Aniverse:This Managaka is Black hearted

Black Mangaka 023: Selection Award

"Something's wrong. Something's wrong."

"Tell me, where did you hide that idiot Eriri who got the worst grade in the midterm exam!?"

Eriri blushed. "No… Noi!"

"The midterm exam was an accident, you know that, right? I stayed up all night thinking about CM's work! I didn't have time to review at all!"

"Oh, yes, yes."

I haven't drawn more than five pages of manga so far, and I didn't do well in my exams!

"Eriri is trying so hard!"

"Hmph, I'm glad to know!"

The girl pretended not to understand the deeper meaning of the words and raised her head proudly.

Then, a distressed look appeared on her face again: "However, even though I know there will be no mistake in giving out the award, I still care so much!

Where should the magical girl genre make a breakthrough?"

Looking at Eriri, who was frowning and thinking hard, Nakahara Hiroshi showed a mischievous smile: "Who knows?"

"Besides, if Eriri can really figure this out, doesn't that mean she's capable of winning the 'Selection' award?"

"If you're really curious, won't you know when the work is released?"

"Although what you said makes sense, I'm still curious!"

"Instead of being curious about other people's work, why not improve yourself or at least finish the task at hand?

For example, drawing the works to be published in the summer CM?"

So… this guy said so much just to get me to work?

This devil!!

Eriri climbed up from the bed and sighed helplessly: "I know, I know.

I'll just draw it."

Two hours later, Nakahara Hiroshi, who had sent Eriri home, returned to the apartment.

"I hope that girl actually listens to me and finishes the draft at home in the next two days."

Although I wouldn't have to help if there wasn't a manuscript, this is more important than dealing with minor issues.

Hiroshi was more worried that she'd pile everything up until the last minute.

It's clear which one is easier: completing auxiliary work for 20 manuscripts in 30 days or completing the same 20 in 10 days.

"That girl is so stubborn."

Obviously, as long as the artwork is colorful enough, it could easily attract a lot of attention.

Not to mention the reputation of Eriri Kashiwagi.

She could simply follow popular trends, but instead, she insists on putting thought into the plot, background, and dialogue.

If she didn't think about all that, this time could've been enough to draw an entire sketch!

But…

"After all, this is Eriri!"

Her silly yet endearing behavior is part of her charm.

Thinking about this, Hiroshi picked up his phone, which was charging in the living room.

It displayed about ten missed calls—all from Hiratsuka Shizuka.

"Oops."

With so many calls, it was easy to imagine how irritated she must be.

As for the reason for the calls, it was undoubtedly about "Magic Circle" winning the shortlist award.

Even now, Hiroshi could recall Hiratsuka-sensei's shocked face when he told her about passing the second evaluation.

"Maybe I should pretend I'm asleep and missed it…"

Almost as soon as he thought this, the phone vibrated again.

It had been muted during class, which he forgot to change.

Knowing that avoiding her now would only make Monday's "office greeting" worse, Hiroshi decided to answer.

"Boy, do you think you're so accomplished now that the teacher can't control you anymore?"

"Sensei, you think too much. After all this time, don't you know what kind of person I am?"

Honestly, I'm not sure anymore, she thought.

The changes in him recently had been so dramatic that she couldn't keep up.

"Fine, I'll let it slide for now. Why didn't you answer earlier?"

"I was working on a manga in my room, and my phone was charging outside. I didn't hear it."

Hiroshi's answer, with slight artistic adjustment, was convincing.

At least, Hiratsuka-sensei's tone softened after hearing it.

"You're such a careless guy. Even I know tonight is when the Tezuka Award results are announced!"

Hiroshi smiled, making himself comfortable on the sofa.

"I wasn't careless. I checked the results on my computer earlier."

"Really now?"

Even someone like Hiratsuka Shizuka, with her calm demeanor, struggled to maintain composure over such a major event.

"Anyway, congratulations. I didn't expect one of my students to turn out to be a monster like you."

Her disbelief at seeing "Puella Magi Madoka Magica" win the shortlist award was unforgettable.

Reaching the top three in such a competitive environment was astonishing.

"Monster… Should I take that as a compliment, Sensei?"

Hiroshi laughed.

"Then, thank you, Sensei, for the congratulations."

After hanging up, Hiroshi promised to treat her to a meal when he received the bounty money.

She accepted without hesitation, prioritizing her students' feelings over trivial things like one or two meals.

Returning to his room, Hiroshi retrieved his original manuscript from a cabinet.

He kept it hidden since Eriri occasionally visited, and it would've been awkward if she stumbled upon it.

"The ninth chapter was completed last night."

The entire story consisted of 12 chapters, each about 35 pages long, totaling 24 serialized chapters.

Over the past month, Hiroshi had drawn nearly 210 pages—234, to be exact.

While revising details for serialization, he thought, If I had to help Eriri with her manuscript, I wouldn't have made this much progress.

"Only about 100 pages left!"

"Plus a dozen cover illustrations… The series is almost done!"

Hiroshi felt a surge of excitement.

He was likely the only one who had nearly finished his work before serialization even began.

"At this rate, I can finish by the end of the month and take a break for half a year!"

Fueled with enthusiasm, Hiroshi threw himself into his work, unaware that the Tezuka Award's final results had sent shockwaves throughout the manga community.