Nanako Tamura put down the comic book, removed her glasses, and carefully wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes. She took a deep breath, then lifted her gaze toward Akira Fujimiya.
"Fujimiya-kun… no, Mr. Fujimiya, your manga is excellent. I believe without a doubt it will become popular!"
"Thank you for your approval," Akira replied calmly.
His tone carried quiet confidence. He wasn't surprised by her reaction. If even Nanako Tamura failed to recognize its value, he would have questioned her ability.
"You can come to Future Comics Publishing House tomorrow," Tamura continued as she handed the manuscript back to him. "I'll try my best to secure some benefits for you."
"I'll hand over the animation production to Flash Animation. The rest, we'll settle tomorrow." Akira nodded with certainty.
"Okay, I'll help you relay the message. As for contact information—"
"Nanako, your work is done. You should leave now. We still need to discuss the production of Madoka Magica, and you—an outsider—cannot participate." Kanae Takahashi cut her off without hesitation.
"That's too much, Kanae," Tamura protested, her voice filled with frustration.
"Please," Kanae said curtly, motioning toward the door.
Nanako Tamura had no choice. She stood reluctantly, slipped a business card into Akira's hand, and gave a small bow.
"Please call this number when you arrive tomorrow."
"I understand. Thank you." Akira accepted the card, watching her retreat from the office.
When the door closed, Kanae spoke quietly. "Nanako is an excellent manga editor. Since joining Future Comics, she has cultivated several remarkable artists. This year, she even won the award for Best New Editor."
"She's truly impressive. The way she reads a manuscript—it's as if she's instantly immersed in the world." Akira praised sincerely.
Kanae looked down briefly. "…I'm sorry. I doubted your manga before. At that time, I—"
"It's fine," Akira cut her off gently. "I understood your doubts were out of concern. Now that you recognize me, that's enough." He smiled faintly.
...
The office lights glowed softly.
Akira and Kanae continued to discuss animation while Yukinoshita Yukino sat silently at her desk. She kept glancing toward the office door, her thoughts tangled. Because of Akira's earlier words, she couldn't focus on her work at all.
Suddenly, the door creaked open.
Yukino quickly averted her eyes and pretended to work diligently.
Footsteps—,
Akira sat down beside her, watching her profile in silence. He didn't speak—just observed.
"…Has your manga been approved?" Yukino finally asked, unable to restrain herself.
"The contract will be signed tomorrow."
"Congratulations," Yukino whispered.
"Thank you." Akira took out his phone.
The atmosphere sank into a quiet stillness. Yukino's hands hovered over the tablet, but her attention was absent. She failed to notice she had misdrawn the background.
"Don't move." Akira's calm voice cut in. His hand gently covered hers, guiding her strokes.
Yukino's face flushed instantly. She said nothing, letting him correct the mistake. When he released her hand, she whispered lightly, "…Thank you."
"You can't work properly like this...Take a break," Akira advised.
"I-I just…"
"If you are thinking about what I said earlier, you can ask me directly."
Yukino froze, her lips parting slightly. She wanted to ask but couldn't find the words.
Just then, Akira's phone buzzed. He glanced at it, then placed it in front of her.
Her eyes widened after reading the screen. She stared at him.
"I have an appointment with your sister," Akira explained flatly. "Before that—do you want to talk to me?"
Yukino's heart tightened. She wanted to say she didn't want to see Haruno, but the words stuck in her throat.
"Come with me." Akira stood and walked toward Miyako's office.
Hesitant, Yukino followed.
Without knocking, Akira pushed the door open. Inside, Kanae quickly hid something in her drawer, her cheeks faintly red.
"Can I borrow your office for a while?" Akira asked, pretending not to notice.
Kanae blinked. "…Borrow my office?" She looked at Akira, then at Yukino.
"It's not what you think. We just need to talk."
"I understand." Kanae smiled knowingly, rose from her seat, and slid the hidden object into her desk. "I'll go get some coffee. Take your time."
As she left, Yukino and Akira stepped inside.
The two sat opposite each other on the sofa. Yukino lowered her gaze, avoiding his eyes.
"You must be thinking now that your sister and I have some sort of close relationship, right?" Akira spoke softly.
Yukino looked up in surprise.
"I asked her to meet so I could discuss becoming your fake boyfriend. For that, I am even willing to pay a price."
Her cheeks reddened.
"The reason I said those words earlier was to see if you really cared. The answer is clear—you care about me so much, you can't even focus on your work." Akira smiled faintly.
Yukino turned away, her face heating up. Her hands clenched on her lap.
This guy… to test her feelings with something like that… How infuriating.
"...Of course," Akira continued, leaning closer, "it's not impossible for me to give up on you and pursue your sister instead....But when I think about how cute you looked just now, I can't."
"You…You are too much." Yukino scooted slightly away, her voice flustered.
"Relax. I won't do anything excessive. At most… I'll hold your hand or hug you." He reached for her.
"N-no one's watching here, and—"
Before she could finish, Akira took her hand firmly.
Her face flamed even redder.
"I like you, Yukinoshita YukimuchThe moment I first opened the Service Club door and saw you, I fell in love."
Her breath caught.
"The reason I didn't approach you then was… I didn't know how to face the future. I lacked the courage. Until that day—you took the initiative to speak to me."
Yukino stared at him, her expression complex.
That day…
She had only spoken to him out of fleeting curiosity. Yet that moment had changed everything.
"…If it weren't for Yui, our relationship wouldn't have progressed so quickly," Akira added quietly.
Her lips tightened. "What exactly did you and Yuigahama-san talk about? Why did she say those things to me?"
"Yui is afraid you'll take me from her. She wants to stay by my side. And I… don't want to let go of her hand."
"So now....you're holding my hand, asking to be my fake boyfriend?" Yukino glared faintly.
"I admit I am terrible. But I sincerely hope you can become friends with Yui. I want to spend a happy holiday with both of you, leaving good memories."
"I can't accept that," Yukino whispered, lowering her head. "You can only choose one—me or Yuigahama-san. I hope you choose her. Then we can remain good friends… and continue making animation together."
Akira leaned forward and embraced her gently.
Yukino stiffened but didn't resist. His warmth seeped through her.
"...This is the best we can do," she murmured.
"Then let this be just a hug between friends," Akira said softly, holding her tighter.
Her face burned crimson. Her heart pounded wildly. She knew she was deceiving herself—but his arms were so warm.
Don't let him go further. A hug is the limit. We must never cross this line.
"…Yukino, you and Yui are both kind little dummy," Akira whispered.
"Shut up!." She stepped lightly on his foot.
"Is this your reward?" he teased.
"You… you're hopeless…"
...
At 8 p.m., Akira exited Flash Animation's building. A sleek car pulled up in front. Inside, Yukinoshita Haruno sat with her usual teasing smile.
The driver opened the rear door for Akira. He slid in, and the door clicked shut.
"Let's go to that restaurant," Haruno instructed.
The driver nodded and started the engine.
"Mr. Fujimiya," Haruno said playfully, "you invited me to dinner. Do you perhaps have… intentions toward me?"
"I have intentions," Akira replied flatly, gazing out the window, "but not about you."
"My, how cold." Haruno tilted her head, amused. "Still, I'm surprised. Yukino has never been close to a boy. Yet you… with only an invitation and a few stories, you've made her fall in love. Tell me—how?"
"Do you need a reason to like someone?" Akira asked, finally turning to face her.
"I don't believe Yukino fell for you so suddenly. No… I think you slowly broke down her walls, little by little, until she gave you her hand." Haruno's voice dropped, her smile faintly wistful.
...
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