Sorry for the delay, take this—
[Image]
As an apology...😅
...
Yui quickly invited Shouko to join the group chat of her, Hina and Yumiko.
Shouko changed her shoes, looking at Yui holding her phone, a little confused but intrigued as to what she was doing.
Yuigahama Yui raised her head, looked at her and pointed at her cell phone, then pointed at Nishimiya Shouko.
Shouko reacted, as she took out her phone, and saw a group chat message at the notifications.
Previously, with their help, her name had been added to their contact list.
And wow, the four of them are connected together in the group.
Shouko looked at the names of the members and couldn't help but frowned.
'Why weren't Akira and Yukinoshita Yukino included?'
She asked aloud, as she typed her message in the group before sending it.
Their reply were quick—
"This is a group for the four of us. Yukinoshita doesn't need to participate — She's Akira's fiancée. While, I'm just a bystander, and the three of you are all… Akira's girlfriends😽," Ebina Hina explained.
"I'll be responsible for giving you advice and making Akira like you more😻," Hina continued.
"Shouko, do you want to ask whether Akira hates you, right?" Hime added.
Shouko's eyes widened. She quickly typed a reply.
"Yes...I've just been thinking about it," she sent.
"There's only one truth: Akira doesn't hate you. His purpose is to prevent you from being disliked by the other girls! If you always stay by his side, it means you are Monopolizing his time alone. Yui and Yumiko will be jealous about it, as well as Yukinoshita and other girls too," Hina sent back.
Shouko stared blankly at the message. 'Is that so?'
...
At the Flash Animation Studio,
It wasn't dark yet when Akira arrived. He parked his motorcycle at the side, walked into the building and took the elevator to the third floor, arriving at the Third Animation production studio.
{T/N: Flash animation has — three different studio with each having different artist, director / supervisor, etc. }
Inside, he saw Yukinoshita Yukino, her hair tied in a ponytail, intently studying the original drawings.
At first, she had only helped in small ways.
Now, she could check key frames and guide the animators, demonstrating the skills of a true animation director.
Harato Niino and Hayama Riko both held Yukino in high regard, and so did Kanae Takahashi. She was the only director to achieve such accomplishments through a single animation/anime. Given the quality of Madoka Magica and Yukino's rapid progress, there was no doubt this would be a high-scoring project.
Yukinoshita wasn't the first to notice Akira's presence though — Kanae Takahashi spotted him first!
Akira smiled at Kanae.
Her face flushed slightly. He could tell she was surprised by his sudden appearance.
As he begins to approached her side.
"How's the progress?" he asked.
"Everything is going well. Director Yukinoshita can now grasp the overall situation and make reasonable judgments on her own. She no longer require my assistance," Kanae whispered slowly, marveling her talent.
"...Yukino can indeed learn anything she wants. I've never doubted that — She's incredibly smart and works harder than anyone else I have meet until now. Her ability to become the current supervisor is inseparable from your help and everyone's trust," Akira said softly.
"I only helped a little at the beginning," Kanae said humbly.
"In the future, please continue taking care of Yukino. Also, take care of yourself. You're the most important card in my hand. The future of this Flash animation and most of the projects I'll produce will be entrusted to you," Akira said seriously.
"I'll do my best," Kanae replied.
Akira reached out and patted her head.
She blushed at the sensation and glanced around, relieved that no one else noticed it.
Not realising that someone was staring at them silently from behind.
"After today's work, I'll treat you to some drink, then send you home, is that okay?" he suggested.
"Okay!" Kanae said, her eyes lighting up.
Akira then walked over to Yukinoshita.
She had already noticed him speaking with Kanae but didn't interfer and sat silently as he joined her.
"What were you saying to Miss Takahashi?" Yukino asked.
"I told her that if I have time, I'd date her so she won't have to feel jealous of you," Akira said with a grin.
Yukino rolled her eyes.
Akira glanced at the original drawings on the screen. He had to admit, the animators in the third studio were highly professional.
"Hand," Yukino suddenly said.
"What's wrong with my hand?" Akira asked, feigning ignorance.
Yukino blushed and stopped talking.
Akira had placed one of his hands on her leg in a teasingly inappropriate way.
Work continued until nine o'clock like that.
Yukinoshita stood up, as he pulled back his hand.
"Thank you all for your hard work. That's all for today. Go home and rest early," she instructed.
"Yes, Director Yukinoshita!" everyone responded in unison.
Though not actually sleepy, afternoon work had been the real workload; the morning session was comparatively easy.
Akira had already told Yukino that he invited Kanae to join them, and naturally, she did not refuse.
The three of them left the studio and found the car waiting outside.
Yukinoshita noticed Akira's motorcycle and asked Kanae to ride with them. She mounted the seat, gently wrapping her arms around him with Kanae at the back.
"Yukino, you're putting pressure on me," Akira said as he secured his helmet.
"Hmm?" Yukino looked confused for a moment.
When the motorcycle started, she realized what he meant and blushed immediately.
.....
Inside a Japanese restaurant,
Akira poured wine for Kanae while Yukino ate.
After a few drinks, Kanae's face flushed, clearly tipsy. Akira stopped pouring wine for her but fed her food carefully.
Kanae stole a glance at Yukino, eating the food Akira handed her with a guilty conscience but didn't stop or refuse him.
While, Yukino pretended not to notice.
After dinner, Akira drove the Yukinoshita family car to drop Kanae home — Yukinoshita driver was following them from behind as they left the Flash Animation Studio.
Yukino leaned against Akira's motorcycle, watching the car leave, and took out her phone to continue checking the animation.
She was very interested in the high-scoring Flash animation and had been catching up on anime recently, learning a lot in the process.
While, Her driver was quietly standing beside her already getting used to the situation.
....
In the car, Kanae was in the front seat as she leaned into Akira's arms.
Neither spoke.
Both knew she wasn't truly drunk, but she played the part deliberately.
Pretending to be drunk, she leaned closer to Akira.
This mirrored the fantasy scene from her comics—the next plot being that they returned home together.
The thought made her blush even more.
A few minutes later, the car stopped in front of an apartment building.
Akira picked Kanae up in a princess carry as she continue her act and walked upstairs, knowing her address by heart.
At the door, he supported her while taking out the key from her bag. He opened the door, stepped in, and changed into slippers.
He walked towards Kanae's bedroom and opened the door.
Her heartbeat quickened, and her face grew warm.
This was the moment she had been waiting for.
However, Akira didn't do what she had imagined. He simply put aside her shoes and clothes.
"Good night, Miss Takahashi," he whispered, gently kissing her on the forehead, before leaving the room.
When the door closed, Kanae opened her eyes, feeling slightly lost.
'Had her charm been too weak? Is her body not desirable? Or does Akira think she is too old'
{T/N: She should be 26 years old, I think, not sure tho}
Ping!
Her phone rang.
Startled, she took out her phone and saw a message. Her face turned red.
"Miss Takahashi, I'm so sorry. Your face was so cute that I couldn't help but kiss your forehead."
.....
The car returned to the Japanese restaurant.
Akira stepped out and approached Yukinoshita Yukino as he passed the key back to her driver.
...
If you'd like to support me and read chapters in advance, feel free to check out my:
Patr**on.com/Zero0000683
Discord:- NmKxzWGEPf
.....
Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
.....
Word Count — 1,380