Chapter 69 – The Missing Volume
As a legend in the animation film industry, Arata Shinkawa had not released a new work for almost two years.
It wasn't because he lacked funding or resources—he had plenty of both.
What he lacked was a story. A true, powerful story.
Shinkawa was notorious for perfectionism. His creative ability in writing was average; his brilliance came from directing, polishing, and breathing life into other people's stories. Almost every animated film he adapted from novels or manga had become a masterpiece.
But he would never touch shoddy material. If a work didn't shine with potential, it never even made it onto his desk.
Some time ago, while traveling outside Tokyo, Shinkawa had witnessed a meteor shower. That night, inspiration struck him:
A boy and girl, separated by time and space, who fall in love after mysteriously exchanging bodies.
The idea haunted him. He tried expanding it himself, drafting script outlines, but his writing fell flat. His script team also offered treatments, but none satisfied him.
Frustrated, he finally posted on social media:
> "I have an idea for a new film: what would happen if a boy and girl swapped bodies? I need a story."
The announcement sent shockwaves across Japan's creative circles.
For countless manga artists and novelists, this was the chance of a lifetime. If Arata Shinkawa chose their story, it would mean instant fame and a career that could change forever.
Manuscripts began pouring in. Dozens, then hundreds. Yet after reviewing them all, Shinkawa still shook his head.
"Not good enough… This isn't it."
One evening, while rewriting a draft yet again, his phone buzzed.
The caller ID made him blink.
Funao Yuto.
The editor-in-chief of Manga Jump.
Years ago, Yuto had introduced him to a certain manga. Shinkawa had adapted it into a film, and it became one of the most successful works of his career. Since then, whenever he needed fresh material, he sometimes turned to editors for recommendations.
But lately, Manga Jump had struggled. Good, adaptable works were rare.
He sighed, answering. "Yuto-senpai, calling this late? Don't tell me you found me another script…"
He expected casual greetings, maybe business small talk.
Instead, Yuto's voice came sharp, confident:
"Arata—I've found the story you've been searching for."
---
Meanwhile, at Toyonosaki Academy, readers across Japan were restless.
Since the release of Slam Dunk Volume 7, the account of its creator, Whale, had been silent for a week.
Fans were desperate. The eighth volume hadn't appeared, and the cliffhanger—Shohoku's gym brawl, Mitsui Hisashi's return, and the fate of the team—left them clawing for answers.
Even Eriri was anxious.
But Lucien had insisted:
> "No peeking until the entire Volume 8 is complete. It's a story best read in one go."
Naturally, Eriri protested. She tried sulking, pleading, even threatening. But Lucien was immovable.
"Are you trying to make me die of curiosity?" she huffed one night. "If you lie about this volume being amazing, I swear I'll draw you into one of my doujins and let Asuna and Sento Isuzu torture you together!"
Lucien only chuckled weakly, coughing from fatigue, but his eyes sparkled.
That night, after finishing two illustration commissions, Eriri lay in bed scrolling her phone. A notification pinged: she had been tagged in Whale's reader group chat.
Curious, she tapped in.
---
[AttackonTitanFan]: "Guys! I just read Volume 4, Chapters 1–2 of Attack on Titan! Levi is a beast! One slash, one Titan! Absolute god-tier!"
[Kazuma]: "True! I used to think his dead-fish eyes were boring, but now he's so damn cool. Short but deadly!"
[Falcon]: "Haha, contrast at its best. Whale-sensei really knows character design. Levi's like Sendo in Slam Dunk—laid back outside, but terrifying when serious."
[YukiD]: "Speaking of Slam Dunk… does anyone know when Volume 8 drops? It's been a week, no updates from Whale-sensei…"
[AttackonTitanFan]: "@Tateri-sama, any info? You're usually in the know."
[Kazuma]: "Maybe she's asleep, lol. Too late at night."
[ZhaoR]: "By the way, doesn't Miyagi Ryouta kinda look like Levi? Short, sharp, cool when serious?"
[Hayabusa]: "Now that you say it… they do! Both short kings!"
[Kazuma]: "Handsome short kings!"
[Hayato]: "Miyagi × Ayako when? That's my ship."
[ZhaoR]: "Too bad Mitsui ruined everything by starting a fight. Damn delinquent!"
[YukiD]: "At least Sakuragi's gang showed up. Mito Yohei and the boys might save the day!"
[ZhaoR]: "Hard to say…"
Finally, the one they were waiting for appeared.
[NeverLoses]: "Good evening. I have news."
The group exploded.
[AttackonTitanFan]: "Tateri-sama!! Welcome!"
[YukiD]: "Tell us! When's Volume 8?"
[NeverLoses]: "It should update tomorrow night. All chapters, in one go. Whale-sensei says this arc is best read at once."
The chat blew up with cheers.
[YukiD]: "Bless Whale-sensei! Genius!"
[ZhaoR]: "I swear, I'll buy two copies of every volume once published!"
[Kazuma]: "Make it three!"
Eriri smiled at the screen. She knew exactly who [NeverLoses] was—it was her. She would keep Lucien's trust no matter what.
---
That night, Toyonosaki's basketball captain, Shoma Makishima, scrolled Whale's account restlessly.
He had been living on Slam Dunk. For him, Akagi Takenori was more than a character—he was a mirror. A captain, burdened with dreams of "conquering the nation."
Makishima had shared the manga with his teammates, and like him, they had been inspired. Fired up, they'd recruited two powerful players from the judo club. Training harder than ever, they had won their first two matches with ease.
Tomorrow, they faced their third game.
But tonight, there was no update from Whale. No new Slam Dunk.
Makishima clenched his phone.
> "Shohoku will overcome their crisis… And so will we. We must win tomorrow."
Closing his eyes, he drifted into sleep—not dreaming of his longtime crush, Kasumigaoka Utaha, but of the sound of a bouncing basketball echoing in the gym.
---
The next morning, Saturday.
Eriri woke early, ate quickly, and packed her DV recorder. She had promised Lucien she would film Toyonosaki's game as reference material.
Her two friends, Satomi Azusa and Sakamaki Motoyu, were supposed to meet her at the station, but they were running late. Eriri, annoyed, got on the train alone.
She noticed a quiet girl across from her stealing glances.
Short hair, simple uniform, ordinary in every way—yet with delicate features and a gentle aura that drew the eye if one looked carefully.
When their eyes met, the girl blushed, then gathered courage.
"Hello, Sawamura-san. I'm Kato Megumi, Class 2-B, Toyonosaki Academy."
"Eh? Same year?" Eriri blinked. No wonder the girl looked familiar, though her presence was so faint she barely remembered her.
They exchanged small talk until Eriri's phone rang—Azusa calling. By the time she hung up, Kato had vanished without a sound.
"…Did she just… disappear?" Eriri muttered, shivering.
---
At the gym, her friends finally arrived. They teased her about her "mysterious busyness" lately—asking if she was secretly working part-time, or worse, secretly dating.
Flustered, Eriri denied everything. She couldn't tell them about Lucien, not without stirring rumors.
Soon, Toyonosaki's team entered the court, facing Kitatoshima Technical High.
Tall, broad, fierce—Kitatoshima looked terrifying.
But Toyonosaki's players, fueled by Whale's manga and their own blood, squared their shoulders.
The whistle blew.
The battle began.
END of the chapter
250ps=1 extra chapter and so on
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