Ep. 18: Hikaru rescues her manga artist mother from a monster after her fantasy work is rejected.

18

Terumi, a manga artist and Hikaru’s mother, creates a one-shot with her daughter’s help, aiming for serialization. Her editor insists on a romance genre, doubting the commercial viability of her preferred sci-fi and fantasy styles. Despite completing the work on schedule, Terumi becomes depressed after the publisher rejects it. This despair causes her to be targeted by Tenjou and transformed into a Notray. Hikaru recalls the fantasy stories her mother drew for her during childhood and intervenes to save Terumi. She encourages her mother to pursue serialization by creating a fantasy manga instead. Concurrently, Blue Cat successfully acquires a Star Color Pen.