After Rei announced on his official, verified mangaka account that his new work would soon begin serialization, the activity on his page, already lively thanks to the strong sales of the Five Centimeters per Second tankōbon, increased even further.
Fans poured in from manga forums, and the Sakura Weekly official website.
They grumbled, complained, and cursed, but the moment Shirogane released a new-series announcement, their first reaction was still anticipation.
@CloudySkyReader: "A new manga already? That's way too fast."
@FreshInkFan: "He's a new mangaka, it's normal. He must've had ideas stored up for years. New artists are different, they don't overthink, they're not afraid of failing."
@LateNightBento: "Judging by the title, this feels like another romance… But I'm nervous. Is it going to be the same type of story as Five Centimeters per Second?"
@GossipOtaku: "It shouldn't be, right? Isn't Teacher Shirogane rumored to be a beautiful high-school girl? Even if she's pessimistic about romance, she already expressed all that in Five Centimeters per Second, didn't she?"
@OptimistInPain: "People can't stay negative forever. I don't think this one will be a tragedy. Actually, I refuse to believe Shirogane can make anything more tragic than Five Centimeters per Second. As long as it's not that sad, it's basically a comedy."
@RealityCheckGuys: "You're really out here lying to yourself like that?"
@BambooSwordKid: "Didn't everyone say they'd never read Shirogane's manga again? Why is everyone flocking back the moment he announces a new one?"
@MovedOnButNotReally: "We were angry back then! But now… Takaki moved on in the manga, but we haven't. After cooling off, I realized Five Centimeters per Second is truly a masterpiece. It's a shame Teacher Shirogane isn't famous yet, otherwise the tankōbon would have sold way more than 600,000."
@ReminiscingMelancholy: "Same. The reason I was furious last month was… the ending reminded me of the girl I liked in middle school. But after thinking about it, the manga was telling me to let go, to not cling to a past that's already gone."
@SoftHeartedFool: "Looking forward to Shirogane-sensei's new series. As long as it's not soul-crushing, it's fine."
@KayanoDeservedBetter: "Honestly, I want a side story! Even if Takaki and Akari can't be together… at least let Takaki accept Kayano!"
Overnight, word spread everywhere:Shirogane's new work "Tonight, Even If This Love Vanishes from the World" would be serialized in Ametsukage Weekly.
In the days that followed, Rei focused completely on preparing for serialization.
Late August- New school term begins.
Rei had just turned sixteen and officially entered his second year of high school.
On the first day of the new semester, class assignments were posted.
Just like in his previous life, the second-year students were split into arts and science tracks.
Rei chose science, the same as before, and found his name under Second Year Class 2.
But the moment he stepped into the classroom, his expression froze.
Sitting near the window was someone very familiar.
"Oh, Rei!"
Miyu, who had already seen the class roster in advance, had been waiting for him. She waved cheerfully.
"What a coincidence, we're in the same class!"
"It really is," Rei said, pausing for a moment.
There were ten science classes. Ending up in the same one was definitely a matter of luck.
"Rei, wow, what a coincidence! We're in the same class again!"
A cheerful voice came from behind.
Rei turned around.
It was Yui and Hana, the inseparable pair. Both of them looked between Rei and Miyu with obvious curiosity.
And they weren't the only ones observing.
By second year, plenty of students were secretly dating. But because Miyu was well-known across the school, any boy who interacted with her drew attention.
"Speaking of which," Yui said with a grin, "did you hear? Shirogane released a new manga."
"Oh? You must know about it. You're the one who said you were Shirogane."
"Huh?"
Miyu's pupils shrank.
'Rei, are you insane?! How can you expose something like that?!'
"Yes, yes, of course I know. It's my manga, how could I not know?"Rei laughed lightly, realizing that Yui was joking with him.
Although some of the things he'd said last semester might have made Hana a little suspicious, it was only a vague feeling. As for Yui, she was clearly teasing him, using the chance to shift the conversation toward the new series from her favorite mangaka, Shirogane.
Miyu was sharp enough to figure that out after only a few seconds.
But Hana still looked at Rei with skeptical eyes.
Back then, during the serialization of Five Centimeters per Second, Rei had casually hinted that the story was a tragedy. Later, he also hinted that it would be very short. Nobody understood his comments back then… but after the manga ended, some of those hints made unsettling sense.
Still, it was probably just a coincidence.
After all, Shirogane was rumored to be a beautiful high-school girl mangaka.
If anyone here fit that description, it would be Miyu, not Rei.
"Oh, you mentioned Shirogane, right?" Miyu said with a gentle smile."Are you two also fans of Five Centimeters per Second?"
The first few days after class assignments were crucial for forming friend groups for the next two years.
When Hana heard the question, her eyes sparkled.
"You've read it too?"
When manga lovers meet, their desire to talk explodes instantly.
"Of course! Actually, Rei was the one who showed it to me," Miyu said, heading straight to Hana's side with a bright smile.
"I almost cried when I read it."
"I see." Hana gave Rei a complicated look.
"By the way, have you read Lament? It was serialized in the same magazine as Five Centimeters per Second," Miyu asked.
"Of course I have! It's really good," Yui said immediately."It's just that the ending felt a little rushed."
"Right? Actually, I think Lament is better than Five Centimeters per Second."
"No way! That's impossible!" Yui said, frowning.
"Miyu, what are you even talking about? Anyone normal can see the difference between them."
"Miyu ?" Hana said, noticing Miyu had suddenly gone silent.
Rei watched as the three girls huddled together, diving into manga talk, and let out a small sigh.
That Miyu… she really was enjoying herself.
She looked like she was having the time of her life, hiding her identity as a mangaka, secretly watching people praise and criticize her own work.
Over the next few days, the class gradually sorted itself out.
The academically strong students grouped together. The weaker ones formed their own circles.
Athletes gathered with athletes. Little cliques appeared naturally.
Only Rei and Miyu , both top students, and Yui and Hana ,both from the lower academic ranks, ended up forming a strange four-person group solely because of their shared love of manga.
And with Miyu subtly steering the conversations, all four openly admitted they were fans of the "genius beauty mangaka," Shirogane.
To an adult soul like Rei, the days felt fulfilling.
He attended classes during the day.
Used lunch breaks to draw manga quietly in hidden corners of the school.
And then worked full speed on the manuscript for Tonight, Even If This Love Vanishes from the World at night.
His schedule was strict, orderly, and busy.
Time passed quickly.
The second week after the semester began
September 4th, Friday.
This day marked the release of the newest issue of Ametsukage Weekly.
And at the same time, it marked the official serialization debut of:
"Tonight, Even If This Love Vanishes From the World!"
..
Bonus