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Chapter 96 - Chapter 96: The Story of Arato Kijin

After Yukinoshita Haruno left the third studio, Su Yu turned to Yukinoshita Yukino with a gentle smile.

The second daughter of the Yukinoshita family took a step forward.

"Yukino, you stepped on my foot."

"I did it on purpose."

Hearing that, Su Yu immediately understood—she was jealous. His smile deepened.

"Don't think I didn't notice—you didn't refuse when my sister hooked your arm." Yukinoshita Yukino stared at him, clenching her fists.

"You're right. I didn't refuse. That was my mistake. But, Yukino, you're not completely innocent either." Su Yu reminded her.

"What did I do wrong?" Yukinoshita Yukino frowned.

"Are you speaking to me as a friend, or as my girlfriend?" Su Yu asked in a low voice.

Yukinoshita Yukino froze for a second.

Then, she quickly withdrew her foot, glaring at Su Yu in embarrassment.

"If you're standing in the position of a friend, then don't be angry or jealous. But when we get home, and you're standing in the position of my girlfriend, I'll admit my mistake obediently." His voice was barely above a whisper.

"One day, I'll make you understand that my Aikido training wasn't for nothing." Yukinoshita Yukino huffed.

"Are you planning to teach me? My ability allows me to remember your techniques. If you ever try to use Aikido against me, I'll gradually learn it and use it against you." Su Yu warned her.

"You… you just stay put!" Yukinoshita Yukino knew Su Yu was telling the truth.

She had never demonstrated her Aikido skills in front of him before. If he really memorized them… then in the future…

Just the thought of it made Yukinoshita Yukino's face turn slightly red.

"Supervisor Yukinoshita."

A voice interrupted her thoughts.

She snapped back to reality and turned toward the source of the voice.

Su Yu watched her leave, then made his way out of the third studio.

Since Haruno had already appointed a new president and said those words, it was time for him to accelerate his plans.

First Animation Production Studio

In front of Arato Haruto's office.

Su Yu raised his hand and knocked on the door.

"Come in." A voice came from inside.

Su Yu pushed the door open and stepped in.

Arato Haruto, who had been reviewing some documents, looked up and was pleasantly surprised to see Su Yu.

"Director Arato, the company has a new president now. The original anime project can be moved up. Your script should be ready by now, right?" Su Yu glanced at the documents on Arato's desk.

"Yes. This is my wife's original novel manuscript. Honestly, I'm not sure how to modify it, so I'd like to ask for your and Director Tamura's help." Arato Haruto handed the file to Su Yu.

"I enjoy a good story. I hope this one surprises me." Su Yu accepted the file and sat down on the sofa.

"I'll pour you some tea." Arato Haruto, slightly nervous, quickly poured a cup of hot tea and placed it in front of Su Yu before taking a seat opposite him.

Su Yu glanced at the cup before opening the manuscript that had piqued his curiosity.

The story followed the life of a high school girl and her childhood friend, a quiet but intelligent boy named Arato Kijin.

She had liked him for as long as she could remember and always found herself watching him.

His family were carpenters, and by the time the trade reached his father's generation, an injury had forced Arato Kijin to take up the craft himself.

He didn't resent it—in fact, he had a deep passion for wood carving.

This was a secret she had only recently discovered.

Their houses were close, and since childhood, they had been inseparable. Throughout their high school years, they had never once fought, remaining the closest of friends.

Whenever he carved wood, she would silently watch him, captivated by his concentration.

Arato Kijin wasn't fond of sports. She, due to her weak constitution, wasn't either. Instead, she loved reading.

When they were together, he would focus on carving, while she would read, occasionally sneaking glances at the person she liked.

Their relationship took a turn when she decided to go stargazing at night.

They ended up getting lost in the forest.

She was terrified, but at that moment, Arato Kijin took her hand and told her not to let go.

Under the moonlight, with his careful guidance, they found their way out.

The moment they stepped out of the forest, she hugged him in joy.

His body stiffened slightly—it must have been his first time being so close to a girl.

That night, after returning home, she wrote everything down in her diary, including her thoughts and emotions at the time.

From then on, their relationship became subtly different.

She grew more proactive, started learning how to dress up, and became increasingly conscious of her appearance in front of him.

Then came the summer fireworks festival.

She planned to confess that night.

However, they underestimated the crowd and ended up getting separated.

Without mobile phones, they could only search for each other.

While wandering around, she fell and injured herself. Unable to move, she sat on the ground, hugging her knees.

Fortunately, a kind passerby informed Arato Kijin about her whereabouts.

When he arrived, he saw her quietly crying.

He walked up and handed her a box of takoyaki he had bought.

She looked up at him, and her tears stopped.

The two of them sat together, eating the takoyaki.

Just as she was about to confess, the sound of fireworks filled the air, interrupting her.

She turned to see Arato Kijin gazing at the fireworks with full attention.

Her courage wavered.

Then, out of nowhere, he reached out and gently held her hand.

"I… Can we be together?"

She was stunned.

She had never expected such an awkward, clumsy confession.

But when she saw the nervous anticipation in his eyes—

She softly nodded.

After the festival, he carried her home.

Then, he took out a wooden carving he had been working on for a long time.

It was a carving of her.

As it turned out, while she had been sneaking glances at him, he had been doing the same to her.

He hadn't confessed earlier because the carving wasn't finished.

And because he was afraid that she might like someone else.

Looking at him, the female protagonist's face blossomed into a smile she had never worn before.

"Arato Kijin, you blockhead."

With those words, she hugged him tightly.

That was how they became a couple.

Afterward, she became even bolder, frequently making him blush.

They both got accepted into the same university, walked into a church together, and lived happily ever after.

After finishing the story, Su Yu's first thought was—this is way too sweet.

Sickeningly sweet.

The level of happiness was almost unreal.

Reading from the female protagonist's perspective, it was impossible not to feel her overwhelming joy.

He looked up at Arato Haruto.

"Director Arato… is this all based on a true story?"

"Most of it, yes. But I feel like things went too smoothly. Should I add more conflicts or new characters?" Arato Haruto's expression no longer resembled that of a renowned anime director.

Right now, he looked more like an anxious author discussing plot details with his editor.

 

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