How to raise a random guy's wife

With a thud, Kobayashi Megumi lay on the mat, her head resting on Kobayashi Sora's legs. "Then Mommy's going to lie down~"

"Huh?" Ran Kobayashi was taken aback. "Can older children lie down too?"

“Yes~” Kobayashi Megumi fiddled with Kobayashi Sora’s fingers, “Daddy likes this too, right, Daddy?”

Feeling the warmth of his wife's fingertips, Kobayashi Sora lowered his head and replied, "That's right."

Xiaolin Lan happily snuggled up to her mother and lay down. Her mother's warm embrace immediately made her sleepy, and she yawned, "Haven't we started yet?"

"It'll be here soon." Kobayashi Sora looked up at the sky.

As soon as he finished speaking, a point of light shot into the sky.

boom!

With a loud bang, a dazzling light burst forth in the air, bursting into brilliant colors, its bright radiance shimmering like fireworks.

Ran Kobayashi suddenly opened her eyes, which had just closed, and saw the fireworks blooming one after another.

"Wow~" Although it wasn't her first time seeing fireworks, the spectacular scene still made Ran Kobayashi exclaim in surprise.

The sound seemed to transform into tangible waves, crashing against the body along with the dazzling light.

A burst of light bloomed and bloomed again in the night sky, and the exploding fireworks outlined the shape of flower petals in the air before disappearing amidst people's exclamations, replaced by more and more beautiful brilliance.

"So beautiful..." Xiao Linlan turned her head to look beside her, "Mommy, Mommy, can you see it?"

"Yes, Mom saw it too." Kobayashi Megumi looked up at the sky, fiddling with Kobayashi Sora's fingers. "It's so beautiful."

"Did Eriri's mom and Utaha's mom see it too?"

“I saw it,” Kasumigaoka Utaha replied softly. “It’s very big and beautiful.”

With a series of bangs, more points of light shot into the sky.

"That's great..." Eriri's face was illuminated by the fireworks.

A long time ago, she also watched the fireworks in the sky like this.

At that time, she was on the second floor of her family's villa, listening to her parents and those powerful figures downstairs talking about things she couldn't understand.

The scenery is beautiful, the location is excellent, and the view is superb.

But it's not that good either.

Despite the lively atmosphere, she was the only one on the balcony.

If so many things hadn't happened later, I'd probably still be on the second-floor balcony, gazing at the sky, savoring the tranquility amidst the noise.

Whoosh—~

Fireworks of all sizes burst open one after another in the sky, their dazzling lights layered upon each other, creating a colorful picture against the deep blue sky.

Eriri still watches the fireworks just like she did back then.

But it's not quite the same as before.

"How wonderful..." Ran Kobayashi murmured, "There are beautiful fireworks here too."

"Hmm?" Kobayashi Sora lowered her head. "Why do you say that?"

"Because the fireworks will be over soon," Ran Kobayashi waved her little hand, "just like the last time we went to see them together."

Ran tilted her head back, her beautiful eyes sparkling. "Ranran was worried she wouldn't be able to see them again... but they're here, and they're everywhere else too... even the pretty fireworks that end quickly, we can see them again and again... It's so wonderful!"

"Yes," said Kobayashi Megumi, hugging her daughter. "It's so nice."

Fleeting beauty will not end in an instant.

Instead, it will reappear time and time again in life, continuing to perpetuate happiness.

Kobayashi Sora's eyes were gentle as she rested her chin on Kobayashi Megumi's shoulder, feeling the warmth of her cheek with her own.

As Ran Kobayashi said:

That's great.

Whether it's fireworks or you and me embracing.

Chapter 769 Fireworks

The coastline I gazed at that day

I can still remember it to this day.

Words carved in the sand

and your back

surging waves

What exactly did it sweep away as it passed by my feet?

In calm and tranquil

Only dusk quietly slips away.

A burst of light

Fireworks came into view

Summer must not be over yet.

Untie the knots of ambiguity and reconnect tightly.

May this night never end~~~

Shibuya Kanon pressed down on the guitar strings, ending her a cappella performance. "How was it?"

"Hmm..." Kobayashi Sora confessed, "My ability in music appreciation is really limited." He looked at Kobayashi Megumi, "President, what do you think?"

"It's wonderful, this unique feeling." Kobayashi Megumi organized her thoughts, "It starts with memories, using various images to awaken people's memories, and when it evokes resonance, it uses the sound of fireworks as a transition, like the morning bell and evening drum, to shift the listener's thoughts from past memories to the beautiful scenery in front of them, and guide their emotions from lamenting the past to cherishing the present... Do you have any ideas for adding more compact drumbeats to the chorus?"

"That's the feeling!" Lan Qiansha waved her little hands, mimicking the sound of drumming. "It's like fireworks exploding, bang bang bang!"

"This is also an idea that came to me at the fireworks festival. When I was trying to find the feeling of the past, there was a moment when I realized that everything in front of me would also become a memory of the past, and then I wanted to immerse myself more in the present..." Shibuya Kanon paused, "But Megumi, when did you become so knowledgeable about music?"

"I don't know much about it... it's just that Lanlan was interested, so I made some contact." Kobayashi Megumi waved her hand. "By the way, are you free tonight?"

"Yes, there is..." Lan Qiansha asked curiously, "What's wrong?"

"The anime 'Mononoke' premieres tonight," Kobayashi Sora replied. "The production team plans to watch it together. If you're interested, you can join us too."

"Is it okay?" Shibuya Kanon hesitated. "We weren't involved in the production..."

"It's similar in nature to a movie screening, and since you've been involved in a lot of animation production before, you can certainly attend," Kobayashi Megumi chuckled. "There will be lots of delicious food."

Lan Qiansha suddenly remembered something important, "What about Lanlan tonight...?"

“Lanlan is at her maternal grandparents’ house.” Kobayashi Sora wouldn’t forget her precious daughter, of course. “My mother-in-law keeps talking about Lanlan, she probably won’t be back for a few days.”

Yoshinaga Hiromi has been reluctant to have children, while Grandma Kato dotes on Kobayashi Ran and takes both Mochi and Ran to her house whenever she has time.

“Alright,” Shibuya Kanon also wanted to experience that atmosphere, since she might be involved in it in the future. “I’ll come over with Chi tonight.”

-

"I thought you weren't coming..." Eriri muttered, "Don't you hate this kind of useless socializing the most?"

“I really didn’t think of that,” Kasumigaoka Utaha glared at her. “Who told you not to make dinner?”

Eriri snapped, "It's my fault!? Why would I cook for you when I have food to eat!"

"You two still have such a good relationship," Shibuya Kanon greeted.

Arashi Chisara nudged Shibuya Kanon, "If you were to say something like that..."

Eriri scoffed, "Who's on good terms with her!"

Lan Qiansha shrugged, "That's how it will turn out."

Chatting and laughing, the group walked into the meeting room together.

The normally serious conference room was now bustling with activity. Although it was already past midnight, the room was brightly lit, and people sat around a conference table laden with drinks and snacks, chatting in small groups.

"This issue's most anticipated is definitely Fate..." "Judging by viewership, it should be Gundam G." "Huh? It's a bit unreasonable not to immediately claim it's their own *Mononoke*!" "..."

"No, no, no..." Bo Island hurriedly waved his hands, "The others are clearly more powerful!"

"You have to have confidence now!" Mayu Sagara shook her drink. "A lot of people online are looking forward to it."

Fumio Sagara nodded repeatedly, "After all, the art style is unique, isn't it?"

“An underdog is an underdog,” Iori Hashima said bluntly. “Right now, it seems the only thing we can do is work on awards. Secretary Kobayashi, are you making any efforts regarding awards?”

"It's not a big problem, since there's less competition." Kobayashi Sora took a sip of Ramune soda. "But there's no use rushing these things. Even if everything goes smoothly, it will take about half a year."

"Speaking of which, Honda, the former production manager, lost 20 kilograms after leaving the company."

"Huh? Didn't he open a bakery? How did he manage to lose weight?"

"I'm not opening a shop to cook for myself. After I stopped making animations, my schedule became more stable, so I lost weight."

"Miaosen, you should also pay attention to your sleep schedule, otherwise you'll end up like that in the blink of an eye."

"No way!" Aoi Miyamori, currently serving as production supervisor, said, "I... I'll be very careful, it shouldn't be..."

"Ah, Kasumigaoka P!" Someone noticed Kasumigaoka Utaha and her group. "Thank you for your hard work."

"Wow! Kanon, Chihiro! I'm your fan!"

"Over here~" Mayu Sagara and Eriri waved.

Everyone took their seats and chatted casually about various topics.

The official start of the anime's broadcast indicates that the previous work has been progressing smoothly. Although the work ahead remains heavy, it's okay to take a break for now.

"Ah... I'm so nervous." Concept artist Hitomi took a deep breath. "I don't even know how it will turn out."

“It’s no use being nervous at this point,” Fukaya comforted her daughter. “If you’re satisfied, continue; if you’re not, keep trying. Ultimately, animation is a process of compromise; there’s no such thing as perfection.”

“Yes, yes, yes…” Renmei agreed repeatedly, handing the tea to her father.

As the performer looked towards the sea off Po Island, he said, "Director, the live broadcast is about to begin."

"Ah... um... that..." Poshima Chuihai stammered, clearly flustered. "I... I..."