'Can someone this talented really exist in this world?'
Akifumi, who won the prestigious Tezuka Award right after his first manga debut, followed by a smash-hit single-volume release, which garnered rave reviews.
His second work, which concluded, saw an explosive rise in popularity!
And now, he's branching out into light novels, with a first work that's shockingly polished!
From her perspective, the manuscript was flawless and could be published as-is.
Even top-tier authors sometimes make basic errors that need editing help, and need to adjust their language for the readers' comfort.
This manuscript, though, didn't require any of thatit was already in perfect form.
How is that even possible? Machida could only attribute it to one thing.
'A massive amount of reading, extensive research into works, and an astonishing memory.'
Her thoughts turned to wonder, her earlier surprise now transformed into awe.
"Akifumi-sensei, you must read a lot of light novels, don't you?"
"Since I was a kid, I've been into novels, manga, and anime."
Akifumi sensed the complicated emotions from her but stayed focused.
This was his ambition, after all.
Since he was already framed as a genius, why not embrace it?
No need to leave any flaws to be found and corrected later.
Too much trouble, and it wastes time.
"Machida-san, what do you think of this work?" he asked.
Machida sighed in resignation. "It's amazing."
"It completely exceeded my expectations!"
"Although the story follows a very familiar trope, the tone is consistently melancholic. Readers don't mind familiar plots, though."
"Just like the system stories in online fiction, even after all these years, no one's tired of them."
"What readers truly hate is when someone can't tell a good story with a well-worn concept."
"The plot, dialogue, and characters in this work are all excellently done. It's gripping and captivating."
"Even I, an old editor, can't find many flaws in this first volume."
Mihari, who had just finished reading, overheard Machida's words, and her eyes went wide in surprise.
She wasn't a professional editor, but even she thought the story was pretty good.
What she didn't expect was for it to be so highly rated by an editor.
She couldn't help but ask, "You mean, this work can actually be published?"
"Published?" Machida chuckled lightly, shaking her head with a hint of fervor in her eyes.
"What I'm saying is, please, please let me handle this project! This needs to be my responsibility!"
!!
For an editor to be this passionate about a manuscript, it must mean she believes it's destined for success!
Mihari turned to Akifumi with a look that could only be described as awe.
"Is there anything Akifumi-sensei can't do?"
"Oh, there are plenty of things I can't do."
He shrugged casually, then turned to Machida, "It was Minano-san who connected me with you, so this project is yours to manage."
"Thank you."
Machida gave Akifumi a grateful look. While it was Minano who had pushed her to help, getting such a manuscript was a huge favor on Akifumi's part.
After all, Akifumi wasn't just any newcomerhe was the most talented, popular manga artist of the moment.
Given his status, if he didn't want to work with her, he could've easily found someone else.
This 'thank you' was heartfeltit was also an acknowledgment of the favor she owed him.
[109] WorldEnd Set to Release!
"By the way"
"Akifumi-sensei, do you have any special requests for this work?"
Machida's approach was exactly what Akifumi was looking for.
Conversations with smart people are the bestthey just know what needs to be said, and many things don't even need to be mentioned by him.
"I'd like 'WorldEnd' to be on the market as soon as possible."
Machida hesitated for a moment before nodding.
"We'll find an illustrator as soon as possible. Once the illustrations are done, we'll arrange the promotion and release of the first volume right away!"
Akifumi looked at her in confusion.
"Do we really need to look for another illustrator?"
Machida slapped her forehead, realizing her mistake.
How could she make such a rookie error?
Sitting across from such a talent, why would they need someone else?
With a nervous laugh, she quickly covered it up.
"I was just worried you might have other plans and wouldn't have time to do the illustrations yourself."
Akifumi smiled but didn't point out her last bit of stubbornness.
"Actually, I've already completed the illustrations. How soon can we release the first volume?"
"Two weeks?" Machida suggested tentatively, watching his expression for any signs of approval.
When she saw that it wasn't quite satisfactory, she quickly added, "Ten days!"
"Ten days is the fastest. After all, there's promotion to arrange, the company's processes, proofreading, and printing"
"I hope you understand, Akifumi-sensei."
Akifumi nodded. Though he hoped it could be faster, he understood that there were procedures to follow.
[TL Note You think everyone is the flash?]
"Ten days it is. I hope you won't disappoint me, Editor Machida."
"I'll definitely try my best!" Machida Sonoko smiled.
With the level of activity in his comment section, even just a casual mention from him could mobilize many fans.
Let alone if he actively cooperated with promotion!
Akifumi also shared his second request:
"I don't want to use The Warrior of Love and Hope as the title for this work."
"Other than us, I don't want anyone else to know about this."
As far as confidentiality goes, Akifumi had always been indifferent.
After all, keeping secrets didn't really bring him any tangible benefits.
However, if revealing his identity could have negative effects, then that's a different story.
He still remembered how he was criticized when the serialization of Anohana was first announced online.
While it didn't affect his mood, it did bring some unwanted attention.
And explaining or arguing with fans was something he couldn't be bothered with.
He also recalled that when the news of his dual manga projects broke, fans criticized him, and crossing over into light novels... that would make it even worse.
He wasn't just some unknown newbie.
His fans didn't know the full story behind his ability to finish a light novel in just over ten hours and still have time for manga, so what could he say?
It was better to keep things low-key for now.
"Besides, the impact on the fans who don't know the full story will be even worse this time. With my manga, they'll be okay, but jumping into light novels will confuse them even more."
Even Machida Sonoko and Otosuna Mihari were shocked when they first heard the news.
What could he expect from fans who didn't understand?
There was no way they would stay calm about this!
"Exposing the identity would be troublesome. It could even cause a large-scale drop in followers."
Therefore, if he wanted to write a light novel, it would have to be under a new alias.
And as for keeping it a secret from everyonejust to be safe, he had to.
As the saying goes, "Seeing you make money hurts me more than losing money myself."
Given Akifumi's current success, there were certainly people who were jealous and resentful of him.
Even in the comment sections, there were often haters.
The trouble of exposure was laid bare before him, so secrecy was a must.
Machida, who had been in the industry for many years and worked her way up purely through her own abilities, quickly understood Akifumi's reasoning.
After a brief moment of thought, she spoke up:
"I understand about keeping it from everyone else, but the chief editor will eventually know."
Contracts for signing always expose personal details.
With the chief editor's authority, they could easily access an author's contract, and that was something she, as an editor, couldn't stop.
Akifumi understood her reasoning and nodded.
"That's natural."
Machida sighed in relief and smiled.
"So, what name do you intend to use?"
"Shadow."
He had already decided, so there was no hesitation in his response.
"Shadow? Like your own shadow?"
Machida Sonoko muttered to herself, then grinned.
"That's really vivid! I can already picture the fans' faces when they find out the light novel they've been loving was written by the same person as the manga they adore."
Akifumi looked at her in surprise, then shook his head with a smile.
"I hope that day never comes."
He grew serious and said, "Now, I have one last request."
"The manga rights must belong to me!"
It sounded a bit convoluted, but Machida Sonoko quickly understood what he meant.
"You mean for The Warrior of Love and Hope, right?"
"Exactly."
"No problem. I'll draw up a special contract for you," she agreed without hesitation.
For anyone else, this request would be hard to accept, especially since the publisher's main asset is the copyright.
While it wasn't yet at the level where authors lost the rights to their works, issues like manga adaptations, anime rights, and merchandise could all be tightly controlled in contracts.
But since both publishers were under the same company, things would be much easier to handle.
This was why Akifumi didn't bother seeking someone outside the company.
"Then, here's to a smooth collaboration."
"Looking forward to it!"
They exchanged smiles and shook hands.
"I'll take my leave now," Machida Sonoko said.
"After all, you've given me a big task. I can't guarantee I'll finish it in 10 days without putting in the effort!"
Akifumi chuckled. "Thanks for your hard work, Editor Machida."
"From today, I'm under your command, right?"
"Haha, welcome aboard, Akifumi-sensei."
Machida left, and Mihari couldn't help but mutter, "You really are a monster!"
"Thanks for the compliment~"
Mihari rolled her eyes, not admitting she was praising him.
After leaving the restaurant, Machida thought for a moment and then dialed the chief editor's number.
Soon, the phone was answered, and an older voice, tinged with a bit of helplessness, came through.
"Machida-san, it's the weekend, you should take a break."
"Sorry to disturb you, but I've come across well, I should say someone has brought me a work with the potential to be a huge hit. Are you interested in hearing more?"
The chief editor replied seriously, "Oh? Someone brought it to you?"
"You must have heard about the little monster in the manga department. Well, he came to me today with a piece of work that's too good to let go."
"That little monster is the one who draws manga, right?"
"Geniuses have many talents."
"Alright, bring it here for me to take a look."
Done.
[110] "Don't worry, Ive already recommended the Madoka Magica anime to my friends! It's going to be so epic!"
The day after finalizing the agreement with Machida Sonoko, Akifumi received a confirmation from her.
"WorldEnd" would be released on the 11th.
It was a hassle-free resolution to a task that could have been quite complicated, and Akifumi couldn't help but admire her ability to move quickly and decisively!
As for how she managed to make it happen, that wasn't something Akifumi had to worry about.
Soon after, both sides had successfully signed the contract.
Akifumi also cooperated by posting a new update on his social media to promote the upcoming project.
"Honestly, both of my ongoing series are already finished, so why do I feel like I'm posting updates more frequently than ever?! I must be imagining it, right?!"
"Coughs Anyway, enough rambling! Let's get to the main point!"
"First of all, I want to express my deepest thanks to all the fans who came to my signing event yesterday. I want to say once again, from the bottom of my heart: Thank you so much!! It's because of your support that I am where I am today, and I firmly believe that!"
"I also have to apologize to those of you who couldn't get into the store. Your enthusiasm was beyond what I expected! Neither I nor my editor imagined there would be so many people at the event."
"We failed to make sure everyone had a good time, and that's on us. If we ever hold another event like this... though it probably won't happen in the short term... we will make sure to learn from this experience and do better so that every fan leaves satisfied!"
"That's enough about yesterday, let me share some new updates with you all."
"I know some of you were hoping for new details about my upcoming work, but sorry, that's not the case right now."
"The next big thing is that I'll be the illustrator for the light novel 'WorldEnd'?"
"Although both I and the author, Shadow-sensei, are new to this, I've already read his work, and it's fantastic! If you're into light novels, give it a try! I hope you all enjoy it!"
"By the way, the release date for the novel is October 11th. This will be my first time working as an illustrator, and I put a lot of effort into drawing the characters. I really hope you all like what I've done!"
"Also, the Madoka Magica anime will be airing on the 6th of this month! Be sure to tune in!"
"That's all for now! When there's news about the manga, I'll be sure to let you know right here first!"
"As always, thank you so much for your continued support!"
After posting the update, Akifumi couldn't help but smile at the positive responses from fans.
"First! Tears!!!"
"I was so happy to be at the event yesterday! It was amazing to meet such a handsome and kind author!!"
"I'll definitely come to the next signing event!"
"Don't feel bad, sensei! I was just late, so I didn't get in! I'm so sad, though!!"
"The gift from sensei was so interesting, the Madoka Magica figure was so cute!"
"Huh? Are you serious? The gift? I don't think it's interesting at all!"
"I almost forgot, but using the Madoka Magica figure just made me remember that scene!"
"Using? What the heck?"
"Oh, you didn't notice? The gift sensei gave was actually a USB drive! If you pull off Mami's head, you can use it. Guess I'll be using this special version for our upcoming lecture!"
"??"
"Wait, is this the one product sensei had a hand in designing?"
"Everyone, isn't your focus a bit off? 'WorldEnd' light novel comes out on the 11th! It has sensei's illustrations in it, you know?"
"Who cares about that! Not every newbie is as great as our sensei!"
"So you're not going to buy it?"
"No, what I mean is, I've mentally prepared to buy a bunch of toilet paper!"
