Crossover Anime: I'm Kasumigaoka Utaha's Brother

Page 18

Not everyone who comes to the event gets the chance to get autographs from Kasumigaoka Utaha and the other two. In fact, if everyone had the chance, those 5,000 copies would probably exhaust the three of them.

Those who didn't get a chance to have their books signed can simply buy the novel and illustrated posters at the counter next to them and then leave.

However, many people still chose to stay in the venue, either standing, finding a place to lean on, or even sitting directly on the ground, carefully tearing open the packaging of Volume 2 of "5 Centimeters Per Second" and quietly reading it.

They didn't like it that way. Compared to the soft beds at home, the facilities at the convention center were extremely basic!

They were just waiting, waiting for an opportunity to discuss things with the creators of "5 Centimeters Per Second," Shizuko Kasumi, Eri Kashiwagi, and Izumi Hashima.

I expressed my love for "5 Centimeters Per Second" to the three teachers and sincerely thanked them for bringing such a beautiful story to them.

"Phew." Kasumigaoka Utaha stretched her sore fingers, exchanged a glance with Eriri and Hashima Izumi beside her, and all three of them saw a hint of excitement in each other's eyes.

"Well then, let's announce the end!" The three of them stood up simultaneously and bowed deeply to the crowd: "Thank you all for your support! The autograph session for Volume 2 of '5 Centimeters Per Second' has officially come to an end! Thank you all for your continued support, and we hope you will continue to look forward to Volume 3 and the animated film that follows! We will definitely live up to your expectations and bring you the most perfect story!"

Chapter 0053 Thank you all for your support! Cheers! (Third update, please add to your favorites and give flowers)

The most bustling commercial street is jokingly called "Corruption Street" because the consumption level here is generally a bit higher than in other places.

Even though it was well past lunchtime, the "Floating Pavilion," the largest, most upscale, and most exquisitely served restaurant on Corruption Street, was still packed with hungry diners.

The staff of Shinazugawa Bunko and the "rouge-en-rouge" circle took their seats, occupying dozens of tables.

The two leaders, Machida Sonoko, the director of Shinazugawa Bunko, and Akane Akasaka and Iori Hashima from the "rouge-en-rouge" circle, sat in the central seats with Hyakuri Akira and others.

In addition, Duanmu Yizi, the team leader from Qiandao Publishing House, sat with Baili Xiao, while her team responsible for photography and broadcasting sat at the last table.

At this time, although Chishima Publishing had joined the alliance formed by Hyakuri Akira, it did not participate in the production of the second volume. It only contributed manpower to the live broadcast at the sales event, so the number of people present was pitifully small compared to Shinazugawa Bunko and the "rouge-en-rouge" circle.

Of course, the most pitiful were Baili Xiao's side, which only had five people. But no one dared to underestimate any of them!

Only those in charge can meet with the mysterious man, Baili Xiao, whom they repeatedly warned not to offend. He is said to be the core of the five, as well as the initiator and reviewer of "5 Centimeters Per Second". He not only guided Kasumi Shiko's novels, but also taught Kashiwagi Eri and Hashima Izumi's paintings. He can be described as a person "shrouded in mystery"!

Kasumi Shiko, the author in charge of the novel's text, had become the most prestigious light novel writer in the doujinshi world at this time due to "5 Centimeters Per Second"! It could be said that everyone knew her.

The illustrators, Eri Kashiwagi and Izumi Hashima, have also risen to fame and are considered the No.1 (No.2) illustrator!

The last one, a girl who seems to have only recently appeared by Baili Xiao's side and has not yet shown her talents, is Kato Megumi. During the sales event, she was helping others with their backup groups. Many of the employees from the three companies present had received her help to varying degrees, but when they finished and wanted to thank her, they would subconsciously forget her existence. In short, she is also an extraordinary person.

Five teenagers sitting in the central seats alongside three business tycoons made everyone feel both incongruous and yet perfectly natural.

"Hey, isn't this a bit too much?" Baili Xiao smiled wryly, glancing at Akane Kousaka directly opposite him: "I knew there would be a group dinner to celebrate after the release event, but I didn't expect it to be like this."

Stared at by hundreds of people, including many old enough to be addressed as "uncle" or "auntie," Baili Xiao felt that even if her skin was as thick as a city wall, these gazes would still pierce through her...

"It's all thanks to Hyakuri-kun and all the teachers that we've developed to this point. If you're not qualified to sit in the head seat, then those of us who helped out are even less qualified, right?" Akane Akane chuckled, her gaze sweeping across the room before finally settling on Machida Sonoko's face.

Seemingly sensing Akane's subtle meaning, Machida Sonoko nodded while rubbing her stomach: "Hyakuri-kun, please don't refuse. Everyone's been starving since this morning, so just say a few words... otherwise I'm afraid I'll starve to death..."

A smile appeared on everyone's face, while Kasumigaoka Utaha and the others turned their eyes to Hyakuri Xiao, and two words could be clearly seen in each of their pupils.

"come on!"

"Alright, then I won't take up any more of your time." Baili Xiao had a stiff smile on his face—it wasn't that he didn't want to smile, nor was it a fake smile, but he was really embarrassed to be watched by so many people—he raised his wine glass, the elegant stemmed glass radiating an intoxicating deep red color (since he and Kasumigaoka Utaha and the others were minors, they used a beverage similar to red wine instead).

"Thank you all for your support and hard work during this time. The success of Volume 2 of '5 Centimeters Per Second' is inseparable from everyone here. Although the teachers and I finalized the novel text and illustrations, we also know that without everyone's hard work and perseverance, it would have been impossible to hold a launch event in just a few days and achieve such success!"

"Although Volume Two has ended, there's Volume Three! And even an animated movie to follow! Even if the story of '5 Centimeters Per Second' is over, I still have countless other exciting stories to tell! So, I hope everyone will continue to support us!"

"Hmm..." Baili Xiao's serious tone suddenly paused. He coughed twice, scratched his cheek, and continued in a "what the hell" manner, "It's so embarrassing for a junior like me to say such things to so many uncles and aunts! In my opinion, Miss Hongsaka and the others might be more suitable?"

"Haha, that's not true! Lord Baili is too modest!"

"It's rare to see Baili Jun in such a predicament. I thought nothing could stump him!"

"Wow! So cute! If I were fifteen years younger, I would definitely pursue Baili Jun!"

Baili Xiao's "what's the use of throwing caution to the wind" attitude did not annoy the crowd; instead, they all smiled.

"Ahem!" Baili Xiao smiled. "I know everyone's hungry, so, cheers!"

As if receiving a command, everyone stood up and pointed their wine glasses toward Baili Xiao's direction. The red wine swirled in the glasses, reflecting a dazzling and captivating light.

"cheers!"

"cheers!"

P.S.: Cheers to Bilibili (゜-゜)つロ!

Chapter 0054 Kato Megumi's Little Secret! (First update, please add to your favorites and give flowers)

By the time the celebration banquet ended, it was already getting dark outside.

Over several hours, staff members at each table spontaneously went to the center table to toast Baili Xiao and the others. Fortunately, the latter used beverages instead; otherwise, after dozens of tables, even a small sip would probably have made them drunk!

Of course, after paying tribute to the "leaders," the usual "drinking contest" followed.

The deep friendship built at the book launch was quickly overturned. Shinazugawa Bunko and the "rouge-en-rouge" circle were locked in a fierce battle, neither wanting to be outdone in drinking. Chishima Publishing, which only had one table, originally wanted to join the fray, but after looking at the small number of people on their side, they had no choice but to give up.

Although the battle was intense, there wasn't much noise. After all, everyone knew their boss was there, and shouting would only ruin their future career advancement.

Machida Sonoko originally wanted to stop the provocative behavior of the Shinazugawa Bunko group, but Akane Kousaka persuaded her to stop by saying, "Everyone has been busy for so long, it's good for them to relax." The people at the table also tacitly approved of the "drinking contest" with smiles on their faces.

"What are the plans after that? Will we continue with the production of Volume 3? At the pace of everyone's work, it should be completed in less than half a month, just like Volume 2, right?"

Duanmu Yizi was very curious about this, because once the third volume was completed, it would mean that the production plan for the "5 Centimeters Per Second" animated film would begin.

As a die-hard fan of "5 Centimeters Per Second", she dreams of seeing the movie version of "5 Centimeters Per Second"!

Everyone stopped eating and focused their attention on Baili Xiao. They knew that only Baili Xiao could decide "when to do it" and "when to finish it".

"Volume 3 will probably be a little later. I want Shiyu and the others to rest a bit. Although the outline and everything else are finished, we can't keep throwing ourselves into work all the time, right?" Baili Xiao smiled, her gaze towards Kasumigaoka Shiyu and the others filled with tenderness.

He knew that if he said something like "continue production," Kasumigaoka Utaha and the others would not have any objections, since that was the original plan.

That's precisely why he needs to be even more considerate of their feelings; after all... people aren't machines, they can't work forever.

“That’s to be expected. The release of Volume 2 of ‘5 Centimeters Per Second’ was faster than anyone anticipated. If you maintain this pace in producing Volume 3, you’ll probably be seen as a monster by the readers.” Machida Sonoko remarked, then asked, unable to hide her excitement, “So, where are you planning to relax?”

"I'm fine with anything, I'll listen to you, brother." Kasumigaoka Utaha swirled the liquid in her wine glass, making it dance gracefully, and took a small sip before offering her opinion.

"Let's go to the beach! This is the perfect time to go!" Eriri and Machida Sonoko both seemed excited when it came to going to the beach.

"Um, I, I also want to go to the beach..." Bo Shima responded softly, glancing around at everyone's faces. Noticing no one showing any displeasure, he quietly breathed a sigh of relief.

Although she is now respectfully called "the teacher who goes to the sea off the island" by many people, because she is a junior high school student and the youngest, she always unconsciously puts herself in the position of "junior" and speaks without confidence.

"There's no need to be so reserved when going out to sea. You're a 'teacher' now, so act like one," Baili Xiao teased Bo Island about the sea trip. Bo Island lowered his head, his cheeks flushed, and said, "Baili-kun, you...you're making fun of me again..."

“I always find it so cute when they’re shy at sea, and I just blurt it out without thinking.” As soon as Bai Lixiao finished speaking, Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri raised their eyebrows in unison.

Noticing the sharp look in their eyes, Baili Xiao chuckled dryly and turned his gaze to Kato Megumi.

Kato Megumi sipped her juice, seemingly uninterested in getting involved in the question of "where to relax."

"Ahui, what do you think? Where would be a better place to go?"

"Hmm?" Kato Megumi seemed to be taken aback for a moment, tilting her head to look at Baili Xiao, wondering why the latter would specifically ask for her opinion.

In Kato Megumi's mind, she only chose to work as a "nanny" at Kasumigaoka's house because she wanted to be the first to see the sequel to "5 Centimeters Per Second" and because the salary offered by Hyakuri Akira was indeed quite high.

At the same time, it can also help you accumulate experience for your future work.

Because she clearly defined her own position and did not naively assume that she had "integrated into their group" just because Baili Xiao affectionately called her "Ahui," she chose to remain silent on issues that could only be discussed among "family and partners."

She even considered the idea of ​​"finding a suitable reason to refuse Baili Jun's kindness after deciding where to go."

Noticing Kato Megumi's surprise and confusion, Baili Xiao's smile gradually disappeared, replaced by a serious expression that he rarely showed: "Didn't I say you were going to come along? No matter what you think, none of us consider you an outsider!"

Something seemed to flicker in Kato Megumi's eyes. She put down her juice, looked at Baili Xiao, and nodded slightly: "Yes, I agree with Sawamura-san and Izumi's suggestion."

"Alright! Let's choose the beach for our vacation!"

How was Chapter 0055? Was it good? (Two chapters, please add to your favorites and give flowers)

"Drip."

Early the next morning, two private cars pulled up in front of the Kasumigaoka family's house. Akane Akasaka, dressed in a cool dress, wearing an exquisitely hand-woven straw hat and expensive sunglasses, got out of one of the cars.

Upon hearing that Bai Lixiao and the others were going on a beach vacation, Akane Akasaka used the excuse, "Iori, I'll leave the club matters to you. You're more experienced than me anyway," to dump all the work on Iori Hashima.

Although she had been in a "hands-off" state before, with the cooperation with Baili Xiao and the growing fame of [5 Centimeters Per Second], there have been more and more things to do within the club. It would probably take working day and night to keep it running normally if one person had to handle it all.

Iori Hashima protested with a dark expression, but when he noticed Akane Kousaka's cold gaze, he had no choice but to compromise.

Meanwhile, Machida Sonoko, seeing Akane Akasaka express a desire to go on vacation, gazed at her boss—the editor-in-chief of Shinazugawa Bunko—with tears welling in her eyes.

Unable to bear her "stray puppy-like eyes," the editor-in-chief sighed and reluctantly agreed to her vacation request.

And so, this scene unfolded in the early morning.

"Your outfit, well, how should I put it, really exudes youthful energy." Akane Akasaka took off her sunglasses, shook her long, flowing hair, and looked at Sonoko Machida with a mischievous smile as she opened the car door.

The white short-sleeved T-shirt has an eye-catching print in the middle, paired with super short denim shorts, revealing smooth long legs that reflect the sunlight. If you stare at them for too long, you might get dazzled.

Machida Sonoko took off her sunglasses, examined her clothes, and looked at Akane Akasaka with some puzzlement: "What? Is there something wrong with my outfit?"

"Well, if a twenty-year-old girl dressed like this, I wouldn't have any objections." Akane Akasaka chuckled, her unspoken message being a reminder to Sonoko Machida, "Are you, a woman nearing thirty, trying to look young?"

The latter froze, rolling her eyes wildly at Akane Akasaka—she knew, of course, that she should be like Akane Akasaka, mature and composed, exuding the charm of a sophisticated woman, but...

"I just can't learn your ways, otherwise I would have been married by now!"

"If you don't get rid of your childishness, don't even think about getting married."

"Tch, it's like you're talking like you have a boyfriend..." Machida Sonoko said this very softly, but Akane Kousaka still heard her.

The two stared at each other, their involuntary raised eyebrows foreshadowing the "mutual harm" that was about to unfold... Fortunately, Baili Xiao's voice interrupted them.

"Good morning, Ms. Sonoko, Ms. Kousaka." Baili Xiao opened the door: "Come in and have a seat. Shiyu is still packing. I really don't know how girls have so much stuff to pack."

"Baili-kun, dressing up is a girl's nature, so please be patient for now," Machida Sonoko said with a smile, speaking as if she were an experienced person.

But... half an hour later.

The brand-new canvas shoes, brimming with girlish charm, tapped rapidly and rhythmically on the wooden floor. Machida Sonoko crossed her arms in front of her chest, glancing at her watch every now and then—the hands silently passed the nine o'clock mark.

"What on earth is Shi-chan doing? Half an hour has passed, even if she's putting on makeup... with Shi-chan's looks, she shouldn't need much makeup, right?!" Machida Sonoko let out a painful groan, completely forgetting her earlier words of "bear with it."

"Maybe she's been hesitating about what to wear." Akane Akasaka's tone was clearly teasing. If anyone could see what Kasumigaoka Utaha was doing at that moment, they would definitely give the former a thumbs up in admiration.

Just as she guessed, the reason why Kasumigaoka Utaha had been staying in her room was because she "didn't know what to wear!"

(How about this one? No, no, I think I wore this in front of my brother. Today I have to choose an outfit that I haven't shown off before... Ugh, I should have gone to the mall to buy some clothes when I had time! Now look what's happened...)

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at the wardrobe in front of her with considerable annoyance. Inside were all sorts of clothes, and on the bedding were a dozen or so items that had already been "eliminated," showing how intense her inner struggle was.

(This vacation is probably the biggest challenge I've ever faced. Apart from my brother, everyone is a woman, and each one of them is beautiful and has a great figure, with their own unique charm... I need to think carefully about how to showcase my strengths and charm. Hmm, Kasumigaoka Utaha, you can definitely do it!)