Slowly, Yuigahama Yui leaned completely into Akira Fujimiya's arms, and the big teddy bear toppled onto the floor.
As Akira unbuttoned a few of her buttons, and just by lowering his head slightly, he could see what Yuigahama Yui was wearing today.
"I kind of want to stay," Akira murmured slowly, looking at her.
"Then tell that to Mom yourself. As long as Mom agrees to let you stay, I… I don't mind."
Yuigahama Yui spoke softly, slowly with a hot, burning face.
"I think Aunt Asuna will definitely agree," Akira chuckled, "but she might sneak to your door at night to listen to our whispers."
"Mom wouldn't do that!!." Yuigahama Yui blushed deeply.
Although she said this, she actually knew in her heart that if Akira stayed, Yuigahama Asuna would definitely come and eavesdrop.
"Yui, do you want me to stay?" Akira's large hand slowly moved down.
"I… I don't know." Yuigahama Yui leaned against his chest, her voice very low.
"Okay. Apparently, I'm still too impatient. When Yui—"
"I do." Yuigahama Yui hugged Akira tightly, interrupting him.
Akira wasn't surprised to hear this. He reached out and hugged Yuigahama Yui, his eyes shifting toward the door.
He actually didn't want to stay. If he stayed here, nothing would happen at night anyway.
However, when he said this, Yuigahama Yui would think that Akira Fujimiya was looking forward to that kind of thing.
That thought alone made her feel both happy and shy.
If Akira acted calm instead, she might feel a little lost, and think that she wasn't very attractive to him.
Just then, the door opened with a click.
Click!
Yuigahama Yui was startled and turned quickly to see Yuigahama Asuna standing there with a teasing smile.
"Sorry, Fujimiya-kun, it seems I disturbed you and Yui. Please continue."
"Mom…" Yuigahama Yui's face turned crimson as she buried her head in Akira's chest.
"Aunt Asuna, we were just hugging, not what you're thinking." Akira explained calmly.
"Fujimiya-kun, I understand. Take your like, just don't forget to fixed your clothes before coming to dinner." Yuigahama Asuna smiled, as she turned and closed the door.
....
Dinner time,
Both, Akira and Yuigahama Yui sat at the dining table.
Akira was eating his dinner quitely.
While, Yui was eating her dinner shyly.
Yuigahama Asuna sat opposite the two of them, smiling as she looked at Akira and her daughter.
She had opened the door earlier because she wanted to know the extent of their relationship.
Seeing Yuigahama Yui being held in Akira's arms, with her clothes a little messy, she had already guessed the answer.
"Fujimiya-kun, do you want to stay tonight? There's an extra futon… or you can sleep with Yui?" Yuigahama Asuna asked with a teasing smile.
"MOM!!" Yuigahama Yui blushed furiously and sneaking glances at Akira shyly.
"..Thank you for your kindness. However, I still have work to do and need to go back to finish it, so I won't stay." Akira shook his head,as he decline the tempting offer politely.
"Work?" Yuigahama Asuna blinked.
"I'm trying to become a mangaka. If I succeed, I'll have a fairly stable job in the future," Akira replied.
"...Fujimiya-kun is amazing." Yuigahama Asuna looked at him with admiration in her eyes.
Although, Yuigahama Yui felt a little regretful, she wouldn't stop Akira from working.
"Sorry, Yui." Akira turned toward her.
"It's okay, Akira-kun. Work hard and when you finish your manga, I want to be your first fan, give me your signed copy then." Yuigahama Yui clenched her fists and said softly.
"Then I'll sign it for you." Akira smiled as he leaned down and gently kissed her on the forehead.
Yuigahama Yui froze for a few seconds, her face turning bright red before she lowered her head.
Yuigahama Asuna watched with a warm smile and decided not to tease her daughter further.
After dinner—
Yuigahama Yui walked Akira to the door.
It was already dark outside.
As Akira walked away, he turned back and waved.
Yuigahama Yui waved back reluctantly, only stopping when she could no longer see him. Then she turned around and went home.
...
When Akira returned to Sakurasou, it was not yet eight o'clock.
He opened the refrigerator, took out a drink, and brought it to his room.
Sitting at the desk, he pulled out his Manga supplies.
Akira began drawing again.
The more he drew, the clearer the animation scenes became in his mind.
Breaking down the animation into panels, placing them into Manga panels.
The storyboard needed to show the flow of the story.
If there was such a thing as " manga skill," then surely his proficiency was improving at a rapid pace.
Time passed slowly.
Three hours later—
Akira looked at the six completed pages in front of him. That was his maximum speed. Considering quality, this was as much as he could do.
When he put his pen down, he felt his head heavy with sleep.
He stood up and walked toward his bed. Fighting against the drowsiness, as he put his clothes aside.
The moment his head touched the pillow, he fell asleep within five seconds.
....
A new day arrived.
When Akira woke up, it was still early for class.
His mind felt clear, but he noticed no changes in "skill" or "proficiency.", as he check his system panel.
He made breakfast, ate, and then left home.
When he was almost at school—
His phone rang.
Akira glanced at the caller ID. It was Yukinoshita Haruno.
He hesitated briefly, then answered.
"Fujimiya-kun, I have good news and bad news. Which one do you want to hear first?" Haruno's voice carried a playful smile.
"Good news," Akira replied.
"A senior supervisor read your script and thought it was very good," Haruno said softly.
"The bad news is that he doesn't want me, the original author, to participate in the animation production?" Akira guessed after a pause.
"Yes. This director is very famous. The animations he supervised all received high ratings. So—"
"I want to hand over the animation production to Flash Animation's third studio, and have Yukino supervise." Akira interrupted.
"You trust Yukino that much?" Haruno said that but she didn't sound surprised.
"Yes. I believe her." Akira said without hesitation.
"Alright. This afternoon, you and Yukino come to Flash Animation Production Company together. I'll be there to arrange everything." Haruno said with a smile.
"Thank you." Akira said quietly.
"Fujimiya-kun, I have already told my mother about this. If Yukino really achieves something, my mother will be very happy." Haruno reminded.
"How much?" Akira asked, watching the Yukinoshita family car approach.
"At the very least, she'll agree to let Yukino be friends with you and remember your name." Haruno's tone was light.
"I understand. Thanks for the reminder." Akira hung up as soon as Yukinoshita Yukino stepped out of the car ahead.
She took a few steps forward and waited for him.
Akira walked up to her.
"Your sister called me. A director liked my script, but wouldn't allow me to participate. So I refused."
"Then what?" Yukino was stunned.
"Do you have the confidence to be an animation director?" Akira asked.
"Aren't you afraid your work will fail?" Yukino asked after a pause.
"Failure isn't terrible. As long as you like the final animation, that's enough." Akira said seriously.
Yukino's face turned faintly red.
She looked away, her eyes on the passing cars.
"..I haven't finished reading those books yet. But many things can only be understood through...practice."
"Okay. I feel relieved hearing that. In case of failure, I hope you'll let me rest my head on your knees. That way, I won't be too sad." Akira said seriously, his gaze sliding toward her legs.
"Akira-kun, you're the worst!" Yukino exclaimed, her face filled with both shame and anger.
"I'll take that as your agreement. This afternoon, accompany me to Flash Animation." Akira smile, as he turned and walked toward the school.
Yukino clenched her fists, her little face blushing.
Whether it was this bold request or what Akira said last time at Yui's house, both made her heart beat faster.
That was why she had suggested that Yuigahama Yui confess first.
That way, her own heart wouldn't be shaken like this.
As more and more students gathered around them, Yukino quickly walked forward.
She wasn't 100% confident that she can do it, but for some reason, she believed that Akira would support her at a critical moment.
The two of them could definitely work together to complete this anime.
Just as Akira believed in her—
She also believed in Akira.
...
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