a while, the laughter subsided. A twisted expression appeared on Shihara's face.
"No, no... this won't do!"
"How can such a masterpiece be experienced by just the three of us!?"
"This... this must be shared with more people!"
[TL Note Damn it this guy is a fucking legend lol]
Shihara whipped out his phone, grinning as he scrolled through his friends list.
.......
Meanwhile, in a luxurious mansion elsewhere...
On a grand bed lay a girl with doll-like features. Her beautiful eyes had lost all their light.
Beside her, Hayasaka Ai anxiously shook the young lady.
But there was no response.
"I can't believe that manga made her look like she'd been emotionally demolished by a dragon," Ai muttered, casting a wary glance at the manga beside Kaguya.
In her imagination, dark energy seemed to coil ominously around the book.
"This thing's cursed," she thought.
Just as Ai was lost in thought, Kaguya suddenly sat up, black hair obscuring her face. Her voice was ghostly:
"Hayasaka..."
"!!"
Ai snapped her head around. "Young Lady?"
"Are the one-ton blades still in storage?"
??
What the-!?
Ai stiffened, forcing herself to reply, "Yes, Young Lady."
"You've already tracked down the Warrior of Love and Hope's address, haven't you?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Kaguya nodded, her voice icy and bone-chilling. "Send all the blades to him."
Ai's years of stoic training nearly shattered at that moment.
"...Young Lady, are you serious?"
"Mm?"
"I understand."
This beautiful, chaotic woman... Ai's fists clenched involuntarily.
Back online, SNS users were in chaos.
"God, it's all gone... my sanity... hahahahaha..."
"Why did I think Volume 2 would have a happy turn around? I'm such a fool!"
"So this is how Sayaka and Kyoko's story ends!? Damn you, author! Thanks a lot!"
"They were so close to becoming friends... Why did it have to end like that!?"
