"Aoi, this is the cooperation proposal from MIKIMOTO Co., Ltd. However, their stance is very firm. At the moment, they're only willing to accept a superficial level of cooperation, and the price they're offering is far below what we can accept."
Busujima Murasaki placed a business contract on Morishita Aoi's desk.
She was one of the people responsible for external affairs at 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio, specializing in cooperation projects between the studio and outside companies, including business negotiations and various partnership plans.
"Thank you for your hard work."
Morishita Aoi nodded and picked up the contract. After glancing through it, she frowned slightly.
After reading further, she concluded and said in a deep voice,
"If cooperation is optional for them, then cancel this partnership. The company already has too many ongoing projects. Losing one won't matter much. I'll explain it to Yuu. Please inform them for me, Murasaki."
She paused before asking,
"Also, how is BD production progressing?"
Busujima Murasaki took back the contract and smiled.
"Understood. The first batch of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' BDs has already been completed. The quantity isn't very large—only thirty thousand copies."
"That's a little faster than expected. Notify me once the second batch is finished and contact the distributors so they can prepare."
Morishita Aoi folded her arms and thought for a moment.
For an ordinary anime, thirty thousand BDs would be so many that selling them all would be difficult.
However, considering the immense popularity of 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica,' thirty thousand copies might not even be enough to satisfy demand.
Busujima Murasaki looked at her carefully and asked softly,
"Aoi, are you all right?"
"What is it?"
Morishita Aoi blinked in surprise.
Busujima Murasaki shook her head.
"You seem much more exhausted than usual today. Like a blade that's become chipped and worn—it makes people worry."
Morishita Aoi let out a breath and smiled faintly.
"What kind of comparison is that? I've been working overtime for several days straight. Of course I'm tired."
Walking behind her, Busujima Murasaki gently massaged her shoulders.
"Tomorrow is a day off. Why don't you stay over at our place tonight? It's been a long time since we soaked in the hot springs and had drinks together. Miss Reiko would be very happy to see you, too."
Leaning back in her chair and relaxing her shoulders, Morishita Aoi enjoyed the massage.
"Mm. Thank you."
...
Knock knock knock.
"Come in."
Carrying a stack of documents, Morishita Aoi entered Kamiyā Yuu's office.
As soon as she stepped inside, she saw him bent over his desk, completely focused on drawing storyboards.
The movements of the pen in his right hand flowed smoothly and naturally. Even without seeing the storyboard itself, one could tell the finished drawings would be exceptionally refined.
She glanced around the room.
Kamiyā Yuu's private office wasn't particularly large. It contained only a standard office desk and a sofa for resting.
The overly simple environment seemed somewhat out of place for someone of an anime director's status.
After placing the documents on his desk, Morishita Aoi sat down and asked curiously,
"Yuu, which episode of 'Fate/Zero' have you storyboarded up to?"
"Episode six. But the animation team has already finished producing episode three. If I don't hurry up, it'll be troublesome when they catch up."
Kamiyā Yuu put down his pen and replied helplessly.
Recently, he had been writing the 'Fate/Zero' novel while simultaneously drawing animation storyboards.
Combined, the workload left him with almost no spare time during work hours.
Being only three episodes ahead of production was considered a very dangerous margin in the industry.
If he happened to fall into a so-called creative slump, the production schedule could overtake him in no time.
Without storyboards as a foundation, every animation department would effectively grind to a halt.
Fortunately, Kamiyā Yuu had the assistance of his consciousness space and didn't need to worry too much about such problems.
"These are all commercial cooperation proposals related to 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica.' They require your personal approval and signature."
Morishita Aoi handed him the folder.
Watching him examine the contracts with complete concentration, she became momentarily absent-minded.
Once upon a time, the composed young man before her had been a nervous second key animator working under her supervision.
Back then, even a minor mistake in a drawing would leave him flustered and panicking.
Now he had grown into an animation director capable of standing on his own, as well as the president of a major animation studio.
He really has grown.
Now he's become a proper man.
The stark contrast between past and present brought a peculiar smile to Morishita Aoi's lips.
Yet as another thought crossed her mind, that smile gradually turned bitter.
She quietly concealed the emotions showing on her face.
She had once told her family that Kamiyā Yuu was her boyfriend in Tokyo.
The truth was that she had simply grown tired of her family's nagging about marriage during New Year's and answered casually.
For some reason, however, the first person who had appeared in her mind at the time was Kamiyā Yuu.
When she thought about it carefully, there had never really been a second candidate.
After nearly three years of interaction, their relationship had stopped somewhere beyond friendship.
She knew exactly why she had never taken another step forward.
She had noticed Kamiyā Sora's presence beside him, and she had heard them personally acknowledge their relationship.
Nowadays, Morishita Aoi no longer gets drunk at company parties.
She was afraid of how uninhibited she became when intoxicated.
If she ever revealed her true feelings, she might not even have the courage to continue working at 'Yosuganosora' Animation Studio.
Thirty years old.
What did a woman still have left at thirty?
Beneath the desk, where Kamiyā Yuu couldn't see, Morishita Aoi's fingers clenched tightly around her skirt.
She had already passed what she considered a woman's golden years.
Kamiyā Sora possessed everything she lacked.
As a result, she didn't have the slightest confidence in competing with her.
More importantly, if she failed, she might lose everything.
Morishita Aoi became aware of the weakness hidden in her heart.
She realized that this was probably the true source of the exhaustion and helplessness she had been feeling lately.
"Everything has been handled very well. I'll leave 'Puella Magi Madoka Magica' in your hands for now. I probably won't have time this month to deal with these commercial partnerships."
After quickly reviewing the documents, Kamiyā Yuu spoke seriously.
When he didn't receive a response, he looked up in confusion and saw her distracted expression.
"Aoi?"
"Hm? Ah, I understand."
Expressionless, Morishita Aoi accepted the folder.
Just as she stood up to leave the office, she heard Kamiyā Yuu hesitate before saying,
"Aoi... maybe you should take a few days off."
Warmth appeared in her eyes.
The fact that Kamiyā Yuu had noticed something was wrong was enough to make her feel comforted.
It even seemed to lessen some of her physical and emotional fatigue.
She bowed slightly toward him and shook her head.
"Don't worry. I just haven't adjusted my condition yet."
Kamiyā Yuu frowned as he watched her leave.
She gave him the impression that she was forcing herself to appear strong.
Yet he couldn't figure out what had caused that feeling in the first place.