Chapter 289: Meeting
"Manga Paradise is crumbling, and the number of mangakas has been cut in half! Due to a lack of staff in the animation department, The Strongest Mobile Suit was cut short ahead of schedule. A major bookstore reached an agreement with Tsuki Animation Company, and Weekly Shōnen is expected to become the best-selling manga magazine in Japan!"
"Well done!"
After taking a deep breath, Genji put down the report in the Hinotori Building in Osaka, patted Takumi on the shoulder, and praised him loudly, "It's been a year since I last saw you, and you've grown so much, Takumi, you make me very happy!"
In Japan, the situation changed in a month, and the manga industry quietly changed hands, so fast that it stunned everyone.
Before companies like Kanto Manga Company could react, Takumi had already taken possession of that territory. It is possible that, from now on, Japan will become the backyard of Hinotori Publishing.
Takumi's actions couldn't help but impact Genji. Half a year ago, he was still wondering what this boy could do, but today he felt he had nothing to worry about.
This boy... has grown up.
"Not just in mind, but in body as well."
Genji looked Takumi up and down, and the more he looked, the happier he felt. There was a kind of joy in his heart that made him laugh out loud. This was his successor. With Takumi in the future of Hinotori Publishing, what else should he worry about?
"You flatter me."
Takumi nodded in acknowledgment and then asked, "I heard I don't have to handle the preparations for the celebration?"
That was the reason he had returned this time. Without Alice, he was directing the celebration preparations himself. But two days ago, Genji suddenly said that he didn't need Takumi's help and would handle the subsequent preparations.
"Yes, you don't need to help, just come directly when the time comes."
Genji laughed; he would make the celebration perfect and give Takumi a surprise.
Takumi was fine with that. In fact, he was a bit annoyed by so many procedures and had wanted to step back for a while. But he couldn't let Genji mess with him, and he had to tell him something that required attention.
"This time I want to talk to you about the performances and other activities for the celebration..."
Takumi and Genji began to chat. The main topic was the content of the celebration, including the performance of the voice actors, interaction with readers, fan activities, etc.
There are many things that are difficult to explain clearly over the phone, so he spoke with Genji in person all morning. Takumi didn't leave until Genji understood and was sure there would be no mistakes.
"Whatever happens, I have to organize the program..."
After leaving Genji's office, Takumi reflected in the elevator. Most things were going well for Genji, but the organization of the program was still in his hands. He wanted to find an assistant who could share the work, but he couldn't find one.
Alice wasn't there; it was a real problem.
Thinking about this, suddenly, the elevator stopped descending, and after the door opened, Takumi's eyes widened.
At the door, a beautiful girl with a shoulder bag stared at him in a daze for a long time without reacting. It wasn't
until the door was about to close that Takumi was the first to react. He reached out and pressed the open button.
"Aren't you coming in, Shiori?"
he asked.
The girl hurried in.
"It's been a year since we've seen each other, and you're more beautiful!"
Takumi praised as the elevator closed. After a year without seeing each other, the girl had become even more beautiful, especially with her long black hair that reached past her waist; few girls would let it grow that long.
"Long time no see, Takumi!"
Shiori smiled elegantly after the surprise.
Takumi looked at Shiori and sized her up, "Are you really Shiori?"
Something was wrong. Why wasn't Shiori excited to see him? Even if she didn't run towards him, she shouldn't have such a calm smile, right?
"Has she fallen in love with someone else?"
This thought crossed Takumi's mind. In his memories, Shiori was a very positive person, but now she was so calm. Most likely, she had fallen in love with someone else.
Well, for a sixteen-year-old girl, a year of separation can end love.
Takumi felt a little confused, but instantly, Shiori's words shattered him.
"Don't doubt it. I'm Shiori."
The girl raised her eyebrows and said slowly, "I'm the Shiori you left without saying goodbye and who tried to commit suicide. She's seventeen now and will soon be a high school student, but she still loves you more than anyone."
Takumi was stunned. He turned his head to look at Shiori and frowned, "Suicide attempt?"
"..."
Shiori looked at him and smiled, "I lied."
"..."
Takumi stared into Shiori's eyes, and Shiori looked back at him. The two held their gaze. Suddenly, Takumi asked, "How have you been this year? It's as if you've become a different person."
"You too."
Shiori didn't look away and said, "Although I don't quite understand it, I feel that you've become more cheerful... Takumi, if I confess now, will I succeed?"
"You can try."
Takumi smiled, but there was a slight surprise in his eyes.
"Go out with me,"
Shiori said immediately.
"I refuse!"
Takumi replied without hesitation.
"Ding..."
The elevator door opened, Shiori frowned slightly and looked away, "It seems like it was my hallucination."
She walked out.
"It's bad if it's not a hallucination."
Takumi followed, and a smile flashed in his heart. Although her temperament and behavior had changed a bit, she was still the same Shiori.
And he really liked this way of reunion, which was better than crying and dying.
"By the way, Takumi, why didn't you tell me when you left?"
Leaving the building, Shiori asked, "Am I so unbearable? At that moment, you hated me so much that you didn't even have a reason to let me know."
This was a question that had surrounded Shiori for a year, but the tone she used today was very common, as if it were something trivial.
"No, I don't hate you... It's just that if I had told you then, could I still have left?"
Takumi smiled and replied. He was very impulsive a year ago. Back then, he didn't have many thoughts. He just wanted to leave for a quiet time. And if he told Shiori he was leaving at that moment, Shiori would have to bother him and chase him.
"That's what I told you..."
Shiori sighed softly. "I'm so stupid. At first, I thought you hated me a lot." "
And then you committed suicide?"
"No..." Shiori turned and smiled at Takumi. "I was just kidding, but you really thought I would kill myself."
"I believe it." Takumi nodded solemnly. "I don't think others would kill themselves, but you would."
Shiori was speechless.
"You have to go back to Jidong this afternoon, right?"
She changed the subject.
"Yes." Takumi nodded. "There's still time at noon. It's been a long time since I've seen you, how about you join me for lunch?"
"I'd love to go, but I'm sorry... I have to go back to school for a nap." Shiori looked at the time on her phone and said, "If I don't go back early, I can't get into the dorm. I still have a lot of classes this afternoon. I need to take a nap to recharge."
Takumi was a little surprised. It was the first time Shiori had refused his invitation, and it was for a nap, something so insignificant?
"Don't you have a fever?" he asked.
He couldn't help but reach out and touch Shiori's forehead. The temperature was normal.
"Well, bookworm, how can you understand how busy I am?" Shiori pushed Takumi's hand away and said, "I'm about to start my senior year of high school and I have to do dubbing. I also have several music guidance teachers, bridal training and..."
"Hey! What are you learning?" Takumi's eyes widened, "Don't you just have Sato-sensei? And what's this about bridal training?"
"Takumi, a lot can happen in a year..."
Shiori replied, "Just because Sato-sensei taught me a year ago doesn't mean it's the same a year later. As for the training... it's a test from your grandmother."
Takumi's face changed color slightly.
"Oh, really?" he withdrew his hand. In a way, he understood, "No wonder you're so strange today, it turns out you received her guidance, that old woman is really incredible..."
In fact, he had met his grandmother once during a trip. The old woman traveled with him as a stranger for a few days, and finally left because her body couldn't handle the comings and goings.
And then. Takumi only knew from the message that she was his grandmother...
Remembering it, Takumi felt a little confused. He asked Shiori, "So, what's wrong with her? Does she treat you like her granddaughter?"
"No, quite the opposite. The old woman said I have a bad character and would bully her grandson. She doesn't like me." Shiori smiled bitterly and said, "So I can't stop working hard, Takumi... You'll return to your father's family sooner or later, right?" "
..." Takumi fell silent and nodded, "I'll take care of this matter, it's not the time yet..."
He had many pending matters, including the issue between Shiori and Alice. Takumi had not accepted Shiori's confession, but the reason was different from a year ago. This time, Takumi wanted to solve Alice's problem first.
Alice did not avoid it completely. Since she had agreed to return, Takumi wanted to wait for her and resolve the situation between them first. Then, resolve the problems between Shiori and Takumi's family.
"There is nothing that cannot be solved. There is always a solution that everyone can accept..." Takumi said goodbye to Shiori and returned home with these thoughts.
After spending the afternoon in Osaka with Aika, Takumi returned to Japan.
Due to the large number of staff who left, Manga Paradise had no hope of resurgence. The business of Tsuki Animation Company grew enormously, and Takumi positioned it as the headquarters of Hinotori Publishing in Japan.
Subsequently, he began to integrate the various manga and animation businesses of Tsuki Animation Company. It was a long task. It would take him several months to fully digest it and consolidate himself in Japan.
In addition, while working, Takumi had to dedicate time to completing the celebration's programming.
Tokyo TV and Osaka TV were willing to provide several presenters. Takumi also invited the original presenter, Yumi, who was in the country's interior, and she gladly accepted.
However, Takumi did not know that someone was secretly watching his actions.
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