BlackMangaka Chapter 003: Damn It! I Want to Sleep!!
Shueisha Headquarters – Editor-in-Chief's Office
In a spacious yet neat office, a woman with short green hair wearing a pristine white dress sat at her desk. Her petite figure and youthful appearance gave the impression of a little girl, but she was, in fact, an adult, and more importantly, the editor-in-chief.
As the faint hum of the computer filled the room, Minano Matoi focused her gaze on the screen.
"Hm? Another submission?" she muttered to herself. "I wonder if this one could win the Tezuka Award this time."
The Tezuka Award—Shueisha's most prestigious rookie manga award—was held twice annually. However, the honor of being "selected" wasn't always granted. In fact, the last time it was awarded was three years ago.
"Time flies, doesn't it?" Minano shook her head, setting her musings aside as she clicked on the newly submitted file.
The title of the work caught her eye: Puella Magi Madoka Magica.
For reasons she couldn't quite explain, the title alone brought a faint smile to her lips.
---
Time ticked by.
The manuscript was only 29 pages long, but an entire hour passed as she read through it.
"What happens next?" she unconsciously murmured, her excitement palpable.
The comments left by the junior editor, Nakahara Hiroshi, flashed on the final page of the submission.
Nakahara Hiroshi—a promising new recruit who joined the company not long ago. His evaluations were thorough and sharp, reflecting his keen eye for potential.
"If he's nurtured properly, he could very well become an editor-in-chief one day," Minano thought. After briefly reviewing his notes, she decided there was no need to change his feedback.
Satisfied, she packaged the submission and forwarded it to the 'Try to Slack Off Every Day' discussion group on LINE.
---
For most people, the hours between 11 PM and midnight were reserved for winding down. Couples exchanged goodnight texts, and the rest of the world prepared to sleep.
Editors, however, lived by a different clock. Work could blur the lines between day and night, leaving no distinction.
As soon as Minano sent the file, the once-silent LINE group became lively with notifications.
"This art style is stunning! If the contact information weren't clearly listed, I'd have assumed this was the work of a seasoned artist!"
"Based on what I've read, this piece stands out, even within the heavily saturated magical girl genre. Minano, you're lucky!"
"It's unfortunate, though. If it weren't a magical girl story, with this level of artistry and storytelling, it could have had a shot at being selected. For now, semi-selection seems like the highest achievable ranking."
"Forget the theme. The author, 'Warrior of Love and Hope,' is clearly a pro. This could go straight to serialization in Weekly Shonen Jump without edits. If nurtured well, they could become one of the magazine's pillars!"
"Congratulations, Chief Editor Minano. I'm crying tears of envy over here."
"I'll treat everyone!"
Minano smiled at the flood of praise in the group chat.
Discovering talented creators was one of the greatest joys of an editor's life. Fame and financial success often followed, with royalties from eventual volume releases sweetening the deal.
"Nakahara Hiroshi discovered this work, so it's only fair that he takes responsibility for it going forward," Minano decided. She quickly composed a message to him.
---
Single Apartment
In her small apartment, Yinsha Kanemoto stretched in her chair after reviewing yet another submission.
"There really aren't many noteworthy works these days," she sighed.
After reading Puella Magi Madoka Magica, she found it hard to focus on the other submissions piled on her desk. It wasn't that the story was revolutionary—it was the art.
Manga is a visual medium, and few could balance storytelling and artistry with such finesse. In comparison, most of the submissions in her hands felt amateurish.
Yinsha checked the time.
"Already this late? I'll continue tomorrow."
Shutting off her computer, she stood, stretched, and headed to bed.
"Maybe I'll watch a video or two before sleeping."
Two hours later.
"Hehehe, Mai-chan is so cute," Yinsha giggled to herself, rolling on the bed like a worm.
A glance at her phone screen jolted her.
2:13 AM.
"Wait, what?! How did time fly by so fast?!"
Panic set in. "I have work tomorrow! I need to sleep, or I'll be in trouble!"
She shut off her phone and closed her eyes, determined to sleep.
Two minutes later.
"Damn it! I can't sleep!"
Her overactive mind buzzed with thoughts of the videos she'd just watched.
"Forget it. I'll check LINE for any updates."
Opening the app, she froze.
"A message from Editor-in-Chief Minano?! From two hours ago?!"
Cold sweat formed on her forehead. "I didn't reply immediately... Does she think I'm slacking off?!"
Scrambling, Yinsha opened the message.
"Congratulations, Yinsha. You've found a gem. Once the selection results are announced, you'll be responsible for liaising with the author of Puella Magi Madoka Magica. Good
luck!"
"Eh?!"
The news hit her like a bolt of lightning. Joy quickly replaced her surprise.
"Editor-in-Chief Minano's entrusting this to me?! Already?!"
Most editors weren't given such responsibilities until they had at least six months of experience.
"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Yinsha pumped her fist with determination.
But then, a thought struck her.
"Wait... Won't this make it even harder to sleep?!"
---
Monday Morning
"It's time to go to school!"
Nakahara Hiroshi sighed as he checked the time.
When he first regained his memories of his previous life, he'd been excited about experiencing school again. But after a few days of freedom, the enthusiasm had faded.
"It's just like writing novels—motivating at first, but eventually it becomes a chore."
After washing up and packing his bag, Hiroshi headed out.
Unlike most reincarnated protagonists, he had neither lost his parents nor gained a younger sibling. His life was ordinary, save for his awakened memories.
His parents, Nakahara Osamu and Nakahara Naho, were university professors specializing in archaeology. Though they worked in Kanagawa, they owned a home in Tokyo.
Hiroshi grew up used to their frequent absences and had been living independently since middle school.
Stopping by a convenience store, he bought a heated rice ball for breakfast.
"360 yen… What a rip-off," he muttered, pocketing the change.
Living alone had taught him how to cook, but his fridge was empty after yesterday's feast, leaving him no choice but to splurge on convenience store food.
"Five rice balls for 72 yen each... I could've made 12 at home for the same price!"
Grumbling, he headed to school, already dreading the day ahead.