"So boss, to prove those rumors wrong... we're going to create another animation movie, right?"
Diana's voice rang out clearly in the quiet of the virtual meeting room we were gathered in.
Her tone was a strange mix of excitement and seriousness, something that didn't happen often with her.
Across from me floated two familiar figures—Diana and Eden, both sitting straight in their virtual chairs, watching me carefully.
They had just finished listening to everything I told them.
The rumors.
The accusations.
The plan I had come up with to fight back.
I nodded slowly, leaning back a little in my own chair.
"Yeah," I said. "That's exactly what we're going to do."
Eden shifted slightly, crossing his arms over his chest. He looked thoughtful, the way he usually did when something big was happening.
"And... what about Doraemon, boss?" Eden asked after a short pause, his voice calm but a little hesitant.
I had expected that question.
I let out a soft breath before answering.
"We'll have to put Doraemon on hold for a little while," I said, keeping my voice steady.
Hearing that, Eden gave a silent nod. He wasn't the kind to complain or protest easily.
But Diana... Diana looked different.
Her shoulders slumped just slightly, and she dropped her gaze for a moment.
It was obvious she wasn't happy about it.
I smiled gently at her.
"It's just for a short while," I said. "I promise. Once we fix this mess, we'll get back to it. Bigger and better than before."
Diana looked up again, her bright blue eyes still holding a bit of sadness, but she smiled back at me, trying to be strong.
There was a small silence between us, the kind that felt natural, like everyone was gathering their thoughts.
Then Diana spoke up again, her voice carrying a bit more energy.
"So... when are we starting the new production?"
I leaned forward a little, resting my elbows on the table in front of me.
"We're starting today," I said without hesitation.
"Today?!" Diana almost jumped out of her chair, her virtual avatar practically bouncing in place.
Even Eden, usually calm like a mountain, raised an eyebrow.
"Isn't that a little... too soon?" Diana asked, tilting her head.
"Yeah," Eden added, frowning thoughtfully. "What about your other project, boss?
Interstellar isn't exactly a small job either."
I chuckled a little. Their concerns were valid.
But I had already made up my mind.
"We don't have much time," I explained. "Every day we wait, the rumors grow stronger.
We need to move fast and show everyone what we can really do."
They both listened carefully, expressions serious.
"As for Interstellar," I continued, "I'll manage both projects at the same time. Somehow."
Diana opened her mouth, clearly about to protest again, but Eden spoke first.
"That's a lot of pressure, boss," he said simply. "We don't want you burning out."
"I know," I said, smiling. "That's why... I'm going to be counting on you two even more from now on."
Hearing that, Diana immediately straightened her back, a fire returning to her eyes.
"You can rely on us, boss!" she said with a bright grin.
"Yeah," Eden nodded. "We're with you."
It warmed my heart to hear that.
No matter how crazy things got, these two were always ready to jump into battle with me.
But there was still one more piece of news I hadn't shared yet.
"And," I said, raising a finger, "there's someone else who will be working with us this time."
Both Diana and Eden blinked, tilting their heads slightly in unison.
"Someone else?" Eden asked, curiosity clear in his voice.
"Who is it, boss?" Diana asked right after, her eyes sparkling with excitement now.
I smiled mysteriously, enjoying the tiny bit of suspense.
"You'll see."
Turning slightly, I spoke out loud,
"Leah, please add Mr. Zane to the meeting."
"Right away," Leah's cheerful voice responded immediately.
As the system processed the command, I could already feel the air in the virtual room changing.
Diana tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Mr. Zane... that name sounds familiar," she mumbled to herself.
Eden furrowed his brows, clearly trying to remember where he had heard it before.
And then... the new figure appeared.
An older gentleman materialized before us, his presence filling the room instantly.
He stood tall and straight, dressed in a simple yet elegant style that spoke of class and experience.
He looked like someone who had lived a long life but still carried the energy and charm of youth inside him.
He smiled warmly at us.
And the moment Diana and Eden realized who he was—
Their jaws dropped.
[Flashback - A Day Earlier]
I was alone inside the vast white space of the studio, sitting at my temporary desk.
Holographic screens floated in the air around me, showing different drafts of the new animation project I was preparing. Lines of script. Sketches for characters. Notes about scenes.
The work felt endless.
But I kept going.
Because I had no other choice.
I was writing down ideas for the first act when suddenly—
The studio doors slid open.
I looked up, expecting maybe Leah or a small delivery robot.
Instead, it was Celyne.
She walked in quickly, her shoes clicking lightly against the polished floor.
And for the first time since I had met her, she wasn't calm.
Her steps were a little rushed.
Her face, usually cold and professional, showed the tiniest hint of nervousness.
I blinked, surprised.
"Mr. West," she called out before she even reached me.
"There's an urgent matter that needs your attention."
I pushed back from the desk and stood up.
"What happened?" I asked, feeling my stomach tighten.
"Is it... Starglow Studios again?"
That was my first thought.
Another attack. Another hurdle.
But Celyne quickly shook her head.
"No. Nothing like that," she said.
"It's... someone who wants to meet you."
I tilted my head, confused.
"Someone important?"
Her hands tightened slightly around the small tablet she was carrying.
Then, after a moment's hesitation, she finally said it.
"It's... Torin Zane."
I stared at her for a few seconds, not quite processing the name.
"Torin... Zane..." I mumbled under my breath, trying to remember why it sounded familiar.
And then—
It hit me like a lightning bolt.
THE Torin Zane.
The greatest musician of the past thousand years.
The man whose music had traveled across galaxies, touching the hearts of humans, aliens, and countless other beings.
A living legend.
An icon.
Someone even people back on Earth—if they were still around—would have known by name.
And he wanted to meet me?
"Wait—seriously?!" I blurted out, my voice breaking a little.
Celyne just nodded, her face back to her usual calm, but I could see a tiny smile pulling at the corner of her mouth.
She knew exactly how insane this was.
"I don't understand..." I muttered, rubbing the back of my neck. "Why would someone like him want to meet... me?"
Celyne took a step closer.
"I don't have all the details," she said softly. "But from what I heard... it's nothing bad.
In fact... it might be a good opportunity for you."
I swallowed hard.
Opportunity, huh?
I tried to calm down, but my mind was already racing at a thousand miles per hour.
---
[Later - Virtual Meeting Room]
The meeting was set up quickly.
They created a private virtual room just for this encounter.
I stepped into the space, nerves writhing inside me.
The room looked simple—just a wide, open space with two chairs facing each other.
Waiting there, sitting calmly in one of the chairs, was an old man.
Torin Zane.
Even though this was a virtual space, the man's presence was overwhelming.
He wore a simple, elegant outfit. His silver hair was neatly combed back. His posture was straight and relaxed.
There was something about him—a natural grace, a weight of experience—that filled the whole space.
He looked up as I entered and smiled warmly.
I hesitated only for a second before walking toward him.
When I reached him, I bowed my head slightly and extended my hand.
"It's an honor to meet you, Mr. Zane," I said, trying hard not to stutter.
The old man chuckled and shook my hand firmly.
"No need to be so stiff, young man," he said, his voice deep but gentle. "I'm not here to bite you."
I smiled nervously and sat down in the chair across from him.
For a few seconds, there was silence between us.
Not awkward.
Just... calm.
Finally, I gathered my courage.
"May I ask, sir... why did you want to meet me?"
Torin leaned back in his chair slightly, studying me.
"I watched your Doraemon series," he said simply.
My heart skipped a beat.
"And I loved it," he continued, smiling.
I blinked.
Hearing praise from someone like Torin Zane—it almost didn't feel real.
"T-Thank you, sir," I managed to say, bowing my head slightly.
Torin chuckled again.
"I especially loved the music," he said, his eyes twinkling with genuine admiration.
"The theme song. The background scores.
It brought back feelings I hadn't felt in... centuries."
I felt my cheeks warm a little.
"Sir, all the music... I made it myself," I said shyly.
Hearing that, Torin's smile grew even wider.
"I thought so," he said, nodding. "There was something... authentic about it.
Something ancient. Something pure."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Your work... it reminded me of the old Earth songs. The few ancient records that survived from a million years ago."
I could only sit there, stunned.
"And that," he said firmly, "is why I'm here."
I gulped.
"Arwin West," he said, his voice kind but serious,
"I want to work with you."
I blinked.
"Work... with me?" I repeated, dumbfounded.
Torin nodded.
"I want to recreate the spirit of Earth's old music with you," he said.
"I want to be part of your next project."
My mouth opened slightly.
No words came out at first.
Was this real life?
Was I dreaming?
"I—I'd be honored!" I finally managed to say.
Torin smiled warmly and reached out, clapping me gently on the shoulder.
"Good," he said. "Then let's bring the past... into the future."
---
[Back to Present Virtual Meeting Room]
And now here we were.
Diana and Eden sitting frozen in shock.
Torin Zane standing there, smiling casually like this was just another ordinary day.
It was anything but ordinary.