Following the release of the standalone volume of To the Moon, Haruto's personal assets saw another massive surge over the next few months.
Since the Ascent of New Gods Committee operated as a non-profit talent search, the royalty split for the book was exceptionally generous.
This pushed Haruto's total net worth to hundreds of millions.
This was a staggering amount of liquid capital for a teenager, more than enough to establish a high-end animation studio. However, Haruto was well aware that an amateur leading professionals was a recipe for disaster. In any business, money is a primary requirement, but it is rarely the only one. Throwing money blindly into a project usually results in being swindled, much like what had happened to Yukino.
As Yukino explained her situation, Haruto realized that their current circumstances were perfectly complementary. Haruto had the capital but lacked industry knowledge. Yukino had no money left, but she possessed the expertise, the heritage of a production family, and a network of industry connections.
Most importantly, Haruto trusted her. In business, a partner you can trust is a commodity that no amount of money can buy.
"One hundred million? Haruto, did you rob a bank?" Yukino gasped. She knew he was successful, but she hadn't bothered to calculate his actual earnings based on market sales data.
"It is just the accumulated revenue from my first three works. It is decent, I suppose. I do not know much about investing, and after seeing what happened to you, I am even more terrified of it. I figured that if I start a company to produce my own work, at least I won't be cheated by a third party," Haruto replied.
"So... you are actually proposing to invest in my animation studio?" Yukino asked. She pushed her sorrow aside to analyze his motives. "You aren't just doing this out of pity to make me feel better, are you?"
"What are you thinking? That is money I spent a grueling year writing to earn. Do you really think I would throw it into a failing studio for a reason as trivial as that?" Haruto looked at her with a deadpan expression.
'A grueling year of writing... to earn one hundred million in cash…'
Even Reina, who had grown up in a wealthy household and rarely thought about money, found his phrasing a bit surreal. In a bad year, her family's entire corporate profit might only hover around that same mark.
Seeing the look on Haruto's face, Yukino realized he was dead serious about the partnership. Her professional spirit reignited instantly. They were friends, but business was business, and she intended to keep them separate.
"Why are you so set on running your own animation firm?" she asked curiously.
"Because I want to retain one hundred percent of the rights to my work," Haruto said after a brief pause. There was no harm in being honest. If that weren't his goal, he could easily collaborate with established titans in the industry, but that would inevitably lead to messy, shared ownership of his intellectual property.
"Your work?" Reina interjected with a puzzled look. "I thought your next project was already set for serialization with Kiyozawa Library. Why are you suddenly talking about anime?"
"It is a different project," Haruto explained. "Five months have passed since the Ascent of New Gods ceremony."
"During that time, I have thought of two or three new stories. I submitted the one best suited for prose to Kiyozawa. As for the other, I feel it is a story that can only truly shine in the medium of animation."
Once he finished his explanation, both women understood his vision.
"You really are a fountain of creativity," Yukino said in awe. "Two stories in five months doesn't sound like much until you realize that your work is never simple. Even if it is not To the Moon, I am sure it is a masterpiece."
Reina remained silent. She was still struggling to find the right angle for her own next work just to keep up with him, yet Haruto had already prepared two entirely separate paths for his career.
"I see. So, your plan is to buy into the studio and have me work for you? Is that it?" Yukino asked after a moment of reflection.
"I am proposing a partnership, not an acquisition," Haruto clarified.
He knew Yukino had started the studio because she was tired of being an employee and wanted to be her own boss. Despite her recent failure, her pride wouldn't allow her to simply become a subordinate to a friend several years younger than her.
A joint venture was the only way forward.
"If you are interested, we can have a professional appraisal of your studio's equipment, facilities, and the value of the team you have assembled. We will count that as your capital contribution. I will then provide the production budget for my project, Puella Magi Madoka Magica, as my investment. We will split the equity based on those values," Haruto proposed.
Yukino was genuinely moved. The loss of her money was a hard reality she had to accept, but the possibility of saving the studio she had worked so hard to build was an opportunity she couldn't pass up.
"Well," Reina said, breaking the silence. "This sounds like a confidential business negotiation. I feel a bit awkward eavesdropping on your corporate secrets. Perhaps I should head home."
"It is fine," Haruto said. "We are all close friends, and it is not exactly a state secret."
A silence settled over the living room.
"Haruto," Yukino said softly, her eyes searching his. "I want to be clear. You are a novelist. Your stories work brilliantly as books, but anime scripts are a different beast entirely. I am grateful for your help, but I have to warn you that this project could end in a massive financial loss for you."
"If it fails, that is on me," Haruto replied.
With that assurance, Yukino made her choice. "In that case, I am going to the studio today to talk to my staff. If they are willing to stay on under this new arrangement, then we have a deal."
After leaving Yukino's apartment, Haruto accompanied Reina on her way back to her place near the university.
Since all three of them lived in Tokyo now, their homes were relatively close to one another. The proposal had been a spur-of-the-moment decision, but now that the words were out, there was a mountain of preparation to do.
"Reina, I have a question," Haruto said as they sat in the back of a taxi.
"What is it?" she asked, leaning her head against the window and resting her cheek on her hand.
"Do you have any free time lately?" Haruto asked, feeling a bit sheepish.
"Are you asking for another favor?" Reina guessed, noticing his expression. He had looked exactly like this several times back in high school when he needed her help.
"You caught me," Haruto laughed. "I was wondering if you could teach me some of the basics of music theory and illustration."
Haruto knew he couldn't keep running to her every time he needed to transcribe a melody from his memories. Furthermore, if he was going to be the lead creator and screenwriter for Madoka Magica, he needed to understand more than just the plot. The character designs, the art style, and the storyboarding were all critical.
The more he understood the technical side, the better the final product would be. He didn't need to be a master, but he needed enough knowledge to communicate his vision accurately to the professionals.
"I am sorry..."
To his surprise, Reina shook her head and looked him directly in the eye. Her expression was one of total seriousness.
"I haven't finished the concept for my own new series yet. I need to pour every ounce of my energy into my writing, otherwise the gap between us will just keep growing. I do not want to be a footnote in your history when you become a legend in a few years."
Haruto was momentarily stunned by her intensity.
He realized that while he had been moving forward with Kiyozawa Library and planning his own studio, Reina had been watching him from behind.
His previous works were already becoming classics, and his next film was already being promoted nationwide. Meanwhile, she felt she was standing still. Even if she wanted to help him, she simply didn't have the mental bandwidth to spare.
"I was being inconsiderate. I am sorry, I didn't realize how much you had on your plate," Haruto said.
"However," Reina continued. "If you really want to learn those skills, there are plenty of people on campus who can teach you. Minazuki is full of talent. Even if you do not know them personally, there are easy ways to find them. You should look into the university clubs. The Literature Society, the Piano Club, the Light Music Club, the Fine Arts Club..."
She paused for a moment.
"There are people in the Piano Club who only lost to me by a hair's breadth in national competitions. They are incredibly skilled. Plus, it is much more convenient."
'Clubs? Art, music, learning…'
Haruto blinked. A memory flickered at the edge of his consciousness.
There was a piece of information he was missing, something important he had forgotten.
The answer came to him the very next day.
It was Tuesday, October 11th. Haruto had just finished his afternoon lecture and was preparing to head home to work on his manuscript. As he stepped out of the Department of Literature building, he saw a girl standing near the entrance.
She had skin as white as snow and long, dark eyelashes that framed clear, piercing eyes. She had a refined oval face with arched brows and ruby-red lips. Dressed in a white sundress that revealed her slender calves and wearing pale blue sandals, she was a striking figure who commanded the attention of every passerby. Just like Reina, she was already a celebrity among the male student body. She was Shizuru, the "Flower of the Fine Arts Department."
"Is that Shizuru? What is she doing over here?"
"Is she waiting for someone? Does she know anyone in our class?"
"Wait... Reina is walking right toward her. Do they know each other?"
The surrounding students began to whisper frantically.
"Well, if it isn't Reina. You haven't changed a bit. Still as cold as ever," Shizuru said with a bright smile. "I never expected to find you in this major."
Reina gave her a long look before speaking. "Are you still bitter about losing to me in that high school piano competition three years ago? Did you come all the way over here just to tell me that?"
"I am not that petty," Shizuru replied smoothly. "That was three years ago. Who even cares about a piano trophy anymore? I am actually here for someone else."
As the two beauties stood there exchanging pleasantries, a crowd of male students slowed their pace, constantly looking back.
"Someone else?" Reina asked, her brow furrowing slightly.
"Haruto!"
Before Reina could process the answer, Shizuru was already waving at a figure behind her.
'Haruto? She is here for Haruto?'
Reina's eyes widened as the realization hit her. Haruto, hearing his name, looked up and spotted Shizuru. For a second, he only found her familiar, unable to place her face.
"Remember our chat in the café three months ago? You promised to report to the Manga Research Society once you enrolled," Shizuru said with a playful grin. "I didn't want to bother you during the physical training last month, but I figured I should check in and see if you had forgotten about us."
"You two... know each other?" Reina asked, a look of bewilderment crossing her face.
The moment he saw her, the missing piece of the puzzle clicked into place for Haruto. Among the people he knew, there was one person other than Reina who could teach him what he needed. It was the girl from the café, the pianist who called herself an "aspiring manga artist," the president of the Minazuki Manga Research Society, and his self-proclaimed fan. Shizuru.
He had been on campus for a month and had completely forgotten her existence. But looking at her now, he realized she was exactly who he needed.
Haruto's expression shifted, and a bright smile appeared on his face. "Hello, senpai. How could I ever forget? I have just been a bit swamped lately. I was actually planning to stop by the clubroom in a day or two."
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