Some detailed questions required reference books, and Kanae Takahashi also gave Akira a list of books.
This list included the basics of manga, animation, and the ideas of some outstanding animators.
By the time Kanae Takahashi finished speaking, an hour had passed.
"Okay, that's basically it. Finish reading these books first, and then come to me," Kanae Takahashi said to Akira.
"Thank you. You are a good teacher. I will draw my manga as soon as possible." Akira stood up and bowed.
Kanae Takahashi looked at him, wanting to say something but unable to find the words.
Akira noticed her expression and understood what she was thinking.
"Next time I come, I will bring the script of that work and the characters we designed."
"..." Kanae Takahashi looked at Akira silently.
"I understand, blondes are all tsundere," Akira said with a smile.
"I'm not a tsundere!!" Kanae Takahashi exclaimed, while blushing.
Akira smiled, saying nothing further.
.....
After buying the reference books at the library, Akira returned home.
It was already past two in the afternoon.
The four girls had already eaten lunch, and Yukinoshita Yukino was helping in cleaning up the kitchen.
Yuigahama Yui noticed Akira coming back and looked at him curiously.
"Did you learned a lot?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked, glancing at him.
"Yes," Akira nodded.
"What did you learn?"
"Blondes are all tsunderes."
"Huh?" Yukinoshita Yukino was stunned and subconsciously glanced at Miura Yumiko. Among the four girls present, she was the only blonde.
Yumiko Miura blushed slightly and glanced at Akira.
Yuigahama Yui looked curious, while Ebina Hina had a knowing smile on her face.
"Sorry, I'm not talking about Miura-san. I mean the Animator who taught me how to draw," Akira clarified, taking out the paintings he had drawn.
The four girls looked at the paintings and were a little surprised.
Yukinoshita Yukino picked up two of them, examining them carefully.
"How is it?" Akira knew Yukinoshita Yukino must have knowledge in this area.
"You are qualified to draw manga. I want to see the third story within a week," Yukinoshita Yukino said seriously.
"..Yukinoshita, don't you see how many reference books I have in my hands? I have to finish reading these before I can draw the third story," Akira replied, pointing to the bag in his hands.
"Is this a reference book? I thought you bought manga and light novels," Yukinoshita Yukino said in surprise.
Akira was speechless.
He took out the thick reference books and introduced them one by one.
"This is the basics of manga storyboards…"
"This one is about a famous Animator…"
"This is an interview with a well-known supervisor…"
The four girls took the reference books into their hands, browsing through them.
Yukinoshita Yukino studied them most attentively, clearly very interested.
Yuigahama Yui flipped through a few pages before putting them on the coffee table. For her, the contents were too advanced. Too confusing.
The same applied to Yumiko Miura and Hime Ebina.
"Akira-kun, how long will it take you to internalize all this knowledge?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked, setting down the animation director interview she was holding.
"It will take a long time, but I will draw the manga as soon as possible," Akira replied.
"Okay, I'll wait for you. I will also take the time to learn how to be an animation director," Yukinoshita Yukino said, looking at the interview book in front of her.
"Yukinoshita-san, if you become an animation director, you will be the most beautiful and youngest in history during promotions," Akira said with a smile.
"I don't want to be the focus. I hope my work can spark more discussion," Yukinoshita Yukino replied, frowning slightly.
"Yukinoshita-san, you seem to have become an excellent supervisor," Akira said.
Yukinoshita Yukino rolled her eyes and remained silent, jotting down the names of several reference books.
Akira waited until she finished before putting away the reference books and walking toward his room.
.....
By five o'clock in the afternoon, Yuigahama Yui pushed open Akira's door.
Akira had just finished reading a reference book. Hearing the door opening, he turned to look at her.
Yuigahama Yui stepped into the room and closed the door.
"Akira-kun, do you want to take a break?"
"I want to rest on Yui's lap." Akira set the reference book aside, stood up, and walked to the bed before sitting down.
Yuigahama Yui's face turned red, but she still came to the bed and sat down.
After sitting, she patted her skirt gently and looked at Akira shyly.
Akira lay down without hesitation, resting his head on her legs.
Yuigahama Yui looked down at him, stroking his hair with her small hands, her eyes gentle.
Akira closed his eyes, saying nothing.
A long while passed.
Yuigahama Yui was surprised to find that Akira had fallen asleep.
At that moment, the door opened again.
Ebina Hina entered first, smiling at Yuigahama Yui and Akira. Behind her were Yumiko Miura and Yukinoshita Yukino.
Seeing the three of them, Yuigahama Yui's face heated up. She gestured to keep quiet, indicating that Akira was asleep.
Hime Ebina gently closed the door to avoid disturbing him.
Yuigahama Yui breathed a sigh of relief and smiled sweetly at Akira.
...
After half an hour, Yuigahama Yui covered Akira with a blanket and left the room.
Outside, she saw the three girls busy in the kitchen.
"Yui, leave dinner to us. You can stay with Fujimiya-kun and wait for him to wake up," Ebina Hina said with a smile.
"I'll help too," Yuigahama Yui said, blushing, as she prepared to enter the kitchen.
"Yuigahama-san, your cooking skills aren't good enough to handle this field yet," Yukinoshita Yukino reminded her.
"Yukinon…"
"Yui, stay still," Miura Yumiko glanced at her.
"...Okay." Yuigahama Yui looked aggrieved but accepted it. She knew her skills were lacking, but she wanted to help.
'Once I learn how to cook properly, I'll impress you all,' Yuigahama Yui thought to herself and sat down.
Yukinoshita Yukino chose to make curry, while Hime Ebina and Miura Yumiko helped prepare ingredients before leaving the kitchen.
There was no need to comment on Yukinoshita Yukino's cooking skills; the aroma of curry soon filled the air.
Yuigahama Yui looked at the kitchen, feeling a little hungry, and then glanced toward Akira's room.
He looked exhausted, clearly unable to have dinner with them.
Soon, the curry was ready.
Yukinoshita Yukino served it to the three of them and then approached Akira's door.
She opened it quietly.
Akira was still sleeping soundly in his bed.
Yukinoshita Yukino's expression softened as she thought of his dedication. She closed the door gently and returned to the dining table.
"Fujimiya-kun must have overused his brain, which is why he's so tired. He might need a long rest. After we finish eating… Yuigahama-san, do you want to stay and take care of him?"
She looked at Yuigahama Yui, who blushed but nodded.
"It's okay for Yui to stay, just be careful," Ebina Hina said, smiling at her.
"Hina…" Yuigahama Yui was embarrassed but stayed close.
"Yui, you and Fujimiya-kun…" Miura Yumiko started but stopped midway.
"I… we haven't confirmed our relationship yet," Yuigahama Yui admitted, lowering her head, her face flushed.
"Haven't confirmed your relationship yet? Why?" Yukinoshita Yukino asked bluntly.
"Akira-kun hasn't confessed yet, so…"
"Yuigahama-san, I think you should take the initiative instead of waiting for him," Yukinoshita Yukino advised.
"But…"
"I know you're shy, but confessing will ease your inner anxiety," Yukinoshita Yukino said seriously.
"I… I'll try," Yuigahama Yui said, understanding her meaning and glancing away.
"Seize the opportunity and don't hesitate." Yukinoshita Yukino began eating curry after giving her advice.
Yuigahama Yui nodded with anticipation.
Ebina Hina smiled silently, supporting Yui's initiative.
Yumiko Miura had a complicated expression but lowered her head, eating quietly.
.....
After dinner, the four girls cleared the dishes and coffee table and went downstairs together.
At the gate, Yumiko Miura rummaged through her pockets.
"Yumiko, what's wrong?" Yuigahama Yui asked curiously.
"I seem to have dropped my phone. Please wait for me a moment." Yumiko Miura walked upstairs to look for it.
Ebina Hina looked at her back, slightly stunned.
Yumiko Miura's phone had never left her side.
...
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