After dropping Shiina Mashiro off at the teacher's office and eting Chisato Sengoku, Izumi Kotomi turned around to leave.
However, before she left, Chisato handed Kotomi a bag of candy.
Kotomi didn't hesitate and accepted the candy with a smile, then headed out of the main school building, only to run into Kato gumi on the way.
As the two walked ho together, Kotomi pulled out the candy bag Chisato had given her and asked, "It's from Sengoku-sensei. Want to try so?"
"Sure. Oh, wait—aren't these those trending 'Mystery Candies'?" gumi remarked after taking a closer look at the packaging.
"Mystery Candies?"
"Yeah, look at the package, it doesn't list the flavors, right?"
Kotomi glanced at the packaging. "You're right."
gumi explained further, "All the flavors in these candy bags are random, and what flavor you get depends on luck. There are normal flavors like orange, strawberry, chocolate, blueberry, waterlon, and lychee. But there are also... um, unusual ones like baby diaper, moldy cheese, skunk, or freshly mowed grass. So of the weird ones taste pretty bad, but don't worry, they're safe to eat. These candies are super popular for pranking friends."
"Only a little weird?" Kotomi thought to herself, trembling slightly. She looked at the candy and couldn't help but wonder, Sengoku-sensei, why couldn't you just give normal candy? Even if it's harmless, no one wants to risk eating sothing gross!
Just as Kotomi was debating what to do with the candies, gumi suddenly spoke up, "Wanna give it a try?"
"Huh?"
"Let's each try one of these Mystery Candies."
Kotomi hesitated for a mont before nodding. "Alright, let's give it a shot."
The candy wrappers were colorful and gave no hint of the flavor inside. You couldn't even sll the flavor beforehand—only after putting it in your mouth would you know what you got.
Kotomi and gumi each picked a candy, unwrapped it, and popped it into their mouths.
After a mont of tense anticipation, Kotomi's expression relaxed.
"lon flavor," Kotomi said.
"I got strawberry," gumi responded with a smile.
"Looks like we were pretty lucky this ti, getting normal flavors," Kotomi said with a sigh of relief as she put the candy back in her bag, deciding not to push her luck. They had both gotten away with normal flavors this ti, but who knew what they'd get next ti?
Better save these for when I'm hanging out with more friends. These prank candies are definitely best enjoyed in a group! Kotomi thought, tucking the candy away.
"Oh, by the way," Kotomi said as they neared her ho, "I submitted a manga a few days ago."
"Really? Which publisher did you send it to? Houbunsha?" gumi asked.
"No, Shueisha."
"Shueisha? The one that publishes Weekly Shonen Jump?" gumi asked, her eyes widening slightly in surprise.
"Yeah, that's the one. Have you read Weekly Shonen Jump before, gumi?"
"I've never read it, but I know of it. You always hear about ani adaptations of Jump manga on TV or online," gumi explained with a smile. "So, what's the result?"
Kotomi, feeling a bit smug, nodded. "It got accepted. I'll be eting with one of their editors this Friday to discuss the contract. Once that's sorted, it'll be serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump."
"That's amazing, Kotomi! When your manga starts serialization, be sure to let know. I'll definitely buy it," gumi said, her voice full of admiration.
"I'll tell you when the first volu cos out too," Kotomi replied with a grin.
"Wow, aiming high, aren't you?"
The thought of Chainsaw Man being serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump made Kotomi feel a surge of excitent. While she was thrilled about getting her manga serialized, she knew that this was only a small step toward her overall goal.
Her real journey as a mangaka would begin once her work was published as a standalone volu.
As Kotomi thought about her conversation with gumi, sothing else popped into her mind.
Houbunsha, huh... Kotomi mused. Maybe in the future, I'll try making sothing for them too.
Works like Is the Order a Rabbit?, Acchi Kocchi, Yuru Camp... those series had such cozy vibes.
But of course, there was one particular project Kotomi had been thinking about for a long ti—Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
Kotomi had big plans for Madoka Magica.
Her ultimate goal was not just to create a manga but also to get it adapted into an ani, including multiple films:
The Beginning Story - Part 1
The Eternal Story - Part 2
The Rebellion Story - Part 3
From the mont Kotomi had gained the God-Level Heroine System, she'd set her heart on creating sothing truly groundbreaking with Madoka Magica.
Regardless of whether it brought her financial success in this world, Kotomi was determined to bring Madoka Magica to life.
Every creator has a work they pour their heart and soul into, a project they're willing to give everything for without thinking about the cost.
For Kotomi, Madoka Magica was that project.
When she got ho, she was greeted by the sight of her father, Izumi Kaneyoshi, in the kitchen, cooking alongside Izumi Akina.
Kotomi walked up to them and asked, "Dad, you're ho early today."
Her father turned to her with a warm smile. "I finished up a big project at work, so I got to leave a little early today. Just got back a bit ago. How was school?"
"Good. I had club activities with the art club after class."
"That's great. Make sure you get along with your clubmates," Kaneyoshi said.
At that mont, Akina chid in, sounding a little envious. "Club activities, huh? I kinda miss being in a club."
"Well, unfortunately, we're way past that. Not only are we out of high school, we've been out of college for years," Kaneyoshi teased.
Akina puffed out her cheeks, looking playfully upset. "Are you calling old?"
"Huh? No, not at all..." Kaneyoshi imdiately tried to backpedal.
He could swear on his life that he never thought she was old! Honestly, the only thing that had changed about her in all these years was her hair, which she now dyed white. Other than that, Akina hadn't aged a day. Her beauty was tiless, only gaining more charm over the years.
She still looked like she was in her mid-twenties!
"Well, then why didn't you... do anything last night?" Akina huffed, pouting adorably.
Despite being married for years, whenever Akina acted up like this, Kaneyoshi couldn't help but see her as the playful, feisty girl she used to be.
"W-What?!" Kaneyoshi stamred, his face turning red. He quickly lowered his voice, glancing around nervously as if their daughter might overhear. "Akina! Not in front of the kids!"
Both parents instinctively glanced toward the spot where Kotomi had been standing earlier, only to find that she had already disappeared from the kitchen.
Kotomi's already fled, they both realized.
anwhile, Kotomi herself was thinking, Oh great, here they go again, pretending to fight but actually just flirting. Better get out of here while I can.
Akina giggled softly. "Looks like Kotomi's already gone."
"Er, right... Let's just focus on dinner for now. I'm sure Kotomi and Aimi are getting hungry."
"And what about tonight~?" Akina asked, her voice playful and teasing.
"We'll... do whatever you want," Kaneyoshi replied, knowing better than to refuse.
After years of marriage, Kaneyoshi had learned his lesson—when Akina had that look in her eye, it was better to just agree.
At this rate, it wouldn't be long before Kotomi and Aimi had a little sibling.
"Are you thinking about nas for a third baby already, dear?" Akina teased, clearly anticipating his thoughts.
"N-No! There's no third baby!" Kaneyoshi replied, flustered, pushing up his glasses.
"But if we work hard enough, maybe in a few months, or a couple of years, I might just get pregnant again. Kotomi would be the eldest sister, and Aimi would be the middle child," Akina said with a dreamy smile.
"Well then, we'll just have to work extra hard," Kaneyoshi agreed, with a grin.
"Deal!" Akina said as they shared a playful high-five.
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