Christmas Special Episode: "Mangaka"

It was about a few weeks before arriving at the "Realm of the Unreal."

Back then, I was casually spending time in my apartment.

One particular afternoon, as I was peacefully napping on the down comforter I'd picked up from a furniture store near Ikebukuro,

"Hey, senpai!"

the door burst open and Asuka immediately shouted out.

"I heard it! It's going to be adapted into a manga! They're turning it into a manga!"

"Meow~"

I quickly burrowed under the blanket, reinforcing my defensive posture.

But the enemy's assault was unexpectedly fierce—a lump of human body slid smoothly into the covers.

"Come on, wake up, wake up, wake up! It's being adapted into a manga!"

"Nmrr…."

I cracked open one eye to see Asuka vigorously rubbing my head.

Sweet shampoo scent filled my sanctuary.

"Hey, Asuka-san... you're being a bit too affectionate for someone your age..."

"Manga adaptation! Manga adaptation! Manga adaptation! Manga adaptation!"

"Ugh..."

My cheeks were patted repeatedly, then my neck, shoulders, upper arms—and just before it reached my chest, I stopped it.

"No. That would cross the line."

"Damn it."

Then, kicking off the futon, he inhaled the refreshing morning air while putting on his glasses.

So... what is it? What exactly is going to happen?

No, I'm saying it's getting adapted into a manga.

"What?"

Of course, sensei's accomplishments are undeniable.

Hmm...

I rubbed my forehead for a moment,

I can't follow what you're saying—what exactly does that mean...?

The person we rescued, surprisingly, turned out to be a manga artist!

"Hmm"

"He worked at Professor Suzuki Asaka's place for a while, but recently he heard rumors about you, so he wants to make a manga based on you as the protagonist, featuring events that happened around here."

What’s that, I’ve never heard of anything like that before.

"I'm not really familiar with that kind of thing, but basically you mean he's drawing a nonfiction manga, right?"

"Yes! By the way, he's actually already been working on it for quite some time now!"

What came to mind was the hardcover educational manga found in the elementary school library.

For a moment, I envisioned my name listed beside that of 'The Man Who Created Pokémon, Satoshi Tajiri.'

"……I don't recall giving permission for this."

"I've already granted permission myself!"

"Seriously?"

"Ah, I'm really looking forward to it. One day, your name will be listed alongside the greats in the library! Hey, modern-day Joan of Arc!"

"I've heard the theory that Joan's story was just about a woman with mental issues being exploited."

Please forgive me for mentioning the hallucinations and the odd coincidences.

"Ah, whatever, the little details don't matter! What's important is that your senior's adventures become a story! And someday, a novel! Or even a play! A radio drama! Adapted into a movie! Heh heh heh!"

"……huh"

Is this girl seriously acting way too excited?

"So, so! If you ever need an actor, please definitely hire me! Of course, as the senior role! Promise! I've already reserved my spot!"

"O-oh... um..."

I suddenly feel like I've been pulled into Asuka's grand plan.

Then again, maybe nowadays, if you're serious about making it as an actor, you can't afford to be picky.

"So, in short! Today marks the first step of the manga adaptation project! I've brought along the freshly completed storyboard draft! If you have any advice or suggestions, please, go ahead and share them!"

"Huh..."

Pressed tightly into his hands was a thick brown envelope. Peering inside at the storyboard sheets, he saw a storyboard far exceeding his expectations in passion and detail.

"Oh... wow..."

Eyes wide, he carefully took it out.

I've heard that every otaku in this world once dreamed of becoming a manga artist or voice actor.

As someone who was no exception—completely absorbed in copying the works of Mr. Shun'ei Fukamoto during middle school—I won't tolerate this being handled carelessly.

It seems to be what's known as a "original artwork" (which makes sense given the lack of computer use), and on several pages, I could see traces of correction fluid.

"Even though it's just a rough sketch, this is quite something..."

It feels full of determination, I suppose.

You can really sense the strong desire to leave behind proof of one's existence.

"Look, isn't this drawn quite well?"

Asuka, despite not having drawn it herself, somehow sounds boastful.

"By the way, I'm seeing this for the first time too♪ Let's read it together."

"...Yes."

I pressed my lips into a straight line and carefully laid out the manuscript on the table.

It seems the completed part goes up to the episode where Asuka appears.

▼

Perhaps a few tens of minutes later.

After Asahina-san and I finished reading the manuscript.

...hmm

A sigh from each of the two girls escaped into the room.

"First off... shall we just share the thoughts that come to mind right now?"

Yes, that's right.

And at the same time, the two of them,

"Awkward..."

And they harmonize.

Thinking about how this manuscript might one day be neatly copied and displayed in a peaceful national library, I suddenly feel an overwhelming urge to scratch my entire body.

"...This is a bit too cute, isn't it?"

"No, no. Senpai really is like this. Besides, it's me I'm worried about....It just reminded me of how, in middle school, I used to draw self-portraits looking just like heroines from girls' manga."

Still, a little embellishment is inevitable in manga.

Since they've drawn it in a more comedic way than I expected, I probably don't need to point anything out specifically.

But what's really worrying me is...

"Why can this manga describe my inner thoughts so precisely? Like when I first killed a zombie—no one was supposed to see that, right? Could it be that I'm being watched? Is what's happening in this world really some kind of 'The Truman Show' situation?"

"Yeah, that's because I told the manga artist exactly what you shared with me before."

"Whaaat...? You don't care about privacy at all..."

"Besides, if it's going to be a manga, wouldn't it be better to have accurate details?"

I never gave permission for any of this, though.

"Still, you really did your research, huh? The design for the 'zombie' I killed first—Mr. Tanaka's—looks exactly like the real him."

"There were photos of him when he was alive, so they must have used those as reference."

"Ah, I see."

And once again, the breath of two high school girls filled the room.

They rearranged the manga storyboards one by one,

"Anyway, the only thing we've figured out is that there's nothing a manga novice like us could point out."

"You're absolutely right~"

"We'll just have to leave it in the talented hands of this manga artist."

"Indeed. I'll make sure to convey that."

After all, as the saying goes, only a specialist can handle a specialist's work.

"So, when exactly will this be shown to others?"

"Ah... well, the manga artist said they wanted to gather a bunch of drawings first, then show them all at once... probably around December 26th, near the end of the year."

"Ah. Right after Christmas."

"Yeah. Christmas must be pretty hectic, right? I hear everyone's been squirming around in their futons for at least six hours or so."

I guess so.

"By the way, Senpai, any plans for Christmas?"

"It's August right now. You're talking about something so far ahead..."

Honestly, I've got a mountain of stuff to do from now on.

"But if nothing comes up, I'd just be happy spending it with everyone?"

"Yeah, that sounds nice."

Asuka speaks with quiet sincerity.

"Let's hope the world is peaceful by year-end."

"Yeah, let's keep that wish."

In any case, it looks like the manga adaptation of 'JK Musou' will be starting its serialization on Magapoke tomorrow, December 26th. Wonderful... Wonderful...

The third volume will be slightly delayed, as it'll be released in sync with the manga's tankobon edition (probably around May), so we'd be grateful if you could patiently await it.

Oh, and also, merrily—(a token Christmas touch, if you will).