[Anime Crossover] Becoming Mangaka in Anime World

It was 2:50 PM.

Akifumi Mugiho glanced up at the office building in front of him before stepping inside.

"Hello, do you have an appointment?"

The receptionist greeted him warmly, her eyes sparkling with interest.

Akifumi Mugiho nodded. "3 PM, Shueisha, Editor Mihari."

"Could I have your name and phone number?"

"*****. The Warrior of Love and Hope."

"Please hold on for a moment."

The receptionist's smile didn't falter, even though his name sounded a bit odd. She probably got weird requests all the time.

"We've found your reservation. Please take the elevator to the third floor, and I'll contact Editor Mihari for you."

"Thank you."

As Akifumi Mugiho turned to leave, he could hear soft voices behind him.

"Wow, this sensei is so handsome! What's his phone number? Give it to me!"

"As receptionists, we can't share that kind of information."

"Ugh, don't act like I didn't see you save his number, you little flirt. Come on, hand it over!"

"Haha, stop it, there are people around..."

As Akifumi Mugiho walked away, the voices gradually faded.

"In this day and age, trying to keep your privacy intact doesn't seem very realistic," he thought with a sigh.

It wasn't that he was trying to be coy.

The receptionist, working at a major company, was certainly pretty and poised. But compared to the girls he knew, she wasn't exactly in the same league. After all, he'd seen so many stunning faces that the average one just didn't impress him as much.

Akifumi Mugiho slowly took the elevator up to the third floor and followed a staff member to a small meeting room, where he sat and waited.

A few minutes later, the door opened.

A woman in a gray suit with short blonde hair walked in.

She took one look at Akifumi Mugiho sitting there and froze for a moment.

Then, she hesitated a bit before asking, "Um... are you Sensei Akifumi?"

"I'm Akifumi, but with my current situation, I wouldn't really call myself 'sensei' just yet."

Looking at her, Akifumi Mugiho was also surprised.

When they'd spoken on the phone earlier, he had imagined a strong, professional woman. But now, standing in front of him was a... legal "loli"?

Once she heard Akifumi Mugiho confirm it, Mihari visibly relaxed, a smile spreading across her face as she complimented him, "With your talent, I'm sure it's only a matter of time before people start calling you 'sensei.'"

In Japanese, the term "sensei" would be more accurate, usually reserved for senseis, doctors, lawyers, or people in high positions in their field. It was a huge compliment.

Akifumi Mugiho scratched his nose. "If you keep calling me 'sensei,' I might get so proud I grow a tail."

"Hahaha," Mihari laughed, clearly amused.

That small joke had clearly lightened the mood, making both of them feel more comfortable.

Maybe because of the relaxed atmosphere, Mihari didn't dive straight into work. Instead, she started chatting casually.

"Sensei Akifumi, you look so young. Are you in university right now?"

"I'm still a first-year high school student."

"First year of high school?"

Mihari blinked and then froze, looking completely shocked.

"First year?!"

Even though she had already been told about it, hearing it from him still left Mihari stunned.

First year of high school meant he was only around 16 years old!

While his peers were enjoying the carefree days of youth, here was a guy who had quietly earned the right to have his work published in Weekly Shonen Jump!

Even adults who had poured their hearts into this industry for years couldn't necessarily achieve that level, yet this guy had done it. There was no doubt about it—he was a true genius!

Feeling the stark difference, Mihari couldn't help but feel a bit jealous.

It wasn't about personal feelings, though. It was almost a reflex.

But that feeling of jealousy only lasted a second before it was overtaken by pure joy.

A 16-year-old manga artist!

With a mature style!

Clear, solid storytelling!

And now, qualified to be serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump!!

Even just one of these would be impressive, but combined? It could easily make headlines tomorrow!

Most importantly...

"This is my sensei!!"

Her orange eyes sparkled with excitement, as though the editor-in-chief position was already within her grasp.

"This is amazing!!"

Caught up in the dream of a bright future, Mihari couldn't help but grin like a fool.

Meanwhile, Akifumi Mugiho, watching her expression shift, couldn't help but stay silent.

It seemed like... his editor wasn't very bright?