Evening, after the signing event.
Haruki and Haruka sat down for dinner at a quiet restaurant. Haruka was unusually attentive, even helping him with his food—his hand was too sore to hold chopsticks properly after signing for hours.
"It's seriously exhausting," Haruki muttered between bites. "Next time, don't arrange something again. I'd rather spend the whole day drawing than go through that."
He'd repeated that complaint a dozen times today. Haruka just smiled, used to it by now.
After he finished most of his meal, she leaned forward slightly. "By the way, there's something I need to tell you."
Haruki glanced at her. "What is it?"
"There's going to be a change at Echo shroud... a new editor-in-chief."
"Oh. That's fine." Haruki shrugged. "I barely go there anyway, and I've skipped the company events for two years straight. I don't know anyone besides you."
Haruka's voice lowered. "They all know why you left Osaka and came to Tokyo. After what happened back then, they wouldn't dare reassign me as your editor without thinking twice."
"But it's not that simple this time," she continued. "The person taking over isn't as easygoing as Editor Katsumi. If she steps in, your plan to end Initial D and Natsume's Friends might face real resistance."
"I've read the contract," Haruki said flatly. "I have the right to conclude my works independently."
"Then that's all that matters."
Haruka paused, then added, "Still, the incoming editor-in-chief has already made it clear publicly—that she'll oppose you ending both series. She even asked me to convince you otherwise."
Haruki frowned. "So… is that what this dinner is about?"
"No," Haruka said immediately, shaking her head. "She told me to talk to you, sure. But she hasn't taken office yet. Until then, I don't answer to her."
"I'm telling you this as your editor, not as her messenger. I just want you to be aware of what's coming. What you decide to do with your career is entirely your choice."
She paused before adding, "That said… you could delay the endings a little. From her perspective, two popular series ending the moment she takes office would look bad."
Haruki didn't hesitate. "I don't know her. Why should I consider her situation? If you were the editor-in-chief, I might consider it. But not for someone I've never even met."
"My job is to produce the best work I can, not to manage office politics."
Haruka nodded. She hadn't expected a different answer and deep down, she respected him for it.
Still, she offered one final warning. "If you're determined to end both series within six months, I'll support that decision. But you need to be sure about what comes next. If your new project can't match the success of Initial D or Natsume's Friends, you'll face backlash. From fans, from critics, and even within the company."
"I know," Haruki said simply.
They left it at that.
In the days that followed, Haruki's schedule grew busier. Weekdays were for manga, and weekends were spent at T-Bone Animation Studio, supervising the Initial D anime adaptation.
He also handed over a package of BGM tracks from the original Initial D series. Though the visuals were dated, the music—like "Take Me Higher," "Your Dream," "Wings of Fire," and "Stay"—was iconic.
Of course, he didn't give the rights away for free. He charged licensing fees, even if he didn't particularly care about the money. After receiving the music bundle, the production team fell silent. Some began to whisper about the long-standing rumor: that all of Mizushiro's anime adaptations somehow came bundled with extraordinary, obscure soundtracks.
Supposedly, Haruki always claimed they came from friends who composed music on the side. But no one could ever verify who those "friends" were.
Some began to suspect the truth—that he might've composed the tracks himself. And if that was the case, then Haruki Yuuki wasn't just a top-tier manga artist and anime screenwriter… he might be a music creator, too. A one-man production studio.
By the end of the week, Initial D's first three volumes had sold over 2.3 million copies. Volume four alone had already sold 700,000. Even without the anime airing yet, the manga was dominating the charts well beyond most new releases.
If the anime performed well, that number could climb much higher. But that would depend entirely on the quality of the adaptation.
Regardless, Haruki's standing in the manga industry was now indisputable. Even the most critical media outlets had stopped questioning whether his success was a fluke.
Meanwhile, across the city, the production team for Puella Magi Madoka Magica had gathered near Haruki's neighborhood. As the team reviewed scripts and key scenes, they began to understand what they were working on... and more importantly, what Haruki intended to do to the audience.
A few even joked bitterly: "This guy really is the enemy of magical girl fans."
Kazuya Mori, overseeing the production, couldn't help but feel both awe and pressure. The deeper they got into the project, the more it became clear—this wasn't just a genre twist. It was a direct challenge to the industry.
Then, at the end of June, an unexpected guest arrived at Haruki's apartment.
Haruka brought her in: a woman slightly older, with a composed demeanor and sharp eyes.
"Hello," she said. "I'm Amane Yuzuki I'll be taking over as editor-in-chief at Echo shroud next month."
Haruki gave a polite nod. "Haruki Yuuki. Please, have a seat."
He already knew why she was here.
Sure enough, Amane didn't waste time.
"I believe you already know what I've come to discuss. I hope you'll reconsider ending Initial D and Natsume's Friends Account within the next five months."
Haruki didn't even hesitate. "No. I've said it before—I'm ending both series on schedule."
Amane smile stiffened slightly.
"Even if it's the future editor-in-chief of Echo shroud making that request?"
It wasn't just Haruki's words—his tone was cool, firm, and final. Amane wasn't used to being told no, especially not so bluntly.
"May I ask why you're so determined?" she said.
"Because I believe it's time for both stories to end," Haruki replied.
"But from an editorial perspective, the stories aren't finished," Amane said, meeting his gaze.
Haruki raised an eyebrow. "From your perspective?"
Haruka, watching quietly, frowned. She could see where this was headed. Amane was used to treating creators like subordinates.
"I'm the author," Haruki said. "If I say the story's over, it's over. You can give your opinion, but I'm not obligated to accept it."
Amane straightened, her voice cool. "As the incoming editor-in-chief, my guidance carries weight. I was planning a major promotional campaign featuring you, Airi, and your respective works. That includes Dream World, Initial D, and Natsume's Friends."
"Enough," Haruki interrupted. "You're not the editor-in-chief yet. And even if you were—I'm not here to manage your promotion schedule."
He stood up, calm but unyielding.
"I'm busy. If there's nothing else, I'll need to get back to work."
He didn't argue. But the meaning was unmistakable.
Amane stood slowly, her expression unreadable. Then, without another word, she left with Haruka.
Shout out to Big money mike for joining my p-atreon! your support means everything to me.
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