It is absolutely impossible for one person to produce twelve episodes of animation.
Although the role of supervision was limited, a good supervisor was enough to make the entire work present the best experience to the audience.
So, the question was—can Yukino Yukinoshita become a good director?
The answer was obvious — She was far from enough.
But Akira Fujimiya could learn and help her.
He main goal was not only to complete this animation, but also establish a relationship between the two through the production of this project.
He sat in his seat, eyes drifting toward the cherry blossoms floating outside the window.
He already had this plan from the moment Yukino Yukinoshita became interested in the story.
The only unexpected change — His relationship with Yui Yuigahama.
Their relationship had developed far too quickly.
Of course, he couldn't blame himself for that.
Yui Yuigahama was undeniably cute. Even Yukino had admitted this at some point.
Such a cute girl had fallen for him.
How could Akira not be moved? He was healthy boy.
The depth of his feelings for Yui was no less than the way he felt about Yukino.
Although he always acted like a gentleman in front of Yui, this was not a long-term solution.
Yui would definitely take the initiative. Just like yesterday, when he had gone to her house—if he hadn't used work as an excuse, he might have been kept there by her.
If that had happened, their relationship would have taken another step forward, even if nothing physical had occurred.
More importantly, Akira worried about himself.
As a normal high school boy, how could he not have certain thoughts while hugging his adorable girlfriend?
Akira thought about this and glanced toward Yui Yuigahama.
At that exact moment—
He noticed that Yui was looking back at him.
Their gaze meet.
But when Akira turned, she quickly looked away, pretending to listen intently to the lesson.
His attention shifted.
He looked at Yumiko Miura next.
Yumiko had also been sneaking glances at him. But when her eyes met his, she immediately turned away, pretending nothing had happened.
Next, his gaze landed on Hina Ebina.
Unlike the other two, she was listening to the lecture seriously. Still, as if sensing his gaze, she turned her head and met his eyes.
Akira quickly looked away, not wanting her to misunderstand.
Ebina only pushed her glasses up with a smile.
Brrrrriiiiing!!
The bell rang. Break time.
Akira reached for a thick reference book.
Seeing this, Yui Yuigahama decided not to disturb him.
…..
Before long, it was lunchtime.
Yui Yuigahama peeked at him again.
This time, Akira stood up and walked straight toward her, holding a neatly packed lunch box prepared by her family.
"Let's go. I'll have lunch with you today."
"Yes." Yui smiled sweetly, her cheeks pink as she glanced toward her two close friends.
The two of them left the classroom—Akira slightly in front, Yui trailing shyly behind.
Hina Ebina, watching them leave, turned to Yumiko Miura.
"Shall we go to the clubroom?"
"Yeah," Yumiko nodded softly.
The day before, after leaving the Service Club, the two had decided they would try becoming closer friends with Yukino.
...
On the rooftop,
"This morning, I got a call from Haruno Yukinoshita. She said a director thought my script was good, but the studio didn't want me to participate in the animation's production. So, I declined."
Akira explained as he opened his lunch.
"I decided to let Yukino be the director instead. We'll complete this animation together."
"Actually, the reason she's been assigned as the supervisor is because Haruno wants her to show off. Their mother already knows about this. If Yukino succeeds, she might finally get her family recognition."
Yui Yuigahama listened quietly. She hadn't asked about it, but since Akira would be heading to the Flash Animation Production Company with Yukino in the afternoon, he felt it was better to be upfront.
"…Yukinon really doesn't get along with her family. Growing up like that must be harder than living in an ordinary household," Yui said softly, sympathy filling her voice.
"That's why I gave her this opportunity—to get the recognition she deserves." Akira nodded.
Though Yukino came from the prestigious Yukinoshita family, her happiness didn't compare to Yui's.
Yui had been cared for and loved by her parents since childhood.
Yukino…however, with her strained family the dynamics were obvious even from the outsider view.
"Akira-kun, you must help Yukinon... I hope she can finally feel cared for and be happy."
Yui's eyes shone earnestly as she looked at him.
"Be happy? Yui, are you saying I should become her boyfriend?" Akira raised an eyebrow.
"That's not what I meant! I just… want Yukino to smile more," Yui quickly waved her hands, flustered.
"Yui, you're being cruel," Akira said in a serious tone.
"Eh?" She blinked, confused.
"For a second, I imagined holding both yours and Yukino's hands and walking into a church together. But you say that wasn't what you meant?" He sighed dramatically.
"Akira-kun!, you're awful!" Yui puffed her cheeks.
Only realizing after a moment that he was just teasing her.
Akira chuckled, gently patting her head. Her fake anger dissolved instantly.
"To be honest, when I first joined the Service Club, I thought that if I could be with Yukino, my life would be set." Akira leaned back, gazing at the sky.
"…And now?" Yui asked quietly.
"Now? If I could have two girlfriends at the same time…"
"Akira-kun, that's fine," Yui interrupted with a mischievous smile.
"…Huh?" Akira blinked.
"As long as Yukino agrees, I don't mind," she said with a teasing expression.
Without hesitation, Akira pulled out his phone.
"Let's call her right now and ask."
"W-Wait, I was kidding!" Yui panicked, trying to grab his arm.
"Yui, do you really think Yukino would agree to this?" Akira smirked.
"Eh? —Akira-kun!, you tricked me again!" Yui pouted.
"Yui, Dummy. You got nervous because you don't want to lose me to her." His gaze softened, as he said teasingly.
"I… I didn't…" Yui turned away, blushing furiously.
Akira gently reached for her hand.
Then, leaning closer, he whispered, "The way to keep me isn't by worrying about Yukino. It's by showing me your charm… and your effort."
"…Really?" Yui's eyes widened.
"I treasure you, Yui. I don't want to hurt you. You can spoil me sometimes, I will spoil you sometime but don't expect too much. Do you understand?" His tone was warm and sincere.
"…Mmh." Yui melted into his arms, her heart sweet with happiness.
…..
The school day finally ended.
Yui Yuigahama packed her bag and walked toward her two friends.
Earlier at lunch, she had received a message from Yukino.
Yukino explained that she and Akira would be heading to the animation production company together. She even asked Yui if she wanted to join them.
Yui, of course, declined—and instead, told her two friends.
The three decided to go shopping after school.
When she was leaving, she waved at Akira with her usual bright smile.
Akira waved back, watching her go.
Then, he began packing up his own things.
Minutes later, Akira left the classroom.
As he reached the stairs, he stopped.
Walking toward him was Yukino Yukinoshita.
The corridor was quiet.
Their eyes met.
Akira smiled knowingly, his gaze lingering.
Yukino's face flushed slightly. She deliberately looked away, ignoring him, and walked past him.
Akira caught up quickly, walking by her side.
"What luck—we almost chose the exact same time to leave."
"This level of coincidence is nothing but chance," Yukino replied, her eyes fixed forward, not giving him a single glance.
"If you admit it's destiny, I'll let you see the manga early," Akira teased.
"Although I am curious, I have patience...Besides, I'd rather see the completed story." Yukino glanced at him briefly before speaking in her calm tone.
"Then Yui is the first one."
"She should be."
"…But I wish you'd be the first to see it," Akira said softly.
"I hope you can focus on Yui Yuigahama, instead of saying things that could be misunderstood by me… or anyone else." Yukino's expression turned complicated.
"Alright. But I have one condition." Akira smile, as he stopped in front of the shoe lockers.
"…What condition?" Yukino asked, pausing at her own locker.
...
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