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

"Director, you flatter me. If it has been successful, it is due to your excellent guidance and the joint efforts of all the actors. I just did what I was supposed to do."

"Genkawa-kun is too modest. If I had achieved this much at your age, I would have been riding high by now..."

Director Doi laughed heartily, downed his drink in one gulp, and then suddenly changed the subject. His eyes, which had seen countless people and were slightly drunk but still shrewd, narrowed as he looked meaningfully at Genkawa Yu.

"Speaking of which, Genkawa-kun, Kurokawa-san... seems to treat you a little differently, doesn't he... hmm?"

The director's face revealed an expression that every man understands, causing Genkawa Yu's chopsticks, which were about to pick up some food, to pause slightly.

Director Doi continued speaking to himself, his tone carrying the sarcastic tone of someone who had been there before.

"At my age, after so many years on set, I can tell whether male and female actors develop feelings for each other while filming or if there's something more going on."

“Look at Kurokawa-san, she basically stays next to you during breaks, rehearsing lines, chatting, or even just sitting quietly. If it were just a normal colleague relationship, she would be incredibly ‘dedicated’.”

The director deliberately emphasized the word "dedicated," his smile mischievous.

"And there were the previous news stories related to Sakurajima-san. Tsk tsk, Genkawa-kun, it's a good thing that young people are charming, but you also need to be careful."

Genkawa Yu felt a little embarrassed by what he said, so he could only smile helplessly and take a sip of wine to cover it up.

"Director, please stop joking with me. Kurokawa-san and I just have a good working relationship."

"Teamwork? Hmm, we do have quite a good teamwork."

Director Doi nodded noncommittally, then suddenly slapped his thigh as if he had just remembered something.

"Oh right, I almost forgot, tomorrow is February 14th, Valentine's Day. Genkawa-kun, a young and talented man like you will probably receive a mountain of chocolates tomorrow, right?"

He winked and made no attempt to hide his fascination with watching the spectacle.

Upon hearing this, Yuu Genkawa immediately thought of Mai Sakurajima's earlier phone call. He imagined the scene and couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

"It won't pile up into a mountain... but there will probably be some this year."

Genkawa Yu's social circle isn't large, but he's quite close to many women, and some of his staff members probably give him chocolates as well.

The drinking party drew to a close in a relaxed yet slightly gossipy atmosphere.

As they left the izakaya, the night wind carried a chill, which helped to sober up Genkawa Yu considerably.

Before parting, Director Doi put his arm around his shoulder and, with a hint of drunkenness, spoke in a low, earnest voice.

"Genkawa-kun, remember what I'm saying: when you receive chocolates tomorrow, no matter how beautiful the packaging or how plain it looks, make sure you can tell which are obligatory chocolates and which are your special chocolates. The difference is like heaven and earth, hahahahaha..."

Watching Director Doi get into a taxi and leave with a "I'm rooting for you" expression, Genkawa Yu stood there, shaking his head helplessly.

What are destiny and righteousness?

He certainly knew the difference.

Giri chocolates are given to colleagues, friends, or classmates out of social etiquette, gratitude, or friendship. On the other hand, bonmei chocolates are a woman's true confession of love to a man she admires.

On this special day, every piece of chocolate may be a silent signal.

Thinking of this, Kato Megumi had already quietly parked the van in front of him. Genkawa Yu opened the car door and got in. The interior was filled with a faint, warm atmosphere, which contrasted sharply with the chill outside and the lively atmosphere of the izakaya.

The car drove smoothly back to the apartment.

Genkawa Yu leaned back in his chair, closed his eyes to rest, but his mind unconsciously began to think about the chocolates he might receive tomorrow.

When they arrived at the apartment building, Genkawa Yu thanked Kato Megumi and opened the car door to get out.

"Minamoto-san."

Kato Megumi's voice suddenly came from behind, calm and gentle, just like always.

Genkawa Yu stopped what he was doing and turned to look at her.

The next moment, Kato Megumi took out a square box, neither too big nor too small, carefully wrapped in dark blue wrapping paper, with a simple silver ribbon bow tied on it from her bag.

She handed him the box with a natural and fluid motion, her face showing no shyness or nervousness, as if she were simply handing him a document that needed to be signed.

"This is?"

Genkawa Yu was somewhat surprised and didn't react for a moment.

"chocolate."

Kato Megumi answered succinctly and in a very calm tone, “I made this myself when I had some free time last time. Tomorrow, in addition to the filming, you have other work to do, so you will probably be very busy. Therefore, I prepared it in advance and am giving it to you today.”

Genkawa Yu was stunned, and subconsciously took the box.

The chocolate box was cool to the touch, and the packaging was meticulous, just like Kato Megumi herself—rigorous, meticulous, and without a single flaw.

Yuu Genkawa never expected that the first Valentine's Day chocolate he would receive would come from his artist assistant, and in such a... overly businesslike way.

"Kato, you actually..."

He was trying to say something.

“I’m just following holiday traditions, Genkawa-san, you don’t need to feel guilty.”

Kato Megumi interrupted him, her gentle eyes fixed on the man before her. "This is... duty chocolate."

She added a special note, then naturally picked up her bag, got out of the car, and said, "You drank tonight, I'll go upstairs and make you some hangover soup before I leave."

After saying that, Kato Megumi walked straight to the apartment door, as if she had just given a simple gift of comfort.

"Is that so..."

Genkawa Yu stood there, holding the chocolate, watching Kato Megumi skillfully unlock the door to her apartment, her feelings a mix of emotions.

Upon entering, Kato Megumi immediately busied herself in the kitchen, skillfully boiling water, preparing ginger and brown sugar, the whole process quiet and efficient.

Meanwhile, Yuan Chuanyu sat on the living room sofa, watching the busy figure in the kitchen, then glanced at the dark blue chocolate box on the coffee table, and finally just rubbed his temples without saying a word.

The next morning, February 14th, at 7:30 AM.

Genkawa Yu was awakened by a persistent ringing of his cell phone.

The slight headache from drinking last night hadn't completely subsided. Somewhat speechless, he fumbled for his phone on the bedside table, squinting at the screen—the caller ID showed [Sakurajima Mai].

Upon seeing this name, he instantly became much more alert.

Pressing the answer button, Sakurajima Mai's familiar and pleasant voice came from the other end of the phone, carrying a hint of her unique concern.

Good morning, Yu-kun. I hope my call didn't wake you.

“Mai-san…you called so early,” Genkawa Yu cleared his slightly hoarse voice. “Thanks to you, I’m already awake.”

"That's good."

Mai Sakurajima chuckled lightly, "Look at the time, the package should be arriving soon. I've prepared a 'Valentine's Day gift' for you, remember to check it."

"express delivery?"

Genkawa Yu was somewhat puzzled. He glanced out the window; it was only a short time since dawn.

"Well, I have a recording session early this morning, so I can't go there in person. I had to ask the courier to do it for me."

Mai Sakurajima's tone was gentle, but Yuu Genkawa could vaguely sense a hint of regret. After all, the scandal had just subsided, and it was indeed unwise for Mai Sakurajima to come to him at this time.

Just then, the doorbell rang.

"Looks like it's arrived," Mai Sakurajima said on the other end of the phone. "Go open the door, I'll be waiting for you to open the package."

"it is good."

Yuan Chuan You had no choice but to get up, walk to the entrance in his pajamas, and open the door after confirming through the peephole that it was a deliveryman.

The deliveryman handed over a large, well-packaged rectangular cardboard box, which required a signature.

So, while signing for the package, Genkawa Yu said into his phone, "I received it. It's a... really big box? What's inside?"

"You can open it and take a look first. It's a surprise, but of course we can't tell Yu-kun directly." Mai Sakurajima's voice carried a hint of anticipation.

"Is that so?"

Genkawa Yu carried the box into the living room, cut the tape with scissors, opened the cardboard box, and found it was filled with well-padded cushioning material.

The first thing that catches the eye is an exquisitely packaged square gift box with a deep red velvet material and a gold-stamped logo, clearly indicating that it contains high-quality chocolates of considerable value.

However, what's even more eye-catching is that next to the chocolate box, there's a larger object covered with a dust bag.

"?"

He took out the object, opened the dust bag, and found a perfectly ironed dark black suit inside. The fabric was of excellent quality, the tailoring was elegant, and it was obviously very valuable.

"This is... a skirt suit?" Yuan Chuan You was even more confused.

"Yes."

Mai Sakurajima explained on her phone, "Post-production of 'Alice in the Land of the Dying' is nearing completion. We'll start promotional activities by next month at the latest, including TV show announcements, press conferences, magazine interviews, and possibly test screenings. As the male lead, Yu-kun, you can't always wear your own clothes, can you? You'll need a proper suit."

"As for suits, I have several here."

Kato Megumi helped him pick out several outfits, which are all in his wardrobe and suitable for various occasions.

"That's different. I specially asked a designer friend to choose the style and fabric for you. Trust me, this outfit will match my dress better. After all, it's our first TV series together, so we need to maintain the necessary promotional and image coordination, right?"

Mai Sakurajima's reasons were plausible; she cleverly packaged a personal gift as a work requirement, making it hard for anyone to refuse.

"..."

Looking at the well-made suit in his hand, Genkawa Yu was somewhat speechless.

He is now a very popular artist with a lot of work, and he has long since escaped the stage of being short of money. Moreover, "The Wind Rises" is almost finished, and when it is released, it will bring in a large amount of income.

"...This is too much of a expense for you."

That was all Genkawa Yu could say in the end.

“It’s alright, it’s a Valentine’s Day gift too,” Mai Sakurajima said casually, then urged, “Don’t just look at it, go try it on to see if it fits. I’ve described your figure in detail to the designer.”

"it is good."

Genkawa Yu did as instructed, took the suit and went into the bedroom to change.

When he stood in front of the dressing mirror wearing a full suit, he couldn't help but be a little surprised.

The clothes fit him remarkably well; the shoulder line, waist, and trouser length were all perfect, as if they had been tailor-made for him.

"How is it?" Mai Sakurajima asked over the phone.

"It fits perfectly."