"This is Shueisha's recognition of Sensei's talentand our recognition too!"
"And don't forget, Sensei is still in high school! He has decades ahead of him. Just thinking about it makes me excited!"
"Debuting for just six months and achieving this muchthis year is already a perfect success!"
"Anyway, congratulations, Sensei!"
"Congratulations, Sensei!!"
Soon enough, the SNS account was filled with nothing but congratulatory messages.
Akifumi only found out about it the next dayChristmas Daywhen Mihari reminded him.
After all, Akifumi wasn't particularly active in maintaining his account.
He only logged in when there was an announcement to make.
To him, posting updates all the time felt disruptive, much like how he used to follow certain content creators, only to be disappointed when notifications turned out to be pointless chatter or ads instead of new videos.
A few times was fine, but after too many, well anyone who's been there knows the feeling.
Back to the point
As a newcomer, Akifumi never expected such a response from fans after the annual gathering.
Otherwise, he would have posted his thanks right away.
Even though he was a bit late, it wasn't too much of an issue. He quickly typed up a post, added a little extra content, checked it over, and hit send:
"Ahem, everyone, this is a belated thank-you!"
"Well, you all know I only started drawing manga this year."
"While I think I've achieved decent results, I still lack common knowledge in some areaslike not realizing I'd receive so many warm messages after the annual gathering."
"So, my gratitude is a little delayed."
"I hope you'll forgive this newbie for his ignorance!"
"Seriously, thank you all so much for your support, your love for my work, and your warm blessings!"
"This is the best New Year's gift I could ever receive!"
"It gives me the confidence and motivation to keep drawing and creating!"
"One "thank you" isn't enough to express my gratitude, so"
"I've prepared a special New Year's gift for everyone, which will be revealed on December 31st at 8 PM! Be sure to check in on time!!"
"Finally, even if words can't fully express my appreciation, I still want to say this loudly:"
"Thank you all so much for your support!!"
As soon as the post went up, comments flooded in:
"Kukuku, I knew Sensei wouldn't realize!"
"Since you're so sincere, we'll forgive you~ But next time, respond to our expectations sooner! laughs"
"Wait, Sensei has prepared a New Year's gift for us? Exciting!!"
"Brother, wake up! Remember the last two gifts Sensei gave us!!"
"Noooo! I've erased those memories! You can't make me remember!!"
"No way No way! Someone out there actually expects Sensei's gifts to be a good thing!?"
"I mean, yeah, I cried a lot, but we got some great songs out of it. And the last time, we even got an amazing video!"
"That's true but I don't want to cry on New Year's Eve."
"New Year is supposed to be joyful! No matter how much I love and support Sensei, this time, I refuse to accept his gift!!"
"Yeah! A new year should start with happiness!"
Reading through the comments, Akifumi simply chuckled.
They all said they didn't want it, but once he released his "gift," they'd definitely open it without hesitation.
Stepping out of his room, he saw Eriri, Mahiru, and Mashiro in thin sleepwear and greeted them with a smile:
"Morning! And"
"Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas!" x3
As Akifumi took his seat at the dining table, his eyes widened at the sight before hima grand feast, complete with a golden-brown turkey, steaming pancakes, freshly baked croissants, and an array of festive treats laid out in an inviting display.
"Quite the spread for breakfast, huh?" he remarked, raising a brow in amusement.
Mahiru flashed a warm smile. "Well, it is Christmas."
"Oh, and here's your gift, Mugiho-kun." She handed him a neatly wrapped box, tied with a delicate red ribbon.
"Thanks." He accepted it, just as Eriri shoved her own gift into his hands with a huff.
"Here. Thanks for everything this year."
"Wow, Eriri, being so straightforward? That's rare~" Akifumi teased, his lips curling into a smirk.
"Shut up!" Her face turned crimson as she shot him a sharp glare.
"Mugi, here." Mashiro's quiet voice interjected as she presented her own gift.
Unlike the others, it wasn't wrapped. Instead, she held up a framed oil painting, revealing a beautifully painted portrait of the four of them together. The brushwork was exquisite, each stroke capturing their expressions with striking realism and warmth.
"You actually used oil paint!?" Akifumi gasped, his eyes scanning the fine details.
"As expected of Mashiro. It's amazing!" Eriri and Mahiru admired the painting with genuine awe.
Akifumi took a moment to absorb the intricate piece before looking up with a sincere smile. "Thank you, Mashiro. I love it."
Mashiro's pale cheeks tinged pink, but a faint, satisfied smile formed on her lips.
A calm voice, barely above a whisper, wavered slightly. "I really like the gift from Mugi too."
"Huh? What gift from me?" Akifumi blinked in confusion.
Mashiro pondered for a moment, then nodded. "Hmm, no, it wasn't from Mugi. It was from Santa Claus. He left it by my bedside."
"I got one too~" Mahiru chimed in, grinning playfully. "Thanks a lot, Santa!"
"Hmph." Eriri crossed her arms, a smug expression settling on her face. "I was a good kid this year too, so I got a present from Santa!"
But then, as if remembering something crucial, her eyes narrowed. "By the way, where's the gift you prepared for us?"
She held out her hand expectantly, making it very clear she wasn't joking.
Akifumi stared at her blankly, gears turning in his head.
'She's serious about this?!'
Mahiru blinked at Eriri's demand, looking slightly taken aback, while Mashiro tilted her head, her expression as unreadable as ever.
"Mugi, aren't you Santa?"
"??" Eriri's eyes darted between them, confusion spreading across her face like wildfire.
It only took her a few more seconds before realization dawned, and then
"Damn it! You've been fooling me this whole time! I won't let you get away with this!"
Her teary eyes burned with frustration as she stormed out of Akifumi's house, vowing vengeance.
As the door slammed shut, Akifumi let out a wistful sigh, shaking his head. "She's great, isn't she? Even at her age, she's still so sincere and innocent."
If it were anyone else, it might have been strange. But with Eriri, somehow, it just felt right.
Mahiru chuckled softly. "She's adorable."
Mashiro nodded, her voice flat but sincere. "Cute."
A comfortable silence filled the room until Akifumi casually mentioned, "By the way, I need to head to Shueisha later."
Mahiru perked up. "Will you be back for lunch?"
"Should be fine."
"Then we'll wait for you."
"Mugi, come back soon," Mashiro added softly.
A small smile played on Akifumi's lips. "Got it."
At Shueisha, in Matome Minano's office.
The three took their seats.
Akifumi smiled and spoke first. "Merry Christmas, Matome-san."
"Merry Christmas to you too, Akifumi-sensei."
Matome Minano handed over a small package. "Here's a Christmas gift."
"Thank you."
Minano shook her head. "No, I should be the one thanking you."
"You're here about the project from last time, aren't you?"
As expected from someone who became an editor-in-chief at such a young ageher intuition was razor-sharp.
Akifumi chuckled and nodded. "That's right."
"I've finished the script and brought it over for you to review."
"!!"
Mihari sighed in amazement. "What kind of brain do you have? That's way too fast!"
"People are different, and I'm destined to be alone."
"??"
Can you speak normally?!
Mihari looked at Akifumi, baffled.
"If we were both geniuses, maybe I'd just be frustrated that you got ahead of me again, but my instinctual reaction was just pure shock."
"Doesn't that just prove that geniuses are destined to be misunderstood? And isn't a misunderstood person bound to be lonely?"
"...Sorry."
Mihari apologized, then noticed the mischievous smirk on Akifumi's face.
'Wait. He got me again!' Grinding her teeth in frustration, Mihari realized she had been tricked once more.
Minano smiled at their exchange, then finally spoke.
"Looks like I asked the right person for this. Akifumi-sensei's speed never disappoints."
"Well, why don't you take a look first? Who knows, you might think it's not up to par."
Minano shook her head with a smile.
"With your confidence, I doubt this work will be anything less than excellent."
She picked up the script that Akifumi handed over.
"Huh? I get a copy too?" Mihari blinked in surprise at the script in front of her.
"Well, if you're just sitting here doing nothing, wouldn't it be boring?"
Akifumi casually pulled out a Switch, muted it, and started playing.
'This guy'
Mihari pressed her lips together before picking up her own copy of the script.
As she read, an expression of confusion appeared on her face.
The script While it seemed fine in every aspect, it felt strangely dull.
There was no central plot, just a character named Okabe Rintarou and his friends going about their daily lives.
Some of the scenes even seemed a little random.
Even though it introduced the concept of a time machine, it mostly just felt like an ordinary slice-of-life story.
Of course, the dialogue and character portrayal were flawless.
But it wasn't particularly exciting or groundbreaking.
At least, it wasn't the level of genius Akifumi had shown in his past works!
'Did he rush it so much that the quality dropped?'
With that thought, Mihari couldn't help but ask, "Akifumi-sensei, this story..."
But before she could finish, Minano cut her off.
"Mihari."
Mihari turned to Matome with a puzzled look.
"Don't jump to conclusions before finishing a story."
She had only read the first few chapters herself, but years of experience told her that there was something more to this script.
Those seemingly out-of-place moments couldn't be meaningless.
Like in Puella Magi Madoka Magica, where the foreshadowing all tied together in the end.
"This story must be using a similar method."
Of course, she only had this thought because the writer was Akifumi.
She had witnessed his genius too many times.
If they could see these supposed flaws, then there was no way he hadn't noticed them.
Yet, he was still so confident.
Which meant
This story wasn't as simple as it seemed.
With that realization, Minano spoke.
"This story is far from ordinary."
Even if she didn't yet understand why, she had no hesitation in making that claim.
'Did she figure it out already?'
Noticing that she had only reached chapter four, Akifumi glanced at Minano in surprise.
'No wonder she became an editor-in-chief at this age. She's sharp.'
He said nothing more and returned to his game.
Mihari, feeling guilty, nodded. "Sorry, Chief Minano-san."
"I'm not the one who needs the apology. Just keep reading."
Mihari nodded and continued.
Though the story remained seemingly uneventful, she held back her complaints, keeping Matome's words in mind.
Then, she reached episode twelve.
The setting: Future Gadget Lab.
Characters: Okabe Rintarou, Makise Kurisu, Shiina Mayuri, Amane Suzuha.
Time: ...
Dialogue: ...
Mihari's eyes widened in shock, her mouth agape.
"What is this?!"
Did she miss something?
Why did things suddenly take this turn?!
Confusion, disbelief, frustration.
Minano, reading at the same pace, froze as well.
She quickly skimmed the remaining chapters in one go.
Then, she looked up, her expression complicated.
"Akifumi-sensei, what's the title of this work?"
Akifumi grinned.
"Steins;Gate."
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"Steins;Gate?"
Minano nodded thoughtfully, recalling a famous line from the story:
"This is the choice of Steins Gate."
But why was it called that?
Perhaps sensing her curiosity, Akifumi explained, "Steinsmeaning 'Stone of Fate'is derived from the famous physicist Albert Einstein's (Einstein) name."
"The story's logic is heavily based on Einstein's theory of relativity."
"Doesn't the title fit perfectly?"
"It absolutely does," Minano smiled, feeling a wave of admiration.
If someone were to watch only the first twelve episodes, they might find them slow, even a bit boring.
But once the latter half unfolds, everything clicks into place.
Every moment leads to an inevitable, jaw-dropping revelation.
Everything is intricately connected, like an ouroborosthe snake devouring its own tailforming a seamless, harmonious, and perfect loop.
No logical inconsistencies, no forced plot twistseverything unfolds naturally.
Even the final resolution feels like the only possible outcome.
Minano was certainshe could never come up with such a flawless conclusion, no matter how hard she tried.
Even as an experienced editor who had read countless stories, she couldn't possibly conceive such an intricate plot!
"As expected of you, Akifumi-sensei. The impact of this story rivals the first time I saw the ending of Madoka Magica."
Akifumi chuckled and shook his head. "Hearing that from you, Minano-san, is the highest praise I could ask for."
"But did you really come up with this story just recently?" Minano asked curiously.
Akifumi smirked. "Of course not."
"I've had this idea for a long time. I once wonderedwhat would the world be like if a time machine truly existed?"
"That thought became the foundation of the story. I jotted down the initial concepts and an outline back then."
"I was so passionate about it that I even studied a bunch of scientific literature on the subject."
"When you mentioned needing a new project last time, it reminded me of this story, so I decided to bring it out."
Minano gave a wry smile. "If I remember correctly, Akifumi-sensei you're still just a second-year high school student, right?"
A high schooler, casually reading scientific papers for fun, analyzing them, and applying them to a work of fiction
Just thinking about it made her realize the stark difference between people's capabilities!
