"I can't help it, I'm not naturally beautiful like Sawamura, so staying up late to draw won't affect her at all."
Takasago Tomoe spread her hands.
"You're being sarcastic again."
Eriri's gaze sharpened.
Staying up late to meet deadlines was clearly a veiled reference to her identity as Kashiwagi Eri, wasn't it?
"Oh, by the way, Izumi, you've already seen the first episode, right? Is the quality really that good?"
Takasago Tomoe ignored her and turned to chat with Izumi Chihiro.
"That's right, the production company has put in their best effort. Madoka might even become a huge hit."
Izumi Chihiro was very optimistic.
"Speaking of which, isn't it a production company's job to make good anime? Why do we have to be grateful to them now? It's ridiculous."
Eriri's tone shifted, seamlessly joining the conversation.
"What can you do? Every season, there are always a few anime sacrificed. If the production team is short on time, has too much work, or doesn't think it'll do well, it ends up like that…"
Takasago Tomoe sighed.
"Hmph, it's still because they're not dedicated. They'd rather just get by than spend a little more time, completely letting down the original fans' expectations. Such companies should go out of business!"(True)
Eriri expressed righteous indignation.
As an old otaku who has been in the fandom for a long time, she has seen many works, and of course, she has encountered disasters. Whenever she sees her favorite work turn into something like a poorly drawn PTT, it makes her, an old-school two-dimensional fan, very angry, wishing she could personally join the original animation work.
"So don't worry, Eriri, Madoka won't have any problems. Kyoka Aunt and Aoi Makina have both assured me that the quality will definitely be satisfying."
Izumi Chihiro said, looking at the twin-tailed girl.
"Ah, you're making it sound like I'm here specifically to care about you! I was just passing by."
Eriri understood the implication in his words, her face slightly red, and she turned and left.
"Passing by? She should come up with a different excuse. Does Sawamura really think she's clever?"
Takasago Tomoe glanced at her retreating figure.
Suddenly, the class bell rang.
"How annoying, Sawamura just wasted my time… Izumi, let's talk later."
Takasago Tomoe pouted, then had to say goodbye to him and return to her seat.
On the other side.
"Maki, from the way you look, is there something you want to say to Izumi-kun?"
After class, Ozaki Mako had originally come to chat with Nishikino Maki but noticed the direction of her gaze.
"Uh, that…"
Nishikino Maki's expression changed in surprise, and her voice stammered a little.
"Sorry, did I scare you, Maki?"
Ozaki Mako apologized.
"No, no need to apologize, Mako."
Nishikino Maki waved her hand, saying, "I do have something I want to ask Izumi, but it's not for that kind of reason."
"That kind? What do you mean?"
Ozaki Mako's eyes flickered with confusion.
"No, it's nothing."
Nishikino Maki's pretty face flushed.
She hadn't expected to have misunderstood.
"Speaking of which, Maki and Izumi-kun are good friends, right? And you've known each other for many years, so why do you still use surnames? Izumi-kun and Sawamura Student even call each other by their first names."
Ozaki Mako found this strange.
"Call each other by first names, huh…"
Nishikino Maki looked hesitant.
It was true they could be considered friends, but were they close enough to call each other by their first names?
And between a boy and a girl, wouldn't that be too intimate?
She thought of many things at once.
"I always feel like Maki overcomplicates some issues," Ozaki Mako pouted.
"Well, this is an issue between you and Izumi-kun. I seem to have said too much. You should think about it yourself, Maki."
Actually, it was because she felt her friend was too aloof and didn't have many people interacting with her, so she hoped her friend would cherish this hard-won friendship and not be lonely, especially since it was the last period of time in middle school.
"Hmm…"
Nishikino Maki lowered her head, wondering what she was thinking.
Counting on her fingers, the time finally arrived at Friday.
Sagiri returned home, and after a few hours of drawing practice, she found that her mood couldn't calm down at all. The quality of her drawings was worrying, so she had to leave her room, wanting to watch TV and relax.
"Dinner will be a little while longer, Sagiri," Mrs. Izumi said, turning her head after hearing the girl's footsteps.
"I'm not that greedy, Kasan! I just wanted to come out and watch TV," Sagiri said, hands on her hips.
"Let me guess, you're nervous because Big Brother's work is about to air, right? Oh, Sagiri really worries about Big Brother," Mrs. Izumi said with a smile.
"Kasan, just focus on your cooking!" Sagiri said loudly, head held high.
But she did not deny what her mother had said.
"Speaking to me in such a tone, Sagiri has grown up…" Mrs. Izumi, instead, showed a relieved expression.
About half an hour later.
Dinner was ready, and Izumi Kotetsu also returned home from work. The family sat together again and exchanged pleasantries.
"Chihiro, your work is premiering today, right? But it's a bit late. I have to work overtime tomorrow, so I won't have time to join you all."
"It's alright, I'll be with the two children," Mrs. Izumi interjected.
This showed the invisible care of both parents; they had always paid attention to their children's affairs, but they didn't often voice it, merely watching their children grow up quietly.
This touched both the brother and sister deeply.
With a smooth career and a harmonious family, Izumi Chihiro felt that this transmigration journey was indeed enviable.
Time came to late night.
The family of three waited in front of the television, anticipating Madoka's premiere.
Although it was already very late, the brother and sister were exceptionally energetic, as this was the moment for their joint work to shine even brighter.
"The commercial break will end in 15 seconds. Up next is puella magi madoka magica. Please look forward to it!"
"It's here, it's here, it's finally here!" Sagiri shouted excitedly.
"Shh… It's already this late, let's not cause trouble for the neighbors," Mrs. Izumi instructed, placing a finger to her lips.
"Sorry, Kasan, I got too excited…" Sagiri responded in a low voice.
Just then, the TV began to play. The three immediately fell silent, watching the screen intently.
The distinct art style of the opening, the moving characters, and the characteristic BGM that complemented them instantly stirred the emotions of the old readers.
"This is the feeling!" Everyone had this thought simultaneously.
Then, the story officially began…
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💯 PS = 2 bonus chapter