My 2D anime story

At Su Yu's Home.

Yui Yuigahama sat on the sofa, quietly watching Su Yu in the kitchen.

Since it was still early, Su Yu planned to have dinner with her before walking her home.

Yui, of course, had no intention of staying overnight—

She didn't want to distract him.

Su Yu had to focus on his manga, while also overseeing the anime production.

She didn't even mention the Madoka Magica game anymore—

She knew that both Su Yu and Yukino still remembered it.

Once they finished the anime, the Service Club would definitely return to normal.

The three of them would sit together again—

She and Yukino would chat, while Su Yu read his books nearby.

As she thought about it, a warm smile naturally appeared on her face.

"Yui, what's making you so happy?"

Su Yu's voice snapped her out of her thoughts.

"I was just thinking… once you and Yukinon finish the anime, the Service Club will go back to how it used to be. I'll be able to chat with Yukinon, and you'll sit next to us reading quietly."

Yui said softly.

Hearing that, Su Yu paused for a moment.

"Is that even possible…?"

If Yukino succeeded, then Parasyte's anime would definitely be their next project—

And then, his manga would follow.

If she earned her mother's recognition, she would probably…

At that thought, he suddenly remembered Haruno's words—

"I see now… I was being used."

After Dinner

Su Yu walked Yui home.

On the way back alone, he thought carefully about Haruno's "utilization" of him.

Haruno had used his desire to help Yukino as her leverage.

He wanted Yukino to gain recognition, and he wanted to be her friend.

For that to happen, he needed her to succeed as an anime director.

But then…

What would Yukino do next after earning her mother's approval?

Answer: She would continue directing anime.

Su Yu, of course, would keep helping her—

Essentially locking himself at Yukino's side.

If it weren't for Yui, he wouldn't have even realized it.

That said—

He wasn't angry about it.

Because in the end, it would likely lead to him and Yukino being together—

Becoming the best anime production duo.

However—

Haruno probably didn't expect him to leave Yukino at Flashlight Animation to train her supervising skills.

While this was meant to support her and increase her affection for him,

it also gave him more freedom.

If he stayed by her side every day, constantly talking anime, saying things that made her flustered—

Then Yukino's affection would skyrocket.

Who knows—by the time the anime was finished, they might already be together.

But now, by giving her space, he had created an opportunity to counter this plan.

He needed to help Yukino gain recognition, while ensuring that she held onto her own ideals—

If she continued making anime, it shouldn't be to seek approval—

It had to be because she genuinely loved it.

With that in mind—

His next steps became clear.

At Flashlight Animation – 3rd Production Studio

Yukino sat at a desk, working on background illustrations.

With Su Yu setting the creative direction, work on Episode 1 had already been divided up.

As a supervisor, she didn't have many tasks yet—

But Yukino wasn't the type to sit idle.

She requested a background design assignment.

Surprisingly, the request was approved quickly.

This was because Su Yu's background instructions were rather abstract—

"The backgrounds in the Witch's Labyrinth should look like a child's chaotic doodles—completely unnatural."

Although it sounded odd, most artists understood his vision immediately.

They had already created a few background samples and even developed a specific drawing method for them.

After a brief lesson, Yukino was able to pick it up quickly.

The work was tedious, but seeing the other artists working hard, she didn't find it boring at all.

She glanced at the clock on her monitor—

"It's already past 7 PM…"

"I'll finish this by 9 PM, then head straight home."

With that decision made, she focused back on her work.

Just as she immersed herself,

she suddenly felt someone approaching from behind.

"Not bad."

A familiar voice spoke softly.

Yukino froze, then turned around—

And saw Su Yu standing there.

Before she could say anything, he placed a bento box and a drink on her desk.

"Eat first—it's still warm."

"You… Why are you…"

Yukino looked at the food, feeling an unexpected warmth in her chest.

Her voice softened instinctively.

"I suddenly missed you, so I came to see you."

Su Yu leaned down and whispered near her ear.

"…"

Yukino's face immediately turned red.

"I'll take over your work. You eat first. Once you're done, I'll wait here and walk you home."

Su Yu added.

"W-Walk me home?!"

Yukino's face turned even redder.

"Yeah, I want to experience what it's like to live in a luxury apartment."

Su Yu nodded as if it was completely natural.

"That's absolutely impossible!"

Yukino snapped, her voice slightly trembling.

She quickly stood up, giving up her seat to Su Yu.

Without hesitation, Su Yu sat down and began working.

He was already familiar with the software, and with Yukino's background draft mostly complete,

it was just a matter of filling in the missing details.

Yukino sat beside him, opened the steaming bento, and—

Her eyes widened slightly.

The arrangement of the food had accidentally formed a heart shape.

Her cheeks felt warm.

"Did he do this on purpose…?"

She stole a glance at Su Yu's side profile.

He looked serious, focused—

…Handsome, even?

"Stop staring at me—I know I'm good-looking. I get that you love my face, but don't be so obvious. You're making me shy."

Su Yu spoke calmly without even looking up.

"I-I wasn't looking at you!"

Yukino hurriedly looked away, flustered.

She took a bite—

For some reason, even the ketchup tasted sweeter than usual.

10 minutes later.

Yukino finished eating and grabbed her iced tea.

She glanced over—

Su Yu had already completed one-third of the background.

Her eyes widened slightly.

"So fast…"

"Alright, you've finished eating. Back to work—I'll check on the others."

Su Yu got up, casually stretching his arms.

He gave Yukino a light tap on the shoulder before walking off.

Yukino watched his back, her lips slightly parting—

But in the end, she didn't say anything.

Instead, she exhaled softly and turned back to her screen—

Her fingertips still felt slightly warm from where he had touched her shoulder.

Notes-Read advanced chapters in patreon.com/Shadow_D_X