Knock knock knock~!
"What? Etsuki, are you teasing Kamiyā-kun again?"
The already open wooden office door was symbolically knocked on before Morishita Aoi walked in, dressed like a refined office lady and carrying a stack of documents, smiling teasingly.
Unlike Uehara Etsuki's classical and elegant Japanese charm, Aoi's black uniform skirt and fitted blazer perfectly outlined her mature figure. Combined with her neat short hair and habitually serious expression, she exuded the aura of a capable career woman.
Kamiyā Yuu's eyes subtly glanced at her legs wrapped in light gray stockings. Though it was standard office attire, it reminded him of certain "uniform-themed" videos from his previous life.
She placed the thick stack of documents on the desk and complained in a resentful tone, "Even on the last day, I'm still busy to death. Etsuki, can't you help me out? These accumulated old key animation files need to be sorted and moved to the production department for unified processing."
Kamiyā Yuu stood up and smiled. "Morishita-senpai, need a hand?"
"If you'd said that this morning, it would've helped. Etsuki and I are the only ones familiar with how to sort these. If we just move them without explaining, it'd be pointless." Aoi leaned against the desk and sighed. "Don't worry about it. This is the last batch anyway. I'm just venting my dissatisfaction at someone who only sits in the office all day."
"Thank you for your hard work." Uehara Etsuki covered her mouth with her sleeve and laughed softly, then stood up to pour herself a cup of warm tea.
Noticing something from her earlier words, Kamiyā Yuu asked, "Morishita-senpai, do you already know about the company dissolving?"
Aoi's hand paused slightly as she held the teacup. Brushing her short black hair behind her ear, she said with a hint of sadness, "The news came down the day 'Mr. Onigiri Man' finished production. At first, I couldn't believe it. I've been here six or seven years… I never thought the company would suddenly shut down."
"After asking Etsuki to confirm it, I got a definite answer—though it still doesn't feel real." She took a sip of tea, her gaze drifting to the floor. "If nothing unexpected happens, the president will probably announce it at tomorrow's celebration banquet."
Uehara Etsuki's slender eyes narrowed slightly, and she took the opportunity to ask softly, "Aoi, weren't you curious about what Kamiyā-kun and I were discussing just now?"
Aoi snapped back to attention and shot her a look. "Every time you have that expression, it means you've found something interesting—and that 'interest' usually brings trouble to others."
Despite her calm appearance, Uehara Etsuki enjoyed teasing people. Anyone who spent time with her would realize her favorite pastime was watching others struggle.
She smiled mischievously. "Do you remember the question I asked you this morning?"
Aoi froze. "You mean… about the creator of that 3D animation?"
Then, as if struck by lightning, she seemed to realize something. She quickly set down her teacup, glanced at Kamiyā Yuu, and raised her hand to stop Etsuki from continuing.
Linking everything together—Kamiyā Yuu's situation and Etsuki bringing it up now—she arrived at an unbelievable conclusion. Rubbing her temples, she asked hesitantly, "I heard before that Kamiyā-kun wanted to make his own animation… Etsuki, don't tell me that 3D animation is his personal work?"
"Why wouldn't it be?" Uehara Etsuki replied with a faint smile.
The office fell silent.
Morishita Aoi turned to Kamiyā Yuu and looked at him seriously, arms crossed. "Kamiyā-kun, do you know the web animation 'Red—Crescent Rose'?"
Kamiyā Yuu touched his face awkwardly under her scrutinizing gaze. "Yes… It's my personal work."
"Aren't you a key animator?" she pressed.
He smiled. "I am. But my goal is to become an animation producer—a chief director."
"That level of 3D animation… You made it alone?"
"Uehara-sensei handled the original character designs. Another online friend gave feedback on the plot and fight scenes. Everything else was done by me."
He was referring, of course, to Monty Oum, the original creator of 'RWBY.' Including him in the credits was simply a gesture of respect.
Hearing this, Morishita Aoi closed her eyes and let out a deep breath. Her usually composed expression wavered as she poured herself a glass of water and drank it in one go.
"I really can't understand you people anymore. Is animation something you can just casually make? I thought something at that level would require at least hundreds of millions in funding."
"At this point, nothing surprises me anymore." She looked back at Etsuki. "So what does this have to do with your conversation?"
Uehara Etsuki took a calm sip of tea before answering, "Kamiyā-kun plans to establish an animation studio and has invited me to join."
Aoi set her cup down, frowning slightly as she looked at Kamiyā Yuu. "Are you serious?"
A key animator starting an animation studio would normally be laughable in the industry. But if he truly created 'Red—Crescent Rose,' then it suddenly seemed reasonable—if not inevitable.
Kamiyā Yuu nodded honestly. "Yes. The animation sold for a good price on the platform. It's more than enough to start a small studio."
After a pause, he looked at her seriously. "I originally planned to invite you as well when the company officially announced its dissolution. Since you already know, I'd like to formally invite you now. Morishita-senpai, would you consider joining my animation studio?"
Aoi's expression turned complicated. She glanced at Uehara Etsuki, who remained calm and composed.
"I don't have any specific plans at the moment," Aoi said slowly. "Etsuki, what's your answer?"
Uehara Etsuki placed her hand lightly on the desk. "Aoi, this morning you told me that the 'Fakebook' animation section is currently the largest online animation community in the world."
"So I gave Kamiyā-kun a graduation assignment. If, within two months, his original illustration reaches first place on the site's monthly popularity ranking, I'll accept his invitation. During those two months, I'll temporarily be part of his studio."
Aoi's lips twitched. As an active user of 'Fakebook,' she knew exactly how difficult that was. Without exaggeration, even Uehara Etsuki's own original works might not make the top ten.
Original works, without animation backing them, faced a natural ceiling no matter how high their quality.
"So it was Morishita-senpai who led to Sensei setting such a condition," Kamiyā Yuu said with a sigh.
"That's just her strict nature as a teacher," Aoi replied with a wry smile. "In that case, I'll also accept your invitation—for now. Whether I stay long-term depends on whether your studio can achieve real results."
As an industry elite, she didn't have to worry about employment. Aside from Etsuki's involvement, she was also curious to see what Kamiyā Yuu was truly capable of.
There was no denying that 'Red—Crescent Rose' had deeply impressed her.
Kamiyā Yuu felt a surge of joy and nodded with a smile. "Thank you, Morishita-senpai, Sensei. I'm confident I can meet both of your conditions."