Ying Lili walked out of the villa wearing a warm autumn suit, and the first thing she saw was the black BMW 5 Series parked at the door.
A tall man, wearing a black suit and a top hat, was leaning on the side of the car, smoking leisurely and facing the vast forest scenery in front of him.
Her steps hesitated slightly, then she walked up.
"Hello, is this the car we reserved to go to Tokyo?"
The man paused with his hand, stubbed out the cigarette in the portable ashtray, and then turned around.
"Well, let's just say it's what you said. Are you all ready?"
The man said in a slightly low and flirty tone. The top hat was pushed down so that one could not see his face clearly, only the slightly neutral jawline could be seen.
Ying Lili frowned unconsciously, but she still patiently explained: "...Well, my companion is picking up his luggage and will be out soon."
Just as he was talking, there was a "crack" on the door behind him.
"——Sorry for keeping you waiting."
Kato Yusuke came over with the suitcase in hand, raised his hand and patted the butt of the car, speaking in a very natural tone, "Akane, open the trunk."
"ok."
With the "click" sound of the lock, the trunk opened.
"Eh? Akane——??"
Yinglili couldn't help but raise a long note, and then heard a chuckle.
"Huh~? Look at it like this, so it turns out he didn't tell you about it? Mr. Eri Kashiwagi."
"The man" said, raising the brim of his hat to reveal his true face.
What appears below is a face that is by no means unfamiliar in the fandom industry.
"--It's you!"
Eiri was shocked, "Wait a minute, why is the famous Akane Benisaka here!?"
"About this~" Akane Kurisaka raised the corners of her lips intriguingly, "You might as well ask that bastard next to you~?"
So Yinglili immediately changed the direction of attack.
"Yusuke! What's going on...!?"
"Well?"
Kato Yusuke pressed the automatic switch on the trunk and explained:
"Didn't I tell you yesterday that we made an appointment for a ride back to Tokyo? Akane said she was free and could drive us back to Tokyo."
"ha?"
The girl showed an indescribable expression, glanced back and forth between them, and finally hugged his arm.
"Eiri Riri?"
"...You should have told me about that kind of thing earlier."
Eiri cooed, staring warily at Akane Benisaka in front of her, but she only received a half-smiling look from him.
"Well……?"
Kato Yusuke observed the atmosphere and suggested: "Anyway, let's get in the car first. If we have anything to say, it's not too late to talk about it on the way."
No one refuted.
Akane Hongsaka shrugged, opened the door and got into the driver's seat.
Kato Yusuke reached out and opened the door of the rear seat, letting Eri sit in first, and then followed him into the car.
Then, the car slowly drove forward.
…
On the way, Kato Yusuke briefly explained the situation.
He originally planned to rent a car to return to Tokyo, so he asked Akane Benisaka if there was a recommended car rental company.
As a result, after understanding the situation on their side, they offered to take care of the pick-up and drop-off, and expressed that they wanted to appreciate Ying Lili's new works.
The two parties thus reached an agreement, and then the current situation emerged.
As for why Kato Yusuke didn’t inform the girl about this matter at the first time, he himself also whispered a word in the girl’s ear——
"That's because you didn't seem to be in the mood to listen to this at the time, and I won't be in the mood to talk to you about this later..."
Yinglili instantly understood what he meant by being uninterested, and she blushed and lowered her head.
It can only be said that what happened yesterday was so ridiculous that even now when she thinks about it, her cheeks feel hot...
Even though she has a wealth of theoretical knowledge due to her creative experience, when it comes to practice, the sense of reality is completely beyond the imagination. The difference can only be described as heaven and earth!
She shook her head to get rid of unnecessary distracting thoughts, calmed down and asked: "But, why does Akane Benisaka want to see my original painting?"
Kato Yusuke joked with a smile.
"That's because Akane is the type of person who is eager for excellent original animators. Once she finds someone with potential, she will rush after her like a wolf. You can understand her as a collector in the game."
"Eh... does this mean...?"
Yinglili hesitated to speak, and cast her eyes towards the front row with some uncertainty.
"Ah, it's just what you thought."
Kato Yusuke nodded with a smile, put his hand on her head, and confirmed her guess, "Akane, you think your new work is great?"
"——!"
Yinglili's eyes widened in surprise, a trace of ecstasy flashed in her eyes, and the corners of her mouth could not help but raise slightly.
But immediately, she stopped smiling, pulled the corners of her mouth downwards, pretended to be calm, coughed, and cleared her throat.
"...Oh, so that's what it is, let me tell you."
She spoke seriously, not letting her emotions leak out, but her expression could not hide her excitement.
You know, that's Akane Kurisaka——!
While she was still playfully drawing graffiti, the other person was already a famous figure.
Although the creators who were taken under his wing seemed to end badly, it is undoubtedly an honor for any creator to be recognized by Akane Kurisaka himself!
Kato Yusuke turned his face to one side and watched her reaction in a somewhat amused way, but said nothing.
Akane Kurisaka did not deny this statement. He glanced at her in the rearview mirror and continued speaking.
"Well, those seven original paintings are indeed good, and the brushstrokes are completely different from those of Eri Kashiwagi in the past.
Obviously you can imitate your previous painting style in just a few clicks, but now it takes a lot of effort.
With this aura, you can be considered an excellent piece of jade, and it is normal to feel proud."
"Huh……"
"Well, although you probably won't agree, I still want to ask. Teacher Eri Kashiwagi, are you interested in coming to my place?"
"Aha?"
Ying Lili was stunned at first, and then refused: "How could I be interested! I already have my own club, how could I accept such an inexplicable invitation!"
"Is it true? In that case, just pretend that I didn't say it." Akane Hongsaka said disapprovingly.
"Well……?"
Eirili struggled for a while and couldn't help but ask: "Um...do you really have a collecting habit for the original animator you like, as Yusuke said?"
"Collection addiction? Well, if you insist on interpreting it that way, it's not impossible, but it's not just for the original artist, it must be extended to the creators."
"Eh?"
"As a person, what I hate the most are authors who don't write, artists who don't draw, and producers who don't work. Since you can still move, do it for me!"
Akane Benisaka narrowed her eyes and her tone suddenly turned nasty.
"Guys like that who are clearly talented but have been idle and thinking about resting on their laurels, it would be better for them all to die!"
"Varied--"
The car was driving on the highway, and the scenery on both sides was quickly retreating.
"For those guys, I will never let them have an easy time. I will move closer to their style, then make better works, use all means to make them lose their existence value, and finally let those guys finish playing!"
"..."
Yinglili was speechless.
The strong aura suppressed all voices, leaving people speechless.
Akane Hongsaka paused for a moment and then said: "By the way, the bastard next to you was in this situation before~"
"Hey, Yusuke, he——??"
Eiri turned her head and looked to her side, while Kato Yusuke shook his head slightly in depression.
"Let me tell you, Akane, Eri-ri's situation is different from yours. Don't export the value of talent first to her. Besides, our studio does not promote this kind of atmosphere."
"Oh? Although my idea is selfish, it is a strategy that can help the company achieve the best development. If you don't squeeze the potential of your people, they will only waste their talents in constant fishing."
"No, I think this kind of thing depends on the situation. As long as they can complete their work well, employees are free to do what they want. I don't think it is necessary to imprison others in the company's cage."
"Tsk, that's why I said you are an idealist. It's not surprising even if your ideas are treated as soft persimmons."
"On the other hand, it's because you always hold such extreme ideas that you make enemies everywhere in the industry."
"So what? I don't care."
Akane Benisaka sneered again and again.
"Creation is my life. If I can't produce good works, I would rather die. If one day my works cannot be sold, I will die on the street. I can't live without this industry anyway."
"Don't keep saying "die" and "die violently" on your lips, and you will live a very healthy life."
Kato Yusuke first scolded, and then said calmly:
"In short, we each have our own concepts and ideas, so there is no need to argue. We have our own pace here, and we just need to go slowly."
Akane Hongsaka sneered at this and ignored it.
Yinglili just watched them pulling back and forth, her eyes focused on someone, her eyes shining brightly.
Unlike the aggressive Akane Kurisaka, Yusuke Kato has always been calm and collected. Even when faced with someone whose status far exceeds his own, he can maintain his opinion without being affected.
That kind of attitude of coping with ease made her a little admired, until she asked the next question——
"Well, Miss Benisaka, you just said that you only value talented people. Do you also treat Yusuke the same way?"
"What if -?"
Akane Hongsaka said without hesitation: "If it weren't for this reason, do you think he could climb into my bed just because of his face?"
"——!?"
Yinglili's eyes widened in astonishment, and they lost focus. She was stunned for a long time and didn't come back to her senses.
Kato Yusuke on the side was also stunned, unable to complain about that outrageous speech.
The two of them were petrified on the spot, as if they were transformed into sculptures.
Akane Kurisaka glanced at them through the rearview mirror, her pretty red lips curved into a wild arc, and then she stepped on the accelerator slightly.
Whoosh——
The car suddenly picked up speed and sped away on the verge of speeding.
…
There is a strange atmosphere in the air.
For a while, no one spoke in the car.
When passing the expressway service area, Yinglili said she wanted to go to the bathroom, so the car stopped in the parking lot.
Kato Yusuke felt a little regretful.
Even though he had long understood Akane Benisaka's self-centered character, he was still shocked by her no-holds-barred style.
As if reading his inner thoughts, the person involved turned his upper body from the driver's seat with a playful expression.
"What? Are you still thinking about what happened just now~~?"
"...Seriously, little aunt, can you restrain yourself a little in front of Yinglili?"
"Converge a little? How to converge?"
Akane Akane raised her eyebrows, her fiery brown-red long hair tied high on the back of her head, giving her a sassy vibe.
Kato Yusuke pinched his eyebrows and said with a hint of melancholy: "...At least don't talk about such naked topics in front of Eiri."
"What~? You love her very much? Is Eri Kashiwagi your new favorite?"
"Are you jealous?"
"Stop talking, I don't have the time."
"There is no special reason, it's just that she is thin-skinned and has a simple personality, that's all."
"Simple?" Akane Kurisaka said with a smile, "Do you want me to give you an on-the-spot introduction to Eri Kashiwagi's job and her excellent works?"
Kato Yusuke frowned, "Those are two different things. Personality and works cannot be confused."
"Oh~~?"
Akane Hongsaka smiled meaningfully and raised her fingers at him, "Come here and let me see if your eyes are lying."
Kato Yusuke did not doubt that he was there and moved his upper body forward confidently and boldly.
Are you kidding? He is not the kind of young boy who expresses emotions and anger, so how can he see anything through his eyes?
Just as he was thinking this, a hand suddenly grabbed his collar and pulled hard——
"Well--?"
What followed was a deep kiss mixed with the faint smell of tobacco and coffee.
Akane Hongsaka put a hand on the back of his head, threaded her fingers into his hair, and kissed him fiercely as if she was sucking out moisture.
After a while, her lipstick was all around his mouth, making it look wet and embarrassed.
She licked her lips and couldn't help but laugh.
"...The little bastard smells like a woman's rouge all over his body, and he looks more and more like a pretty boy."
She smiled and reached out her hand to help him wipe off the lipstick roughly.
Kato Yusuke subconsciously pulled up his shirt, smelled himself, and found that there was nothing else on it except the smell of laundry detergent.
"What? Are you guilty of being a thief~?" Akane Akane asked with a cheerful smile.
"What's wrong with you?"
"What do you think?"
She gestured in the direction of the bathroom with her chin, her face full of teasing.
"I remember that Eri Kashiwagi was the childhood sweetheart of Yin Zhi's friend, right? But in the end, you still attacked her? Doesn't this fit in with the theme of your first painting debut?"
Kato Yusuke clicked his tongue, "Don't you think it's too far-fetched to talk about something that happened so long ago?"
"Really? Then let's talk about the recent one~"
Akane Hongsaka seems to have opened up her chat box.
"You just said that your little girlfriend is thin-skinned, but didn't she declare her sovereignty to me before getting in the car? Also, you seemed to have done something similar to Yin Zhi last time, right? Oh, you brats
It’s just trouble.”
After all, it still comes back to the past.
Kato Yusuke felt a murmur in his heart. He didn't want to continue this topic and asked casually: "...Speaking of Yin Zhi, what is he doing recently?"
"I don't know. Since I handed over the management of the club to him, I have stopped asking about everything. But I heard two days ago that he used the club's resources to create a script. It seems that he did it with your traitor.
.”
"Honestly, your taste in choosing disciples is really poor."
"Huh? Are you unhappy because someone took you away from the sea? Or are you angry because Yin Zhi didn't stop you?"
There was a bit of surprise and curiosity on Akane Hongsaka's face. This was the first time she had seen him express disparagement to a person directly.
Kato Yusuke shrugged and said:
"Don't get me wrong, I just doubt Hashima Yinzhi's vision. At least when it comes to going to sea, his performance is not worthy of being your heir."
"Hmm...Actually, I have never figured out how he could make that kind of judgment. Maybe Yin Zhi has his reasons."
Akane Kurisaka reluctantly found an explanation that wasn't an explanation, and was also puzzled by this matter.
Not to mention that Yusuke Kato is the person she likes, including Yunori Hashima himself, who has seen someone's painting skills with his own eyes, and should understand the meaning behind it, but in the end he made a choice that went against common sense.
Really strange.
She thought about it for a long time but couldn't figure out the key, so she had to put the matter aside for the time being and prepare to discuss it later.
At this time, Kato Yusuke suddenly said -
"As for the matter of Hashima Yinzhi and Aki, don't talk about it in front of Eirili later."
Akane Benisaka was slightly startled, looked at him thoughtfully, and curled her lips.
After a while, Ying Lili also came back from the bathroom, her face a little better.