Got It

Like most creators, Gu Xue worked best in the dead of night. The later it got, the better she felt.

After drawing the expressions—no, the facial designs—for Akko, the protagonist of Little Witch Academia, she had finished most of the character designs. Gu Xue began working on some background concept art. That was usually the job of the background department lead or art director, but the backgrounds' compatibility with the rest of the work, along with the control of color and atmosphere, were among the main factors in a project's success or failure.

She planned to draw a few backgrounds for the story's main settings, like the school in Little Witch Academia and Luna Nova Tower, where the Philosopher's Stone was kept. They could establish the overall style of the series and give the others something to reference. Even if she was just drawing them for her own enjoyment, they were bound to be useful. And even if they weren't used in the end, they'd influence the other creators to some extent.

They would make the series more like the Little Witch Academia in Gu Xue's mind.

Of course, backgrounds were only base images, something like basic sketch designs. Gu Xue didn't have the skills to handle the other parts, such as coloring.

After drawing a few rough background sketches, Gu Xue finally began working on the story itself.

At first, she'd only meant to draw a few scenes: the protagonists' school life, their trip to the ancient labyrinth, and the protagonist's final battle with the dragon. Then she'd explain the story to Misawa Hiroshi, who would draw the storyboards.

But as Gu Xue went over the story in her mind, she began drawing without thinking. By the time she came to her senses, she'd filled a thick stack of paper. She'd sketched out almost the whole story—it was practically a storyboard.

Outside, the sky was already starting to brighten.

Gu Xue put down her pencil and glanced at the thick stack of pages covered in drawings beside her. She scratched her cheek, feeling a little embarrassed.

She'd practically done most of the important preliminary work herself. If Misawa Hiroshi was feeling lazy, he could even make a few changes to her shots, transfer them onto storyboard paper, and use them as storyboards directly.

If she showed him all this, would he think she was trying to stage a rebellion and take over as director...?

Whatever.

Gu Xue thought it over for a while, then picked up the milk that Miss Mihara had brought the night before and drank it. She decided not to worry about it.

She didn't think Misawa Hiroshi was that petty. Besides, it was only for reference.

Gu Xue put the now-empty milk carton back on the desk, stood up, and stretched. Then she took out her phone to check the time.

The moment she saw it, her expression changed.

Oh no.

It was already six in the morning.

Gu Rou...

Gu Xue gave a bitter laugh, gathered up everything she'd drawn during the night, and carried it out of the conference room to leave at her desk. Then she hurried out of the office, walked a short distance, and caught the train.

A little over ten minutes later, Gu Xue got home.

She opened the front door stealthily, afraid Gu Rou might be sitting on the sofa.

Thankfully, Gu Rou wasn't in the living room.

Gu Xue let out a breath, thinking she hadn't come back yet or was still asleep. She quickly tiptoed upstairs, planning to get into bed as fast as possible and pretend she'd been home for ages.

But as soon as she opened her bedroom door, Gu Xue let out a short, startled cry. She wore an expression that said, "I'm in trouble," hunched her shoulders, and tried to back away slowly.

Gu Rou was lying in her bed...

But Gu Rou was a light sleeper. The moment she heard the door open, she opened her eyes and looked at Gu Xue, who was peeking in from the doorway.

Knowing she couldn't escape, Gu Xue forced a smile and called out, "Sis."

Gu Rou climbed out of bed, shuffled over in her slippers, grabbed Gu Xue's cheeks, and tugged them apart.

"What did I tell you before?"

Gu Xue slumped her shoulders. It didn't hurt, exactly; she was just a little embarrassed.

"I'll be more careful next time," Gu Xue said softly.

"You said that last time."

Gu Xue: "..."

When Gu Rou saw that she had nothing to say, she sighed and let go of her cheeks. Then she rubbed Gu Xue's soft face with her palm, chiding her in exasperation. "Your big sister works herself to the bone, leaving early and coming home late, just so you can live comfortably and enjoy your youth. You don't have to stay up every night like me and age before your time. And yet here you are, making yourself suffer."

"I'm not aging, I'm not aging. You'll be eighteen forever, Sis." Gu Xue knew she'd gotten away with what happened tonight, so she mumbled her reply and slipped in a little flattery.

Gu Rou tugged Gu Xue's cheeks and led her to the bed. Exasperated but concerned, she said, "All right, hurry up and go to sleep."

"Ah..." Gu Xue felt as if she'd been granted a reprieve. She kicked off her shoes, threw herself onto the bed, buried her face in the covers, and sighed with relief.

"Honestly, what are you like?" Gu Rou murmured reproachfully. She lifted Gu Xue's long legs, which were hanging off the bed, and moved them onto the mattress. Then she pulled back the covers and sat down beside her.

"You're sleeping with me?" Gu Xue wasn't particularly surprised by this.

Although Gu Rou always said that her little sister could do whatever she wanted, she was actually the one who stayed up late most often.

After all, she worked in prepared foods, and she was a stubborn perfectionist. She spent far more time at work than at home.

She usually got back around three in the morning. It was hard work, and the first thing she did when she came home was check Gu Xue's room. If Gu Xue wasn't back, she'd call and urge her to come home. If she was, Gu Rou would head back to her own room and sleep in peace.

But sometimes, she was just too tired, and she'd sleep with Gu Xue instead.

At first, whenever Gu Xue woke in the middle of the night and found someone lying beside her, she'd get a fright. After a while, she got used to it.

"Going back to my room is too much trouble," Gu Rou replied. She lay down, wrapped an arm around Gu Xue's neck, and drew her closer. Her face relaxed into a smile, as if she'd snuggled beneath the covers on a winter day and didn't have to go to work. She looked so happy she might burst.

"I want you to enjoy your youth, but that doesn't mean you should go looking for a boyfriend. You're still young, and you're at your most beautiful right now. A lot of men might have ulterior motives when they approach you. You need to grow up a little more before you start thinking about things like that." Gu Rou's eyes were half closed. She was so tired she was almost asleep, but she still gathered her energy to lecture Gu Xue.

Gu Xue rested a hand on her sister's shoulder and replied softly, "Got it."

"...Marriages made in a moment of passion usually don't last. And sweet talk only sounds nice for a little while. Don't let anyone fool you." Gu Rou was silent for a long time. Just as Gu Xue thought she'd fallen asleep, she spoke softly again.

"Got it." Gu Xue adjusted her position, feeling sleepy herself. After replying, she drifted into a deep sleep.