The work was nearly identical to the version he remembered, with only minor differences.
Those differences were mostly minor drawing errors and did not affect the overall impact.
If a perfect score was ten, Akira would give it nine.
"You too," he said finally, turning to Kanae Takahashi, "Did a great job. There are a few minor issues that need revision, but overall—this is excellent."
"Is there a problem with the design? My inspection wasn't careful enough. I'm sorry."
Kanae Takahashi stood up from his lap, immediately (tho reluctantly too) after speaking.
She bent forward deeply, her posture stiff with nervousness, clearly afraid that even a small mistake might affect the project she had poured so much effort into.
"It's not that serious. Just make a few adjustments. I still trust your skills."
Akira Fujimiya's voice was calm and gentle, without even a trace of reproach. He spoke softly, as if afraid that even his tone might place unnecessary pressure on her.
"I'll change it right away…"
Kanae Takahashi was about to sit back down on the side, already reaching for her tablet.
"Don't be so anxious."
Akira reached out and lightly held her hand, stopping her movement. "Let's go have lunch first. I'll write down the problematic parts for you. That way, you can see them clearly and speed up the revision afterward."
Kanae froze for a moment, feeling the warmth of his hand.
Her ears turned red almost instantly.
"Thank you for your help," she said in a low voice, her words barely louder than a whisper.
.....
Inside a Japanese Restaurant,
The restaurant they chose was quiet and elegantly simple, with soft wooden décor and gentle background music.
After Akira finished ordering, he took out a pen and a small notebook without hesitation.
As the dishes were being prepared, Akira began writing down the sections that needed to be modified.
What surprised Kanae was not what he wrote—but how he wrote it.
He was precise down to the minute and second!
She leaned slightly closer, unable to hide her curiosity.
Akira hadn't paused even once while reviewing the animation earlier. There had been no rewinding, no hesitation. Yet now, on the paper, every problematic frame was marked with exact timeframe.
Kanae couldn't help but admire him.
'He clearly didn't stop even once… yet he can pinpoint the exact moment the drawing faltered,' she thought. 'If it were me, I'd have to pause repeatedly, slowly searching frame by frame just to find the mistake.'
After finishing his notes, Akira handed the paper to her.
"There are only these six places — If you're not paying attention, you'd definitely miss them. Actually, even if they weren't modified, they wouldn't affect the overall plot." He paused slightly, then continued, "But since this is your first animation, I think the more detailed it is, the better."
Kanae carefully folded the paper and placed it in her bag.
"I think so too," she replied seriously. "Since we're making an Anime, we should do it properly. Everyone has worked hard for so long. We should make it as perfect as possible."
Akira nodded slightly in agreement.
"Are you free this afternoon?" he asked casually. "I want to go watch a movie with you, and I also need to buy a gift for a friend of mine. She's also a girl—so, I'll need your help choosing."
Kanae's hands tightened around her chopsticks.
"…I'm free," she said after a brief pause, her cheeks faintly red.
Akira looked at her quietly for a moment before speaking again.
"There are many girls around me. Most of them want to stay with me forever. But I can't marry all of them." His tone was honest, almost blunt. "So, I can let you experience the beauty of love, but I can't give you happiness that you wish."
Kanae lifted her head and met his gaze directly.
"I… I know," she said softly. "You and Miss Yukinoshita Yukino will get married sooner or later. Before I met you, I never thought I'd like anyone at all. So I won't disturb you."
She paused, then continued firmly.
"I'll always stay at Flash Animation. As long as you can spend a little time with me occasionally, I'll be very satisfied."
Akira didn't respond immediately.
Instead, he reached out again and held her hand.
"I promise you."
Kanae's lips curved into a gentle smile.
"Thank you, Akira Fujimiya-kun."
After the food was served, the two of them finished their lunch quickly.
Neither of them spoke much, but the atmosphere between them was not awkward—only quiet and restrained.
They headed toward the nearest movie theater together.
.....
Inside the Cinema,
The lights dimmed slowly as the previews ended.
Kanae Takahashi sat close to Akira, holding his arm the entire time. Her grip was not strong, but it was deliberate.
Akira felt a faint pressure and glanced sideways at her.
Kanae's cheeks flushed instantly.
She had done it on purpose, clearly wanting to see how he would react.
Akira hesitated for a moment, then slightly leaned closer.
Kanae's heartbeat accelerated. She closed her eyes instinctively.
Then she heard his voice.
"It's okay. Yukino-chan is about the same."
Kanae froze.
It took her a few seconds to fully understand what he meant.
Her face flushed completely, and she didn't know whether to feel embarrassed or frustrated.
.....
At the Shopping Mall,
After the movie ended, they walked through the brightly lit mall.
When choosing gifts, Akira picked up a necklace.
Kanae examined it carefully, then nodded.
"It looks good," she said honestly.
Akira purchased it without hesitation.
The car soon returned to Flash Animation Studio.
Kanae unlock her seatbelt and was about to get out when Akira suddenly called her name.
"Kanae."
She turned her head, looking at him.
"Do you want me to put it on for you, or would you rather put the necklace on yourself?"
Kanae stared at him, stunned.
After a few seconds, her face turned red again.
"P-please help me put it on."
Akira smiled faintly.
.....
Downstairs of the Idol Company,
Kamihara Kei stood near the entrance alongside a blonde girl.
The blonde girl was Sakurajima Mai's younger sister. Although they shared the same father, they had different mothers.
She had been recruited by the Hoshiyuu Agency personally by Kamihara Kei. The reason given was simple: she had great potential, and being Sakurajima Mai's sister was a fact that could be properly utilized.
The girl—Toyohama Nodoka—felt conflicted.
Mai Sakurajima was like a towering mountain, always blocking her path.
Her mother had always told her to work hard and surpass Mai someday.
That expectation still weighed heavily on her shoulders!
Now, working in the same agency as Mai, the pressure felt even more suffocating.
Just as Nodoka's thoughts began to drift, a car stopped in front of the Idol Company.
Kamihara Kei stepped forward and opened the door.
Akira Fujimiya stepped out.
Kazuka snapped back to reality and hurried forward.
"H-hello… hello, I'm Toyohama Nodoka."
She bowed quickly.
"I know," Akira said with a smile. "You really are worthy of being Mai-senpai's sister. You're very beautiful."
"Thank you…" Nodoka replied, though her eyes dimmed slightly.
"Looks like, Mai-senpai has put a lot of pressure on you, hasn't she?" Akira continued. "I heard your mother wants you to become as outstanding as Mai-senpai."
"… yes."
Her voice was quiet.
"Ms. Kamihara," Akira turned to Kamihara Kei, "can Miss Nodoka's mother interfere with her work?"
"According to the contract," Kamihara Kei replied calmly, "Toyohama Nodoka mother has no right to inquire about or interfere with her work."
Akira nodded.
"Did you hear that?" He looked back at Nodoka. "As long as you're in my agency, you don't need to worry about your mother pressuring you. Your are different from Mai-senpai's. There's no need to force yourself."
Nodoka hesitated.
"But…"
"The reason I recruited you," Akira said seriously, "is because you're Mai-senpai's sister—and because you're an idol. In your previous company, you barely had any resources. Here, I can guarantee you opportunities at the level of a popular idol."
She raised her head, eyes filled with gratitude.
"Thank you."
"At Mai-senpai's concert, several idols from the agency will be selected as guest performers," Akira added. "You're one of them."
"I… I'll do my best."
"If anything goes wrong," Akira joked lightly, "just treat me to a meal or go watch a movie with me."
"Yes!" Kazuka replied shyly.
.....
Inside the Building,
While riding the elevator, Akira remembered that Totsuka Saika was also present today.
They soon arrived at the shooting area.
Saika Totsuka was wearing a wedding dress, smiling softly under the lights.
"Yes! That's it!" the photographer exclaimed. "That smile is perfect!"
Only after the shoot ended did Saika notice Akira.
His face instantly turned red.
Akira walked over and patted his shoulder.
"Saika, I've already sent it to Hachiman."
"Fujimiya-kun!"
Saika covered his face and tried to run away.
...
Inside Kamihara Kei office—
Akira watched several idol videos recommended by Kei.
Most of the girls were from underground idol groups. Their singing was average, but their dancing was impressive.
Their information shows that many came from rural areas, all dreaming of becoming idols.
"The variety show I'm planning," Kamihara Kei explained, "will focus on the lives of underground idols—telling the story of how they came here for their dreams, worked hard for their dreams, and finally got rewarded.."
"There's no need to exaggerate hardship," Akira said thoughtfully. "Focus on friendship and family bonds. We can invite their parents and even arrange short trips."
{T/N:- .....}
"In that case, the money spent..."
"I mean the last selected few girls who wish to remain and want to develop themselves into idols and those whom the agency focuses on training, not all of them." Akira glanced at Kamihara Kei
"I understand." Kamihara Kei suddenly realized.
"This variety show can invite several popular idols to give them scores, and there will be online voting and so on..." Akira continued.
Kamihara Kei recorded Akira's words,
These suggestions are all very good, and she will consider them and incorporate them into her own plan.
Akira also went to the dance studio and singing room.
He selected several groups and individual idols and listened to their songs carefully.
By the way, he also asked them if they had any thought about writing their own lyrics.
There are several captains of idol groups who have this thought, but they feel that what they wrote is a bit childish.
However, Akira approved of their lyrics after he read them.
He also said that as long as there is no problem with the lyrics, even if they are a little childish, the agency will reward the songwriter and let someone compose the music.
He put Kamihara Kei in charge of this matter.
Although she felt that these idols could not write any good songs, she still agreed.
The same goes for personal idols.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
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6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,857