How to raise a random guy's wife

Take it slow... shall we?

-

"Welcome." A bell jingled softly as the door was pushed open, mingling with the tavern owner's greeting.

Short black hair, black coat, black pencil skirt with black tights.

The sound of Machida Sonoko's high heels hitting the floor had barely echoed in the bar when a languid voice followed.

"Here it comes, I've already started drinking."

The shop, with only two tables and a few seats by the counter, was not spacious, and there were very few customers. Akane Akasaka, sitting at the back of the counter, was wearing a sleeveless long dress with a slit in the hem that revealed stockings covering her legs.

"Let's have a toast first." Akane Akasaka looked at the shopkeeper. "Boss, get me a cup."

“I won’t drink.” Machida Sonoko sat down. “I have to go back to work later.”

With a somewhat subtle expression, Machida Sonoko ordered a ginger ale and clinked her glass with Akane Akasaka's.

"I also have a deadline to meet." Akane Akasaka said, then took another big gulp.

"In that case, you shouldn't drink so much."

"That's not much."

“In short,” Machida Sonoko said, taking a sip of ginger ale, “it’s been a long time, Akane.”

"I don't know how many years it's been since I had a drink with A-Yuan."

"Since you don't even know how many years have passed, stop using my online name." Machida Sonoko put down her glass. "Speaking of which, this shop is really hard to find..."

"After all, it looks exactly like a secret base, both in terms of location and appearance." Akane Kousaka raised her chin. "Thanks to that, it has become a den of weird people in the industry."

"Oh?" Machida Sonoko then noticed the layout of the store.

The walls of the tavern were not decorated with the paintings commonly found in taverns, but rather with stationery, posters, or scrolls by illustrators they were all familiar with and well-known in the fan fiction or commercial fields.

She stared at the autographed poster of "Rascal Does Not Dream of Bunny Girl Senpai" for quite a while.

"There's a screen installed on the back wall, so you can also hold animation screenings here."

"It was already chaotic enough..." Machida Sonoko took a sip of ginger ale to make sure she wasn't drunk, and skillfully reached for the skewers next to Akane Akasaka. "But speaking of which, it's been a long time."

"The last time we met was at the party hosted by Shinazugawa, but you were always by the side of the writer you were in charge of."

"No, I'm referring to personal interactions."

"In that case, it seems like it hasn't happened since graduation."

"I remember you dropped out of school...it's been over ten years, hasn't it?"

"We've always been in the same industry, but we haven't had a chance to meet yet."

"Of course, you became an overnight sensation back in college, while I've always been a subordinate editor..."

"You're an associate editor now too."

“I don’t quite agree with your style,” Machida Sonoko said, revealing the real reason.

"Humph......"

Chapter 340 Burned to ashes

“I even sent my most capable assistant to help you…” Akane Akasaka muttered.

“If you’re referring to Kobayashi Sora,” Machida Sonoko recalled their first meeting, “I didn’t feel at all that he was there to help.”

Machida Sonoko's first impression of Kobayashi Sora was not good.

Machida Sonoko felt quite conflicted when she heard someone mention Akane Akasaka's name to find her.

On one hand, she misses the old days, but on the other hand, she doesn't want the other person to be like Akane Akasaka.

That's exactly what happened.

They even used Akane Akasaka's name to get in through connections.

If the work is mediocre, then refusing it is fine.

And yet, it's still so good.

Machida Sonoko viewed Kobayashi Sora as if she were looking at a misguided, smug brat.

Akane Kousaka had a different opinion: "Sora has a great personality and is very capable."

"I admit you're capable, but how did you figure out you have a great personality?"

"Don't do things you're not sure about. When he makes a request, you can confidently entrust the task to him. Isn't that great?"

"...Hmph." Machida Sonoko took a sip of ginger ale, feeling annoyed. "What if he's prepared to do something you can't accept?"

“He’s always wanted to lock me in the basement, and I even wrote a short story about it.” Akane Akasaka narrowed her eyes slightly. “But with the big project like Malz, even he wouldn’t do something like that at this time.”

“Even without Malz, he probably wouldn’t do something like this now.”

“Yeah…she’s already married, that’s fast.” Akane Kousaka took a big gulp of her drink. “She’s changed so much, she was so cute before.”

"Does your definition of cuteness differ from the common perception?"

“Really, he’s efficient, smart, and likes to be prepared for everything.” Akane Akane’s finger twirled on the rim of her glass. “When he’s almost ready, introduce a variable and he’ll swallow back his prepared remarks and continue preparing in silence—like a hamster in a cage, puffing out its cheeks with food and running around on its wheelchair.”

"I think I know why his personality is so twisted."

"Shouldn't we get to the main topic?"

"The decision regarding Malz is in your hands, isn't it, Akane?"

The tone of the conversation suddenly changed.

"The first prerequisite is that 'Chronicles of the Universe XIII' must be released at the end of the year, so Malz's period of keeping Kasumi Shiko tied to him is at most this year. He will be returned to Shinazugawa next year, so you can rest assured."

“Of course I know about this. Her new work is already prepared to last until next year.” Machida Sonoko stared at Akane Kousaka. “So why this year?”

"Ok?"

"The script for the dialogue should be finished by the end of August, right? Kasumi Shiko is still a university student. Quantity is one thing, but expecting her to produce the quality you demand in such a short time?"

"It's not difficult, all you have to do is die."

"What nonsense are you talking about!"

"The metaphor is the appearance of something burning out completely."

"What difference does it make! For a creator, burning out is just death, isn't it?"

"After resting for half a year, they will recover..." Akane Kousaka paused, "Seventy-three percent of people can."

"Stop fooling around!"

Putting aside the nonchalant tone, the precision of these figures is almost excessive.

Machida Sonoko suppressed her anger, "If we're making an RPG, why is the development time so short?"

"Because I can do it."

Not everyone is like you!

"That's why I got this project," Akane Kousaka added.

Since only Akane Akasaka can accomplish this, Malz only has this one option.

"Anything else?" Machida Sonoko knew that even so, Malz wouldn't take the risk easily.

"If the release date is delayed due to my mistake, I will pay them a penalty equal to the compensation."

Akane Kousaka might make a profit, but Malz will never lose.

The familiar style of a large company.

"Setting conditions like that... if the release date is delayed, wouldn't you be working for nothing...?"

"Don't worry, I don't intend to drag Kasumi Shiko and Kashiwagi Eri into the responsibility. If the release date is delayed due to their inefficiency, I will pay their compensation out of my own pocket."

"are you crazy!"

“I know this better than you do.” Akane Kousaka took a sip of her drink. “If we don’t compromise to that extent, Malz won’t have completely handed this job over to me… In that case, the production team won’t be able to be revamped, and the Chronicles of the Universe series will continue to decline.”

"Do you really need to shoulder such a heavy responsibility?"

"I just love using the Global Era Chronology system, you know that, right, A-Yuan!"

"..."

That was during the university's manga club's orientation party.

The three new members who joined that year were assigned to the same table by chance. Naturally, they had to talk about their experiences as otaku up until high school. There were arguments and laughter, and their relationship became closer as a result.

Machida remembered...

Akane Kousaka's creative inspiration came from the first generation of "Chronicles of the Universe" that she played in elementary school.

It's been so long already.

Machida Sonoko gripped her cup. "Then you shouldn't have dragged them along..."

"First of all, they joined on their own; secondly, they're dragging me down now; and finally, if they lose money, it's on me, and if they make money, everyone gets a share." Akane Akasaka sneered. "That's how creators are. They become complacent as soon as they relax, and they only grow rapidly under pressure. They joined because they knew this—don't treat Kasumi Shiko like a fledgling in your nest."

"I can't believe you'd say something like that. You clearly value Kashiwagi Eri more than Kasumi Utako." Machida Sonoko's tone was full of the feeling that "my child is not as good as others."

“Because Kashiwagi Eri isn’t very bright… not a creative brain. So, she doesn’t know how to utilize her abilities. Someone like Kasumi Utako, who is bright, knows how to control herself. So when she really can’t keep going, she knows to take a break.” Akane Akasaka gave a gentle, wry smile. “Idiots don’t understand where their limits are; they just charge ahead with all their might.”

"Eri Kashiwagi?"

“That’s right, an idiot just like me.” Akane Kousaka’s gaze drifted into the distance. “You saw it, didn’t you? That key visual for *Chronicles of the Universe XIII*…”

"Thinking about it now, it still feels like a dream, like, 'Did I really see something that amazing?'"

"Did you know that drawing only took a few days to complete?" Akane Akasaka's wry smile gradually turned into amusement. "She really is an idiot."

Chapter 341 Self-Affirmation

“Indeed, that picture showcased Kashiwagi Eri’s potential, and everyone knows she will become a great artist.” Machida Sonoko frowned in dissatisfaction. “But I can’t accept that you look down on Kasumi Utako compared to Kashiwagi Eri. You’ll regret it sooner or later if you belittle her like that.”

“I thought you came to demand someone back,” Akane Kousaka raised an eyebrow, “but you’ve come to correct my thinking?”