Cartoonists and their assistants

"Hmph, don't worry, I'll definitely give you a good talking-about promotion when the time comes."

"It would be even better if we could use Takasago Bookstore as a reference."

"Don't push your luck!"

Mizuki Machi listened to the two girls' conversation, smiling silently from the side.

Compared to the seasoned shop assistant, the young lady still lacks a bit of experience.

3 month 12 day.

Just as the students of Shimamura Junior High School were busy with their final exams, this issue of Monthly Shonen Gangan went on sale.

As a soon-to-be-graduated university student who had already decided on her career path, Kanata Kurusu had plenty of free time, so she got up early and went to the bookstore to buy the new magazine.

Incidentally, she took a photo with the magazine and posted it on LINE with the caption—

"I couldn't wait to buy the new issue today, and I'm really looking forward to how this chapter with Tsukishima-sensei will develop."

Before she even got home, her phone started vibrating. Several comments appeared under the post, all from members of the otaku group 'Little Garden' that she had once been a member of.

Kaori: How many times have you mentioned this name now?

Qi Lala: Bibi really likes things related to comics.

Shinya: Is this the reason you dumped me? I'm completely defeated by Tsukishima-sensei.

Yota: Shin is so pitiful, he actually lost to a manga.

Makina: Could it be that my nemesis is going to change?

......

Looking at the many familiar names, a look of nostalgia flashed in Kanata Kurusu's eyes.

Unfortunately, with Kaori's marriage and move overseas last year, the "Little Garden" has become a dead name after losing its central figure.

Everyone is busy with their own things, studying or working, and can no longer find the enthusiasm they once had.

Fortunately, people can still occasionally exchange pleasantries online...

That's enough.

After replying to each one, she went home, opened the magazine, and read it in order.

The top two works remain unchanged, while the third and fourth places are occupied by two veteran authors who were previously pushed down. Clearly, after losing the halo of 'new serialization', their rankings have dropped significantly.

"So, the next one is 'Anohana'?"

Knowing that she ranked sixth in the previous round, Kurusu Kanata naturally made this assumption.

Sure enough, the following is the work she was looking forward to—

First, there are three consecutive color pages: two pages featuring Menma alone, and the third page featuring Menma and Jinta Yadomi, both depicting Menma's adorable appearance.

Then there are flashbacks in almost every episode, but this time the perspective is on Tsurumi Chiriko.

At that time, she was like an observer, always paying attention to the team members' joys and sorrows and adjusting the atmosphere within the team.

At that time, she affectionately called Jinta Yadomi "Captain".

Returning to the present, faced with the supernatural events unfolding before her eyes, Tsurumi Chiriko chooses to remain rational and proposes the idea of ​​'shared fantasy'.

Just as Anjou Naruko was beginning to doubt, Hisakawa Tetsudou let out a loud roar.

"Why don't you believe it? It's obviously Menma, isn't it?"

He also demanded an apology from them, acting strangely.

However, the meeting ended badly.

Back home, Jinta Yadomi tossed and turned in bed, reflecting on the day's events.

He could understand everyone's surprise, since others couldn't see it.

In the morning, after interacting with Menma, he pretended to go to school, but actually went to the secret base to explain to Poppo.

As a result, an unexpected guest appeared before him—Tsurumi Chiriko.

Chiriko Tsurumi brought up a suggestion: to eliminate the current disguised peace buster.

She arranged for Jinta Yadomi to meet with Atsushi Matsuyuki alone, but the other party's harsh words immediately changed the atmosphere drastically.

However, the atmosphere gradually improved during the subsequent gathering when the topic of Menma came up again.

Just then, Hisakawa Railway, who had been out, brought news—

Another Menma has appeared!

......

Without a doubt, the truth is about to be revealed.

Unfortunately, this suspense was left for the next episode.

"Mr. Mizuki, you really know how to keep people in suspense!"

Even Kurusu Kanata couldn't help but make a comment.

However, this is quite normal. The release after the initial stop will be more intense, which makes people look forward to the plot, which is not difficult to predict.

As a cartoonist, she found it hard to understand, but now, as a reader, she felt very unhappy.

"Damn it, another month to wait! I really want to sneak into the secret base to peek at the next chapter of NAME..."

She said with a pained expression.

54 birthday

"It seems like Menma is everyone's ideal woman."

"Through the flashbacks, we can see how sunny the protagonist was as a child, but then an accident happened... Life is so helpless."

"The protagonist just ran away? I don't understand this move. He should have just shown everyone! Idiot!"

"Jinta subconsciously wants to monopolize Menma, right? In reality, he doesn't want to prove Menma's existence to anyone else."

"Damn it, is it already over? I haven't had enough!"

"I really hate this Matsuyuki Collection..."

"Thinking about it carefully, the most tragic one is probably Matsuyuki Atsushi. I can't even imagine what it would be like if the next chapter were leaked."

"My friends have all grown up, but they all live in the past. That's probably why Menma still looks like she did when she was a child, right?"

"Help! Help! This plot is stuck here, it's so frustrating!"

"Damn it, another month to go! I hope it won't be delayed again next month? I can't take it anymore!"

......

"So this is what it feels like to see readers so impatient..."

Seeing everyone's complaints, Eriri suddenly laughed.

As a reader, she used to find that the chapter was incomplete when she got to the top, and that's how she couldn't help but urge the author to finish the story.

Now that she's an author herself, she understands that those creators are probably just as secretly pleased as she is now!

"But don't worry, the truth will be revealed in the next chapter! I'm even more looking forward to seeing your reactions when you see that scene."

The girl giggled.

That's really funny.

Mizuki Machi couldn't help but laugh out loud.

Soon, his expression turned serious again.

"However, after the laughter subsides, I hope that more people can understand the heavy emotions that Matsuyuki Atsushi carries."

"This level of gravity is truly terrifying. You really don't hold back, Makoto."

Eriri's smile faded, and she teased him.

"There's no other way; someone has to play the clown, so we have to make do with him."

"Hopefully, this design will be acceptable to everyone in the end!"

a week later.

Today is a rather important day.

While at school, the girl frequently glanced at him, as if she cared about something but hesitated to speak.

This is because today is Eriri's birthday again.

In previous years, Mizuki Machi was always the one who took the initiative to give birthday gifts.

This year's change in attitude has really made the girl feel a little uncomfortable.

My wild guess is that the girl is thinking something like this right now—

"Today is my birthday, Makoto hasn't forgotten, has she?"

"What should we do? It hasn't arrived yet. Should we remind it?"

"No, no, it would be too embarrassing if I really forgot!"

And so, amidst the girl's inner turmoil, school ended.

"Makoto, let's go back together today."

When her childhood sweetheart went straight home after school, she couldn't help but chase after him.

"Okay."

Mizuki Machi remained calm, making it impossible for the girl to glean any useful information from his expression.

"Ahem, Zhenzhi, did you forget something today?"

Eriri was still just a middle school student and lacked self-control, so she couldn't hold back for long.

"Really? Let me think... Hmm... it seems like it is."

He looked thoughtful, then suddenly seemed to have thought of something.

The girl's eyes revealed anticipation.

"I think I forgot my phone today."

"......"

The light that had just appeared in Eriri's eyes vanished instantly.

"Is this important?!"

"Of course it's important. It's so boring not being able to surf the internet during lunch break."

"Besides that? Is there something even more important?"

The girl pursed her lips, but still did not give up.

The boy seemed to have fully grasped the implication in her words, scratched his head and said, "I really can't remember. Did I lose my wallet? Did Eriri find it?"

"That's not it!"

The girl was starting to panic.

"Today is...it's my birthday!"

Finally, Eriri couldn't hold back any longer and blurted it out.

"I see, Eriri wanted a birthday present! You should have said so earlier, or I would have prepared it. How would I have known if you hadn't told me?"

Mizuki Machi showed a look of sudden realization.

"Have you really forgotten!?"

Her eyes seemed to be veiled by a misty fog, and tears were glistening in them.

Is it really necessary to get so worked up?

It seems like the prank went too far.

Mizuki Machi was startled, then coughed twice and said, "Of course I remember. I was planning to give you another surprise later..."