The next day, Kamiyā Yuu returned to Kyoni Animation Co., Ltd., yawning. He felt slightly drowsy, but it wasn't severe enough to affect his work like last time.
"I got carried away again… but at least I managed to connect all of Ruby Rose's planned movements from 'Red' and roughly recreate that segment perfectly within my consciousness space. What remains is refining the entire sequence in greater detail." Thinking about the results of his efforts from the previous night, Kamiyā Yuu couldn't help but feel satisfied. It was like building his own world in 'Minecraft,' bringing a similar sense of creative fulfillment.
Not long after he sat down at his animation desk, Morishita Aoi approached him, holding a small stack of documents, and handed them over. "These are the corrected key frames that need to be traced today. I'll leave it to you, Kamiyā-kun."
She wore a gray business suit that accentuated her tall and upright figure. Her sharp eyes were partially concealed by her neat short hair, and paired with her black-framed glasses, she exuded a powerful aura at all times. She was like an unsheathed short sword—cold, straight, and radiating a sharp edge with every movement.
"Morishita-senpai, there are only three cuts of corrected key frames today?" Sitting in his chair, Kamiyā Yuu turned around to take the document folder. From its weight alone, he could already tell how many cuts were inside.
Morishita Aoi glanced at him and nodded calmly. "We've finally filled the gap created when Episode 8's schedule was compressed. The production timeline has barely returned to its original order. That's thanks to Kamiyā-kun completing those corrected key frames on time last month."
Kamiyā Yuu smiled, unconcerned. "Just doing my job. I don't want to hold back the overall progress of the key animation department."
"Is that so? Then take this, Kamiyā-kun. You look sleep-deprived. If Etsuki sees you like this, she won't let you off so easily. After all, you're her student now. Consider it a belated reward as well." Morishita Aoi shook the can of black coffee in her hand, set it on Kamiyā Yuu's desk, and turned away briskly.
"Thanks." Kamiyā Yuu called after her, barely suppressing a smile.
Morishita Aoi and Uehara Etsuki were completely different types of women. One appeared gentle and soft like water on the outside, yet was harder than steel within. The other seemed cold as ice, decisive in action, yet possessed a subtle and thoughtful warmth.
Kamiyā Yuu glanced at the chilled canned coffee beside him, opened it, and took a sip. The rich aroma and intense bitterness shot straight to his head, jolting both his mind and body. The overwhelming taste nearly made him spit out the remaining coffee in his mouth.
"What the hell… is this even meant for humans to drink?" Kamiyā Yuu muttered, his expression strange as he looked at the label on the can—Super Concentrated Coffee.
—Morishita-senpai actually likes drinking this stuff?
"Only three cuts… I guess slacking off a bit today wouldn't hurt. The assignment the teacher gave me is due the day after tomorrow. If I finish it today, I can relax properly on my day off tomorrow."
Already thoroughly familiar with the key animation production of 'Mr. Onigiri Man,' Kamiyā Yuu could finish this amount of work in a single afternoon. He took the corrected frames out of the folder and placed them on his desk, took a deep breath, and adjusted his mental and physical state. The concentrated coffee had indeed wiped away his drowsiness completely.
The moment he put pen to paper, his focus narrowed, and it felt as though all the noise of the world had faded away.
…
That evening, near the end of the workday, Kamiyā Yuu went to Uehara Etsuki's office. Along with submitting the corrected key frames, he also handed in his completed assignment—"A Girl Who Likes Apples."
Seated at her desk, Uehara Etsuki first reviewed the corrected key frames he submitted before taking his assignment. On the clean white paper was a girl with a radiant smile. Her dark hair and the apple she held both carried a unique charm. Though Uehara Etsuki had never seen this character design before, she could clearly read the girl's personality from the simple key frame.
Technique, spirit, and character design—all met her internal standards.
"Pass." Uehara Etsuki folded her kimono sleeve as she set the drawing down. Before Kamiyā Yuu could celebrate, she added calmly, "However, how do you explain using work hours to complete your assignment?"
"Ah…" Kamiyā Yuu awkwardly scratched his cheek. "Teacher… you can tell that too?"
A faint smile curved Uehara Etsuki's lips. "Didn't Kamiyā-kun just admit it?"
"Uh…"
Seeing his speechless frustration, she gently explained, "It's your drawing style. When you focus on 'Mr. Onigiri Man,' traces of its style inevitably carry over when you draw other works. Don't worry—since you completed your duties, I have no reason to reprimand you."
Kamiyā Yuu visibly relaxed and laughed awkwardly. "So, teacher… does this assignment mean I've improved?"
"Getting proud already? Overall, it's quite good. Even outside of 'Mr. Onigiri Man,' you're now a qualified foundational key animator." Uehara Etsuki picked up a teacup from the desk and began whisking it gently with a small tea brush. After a pause, she lifted a package from beneath the desk, softly brushing her hand over it. "This book should be useful for you at your current stage."
She opened the package, revealing an old book on animation techniques. Inside, it was filled with bookmarks of various colors. From the folded page corners, it was clear how often its owner had read it.
Kamiyā Yuu leaned closer curiously. "Is this your notebook, teacher?"
Uehara Etsuki nodded lightly. "This book stayed with me for three years. It took me that long to fully absorb everything in it. It records the early changes in my key animation skills. With Kamiyā-kun's talent, you might only need a few months to master these techniques. By then, you'll already be an outstanding key animator."
Kamiyā Yuu stood silently, pondering the meaning behind her words.
Uehara Etsuki held the book with both hands and passed it to him, her voice calm. "In many ways, I feel envy toward the changes and talent you possess, Kamiyā-kun. So please, work hard. Watching your growth is something quite meaningful to me as well."
—She said envy, not admiration.
Kamiyā Yuu noticed the distinction in her wording. As he accepted the book, he nodded seriously. "I won't disappoint you, teacher."