Anime rating game

Chapter 129 Please Scatter My Ashes Under the Cherry Blossom Tree

"The production of 'Chuunibyou' and 'Barakamon' has been completed. The two most important projects of this quarter have been successfully completed. Now everyone can enjoy a few days of rest."

That afternoon, around 3 p.m., everyone in the conference hall breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing what Masamune said.

However, knowing that he hadn't finished speaking, no one spoke and they waited patiently.

"Should we hold a celebration party to mark the completion of the two animated films?"

"President, March is almost over. Why don't we wait until the evaluation results come out before celebrating?"

Kinoshita Seiichi paused for a moment, then continued:

"Compared to going out for drinks and meals, I'd rather go see the cherry blossoms during this rare holiday."

"That's right! This is a flowering season that only happens once a year. If you miss it this year, you'll have to wait until next year."

Masamune smiled slightly and shifted his gaze to the window:

"If you want to see the cherry blossoms, just open the window, and you'll see them, right?"

Kinoshita Seiichi was speechless. Many ornamental cherry blossom trees had been transplanted to both sides of the street downstairs, and now that the cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom, they had formed a very beautiful cherry blossom avenue.

As the president said, once you open the window, you can see it just by looking down.

But the problem is, this is a company, not home. Who would enjoy sitting in the office admiring cherry blossoms?

"President, I want to go to the park, bring some cola, fried chicken, and sandwiches, and lay out a rug so I can leisurely enjoy the flowers instead of sitting in the office, drinking tea and gazing downstairs."

"You have a good idea, but the problem is that everyone thinks the same way. You'll be lucky if you can even find a place to stay when you get to the park."

"Why...?"

Seiichi Kinoshita paused, carefully recalling the events of the past few years.

Last year, when the president first came to Musashino, everyone was busy making animations. Because of the shortage of manpower and the tight schedule, there was no time to go cherry blossom viewing.

Two years ago, the president was Marukawa. The company was not doing well, and everyone was worried about making a living. Even though they could only take on small jobs, they still had to keep busy and had no time to rest.

The year before last, the situation was the same.

"So, it's been quite a few years since I last went to see cherry blossoms. The last time was probably during my school days, when I went with my parents. After I became an adult, I was too busy with work and never had the time."

"Please don't sound so sad. Since you miss the past, why not take some time during this holiday to bring your parents and go see the cherry blossoms together?"

"Hmm...? But after we're adults, it feels a bit... and I don't even know if they'd be willing. President, you're going to see the cherry blossoms with Mashiro-san, right?"

"I have this idea, but I haven't found a suitable location yet. I really can't stand the crowded conditions."

While pondering, Masamune suddenly had an idea. He hurriedly walked to the side, took out his phone, and dialed his father's number.

In my memory, a few years ago my family went to a park surrounded by cherry blossoms to enjoy the cherry blossoms. At that time, there were only the three of us in the huge park. I don’t know how we managed to do that.

Although his memory wasn't very strong, Masamune remembered that the place was quite large, not some deserted little park.

"...Oh, I see. I understand. I'll contact them personally."

"As for the staff, it's probably just our company's employees, plus my mom."

"Okay, thank you, you've been a great help."

After ending the call, Masamune returned to his seat and slowly began to speak:

"Shall we hold a cherry blossom viewing party in the next couple of days?"

"The location is Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture. It's a one-day trip that won't cost much."

"Enjoy cherry blossoms during the day and soak in hot springs at night."

"The company's employees were divided into dozens of groups, and they acted as groups, distributed among different hot spring hotels."

"We can rent dozens of buses to solve the transportation problem."

"The company takes care of all the transportation, accommodation, and location; individuals don't have to spend a single penny."

"In addition, each person can bring two family members. If there are no family members, the spot can be given to someone else."

Kinoshita Seiichi stared at him in disbelief, unable to recover for a long time.

I just wanted to go to the park to relax, how did it suddenly turn into such a big commotion?

Admittedly, traveling alone doesn't cost too much money.

However, with over 800 employees in the company, if each person brings two family members, that's over 2,000 people.

Any number multiplied by two thousand is not a small amount.

Although the president is good at making money, his ability to spend it is also not to be underestimated.

"No problem, I'll ask in the company group later to see how many people are willing to go, and try to get the headcount done before the end of the day." Yuka Okitsu nodded slightly.

"Ms. Okitsu never participates in business activities, does she?" Kinoshita Seiichi couldn't help but ask. "I thought you would stop the president."

"It's not a bad thing to take a trip occasionally to relax."

“In that case, it’s settled then.” Masamune smiled. “As for the timing, which day do you think would be most suitable, Miss Okitsu?”

"Because there are so many things to prepare, let's set the date for the day after tomorrow. Considering the end date of the January anime season, that day will be around the same time as the evaluation, which will save us from having a celebration party."

"Okay, I'll call Hakone later. Also, let's take care of Tomoyo Sakagami's matter while we're at it."

The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, the cherry blossom path is complete, it's time to invite Tomoyo Sakagami over.

The production of Clannad has already begun, and the common route is underway. However, since Tomoyo Sakagami herself has not yet finished her work, there is still much room for revision in Tomoyo's script, and the selection process for Tomoyo's voice actress has not yet begun.

As production progresses day by day, if she doesn't arrive soon, the game will have to be made without her assistance.

However, the game produced that way was clearly not as good as the version made with the full cooperation of the parties involved.

......

"Yingwen, what do you think of this street?"

"...Is this really a newly built cherry blossom path?"

Looking at the cherry blossoms fluttering on both sides, Sakagami Takafumi unconsciously revealed a look of astonishment.

No matter how you look at it, these trees don't look like they were just transplanted.

"That's right. It was only recently built. Some trees didn't survive before, so we transplanted and repaired them overnight, which eventually created these cherry blossom paths that surround Musashino."

"Wow... impressive. But I don't know if it's because of the change in mindset after becoming an adult, but even though I really miss the cherry blossom path, I can't find the feeling I had when I was a child, and I can't smile at all."

Sakagami Takafumi sighed, took out his phone, and hesitated before saying:

"Can I call my sister now?"

How long does it take to get here from Tokyo?

"It takes about two or three hours by car."

It's 10:30 in the morning. If she leaves immediately after receiving the call, she should arrive around noon.

Thinking of this, Masamune nodded slightly:

"Okay, have you thought of what you'd say?"

"Ah."

Sakagami Takafumi nodded slightly, and after a moment's hesitation, tried dialing Sakagami Tomoyo's number, speaking in an extremely hoarse voice:

"Sister, it's me, Yingwen."

[Yingwen, what's wrong? Your voice sounds a bit off.]

"I... a lot has happened to me, sister. Please remember what I'm about to say."

[Okay, go ahead.]

"After I die, please scatter my ashes under the cherry blossom tree. This has always been my dream."

[Wait a minute, what happened? Where are you right now?]

"Something happened, I think. I was in Musashino Park in Musashino City, Tokyo. I wrote a suicide note. You'll know what happened when you see it. Cough..."

Sakagami Takafumi coughed violently for a while, then quietly hung up the phone.

He then pressed the mute button, ignored the new call, and put the phone in his pocket.

"Judging from the time, my sister should be able to arrive around 1 p.m.

Masamune looked at him speechlessly, and couldn't help but say:

"Aren't you worried that she'll suddenly kick you after she gets here?"

"If it can help my sister overcome her trauma and improve her mood, then it doesn't matter if I get beaten up," Sakagami Takafumi chuckled.

Chapter 130 At this moment, is your mood better?

Since her parents divorced, her younger brother went to Tokyo alone, while Tomoyo Sakagami became increasingly depressed, drifting through each day aimlessly.

Tomoyo Sakagami was initially very happy to receive a call from her younger brother after several years.

But unexpectedly, it turned out to be something like a will.

Without a second thought, she immediately bought a ticket to Tokyo.

After asking around, it wasn't until after 1 p.m. that they finally took a taxi to Musashino Park.

Looking back and forth, a familiar figure appeared before my eyes, only to vanish in an instant.

Tomoyo Sakagami's heart sank, and she hurriedly gave chase.

Before I knew it, I had arrived at a street where cherry blossoms were fluttering in the air.

Sensing the time was right, Sakagami Takafumi stepped out from behind a large tree and called out softly:

"elder sister!"

"Yingwen, how are you? What exactly happened?"

"I'm sorry, sister, the suicide note thing was actually a lie. I just wanted you to see this scenery. So, I told a little white lie."

"As long as you're okay."