Late July.
The buzz around Initial D and Natsume's Friends finally died down.
Fans had reluctantly accepted the endings, and Echo Shroud Publishing had no choice but to move on. With both serializations wrapped up, the editorial team stopped pressuring Haruki to continue them. Instead, they waited for whatever he planned to submit next.
Meanwhile, Haruki was at home, playing an online game with Ryuko.
After several rounds, he leaned back in his chair and sighed. The loading screen showed a flashy image of a female character: Ahri.
If it were the old me, I'd probably be attracted to her, he thought. But now... I can't seem to feel that way.
Maybe Ryuko trying to make me her boyfriend is actually working. I do start to feel something... maybe.
He glanced over at her and found himself staring at her face.
"Is there something on my face?" Ryuko asked, noticing him looking.
"Nothing," he muttered, quickly turning back to the screen.
Ryuko blinked. That's weird, she thought. He usually says something like how beautiful Ahri is. Now he's looking at me. Is it actually working?
The next morning, Ryuko arrived early at T-Bone Animation Studio.
With the October season fast approaching, everyone was buried in deadlines. Ryuko had lines to record for Into the Abyss, and the building buzzed with the energy of animators, directors, and sound engineers moving at full speed.
Among them was Saya, overseeing Into the Abyss, T-Bone's flagship fantasy series for the year, while also coordinating Initial D's anime team.
She was rarely seen sitting still these days.
But today was different.
Saya had made time to do something she hadn't done in years.
She'd changed how she dressed.
Gone was the boxy suit jacket and neutral slacks. Instead, she wore a crisp white blouse tucked into a charcoal skirt, clean sneakers, and minimal makeup. Her short hair was neatly styled, and even her walk seemed lighter.
As she passed through the hallway, heads turned. Every single person, regardless of department or gender, stared.
She arrived at the voice recording booth as Ryuko was warming up.
"Morning, Ryuko. You're here early."
"I—yeah. Just wanted to prep before it gets noisy."
Ryuko turned around and froze.
Her eyes widened.
"Wait, Saya... you're…"
Saya smiled.
"A girl? Yeah. Shocking, right?"
"I didn't mean it like that! I just… you look different today."
"And you were right," Saya said, walking closer. "Why should I have to pretend to be someone else to be respected in this industry?"
She looped an arm through Ryuko's.
"Come on. I brought you breakfast. Let's eat in my office."
"Ah—wait, I really shouldn't…"
But Ryuko didn't resist too hard. With Saya's new look, her usual guardedness was shaken.
"I get it," Saya said lightly. "You're trying to watch your diet. But that only works if you're not starving. Come on, just a little."
Down the hallway, staff passing by glanced between the two women.
Wait… isn't Ryuko the one always seen with Mizushiro?
And isn't Saya super close with Haruki too?
What exactly is going on here…?
In Saya's office, Ryuko nibbled at the pastry she'd been given, more out of politeness than hunger.
But she wasn't here for snacks.
"Hey, Saya," she said after a pause. "Can I ask you something?"
"Of course."
Ryuko hesitated, fingers brushing a crumb off her lap.
"If someone after a lot of trying finally starts showing some interest, do you push forward? Or keep playing it safe, maybe try to startle them a little?"
Saya blinked. "Someone?"
Ryuko looked away, suddenly busy with her tea.
Saya didn't need to guess. It was obvious. If Ryuko was asking this kind of question, it could only be about one person.
Haruki.
And Saya wasn't about to feed her false hope.
"In general, if someone starts showing a reaction after a long time, you don't want to jump the gun," Saya said carefully. "It's easy to startle people if you move too fast. Better to take it slow."
"Maybe you're right…" she muttered.
Then her eyes sparked.
"No, wait. I think I get it."
Saya tilted her head, already worried. "Get what?"
"I've been trying too hard to force progress. But if I can create the kind of moment that makes him respond without thinking, something simple and natural, I might be able to get through to him."
Saya blinked.
"No, Ryuko. That's not what I meant."
But Ryuko was already planning something. Her whole expression had changed, focused now like a player about to test a new strategy on a boss fight.
"It's worth a try," she said, smiling to herself. "Even if it fails, at least I'll know what doesn't work."
Saya sighed.
It was already too late.
(TL:- if you want even more content, check out p-atreon.com/Alioth23 for 60+ advanced chapters)