December 25, 2017 — Christmas — Tokyo
"So cold!"
The moment Kamiyā Yuu opened the car door, a piercing cold wind rushed into the vehicle with dampness. Even wearing a warm coat did little against this wet chill. This year's Christmas weather was worse than previous years. In past years, light snow had actually made the temperature feel warmer, and young women could openly go out in skirts showing their legs. But now, light rain was falling over Tokyo. The cold wind mixed with moisture swept through like flowing water, slipping into every gap, while the dampness clinging to the skin rapidly absorbed body heat as it evaporated.
He opened an umbrella and then opened the rear door. Kamiyā Sora, dressed in a winter-long skirt, couldn't help hugging herself against the chill.
"There's heating inside the hotel. It'll be better once we're in." Kamiyā Yuu shivered as he stretched out his stiff right hand.
Kamiyā Sora placed her small hand in Kamiyā Yuu's palm and got out of the car. The wet ground made her furrow her delicate brows and lift her skirt hem, afraid it would be splashed by rainwater. This black gothic winter outfit was Kamiyā Yuu's Christmas gift to her. Its long skirt hem covered below the calves and had excellent warmth, while its design also considered the wearer's aesthetic needs, avoiding any thick or bulky impression.
"Mm."
She responded softly. After getting out, she looked at Kamiyā Yuu's stiff cheeks, damp from the moisture, and couldn't help removing her leather warm gloves. Her warm little hands pressed gently against his face.
"Cold?"
Kamiyā Yuu revealed a stiff smile. As they walked, he placed his other hand on her small face. The icy temperature made her delicate body tremble.
The two looked at each other and laughed softly. Kamiyā Sora pulled Kamiyā Yuu's hand and hurried toward the hotel.
"Hurry. We can't keep Sister Etsuki and the others waiting."
Company gatherings were an everyday thing for Japanese companies. After-work gatherings, welcome parties for newcomers, holiday parties, and so on—as long as a reason could be found, one could basically be held. This time, the two were attending the Christmas party held by the 'Yosuganosora' animation production company.
After several months of development, the 'Yosuganosora' animation production company had reached a scale no smaller than a first-rate animation production company in the industry. Across more than ten departments, there were nearly two hundred employees in total. This Christmas party also included the purpose of holding a welcome party for all newly joined employees.
As soon as they entered the hotel lobby, Kamiyā Sora saw Morishita Aoi standing not far away like one of the hotel staff. She eagerly pulled Kamiyā Yuu's hand toward her and bowed.
"Sister Aoi, long time no see."
Although Kamiyā Sora didn't have many topics to talk about with people her own age, she got along quite well with mature women like Uehara Etsuki and Morishita Aoi.
Morishita Aoi reached out and stroked Kamiyā Sora's silver hair with a smile.
"I didn't expect Sora to attend the Christmas party, too. This is the best Christmas gift Santa Claus has given me this year."
Even this strict and cold career beauty had little resistance against Kamiyā Sora.
Morishita Aoi looked at Kamiyā Yuu, who was rubbing his hands together for warmth, and smiled. She placed a white document in front of him and said calmly, "This is tonight's program schedule and speech draft."
"Thanks. Then I'll have to trouble you to take care of Sora." Kamiyā Yuu took it, flipped through the program list, and sighed.
As the direct person in charge of the company, he was probably going to be overwhelmed tonight.
"Then let's go to Etsuki's side." Morishita Aoi smiled gently at Kamiyā Sora.
Kamiyā Sora shot Kamiyā Yuu a sideways glance, her eyes full of dissatisfaction and complaint, as if saying: What do you mean by bringing me here and then throwing me to someone else to look after?
That little look, noticed by no one except Kamiyā Yuu, flashed past in an instant. She then gave Kamiyā Yuu a sweet smile and encouraged him.
"Do your best tonight, Yuu."
······
"Thank you very much for everyone's contributions to the company. Some of you may have only just joined our 'Yosuganosora' animation production company recently, and your understanding of the company may still be only on the surface.
"Our company has only been established for just over a year. Although everyone is gathered here so lively this year, last year, the 'Yosuganosora' animation production company had only six employees. It was precisely with their support that I was able to complete my debut work, 'RWBY.'
"Here, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to our original art director, Uehara Etsuki, production director Morishita Aoi, 3D department director Yūki Chinatsu, as well as 3D department members Miyauchi Ema, Matsuoka Taira, and Majima Hana, our veteran employees...
"...
"...
"Now, our company's third work, 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica,' is already in production. I believe this will be a major development opportunity for our company. This is not my personal arrogance, but my confidence in the 'Yosuganosora' animation production company and in all of its employees.
"For a long time, I have been conceiving this work. Now, I entrust the ideal I have held all this time to everyone here. I believe that in July next year, we will once again come here. At that time, it will be to celebrate the success of our work!
"Now then, Merry Christmas, everyone!"
On the high stage, Kamiyā Yuu smiled as he read out the prepared opening speech.
"Clap clap clap clap clap~!"
"Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!"
"Clap clap clap!"
The spacious hotel was already filled with employees from the 'Yosuganosora' animation production company. They quietly listened until Kamiyā Yuu finished his speech, then applauded together, smiled at one another, and each began enjoying the Christmas party.
Most of the employees had joined only within the past few months, and many were seeing Kamiyā Yuu in person for the first time. After Kamiyā Yuu finished his speech, they all applauded and began chatting with nearby coworkers. The topic discussed most was probably Kamiyā Yuu's age. His appearance, younger than that of most people present, made it hard to believe he was the chief director who had produced two hugely popular anime.
"Mr. Watanabe, I really didn't expect you to join the 'Yosuganosora' animation production company."
In a corner of the hotel hall, a middle-aged man raised his glass and smiled at a young man. The middle-aged man was a new member of the original art department and had originally been a freelance key animator in the industry.
The man addressed as Mr. Watanabe was a young man wearing a black cap who looked rather unserious. But anyone familiar with the anime industry knew that this young-looking man was actually already in his thirties. He had once been an in-house line producer at a large animation production company, specializing in handling company business operations. He had an extremely wide network in the industry, and his joining made the external development of the 'Yosuganosora' animation production company much smoother.
Things like anime review procedures, BD production, broadcasting ethics rating applications, and contacting companies that made figures were all handled by him personally.
Watanabe adjusted his duckbill cap and answered somewhat embarrassedly, "Aren't you also a famous freelance key animator, Mr. Kurokawa? Last time, you even rejected Sunrise Company's invitation to become an assistant key animation director. Well~ the treatment and prospects here are both good, so I thought I'd try joining."
"I was young and hot-blooded back then. Now I'm already this age. Even with a little fame in the industry, it's hard to find an official position. I'm already very satisfied that the 'Yosuganosora' animation production company was willing to take me in. So, what do you think of this company?" the middle-aged key animator sighed.
Watanabe's gaze passed over the dense crowd of employees in the hall and landed on Kamiyā Yuu, who was preparing to step down from the stage. He pondered and said, "I can't really say much in terms of impressions. Is it indeed a good company—or maybe a company with 'dreams'? Many areas are still imperfect, but you can feel the vitality of forward progress everywhere. After chatting with those veteran employees, my biggest question is whether President Kamiyā really is an unbelievable person. Someone like him might even change Japan's animation industry."
"Haha. When I was as young as he is, I was still an animator who didn't understand anything. Yet he's already a fairly renowned animation director. Young people these days really are becoming harder and harder to understand. Never mind that—for our first Christmas party after joining the company, and for 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica,' which we'll be producing together from now on, cheers."
Watanabe raised the champagne in his hand and smiled.
"Cheers."