[Anime Crossover] Becoming Mangaka in Anime World

"Editor Mihari, you wouldn't want this matter getting out, would you?"

"What do you want?"

Faced with the threat, Mihari clenched her lips. She tried to put on a stern face, but anxiety gnawed at her heart.

Of course, she didn't want this getting out.

It might seem trivial on the surface, but after a sleepless night reflecting on it, she realized just how serious that small slip-up had been. Imagine this: all the contestants in the competition had only one shot at evaluation, while one person had already secured a serialization deal and was on track to win a prize.

Anyone would be outraged.

People would question the fairness of the Tezuka Awards. Those eliminated or with hidden agendas might even stir up trouble over it.

Sure, outstanding works often receive preferential treatment—it happens in every industry. But there's a reason why "unspoken rules" are called that: they can't be made public. If exposed, there are consequences.

"Why was I so naïve to think I could just cover this up?"

What would happen next?

Getting fired?

If only it were that simple.

She envisioned herself being sued by the company for the massive financial and reputational losses caused by her mistake. Saddled with a lifetime of debt, she'd work endlessly to repay it...

Her imagination spiraled into an image of her elderly self, lying on a hospital bed, weakly whispering final instructions to her children:

"Make sure...to...pay off..."

"Ahhh!" she cried out in frustration. "I didn't even get to finish my last words before dying!"

Tears welled up in her eyes.

Meanwhile, Akifumi Mugiho watched her in bemusement, completely unaware that she'd just lived an entire lifetime in her mind.

"What are you doing?" he repeated, amused.

Snapping back to reality, Mihari's expression hardened as a realization dawned on her.

"I get it now," she said with grim determination.

Huh?

Akifumi blinked in confusion. What exactly did she "get"?

Her gaze was resolute.

"Do we have to do it here?" she asked with a voice thick with emotion. Tears shimmered in her orange-tinted eyes.

Before Akifumi could react, she started unbuttoning her shirt.

Wait, what?!

Akifumi 's eyes widened as pink fabric and fair skin filled his vision. His body reacted instinctively, slamming her shirt closed in a flurry of panic.

He stole a glance at the ceiling. No cameras—thank goodness.

Probably for author privacy reasons?

Wiping imaginary sweat from his forehead, he scowled.

"What the heck are you doing?!"

Mihari glared at him, her face a mix of humiliation and defiance.

"Isn't this what you wanted?"

"What I wanted?"

Akifumi rolled his eyes. Thinking back, he realized his earlier words probably did sound misleading.

"Was this partly my fault?" he sighed internally.

"Look, I never said I wanted you to do anything like this!"

"Huh?" Mihari froze.

"How about buttoning your shirt first? There's no camera, but if someone walks in—"

Wait, so... she misunderstood?!

"Ughhh!"

Her face turned crimson. She clumsily tried to rebutton her shirt but fumbled in her panic. Tears threatened to fall again.

Akifumi folded his arms, thoroughly entertained by the scene.

Not look? Yeah, right. Who would listen to that?

Two minutes later, Mihari finally managed to button up and exhaled in relief.

Akifumi regretfully looked away.

"So...what's your real goal here?" she asked, still flushed with embarrassment.

Akifumi casually pulled out his phone and displayed the recording screen.

"There was never a recording."

"Huh?! What?!"

He shrugged. "From the start, I was just messing with you. Who seriously records conversations with their editor?"

The weight on her chest lifted instantly.

"Akifumi!!" Mihari fumed. "Do you enjoy messing with adults that much?!"

"Wait, that was a prank? You think so?" Akifumi blinked innocently.

"Wasn't it?!"

"By the way," he added with a sly grin, "I still have that email you sent. Mind being a little nicer to me?"

"Ughhh!"

How dare he?!

Is this kid a devil?!

"I'm very sorry!" she bowed deeply, completely surrendering.

Akifumi looked pleased. "I hope this serves as a lesson to be more thorough with your work. I wouldn't want to hear that you got fired for some careless mistake."

"Are you calling me an idiot?"

Despite her urge to retort, she knew she had no right after yesterday's mistake.

...Maybe he was trying to help in his own twisted way?

She sighed. "Was this your way of giving me a warning?"

Akifumi smiled. "If you really want to thank me, just buy me dinner sometime."

"I didn't say I wanted to thank you, jerk!"

Even though she mentally cursed him, Mihari bowed politely. "Fine. When I get paid next month, I'll treat you."

"I'll look forward to it."

Akifumi grinned before reminding her, "Can we get the contract now? We've already wasted a lot of time."

"You're the one wasting time!"

Despite her grumbling, Mihari fetched the contract.

Akifumi reviewed it, signed, and stamped it without hesitation.

"You just signed it?" she asked in disbelief.

"Why not?"

"Aren't you underage? Don't you need a guardian's consent?"

"I've got that covered."

He handed her a sealed envelope.

"I have my parents' signatures. Want me to call them?"

Mihari inspected it, nodded, and marveled, "You're surprisingly prepared."

"You gotta hustle while you're young, right?"

This guy's more mature than I am!

Suppressing her disbelief, she began discussing serialization details.

.....

[TL Note]

Hey there! If you're enjoying this, be sure to check out [patreon.com/InsomniaTL]. Just a heads-up, there will be advanced chapters (20-40) available there. Thanks so much for reading!