I really just want to grind for entries related to crossover anime/manga.

Kasumigaoka Utaha raised her eyes and looked directly at Genkawa Yu, her eyes sparkling with the light of her ideas.

"She doesn't have to be malicious; she can even be outstanding and charming. Her appearance might make the male protagonist realize that the existing relationship is not a given, and it might also allow the female protagonist to show more nuanced aspects of her personality in dealing with the situation, such as hidden possessiveness, insecurity, or a stronger sense of trust."

"The key is to find the right balance so that she doesn't become annoying, but still plays a role in advancing the plot and deepening the theme."

"Indeed, after all, Kasumigaoka-san writes pure love stories, so we can't go too far."

Genkawa Yu thought for a moment and began to analyze from this perspective.

As the discussion deepened, the two explored in detail the new character's role, how he would interact with the protagonist, and the potential conflicts and reconciliations that might arise.

Based on his writing skills, Yu Genkawa proposed several constructive directions, such as making this new character a reflection of the male protagonist's unfulfilled dream in the past, or forming a kind of mirror contrast with the female protagonist.

Her existence is not to separate the male and female protagonists, but to help them see each other and their own hearts more clearly.

"Through these comparisons, not only can dramatic conflict be created, but the male and female protagonists can also begin to think about their feelings for each other."

"Yeah, I think so too."

Kasumigaoka Utaha listened intently; Genkawa Yu's words opened up a completely new way of thinking for her.

“I understand what Mr. Genkawa means, so I think the new character I’m creating can be a mirror, reflecting the hidden cracks in the relationship between the male and female protagonists, or conversely, through her existence, the protagonists can realize their irreplaceable uniqueness.”

"Or go even further and create suspense by introducing new characters."

"Does Mr. Genkawa mean... stock trading?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha knew what Genkawa Yu meant. If she wanted to add a new female protagonist to her novel, she only needed to increase the number of scenes where she interacted with the male protagonist, and then the readers would have new thoughts and associations.

"Pretty much, but the degree needs to be controlled."

Genkawa Yu nodded in agreement.

"The key lies in the independence and complexity of this new character. She cannot just be a functional 'litmus test'; she should also have her own arc and dilemmas. Only in this way can the whole story have more layers and a sense of realism."

"If Kasumigaoka-san is certain that the male and female protagonists must end up together, then this must be kept within a manageable range."

"That's true, but before we start developing those aspects, I think we need to enhance the male lead's charisma."

Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly smiled, her beautiful wine-red eyes fixed on Genkawa Yu's face.

"After all... if the male lead himself isn't charming enough, why would he attract the attention of two such outstanding female leads?"

"Yes, indeed."

"So, Mr. Genkawa, could you tell me your own thoughts on this?"

"My opinion..."

Genkawa Yu casually responded twice, but after a while, facing Kasumigaoka Utaha's direct gaze, he seemed to realize something.

"Wait... Kasumigaoka-san, you're not planning to use me as 'material' for your story, are you?"

"hehe."

Upon hearing this, Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled gently, and then, a sly smile slowly crept onto her lips, which were painted with red lipstick.

Instead of denying it directly, she responded in a frank tone.

"It's about half and half. Ever since I met Mr. Genkawa, I've seen your news all the time."

She picked up the water glass, gently swirled the clear hot water inside, and looked at Genkawa Yu through the rising steam.

"Since becoming neighbors with Professor Genkawa, the constant 'scandals' and 'female friends' around you have indeed provided me with a wealth of observation material. A young man in the center of a complex interpersonal relationship, surrounded by women of various charms, their thoughts and your own responses, this is a rare close-up perspective."

"You really are lucky to have found this."

Genkawa Yu smiled. As a fellow creator, Kasumigaoka Utaha's attitude felt very real to him. After all, he had done a lot of research himself, but most of it was to gain experience for the entries.

Now that the relationship has been reversed, he finds it quite novel.

"Mr. Genkawa, would you find it offensive that I did something like this?"

The next moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha added another sentence, staring intently into his eyes.

"If you feel offended, I can take back what I said, after all, this kind of thing requires both parties to be willing."

"..."

Genkawa Yu was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled and shook his head.

He wasn't offended, just a little surprised, and he believed that Kasumigaoka Utaha wouldn't ask anything too offensive.

"Of course not. It's understandable that writers would do research to create better works."

Genkawa Yu chuckled and stroked his chin. "But...should I charge some royalties?"

"If there's anything I can do for you, Mr. Genkawa, I'll reciprocate."

Since the incident where Yu Minakawa took care of her after she fell ill, Kasumigaoka Utaha has been thinking about how to get along with him.

Although both are writers, they work in different fields, and the other has a steady personality. If they continue to communicate using a more formal, author-like approach, they may never be able to truly connect.

Now, by using jokes like this, we can better open up new possibilities and have the opportunity to become closer friends.

"Really? That's not bad."

Yuu Minakawa probably sensed Kasumigaoka Utaha's feelings and thought that this was not bad.

The two smiled at each other, and the thin layer of ice that had existed between them because they weren't particularly close seemed to gradually melt away.

The shared identity as creators, and the frankness of bringing the "source material" issue into the open, actually made the atmosphere relaxed and harmonious.

As the two became more familiar with each other, some of Kasumigaoka Utaha's true nature began to slowly emerge.

"So, Mr. Genkawa, what are your thoughts on these 'leading lady candidates' currently surrounding you?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned forward slightly, resting her elbows on her knees and her palms on her chin, adopting a posture of attentive listening.

Genkawa Yu was somewhat speechless at her question, and he smiled helplessly.

"Kasumigaoka-san, real life is not a novel. There are no pre-set scripts or roles. Everyone is an independent individual, and feelings are not simply categorized into types."

He paused, his tone becoming more serious, "When it comes to relationships, I really don't have much experience."

"Really? Mr. Genkawa has never been in a relationship?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha's pretty face immediately showed a look of complete disbelief, "Genkawa-sensei is good-looking and talented, there's no way he hasn't had a girlfriend, right?"

"No, there isn't."

Genkawa Yu shrugged.

"Compared to me, Kasumigaoka-san writes romance novels, so you must have a lot of experience in love, right? I think your descriptions of emotions are very delicate."

He immediately took the initiative and pressed on, "Perhaps later, I can ask you some more questions."

"Uh..."

Upon hearing this, Kasumigaoka Utaha's pretty face immediately froze. Faced with Genkawa Yu's persistent questioning, she could only slowly utter a few words.

"Actually... I've never been in a relationship."

"Eh~"

Genkawa Yu deliberately dragged out the sound, his face displaying an exaggerated expression as if he were "eating a bad meal but had to make an exaggerated reaction."

"No one?"

"..."

The next moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha narrowed her eyes, "Genkawa-sensei... really is vindictive."

"Each each other."

This late-night gathering gradually turned into a casual chat between the two creators.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's sharp and accurate wit often leaves Minakawa Yu speechless, while Minakawa Yu's calm and insightful analysis also brings her great benefits.

Their relationship became closer, and they could joke around freely with each other.

This feeling struck Yuu Genkawa as very strange.

Since he became a real actor, he hasn't really had many opportunities to interact with the girls around him.

Mai Sakurajima was a straightforward and cheerful pursuer of him, Akane Kurokawa was tender and obedient, and Megumi Kato was almost always considerate and attentive. Almost no woman would take the initiative to make jokes about him.

Only Kasumigaoka Utaha would do something like that.

Time slipped by quietly amidst their relaxed discussion and occasional soft laughter.

As the night deepened outside the window, Kasumigaoka Utaha finally got up to say goodbye, and Genkawa Yu escorted her to the door.

After putting on her coat, Kasumigaoka Utaha grasped the doorknob with her small hand, but then stopped and turned around. The hallway lamp cast a soft light on her face, and her smile carried a subtle charm.

"Thank you very much for your guidance tonight, Professor Yuanchuan."

She paused, a cunning glint in her wine-red eyes.

"I'm really looking forward to the finale!"

Genkawa Yu was taken aback. "What ending?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha chuckled softly, her voice exceptionally clear in the quiet corridor, carrying an undisguised teasing and anticipation.

"Of course, it's about Mr. Genkawa's own ending. It all depends on who you ultimately choose, or rather, how life, this grander script, will write its final answer."

After saying that, she turned around gracefully without waiting for Yuan Chuanyou's response, and the sound of her high heels clicking on the ground gradually faded away.

Yuan Chuanyou stood at the door, watching her departing figure, and could only let out a helpless bitter smile before gently closing the door.

This neighbor, colleague, and friend seems to be more perceptive than he imagined.

A few days later, at a meticulously prepared filming location in Tokyo, the crew of "Love Like a Bouquet" officially began filming.

The air on set was filled with a unique atmosphere that blended anticipation, tension, and creativity.

The casting process has been completed smoothly. In addition to the male and female leads, Yu Minakawa and Akane Kurokawa, who were already decided, several supporting roles and some extras with lines have also been cast.

To Yuu Minakawa's surprise, yet also somewhat expected, he actually saw Toru Asakura and MEM Chuu on set.

Toru Asakura successfully passed the audition and landed a minor role—one of the female lead Kinu Hachiya's friends at university. She only has a few lines of casual conversation about studies or daily life, and a few scenes in the background where she attends classes and drinks coffee with the female lead. Her total screen time may only be a few minutes.

But for her, this was already an important step toward "the world where Genkawa Yu is," and proof that she had turned that vague concern into concrete action.

As a full-time blogger, MEM啾 has relatively flexible hours. In addition, she has a close relationship with Asakura Toru, so she came to the set under the guise of visiting the set and accompanying a friend. Her lively personality can also relieve the pressure of the somewhat nervous Asakura Toru.