Chapter 153: Nap Time, Logging In?
The morning meeting came to a temporary halt, but the atmosphere wasn’t particularly relaxed.
Director Mizushima Seiji is a veteran in the industry, having led several classic works. He scrutinizes every detail of the adaptation, and now they’ve only preliminarily confirmed the plot framework.
As for more specifics, like the pacing of each episode and additions or cuts to content, those can’t be finalized in a short time.
While the animation adaptation must follow the original work, manga and animation are different forms of expression, so it definitely can’t be copied verbatim.
“Alright, that’s it for the morning.” Chief Editor Ono Tomohiro checked the time. “Everyone take a one-hour break, and we’ll continue discussing the subsequent project scheduling and milestones in the afternoon.”
Everyone present was hungry too, and they all stood up, packing away the information in front of them.
Sakamoto Ken stood up. He was just about to tell Kaji Keiko that he had to meet someone at noon when Kaji Keiko approached first, signaling him to come out.
“Sakamoto Sensei, thanks for your hard work.” After leaving the meeting room, Kaji Keiko said softly, “The investors and director are quite assertive, but don’t worry, the chief editor and I will try our best to fight for your right to speak.”
“Thanks, Kaji.” Sakamoto Ken nodded and lowered his voice too. “Kaji, I’m heading downstairs. Mio-chan brought me a bento, and I need to borrow the small cubicle in the meeting room area.”
“Brought a bento?” Hearing this, Kaji Keiko’s face immediately showed an understanding smile, then she reminded him softly, “Then Sakamoto Sensei, you need to be careful. It’s best not to let Hanabe-san and Director Mizushima see you with Mio-chan.”
“Does it require this much caution?”
“Mainly because Mio-chan’s Makima hairstyle is too eye-catching; you can recognize her from afar.” Kaji Keiko said, “Think about it: we just recommended Mio for the role in the meeting, and the next moment, you’re meeting her privately, with her bringing you a loving bento…”
Sakamoto Ken understood. Although he did want Mio to get this character, such matters couldn’t be out in the open.
He was just the original author; for an animation adaptation project involving billions in investment, the main right to speak was with the investors and director, especially those putting in the real money.
“I understand.” Sakamoto Ken nodded solemnly.
“Mm.” Kaji Keiko thought for a moment and said, “The meeting room area has a lot of people coming and going. How about this: use the writer’s lounge next to the editorial department. It’s quieter there. You know the place, right?”
“I do, the black room.” Sakamoto Ken remembered. Though he hadn’t used it, he’d heard that JUMP’s editorial department had such a place.
Called the writer’s lounge, it could also be named the black room.
Some writers who are severely behind on deadlines get forcibly brought here by editors and locked in the black room to catch up on manuscripts…
After all, in the manga industry, editors usually hold more right to speak in most cases.
“Good then. I’ll head downstairs first. See you in the afternoon, Sakamoto Sensei.” Kaji Keiko winked at him and walked toward the elevator first, holding her information.
Sakamoto Ken took his backpack and left right after without greeting Hanabe Kyoko and the others.
……
Shueisha first floor lobby.
Natsume Mio was holding an insulated bento bag, standing in front of the poster wall, admiring a promotional poster of Koro-sensei.
She had dressed up specially today, still with her red-pink braids, wearing a simple light-colored dress that reached her knees, revealing her calves wrapped in pure white mid-calf socks.
Sakamoto Ken spotted her from afar at a glance and walked toward Natsume Mio.
Natsume Mio noticed him immediately, her eyes lighting up. Just as she was about to greet him, she saw Sakamoto Ken quickly approach her and put a finger to his lips in a “shh” gesture.
“Come with me first.” Sakamoto Ken said in a low voice.
“Eh?”
Though Natsume Mio was confused, she immediately shut her mouth and hurried to keep up with Sakamoto Ken’s pace.
The two entered the elevator, one after the other.
There was only the two of them in the elevator, and the metal doors slowly closed.
Only after the elevator began rising steadily did Natsume Mio ask softly, “A Jian, what’s wrong? So secretive…”
Sakamoto Ken explained, “The animation adaptation’s investors and director are at the company for a meeting today. Kaji reminded me not to let them know about my relationship with you for now. We’ll eat in the writer’s lounge.”
Natsume Mio said, “To avoid suspicion? Recommending an acquaintance and such…”
Sakamoto Ken nodded and said, “Yes, so we need to keep a low profile.”
Hearing Sakamoto Ken say this, Natsume Mio was thrilled inside.
After all, A Jian had just said “our relationship.”
A Jian admitted it himself!
That means, I’m A Jian’s special person~
Natsume Mio said, “Don’t worry, A Jian. I’ll get selected on my own strength!”
She paused, staring at Sakamoto Ken, and asked, “So what relationship do you say we have, A Jian?”
Sakamoto Ken smiled slightly and said, “A material-gathering cooperation relationship.”
Natsume Mio pondered this statement. Though it wasn’t her most desired answer, it at least counted as being together.
She thought A Jian was just saying that; what material-gathering, they were clearly boyfriend and girlfriend.
At least they definitely would be boyfriend and girlfriend in the future.
Thinking this in her heart, she nodded and said, “Mm-hmm, material-gathering cooperation, got it.”
The elevator doors opened, and Sakamoto Ken led her out to the writer’s lounge next to the editorial department.
“This is the writer’s lounge?” Natsume Mio looked around curiously.
“Mm, no one usually comes here.” Sakamoto Ken opened the room door.
The room wasn’t large, but it was furnished comfortably.
Two sofas lined the wall, with a coffee table in between. On the other side was a professional drawing workbench with neatly stacked manuscript paper and drawing tools.
Most importantly, thick blackout curtains covered the window, and once the door was closed, the soundproofing was excellent.
“Sit.” Sakamoto Ken sat on one sofa and pointed to the opposite one.
Natsume Mio quickly sat on the sofa opposite Sakamoto Ken and placed the insulated bento bag on the coffee table.
“A Jian, try it quick! The sauce wagyu I made today is super tasty!”
She opened the bag and took out two identical bento boxes.
Opening the lids, a rich, enticing aroma instantly filled the air.
In the bento box, evenly sliced wagyu pieces were wrapped in thick sauce, glistening temptingly, paired with broccoli and golden tamagoyaki. There were three grilled sausages along the edge of the rice compartments, and the color coordination made one’s mouth water.
“I researched several recipes and tutorials to make this. A Jian, try it quick!” Natsume Mio handed chopsticks to Sakamoto Ken.
Sakamoto Ken took the chopsticks and picked up a piece of beef into his mouth.
The beef was extremely tender, almost melting in the mouth. The rich meaty flavor fused perfectly with the slightly sweet sauce on the taste buds, and the fat’s aroma burst forth instantly.
“Mmm…” Sakamoto Ken couldn’t help but let out a satisfied sigh.
“How is it, how is it?” Natsume Mio looked at him expectantly.
“It’s delicious.” Sakamoto Ken praised.
“Hehe~” Natsume Mio’s cheeks flushed a light pink. “If A Jian likes it, I’ll make it for you every day from now on!”
“That would be too much work.” Sakamoto Ken said while eating.
“Not work at all!” Natsume Mio picked up her own chopsticks and took small bites. “A Jian, your drawing is the real hard work. How was the meeting? Were you tired?”
“It was okay, just discussed a lot of details.” Sakamoto Ken quickly finished one bento clean.
He set down his chopsticks and looked at Natsume Mio eating small bites opposite him.
“What are your plans for the afternoon? Heading back soon?” Sakamoto Ken asked.
“Mm…” Natsume Mio swallowed her food and said, “A Jian, you still have meetings in the afternoon?”
“Yes, probably a lot more to discuss.” Sakamoto Ken nodded.
“Then… I’ll wait until you go back to your meeting, then head back.” Natsume Mio said.
Sakamoto Ken checked the time. Chief Editor Ono Tomohiro had said a one-hour break, resuming at 1:30 pm.
About forty minutes left now.
At that moment, Sakamoto Ken’s phone in his pocket vibrated.
Sakamoto Ken took out his mobile phone and looked.
Hoshihara Ai: 「Nap time, log in?」
Sakamoto Ken instinctively turned slightly, angling the mobile phone screen perfectly away from Natsume Mio’s view, his fingers flying across the screen.
Sakamoto Ken: 「In a meeting at Shueisha, can’t log in.」
Hoshihara Ai: 「Forget it then, I have a ton of stuff too.」
Sakamoto Ken: 「Definitely next time.」
He pocketed the phone again and looked at the girl before him.
No need to explain with Hoshihara Ai; linking up was already very skilled.
He’d linked with Haruna before too, though it was an accident, pure coincidence, and didn’t last long before Haruna suddenly vanished in his arms—probably waking up in reality.
Natsume Mio hadn’t encountered him in the dream yet.
Sakamoto Ken leaned back on the sofa, stretching lazily and yawning long.
“Between drawings and meetings, I’m really getting sleepy…” He rubbed his temple. “I want to nap a bit.”
This yawn seemed contagious; Natsume Mio covered her mouth and yawned too.
She said softly, “Now that you mention it, I got up early this morning for vocal practice and am a bit sleepy too.”
Sakamoto Ken stood up and locked the lounge door first.
Seeing this action, Natsume Mio’s heart skipped a beat.
“A Jian… w-what are you locking the door for…” Natsume Mio said cautiously.
“To avoid other editors bringing authors here for the black room and accidentally barging in while I’m sleeping.” Sakamoto Ken walked back with a straight face.
Sakamoto Ken took off his shoes and sprawled out, lying horizontally across the entire sofa.
He looked at Natsume Mio: “Do you want to head back now?”
“…”
Natsume Mio watched him just lie down like that. She’d been a bit expectant, like maybe A Jian would do something to her in the black room…
Now, seeing Sakamoto Ken’s sleepy posture, she was completely infected by his tired vibe.
“Then I’ll lie down too…” She took off her shoes and lay horizontally on the sofa she’d been sitting on.
Sakamoto Ken didn’t respond, only emitting steady breathing sounds.
Natsume Mio: “…”
This guy is really just sleeping?!
She turned sideways, facing Sakamoto Ken’s direction.
Napping in the same room as A Jian could count as having slept together…
It felt pretty nice.
The girl’s thoughts drifted further, her eyelids growing heavier…
Soon, she too fell into a deep sleep.
Updated over eight thousand words today!
