Black Mangaka 009: Results and email
Nakahara Hiroshi scrolled through the group chat:
"I'm so nervous. I don't know if I'll make it to the list this time."
"As for me, I'm confident! This assessment will be a breeze!"
"Yueno-san is so confident! I'm jealous."
"I heard this is Yueno-san's second time submitting to the Tezuka Award, right? It must feel good to have experience."
Hiroshi smiled at the comments, casually replying:
"All the seniors here have plenty of experience. Don't tease Yueno-san too much."
"Actually, the one who should be panicking is a complete newbie like me."
The app he was using was a chat platform similar to LINE, and the group consisted of aspiring manga artists. Most were seasoned veterans who had been in the industry for years, while a few had even experienced serialization.
However, more than 95% of them were struggling creators who relied on part-time jobs to keep their dreams alive. After all, compared to light novels, the entry barrier for the manga industry was significantly higher.
Hiroshi had initially joined several online manga groups to learn about the industry and stay informed. Most of those groups turned out to be a mix of unrelated chatter—from school gossip to drama discussions—rather than serious conversations about manga.
This group was the only one where people were still relatively focused on their craft, even if they occasionally veered off-topic.
"Thank you for your guidance, Yueno-san! But if participating a second time counts as experience, then what about those seniors who've submitted five or six times? Wouldn't they be considered grandmasters?"
The chat went silent after Hiroshi's cheeky comment.
Uh-oh. Did I go too far?
Hiroshi cringed, realizing he might have unintentionally rubbed salt into some wounds. Those who had tried multiple times without success were likely sulking.
After a tense two-minute silence, Yueno broke the ice:
"Haha, has everyone gone to eat? By the way, how are you feeling, Nakahara-san?"
Hiroshi paused before replying: "A little nervous."
While he was confident in his skills and believed that Puella Magi Madoka Magica was excellent enough to pass the evaluation, it was his first submission in this world. A touch of nervousness was only natural.
Yueno's lighthearted tone seemed to ease the tension, and the chat soon picked up again:
"It's normal to be nervous! I couldn't sleep at all the first time I participated in something like this!"
"I agree. Honestly, I was more nervous waiting for the Tezuka Award results than when my first serialization got approved."
"Right? Even the announcement of an anime adaptation didn't stress me out as much as this!"
Hiroshi chuckled at the increasingly absurd comparisons.
"Wait, serialization? Anime adaptation? Front row seats to worship the legends in the group!"
"666!"
"Amazing! You guys are terrifying!"
"But seriously, if you've had a serialization or anime adaptation, why are you still worried about passing the Tezuka Award?"
The group burst into laughter, with Hiroshi joining in. The veterans who had been boasting earlier were now left awkwardly speechless.
Yueno, ever the troublemaker, chimed in again:
"Hmm? Are you all eating dinner? Why's it so quiet?"
Hiroshi shook his head, stifling a laugh. "This guy… does he pretend to be clueless, or is he really this natural?"
He decided it didn't matter. Yueno's antics certainly kept things entertaining.
---
Hours passed quickly, and the alarm on Hiroshi's desk rang sharply. Setting down his pen, he picked up his phone and opened Shueisha's official website.
The clock struck 8:00 PM.
The homepage prominently displayed the words: "First Assessment Results Confirmed."
Clicking the link, the page loaded, revealing a list of names.
Hiroshi scrolled through anxiously until his eyes landed on the entry:
48. Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Note: Rankings are in no particular order.
His shoulders relaxed as a smile spread across his face. His work had passed the assessment.
Given how Puella Magi Madoka Magica was more of a slow burn that gradually became compelling, Hiroshi had braced himself for potential rejection.
After all, the single chapter he had submitted relied heavily on his years of experience and the polished storyboard he'd created based on his memories from his previous life.
"At the end of the day, storytelling isn't the only criterion, regardless of where you are," Hiroshi mused.
Even though the Tezuka Award prioritized strong narratives, they wouldn't dismiss someone with a mature style right from the start.
"If I've passed the first round, even if I don't win later, I'll at least have the chance to meet an editor. Once that happens, I can present the next few chapters of Madoka. If the editor isn't blind, serialization should be a no-brainer."
Feeling accomplished, Hiroshi decided to take the night off—a rare treat after days of intense work. He had already completed nearly five chapters of Madoka, so giving himself a break felt well-earned.
As he relaxed, a mischievous thought crossed his mind: "I wonder if that overly confident guy passed? If not, the group chat must be a battlefield by now."
Opening the chat, Hiroshi found the group buzzing with activity:
"The results are out!"
"Damn it, I didn't make it again!"
"Me neither, ugh. I feel like giving up."
"The Tezuka Award really is the trial of the devil. So many dreams crushed in one round."
"Maybe I need a few more years of practice before trying again."
The mood was heavy, but the attention quickly turned to Yueno:
"Didn't Yueno-san say earlier that they'd definitely pass? How did it go?!"
"@Yueno-san, we're waiting!"
Yueno, ever the enigmatic figure, replied confidently:
"Didn't I already say I'd pass? Why ask again?"
The chat exploded with curiosity:
"What's the title of your work? Since you passed, there's no harm in sharing it!"
But Yueno left them hanging, refusing to respond further.
Hiroshi shook his head, chuckling. "This guy really knows how to keep people guessing."
***
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