September 8th. The OVA special aired.
It was titled "What Happened Over Summer Break," and it picked up right where episode twenty-two left off.
Plenty of people had still doubted whether Clannad would actually get a second season. After watching the OVA, they were convinced.
It really did look like a second season was coming. But what story it would tell was still a complete mystery, so even though the first season's content was fully wrapped up, the online discussion showed no signs of dying down.
Over at Starfall.
After seven or eight months of nonstop work, everyone could finally take a breather.
That evening, a celebration banquet was held at a hotel.
The Starfall staff all showed up dressed to the nines.
But it wasn't just Starfall people in attendance. Practically everyone who had been involved in Clannad's production and distribution was there: Arcane's people, the TV station's people, voice actors, the OP and ED singers, and even people from the outsource studios that had handled cuts for the show.
The guest of honor was obviously Yuta.
Setting aside the fact that he was Starfall's president, he was also Clannad's producer and director. And the lion's share of the credit for Clannad's massive success belonged to him.
Given all that, the opening speech was naturally his to give.
Amid the lively chatter, Yuta walked up to the stage and took the microphone. His gaze swept across the room, and the crowd gradually fell silent.
After a deep breath, he began.
"Eight months ago, Starfall self-funded an anime called Heartbeat House. It sold just over six hundred copies, and a lot of people figured Starfall would be stuck doing outsource work forever after that.
Back then, our production assistant Rika asked me if we should take on an outsource job. I turned it down without thinking twice. I told her that an animation studio that only does outsource work is no different from a fish that's given up on its dreams."
Rika remembered that conversation very clearly, but most of the people in the room were hearing it for the first time. Applause erupted.
The people on the distribution side probably just thought it was a great line.
But for the production staff in the room, many of whom had lived through those days of doing nothing but outsource work, the words hit much deeper.
Once the applause faded, Yuta continued.
"I believe most of us charged into the anime industry because we had a dream. Making anime is grueling. It's exhausting. You pull late nights constantly. You sacrifice your weekends. You work yourself to the bone and the pay is nothing to write home about. But…"
"It's precisely because everyone here has a dream, and because you were willing to come together and pour everything into that shared dream, that Clannad was able to achieve what it did. So I'd like to propose a toast. Let's raise our glasses to the dream!"
He lifted his glass high.
"Cheers!"
The room followed suit.
...
After the opening speech, it was time to eat, drink, and mingle.
Though for most people, socializing was the real reason they'd come.
As the star of the evening, Yuta was constantly surrounded.
"President Shido, your speech really resonated with me. Our studio, TNK, is planning to produce our own original anime next year. If the chance comes up, I hope we can work together."
The speaker was Daigo Sagara, the president of TNK. It was a studio that had been around for about two years, but like Starfall before its transformation, it had only ever done outsource work and had never produced its own anime.
They couldn't land investment, and they didn't have the nerve to self-fund a project. Too afraid to take the leap, they just kept doing outsourcing, because at least that way they wouldn't lose money.
In truth, a lot of newly established studios were stuck in the exact same position. For any company brave enough to step out of that comfort zone, Yuta was happy to offer his well-wishes.
After the pleasantries though, he couldn't help asking, "What kind of anime are you planning to make?"
"Probably something along the lines of school, slice-of-life, and bishoujo. Though we definitely don't have the skill level of you and Starfall, so we probably won't go the heartwarming route."
Daigo Sagara said enthusiastically, "I've already got a name picked out. We're calling it School Days."
"Huh?" Yuta's brain momentarily short-circuited.
'School Days? As in the headless nice-boat Itou Makoto one?'
"What? Is something wrong?" Daigo Sagara asked, noticing the strange reaction.
"No, no, it's nothing."
Yuta shook his head, then asked, "What's the main character's name?"
"Haven't decided on a name yet. We only have a rough concept so far. If you're interested, President Shido, we'd be honored if you could help us come up with one," Daigo Sagara said.
Yuta hesitated for a moment, but in the end he said it anyway. "How about Itou Makoto?"
...
Chatting, drinking, exchanging business cards, and heaping praise on each other.
After spending the better part of the evening working the room, Yuta finally used a bathroom break as his escape and slipped out of the banquet hall.
Behind him, a young girl hurried out after him.
But she just followed at a distance without saying anything, which made Yuta wonder if she was even looking for him.
To avoid things getting awkward, he didn't stop and just went into the restroom as normal.
Two or three minutes later, he stepped back out and found the girl waiting by the restroom door.
She was wearing a white dress, all dolled up and looking very pretty.
Her cheeks were faintly flushed, though it was probably from nerves more than anything.
When she saw Yuta come out, she glanced at him and opened her mouth as if she wanted to say something, but the words wouldn't come.
Yuta decided to take the initiative. "Miss Mei, were you looking for me?"
"You... you remember me?" Mei Shirayuki seemed surprised.
"Of course. The very first time I heard your voice, I thought it was a perfect fit for the female lead. That's why I asked you to read for the part during your audition."
Yuta continued, "This isn't really the place to talk. Want to head back inside and chat?"
"No, that's okay. I just came to thank you."
Mei Shirayuki said this, gave Yuta a deep bow, then turned and hurried back toward the banquet hall.
But maybe because she was too nervous, the hem of her dress caught under her foot. Before she even reached the banquet hall doors, she stumbled and went down face-first onto the floor.
"Are you okay?" Yuta rushed over and held out his hand.
Mei grabbed his hand and pulled herself up, then immediately bowed to him again. "Thank you! Thank you so much!"
Yuta withdrew his hand and said softly, "Don't mention it."
Mei bowed one more time, then started walking back toward the banquet hall again.
Just then, Yuta called out. "Miss Mei."
"Hm?" Mei stopped and turned around, looking at him curiously.
"Clannad's second season will be going into production soon. When the time comes, keep up the good work."
Mei blinked in surprise, then a small smile broke across her face. "I will. And please continue looking out for me."
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