Anime Crossover: Becoming Mangaka in Anime World

The next morning came bright and early.

Akifumi didn't bother calling Shiina to help with breakfast.

He rummaged through the fridge, whipped up something simple, and ate quickly.

Before the temperature outside rise to high, he was already out the door.

As for Eriri, he had called her the night before to give her a little break.

"Come to think of it, I'm not some evil capitalist."

"Why did I even say 'giving her a break' like that?"

She was the one constantly pushing herself to draw, totally unrelated to me.

'Whatever, forget it.'

Hopefully, today would be productive.

........

11 a.m.

Akifumi arrived at his destination, only to find it predictably closed at this hour.

"Guess I'll hang around somewhere nearby."

He found a cozy family restaurant, air-conditioned and not too crowded.

After ordering a meal, he noticed the free soda policy.

"No wonder high school students love these places."

For students without deep pockets, a spot where you can chill, drink endlessly, and never get kicked out is basically unbeatable.

With a satisfied sigh, Akifumi pulled out his Switch from his backpack and dove into gaming.

...........

At some point, it happened.

"Even for introverts, there's a place to shine—on stage!"

Ah, that's right!

She remembered watching an interview on TV. Inspired by the idea, she decided to join a band.

That was the beginning of her journey with the guitar.

"Maybe someone like me can shine too?"

She approached her dad hesitantly.

"D-Dad, can I borrow your guitar?"

"Ohhh! My daughter's finally interested in guitar!"

She was just a first-year middle schooler back then.

Clueless about chords and utterly baffled by sheet music, her initial attempts produced bizarre noises that still made her want to hide under the covers when she thought back on them.

But she stuck with it!

For two and a half... uh, two years, she practiced for six hours daily.

The videos she uploaded to video-sharing sites gained tons of views and praise.

Being admired at the school festival for her performance was exhilarating.

But just as she was soaking in the glory—BAM! Graduation.

"I swore I'd join a band in high school..."

But a month into high school, no friends, no band.

'Yep, I'm hopeless!'

Not only was she a klutz and a sports idiot, but she couldn't even look people in the eye when talking. Her conversations always started with an awkward "Uh..."

She was one step away from becoming a total recluse.

'The guitar, which was supposed to help me make friends and shine, ended up becoming my emotional crutch instead.'

But she didn't mind anymore—she genuinely loved the guitar now.

Yet deep down...

"Someone like me will never have friends, right!?"

Just as she was about to give up entirely,

the TV blared again.

"...Coming up next, a feature on the No.1 club among high schoolers—the Light Music Club!"

'Wow, I'm so jealous of people who get to be in that club! Some even have fan clubs for their band members!'

Encouraged by this, she decided to give it one last shot.

She decked herself out with rock band patches all over her guitar case, wore a bold rocker tee under a pink jacket, and read a rock magazine at her desk, hoping someone would notice.

But...

'Why didn't anyone come up to me!? It was so obvious!'

Frustrated, she nearly smashed something.

'Were they ignoring me on purpose? No, that'd be soul-crushing!'

Desperate and lonely, she sat by herself at a park.

Staring at her phone, she saw that her online fan count had surpassed 30,000. It felt like the internet was her only safe place. She was about to skip school entirely when...

Someone suddenly spoke to her.

That person invited her to join a band and even took her to perform at a Live House.

Although she hid in a box during the performance,

'I'm so glad I decided to pick up the guitar!'

Bocchi-chan (also known as Hitori Gotou) believed this wholeheartedly to this very day!

Even though she still felt awkward and downcast around her friends, she had come a long way from middle school.

And today was special—because her friends were coming over!

'Is this outfit too weird?' she fretted.

Home attire included a pink pajama set, glowing star-shaped glasses, a tiny red top hat, a comedy mustache, and a welcome banner reading "One-Day Patrol Chief."

"Oh no, they're here!"

The doorbell rang, and cheerful voices called out,

"We're here, Bocchi-chan!"

Bocchi had no time to rethink her choices. As the door opened, the lively chatter of two girls fell into awkward silence.

Pop!

Confetti burst into the air. Still, silence lingered.

"Bocchi-chan, you seem... happy," the blonde girl remarked flatly.

"Y-Yeah," bocchi stammered, her face obscured by all the accessories.

'Oh no... did I ruin the vibe!?'

She was visibly deflated now.

The red-haired girl tried to maintain a smile to keep her friend from feeling bad.

"You must've been really excited for today, huh?"

"Yeah," the blonde girl chimed in, forcing a grin.

"Ah, Kita-chan's kindness is melting my heart!" Bocchi felt giddy from the support.

"Come in, please!"

"Thanks!"

"Sorry for the trouble!"

Today was about designing T-shirts for their upcoming performance.

Bocchi, who had decorated her room like a karaoke booth, felt mortified.

But this was a rare and precious gathering of friends!

..........

Meanwhile, at 3 p.m., Akifumi finally set down his Switch and finished his drink.

"Wait, it's already this late?"

Time had flown by unnoticed.

"Games are seriously a time sink!" he scolded himself.

"Next time, I'll be more mindful!"

He grabbed his stuff and left the restaurant.

As soon as he stepped outside, the blazing summer heat hit him like a beast.

"Whoa, it's so hot!"

It was a whole different world compared to the cool indoors.

But humans, being resilient creatures, always find a way to survive harsh environments.

'Wait, wait! It's not like I'm enduring some apocalyptic challenge—just walking in the heat!'

Even so...

"This temperature is unbearable!"