Arale Nakamachi and Miyako Fuji

Here you are.

It would mean so much to me if you'd continue to support my work.

Wow~! Thank you so much! I'll treasure it!

Fujimi-sensei, are you feeling all right? Would you like to take a short break...?

I'm all right. We still have guests waiting.

Thank you, that helps. I'll call in the next guest, then.

Please do.

(Right... I don't have time to be taking breaks!)

(Today's signing is fully booked, and I'm so grateful. I have to give every guest my absolute best!)

Sorry to keep you waiting. Next guest, please!

Ahem... Hello there.

Yako-sensei...!!

Hm?

H-H-Hello...!! Could I please have your autograph!?

Of course. Please, step up to the desk.

Excuse me! Could you sign this autograph board, please?

Sure. I'd be happy to sign one for you anytime if you asked.

N-No, no, I couldn't!! That wouldn't be fair to your other fans!

Hehe. All right, I understand. Then, to keep things fair...

Wow...! Yako-sensei is really signing it right in front of me...!

Arale-san, who's your favorite character?

Huh?

I like to draw everyone's favorite character next to my signature.

W-What incredible hospitality! I can't believe we're allowed to ask for something this special~...!

Wait, how am I supposed to choose...!?

I'd love to let you take your time, but I'm afraid time is a little tight...

Right! I can't keep everyone behind me waiting!

Chupa would be perfect, and Sachu's impossible to pass up...! But that new character from the latest chapter was so good too...!

(Arale-san... She's really kept up with the story, all the way to the latest chapter.)

Hmmm... Okay, I've got it!

I've gotta go with the tried-and-true choice! Sachu, please!

Certainly. Just a moment, please.

Whoa, whoa, whoa...!

S-Sachu is being born...!! She's coming to life! Right now!! Right before my eyes!!!

All done. Here you are.

Woooow~~!

I'm sorry, but that's all the time we have.

Oh! I'm sorry! Thank you so much, Yako-sensei!

And I'll always, always be cheering you on!

...!

Thank you again!

Hehe...

Sensei, should I call in the next guest?

Oh, yes. Please do.

*Peek*...

*Peek*... *Peek*...

(Not a soul in sight. Good...!)

(Now all that's left is to wait for... "her.")

Arale-san. Over here.

Miyako-san...! Hiding in the perfect blind spot... I should've known.

Naturally. One can never be too careful.

No one saw you on your way here... did they?

No one...!

Then, Arale-san... Do you have the goods?

Right here in this envelope... See for yourself.

*Gulp*... Then, if you'll excuse me...

Oh...! S-So these are the legendary...!!

Yes...! The bonus items from the official Magilulu comic anthology that just came out!

All ten Magilulu character stickers in gothic Lolita outfits!

And even the secret holographic sticker! The complete set!

G-Guh...!

Wh-What incredible power...!!

I can't believe the official team actually put them in outfits like these...! And the brand-new artwork is absolutely gorgeous!

I know, Miyako-san! I know exactly what you mean!

They've got everything from sugary-sweet looks to full-on dark gothic ensembles...!

And the secret one especially! Just look at that expression!

Gaaah...! That wistful expression you never get to see anywhere else...!

Without the gothic Lolita look, we might never have discovered this whole new side of her.

Bless whoever came up with this god-tier concept...!

Arale-san, I don't know how I can ever thank you... I'd already given up on getting these.

They came out right when you were racing to meet your deadline, Yako-sensei...!

Yes. The moment the announcement went up, I knew I was doomed.

But then you, my fellow devotee, reached out and saved me...

Most people would turn down a request to hunt down merchandise this impossibly limited.

And yet, you agreed without a moment's hesitation...

It was a real struggle this time. Everywhere was running low...

But I pulled it off because it was for you, Miyako-san!

Thank you. Truly, from the bottom of my heart...! Someday, I swear I'll repay this kindness.

Hehe... Don't mention it.

We're comrades who fell down the same fandom rabbit hole, aren't we...?

Arale-san...! Hehe...

Hehehe...

Staaaare...

(I feel like someone's watching me...)

Staaaaaare...

Um... Arale-san? Is everything okay?

Eep!? Y-Y-You noticed!?

It would've been harder not to notice...

Ugh... Mmm... Okay! I'm just gonna ask!

Yako-sensei!!

Are you feeling all right!?

Hm...?

Next week's Chupasachu gets a full-color opening and extra pages! Which means your workload must've exploded too, Yako-sensei! I figured you've been buried in an absolute deadline crunch...!!

And even now... Um... You have faint dark circles under your eyes...

...!

As a fan, though, I couldn't be happier!

I just know it's going to be amazing, and I already can't wait to read it!

But as your bandmate... I know it's not really my place, but...

Hehe...

Thank you for worrying about me, Arale-san. But really, I'm all right.

I-Is that so...?

I've already worked out the manuscript deadlines with my editor, and we've made sure there's plenty of time in the schedule.

Oh... I see...! What a relief~

Yes. Besides...

The more work I have, the more fired up I get.

F-Fired up?!

As a creator, I believe great work needs just the right amount of pressure.

Arale-san, you write lyrics too, right? I'm sure you know what I mean.

When I'm writing lyrics...?

You're right. It's not always fun for me either. It can really push me, but that pressure somehow helps me make something better.

Exactly. I think that pressure is important.

Of course, pushing yourself too far is no good. If I worked myself into the ground again, it would defeat the whole purpose.

I've learned to pace myself to a certain extent. But...

But taking the easy way out and releasing some lifeless piece of work into the world? I refuse.

Whoa...!

Hehe... If it means creating something truly worthwhile, I'll do whatever it takes...!

W-Whoa...!?

Arale-san, I know how much you and all my readers are looking forward to it.

A true professional doesn't just meet those expectations. They surpass them...!

Just wait until you see next week's issue...!

Yes! I will!