Cartoonists and their assistants

The person disguised as Menma is very likely the seemingly serious but sharp-tongued Matsuyuki Atsushi.

The thought of this makes many people feel uneasy.

"It seems to be almost certain."

In the bookstore, Takasago Chie had a moment to spare, and after finishing reading this chapter, she spoke with certainty.

"I have to say, that's quite a contrast, huh..."

She imagined that scene in her mind and couldn't help but laugh.

"Miss clerk?"

A familiar customer came over.

"I'm sorry to bother you, but I just remembered something happy."

She waved.

After getting away with it, the girl flipped through this issue of Monthly Shonen Gangan from the beginning.

"They're all formidable characters! Especially Tsukimi-sensei, she's improved so quickly, she really is a genius. I'm starting to worry about Mizuki-kun and the others... Well, a showdown between geniuses is much more interesting, hehe."

Just as she was talking to herself, a loud voice suddenly rang out.

"Shop assistant, I want to buy this issue of GANGAN!"

A primary school student placed a comic book magazine on the cashier's counter.

"Yes~"

The shop assistant's smile changed.

On the other hand, a wave of discussion has also swept across the internet. A small number of people are feeling sentimental, but the main reason for this is to settle scores with readers who disagreed with them last month.

"It was very touching. It reminded me of when my mother was seriously ill and bedridden... Thankfully, she didn't leave me in the end."

"The guy upstairs is a bit too easily moved to tears."

"What moves me is not the story it tells, but the memories it evokes. That makes me happy, because at least I had a childhood worth remembering, even though those people can never be found again."

"No wonder the protagonist became withdrawn; his childhood experiences were indeed quite tragic."

......

"Damn, isn't it obvious! The Menma that Popo saw was that guy!"

"See? I told you so! The hints were pretty obvious! There couldn't be two Menma! Only what the protagonist saw is real!"

"Tsk tsk, so it's a cross-dressing fetish! Teacher Yuexia is really something else."

Is this also a contrast?

"Is this because of Menma? It's so gravity-bound! So distorted! It feels so good."

"Surely no one's still being stubborn!"

"Didn't most people tell the truth before? Or that Anjou Naruko? How come they all betrayed us today? They're all fair-weather friends!"

......

"So why did Zhenzhi have to make him so sleazy?"

When she saw a certain comment, Eriri turned around and asked with a smile.

Mizuki Machi's lips twitched.

You ask me, who am I asking?

"Of course it's for character development. The simplest way to leave a deep impression is to have the character do things that are different from what ordinary people would do."

"That's right..."

Eriri felt this explanation made a lot of sense, but something felt off, as if she was trying to find a loophole.

"I never imagined that Menma was also a deeply sinful woman... a ghost."

She sighed, then changed the subject.

"What do you think our popularity ranking will be this time, Zhenzhi?"

"They'll probably drop two or three places, or even more... After all, this chapter didn't have much of value, plus there are three new series starting, and the other authors' storylines aren't bad either."

"I think about it for a moment and say."

The girl frowned slightly, as if she wanted to say something, but couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Even after previous psychological counseling, she still wavered when faced with the reality of declining grades.

"Eri, are you starting to worry again?"

"If this continues, we'll fall out of the top 10."

"This is just a normal fluctuation. Don't worry, we'll definitely turn things around in the popularity poll for episode 4."

Mizuki Shinya understood that simple words of comfort would be less effective, so he made a pointed remark.

Hmm... I hope so!

Eriri had watched NAME with Minamoto last week, and she was also quite confident about the explosive points of this chapter.

Besides revealing the truth about the other Menma, the most important thing is that the real Menma 'appeared' in front of everyone, or more accurately, everyone became aware of her existence. Even she was deeply moved after seeing this scene.

......

Let's put an end to the impact of the new GANGAN release for now.

The childhood sweethearts had something even more important to do: the New Year's party in three days!

At this meeting, they will see the real people of names they have only seen in magazines before, which makes the girl who recently dreamed of becoming a cartoonist feel like she has achieved her dream.

However, after a moment of excitement, the girl adjusted her mindset.

She stood in front of the mirror and smiled slightly at herself: "Don't forget, you're one of them now!"

42 New Year's Party

Shinji Mizuki stared ahead, and the image that appeared in the mirror was completely different from her usual self. She had round black-framed glasses, slightly unruly bangs, and a youthful appearance, which gave her a refined and even somewhat obedient feeling.

Coupled with his blue suit, it couldn't help but remind him of a certain famous detective in his childhood.

"Alright, it's almost time. Let's go to the secret base and meet up with Eriri."

He straightened the knot in his red tie and then left the room.

"Today's true knowledge is like a grown-up."

"I didn't expect you to look so handsome after you've tidied yourself up."

Before I left home, my parents praised me.

Upon arriving at the secret base, Eriri was already waiting there.

The girl was taken aback when she saw his appearance.

"What's wrong? Are you staring at me because I look so handsome today?"

"I am Mizuki Machi," he teased.

"Not at all!"

Eriri immediately blushed and retorted, "I mean, how did you manage to copy me like that!"

"If you're going to put on a facade, then I definitely have to too. Didn't I already say that before?"

"Is that so? I thought you were cosplaying as Conan and preparing a surprise for everyone."

Do you think I'm that high-profile?

"makes sense."

The girl scrutinized him, then nodded in deep agreement.

She knew exactly what her childhood sweetheart's personality was like: unambitious and extremely lazy.

If it weren't for her discerning eye and her insistence, the other party would probably have lived a muddled and aimless life forever.

From this perspective, shouldn't the childhood sweetheart properly thank her?

"Eri, I think I'm a little nervous."

During this waiting period, Mizuki Machi suddenly spoke.

“Oh…ah?”

Eriri casually picked up the conversation, then realized something was wrong and looked at him with a surprised expression.

"Zhenzhi, are you serious?"

"Of course I'm serious, you don't think I'm joking, do you?"

"No, no, no, I didn't expect you to say that. Is this still the Zhenzhi I know?"

"What kind of person do you know me to be? You don't think someone like me has ever been involved in high society, do you?"

Whether in her past life or this one, Mizuki Machi's life has been quite ordinary. She was never born into society, and it's perfectly normal for people to feel nervous about things they haven't experienced before.

However, Eriri had always thought of him as omnipotent, which was why she was so surprised.

Actually, he's just a bit older and more mature.

"Hey~"

Seemingly having discovered something amusing, the girl's face contorted into a comical smile.

"Since you're really nervous, then I'll handle today's social interaction. Sigh... you're really useless. You're always of no use when it matters."

She even shrugged and sighed, feigning nonchalance.

"I just said I was a little nervous, not scared. Why are you getting so worked up?"

The true knowledge gained from observing the moon is not understood.

"Hmph, admit it, you can't live without me."

"Indeed, after all, it takes two people to 'start a game'."

"Remember to call me if you get nervous later."

"I already said I can handle this myself. You should take care of yourself first. Don't be speechless when you see your idol."

......

The two bickered for a while longer.

"beep......"

The cell phone beeps.

"Hey?"

"Sawamura, Mizuki, are you ready?"

"Yes, we're at a secret base now."

"Okay, we'll be there in five minutes."

After hanging up the phone, the two exchanged a glance, confirming that their disguises were working properly, and then went outside the villa to wait.

Just then, a Toyota luxury sedan drove out of the night.

"boarding."

The car window rolled down, and Minamoto reminded the two people on the roadside.

Today, instead of her usual casual pajamas, she wore a long white dress, looking every bit the little princess.

"Eh, is it Ms. Minano driving?"

Eriri was amazed and greatly surprised at the same time.

"I'm an adult and I have a driver's license, is that not allowed?"

The editor countered with a question.

"How should I put it? I'd say it was incredibly shocking."