When the sun set, Akira closed the laptop in front of him.
He looked up at Yukinoshita Yukino.
The setting sun shone on her back, making Yukino look even more beautiful. However, it was a bit regrettable that Yukino was wearing a suit at this time, not her school uniform.
Akira still preferred the girl in a school uniform with hair fluttering in the wind.
Perhaps sensing Akira's gaze, Yukino turned her head and looked at him.
"What's the matter?"
"It's nothing, I just miss the time when we weren't friends yet," Akira said softly, looking out the window.
"We're not friends now," Yukino reminded him.
"You are Yui's friend, which means you are my friend by default." Akira said, looking at Yukino's cheek.
"That's just a friend of a friend, not a real friend. Only after you finish drawing the manga can I recognize you as my friend," Yukino said with a smirk.
"Yukinoshita-san, do you know? Miss Sada thinks I am your boyfriend and that my money was given to me by the Yukinoshita family," Akira suddenly said.
Yukino was stunned and looked at him in confusion, not understanding what he meant.
Taking advantage of the moment, Akira pulled out his phone and took a picture of Yukino's expression. Then, he quickly changed his wallpaper to the photo and showed it to her.
Yukino frowned, still not understanding.
"Guess what Yui will think when she sees this photo?" Akira said slowly, smiling.
When Yukino heard this, her face froze.
"Yui will definitely think that Akira's phone wallpaper is Yukino with such a cute expression… something must have happened."
"Y-you…"
"I'll deliberately leave my phone behind so Yui can see this photo. That way, I don't have to explain anything. But your relationship…with yui" Akira stopped mid-sentence.
Yukino looked at him coldly.
"Now, do you admit that I am your friend?" Akira said word by word, his smile mirroring Yukino's own earlier expression.
Yukino clenched her fists.
"I've gone through so much trouble just to be friends with you. If you don't admit it, there's nothing I can do to you," Akira said helplessly, changing his phone wallpaper again.
Yukino was stunned for a moment. Then, her face turned slightly red.
"I… I was just joking," she muttered.
"I was joking too, but you were angry, so I had to compromise," Akira said with a sigh, standing and walking to the window behind Yukino.
Yukino looked at his back with a complicated expression. In her heart, she already regarded him as a friend.
"I—"
Before Yukino could finish, the office door opened.
Kanae Takahashi walked in with a dozen people, who looked a little nervous upon seeing Akira and Yukino.
"Please sit down. I will tell you the plot of the animation," Akira said, turning to them.
Everyone sat down. Since they had already read the script, Kanae Takahashi cooperated by posting the character designs on the board.
Akira stood in front of the board, pointing at the characters and explaining their stories. Some used computers to record, while others took notes meticulously. Yukino also wrote down the character plots, adding details not included in the script.
Two hours later—,
Akira roughly finished telling the story.
Kanae Takahashi reviewed the notes, then glanced at Akira and Yukino. With this, the overall direction of Madoka Magica had been determined; only the specifics remained.
"Oh, by the way. I made the opening song a few days ago. I'll send it to you later and explain how to make the opening animation," Akira said, taking out his phone.
The young man in charge of music looked at him in disbelief. He could write scripts and compose music? What kind of genius is this?
"The plot of the first episode still needs optimization. My outline is rough. You are responsible for adding details. If I approve, production begins," Akira continued.
"Yes," the young woman in charge of the script said, staring with admiration.
Akira's script was already very complete; adding details was straightforward.
"This is my first animation, and it may also be everyone's first production experience. You are all young animators with dreams like mine. As long as this animation succeeds, you can proudly say you participated in Madoka Magica. Regarding funding, if the animation meets my expectations, each of you will receive a bonus," Akira explained, painting a rosy picture for the team.
Everyone in the third animation production studio's eyes shone with anticipation. Their first high-quality production, guided personally by the original author, promised to be a high-scoring animation if they didn't make mistakes.
After the brief meeting, Akira passed the opening theme to the music lead and discussed the opening animation. Kanae Takahashi, already informed, began assigning tasks.
Even though it was time to leave, no one wanted to. Kanae Takahashi planned to stay in the office that night.
While, Akira and Yukino left for their own classes.
.....
In the quiet car,
Akira looked at the night view outside. Yukino sat beside him, watching his profile. She wanted to apologize for earlier but hadn't found the chance.
As they neared Akira's house, Yukino finally spoke.
"Akira, I—"
"As supervisor, you must participate in the next production and send daily reports. I will guide you, provide the plot, and make you a real animation supervisor," Akira interrupted.
"I… I understand," Yukino said, lowering her head and clenching her hands slightly.
Suddenly, Akira reached out and held her hand.
Yukino, unprepared for this, turned red. She was about to pull away, but didn't after remembering she hadn't apologized yet. Instead, she looked out the window, blush rising, and relaxed her hands as she felt his warm hand.
.....
AtSakurasou,
The car stopped. Akira reluctantly withdrew his hand, knowing he had earned the trust to hold Yukino's hand because of their earlier cooperation.
"See you tomorrow," he whispered, opening the car door.
Yukino didn't look back, shy or unsure what to say.
Akira watched the car leave, then sent a message from his phone.
Moments later, Yukino in the car received it, her face turning redder.
"Holding hands with you feels like holding snow in winter. I want to hold it tightly, but I find ice hidden inside the snow. I want to melt it with the warmth of my palm and make the snow feel warm."
Yukino stared at it for a few minutes, then put away her phone, her heart disturbed once again. She recalled the moments when Akira held her hand. His hands were indeed warm.
.....
Back at home,
After having a simple dinner, Akira sent a message to Yui, She quickly reply asking if everything went well.
Akira initiated a video call. A minute later, Yui appeared, wearing pink pajamas, looking very cute. She had likely been watching TV, explaining her delayed response.
"Akira-kun, have you eaten yet?" Yui blinked at him.
"I just finished my dinner and was about to start drawing, but I suddenly thought of you," Akira said softly.
"Really?" Yui smiled sweetly.
"Really. I hope tomorrow comes soon," Akira's eyes were sincere.
"I wanted to ask about your situation just now, but I didn't want to disturb you," Yui said softly.
"You did the right thing. If I had been kissing my girlfriend and you sent a message, I might have lost her," Akira said seriously.
"I don't believe it!" Yui pouted.
"Next time, I'll send you a photo of my girlfriend," Akira said.
"I won't believe it unless you bring her to me," Yui replied, pouting even more.
...
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