When Hitoshi Niinohara and Wakaka Tamura heard this, their faces were filled with surprise.
Five billion yen— it is enough to produce at least twenty animations!
Akira Fujimiya glanced at Kana Sada. The new president was very sensible.
Later, once he owned Flash Animation, he thought, she should continue to serve as president.
After the meeting, members of the first and second animation studios walked out chatting excitedly.
For them, the original animation plan represented an opportunity to realize their dreams.
Whether they could produce an original animation now depended entirely on the quality of their own scripts.
With more than six original animation planned each year, the probability of selection wasn't small.
Once chosen, they would gain both the chance to work on it and a bit of funding—something that could turn a dream into reality.
...
Haruno Yukinoshita's investment in original animation was, in truth, an investment in Akira Fujimiya.
She had told Kana to follow the opinions of Akira and Yukino. In reality, Yukino wouldn't ask for anything herself.
In other words, the future owner of Flash Animation was Akira Fujimiya.
Kana Sada was well aware of that.
Because of which, she was respectful—almost reverent woth Akira. As for her feelings toward him, she dared not have them anymore.
After the two studio supervisors left, only Akira and Kana remained in the conference room.
"Fujimiya-san, would you like to review Flash Animation's files?" Kana asked cautiously.
"I'm just an animator, not a president," Akira said, shaking his head. "You've always left a good impression, Sada-san. Even if Flash Animation changes ownership someday, I doubt anyone would replace you as president."
Hearing that, Kana's heart leapt. "Fujimiya-san, if there's anything you need, just tell me. I'll do my best to fulfill it."
"There's nothing urgent right now," Akira replied after a moment's thought. "The original animation plan will take some time. For now, let's reduce the number of adaptation projects."
"Yes, I understand. I'll fully support the company's original productions," she nodded firmly.
"I know you're still worried," Akira added, standing up and patting her shoulder. "When the anime directed by Madoka Magica's team and Niino released, you'll understand the importance of original animation." Akira said as he begin to walk away.
Kana watched him leave, her admiration deepening.
He could see right through her thoughts—He didn't seem or behave like an ordinary high school student at all.
In truth, she wasn't optimistic about the original animation plan. But since Haruno Yukinoshita and Akira Fujimiya supported it, she had no choice but to comply.
.....
After Niino and Tamura left, they immediately convened an internal meeting to select the staff for the new project.
The first and second studios were each completing an ongoing show, expected to wrap up by mid-June to match the July broadcast schedule.
Typically, once an animation entered its late stages, the team would begin preparing another.
Mobilizing staff now was neither early nor late.
If they aimed to release this new original anime alongside Madoka Magica, they would have four months—tight but doable in three with effort. The last month could be reserved for promotion.
Once Niino and Tamura mentioned the new project, volunteers flooded in.
After they'd gathered enough members, a new issue arose—the story had no title.
Niino immediately thought of Akira and went to seek his advice.
Akira pondered for a few seconds. "How about… a youth romance story?"
....
That evening, as the sun set,
Akira and Yukino Yukinoshita left Flash Animation together.
The second episode had just been completed. They would take tomorrow off and begin work on the third the day after.
Akira didn't bother checking the second episode's quality; he trusted Yukino completely.
Yukino, for her part, hadn't mentioned it either—she wanted to surprise him.
Their car stopped below Yukino's apartment. Akira carried a box filled with reader letters inside.
They took the elevator up to her room.
After opening the door, Yukino handed him a pair of slippers before heading toward the kitchen.
Akira set the box down in the living room.
There were over three hundred letters—too many to respond to individually.
Some were filled with praise, some were curious about who he was, others asked for drawings or autographs, and a few inquired about the next volume's release.
He read them one by one until his head throbbed.
As he finished, Yukino came up behind him.
"What do they say?" she asked curiously.
"All sorts of things," Akira replied, packing the letters away. "I'm thinking of asking Nanako Tamura, my editor at Future Comics, to record a Q&A video for me and upload it to my verified account. From now on, I'll answer reader questions through videos."
"How about ten questions each time?"
"Good idea. Yukino-chan, you're really smart."
"This is a great way to interact. You could even add an envelope lottery—it'd feel more random, like anyone could be chosen."
"Yukino, it's a shame you don't make videos yourself."
"I don't like being on camera. If there are interviews in the future, I'll refuse whenever possible. If I can't, you can go in my place."
"If someone asks about our relationship, how should I answer?"
Yukino froze for a moment, then rolled her eyes and walked back toward the kitchen.
Akira smiled and followed her, quietly.
.....
After dinner, Akira washed the dishes while Yukino brewed black tea.
When he returned to the living room, two cups were already prepared by Yukino.
"Yukino, aren't we sitting a little far apart?" Akira asked.
"Don't worry, this distance is just right," she said with a faint smile.
"If possible, I'd still like to hold you and tell you about my day—and our date tomorrow," Akira said softly.
"I… I didn't say I wanted to go on a date with you," Yukino murmured, her voice low.
"Yui gave us the opportunity. If you don't cherish it, I'll just go back to Sakurasou," Akira sighed.
"Can't you cherish Yuigahama-san instead? Why am I the one you tease?" Yukino's eyes glimmered with quiet resentment.
"Because you're too cute, Yukino. Because you like my stories. And because, like me, you're a little foolish," Akira said with a smile.
"I… we're just friends. You can't do anything to me besides holding hands or hugging," she whispered, blushing.
Akira looked at her endearingly, stood up, and gently embraced her.
At first, Yukino's body stiffened, then slowly relaxed.
"Do you know Saki Kawasaki?" Akira asked.
"I know her, but we've never spoken."
"Her father left with her brother and sold their house. Her mother's been hospitalized. I lent her a million yen and let her move into Sakurasou."
"...Cleaning and cooking duties?"
"Did Hiratsuka-sensei tell you?"
"Yes. I was waiting for you to bring it up."
Akira looked down at the second Yukinoshita sister in his arms. She and Yui really were alike in certain ways.
"Alright," he said. "Since we're on the topic, let's talk about Hiratsuka-sensei's personal request."
"Hiratsuka-sensei's request?" Yukino asked, surprised.
Akira explained in detail Shizuka Hiratsuka's commission and his own speculation.
After listening, Yukino fell silent.
If Hiratsuka-sensei could adopt a child, maybe it would truly solve her problem.
But then again, her father…
"Although I don't know much about Hiratsuka-sensei's father," Yukino began seriously, "finding a child won't be easy—unless that child already has some connection to her family."
"I thought the same," Akira nodded. "But I don't think Hiratsuka-sensei has any distant relatives."
"She's helped me before.... If you can find a good solution, I'll agree to one condition…"
"Including a kiss?" Akira teased.
Yukino's cheeks turned crimson as she looked away with a small huff.
Seeing that, Akira smiled and hugged her tighter.
This was his main mission—if he could fulfill Hiratsuka-sensei's request, Yukino's affection for him would grow.
"Do you… have some kind of arrangement with my sister? Why does Haruno treat you so warmly?" Yukino suddenly asked.
"I'll tell you later," Akira said after a pause. "Just know that I don't like your sister, and she doesn't like me either."
"I'll believe you—for now. It's getting late. I should go to bed," Yukino said softly.
"I should rest too," Akira replied, stepping closer.
"What… what are you doing?" she asked, face reddening.
"I'm going to carry you to your room. Is that a problem?"
"That kind of thing is absolutely not allowed!" she stammered, looking away.
"Oh, so that's what you were thinking?" Akira chuckled. "I just meant carrying you—did you think I was planning to stay in your room afterward?"
Yukino's embarrassment peaked; she clenched her small fist and punched his shoulder lightly.
Akira laughed softly, then scooped her up in a princess carry.
...
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