How to raise a random guy's wife

Kobayashi Sora shook her head. "You can think that way, but I can't."

The person being asked to do something may consider it a small favor, but it would be extremely rude of the person asking the question to think the same way.

“I have my algorithm, and you have yours…” Du Ruo’s voice carried a hint of reminiscence, then she chuckled softly, “Thinking about it now, it really isn’t easy for me to take action, after all, I’m a father now—by the way, how’s that virtual idol thing I told you about before?”

Kobayashi Sora searched her memory. "You mean the Water God? Because he was too lazy to manage things, his power was getting weaker and weaker. Now that he's had enough of being idle, he wants to collect faith again to restore his power. This character is quite interesting. Our top virtual character artist is working hard on it. It's currently in the testing phase and should be completed soon."

"That's perfect. Let the Water God handle this matter; consider it repaying the favor done to the virtual avatar."

In this way, Du Ruo was merely helping to introduce people, so the favor she received was neither too big nor too small.

The water god then reciprocated the favor by using the virtual image.

All are happy.

"Alright," Kobayashi Sora felt much more at ease with this additional assurance. "Let's do it this way."

Ultimately, he didn't intend to borrow too much power from Du Ruo.

After all, with the information he currently possesses, he has enough to ruin Hosoya and Soejima's reputations.

However, it's always good to have an extra layer of protection.

-

"Nyanmori," Kasumigaoka Utaha beckoned, "come to my office for a moment."

“Okay.” Miyamori Aoi followed Kasumigaoka Utaha into the office.

"I've looked at the information you gave me. Thank you for your hard work."

“It’s what I should do.” Miyamori Aoi recalled the information she had found earlier. “I also looked up some information about ukiyo-e.”

Miyamori Aoi handed the printed materials to Kasumigaoka Utaha.

"This is..." Kasumigaoka Utaha flipped through it and was immediately amazed by the painting on it, "Rem?"

“People have been trying to combine ukiyo-e and anime for a long time, but only works of art like this have been produced.” Aoi Miyamori sighed. “It was really hard work. The original character design was given to the engraver, who drew on wooden boards made of different mountain cherry trees and engraved 15 prints. After the prints were completed, they were handed over to the origami, whose job was to color the prints. It took several days to slowly imprint the colors. In the end, 15 wooden boards were used, and after 67 repeated engravings, the soft and lovely image of Rem was finally obtained—to create anime using this method… Mr. Fukaya was right.”

“If we really intend to make an animation like this, then that’s certainly the case,” Kasumigaoka Utaha chuckled. “But what we want is style, not form.”

Pointing at the moon with one's finger, but pointing at something other than the moon.

Pointing at the moon is meant to make people look at the moon, not at the finger pointing at it.

Being too fixated on form will cause you to overlook the essence.

Kasumigaoka Utaha now deeply understands this point.

"I see..." Miyamori Aoi seemed to understand but not quite, then suddenly came to her senses, "Ah, well, I was just talking to myself..." Even though she was called over.

“I really appreciate your enthusiasm, especially after a year of hard work.” Kasumigaoka Utaha put down the documents and comforted and encouraged you in Kobayashi Megumi’s tone. “So I want to entrust you with something very important.”

Miyamori Aoi nodded nervously. "What are the specific details?"

"Didn't you find out before that Mr. Fukaya's daughter, Ms. Hitomi, is now working as a concept artist?"

"Ah."

"I'd like you to contact her and invite her to help produce the opening and ending themes for the animation."

"Eh?"

"Can it be done?"

"I will try my best!"

“I remember, your dream was to make animation again with your friends from your student days who shared the same aspirations,” Kasumigaoka Utaha tapped her forehead, switching to Kobayashi Sora’s mode, “right?”

Miyamori Aoi didn't know why Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly brought this up. "Yes, although things aren't going well right now, I've never given up!"

“You should have information and lines for each character,” Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled. “If you know a suitable voice actress, you can have her give it a try.”

Miyamori Aoi almost instantly thought of her best friend, "Really...really?"

As the production manager, she was well aware of the difficulties of audition meetings these days.

"Of course, that's on the premise that you're capable enough." Kasumigaoka Utaha reminded her earnestly, "As long as the voice acting is up to standard and the animation quality is guaranteed, I can say with certainty that it will be absolutely realistic."

Miyamori Aoi was so excited she almost jumped up, "Thank you, Kasumigaoka-P!"

Chapter 703 Perseverance

The effect is outstanding...

Kasumigaoka Utaha only imitated it slightly, but achieved quite good results.

Breaking through your own limitations doesn't necessarily mean relying solely on your own strength.

Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled, almost confused by her own thoughts.

To be precise, it should be learning from others.

After all, if one's own strength is sufficient, there is no need to pursue any further self-breakthrough.

It is precisely because of our own shortcomings that we must find ways to overcome them.

One cannot achieve personal growth by relying on the help of peers.

However, being isolated from the outside world also prevents one from absorbing the nutrients needed for growth.

Kasumigaoka Utaha realized that what she had to do was not abandon her companions and give up her past.

Instead, they have to take on the responsibilities that were previously delegated to their companions.

She is too fixated on the form of "self-effort" and forgets the essence of "what is oneself".

Having these companions is itself a testament to her own abilities.

While we shouldn't rely on it excessively, there's no need to completely isolate ourselves from it either.

As Kobayashi Megumi said, using other people's abilities is also a kind of ability.

"If you only focus on that one goal, your vision will become narrow...?" Kasumigaoka Utaha murmured. "Let's take it slow."

The following audition meeting was the real highlight.

-

“Shizuka,” Miyamori Aoi comforted Sakamoto Shizuka, who had a red ponytail, “Don’t worry, Kasumigaoka P is a very nice person.”

"Hmm!" Shizuka Sakamoto took a deep breath.

Although she was very lucky to have such an opportunity, she was even more nervous because it was introduced by a good friend.

In the past, if an audition failed, it was considered my own fault.

If she doesn't perform well, it will embarrass Miyamori Aoi regardless of whether she is selected or not.

As a new voice actress, Shizuka Sakamoto was already used to failure.

The reason I've been able to keep going until now, besides my part-time job at an izakaya (Japanese pub), is my love for anime.

Upon entering the recording studio and pushing open the door, Shizuka Sakamoto was immediately captivated by the gazes of the people inside.

After regaining her composure, Shizuka Sakamoto immediately began to introduce herself, "I am Shizuka Sakamoto from Akagi Production. Nice to meet you!"

"Yes, please take care of me." Yin Du waved his hand. "Relax."

Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded slightly, gesturing for Sakamoto Shizuka to go inside.

Stepping into the recording studio, Shizuka Sakamoto finally calmed down a bit. "The role I'm auditioning for is Chiyo."

This is a minor supporting character in the third story. She doesn't have many scenes, but her character is close to her age, so the challenge isn't high.

Shizuka Sakamoto felt that she would be more confident in playing such a role.

"Huh? What's this? Wow, amazing! Did you make this?! How did this happen?! Waaaaaaah!!! Take it away, take it away..."

At the beginning, her voice sounded a little nervous, and she spoke a bit too fast.

As the game progressed, Shizuka Sakamoto became more relaxed and her performance improved significantly.

It should be fine... right?

As Shizuka Sakamoto was thinking this, she saw Kasumigaoka Utaha and Hashima Izumi, who had been sitting, stand up and walk to the Sound Director's side.

"Okay, thank you for your hard work." Yin Du's voice was calm. "Please wait a moment."

Under Shizuka Sakamoto's tense gaze, the three discussed for a while. The sound director pressed the button again and communicated with Shizuka Sakamoto in the recording studio, "Um... could you please audition for the role of Tae again?"

"Eh?"

Do you have the original manuscript?

"Yes! I have it!" Shizuka Sakamoto rushed to her bag, pulled out the corresponding manuscript, and, under the director's instructions, began rehearsing again. "Ah... so this is what I look like? I've lost my form... What am I doing? I clearly... I clearly didn't want this..."

Compared to Chiyo, Tae has a much larger role.

Being asked to audition for a role with more screen time can basically be considered an affirmation of her abilities.

This time it will definitely be...

After the audition ended, Shizuka Sakamoto looked out the glass and noticed that the three people who were discussing the matter did not look satisfied.

Could it be...?

"No, it won't work," the sound supervisor said bluntly. "The voice is good, but the ability to portray complex emotions is a bit lacking, after all, there's a lack of experience."

Miyamori Aoi opened her mouth, but in the end, she could only remain silent.

After all, the music director and supervisor are the ones who have the most say in this matter.

Kasumigaoka Utaha pondered seriously. To be honest, she really hadn't expected Sakamoto Shizuka to perform so well, so she had some new expectations for her.

But now... just as Yin Du said, it is indeed a little lacking.

This is still a mild way of putting it; if it's really just a little short, the sound supervisor can still help with guidance.

In reality, there's a huge difference.

“I feel…” suggested Boshima Izumi, “we could try the role of the younger sister.”

That is, Jorogumo.

“Okay.” Although the sound director was a professional, the story was written by Bodao Chuhai, and she was the one who understood the characters the most.