"Sensei, even if you don't have a new story yet, at least come say hi!"
"+1"
"."
Akifumi couldn't help but grin.
"Well, since you're all so impatient, don't blame me when I hit you with the big guns."
He already had a plan in mind.
His fingers flew over his phone screen at lightning speed.
Check. Send.
A new post appeared:
"Yo, long time no see, everyone! It looks like you've all missed me a lot~"
"Yeah, yeah, I knowit's been way too long since my last update."
"But hey, what can I say? Madoka Magica and Anohana are still running in the magazine. I can't exactly skip the serialization stage and just drop the tankbon volumes, right?"
"Alright, fine, you got me. "
"I may have been slacking off a little."
"But come on, can you blame me? School events like the sports festival and cultural festival kept piling upI couldn't just ignore those and lock myself in a room to write!"
"But now that all of that is over, and with Madoka Magica and Anohana reaching their final chapters, it's time for a new announcement!"
"December 1st. Mark your calendars."
"Okay, okay, I can't spill all the details yetcompany rules and all. But on that day, I promise to drop a special gift for all of you!"
"I've spent over a month preparing it, and I guarantee it'll be worth the wait!"
"On top of that, signed collector's editions of Madoka Magica and Anohana, along with exclusive merch, will go live on December 1st at 8 PM!"
"So be sure to keep an eye out!"
"Oh, and of course, the big reveal for my new project will happen at the same time."
"Stay tuned!"
"That's all for now! Hope you're all excited!"
He read it over once more before hitting send.
It looked like he had shared a lot, but in reality, he had barely given them any real information.
That was the trickdrop just enough hints to keep them intrigued.
Throw in a freebie to raise their enthusiasm, and the hype would naturally reach its peak.
Even though Akifumi had never worked in this industry before, he had seen enough to know the game.
And just as expected, the fans' reactions flooded in almost immediately.
"HE'S BACK!!! "
"Good news: Sensei finally posted an update. Bad news: He didn't tell us what the new project is."
"As long as you're alive, there's still hope!!"
Akifumi grinned. "Well then let's see how well you guys can handle this."
[129] If Happiness Had a Color
Meanwhile, Akifumi's social media account had been on fire ever since.
"December 1st, huh? That's just a few days away! We've waited this longwhat's two more days?"
"Exactly! Looking forward to the new work from sensei!!"
"But hey, does anyone remember the last time sensei gave us a 'gift'? I have a bad feeling about this..."
"Last time? You mean Anohana? Secret Base?"
"Ahhhh!! Those painful memories are coming back all at once!!"
"Wait... don't tell me this time will be the same!?"
"Wake up, people! What's there to be afraid of? Last time, it was because Anohana was releasing, but this time? We already know how Madoka and Anohana ended. There's nothing left to fear, right?"
"Yeah! No way sensei would drop another tearjerker song before we even see the new work!"
"Exactly! The reason that song hit so hard last time was because it fit Anohana so well. If we haven't even read the new story, how are we supposed to cry over it?"
"Logical take. So, I think we can safely look forward to this 'mystery gift'!"
"Honestly, I'm more excited about getting a signed collector's edition!"
"Same here! I missed the last eventstill regretting it!"
"At least you didn't go and leave empty-handed like me!"
"Bro, that's tragic."
"December 1st? Just checkedit's a Friday. Perfect!"
"Even if I have to pull an all-nighter, I'm staying up for this!"
The comments section was buzzing with excitementeveryone was eagerly counting down the days.
Meanwhile, in a cozy living room
"Mugiho-kun I saw you posting about writing a light novel?" Mahiru asked curiously, sitting primly on the couch.
Beside her is Yor, who had been listening in silence, subtly perked up her ears.
"You saw my post?" Akifumi nodded. "Now that i think about it, both of you know I'm always writing the new novel barely take a day off."
"That is true, but that doesn't mean we know what it's about!" Mahiru tilted her head. "So, what's the theme for your first light novel?"
Akifumi thought for a moment before answering, "Humans and nature."
On the surface, it might sound simple.
But at its core, WorldEnd explored the fundamental relationship between mankind and the world itself.
In this story, celestial beingsStar Godsarrived on Earth.
Some of them, weary from their endless journey, chose to settle here.
They crafted human bodies as vessels, using the spirits of native beasts as their souls.
Time passed, and as the human population grew, the number of souls increased, but the physical shells remained limited.
Desperate to survive, humanity sought a solution. Warriors were chosen, driven by the noble cause of saving their people.
They waged war against the Star Gods, hoping to seize control of the "shells" for themselves.
But before their plan could even be set in motion, they were wiped out by the very creatures they once were.
In the end, humanity perishednot by the hands of an external enemy, but by their own ambition.
What does it truly mean to coexist with nature?
Mahiru blinked, confused. "....??"
Akifumi chuckled. "In short, it's a touching story."
"Touching...?" Mahiru frowned. "Mugiho-kun, can't you ever write something happy?"
Mugi-kun smiled. "Only when people experience despair do they truly learn to appreciate hope."
"So that's how you see things, huh?" Mahiru mused. "Then I guess we're in for another unforgettable story."
"Of course."
Yor hesitated before raising her hand. "Um sorry, but what exactly are you two talking about?"
Akifumi turned to her. "Light Novel."
Mahiru looked at Yor curiously. "Do you like light novel?"
Yor tilted her head. "What's light novel?"
Silence.
The room fell into a stunned pause.
Mahiru hesitated before cautiously asking, "Uh Yor-san, what do you usually do in your free time?"
It was one thing to not read manga.
But to not even know what light novel was? That was on a whole different level.
'This clueless assassin.' Akifumi sighed internally.
This pretty much confirmed everything he had suspected about her.
"Is it weird not to know?" Yor asked innocently.
That simple question caused Mahiru to suddenly reconsider her own perspective.
Novel was incredibly popular, yes. But was it really that strange for someone to not know about it?
What was considered "common sense" to one person might be completely foreign to another.
Like a person riding the subway for the first timeeverything about it would feel exciting and new.
But for someone who took the train daily, it was just another routine part of life.
Realizing this, Mahiru quickly shook her head. "No, it's not weird at all! Let me explain"
As she patiently broke it down for Yor, Akifumi watched with amusement.
'What a kind girl,' he thought.
Of course, the reality was Yor not knowing about light novel was less about innocence and more about how utterly detached she was from normal society.
A few days passed, and after getting a crash course in manga, Yor was successfully pulled into the world of 2D.
Naturally, that also meant she ended up crying over Madoka Magica and Anohana.
Meanwhile, with just eight days left until December 1st, Akifumi posted an update announcing the release of WorldEnd — Chapter 3.
The moment the news broke, the internet went wild.
Debates reignited. Was this the "Publisher Trying to create a God"?
At first, Machida Sonoko had been thrilled by the buzz. But as speculation intensified, she started feeling the pressure.
After all, their agreement was that Akifumi identity would remain a secret.
If this kept up, it was only a matter of time before people started demanding answers.
"Well," Akifumi shrugged, "once the manga is out, we can just reveal everything."
"If anything, this experience will make it easier for me to start new projects in the future. Plus, it's a great way to funnel manga fans toward my light novels."
Hearing this, Machida finally let out a relieved sigh.
Akifumi, meanwhile, reviewed the final video for his upcoming reveal.
With a satisfied smile, he murmured, "The last piece of the puzzle is in place."
And just like that, December 1st arrived.
Despite bookstores stocking up in advance, WorldEnd — Volume 3 still sold out almost immediately.
Those who managed to get a copy proudly showed off their purchase. Those who didn't took to the internet to vent their frustration.
Time ticked by.
Then, at exactly 8 PM
Every 'Warrior of Love and Hope' fans held their breath as they refreshed the page.
A video appeared.
The title?
"If happiness had a color, what color would it be?"
A strange sense of unease crept up their spines.
And without knowing it, they were about to be swept up in the storm that was WorldEnd.
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[130] Unattainable Happiness
8:00 PMthis time is somewhat symbolic.
For many readers who purchased the third volume of WorldEnd, it's likely they haven't finished reading it yet.
After all, light novels mostly appeal to students, and these students often have various interests.
At this time, many are probably just putting down their chopsticks after dinner, maybe getting ready to flip through a few dozen pages.
For a small number of working professionals, after a busy week, if they don't have any social obligations at this time, they're likely just getting back to their tiny rented apartments.
They might have a moment to relax, settle down, and carefully read the book.
However, for those diehard fans, the ones who live and breathe love and hope, the overlap of passion and anticipation creates a kind of torment.
They want to be the first to know the latest news and receive the gifts from their beloved author, but they also want to dive straight into reading the third volume of WorldEnd without delay.
After weighing it out, the craving for the newest information and the gifts ultimately wins.
How can something that's called latest news be delayed?
If they miss it this time, who knows when the next opportunity will come to get a rare gift from the author?
But the WorldEnd book has already been bought, right?
Even if they delay by 10 minutes or half an hour, they can always stay up a bit to finish reading later.
Besides, they don't have school tomorrow.
For those fans outside of these two categories, it's even easier.
Just go straight to the social media platforms and enjoy the event.
Unless there's something else to do, why miss out on this grand occasion when they can just check their phones?
So, when the clock struck 8:00 PM, 60% of the over one million followers were eagerly waiting.
That's an incredibly high percentage.
As expected, the update arrived right on timeat exactly 8:00 PM! It was a video.
The video's title was:
"If Happiness Had a Color, What Would It Be?"
A sense of unease surged in the fans' hearts.
But as the saying goes, "Since we've already waited this long, why not click and see?"
The video started, and after a brief blackout, the silhouette of a red-haired girl appeared.
She stood on a high platform, almost like a warship.
The scene quickly shifted to a bloodied red-haired figure, lying on the ground, her gender unclear, her voice full of agony.
"Chtholly, stop! Don't go!
"We'll fight you battle, too!"
"That's why ,if you don't have to fight anymore, then don't!"
"Now that you can be happy, then go and be happy!"
"If you do, we won't be able to accept it!"
The camera returned to the girl's earlier silhouette.
A young girl with fiery red hair, dressed in black imperial military attire, her long hair flowing wildly in the wind, her face expressionless.
From her profile, her eyes seemed hollow, devoid of any emotion.
The screen froze for a few seconds.
Then, a deep, emotionless female voice said, "Sorry."
"I definitely can't find happiness anymore."
Her words, though plain, carried a sense of finalitythe girl truly had no chance of ever finding happiness.
A nameless sorrow began to stir.
But her monologue continued.
"Because I've already realized."
"I"
"I have already been surrounded by happiness."
But unlike the words she spoke, her delicate face showed no joy.
Her red eyes, empty like a lifeless doll.
As the words ended, the girl no longer hesitated.
She fell from the platform, her body diving straight toward the earth below.
Above her, the dimming sunset cast a mournful glow over the clouds.
In this vast, gloomy sky, the girl was just a tiny speck falling from the high platform, her descent toward the ground inevitable.
The screen turned black, and then brightened again.
A beautiful girl with blue hair, draped in a black cloak, appeared in a small alley.
She turned slightly, and in the distance, a man, barely visible in a gray cloak, stood.
As the camera zoomed out, large gray-and-white buildings came into view, while a hauntingly beautiful saxophone played softly in the background.
With each passing second, the song grew louder.
As the images flickered, various characters, dressed in different styles, appeared in quick succession.
The melancholic saxophone played on.
The music continued to rise, and the fans watching the video felt a wave of sorrow rising in their hearts.
Then, the first line of dialogue appeared:
("Are you going to Scarborough Fair?")
The strange figures on the street watched the blue-haired girl and the man, who were holding hands, running through the streets.
("Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme.")
In the floating city, facing the sunset, the couple's silhouette lengthened, as if whispering to each other, or perhaps simply enjoying this fleeting moment of peace.
("Remember me to one who lives there.")
Suddenly, the blue-haired girl stepped onto the stream, running forward while wielding a glowing blue sword.
In an instant, the scene shifted to the battlefield at dusk, where the red-haired girl appeared, wielding a red sword, slaying enemies one after another.
