However, when Akira Fujimiya saw the Popular ranking section, he felt that something was missing.
Non Non Biyori had been in the top five of the ranking for a long time, which made him very worried that the website would not produce any truly outstanding works.
Thinking of this, Akira picked up his phone and called someone he hadn't contacted in a long time.
After a few seconds:
"Akira Fujimiya?" The voice on the other end sounded slightly surprised.
"Are you off work?" Akira asked.
"Not yet. There's still some work left for today, and it should be done by nine o'clock. Do you… want to give Yukino a surprise?" Kanae Takahashi's voice softened as she spoke the last word.
"No..I called you specifically for—," Akira explained.
Kanae fell silent, as if she hadn't expected him to say that.
"There's still some time before Madoka Magica is finished. I have a new idea, but I don't have time to draw it. So… I want to cooperate with you. If you agree, we'll create a manga together. I'll handle the plot and overall style, and you'll draw it according to my guidance," Akira continue slowly.
"Create a manga together?" Kanae was stunned.
.....
Most of the manga published by Future Comics Publishing House were completed by individual mangaka—A small portion was completed with the help of assistants.
Whether the assistant's name appeared or not was entirely up to the main mangaka. Generally, an assistant would eventually become a mangaka himself. You can also say that some pairs of mangaka and assistants were like teachers and students.
Akira wasn't inviting Kanae to be a mere assistant. He was asking her to handle most of the manga creation herself with him providing the plot, design, etc.
Kanae understood this point immediately and agreed.
She believed that, his new manga would definitely be extraordinary like his earlier works.
The two made a simple agreement through the phone.
Once Madoka Magica (Puella Magi Madoka Magica) production was completed, they would start discussing the new manga—The specific division of labor, cooperation details, and revenue sharing would all depend on the situation.
Kanae agreement was based on her trust in Akira. She wasn't concerned about profit either— What mattered most was being able to work with him. If Akira could be by her side while drawing, she believed her efficiency would increase by at least twenty percent.
.....
10 minutes later—
When the two girls came out of the bathroom, Akira was watching a live broadcast.
Before their gaze turn towards the table, their was a hair dryer sat on the table beside the laptop.
Yuigahama Yui tugged Nishimiya Shouko gently and let her sit next to Akira.
Akira picked up the hair dryer and began helping Nishimiya Shouko dry her hair.
"Shouko's hair feels so smooth," Yuigahama Yui commented, watching from the side.
"It would look nice if yours were long, too," Akira glanced at her.
"You like long hair, Akira?" Yuigahama Yui tilted her head, fidgeting with her hair.
"I only like beautiful girls. I don't care much about their hair," Akira replied honestly, shamelessly.
Yuigahama Yui pouted before turning her attention to the live broadcast on the laptop.
"Is this anime?" she asked, curiously and confused.
"Virtual idols (V-Tuber)...It's my company's new project," Akira explained, softly his attention still on drying Shouko's hair.
"Virtual idols?" Yuigahama Yui watched with curiosity.
The idol on the screen was performing rakugo live, and the chat comments were lively. As she watch the performance of different Idol's she noticed that each segment ended with the idol thanking the viewers for their gifts.
Whenever, Yuigahama Yui find the performance of some idols boring or not particularly funny, she switched to another virtual idol.
"Ah… now I understand. Virtual idols are amazing! This one's singing level seems almost as good as Yumiko's," Yuigahama Yui said in surprise, as she pointed towards the idol who was singling on the screen.
"This is one of the three top voice actors at Hoshiyuu Agency. Her skills are definitely impressive," Akira said, recognizing who the blonde twin-tailed girl model on screen is.
There was no doubt this was Rina Akizuki.
"..I heard that Hoshiyuu Agency is full of girls…" Yuigahama Yui's gaze turned to him, narrowing her eyes, suspicious.
"Yes, they're all girls, and some are very talented in their work. If they want to become a voice actors or virtual idol, they need to put in a lot of effort. I plan to help them," Akira replied.
"Just help?" Yuigahama Yui didn't believe it, as she continue to stare daggers at him.
"...My help isn't free," Akira said with a sly smile, as he turn towards Yui.
"You big bad guy!" Yuigahama Yui puffed her cheeks, looking adorable.
"As their boss, I help them. Naturally, they'll like me, right?" Akira said, putting down the hair dryer and helped Nishimiya Shouko comb her hair.
"You! You already have us! You can't just go after other girls," Yuigahama Yui said, a little aggrieved, as she pointed at him.
Akira smiled lightly and put the comb down after finished combing Shouko's hair.
Nishimiya Shouko stood up slowly and made way for Yuigahama Yui.
"Come here, I'm just kidding. I'm not that bad, I think. The girls I like are all unique, just like you two," Akira said, stretching out his hand to hold Yuigahama Yui's hand.
"You said it so seriously, I thought…" Yuigahama Yui lowered her head.
"It's my fault. Please forgive me, okay?" Akira said as he pulled her softly and hugged her.
"Help me blow-dry my hair, and I'll forgive you," Yuigahama Yui whispered.
Akira smiled and picked up the hair dryer again.
Yuigahama Yui's mood lightened considerably, as Akira continue drying her hairs and then also combing her hair.
.....
By nine o'clock, the two girls returned to their room.
A few minutes later, Akira pushed open the door and entered.
Nishimiya Shouko froze for a moment, as she felt the light coming from outside and tightly closed her eyes.
Akira walked past her naturally and lay down in the middle.
Nishimiya Shouko's face immediately turned red, as she stopping pretending to be in sleep as she turned to faced him, both of their eyes meet.
She signed with her hands, asking why he wasn't going back to his bedroom.
("When Yui was here, she always stayed with me. She can only fall asleep when I'm by her side,") Akira explained, as he signed back.
Nishimiya Shouko hesitated and asked if she could go back to his bedroom to rest, where he and Yui sleep here.
("Of course not. I can only sleep if you're beside me, do you understand?") Akira shook his head as he reply.
Nishimiya Shouko immediately realized that she had been deceived again, but she couldn't leave now!
With Yuigahama Yui present, nothing would happen.....right?
Thinking this, she closed her eyes again.
The room was dark as Yuigahama Yui had already turned off the lights before getting into the bed with Shouko.
Not even 4 minutes had passed when—
Akira wrapped one arm around Nishimiya Shouko and the other around Yuigahama Yui's slender waist.
Both girls were sleepy, they didn't moved his hand as they both turn towards him.
Akira also didn't do anything other than keeping arms around them.
As Akira pressed his forehead against Shouko forcing her to open her eyes slowly. As she stared at him nervously.
"Good night," Akira whispered his eyes gently looking at her.
"...Good night," she whispered back softly, she didn't hear what Akira has said since she had remove her hearing device before sleeping.
Even she didn't understand why but she can tell what Akira was saying just by looking at his eyes.
Akira smile gently as he kissed her lightly on the nose, before pulling back. Shouko smiled back as she closed her eyes again.
Akira satyed like that for 3 second before he turned to Yuigahama Yui.
"Good night," he said.
Yuigahama Yui didn't open her eyes as she leaned into his arms before she kissed him on the face.
"Good night, you bad guy."
...
Early the next morning,
Akira woke to find Nishimiya Shouko gone. He realized she must have left early because of her shyness of sleeping with him.
Yuigahama Yui, on the other hand, curled up like a small animal, her head resting against his chest.
Akira didn't disturb her rest—It was still early for her.
He slowly eased out his aching arm from under her and kissed her lightly on the forehead.
Stepping out of the small bedroom, as he started walking towards the bathroom he heard sounds coming from the kitchen, he turned towards it to find.
Nishimiya Shouko was preparing breakfast.
She had already changed into her Sobu High School uniform.
Seeing this, Akira walked over.
Nishimiya Shouko blushed when she noticed him, she secretly glanced at him before she focused on the dish that she was making.
He approached and hugged her gently.
After sometime, he bought one of his hand infront on her as he signed, ("I thought you were gone,")
His other arm pulling her firmly, his head leaning against her.
Nishimiya Shouko ears started turning a little red as she signed that she wanted to prepare breakfast for Akira and Yuigahama Yui.
("When Yukino stays here, she also prepares breakfast. Are you planning to take her place?") Akira teased.
Nishimiya Shouko shook her head. She wasn't trying to take over her place or anything like that—she just wanted to help.
("I don't believe you unless I can feel your heartbeat. If it's fast, you're lying,") Akira's face seriously, as he signed.
Nishimiya Shouko froze.
How could he feel her heartbeat?!!
The next second, she realized Akira's hands were already teasingly checking her pulse. She blushed but didn't resist.
Seeing this, Akira knew she could accept these playful gestures.
His hands continue to 'check' as he pressed against her, his lips caressing her neck playfully.
...
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Bonus Chapter:-
4 Bonus chapter at 100 powerstone
6 Bonus Chapter at 150 powerstone
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Word Count — 1,706