At present, Kamiyā Yuu's main focus in his mental space has shifted to composing music and rehearsing storyboard drafts. His experience in key animation was no longer limited to what he gained from 'Mr. Onigiri Man'. By combining all the animation techniques he could find from his previous world, he further reflected on what needed attention when drawing for other types of animation. The classic works from his past world had become excellent references for him.
In the real world, his main work was still completing corrected key frames and storyboard key animation. After work, he would write code for the MAYA program and transcribe the musical scores he created in his mental space.
Having truly entered the field of key animation, Kamiyā Yuu was like a dragon returning to the sea. His drawing speed exceeded everyone's expectations. In just a few days, he had grasped the essentials of key animation, further increasing his efficiency.
When Morishita Aoi had someone call Kamiyā Yuu over to handle the key animation issues for 'Mr. Onigiri Man', news that he had taken over the remaining two-thirds of the storyboard workload spread throughout the entire key animation department. Despite being a second key animator, the key frames he produced were more skilled than those of many full-fledged key animators.
Although the art style of 'Mr. Onigiri Man' limited the extent to which Kamiyā Yuu could display his full abilities; it also served as a true test of a key animator's fundamentals. Not just Uehara Etsuki and Morishita Aoi—who had some understanding of his growth—but the entire department was astonished by his performance. Especially those key animators who had also taken on storyboard assignments, the difficulty of episode twelve's storyboards often left them stuck, pondering for long periods.
As a result, within that week, Kamiyā Yuu had practically become a "giant panda-level" rare presence in the key animation department. Setting aside the curious onlookers, even the key animators responsible for storyboard work would seek his advice whenever they encountered bottlenecks, as if everyone had forgotten that he was technically only a second key animator.
On the sixth day after taking over the storyboard work, Kamiyā Yuu completed all the key animations assigned to him. With his direct or indirect help, the entire department also finished the additional storyboard workload one after another.
…
Key Animation Department, private office.
"These are all the completed storyboard key frames commissioned by Mr. Fujiwara—46 cuts in total," Morishita Aoi said, preparing to submit the thick stack of finished key animation to Uehara Etsuki after reviewing everything. Having accomplished what initially seemed impossible, a faint smile appeared on her lips.
Uehara Etsuki was gently whisking tea powder with a bamboo whisk. After preparing a cup of steaming Japanese tea, she placed it in front of Morishita Aoi and said softly, "You've worked hard during this time, Aoi." Dressed in an elegant white kimono, she appeared composed and graceful no matter the setting.
Morishita Aoi set the stack of key frames on the desk and sat down, her gaze drifting as she spoke with a hint of bitterness. "You should be saying that to Kamiyā-kun instead. Two-thirds of these were completed by him alone."
"I know. I've already prepared a gift to thank him, though it's something he asked me for himself. You've also worked hard this week, Aoi. Your contribution is no less than his," Uehara Etsuki replied with a gentle smile. While Kamiyā Yuu and Morishita Aoi had been busy, she herself had also spent time outside of work preparing his gift.
Curious about this "gift," Morishita Aoi considered for a moment before asking a different question. "After 'Mr. Onigiri Man' ends, will Kamiyā-kun be promoted to a full key animator? Though with his ability, that might actually be a bit of a waste."
She wanted to know just how far Kamiyā Yuu had progressed in Uehara Etsuki's eyes.
Uehara Etsuki shook her head. "There's currently no suitable candidate to take over as second key animator, so he'll likely continue in that role for now. After the project ends, I plan to make him your assistant—his position will be the same as yours: assistant animation director. Given the impact of this incident, the president and the others shouldn't object."
Assistant animation director!?
Morishita Aoi was twenty-nine years old. It had taken her a full eight years of effort to reach this position. Yet Kamiyā Yuu, who had been with Kyoni Animation Co., Ltd. for less than two years, was about to reach the same level. She felt a subtle mix of emotions, but no opposition or surprise. She acknowledged that he now had the qualifications for it.
Uehara Etsuki continued calmly, "Kamiyā-kun has the potential to surpass me in key animation. This position suits him best right now. He won't be satisfied with being just a key animator. As an assistant animation director, he'll be exposed to more."
As she spoke of Kamiyā Yuu, a faint ripple stirred in her clear eyes, as though she had found an interesting new toy—filled with anticipation and excitement.
The responsibilities of an assistant animation director were even more varied than those of an animation director. The role functioned like a lubricating gear between the key animation department and other departments in the company. Any issues related to key animation would be directly handled through them.
"Hearing all this makes it feel so far out of reach. I don't even know what words to use to describe people like you and Kamiyā-kun. I already feel overwhelmed just holding this position myself. If he comes to help, it'll definitely ease my burden," Morishita Aoi said with a resigned, bitter smile.
Uehara Etsuki reached out and removed Morishita Aoi's glasses, frowning slightly. "Aoi, saying such discouraging things doesn't suit you. You know that Kamiyā-kun is Kamiyā-kun, and you are you."
With her vision blurred, Morishita Aoi lowered her gaze and forced a smile. "I understand. But in Kamiyā-kun, I see too many possibilities… to the point that I've even forgotten the dream I once had when I entered this industry."
"You've already worked hard enough."
"That's exactly why it feels discouraging. Don't worry—I'm mature enough to understand what you're saying. It's just that you're the only one I can confide in now, so let me indulge myself a little." Morishita Aoi gathered herself and revealed a composed, bright smile.
Uehara Etsuki recalled what Morishita Aoi had been like when she first joined Kyoni Animation Co., Ltd. Back then, she had been an energetic young animator. When she made mistakes, she would panic like a startled rabbit. Because of that, Uehara Etsuki had taken extra care of her—just as she now did with Kamiyā Yuu.
"Do you remember the note I left when I gave you those glasses?" Uehara Etsuki folded the confiscated glasses.
"Yes."
"I'll always be cheering for you." Morishita Aoi smiled nostalgically. "I still keep that note in my album. It was your support back then that helped me persevere until now."
Uehara Etsuki recalled something amusing and covered her mouth with her sleeve as she chuckled softly. "And then the very next day, you came to work with short hair. That really surprised me."
"Yes, yes—enough about that! Give me back my glasses. Why do you always confiscate them whenever we disagree?"
Morishita Aoi flushed slightly. Back then, influenced by a TV drama, she had impulsively cut her hair as a sign of determination. After receiving praise from Uehara Etsuki, she has kept the short hairstyle ever since. Perhaps that was why she seemed like a completely different person now.
"If you don't have your glasses, you won't be able to work properly. And if you insist on being stubborn, I'll just hold onto them," Uehara Etsuki said calmly, lightly waving the black-framed glasses in her hand.
"Ah—!"