Chapter 113 Each Shines Their Own: A Survival Guide for Time-Difference Lovers

That being said.

Back in the somewhat empty villa, Risa habitually glanced at the corner of the sofa. In the quiet moment, longing quietly spread, seeping into her very bones.

Yukimura's first message after arriving in Madrid was a photo: outside the window was a bright blue sky in a foreign land and the outline of an unfamiliar city.

The accompanying text read: "I've landed. The sunlight here isn't as bright as it is in Tokyo when you're here."

Risa, holding her phone, replied with a smile: "You smooth talker. Mr. Jet lag, please get some rest."

The six-hour time difference, like an invisible strait, was gradually bridged by their tacit understanding.

What is morning in Yukimura is afternoon in Risa.

On the way to the training ground, he would share the colors of the clay courts under the morning sun, or some interesting little detail about the Nadal Academy.

Risa often listened to his clear, gentle voice through her earphones as she organized her materials after finishing her studies at nightfall. He would recount the day's training details, occasionally interspersed with a few touching words of love.

University life is fulfilling and full of challenges.

Risa's major courses are very demanding, and she often stays in the library until closing time.

For safety reasons, she applied for university accommodation.

All three roommates are gentle and easy to get along with. However, in addition to her heavy coursework, Risa also has to take care of modeling shoots and LUMIERA Co., Ltd. Although they get along well, they ultimately find it difficult to become close friends.

In early April, LUMIERA's first merchandise product after becoming an independent company, the "Graduation Season Princes Limited Series," sold out quickly upon release, even surpassing the sales of the previously popular Twenty-Four Solar Terms cards, setting a new record for fan-made derivative products.

After that, the doujinsha continued to release merchandise featuring the new generation of tennis regulars from various schools, but the designers were changed to a professional team recruited and assembled by Keigo Atobe from his art foundation.

Risa has shifted all her creative focus to the original design department, concentrating on product lines such as jewelry, scarves, and bags that offer greater personal artistic expression and cultural integration.

With the knowledge she had accumulated in her previous life and her timeless aesthetic intuition, she took a shortcut and quickly established a unique brand identity in the market.

Of course, this was also due to Atobe's instigation.

Meanwhile, Chinatsu is a senior in high school, busy preparing for her exams. The operation and development of the doujinshi series is entirely entrusted to Asuka, with Yuzuki assisting.

Asuka often brings along her childhood friend, Masaharu Niou, to help with offline events and promotions.

As Yuzuki's workload in financial management increased, she gradually handed over the fan fiction section to Niou.

So, the white fox, who was initially just brought in to "join in the fun," unknowingly delved into the core of the project. With his excellent adaptability and natural talent for deception—or rather, communication—he resolved several minor crises in cooperation and sales, and eventually became a formal member of the team.

Occasionally, when Risa is working late into the night revising designs, she receives reports of successful sales from Asuka, or requests for feedback on line art for new doujinshi products.

As expected of Asuka, a top student majoring in business administration, and having inherited the true teachings of the capitalist heiress, Yuzuki, her business acumen and planning abilities have found a stage to shine since she took over the doujinshi projects.

Building on previous popular initiatives, they have launched a series of marketing activities, such as "Popularity Vote for New Generation Tennis Players" and "Limited-Edition Merchandise Giveaway for School Festival," firmly grasping the pain points and consumption psychology of their fan base.

Through a series of interconnected operations, LUMIERA's doujinshi business has seen its popularity soar in the market and among fans.

Many students at the university started dating and formed couples. As someone who was part of the entertainment industry, Risa wasn't immune to new advances.

Talented students from her department, cheerful upperclassmen, and even sons of celebrities and politicians have all subtly expressed their admiration for her.

But Risa always smiled, casually raising her hand to tuck stray hairs behind her ear, revealing the gold bracelet and the Two Lives Bracelet on her wrist.

"I'm sorry, I've already made a promise with someone for this life and the next."

This was her unchanging answer for countless years. Over time, no one dared to disturb her.

His image began to appear more often in her personal sketchbook: a silhouette from behind, a pair of smiling purple eyes, or an exaggerated depiction of his "gentle spring breeze" expression when he was jealous, accompanied by sarcastic text.

Longing became the nourishment for creation.

-

Video calls are a regular activity for them every two weeks.

"Get a little closer to the camera... the image froze a bit, I couldn't see it clearly." On the other side of the screen, Yukimura had just finished showering and was drying his wet hair.

Risa held up her newly issued driver's license to the camera and waved it proudly: "Can you see it clearly now? It's a valid driver's license! I passed on the first try in just 15 days~ Amazing, right?"

"So efficient?" Yukimura raised an eyebrow slightly. "Could it be that you took some kind of 'shortcut'? Like... borrowing the experience of a veteran driver from a 'previous life'?"

"Hmph, what's in my head is mine!" Risa confidently took back her driver's license, then picked up her tablet computer, the screen displaying densely packed vehicle information and parameters.

"Oh?" Yukimura noticed the content on her screen. "Is Risa... planning to buy a car?"

“Yes,” she looked up, her eyes sparkling, and began to draw up a blueprint.

"Having a car is so much more convenient. It makes it much easier to go out on short trips or to places further away. I've also made plans with Yuzuki and Asuka to drive to the countryside for a camping trip when the weather gets a bit cooler!"

After chatting about their recent situations, Risa went on to talk in detail about her recent studies and the progress of preparations for LUMIERA's new original line series "Floating Light".

Yukimura listened quietly on the other end, his gaze always fixed on her face, a gentle smile on his face.

Occasionally, he would quietly interject, "No matter how tight the schedule is, remember to take a break."

"Don't worry, I'm taking care of my health," she replied with a smile. "But you, your jawline seems more defined. Have you been eating properly?"

"The food in the cafeteria is really not to my liking," Yukimura said with a hint of pity. "I want to eat Risa's curry."

Risa couldn't help but laugh. "Is this a compliment or a sarcastic remark?"

After all, the only thing she could really offer was curry, and even that was rather mediocre.

“Of course it’s a compliment.” Yukimura smiled slightly at the camera. “So, I’ve recently started learning to cook for myself.”

"You? Cook?" Risa was shocked.

“Yes,” he nodded, his tone gentle, “Although I only know how to make omelet rice and miso soup right now… I can make them for you to try next time I come back.”

“Great!” Risa’s eyes lit up, and she immediately chimed in, “Then I’ll look forward to the Son of God’s first kitchen performance.”

On the other end of the video call, Yukimura paused for a moment:

"...There's no need to have too high expectations."

-

After the height of summer, the September wind brought a touch of coolness.

As Risa walked out of the school gate and looked down at her phone, a Rolls-Royce silently glided to a stop beside her.

The rear window slowly rolled down, revealing Atobe Keigo's sharply defined profile, which stood out prominently in the twilight.

"Get in the car."

Risa paused, then stopped moving.

"The person you asked me to find last time," he paused slightly, as if admiring her sudden change in expression, "has found the best candidate."

The air fell silent for a moment.

Without any hesitation, Risa deftly opened the car door and bent down to get inside.

The car smoothly merged into the traffic.

Atobe turned the tablet toward her; on the screen was an exceptionally impressive resume.

“Alice Miller,” he said, tapping lightly on the blonde, blue-eyed woman in the photo, “was the creative director of Aether & Co., and I just poached her from Paris.”

He looked at Risa, his smile filled with absolute confidence, "This should perfectly meet your demanding requirements of 'understanding art, having an international long-term vision, and being able to make money'."

Risa looked away from the resume, raised her head, and her eyes revealed undisguised admiration.

"Truly... as expected of Master Atobe. I only mentioned a vague idea, but I didn't expect you to not only take it to heart, but also find a suitable candidate in such a short time, and..."

She paused, tapping her fingertip lightly on the edge of the tablet. "To be able to convince someone of this caliber to join a brand like LUMIERA, which is still growing."

She turned her head to look at the elegant man beside her, her eyes crinkling with a smile: "This efficiency, execution, and accurate eye for people are truly admirable, no matter how many times I do it. Having an investor and partner like you is probably one of the luckiest things that has happened to me since I founded LUMIERA."

This is the way of life she accumulated in her previous life: praise should be sincere and specific, acknowledging the result while also discerning the ability and courage shown behind it.

Atobe leaned back in his leather seat, his eyes half-closed, a hint of pleasure flashing across his gaze, but he quickly suppressed it, transforming it into his signature, slightly arrogant composure.

"Heh," he chuckled softly, his voice carrying a dazzling magnetism, "isn't this the bare minimum for me?"

His tone was long and confident.

It was as if, to him, he had only heard a matter-of-fact assessment.

He leaned forward slightly, and a faint, cool fragrance of roses wafted over him.

"However, getting you to show that expression isn't a complete waste of effort."

His words were full of meaning, and his sharp gaze was fixed on her, leaving Risa momentarily at a loss.

“Then,” she said, a slight smile playing on her lips, subtly changing the subject, “when can we meet?”

“Now,” Atobe replied.

Immediately, he sat up straight gracefully, resuming his usual aloofness.

The meeting was arranged in a private tea room on the top floor of the gallery. Risa met a woman with an exceptional presence, dressed in a sharp white suit—Alice Miller, a renowned creative director in the international fashion world.

Amidst the fragrant aroma of black tea, the two parties gradually transformed from scrutiny and cautious probing into appreciation.

“You are very special, Ms. Matsuno.” Alice finally put down her teacup, her smile genuine. “Your work has a narrative quality that transcends time and space. I think we can tell a wonderful story together.”

A few days later, at a video conference between LUMIERA's middle and senior management, Risa announced a significant personnel change:

The original design department will be fully managed by the new creative director, Alice. She will only be involved in overseeing the brand's overall direction and core decisions.

After the meeting ended, the screen went dark.

Risa let out a long sigh and leaned back in her chair.

Next to the computer is the script contract for the NHK morning drama "17-sai no Rinne".

Although he is the founder and design mastermind, almost all of LUMIERA's current earnings are still circulating in the company's accounts.

The huge initial investment, the continuous reinvestment of R&D funds, and Atobe's shrewd capitalist-style "long-term planning" meant that, in reality, the amount actually flowing into her personal account was far from enough to support the creative freedom she desired, free from any worries.

Risa flipped through the dizzying string of numbers on the NHK contract. Even if she wasn't interested in the script, she had no reason to refuse it.

My phone buzzed and vibrated; it was Asuka's video call request.

On the other side of the screen, Asuka is still at the company, with Masaharu Niou in the background. He is leaning lazily against his desk, tossing a tennis ball in his hand.

"Risa-chan, I'm sorry to bother you so late..."

Asuka encountered a technical problem related to the production of a new product. After proposing the idea of ​​"fine-tuning rather than simplification", she suddenly had a breakthrough.

"That's a good idea!" Asuka breathed a sigh of relief. "I'll handle the communication with the design department, and Yuzuki and Niou will figure out the cost accounting and supplier issues."

The core issue had been resolved, and the call should have ended there. However, Asuka on the other end of the video call didn't look away; instead, she seemed hesitant to speak.

"Is there anything else?" Risa asked softly.

"...What did you mean by the decision you just announced at the meeting?" Asuka hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are you... leaving LUMIERA?"

“It’s not quitting, it’s moving forward in a different way.” Risa gently but firmly dispelled her doubts, and then told her about her upcoming joining the NHK morning drama crew.

Asuka paused for a moment, clearly even more confused: "But...didn't you say before that your future goal was to become a director? Why did you go back to making movies?"

"Asuka, have you heard of the 'celebrity effect'?" Risa didn't answer her question directly, but instead posed a concept.

"It's like running an Instagram account. Ordinary people need to work hard to create high-quality content, hoping to one day become a hit. But celebrities or dignitaries often only need to post a casual daily post, and they can gain millions of followers overnight."

She paused, her voice clear and calm:

"The resources and attention of this society will inevitably flow to those who have already reached the top. Money will flow to the rich, and opportunities will favor the famous."

"Whether it's directing a hit film in the future or running LUMIERA right now, I need enough influence to attract investment and leverage connections. Everything I'm doing now—building brand awareness, expanding my network, and even earning enough capital—is on the right track."

"They are not taking detours, but rather paving a wider and more solid runway for my ultimate goal."

On the other side of the screen, Asuka was stunned by these words and fell silent, unable to recover for a long time.