Tokyo: Oreimo

Page 116

Looking at Ryosuke, Inoue Rina would always have this thought, because such a young company president really didn't feel real to her.

"That's right, now that we have the time, we're ready to go all out."

"Huh?!"

Rina Inoue's face lit up with surprise. "Does that mean we're going to start a project? An animation?"

She had been looking forward to this for a long time. Although receiving training and familiarizing herself with the business was necessary, being idle for two consecutive months made her feel a little guilty.

Receiving a fixed salary as a newcomer in the industry, never working overtime, yet spending every day just learning within the company, without creating any value whatsoever.

Interacting with senior colleagues is something to be envied, but if this continues, it will be a considerable burden on the company, right?

We have to do something; almost all the employees in the company think so.

That's why she was so excited when she heard Ryosuke say those words.

"If you're talking about the first complete animated work, it's not time yet." Ryosuke shook his head with a smile. "Are you so eager to collaborate with Rumiko Takashiro-sensei?"

"Isn't that obvious?"

Rina Inoue nodded.

Takashiro Ryouno would often go to the company, since her secret base had been moved here, and she felt quite free here whether she was rushing to finish a manuscript or playing games.

Over time, the members all learned about her identity, and she was often surrounded by people chatting with them; she was quite popular.

After all, she is a genius shoujo manga artist, and both her appearance and drawing skills are objects of admiration for these club members.

"Well, she'll be involved this time too. We need you guys to make an animation that's about the length of the opening sequence."

Ryosuke shook the notebook in his hand.

"Let's practice with CG from visual novels before making animations."

He came to see Saori Hououin today; the script for Clannad is now complete.

Chapter 111 Interest 2.0

"I'm sorry to have kept you waiting, Shi Yuze."

In a private office on the third floor of Aniplex, Phoenix Saori leaned back in her office chair, her legs, encased in thin black stockings, crossed over, her red-soled high heels hanging loosely on her toes, trembling slightly.

When she appears in the office area, she is always dressed in a sophisticated business outfit.

A white shirt paired with a black pencil skirt makes him look more like a secretary than a programmer.

Gently pushing up her glasses, Phoenix Inu Saori blinked and revealed a captivating smile.

Do you like your outfit today?

Every time we meet, the other person always asks this kind of question, as if inviting Ryosuke to comment.

"It suits you perfectly."

The charm of a mature older sister is like honey. Even though Ryosuke has faced her so many times and gotten used to her personality, he still often feels unable to resist her.

“It’s always the same answer, like saying ‘I’m back.’ Sometimes I want a surprise.”

Phoenix Inu Saori feigned disappointment, which made Ryosuke somewhat embarrassed.

Should we try a different way of praising someone at this point?

He wasn't particularly good at this kind of thing, and most importantly, he was quite afraid of being tricked by the other party.

"That...is it beautiful?"

As soon as Ryosuke opened his mouth, he saw the corners of Hououin Saori's mouth turn up slightly, forming a sly arc.

really.

He sighed inwardly. It was always the same. Even though he knew the other person was teasing him, he still couldn't help but fall into their trap.

"You can't even say anything to make a woman happy, but I'm surprisingly happy. That way, I won't have to worry about you having affairs after we get married."

“…”

Ryosuke chose to ignore this blatant flirting and instead sat down across from the desk.

"Let's get down to business. I've finished the script."

Ryosuke placed the notebook on the table and pushed it in front of Hououin Saori.

"All the main and side plots are in these notebooks. Use a scanner to digitize them. The programming is up to you."

"That kind of thing is easy."

"As for the original drawings, I will have Director Saito arrange for the animation department to coordinate and deliver the CG to you as soon as possible. As for the character designs, Ayano will still be in charge."

"Also, I'm planning to add an animation at the beginning of the game this time. Is that feasible?"

Phoenix Inu nods indifferently, "Sure, the DVD's storage capacity is more than enough."

"That's good. Now we can officially begin production."

Ryosuke stood up from his chair.

After explaining the work to Phoenix Institute, he still needed to communicate with Saito Ritsu.

Although the workload is not large, it is a rare opportunity to practice, so it is better to get the company's employees moving around.

After dealing with these matters, he still needs to take some time to visit SP Company to see if they can continue their collaboration on voice acting, and also to discuss the possibility of forming a production committee together.

"Shi Yuze".

Just as Ryosuke was about to leave, Hououin Saori suddenly called out to him.

As he turned around, he heard the crisp sound of high heels on the solid wood floor. The other person walked around the desk and stood in front of him.

The sudden closeness made Ryosuke instinctively take a step back, but a slender index finger hooked the collar of his clothes.

"Is there a problem?"

Have you grown a little taller?

Phoenix Inu Saori stretched out her hand and placed it above her head to measure.

A whole year has passed. The two were originally about the same height, but now even though she is wearing high heels, Ryosuke is already half a head taller than her.

"probably."

They're in a period of rapid development, so this shouldn't be a big deal.

More than that, Ryosuke cares about distance.

It's too close.

At this distance, he could smell the faint fragrance emanating from her hair. He lowered his head slightly, and their eyes met. Ryosuke saw her eyelashes tremble slightly, and his own reflection was seen in her pupils.

A strange atmosphere suddenly filled the air.

"Hehe, are you shy or something?"

Phoenix Inu Saori glanced at Ryosuke's ears, which were slightly red.

"Interesting."

Faced with his friend's behavior, Ryosuke felt helpless and tried to distance himself, but his friend grabbed his collar again.

"Are we going to run away?"

"Have you forgotten something? I think I mentioned before that I would charge you interest, right?"

Phoenix Inu Saori narrowed her eyes into crescent moons and gently pushed Ryosuke into the office chair.

Interest?

Wait, that was a long time ago, wasn't it?

After the CM exhibition, the other party never mentioned the matter again, and Ryosuke thought that it was over and done with, but he didn't expect that Saori Hououin would still remember it.

That said, she really enjoys teasing people.

The scene at the LTC computer store was so vivid in my mind that it's quite difficult to forget.

Ryosuke realized he was trapped here when his back pressed against the soft back of the office chair.

Phoenix Inu Saori placed her hands on either side of the armrest, leaning slightly forward, her falling hair almost brushing against her cheeks.

From this angle, he could clearly see the delicate collarbone revealed by the slightly open collar of her shirt, and her ever-present teasing gaze.

"Interest..." Ryosuke said with difficulty, "It's better not to joke like that."

Even playful teasing between close friends should have its limits.

When will this perverse sense of humor end? After all, he is a member of the opposite sex.

Phoenix Inu Saori tilted her head, her smile growing even brighter. "Are you planning to renege on your debt?"

Ryosuke was silent for two seconds, just wondering if he should push the other person away, when he suddenly found those bright red lips were already close to his eyes.

"Hey!"

He couldn't help but gasp in surprise.

Is this guy really going to do it?

Just as they were about to touch, Ryosuke felt a soft touch on his cheek as slender fingers gently pushed his head away.

A warm breath reached my ear.

"Hehe, what are you expecting, Shi Yuze?"

"..."

Ryosuke's face showed an expression of "I knew it," but more than that, it was a look of helplessness.

Is it some kind of perverse pleasure for her to tease herself?

"You have an exceptionally bad personality."

Ryosuke can now roughly understand Takashiro Ayano's feelings, that uncomfortable feeling of being played and confused.

"Heh, I thought you'd like it."