While Kyo was heading to the next filming location—a building in Tokyo—Asuna Nakamura was in an office with one of the executives from CloverWorks studio.
In his hands, he held a document.
"Here it is. I managed to convince them." The executive, named Shigeru Kanto, was holding a contract. It was a contract that needed to be signed by the author Aoi Haruki so they could proceed with the film's production.
"Are you serious!?" Asuna, who wanted to work on that film, couldn't believe it. "You secured the necessary investment? You're not joking with me, are you?"
"Have I ever lied to you? Here's the contract. Get in touch with the author Aoi Haruki—I want to meet him in person."
Asuna looked surprised. "I don't know if that will be possible. The author Aoi Haruki keeps his identity secret—I'm not sure he'll come to the studio."
"We don't need to meet at the studio. We can meet at a café or a restaurant."
"Alright."
"Once this contract is signed, we'll decide how to move forward with the project. It will probably become our main project this year."
"What kind of contract do you want to sign with the author?"
"I want to acquire all the rights to this film."
"Will he agree to that?"
"That's why I want to meet him. I want to try to acquire all the rights. I have some plans for the future."
"Are you planning to turn this into a long-running anime or something like that?"
"Maybe. Anyway, write him the email."
"Alright, I'll do that."
Asuna left the room, feeling a bit nervous.
'I don't think the author will accept that kind of contract… I just have that feeling.'
As soon as she reached her office, she wrote a very professional email to the author Aoi Haruki, unlike her previous one, which had been more casual.
After sending the email, Asuna pulled out a sheet of paper and began working on character designs.
Within seconds, a design of Shouko appeared on the page.
It wasn't identical to the original, but it was very similar.
'I really want to start working on the storyboard for this film.' she thought.
####
Some time passed. Asuna's office was empty—it was already seven in the evening, and she had gone downstairs to grab something to eat at a convenience store. While she was there, someone entered her office.
A young, beautiful woman with long hair down to her waist.
She looked around carefully before entering and closing the door. Then she sat in front of Asuna's computer and typed in the six-digit password she had figured out long ago.
As soon as she logged in, she went straight to the browser, which was already open.
Asuna's email was open as well.
It was an email addressed to an address the woman recognized—the "business" email of the author Aoi Haruki.
'This is it.' Seeing that she had found another important email, she quickly took a photo with her phone. She took three pictures just to be sure. Then she quietly left Asuna's office.
As soon as she left, someone saw her coming out, but the woman said, "What are you looking at? Get back to work."
"Yes, ma'am." The man quickly walked away, not wanting any trouble. He swore to himself that he wouldn't tell anyone what he had seen.
As she walked toward her own office, the woman sent the photos to her friend, Noriko.
A few minutes later, Noriko replied, "Thank you. You're helping me a lot."
After reading the message, the woman sent another one.
[Are you sure you want to keep going with this? You were threatened, weren't you? You'll definitely lose your job.]
The reply came right after.
[Don't worry, everything will be fine. I trust my superior. I'm sure he'll be very excited about this.]
The woman read the message and let out a long sigh.
'I'm curious to find out who the author Aoi Haruki really is. Should I go there and take a look with Noriko?'
####
POV: Kyo
By the time filming ended, it was already past nine at night, so there was no time to go to the dealership to pick up my father's car. I said goodbye to all the actors and staff before getting into the car to leave.
'I feel exhausted.' I think this is the first time I've felt like this.
My health is currently at Rank D. I don't remember what rank it was the last time I checked, but I think it got worse.
'Could that be why I'm so tired?'
I need to take better care of myself.
I turned toward the window and closed my eyes to take a nap on the way home, but then Rina said, "Are you okay?"
"I'm tired."
"That's fine. Get some rest until we get to your house. You won't need to film next week—only in two weeks. Oh, and the series announcement will happen next week."
It was very important information, but I just replied, "Mm-hm, alright."
Then I closed my eyes and fell asleep.
When I opened them again, we were already at my house. My mother was the one who woke me up.
"Come on. Take a shower and go to bed."
"Mom, I'm not going to school tomorrow."
"You don't have to. I'll talk to your principal about it."
"Thanks."
I went inside and headed to my room. I took a hot shower and got under the covers. But before going to sleep, I picked up my phone to take a look.
It had been a while since I posted anything on Twitter, so I made a tweet:
[What did you think of the first volume of Oregairu?]
It was what people call "engagement bait."
I didn't even read the replies before closing the app and opening Instagram. Then, for the first time, I posted a story. It was just a black screen and my voice.
"Next week will be special."
My voice sounded very calm because I was sleepy.
Then I turned off my phone and fell asleep.
####
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Next Chapters: Chapter 67 - New car. / Chapter 68 - Meeting. / Chapter 69 - Stupid proposal. / Chapter 70 - Leave her alone. / Chapter 71 - I'm going to turn your lives into a living hell. / Chapter 72 - Film and Anime. / Chapter 73 - 20 volumes / Chapter 74 - The True Identity of "Aoi Haruki" / Chapter 75 - Don't criticize my parents.