"Clap clap clap~."
"Clap clap clap clap clap~"
"Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap clap!"
As the episode finished playing, Kamiyā Yuu took the lead with a smile and began applauding. Kirigami Ruri and Yūki Chinatsu, who had both participated in the production, were beaming with joy after watching it. Ruri, in particular, even found her eyes growing moist despite this not being her first time working on an anime.
Watching the finished episode and seeing a level of quality that far exceeded her expectations, she could hardly believe that she had helped create it. All the hardship she'd endured over the past weeks suddenly felt completely worthwhile.
Yūki Chinatsu was the first to stand up. Planting her hands on her hips, she puffed out her cheeks and proudly declared, "This level is only average. Just average."
Kamiyā Yuu flicked her forehead with his finger.
"Yes, yes. Chinatsu has finished speaking. Then let me say this—everyone, thank you for your hard work. The quality of this episode turned out far better than I imagined. This isn't my achievement alone. Hongō-sensei handled the key animation, Kuroneko was responsible for the animation work, Chinatsu handled compositing and photography, Aoi and Sora spent all this time running around contacting studios and freelance key animators, and Shindō's voice acting exceeded even his own usual standards. The scene where 'Ionioi Hetairoi' was unleashed was especially impressive. In short, everyone's efforts have paid off. Since the establishment of Yosuganosora Animation Studio, this is the best episode we've ever produced, and I'm sure it'll give the audience quite a surprise."
Uehara Etsuki chuckled softly.
"I was only doing my job."
Kamiyā Sora merely responded with an indifferent nod.
Gripping the hem of her black Gothic dress, Kirigami Ruri could no longer suppress her happiness and quietly said, "I'm just glad I didn't hold Director Kamiyā back..."
Morishita Aoi smiled without saying anything. Beside her, the production manager, Yano Erika, keenly sensed the unusual atmosphere but wisely remained silent.
Shindō Tsukasa pondered for a moment before saying, "The animation really is impressive. As long as I met the standards you asked for, that's enough on my end. We've finished watching it, so I'll be heading back."
With that, he stood up, picked up his suit jacket, and prepared to leave the meeting room.
Kamiyā Yuu looked at him in surprise.
"Shindō, we're having a celebration banquet afterward. You're not coming?"
Shindō Tsukasa turned around and sized Kamiyā Yuu up from head to toe. Stroking the stubble on his chin, he replied meaningfully, "I'll pass. I prefer a little peace. Besides, if I go drinking with you all, I won't be able to smoke. If possible, it'd be more worthwhile to convert my share of the dinner into a bonus added to my paycheck."
Kamiyā Yuu shrugged with a smile.
"Suit yourself."
As a fellow man, Kamiyā Yuu naturally caught the deeper meaning behind Shindō's look. Silently giving him a thumbs-up in his heart, he even decided to reward him with a bonus later.
Although Shindō Tsukasa was considered one of the senior staff at Yosuganosora Animation Studio, the sound department operated independently from the company. Since he rarely appeared at the office, aside from Kamiyā Yuu and Morishita Aoi, he seldom interacted with anyone else.
As an ordinary man, he could naturally sense the invisible barrier that existed between himself and the female executives who surrounded Kamiyā Yuu. Rather than awkwardly tagging along to a banquet where he'd feel out of place, it was better to do Kamiyā Yuu a favor instead.
After leaving Yosuganosora Animation Studio, Shindō Tsukasa walked to a temporary smoking area set up along the street. Sitting down, he lit a cigarette and shook his head with a sigh.
"Am I just getting old? I always feel like I can't keep up with the younger generation anymore."
Whether he was referring to the anime or something else entirely was anyone's guess.
······
"Cheers!"
"Everyone, great work!"
"Yuu, you have to drink with me until we're both completely wasted tonight! Yay~!"
The celebration banquet proceeded as planned.
Most of the staff from Yosuganosora Animation Studio attended, while the senior executives, including Uehara Etsuki, occupied a separate private room.
The atmosphere was warm and lively, with nothing particularly eventful happening. Everyone chatted about the difficulties they'd encountered during production and shared their thoughts on the finished episode.
"I thought we definitely wouldn't make the deadline. Well... technically, we almost didn't. Thankfully, Director Kamiyā stepped in later."
Patting her modest chest, Kirigami Ruri sighed in relief.
Morishita Aoi brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. A faint blush colored her flawless cheeks as she said cheerfully,
"It was the same on the production side. Several teachers had their key animation rejected and had to redraw everything. In the end, our production staff practically had to stand over them personally before we barely managed to get everything approved."
Busujima Murasaki poured Kamiyā Sora a glass of sake and said gently,
"Sora, would you like a drink? You've already graduated from high school and are now a capable working adult, so drinking is perfectly fine."
"Thank you."
Kamiyā Sora accepted the offered drink with a slight frown but didn't refuse. She merely took a small sip.
Yūki Chinatsu pouted and complained,
"Tomorrow's a paid day off... how unfair. I practically live at the company anyway, so it doesn't even matter whether there's a holiday or not."
Setting down her wine glass, Uehara Etsuki smiled.
"Chinatsu, would you like to stay at our place tonight?"
Chinatsu's eyes immediately widened with excitement.
"Really?"
"Mhm. It'll be livelier that way."
The banquet was filled with laughter and cheerful conversation. The relaxed and harmonious atmosphere even brought a smile to Kamiyā Yuu's face as he enjoyed himself.
Since production on Episode 12 had ended slightly ahead of schedule, he simply gave everyone involved a fully paid day off so they could properly rest and recover.
······
"Phew... finally, I can relax."
Lying in the bathtub, Kamiyā Yuu let out a long, contented sigh.
After the banquet ended that evening, the first thing he did upon returning to the apartment was take a shower and soak in a hot bath. As his body sank into the steaming water, the warmth seemed to seep through his skin and into his bones. Before long, every part of him had completely relaxed.
In Japan, bathing generally consisted of two steps. First came the regular shower, much like in an ordinary Chinese household, using a water heater to wash oneself clean. After that came soaking in the bathtub, which helped relieve fatigue and improve sleep quality.
Because everyone entered the bath only after washing themselves clean, most Japanese families shared the same bathwater to save both water and effort. Family members usually bathed one after another while the water was still warm, which was why anime so often featured family members calling the protagonist to take a bath after someone else had finished.
To be honest, even knowing everyone had already washed themselves, Kamiyā Yuu still couldn't quite accept this family-style bathing habit.
Of course, bathing together with Kamiyā Sora was a different matter entirely.
Not long after he began soaking, the curtain around the bathtub was pulled aside.
Having just finished showering, Kamiyā Sora stood there completely naked. Her damp silver hair clung to her snow-white skin, giving her an especially alluring appearance. She gently extended one delicate foot into the water to test the temperature before frowning slightly.
"Yuu, isn't it a little too hot?"
"You'll probably find it just right once you get used to it."
Kamiyā Yuu smiled and held out his hand.
Kamiyā Sora naturally placed her hand in his and carefully stepped into the bathtub. Then she settled into his embrace, leaning comfortably against him.
The soft warmth of her smooth skin felt completely different from the hot water surrounding them.
"Yuu, tomorrow..."
"Mhm. I promised you before that I'd spend the entire day off with you."
As he spoke, Kamiyā Yuu skillfully gathered up her damp silver hair.
"Mhm."
A rosy blush spread across Kamiyā Sora's face. Turning her head slightly, she tilted her chin upward and gently closed her eyes, quietly waiting.