How to raise a random guy's wife

"what are you thinking?"

"What were you thinking?" Kobayashi Megumi asked, puzzled. "I just wanted to."

“No…” Machida Sonoko considered how to ask, “Why would I think that… no, it’s not quite right, it’s some kind of psychology… that doesn’t seem accurate either…”

“I understand.” Kobayashi Megumi understood Machida Sonoko’s meaning. “You want to ask why I prefer closer physical contact after the change in our relationship dynamic?”

"Yes, that's exactly what I mean."

"Not the physical kind, but the primal psychological drive, right?"

"Mmm." Machida Sonoko really liked Kobayashi Megumi's comprehension skills.

"He probably wants to control the pace himself."

"Isn't this still a physical issue?"

"That's not the right rhythm~" Kobayashi Megumi added further, "Didn't we just talk about Sora Aoi's personality?"

"I've said it several times."

"He seems a little lost about the new way of getting along, since I was the one who made the change."

“I understand.” Machida Sonoko understood perfectly.

"After establishing a new relationship, he was somewhat at a loss. They got along very well before, and after establishing a relationship, they should get along even better, but he didn't know what to do. Or rather, it was precisely because they got along so well before that he didn't know how to get along even better."

“I understand!” Machida Sonoko understood perfectly.

Machida Sonoko felt as if Kobayashi Megumi's mouth was on her heart, and that everything she said was what was in her heart.

“Although his bewildered look is cute, I don’t want him to be troubled like this forever, so I can only guide him little by little.” Kobayashi Megumi smiled. “After we established a new relationship, he didn’t know what to do. He didn’t know what to do when I was cooking, what to do when I was doing my homework, what to do when other people were around, what to do when we were alone…”

“That’s right, that’s right.” Machida Sonoko kept nodding.

"So I showed him through my actions that I wanted to kiss him while cooking, while doing homework, when other people were around, and even when we were alone." Kobayashi Megumi's bright eyes sparkled. "I told him I wanted to be with him, and after we were together, I wanted to be even closer, and after that, I wanted to stay close to him, and... well, words can't express my feelings, so I wanted to convey my love in a more direct way. I wanted to help him adapt to the new relationship faster, get used to the new life more quickly, and then... immerse himself in it like I did."

Machida Sonoko looked towards Kobayashi Sora outside the kitchen.

She's really so jealous right now.

Machida Sonoko originally thought she knew how happy Kobayashi Sora was.

Now, after hearing what Kobayashi Megumi said, Machida Sonoko realized that she could never have imagined Kobayashi Sora's happiness.

Machida Sonoko is so sour... eh?

Machida Sonoko's gaze shifted, landing on Akane Akasaka.

It seems... there's no need to be jealous of others.

So that's what Akane Kousaka was thinking.

"benefit......"

"Ok?"

“Thank you,” Machida Sonoko said with a relaxed smile. “I’ve learned a lot.”

"No need to thank me, I was much happier talking about it." Kobayashi Megumi tilted her head, "About everything with Sora Ao."

Machida Sonoko couldn't help but feel jealous.

what 's wrong?

Even though she has her own love, she still gets jealous of Hui and Kong Qing's relationship.

Machida Sonoko secretly resolved that one day she would make them jealous.

Sooner or later!

She seemed to be planning something... Akane Akasaka withdrew her gaze from Sonoko Machida in the kitchen and checked Mayu Sagara's phone in her hand, "Cells at Work!"

“Hmm,” Mayu Sagara briefly explained the origins of the project, “...That’s what Megumi and Sora said. I was also very interested in this subject matter, but when I actually started working on it, I felt a bit lost. I’m good at character design, but when it comes to the story...I’ve already come up with eight different beginnings.”

Akane Akasaka swiped the screen. "Hmm, you don't have any relevant experience before, right? I mean manga, or stories."

"I've only had a little exposure to it, but I haven't tried it myself."

"A blank sheet of paper...how do you want to leave?"

"Huh?" Mayu Sagara asked, puzzled. "Which way do you mean?"

"Simply put, it's about the right path and the wrong path," Akane Akasaka explained. "If you just want to become popular, you should naturally take the wrong path, and you'll get there quickly. But if you really want to create a good work, you have to hone your skills slowly on the right path."

Mayu Sagara answered directly and realistically, "I don't need to worry about income. I don't have any ambition to become a hit. I'd rather turn this great idea into a great manga!"

Chapter 906 Basic Elements

Akane Kousaka sighed, "This is difficult..."

Sagara Mayu leaned forward slightly. "I was prepared for this! I will do my best!"

"That's good." Akane Akasaka put down her phone. "Then I'll be blunt, none of these will work."

"Huh?" Mayu Sagara was somewhat incredulous. "All of them?"

"The only redeeming quality is the character design; the rest is rubbish." Akane Kousaka rested her chin on her hand. "That's why I asked you for directions, because I have absolutely no idea what you're drawing."

A little scared, Bo Island pressed on, "Um... what exactly does that mean?"

"If you want to draw unorthodox works, then you need to study what manga readers like: exquisite artwork, comfortable panel layouts, beautiful and handsome characters, and simple and refreshing stories; if you want to draw mainstream works, you need to figure out what you want to draw and what you want to express." Akane Akane raised her eyes, "Look at what you've drawn, it's full of pandering to readers and self-satisfaction. If you want to do both, you'll get nothing."

Sagara Mayu humbly asked for advice, "Then how should I draw it?"

"Ugh~ Here comes the worst problem." Akane Kousaka tilted her head. "If you need me to direct you to draw what I want to see, then what use are you? Not knowing what to draw is like walking in the dark on slippery ground. In that state, any guidance is useless. How can you achieve your goal if you don't even know your own purpose?"

“Don’t scare her,” Machida Sonoko approached Akane Kousaka and patted her on the shoulder. “Mayu doesn’t have any prior experience, so you can start by teaching her from the basics. Isn’t that a good idea?”

"Don't sabotage her..." Akane Kousaka muttered, "She's about to get scared."

Mayu Sagara: "...Huh?"

“She always does this: she establishes her authority first, making sure others listen before she starts giving instructions,” Machida Sonoko explained with a smile. “This saves time; otherwise, if she says a lot but the other person doesn’t listen, it’s all for nothing.”

Akane Kousaka tilted her head. "If you know, then don't tell her."

“Mayu has been working at RER for a long time, and I’ve seen her dedication and hard work. There’s no need to resort to those methods.” Machida Sonoko poked Akane Akasaka’s cheek. “Do you really enjoy being seen as the bad guy?”

"Hmm?" Akane Akane vaguely sensed that Machida Sonoko seemed to have changed. She glanced in the direction of the kitchen. After Machida Sonoko came out, Kobayashi Sora went to the kitchen to help.

What did Kobayashi Megumi and Machida Sonoko say before?

“Alright, I’ll start with the basics.” Akane Kousaka picked up a pen and paper. “What others think is their business. When I’m drawing manga, there are four essential elements that I must keep in mind. In order of importance, they are: characters, plot, world-building, and theme. These four elements are not independent of each other, but rather complement and influence each other. And what enhances and coordinates these elements is the powerful tool—drawing. Language, that is, dialogue and narration, plays a supporting role in this process.”

Mayu Sagara stared at the four circles on the paper, trying hard to understand Akane Akasaka's words.

“This is something you have to keep in mind at all times. That’s how manga artists do it, and editors use the same standards when judging a work,” Machida Sonoko added, helping Sagara Mayu understand. “We analyze whether the characters are well-developed, whether the plot is engaging, how well the world-building is done, whether the theme is consistent, the drawing skills… to see if these elements are balanced. In this way, the strengths and weaknesses of the work will naturally come to the surface. For example, if the characters in the work are not well-developed enough, readers may not want to read it. Works that fail to gain readers’ approval often have flaws at the character level. As long as we can identify the problem, we can think about how to adjust it next.”

“I see,” Mayu Sagara said, understanding a little better. “I’m still in the early stages, and I only have some experience with roles.”

“Don’t say that,” Akane Kousaka waved her hand, “Your character isn’t that great either, all show and no substance.”

Machida Sonoko's voice was unfriendly, "Ashia..."

"Okay, okay... I'll explain properly." Akane Kousaka sketched on the paper, "Among the four basic elements, characters and world-building are especially important. Just one of them can support a work. There are also manga artists who claim that manga doesn't need a plot. Although that's a bit extreme, it's true that a manga without a plot is possible."

Akane Akane's gaze shifted slightly. "Works like Eriri's 'Hara Takagi-san' are typical examples that revolve around the characters. There are no dramatic plot twists; it's like a diary, telling the story of a family of three's daily life and some interesting things they encounter. These kinds of works are supported by the characters' every move and personality."

"I love it!" Just thinking about going out to sea to Po Island warms my heart. "How should I put it, it's the kind of story that makes you feel very relaxed."

"In contrast, there's 'Mushishi,' which focuses on world-building, depicting a world of creatures invisible to the naked eye, telling stories about various phenomena caused by insects and the events that unfold because of them." Akane Kousaka paused. "In other words, a work can succeed if you focus on one of the four basic elements. There are countless works with terrible plots that become hits because of the charm of their characters. There are also many works that firmly grasp readers through their story and plot, and there are also works that focus on interpreting world-building."

Mayu Sagara gradually understood, "All I need to do is find what I'm best at and do my best to show it off?"

“While excellent works each have their own focus, it doesn’t mean that focusing on one element will create an excellent work,” Machida Sonoko cautioned. “If you want to follow the classic path, you need a balance of the four basic elements. For example, while Mushishi is primarily about its world-building, its plot is equally engaging. Only when all other elements are at least adequate can a strength truly be a strength.”

"Conversely, those works that leave you with doubts—for example, those you don't particularly like but which are highly praised by readers—can also be analyzed using the theory of the four basic elements," Akane Kousaka added. "In this way, you'll find that although the characters or plot of this work may have flaws, and I may not like them very much, the world-building is exceptionally well done, which is why everyone gives it such high praise. By only looking at the shortcomings of other works, you can at most avoid the same shortcomings. Only by understanding the strengths of other works can you learn to improve yourself."

Chapter 907 Reviewing the Old to Learn the New

Machida Sonoko gazed at Akane Akasaka's profile, watching her earnestly discuss creative matters, and suddenly remembered that a long time ago, she had looked at her in the same way.

Back then, Akane Akasaka wasn't as experienced as she is now. When talking about her creative process, she focused on the themes she wanted to express, shared reader feedback, talked about her expectations for the future, and expressed her joy at the anime adaptation.

so good.

That's what Machida Sonoko thought at that time.

Akane Akasaka is truly amazing for being able to convey what she wants to say to so many people.

Akane Akasaka is needed by many people, which makes Sonoko Machida very envious.

And then... that was it.

Because of the failure of the anime adaptation, Akane Kousaka was abandoned by readers.

so good.

At that time, Machida Sonoko had such despicable thoughts.

In this way, you can also become someone who is needed.

Just when she wanted to comfort Akane and offer her some help, Akane dropped out of school.

In the days that followed, Akane Akasaka began her journey to become the queen of multimedia.

After graduation, Machida Sonoko would occasionally hear news about Akane Akasaka.

Or did you pay special attention to it?

Who knows?

Machida Sonoko heard that Akane Akasaka had bound her works to a contract, and that if the publisher did not abide by the contract and tried to sell the works to other media, she would transfer all the copyrights of the existing works to other publishers.

"That's really domineering," Machida Sonoko heard someone say.

What kind of domineering behavior is this? Compared to turning someone else's beloved work into a piece of garbage, Akane Kousaka's actions should be considered merciful.

so good.

Knowing that Akane Akasaka is still creating, Sonoko Machida is genuinely happy for her.

One failed animation adaptation did not defeat her.