After work, the employees who had participated in the 'Words of Celebrities' interview remained in the lounge, excitedly discussing the interview topics from earlier.
"The president clearly knew the television station people were coming to interview us, so why didn't he notify us in advance? Then I would've had enough time to do my makeup. Just thinking about this face appearing on television now makes me regret agreeing to the interview." Majima Hana took out a compact mirror and looked at her cheeks from side to side as she complained.
Kamiyā Sora tilted her head and looked at Gogyo Ruri beside her.
"Kuroneko, you're nervous too?"
Although Kamiyā Sora was cold by nature, she unexpectedly got along quite well with the people at Yosuganosora Animation Studio. In particular, due to their similar clothing styles and interests, she and Gogyo Ruri had quickly clicked.
"Isn't that obvious? Just thinking about myself appearing on television and then being seen by my family..." Gogyo Ruri sat clutching her skirt, trying to ease her nervousness. Recalling the interview scene, she turned and stared fixedly at Kamiyā Sora before asking seriously:
"Sora, did what I said earlier sound strange?"
"Don't worry. It was very ordinary—ordinary to the point of having no personality." Kamiyā Sora replied with a barely noticeable mischievous smile.
Miyauchi Ema curiously asked Kumamoto Alice, who was sitting upright on the sofa:
"Director Kumamoto, was what you said earlier true? Flying all the way from Britain to Japan specifically for recruitment and all that?"
Kumamoto Alice gently shook her head and smiled lightly.
"What people say during interviews is usually about half true and half false. Since you're required to say complimentary things anyway, being casual about it is fine."
"Director Kumamoto, are you saying all the praise you gave me earlier was fake? How disappointing."
Kamiyā Yuu walked into the lounge and smiled after glancing around at everyone.
"Good work. Everyone performed pretty well this time."
Kumamoto Alice only smiled reservedly without speaking.
"President, when will this interview about our company air?" Matsuoka Taira stood up and hurried over, cautiously asking with an uneasy expression.
"Mr. Yamazaki said our interview will be aired in episode 176 of 'Words of Celebrities,' which is the Saturday after next." Kamiyā Yuu recalled briefly while rubbing his chin before patting his shoulder and smiling.
"There's nothing to worry about. Everyone did pretty well this time."
"The president is always so composed~!" Matsuoka Taira said in an aggrieved, resentful tone, startling Kamiyā Yuu into quickly stepping back several paces.
At that moment, Miyauchi Ema, who was sitting on the sofa, impatiently raised her hand and shouted:
"Yes~ yes! Excuse me, Mr. President, can we re-record it? Everyone was caught unprepared. Rather, I think it'd be better for all of us to record it again."
Kamiyā Yuu rolled his eyes at her and waved his hand.
"Obviously impossible. Even if we're willing, 'Words of Celebrities' doesn't have the time to fool around with us."
"Ehh~!"
After hearing the definite answer, quite a few employees simultaneously fell into disappointed silence.
······
Summer vacation passed especially quickly. In the blink of an eye, not only had 'Words of Celebrities' already aired, but Kamiyā Sora had also left Yosuganosora Animation Studio and returned to being an ordinary high school student. All fourteen episodes of 'Magical Girl Nanoha' were completed by the end of September, and television broadcasts had already reached episode thirteen, drawing widespread attention throughout the anime world.
The further the series progressed toward its finale, the more attractive the plot and related settings of 'Magical Girl Nanoha' became. By episode thirteen, its popularity had reached its peak, breaking through a 10% viewer rating as a late-night anime and becoming one of the hottest anime series currently airing.
An exciting story, intense battles, and top-tier visuals—together, these formed all the essential elements needed for a popular anime. Furthermore, 'Magical Girl Nanoha' had promoted itself as an innovative magical girl series from the very beginning. All its previous shortcomings transformed into necessary elements that propelled the anime's growing popularity once the story truly gained momentum.
Takamachi Nanoha and Fate Testarossa became representative figures of magical girls and were among the most talked-about anime characters of the year. Unfortunately, the airing period of 'Magical Girl Nanoha' did not coincide with the "Anime Saimoe Tournament." Otherwise, the title of this year's moe queen of Japanese anime would definitely have gone to either Takamachi Nanoha or Fate Testarossa.
Compared to producing animation, what kept Yosuganosora Animation Studio busier during this period were the collaboration invitations arriving from all directions: game adaptation rights, character image licensing, advertising licenses, and even companies completely unrelated to the animation industry, such as jewelry manufacturers, asking whether they wanted to cooperate on launching accessory sets modeled after magical devices.
A new money-making strategy acquired!
After 'Words of Celebrities' aired, Kamiyā Yuu's name became well known among people in the animation industry as well as anime fans. The snippets of exciting scenes from the 'RWBY' movie version inserted throughout the program attracted a large number of Japanese viewers, greatly boosting 'RWBY's popularity in Japan. Furthermore, according to news from Fakebook Company, the 'RWBY' movie version would receive a simultaneous global theatrical release next month. Barring surprises, it would once again spark a new worldwide 'RWBY' craze.
"Aoi, has the final episode already been delivered to the television station?"
Inside the office, Kamiyā Yuu leaned lazily against his office chair as he asked, his heart filled with both the satisfaction and emptiness that came from completing a goal.
Morishita Aoi's desk was not far from Kamiyā Yuu's. Hearing his question, she calmly picked up a thick stack of categorized documents from her desk and placed them before him.
"These documents all require Yuu's personal signature. As for the final episode, Miss Busujima already delivered it to the television station."
"I see, it's already been delivered. That's good." Kamiyā Yuu muttered to himself. Looking at the thick stack of files on the desk, he smiled at Morishita Aoi.
"Thanks for your hard work during this period. From here on, we'll probably become even busier."
Morishita Aoi stood beside the desk with her arms folded. Beneath her black-framed glasses, her sharp gaze softened into a smile as she looked at Kamiyā Yuu.
"What's wrong? You look exhausted and drained."
"Probably May sickness. Mentally and physically exhausted." Kamiyā Yuu stretched lazily.
"You're the company president, so pull yourself together." After thinking for a moment, Morishita Aoi returned to her desk and placed a bottle of black canned coffee in front of Kamiyā Yuu.
Black coffee and alcohol were considered the two symbolic "adult drinks" in the eyes of Japanese minors. The former was unpopular among children due to its bitter taste, while the latter had legal age restrictions.
Kamiyā Yuu picked up the canned coffee and looked suspiciously at the English-covered packaging.
"Does this stuff really taste good?"
"The coffee flavor is very strong. It's suitable for the current Yuu." Morishita Aoi brushed aside her scattered black short hair behind her ear, revealing her delicate and refined profile. With a mischievous smile, she said:
"Want to give it a try?"
"Well then."
Kamiyā Yuu opened the can and took a sip. He felt the aroma of the coffee flow through his body. The taste was bitter but not harsh, followed by a faint sweetness afterward.
"Unexpectedly not bad."
The bitterness helped restore some of Kamiyā Yuu's energy. After patting his cheeks to wake himself up, he began flipping through the documents before him.
"Thanks for the coffee. I'll try to finish reviewing all these files before getting out of work."