Narrowing his eyes, he shot Mahiru a glareone that promised revenge later tonight.
She caught his meaning immediately, her delicate face tinged with a soft pink.
"Sorry, but for once, I genuinely don't feel that way." Kato looked surprised.
She could tell he wasn't lying, which only made his words more unexpected.
After all, it just didn't seem like something Akifumi would say.
"I absolutely love school!" Declaring this, Akifumi wiped his desk and chair with a wet tissue before flopping down onto the cool surface.
Though the winter chill made it a bit icy, the sensation was actually just right.
Noticing Kato's confusion, Mahiru chuckled.
"Mugiho-kun spent most of his holiday drawing."
"School is actually a break for him."
Kato's expression shifted to one of realization.
"I see so that's why."
"Nonsense. I just have an insatiable thirst for knowledge!"
Akifumi yawned, closing his eyes.
Last night, caught up in the momentum, he had stayed up until 3 AM.
Despite getting barely four hours of sleep, he didn't feel tired at all.
At this point, he didn't even understand his own stamina anymore.
Not that he had any complaintsif he could lie down, why bother sitting up?
The school day was as uneventful as ever.
Fully recharged, Akifumi wasted no time diving back into his work once he got home.
Having pressure meant having motivation.
If he wanted to meet his goal, slacking off wasn't an option.
Before long, his phone rang.
It was Mihari.
As expected, the proposal had been approved.
The release date was set for January 20.
Volumes 1 and 2 would be published first, followed by a three-volume-per-month schedule starting in Februarywrapping up the series in time for April.
"Which means I need to finish three volumes by mid-month"
Since publishing required time for printing, marketing, and distribution, the actual deadline was well before the official release date.
Delays weren't an option.
If they pushed back even a little, the April finale plan would fall apart.
"I'll post an update about this over dinner."
For now, though
Back to drawing.
Tanaka was about to casually scroll past, but then he noticed somethinghis favorite mangaka, the Warrior of Love and Hope, had just posted an update!
Instantly, his drowsiness vanished as excitement took over.
He tapped the notification, waited for the page to load, and then, there it wasthe familiar writing style of his favorite sensei.
"How was everyone's winter break? A brand-new year, a fresh start at school."
"First day backhope you're all having a great time!
"Okay, that was a dumb question."
"Let's be realnobody's enjoying it, right? Who would, after such a relaxing break?
"But hey, I'm actually kind of happy. I spent my entire vacation working hard."
"Well, it's my choice, so I can't really complain!"
"Oh, rightdid you all like your New Year's gift?"
"If you did, then all my hard work was worth it!"
"Now, onto the real news!"
"I've been reading your comments, and I see so many people asking for a physical release of Your Lie In April!"
"Great newsafter discussing with my editor, Volume 1 of Your Lie In April will be released on January 20th!!"
"Excited? You should be! But wait, there's more"
"We're also releasing Volume 2 on the same day!"
"That's rightTWO volumes at once!"
"I know you guys hate cliffhangers, so just releasing Volume 1 wouldn't feel very satisfying. That's why we're giving you both at the same time!"
"Hope you're all happy with this decision! And now you believe me when I say I wasn't slacking off during the break, right? "
"I'll need everyone's support when the time comes!"
"Also, between us The editorial team only agreed to this because of the series' past success."
"If the sales don't do well, I might not get away with this kind of thing next time."
"(Let's hope no one from the editorial team is reading this)"
At first, Tanaka reread the post several times to make sure he wasn't hallucinating.
Then
"YESSS!! This is amazing!!"
He practically shouted in excitement.
Just yesterday, he had left a comment asking for an update, and now here it wasnot just one, but two volumes at once!
Overjoyed, he quickly typed out a reply:
"PRAISE SENSEI! I'll definitely buy them! Your Lie In April Volumes 1 & 2, I can't wait!!"
After a moment of euphoria, reality hit him.
"Wait. I spent way too much money over the holidays. I might not have enough left to buy both volumes"
Tanaka's face immediately fell.
"Do I need to get a part-time job?"
Before he could fully commit to that thought, the door suddenly swung open.
His mom walked in, holding a plate of fruit.
"Tanaka, studying hard? I brought you some snacks"
She paused mid-sentence.
Because what she actually saw was Tanaka lying on his bed, staring at his phone.
"Tanaka."
Her expression darkened.
Her voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable storm brewing beneath the surface.
Tanaka laughed nervously and raised both hands in surrender.
"Mom! Listen, I can explainthis isn't what it looks like!"
"Mom! MOM!!"
"AHHHHHHHH!!"
(And thus, the tragedy of Tanaka unfolded.)
Meanwhile, in the comments under sensei's post, the reactions kept pouring in:
"Sensei posted! Doesn't matter what it saysI'm here for it! FIRST COMMENT!!"
"Sensei, I feel bad for you! Everyone else was out having fun, and you were stuck indoors drawing Pfftsorry, I couldn't keep a straight face. I'm actually laughing. Please forgive me!"
"The New Year's gift was amazing! Thank you, Sensei! (Also, my condolences on your suffering!)"
"School actually feels like a break after what Sensei went through But wait, I'm a full-time worker. Why do I even have the time to feel bad for someone else!?"
"NO WAY, THE VOLUMES ARE COMING OUT SO SOON?! THIS IS AMAZING!"
"Two volumes at once?! Sensei, you work way too hard! Please take care of yourself!"
"I BOW BEFORE YOUR SPEED! No one can match you!"
"So happy but my wallet is already crying."
"Same here. Spent way too much money over the holidays"
"I might have to get a job just so I can buy these volumes!"
"We have to support the sales, or Sensei won't be able to pull this off again!"
Of course, some commenters had other concerns:
"Wait January 20th is a weekend. What if I wake up late and it's already sold out?!"
"I still remember the horror of trying to buy Madoka Magica Vol. 2 on release day IT WAS SOLD OUT IN AN HOUR."
A sense of dread spread through the community.
Many had initially hesitated about working a part-time job, but after seeing the other comments now they were determined.
'You think we won't work just because you told us not to? Now I want to do it even more!'
And so, as the days passed
While still attending school, Akifumi poured all his energy into drawing.
He even posted another updatethis time about WorldEnd Volume 4's release date: February 1st!
By mid-January, Akifumi had submitted the final manuscript for Volume 4, giving the publishers just enough time for final revisions and printing.
As for the character designs for Steins;Gate, they had already been delivered to the editorial team back on January 10th.
Thanks to the intense effort he put in during winter break, the manga adaptation of WorldEnd had enough material to last until late March.
This meantfor the time beingAkifumi could focus entirely on Your Lie In April.
Everything was progressing smoothly.
And thenJanuary 20th arrived.
The first major book release of the new year.
Bookstores were flooded with eager fans.
"Three copies of Your Lie In April Volumes 1 and 2, please!"
"WHAT?! That's too greedy!!"
"Sir, here's your ordersix copies of each. That'll be"
Everyone turned to glare at the guy buying in bulk.
Their eyes all conveyed one message:
'How dare you call someone ELSE greedy?!'
[150] Memorable Scenes The Most Beautiful Lies! [400 PS]
The booming popularity at the bookstore was a testament to the success of Your Lie In April.
Although this novel didn't follow the usual style that readers were accustomed to, they were more than willing to embrace itafter all, as long as it was a good work, they would consume it eagerly!
And considering that each of Your Lie In April's works were classics, readers had complete faith in the author.
They believed in each new release unless there was a significant failure.
But before that happens, their confidence was unwavering!
By just after 11 AM, 'Your Lie In April' had already sold out in major bookstores.
The excitement during the store openings was so intense it could have easily been mistaken for middle-aged women fighting over discounted products!
Some of the newer bookstore staff were shocked by the overwhelming scene.
Was this really the kind of consumer power the "2D world" possessed?!
The bookstore owner was thrilled, but after a quick glance, he rushed to the back to make an urgent call.
"Hello, is this the marketing department at Shueisha? Your Lie In April! I need more copies of Your Lie In April!!"
"Send me another 2000 copies!!"
"Will they sell out? That's not for you to worry aboutjust get the books here!"
"What? You don't have that many?!"
"You need three days to print more? For a book this hot, can't you print more copies?!"
For these bookstores placing orders for thousands of copies, the staff at Shueisha's marketing department could only sigh.
Your Lie In April was doing well, but no one anticipated it would become this popular, especially with both volumes being released at the same time!
Even the die-hard fans of the 2D culture might not have the resources to afford that many copies.
After all, the month was almost over, and they'd just gotten through the New Year.
How much pocket money could they still have left?
Moreover, with both volumes released at once, and the short time frame for printing more, even if the factory worked at full capacity, it wouldn't be enough to meet the bookstore's demands.
But no matter how many reasons there were, customers were always right.
The best they could do was manage the complaints from the bookstores and explain the situation.
Tanaka, holding the first and second volumes of Your Lie In April, looked happily back at the packed bookstore.
"Good thing I got up early today!"
If the disaster from Madoka Magica happened again, he might actually cry!
He hadn't been hanging out with his good friends recentlyhe'd been working hard!
The reason?
To make sure he could bring home these two volumes as soon as they were released!
But instead of heading straight home with his precious books, Tanaka decided to go to a nearby family restaurant.
Why, you ask?
Well since his mom caught him pretending to study but actually goofing off at home last time, his position in the house had plummeted.
Imagine going home on a weekend with two manga volumes in handit sent shivers down Tanaka's spine just thinking about it.
The family restaurant, on the other hand, was peacefulno one would disturb him here.
He even chose a location far from home on purpose, a place where no one would recognize him.
As he thought back to the silly things he did last summer in this same restaurant, Tanaka couldn't help but feel his face turn red.
With a tiny bit of freedom in his hands, Tanaka ordered a random set meal, poured himself a drink, and opened the first volume of Your Lie In April.
Since he knew the single-volume release was coming on January 20th, he hadn't bought that week's Weekly Shonen Jump or even visited his friend's house to read it.
He was saving it all for this moment!
As he eagerly flipped through the pages, he came to the familiar short content from earlier.
Tanaka read with rapt attention.
Arima Kousei: "Because I can no longer hear the sound of the piano."
"It's so clich, right?"
"At first, I could hear it, but from the middle of the piece, the more I focused and immersed myself in playing, the more I felt the notes float away like petals in the spring breeze."
"They drifted, fading, disappearing. I couldn't hear the piano I was playing."
Despite being able to hear his fingers strike the keys and the sound of the keys sinking, he couldn't hear the music he was creating.
With Arima Kousei's melancholic monologue, the upbeat mood seemed to vanish into thin air.
But then, the girl interrupted this sorrow with her anger.
Miyazono Kaori: "Stop being so dramatic!"
"It's too gloomy! Even if you can't play, you should play anyway! Didn't Beethoven do that?"
"If you can't use your hands, use your feet! If your fingers aren't enough, use your nose!"
"No matter how sad or miserable you feel, no matter how deep the low points go, you can't stop playing!"
"That's how people like us survive."
With Miyazono's almost unreasonable words, the sadness that had been building up in Tanaka was wiped away.
It was about falling in love with food, the small moments of daily life, the violin, music itself.
Maybe that feeling was longing, wasn't it? It had to be!
You stand in a field of pure color. You stand in that irreplaceable, pure color.
As Arima Kousei's monologue continued, the sweetness of love began to spread through Tanaka's mind.
"That's nice! Such a sweet love!" Tanaka thought with an aunt-like smile on his face.
"And it was this moment that got Arima back to playing the piano!"
"Good thing I didn't read Weekly Shonen Jump this week!!"
Otherwise, he would have had to wait five agonizing days, and waiting for five days during such a crucial moment would be worse than death!
Eagerly, Tanaka flipped to the next page.
Even as he yearned for Miyazono, the wounds Arima had carried for years weren't something that could be easily healed.
Although he wanted her help, he was still running away from it, running away from his fears.
Until
Arima Kousei: "I can't play the piano anymore."
Miyazono Kaori: "So what?"
"You're not incapable; you just don't want to play."
Miyazono didn't give him a chance to find excuses.
She chose to tear open the bloody truth before him.
Miyazono Kaori: "Can't hear the piano? Isn't that just an excuse you've been using to keep running away?"
They stared at each other in silence.
Arima's thoughts seemed to return to that daythe day he couldn't hear the music anymore.
