The results of the Pokémon promotional video were a pleasant surprise.
Seeing more and more people participating in the voice selection, Takumi breathed a sigh of relief and told the others to hurry up and organize themselves. However, he did not participate in the first rounds of selection as before, and waited for Kenji to submit the waiting list.
Even so, Takumi's life was no less busy.
On weekdays, he would wake up in the morning, have a quick breakfast, and a special driver would take him to the company. In the morning, he had meetings, read reports, and processed documents, and then he had to review the details of animation production everywhere, and he was very busy. At noon, he would be sent home, and after eating, he would paint with two assistants until 10:00 PM.
Aika was very worried that his body wouldn't be able to handle it, and several times she wanted him to give up, but seeing her son work so hard, she couldn't say anything; she simply quietly stayed behind and prepared the food.
This morning, Hinotori Publishing had not yet finished work, and Takumi looked at his watch.
"Keep busy; I'm leaving for a bit."
He handed the work over to Haru and Kenji and left the company earlier than usual.
Alice will return today. Aika invited her to lunch at noon, and Takumi was going to pick her up.
Upon arriving at Osaka train station, Takumi didn't have to wait long. Alice emerged with a suitcase. Her blonde hair and blue eyes attracted the attention of many along the way.
"Miss, let me do it."
The driver got out of the car to help Alice store her luggage. Alice got into the car, out of the cold.
"Wow!... It's so cold outside! It's so warm inside!" She blew on her hands, smiled, and turned to look at Takumi: "Thanks for picking me up."
"You're welcome." Takumi looked outside and was a little surprised: "Why are you alone?"
Alice went out to look for a voice actor, and Takumi still hoped she would help fill some vacancies. 'Why did she come back alone?'
"Well, I'm alone." Alice understood what Takumi meant and smiled: "I found someone for you, but they won't come for now. They'll come in the next few days. Anyway, we're close, and the second phase of the high-speed rail is already finished. Don't worry about anyone."
Takumi breathed a sigh of relief and then asked curiously: "The second phase of the high-speed rail, what's that?"
He had been so busy lately that he hadn't paid attention to what was happening outside, but he seemed to have heard that term occasionally at work, and it seemed to be quite popular.
"You don't even know about the second phase of the high-speed rail?" Alice asked, wide-eyed and surprised. She shook her head and sighed: "It seems you're very busy. No, I'll go back and reorganize your time. Why are you such a workaholic at such a young age?"
As she spoke, Alice felt a little distressed. 'Takumi was the most outstanding child she had ever seen, but also the youngest. Other children his age played and studied without worries, but Takumi dedicated his youth to work.'
"The second phase of the high-speed rail, you must know something about the high-speed rail?"
"Yes."
Takumi nodded. The concept of high-speed rail in this world is similar to that in his previous life. To be more precise, it is a high-speed rail system. Japan completed its high-speed rail network in major cities a few years ago, with an operating speed of over 300 kilometers per hour.
Japan's high-speed rail strategy began to be designed twenty years ago. The first phase was completed a few years ago; that is, all first-, second-, and third-tier cities were connected to form the main axis of the high-speed rail network.
Alice explained:
"The second phase of the high-speed rail refers to the branching out from the main axis of the high-speed rail network, including every prefectural-level city, forming a high-speed rail network throughout Japan."
"This phase was completed and opened to traffic a while ago. Now, all places in Japan are connected." Alice smiled slightly: "Including your hometown, Saitama. If you used to take a train to Osaka, it would take you a night. Now that the high-speed rail is open to traffic, you only need two hours to go home."
Takumi's eyes widened.
He seemed to know it. Japan's high-speed rail strategy was written in high school and junior high textbooks, but the terminology used was different. It didn't use the first or second stage to describe it, which prevented him from reacting.
Takumi knew that the high-speed rail had connected major cities in recent years. Its next stage was to completely replace the national rail system, and the ultimate goal was to complete a huge high-speed rail network in Eurasia.
"But..."
"This is too fast!" he exclaimed: "The first stage was completed a few years ago; how can we do the second now?"
This construction efficiency is astonishing.
"Why not?"
Alice asked, raising her eyebrows, and said: "The second stage is not completed after the first. The high-speed rail strategy is executed at the same time. It's normal to complete the second stage now. Some places abroad have already completed the third stage of the high-speed rail network."
"However, if a smooth connection is desired, the interests of other countries are involved. It is estimated that it will take at least ten years to complete the Eurasian high-speed rail network."
She shook her head, but looked forward to the future with anticipation.
"The Eurasian high-speed rail is the general trend. I really hope it's completed soon so I can travel to Europe by car."
Takumi wiped away his sweat; it was too impressive. In his previous life, his country proposed the Silk Road strategy, and this was connected to the high-speed rail. Japan, in this world, is even more powerful and wants to connect half the world with high-speed rail.
However, Takumi didn't want to study this matter, which involved political and national affairs. As a mangaka, he should remain a spectator. For him, the opening of the second phase of the high-speed rail means one thing: getting home faster.
"No wonder my mother is a little uneasy; it turns out she wants to go home,"
Takumi murmured. Aika must have known about the high-speed rail opening. The reason she didn't mention it was probably because she saw that Takumi was very busy at work and couldn't do without her.
However, Aika will undoubtedly return to Saitama Prefecture frequently in the future. It only takes four hours to go back and forth. She can return in the morning and in the afternoon.
'How convenient...'
"Takumi, in fact, the completion of the second phase of the high-speed rail is also beneficial for our company."
Alice continued, never stopping talking: "This is a revolution in Japan's transportation history. Traveling between different places will be faster and more convenient. Our magazines will sell faster, and channels will be easier to expand."
Takumi was surprised again. 'So there are these benefits?'
But now he didn't care too much; after all, Pokémon production was more important.
"Alice." Takumi remembered his recent intense work and frowned slightly: "You're back now, so help me find someone good at writing detective stories. I want to share the plot of Detective Conan."
He couldn't stand it. Detective Conan's plot is easier to share, as each issue's plot consists of describing and solving a case, which doesn't involve the main plot.
Takumi felt that he didn't need to hold back the details of Detective Conan. It was enough for him to grasp the main plot and the story's development. Besides, if he distanced himself from Detective Conan, he would have more time to do other things.
- - - -
Big News!
Thanks for reading! Your support this week on both Webnovel and Patreon has been incredible.
As a result, this week we'll have 4 daily chapters on Webnovel and 8 daily chapters for paid Patreon subscribers.
Also, if we can reach 20 paid subscribers a month, the base number of daily chapters will permanently increase to 3 on Webnovel and 6 on Patreon! Your support on Patreon is key to making this happen!