[219] Not a Single Worthy Opponent! 

"Isn't this just a regular animated series? A children's show, at that! What gives it the right to compete with my brother's March Rain?!"

"We all know that preliminary rounds can be shady, but I never expected something this blatant and brazen! This script has been out for less than a day, yet its likes and recommendations have already skyrocketed into the top 100? Completely disregarding the officials—this kind of behavior should be thoroughly investigated!"

"I've never heard of Warrior of Love and Hope, nor do I know how many fans they have. But let me just say, a work should speak for itself! Even if it passes the preliminaries, it'll be eliminated in the finals."

"..."

Reading through the comments, Akifumi Mugiho couldn't help but chuckle. "This is the first time I've received this much criticism."

"Did I step on someone's toes?"

Well, maybe that was an exaggeration.

Most likely, people just couldn't accept that an animated script could achieve such outstanding results.

Just like the comments suggested, in less than a day, CLANNAD had surged into the top 100!

If Akifumi weren't aware of his own influence and the situation firsthand, even he might suspect some kind of vote manipulation.

Beyond that, there was the status of anime in Japan.

Even though it was one of the country's three major cultural industries, its core audience was primarily the younger generations.

As a result, just like how adult illustrators were at the bottom of the manga hierarchy, anime was considered inferior to TV dramas and films.

Status was never dictated by logic, after all.

And then there were the usual internet trolls or perhaps even rival authors deliberately stirring trouble.

Having seen plenty of industry drama by now, Akifumi remained calm—utterly unfazed, even slightly amused.

Not convinced? Don't like it? Think there's a problem?!

Then I'll make sure to advance.

Watching me qualify will probably make these haters explode in rage!

Just imagining it was entertaining.

Akifumi had never been the type to wallow in self-doubt just because of a few anonymous insults.

Besides these negative voices, the rest of the comment section consisted of fans defending him and urging him to release a printed edition.

Otosuna Mihari wouldn't waste his time on meaningless arguments with internet trolls.

"So, it's about the physical edition now?"

Shifting his focus, Akifumi dialed Otosuna Mihari's number.

"Editor Otosuna, I've finished reading through everything."

Mihari laughed. "I knew it! With your personality, something like this wouldn't faze you at all."

"Who do these people think they are?"

Akifumi chuckled. "Why would I let some nameless strangers affect me with just a few words?"

"If only all our authors had that mindset."

Mihari sighed, then seriously added, "Akifumi-sensei, you can just ignore the haters.

"They were never interested in your work's quality in the first place."

"Speaking of which, how's CLANNAD coming along?"

"If I said I only had an outline?"

Mihari paused. "That doesn't sound like the Akifumi-sensei I know."

"You wouldn't bring out a script unless you already had at least one volume's worth of material."

When did this guy get to know me so well?

Akifumi scratched his nose and admitted, "Busted.

"I wouldn't say I have a ton written, but I do have enough for one or two volumes."

"I knew it!"

Mihari grinned. "Then I won't hold back!"

Akifumi sighed. "Isn't it risky to publish a physical edition before serialization?"

Mihari waved it off. "Didn't Akame ga Kill! prove otherwise?"

"Besides, just look at the comments on your SNS account—your fans are eager to buy it."

"Only an idiot wouldn't seize this momentum!"

"Alright, alright. If it flops, I'm blaming you."

"Come on, don't jinx it."

After hanging up, Akifumi laughed helplessly.

Now, he just had to wait for Mihari to pick up the first volume's manuscript.

The story competition didn't have strict rules against selling scripts beforehand.

Many publishers scouted promising scripts and approached the authors to discuss potential deals.

There were also cases where authors entered the competition despite already having contracts with companies, as long as the work hadn't been published yet.

Akifumi's approach was completely within the rules.

"Once I confirm everything's in order, we should be able to release it in July."

"Of course, given your skills, I doubt there'll be any issues."

"When did Mihari become so superstitious?"

"Because Warrior of Love and Hope is a brand that nothing can replace!"

Time flew by.

June was coming to an end.

Akifumi's SNS account remained lively, with countless new comments appearing every day.

Looking at them, one might think the reception was overwhelmingly negative.

Yet, the competition results painted a different picture—brilliant as ever!

In just ten days, CLANNAD had surged into the top 10!

Had it been released earlier, it might have already taken the number one spot.

As for how many new fans CLANNAD had brought Akifumi, there were no concrete numbers yet.

"CLANNAD and Akame ga Kill! are both launching on July 13th?"

"Got it, thanks for your help, Editor Mihari."

After hanging up, Akifumi smiled and murmured to himself,

"What a perfectly timed release."

It just so happened to be the day after summer vacation began—coinciding with the announcement of the competition's top 128 rankings.

"They must really believe in me."

Even within the top 128, rankings mattered.

If CLANNAD didn't make the cut, the haters would surely celebrate like it was New Year's Eve.

Even if it qualified but ranked too low, they'd claim the votes were manipulated and scoff, "That's it?"

The only way to shut them up was to achieve a top ranking!

However...

"As long as the judges have eyes, CLANNAD shouldn't place too low."

While it might not take first place due to industry biases, a top-three finish seemed realistic.

After reading the other top-rated scripts, Akifumi had only one thought:

When it comes to the theme of 'life,' Not a single one could measure up compare to Clannad!

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[Note]

Today, I could only upload one chapter today. I got a bit of writer's block and feel a little sleepy now. I'm sorry, but I need some sleep...