Anime rating game

"Love Cycle."

"Is this my next song?"

"It's either the next move or the move after that, it's a choice between the two, and it's still uncertain which one will start."

Masamune clicked on the audio file on his computer, and a version of "Unreachable Love" by Mashiro began to play in the room.

Although she sang without any emotion, her pitch was incredibly accurate, and her voice was very pleasant, as if a robot were singing.

"Mashiro's singing is so strange, even though the melody is right." Setsuna said with curiosity.

"Mashiro is too reserved in expressing her emotions, she is not good at expressing her feelings, and she cannot appreciate the artistic conception of the song."

Masamune sighed softly and pondered for a moment:

"This is also what I'm worried about you about."

"The song 'Love Circulation' requires a high level of vocal skill. I'm not sure if you can sing it with that sweet and soft feeling."

"As the theme song for the animation, 'Unrequited Love' requires a high level of mental state. Can you, who have never been in love, sing out that sad, complicated, and lonely feeling?"

"More importantly, as the original singer, you have no reference points."

"Suppose that shortly after you release your song, someone covers it and sings it better than you, and it gets a lot of recognition. People online say that the cover is better than the original."

"What will you do then?"

Yukina paused for a moment, suddenly realizing that she was already a professional singer.

Although he has just debuted and is still a newcomer, as a professional singer, he is definitely stronger than other amateur singers.

"It's too late for me to start a relationship now, and besides, I don't have a boyfriend."

"No, you already have someone in mind. Hasn't the person contacted you?"

"Who could it be? Nobody has contacted me at all."

"The voice actress who plays Kitahara Haruki is Shizuka Sakaki."

"Huh...!? Could it be that Shizuka-nee is a man dressed as a woman? It doesn't seem like it."

"Is it not okay with women?"

"Isn't this too strange?"

"It's not a real relationship, it's just to let you go on a date and experience the feelings of the person in the story through simulated animation scenes and plots."

“That makes some sense. But… what if we really do become gay? Would Mr. Masamune take responsibility then?”

"It's just a few dates, it can't possibly get to that point. Don't worry, if that day ever comes, I'll straighten you out again."

Chapter 234 Why Aren't You in the Animation?

This is Mizuki Usami's second year working at Musashino. Last April, she had just graduated from high school when an anime rating system suddenly appeared in the sky.

Subaru Uchimaki, also a member of the art club, gave up further education and decided to go to Musashino for an interview to become an animator.

After hesitating for a mere three seconds, Mizuki Usami decided to follow.

However, compared to the smooth progress of his work, he has now been promoted to key animator and even made an appearance in the anime "Shirobako".

Compared to him, my own career has been extremely unsuccessful.

I've tried almost every job, even cleaning at the company. Now I'm working in production, which is low-paying, demanding, and very busy.

Perhaps that's why there's been no progress in his romantic relationships either.

"Ugh……"

At dinner time, the Usami family's dining table was filled with all kinds of delicious food.

However, she didn't pay too much attention to it, and just ate her food absentmindedly while thinking about her own thoughts.

Because I was so focused on thinking, the food in my mouth tasted like wax, and I couldn't even remember what I ate.

"Ruixi, how's work? Is it going well?"

Upon suddenly hearing her mother's voice, Usami Mizuki paused for a moment, then instinctively said:

"pretty good."

"Really? Then why is it that Aoi Miyamori, who joined the company at the same time as you, is not only highly valued but also became the female lead in 'Shirobako'? While in the anime, you only appeared for one second and didn't even have a single line."

"Huh...!? What does this mean?"

"In the second episode of 'Shirobako,' during the flashback to Aoi Miyamori's job interview, the girl who walked out of the room before Aoi's interview began—was that you?"

"It was definitely me, but I only appeared for a second. I'm so glad my mom recognized me."

"We joined the company on the same day, so why didn't you even have any lines and never appeared again, while the other person is the female lead? Did you really work properly?"

"Woo-woo..."

Usami Mizuki unconsciously shrank back, recalling her daily life as she muttered to herself:

"I've been working hard, but Aoi is just too curly."

"She not only remembers every employee's name with ease, but also carefully collects everyone's preferences and handles interpersonal relationships very well."

"So, after working for a whole year, you can't even remember your colleagues' names?" Usami's mother suddenly said sternly.

Oh no! How scary!

Seeing her mother's expression for the first time, Usami Mizuki said nervously:

"Mom, there are too few characters in the animation. Almost all of them are elites selected from each department. They are the best in terms of ability, qualifications, position, and interpersonal relationships."

“Our company has more than 800 employees. It’s really too difficult to remember so many names and match each person’s face with their name.”

"Besides, it doesn't matter if I can't remember names, right? It won't affect my work."

"Just omit the formalities and use respectful titles like 'you' or 'your position' instead."

"Besides, most people in the company wear name tags, so you can tell their names just by looking at them."

“Nonsense. Everyone else can remember it, why can’t you?” Usami’s mother wasn’t going to let her get away with it. She said in a deep voice, “The animation industry is developing too fast. Being able to join Musashino before it rose to prominence is your opportunity.”

"If you don't seize the opportunity and instead take chances and just drift along, you'll be eliminated sooner or later."

"Think carefully about why you joined Musashino."

Of course, it's for Subaru-kun.

Usami Mizuki muttered to herself.

Although I think this way, saying it out loud would put too much pressure on me.

Of course, to avoid her mother nagging any further, she quickly admitted her mistake and said she would definitely correct it and take good care of her interpersonal relationships in addition to her work.

The next day, early morning.

Although she didn't care about the anime, perhaps it was her mother's words yesterday that made Usami Mizuki unconsciously start observing.

Who are the characters in the anime "Shirobako"?

"So, there will be two songs afterwards?"

"That's right, one is a new song, and the other is an animation theme song."

Does the new song have backup dancers?

"I don't know, I forgot to ask yesterday."

Listening to the two people chatting in the elevator, Usami Mizuki seemed to be deep in thought.

Karasuma Chitose is a relatively unknown voice actress at the second-floor agency, while Ogiso Setsuna is a rising idol singer.

Of course, although he is called an idol singer, he has not actually done any idol-related work; instead, he is closer to a traditional singer.

Karasuma appears in "Shirobako" and has a fairly significant role.

As for Setsuna, she joined Musashino when the anime production was almost finished, so she was not in Shirobako.

"Good morning, Mizuki."

"Well, good morning."

Stepping out of the elevator, Usami Mizuki looked at Miyamori Aoi, who was smiling and greeting everyone not far away, and suddenly understood something.

Making this job requires contact with many people, and I've personally interacted with most of them in the company.

But to this day, I can only remember the names and faces of a handful of people. The reason is simple: I probably didn't take this job seriously.

Otherwise, he wouldn't have changed jobs again and again, and still be just getting by today.

Arriving at her workstation, looking at her colleagues who were constantly chatting about work, she suddenly felt an indescribable sense of loneliness.

'This can't go on. I must confess my feelings to Subaru as soon as possible, and regardless of success or failure, I must focus all my energy on my work afterwards.'

Thinking of this, she inexplicably breathed a sigh of relief.

"Aoi, can you come with me for a moment?"

"No problem, what's wrong?"

Only after reaching the restroom did Mizuki Usami slowly begin to speak:

"Aoi, what do you think of my work performance?"

"It's pretty good, much better than Taro."

"I've actually fallen to the point where I have to be on par with Taro. It seems I'm beyond saving. Aoi, I've made up my mind! I'll find an opportunity to confess to Subaru-kun, and after that, whether I succeed or fail, I'll focus all my attention on my work."

Are you finally mentally prepared?

"Huh...? Is it that obvious?"

"Hmm. Do you need any help? I can help you create an opportunity for you to be alone, and find a suitable atmosphere."

"Really? Thank you, Aoi, you're so kind."

No wonder she's the female lead in an anime.

"No need to be so polite. Our company doesn't have any restrictions on office romances; it's all up to the individual to be conscious of it. But it still has to be based on not affecting your work. You can decide for yourself in this regard."

"I will be careful and will absolutely not cause any impact on the surrounding area."