"I see. So, Kamiyā, you intend to acquire my music studio and turn it into the Sound Department of 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio."
The atmosphere in the meeting room became somewhat heavy. After listening to Kamiyā Yuu's explanation, Shindō Tsukasa took one final drag from his cigarette before exhaling thick white smoke. His fingers unconsciously tapped the tabletop as he struggled to make a decision.
After a long while, it seemed he had reached an answer. Looking at Kamiyā Yuu, he asked, "Why choose my music studio? As the production company behind 'RWBY,' you should have better options."
With 'RWBY' currently at the height of its popularity overseas, using the film's profits and fame to acquire a professional anime music company would not be difficult.
Resting his chin on his hands atop the table, Kamiyā Yuu shook his head.
"For now, Mr. Shindō's music studio is the best choice. As I mentioned earlier, we'll be producing a new anime in July. Combined with the expansion of the company's structure, forming a qualified, sound department during this period is especially difficult."
"Besides, those famous and powerful music studios probably wouldn't be willing to join a newly established company like 'Yosuganosora,' which has only produced a single animated film with overseas popularity."
He smiled lightly.
"Over these past six months of cooperation, I've developed a very clear understanding of your capabilities, Shindō. And I also believe you won't reject this proposal."
Shindō Tsukasa looked at Kamiyā Yuu with interest. "Why are you so certain?"
Turning his head toward the weary-looking middle-aged man, Kamiyā Yuu answered softly:
"Because you also don't want to remain standing still forever."
"Would you rather continue being the head of a music studio with little reputation in the industry, or become the Sound Director of a famous animation production company?"
"An old Chinese saying: good steel should be used on the blade's edge. There's no doubt about your talent in music, and I can fully bring out your abilities in that field."
After a pause, Kamiyā Yuu added with a faint smile,
"Or are you satisfied forever handling outsourced anime music work where your name might never even be mentioned?"
Shindō Tsukasa extinguished the cigarette in his fingers inside the ashtray and shrugged.
"There's also an old Chinese saying: better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix. How do you know I'm not simply used to living freely and casually?"
Kamiyā Yuu replied leisurely,
"If you're truly used to living casually, then you should agree to my conditions even more."
"The people who say 'better to be the head of a chicken than the tail of a phoenix' are either great talents struggling against the current, or mediocre people using it as an excuse to remain ordinary."
"Neither situation applies to you."
"This opportunity only comes once. I won't give you time to hesitate or regret it later."
Shindō Tsukasa froze briefly. Reaching for the cigarettes in his pocket, he discovered the pack was already empty.
He smiled bitterly and asked, "Since when did your attitude become this forceful, Kamiyā?"
—If someone has the ability yet doesn't show any confidence, what's the difference between that and being a salted fish?
"Once someone has proven their abilities, showing pride that matches them isn't necessarily a bad thing."
Kamiyā Yuu spoke with a trace of helplessness.
"I say I'm not giving you time to think, but honestly, my own schedule is extremely tight as well. The moment I leave here, I might head directly to another music studio."
Though his words matched what he was thinking, the meanings behind them were entirely different.
The two had been friends for over half a year. Even if they did not meet often, they frequently discussed music online, so there were naturally few barriers or reservations between them.
Shindō Tsukasa finally relented and said seriously,
"I can agree to your request. However, my studio has already accepted quite a bit of work this season. I hope you can give me time to clear those commitments."
"Well~ there is another solution. For example, Kamiyā, you could help me pay a massive breach-of-contract penalty."
Hearing Shindō Tsukasa agree, Kamiyā Yuu finally released the frustration in his chest and smiled.
"That won't be necessary. At most, I'll just have to stay busier this season myself. Your side only needs to handle the voice acting work."
"As for the acquisition contract and specific conditions, Aoi will personally discuss them with you tomorrow."
Morishita Aoi had already prepared the acquisition contract for the music studio long ago. Tomorrow, she and Shindō Tsukasa only needed to verify the details and adjust any conditions either side found unsatisfactory before officially signing.
Shindō Tsukasa smacked his lips.
"I'm really not good at dealing with that serious and rigid female assistant of yours. Tell her to go easy on me. If the terms are too harsh, I might back out."
...
The development plan for 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio progressed extremely smoothly.
Because the employment conditions offered were far better than those of ordinary animation production companies, many unemployed animation professionals immediately accepted after receiving invitations from 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio.
The recruitment advertisements posted online had already filled all available slots long ago.
At first glance, many people assumed the advertisements from 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio were fake. Only after searching the studio on Google out of curiosity did they discover that this animation studio was the production company behind the currently most-discussed overseas animated film, 'RWBY.'
Its box office revenue had already surpassed one hundred million US dollars.
The moment people learned this, everyone applying for recruitment exploded with excitement. It was not easy to find an animation company with both a promising future and plenty of money.
Although the remaining one million US dollars for the production of 'RWBY' had already been delivered, the profit-sharing revenue still had to wait until Robert personally came to Japan in June for verification.
Faced with the aggressive expansion plans of 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio, Morishita Aoi had no choice but to carefully calculate every single yen. Any payment that could be delayed until next month was delayed until next month. Combined with the remaining liquid funds from before, they barely managed to keep things running.
In less than a week, 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio became lively and bustling.
The studio had grown from a tiny workplace with fewer than ten people into an animation production company with dozens of professional staff members.
After passing interviews and signing contracts, these newly hired professionals did not immediately begin official work. Instead, under the guidance of older staff members, they first needed to familiarize themselves with the company's internal computer software systems.
Especially in departments like Key Animation, Animation, and Photography that heavily relied on specialized software, many new employees reacted the same way Miyauchi Ema and the others once had after joining 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio.
They realized they had truly entered a large-scale animation production company that met international standards.
Otherwise, what was with all these professional software programs that surpassed current industry technology?
As late May approached, the development of 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio gradually entered a stable and orderly phase.
After a period of adjustment, the newly hired staff members had all adapted, and every one of them was full of confidence, ready to accomplish something big at any moment.