Chapter 155: Our President Wants To See You
Natsume Mio strode toward the doorway with big steps, without looking back.
“You wait for me!” Haruna’s voice came from behind.
Natsume Mio paused her steps and turned to look.
Mikazuki Haruna quickly ran toward her, her pair of black small leather shoes tapping rapidly on the marble floor with a “tap tap tap” sound.
The baseball cap on her head was about to fall off, so she simply took it off and held it in her hand.
Natsume Mio looked the girl in front of her up and down, her gaze lightly sweeping over her utterly non-threatening chest, and then she remembered a question.
She said, “By the way, why are you here today too?”
“I’m a contracted writer for JUMP, isn’t it normal for me to come to Shueisha? As for you… you sneaked in, right!”
“I came to deliver a bento to Sensei, and we ate it together.” Natsume Mio said with a slight smile, “Now I have to go back to practice voice acting. I can’t drag my feet on the Chainsaw Man animation adaptation project. You’re welcome to come watch the Chainsaw Man animation too, Haruna Senior~”
“Voice acting? Does that mean you’ve already been selected as a voice actor?” Mikazuki Haruna asked.
“It’s only a matter of time.” Natsume Mio said confidently.
After saying that, she walked straight out of Shueisha’s main entrance.
Mikazuki Haruna stood in place, watching Natsume Mio disappear outside the door, then lightly hummed, “Heh, the Chainsaw Man animation? I’m really looking forward to that. If you want to be the voice actor for A Jian’s work, you have to ask me first.”
That guy just ate lunch with A Jian, and she really thinks she’s won?
Mikazuki Haruna stood in the first floor lobby and didn’t go upstairs, because Chief Editor Ono Tomohiro, who was in charge of her work, was also in a meeting.
Today was indeed the meeting about the Chainsaw Man animation adaptation. She only had Hanabe Kyoko call Sakamoto Ken over because the meeting was happening anyway; it wasn’t a meeting specially arranged for her.
Mikazuki Haruna thought that from the time Natsume Mio went in at noon to when she came out, it was less than an hour.
During that time, they still had to eat and such, and it was in a company where other people were around.
No matter what, they wouldn’t do anything too excessive, right?!
That lipstick on that guy’s mouth must have come from kissing Sakamoto Ken.
Never mind if it was a forced kiss or not; in any case, she already got to eat it!
Damn it!
That Natsume Mio actually really got to eat it!
Mikazuki Haruna felt she couldn’t keep waiting around so leisurely anymore.
Her original plan was to appear as the president of the investment company when the animation production was halfway done.
That way, she’d give Sakamoto Ken a big surprise and make him fully understand who his real sugar mama was.
Even if he didn’t want to, he had no choice; he’d signed the contract, and there was a breach of contract fee.
But now it seemed that Natsume Mio’s offensive was too fierce.
If she waited any longer, A Jian might really be tricked away by her with those low-level tactics!
What if they cooked the rice and it became mature?
The plan must be advanced!
Mikazuki Haruna took out her mobile phone, found Hanabe Kyoko’s avatar on LINE, and quickly typed, sending several messages in a row to Hanabe Kyoko.
After sending the messages, she didn’t stay longer at Shueisha and turned to the parking lot, driving back herself.
On the meeting room side, it wasn’t until 3:30 in the afternoon that the discussion finally came to an end.
“Alright, the overall framework for the first season and the adaptation plan are confirmed here for today.”
Chief Editor Ono Tomohiro closed the notebook in front of him and said, “The specific scripts afterward will need more effort from Kawai Sensei and Director Mizushima.”
Mizushima Seiji nodded. “We’ll get the initial script version out as soon as possible.”
Everyone stood up one after another and began packing up the information in front of them.
Sakamoto Ken also stood up. He’d mostly been listening in all afternoon, but he still gained a lot.
Watching Director Mizushima and Aikawa Noboru, these two industry big shots, analyze the character motivations and shot usage panel by panel around his storyboard draft, even considering the style of the music and marking it on the storyboard draft.
Just as Sakamoto Ken was about to leave with Kaji Keiko, the voice of Hanabe Kyoko, the representative of NESX, came from behind.
“Sakamoto Sensei, please hold on.”
Sakamoto Ken stopped and turned his head; Hanabe Kyoko was smiling as she walked toward him.
“Miss Hanabe, is there something else?” Sakamoto Ken asked.
“Yes, could I take a few minutes of your time for a private chat?” Hanabe Kyoko made a “please” gesture, indicating for him to head toward the corridor.
“Of course.” Sakamoto Ken nodded.
The two lagged slightly behind Chief Editor Ono Tomohiro and Kaji Keiko, walking side by side toward the elevator area while talking.
“Sakamoto Sensei, first of all, thank you again for making time to come over amid your busy schedule today,” Hanabe Kyoko said. “To be honest, our president admires your work very much.”
“Miss Hanabe is too polite,” Sakamoto Ken quickly said. “I should be the one thanking your company for the support. I’m just a newbie, and getting such a large investment is my honor.”
“No.” Hanabe Kyoko shook her head slightly; her tone was very serious. “Sakamoto Sensei, you might not know this, but this investment in Chainsaw Man is the highest S-level project internally at the company, and that decision was made by the president against opposition. The president thinks your work has enormous potential.”
Sakamoto Ken was truly shocked upon hearing this.
“The president personally approved it?”
He’d thought it was just a routine commercial investment, but it turned out the other party’s president had taken a liking to it.
“Yes.” Hanabe Kyoko affirmed. “That’s exactly why we invited you to serve as animation consultant. We really hope to ensure the animation adaptation stays true to Sakamoto Sensei’s core vision.”
“Understood. I’ll fully cooperate with the production team’s work,” Sakamoto Ken said solemnly.
“That’s great.” Hanabe Kyoko smiled and continued, “Also, I scanned and sent the latest storyboard draft you brought today to the president. After seeing it, the president was very shocked and hopes to have a chance to chat with you in person.”
“Eh?” Sakamoto Ken was slightly stunned. “The president wants to meet me?”
Hanabe Kyoko smiled and explained, “Sakamoto Sensei, no need to be nervous. The president just purely admires your talent and wants to exchange thoughts on the work. It’s not any formal business talk.”
“I see…” Sakamoto Ken actually didn’t relax.
Although Hanabe Kyoko said it wasn’t formal business talk, it was probably just hoping to probe in an informal setting whether the project was worth investing more funds in.
“By the way.” Hanabe Kyoko changed the subject and said, “Before arranging for you to meet the president, we’ll first pay you the first installment of copyright advance fees as per the contract, as well as the consultant salary.”
Hanabe Kyoko explained, “Our company hopes to show sincerity this way. The finance side is already processing it, and the funds will soon be transferred to your account. I’ll contact you then to confirm the specific time to meet the president.”
What more could Sakamoto Ken say?
The other side was eagerly sending money; he had no reason to refuse.
“Okay, I understand, Hanabe-san. I’m basically free lately, so contact me anytime once you’ve arranged the time,” Sakamoto Ken said.
“Thank you very much for your cooperation, Sakamoto Sensei.”
Hanabe Kyoko deeply bowed to him in front of the elevator doors.
“Ah, right.”
As she was about to enter the elevator, Sakamoto Ken still asked, “Hanabe-san, if I may be so bold… what kind of person is your company’s president? I’d like to prepare in advance to avoid being rude.”
Hanabe Kyoko shook her head lightly upon hearing this and said, “Sakamoto Sensei, no need to worry at all. You’ll know when you meet. The president is a very nice person.”
It felt like her tone was reluctant to say more, but hearing that the president was a nice person made Sakamoto Ken feel a bit more at ease.
At least it shouldn’t be some decrepit old man; after all, this NESX investment company’s efficiency was too high, even abnormally so.
Moreover, their willingness to solely produce was rare in the industry. It wasn’t until Netflix developed in Japan, providing a wealthy and powerful global film platform that let animation companies have enough income sources even without following the traditional TV station process, that companies started solely producing animations with lavish spending.
Like the Chainsaw Man from the previous life round, which was solely produced by MAPPA.
In general, given the conservative nature of Japan’s animation industry, investment decisions like this involved publishers, TV stations, advertisers…
A bunch of companies haggling in negotiations, taking half a year or even a year to make the final decision.
But considering this was Chainsaw Man, it was normal for this NESX investment company’s president to look favorably on it, showing he really knew his stuff. He could have a serious discussion about the manga then.
Sakamoto Ken returned to the studio. He pressed his fingerprint to quickly push open the door, then immediately looked toward where his three assistants were.
Good, none of them were slacking off.
Hearing the door open, Endo Tatsuya and the other two turned to look.
“Sakamoto Sensei.”
“Sakamoto Sensei is finally back.”
The three greeted Sakamoto Ken.
Sakamoto Ken walked into the room and said, “You’ve all worked hard.”
Next, he immediately got into work mode, checking the drawings his three assistants did today. The content for chapter 24 was almost done, and they could soon finish the official content for the first three volumes.
As for the storyboard drafts, Sakamoto Ken had now completed up to chapter 33. The next chapter needed the shark demon, spider demon, and angel demon to all appear, preparing for the characters in the upcoming Reze Arc.
The earlier content was continuous, but the Reze Arc, from Reze’s appearance to her exit spanning 13 chapters, could be seen as a relatively independent unit, so adapting it into an animated film alone wouldn’t be a problem.
Plus, the copyright fees for a movie adaptation would definitely be higher. NESX was so wealthy and powerful; maybe when meeting their president, he could directly bring up the Reze Arc to discuss?
Anyway, it was just talking with the investor; he didn’t need to complete formal content, just draw the storyboard draft.
In the evening, after the three assistants clocked out and left, the studio was left with only Sakamoto Ken again.
The assistants got off work, but he didn’t. He continued sitting at the drawing table drawing storyboards.
He’d agreed with NESX’s representative Hanabe Kyoko that he’d meet NESX’s president in person afterward.
Sakamoto Ken was well aware that although the other side said it was “just a casual chat,” he had to show enough sincerity and chips.
And what he could offer was the subsequent plot of Chainsaw Man.
The investor was willing to lavish spending billions to launch the animation adaptation just two months into the manga’s serialization because they saw the work’s potential.
So, as long as he let them see how enormous that potential really was, the subsequent cooperation would naturally go more smoothly.
Therefore, he decided to finish it as soon as possible and set the goal of advancing the storyboard draft to the end of volume six.
“Reze Arc…”
Sakamoto Ken took a deep breath, and that plot, which could be called the emotional peak of Chainsaw Man, surfaced in his mind.
The phone booth in the rain, the meeting at the coffee shop… then the school at night, the combat, the seaside farewell, and finally Reze coming to find Denji.
Only to be killed by that bad woman Makima!
A brief, intense, yet inevitably doomed story.
Sakamoto Ken picked up his pen and fully immersed himself in the drawing.
Until late at night, a thick stack of completed storyboard drafts had piled up on the desk.
Sakamoto Ken felt dizzy from drawing and only then did a simple wash-up before going to sleep.
Early the next morning, he started drawing again. By the time the three assistants arrived at the studio one after another, the storyboard for volume five was complete.
Approaching noon, Natsume Mio arrived.
She wore a pure white dress today, paired with equally white stockings. Her signature Makima-red braids draped over her chest, and she carried a familiar insulated bento bag in her hand.
“A Jian, good afternoon~” Natsume Mio looked at Sakamoto Ken and said somewhat worriedly, “A Jian, you don’t look very spirited.”
“I was rushing drafts until late last night.” Sakamoto Ken yawned and stepped aside to let her in.
Natsume Mio familiarly walked into the studio, first politely greeting the three assistants before skillfully going to the kitchen counter and taking out the bento box.
She opened the lid: “I made fried pork cutlet bento today. Come try it.”
A rich aroma instantly filled the studio.
Sakamoto Ken was indeed hungry. He sat down at his seat and also told the three assistants, “Everyone, that’s it for the morning drawing. Lunch break now.”
Ryū Kōshin stood up first, glanced at Sakamoto Ken and Natsume Mio, then looked at his three companions.
They huddled together and whispered a few words before going out together.
“Sakamoto Sensei, we’ll eat at the store outside.” Endo Tatsuya said to Sakamoto Ken.
“Mm, remember to bring the receipt back for reimbursement.” Sakamoto Ken nodded and said.
The three assistants slightly bowed to Sakamoto Ken, then hurried out together, afraid of delaying any big event for Sakamoto Ken.
Natsume Mio set the bento and chopsticks in front of Sakamoto Ken, then sat down on the chair opposite him.
Just as Sakamoto Ken was about to start eating, his phone in his pocket suddenly vibrated.
He took out his phone and glanced at it.
Hoshihara Ai: 「Log in?」
Sakamoto Ken’s gaze turned to Natsume Mio opposite him, who was watching him taste her cooking with full expectation on her face.
His fingers quickly replied on the screen.
Sakamoto Ken: 「Can’t log in.」
Hoshihara Ai: 「With another woman?」
Seeing Sakamoto Ken staring at his phone without eating, Natsume Mio’s expression gradually shifted from doubt to vigilance.
Sakamoto Ken had already turned off the phone screen and put it back in his pocket.
“A Jian, what’s wrong?” Natsume Mio blinked her big eyes and asked. “Work-related?”
Sakamoto Ken said without changing expression, “No, from another girl.”
Natsume Mio’s smile stiffened slightly, but she quickly adjusted and asked casually, “Oh… so what did she want from you?”
“Nothing, just asking what I’m doing.” Sakamoto Ken said.
“So how did you reply, A Jian?” Natsume Mio pressed.
Sakamoto Ken picked up a piece of fried pork cutlet and put it in his mouth, chewing carefully, feeling the tender gravy burst in his mouth.
“Mm, delicious.” He praised first.
“Don’t change the subject! How did you reply?”
Sakamoto Ken said, “What you saw just now. I just glanced at the message and didn’t reply to her.”
Natsume Mio pursed her lips first, somewhat displeased.
But then she thought that Sakamoto Ken didn’t reply to that guy because he was eating with her.
Crucially, he hadn’t hidden it from her.
Sakamoto Ken’s expression when he spoke didn’t look like lying at all.
What did that mean?
It meant that in A Jian’s heart, she was much more important than her!
The gloom on Natsume Mio’s face vanished, and she smiled again.
She smiled slightly and clamped a piece of fried pork cutlet from her own bento box to Sakamoto Ken.
She hurriedly clamped a piece of tamagoyaki from her bento box into Sakamoto Ken’s bowl.
“Hehe… A Jian, eat up, eat more~”
Sakamoto Ken unceremoniously picked up the tamagoyaki and put it in his mouth: “Mm, indeed good.”
Natsume Mio watched him contentedly and began scheming in her heart.
That woman who messaged A Jian earlier must be Mikazuki Haruna!
Up to no good!
Hmph, that guy really won’t give up, always finding ways to harass A Jian!
After eating, Natsume Mio opened her LINE chat with Mikazuki Haruna.
She sent over the two photos of the bentos she took earlier before eating.
Natsume Mio: 「Made bento for A Jian again, just finished eating with him~/happy」
Natsume Mio: 「A Jian said it’s delicious and wants me to do it with him every day~」
After sending the messages, Natsume Mio looked at the second line she typed and suddenly noticed a small mistake.
Do it with him?
Typo, it should be “make it for him”…
But…
Whatever, leave it like this, no edit.
Let that guy guess for herself!
Guess what we were doing~
……
After Sakamoto Ken finished the bento, Natsume Mio proactively cleaned everything up.
Sakamoto Ken sat back by the drawing table before taking out his phone to check.
Earlier, his phone had vibrated several times in his pocket; they were all messages from Hoshihara Ai.
Hoshihara Ai: 「Read but no reply?」
Hoshihara Ai: 「Fine, you’re with them, right? Tell me, which one? Not all of them, right?」
Sakamoto Ken typed a reply: 「Just finished eating; don’t play phone while eating.」
Hoshihara Ai: 「Fine for today, but you must come tomorrow afternoon.」
Sakamoto Ken glanced at the date; tomorrow was Saturday, and he did have time in the afternoon.
Sakamoto Ken replied: 「To your place?」
Hoshihara Ai: 「Straight to sleep is fine too, but coming to my place is better.」
Sakamoto Ken: 「Straight to sleep then; in reality, I’m afraid I can’t hold up.」
Hoshihara Ai: 「Weak.」
Sakamoto Ken: 「See you tomorrow afternoon.」
Hoshihara Ai: 「I’ll wait for you. If you don’t come, you’re in for it.」
Sakamoto Ken and Hoshihara Ai agreed to meet in the dream tomorrow.
He actually preferred meeting in the dream too; after all, reality was a bit taxing on the waist, while in the dream, he was fine as soon as he woke up.
In the following time, Sakamoto Ken continued drawing the storyboard draft.
Until around 4 p.m.
Sakamoto Ken’s phone vibrated again; this time it was a text notification from the bank.
「Mitsubishi UFJ Bank: You have a transfer remittance.
Amount: 2,000,000 yen… Remark: Consultant Fee（NESX Company）」
「Mitsubishi UFJ Bank: You have a transfer remittance.
Amount: 3,000,000 yen… Remark: Copyright Fees（NESX Company）」
It came!
Sakamoto Ken looked at the long string of numbers on his phone screen, his heart surging with joy.
Five million yen!
This was the largest income he’d received so far.
As he was excited, a LINE message popped up too; it was from Hanabe Kyoko.
Hanabe Kyoko: 「Good afternoon, Sakamoto Sensei. Did you receive the funds?」
Sakamoto Ken: 「Just received them. Thank you very much! Miss Hanabe, your company’s efficiency is truly too high.」
Hanabe Kyoko: 「After all, it was specially expedited at the president’s personal urging. Also, the president has time tomorrow morning and wants to meet you. Are you available?」
Thinking about tomorrow’s schedule, the morning was indeed free; he only had the afternoon appointment with Hoshihara Ai for dreaming.
Sakamoto Ken: 「Morning tomorrow works. About what time?」
Hanabe Kyoko: 「How about 10?」
Sakamoto Ken: 「No problem, but how long will the talk with the president take?」
Hanabe Kyoko: 「Not sure, but it shouldn’t exceed an hour.」
Sakamoto Ken: 「Fine, but where is your company’s address?」
Hanabe Kyoko: 「No need to trouble Sakamoto Sensei to come over; I’ll pick you up a bit earlier.」
Sakamoto Ken: 「Does Hanabe-san know the studio’s address?」
Hanabe Kyoko: 「It’s in the contract files with Sakamoto Sensei’s address: Taito Ward 2-chome 29-go. Correct?」
Sakamoto Ken: 「Address is correct. Thanks for the trouble.」
Next, Sakamoto Ken continued drawing the storyboard.
After the assistants clocked out, he still sat at the desk until late at night.
Then early the next morning, he got up early and drew for two hours, finally completing all the storyboard drafts up to the end of volume six.
After drawing at such high intensity for three days, Sakamoto Ken felt his hand slightly numb.
At 9:30 a.m., the studio doorbell rang.
Sakamoto Ken had already changed into relatively formal clothes. He picked up the backpack containing the storyboard draft manuscripts and went to the door.
Outside, a black Lexus sedan was parked.
Hanabe Kyoko stood at the doorway, slightly bowing to Sakamoto Ken: “Sakamoto Sensei, I’ve come to pick you up to the company. Please.”
She opened the back seat car door for Sakamoto Ken, then stepped aside.
Sakamoto Ken sat in the car, leaning back on the spacious executive sedan’s seat.
The vehicle started smoothly and headed toward Minato Ward.
