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

Genkawa Yu frowned in confusion, walked to the entrance, and cautiously looked out through the peephole.

Standing outside the door was Kasumigaoka Utaha, dressed in a high-quality black long coat, holding a rather sturdy-looking kraft paper manuscript bag and a delicate little gift bag.

"?"

Genkawa Yu was a little puzzled, but he immediately opened the door, and a cool night breeze rushed in.

Good evening, Mr. Yuanchuan. I hope I haven't disturbed your peaceful sleep.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's voice carried her unique magnetic tone, and her beautiful eyes, which always seemed to see into people's hearts, sparkled with a cunning and bright light.

"No disturbance at all, please come in."

Genkawa Yu stepped aside to let her in, his curiosity about her purpose growing.

Kasumigaoka Utaha gracefully stepped into the entrance hall, skillfully taking off her matching black high heels and putting on the spare guest slippers.

Her gaze swept across the living room and soon fell on the several chocolate gift boxes, each with a different style but equally eye-catching, on the small round table.

"Huh? Only a few copies? It seems that Mr. Genkawa's interpersonal relationships are not very good."

"Stop teasing me. These are just a few of them that were placed here separately. I've put the rest away."

After becoming familiar with Kasumigaoka Utaha, Genkawa Yu had long been used to her teasing tone. She didn't mean any harm; she just liked to use this method to start conversations.

"Is that so? It seems these few are the real key documents."

Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was he, immediately understood his meaning.

Then, she shook the small gift bag in her hand, "Although it may not be as thoughtful as these people's, according to social etiquette, this is mine. Happy Valentine's Day, Mr. Genkawa."

Kasumigaoka Utaha handed over the small gift bag with a natural and generous gesture, without the slightest shyness or awkwardness.

Yuu Genkawa accepted the unexpected yet perfectly reasonable chocolate. "Thank you, Kasumigaoka-san. I'm sorry to have troubled you. I'll reciprocate properly on White Day."

His gaze then fell on the heavy-looking manuscript bag in her other hand, and he already had a guess in his mind.

"What is this...?"

"Ah, that is the main reason why I have taken the liberty of visiting you tonight."

Kasumigaoka Utaha handed over the thick brown paper manuscript bag as well, her playful and teasing smile fading slightly, replaced by a more serious and focused expression.

"After receiving guidance from Mr. Genkawa last time, this is a new volume I have just finished organizing. Please take a look."

"it is good."

Yuu Minakawa was not surprised by Kasumigaoka Utaha's request. He took the heavy manuscript, which carried the other party's hard work and expectations, and could clearly feel its weight.

"If you don't mind, can I start watching now?"

"it is good."

Kasumigaoka Utaha walked to the comfortable sofa in the living room, sat down gracefully, and crossed her long legs naturally.

"No matter where you read, Mr. Genkawa can offer his opinions."

"Ah."

With the thick manuscript in hand, Yuu Minakawa sat down opposite Utaha Kasumigaoka. Under the bright yet soft light of the living room, he opened the first page and began to read it attentively.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's writing is as sharp and beautiful as ever, carrying her unique literary charm.

Time slips away quietly, with only the rustling sound of pages turning.

Yuu Minakawa was engrossed in his reading, while Kasumigaoka Utaha's gaze would occasionally fall on Yuu's serious profile as he immersed himself in the world of words, her eyes carrying a hint of barely perceptible admiration.

After an unknown amount of time, as the clock hands quietly slid past midnight, Genkawa Yu finally finished reading the last page and slowly closed the manuscript.

He closed his eyes, leaned back on the sofa, and rubbed his nose and brow, which were a little sore from reading for so long.

Love Metronome is a pure romance light novel. The story begins with Sayuka, an introverted girl who loves literature, and Naoto, who get to know each other because of their shared love of music.

However, their relationship becomes complicated due to the intervention of Sayuka's best friend, the cheerful and lively Ayano.

The novel's core tension lies in its clever subversion of the concept of "substitute." On the surface, Naoto seems to be confiding in Sayuka as a substitute for Ayano, but as the plot gradually reveals, what Naoto is truly attracted to is Sayuka's unique and sensitive literary temperament and inner self. The story delicately portrays the struggles of the three in the vortex of friendship and love.

As a love story, it's entertaining enough, but its appeal is only so-so.

He looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was patiently waiting for his final opinion, his eyes sparkling with a strange and bright light—the excitement and exhilaration unique to creators when they capture a precious inspiration that can move their souls.

After a brief exchange of manuscripts, Yuu Genkawa, through his discussion with Utaha Kasumigaoka, suddenly thought of something else.

He raised his head, his gaze fixed intently on Kasumigaoka Utaha, his tone carrying a tentative inquiry.

"Kasumigaoka-san, I feel that your talent and ability to explore the depths of emotions have been fully demonstrated in this light novel. However... besides the vibrant and imaginative field of light novels, have you ever considered trying to create a more literary work, or rather, a traditional novel with a calmer and more restrained style, and a theme that directly addresses universal emotions?"

This question was like a precise note, instantly stirring a long-dormant chord deep within Kasumigaoka Utaha's heart.

She was visibly stunned for a moment.

Her hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and a complex emotion flashed quickly across her beautiful eyes, which always held a hint of laziness, playfulness, and curiosity.

There is reminiscence, a fleeting sadness, a jolt from being touched by old dreams, and a trace of almost imperceptible resentment.

These subtle and rich changes in expression, though fleeting, were keenly captured by Yuu Minakawa, who had been observing her closely.

"Eh..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha was silent for a few seconds. When she spoke again, her usual tone seemed to have softened, and there was a hint of genuine emotion in her voice.

"Traditional novels?"

She gently put down her teacup, her gaze seemingly drifting towards the distant past.

"Actually, my earliest idea was to write a traditional romance novel that could deeply depict human nature and portray delicate emotions."

The girl's lips curled into a slightly self-deprecating smile. "It's just that my submissions were repeatedly rejected, criticized as 'too personal,' 'lacking commercial elements,' and 'not in line with current trends,' so I had no choice but to turn to the light novel genre, which is more readily accepted by the market."

Her tone was calm, but Yuu Minakawa could hear the helplessness that had been worn down by reality, as well as the spark of her literary dream that had not been completely extinguished and was hidden deep in her heart.

The glint of ambition that flashed in the girl's eyes revealed to Genkawa Yu the true origin of her creation.

After thinking it over, Genkawa Yu decided to help her out.

He leaned forward slightly, his eyes bright and full of power, as if he wanted to pass on all the inspiration in his mind to her.

“Kasumigaoka-san, I completely understand your thoughts.”

He paused, then said clearly and forcefully, "I have a story idea here, one that I think is very suitable to be written in the style of traditional novels. It's an ultimate pure love story about 'life and death,' 'memory,' and 'last wishes.' I wonder if you would like to hear it?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly focused her gaze back on Genkawa Yu's face, and the surprise, curiosity and the spark of her creativity ignited in her eyes instantly turned into a raging fire.

She didn't speak, but the way she stared intently at him said it all.

Genkawa Yu stopped keeping everyone in suspense and began to tell his story in detail, clearly outlining the prototype of the story that had already taken shape in his mind.

"The title I've come up with for this story is—'Calling for Love in the Center of the World'."

Volume 2 Tokyo Love Story: Chapter 26 The Concert, The Shining People (2-in-1 5k)

In the living room of Yuanchuan You's apartment, a floor lamp cast a warm halo on the polished floor, enveloping the two people sitting opposite each other.

Having learned of Kasumigaoka Utaha's deepest desires, Genkawa Yu decided to tell her his idea for "Crying Out Love in the Center of the World".

However, he didn't finish his story. Since it was just about sharing ideas, there wasn't a very detailed narrative; he only provided a general framework.

"This story can begin with the cassette tape recorder that was a memento from my grandfather..."

Through the cassette tape, the protagonist learns that the girl named Aki was his grandfather's high school classmate and his first love, which he had kept buried in his heart for decades.

However, Aki tragically passed away from leukemia that vibrant summer.

Thus, because of this girl who died young, the male protagonist embarks on a journey across time and space to trace his grandfather's footsteps in his youth.

"...What do you think of this idea, Kasumigaoka-san?"

Genkawa Yu picked up the warm water from the small round table in front of him, took a small sip, and his gaze fell on Kasumigaoka Utaha's face, which appeared even more intellectually beautiful due to her focus.

"The core of this idea is to connect the past and the present through a special thing. It explores not only love, but also the weight of memory and the impermanence of life, as well as how the living can carry the regrets and deepest love of the deceased and continue to live bravely."

After hearing this idea, Kasumigaoka Utaha remained silent for a long time.

She lowered her head slightly, a few strands of jet-black hair falling across her forehead, casting a faint shadow on her delicate face and obscuring part of her expression.

After a while, the girl raised her head and looked at Genkawa Yu's face very seriously.

"Teacher Genkawa..."

Her eyes suddenly widened, as if she had figured something out.

"I think this story is very good. If it can actually be written down, it will definitely be popular with the public."

"Yes, I also think it's a great idea."

Yuu Minakawa knew that Utaha Kasumigaoka had a high level of literary talent and was a very discerning person.

Then, a gentle and sincere smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

"I'm so glad that Kasumigaoka-san likes this idea so much. I've always felt that the core of this story and its unique emotional tone are very suitable for being carefully written with the emotional touch of traditional literature, so..."

He paused, his gaze becoming more focused and sincere.

“I plan to entrust this story to you to write, to transform it from a rough idea into a complete novel that can truly move people.”

The next moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha was completely stunned. Her beautiful purple eyes widened slightly, filled with disbelief.

"Leave it to me...to write?"

She repeated those words, her tone tinged with uncertainty, "Inspiration is something that can't be forced, Mr. Genkawa, what's wrong with you...?"

"Inspiration is just a seed; it's not so easy for it to truly grow into a big tree."

Genkawa Yu gently interrupted her.

"I'm just telling you this idea. How to write it out and the development and plot of the story are still up to Kasumigaoka-san to figure out."

"I believe in your literary talent, Kasumigaoka-san."

He leaned forward, his eyes full of encouragement and trust. "Moreover, if this opportunity can help you embark on the literary path you initially longed for, I think that in itself might be more important than who wrote this story."

"If you feel that I've been taken advantage of, you can say in an interview after the book is successfully published that the idea came from me, it's fine."

These words instantly shattered the psychological defenses that Kasumigaoka Utaha had built up over the years in the light novel field, where she still occasionally felt a sense of resentment and discontent.

Looking into Yuu Minakawa's clear eyes, she felt a surge of intense emotion welling up in her nose. A feeling of immense gratitude, deep emotion, and a long-lost sense of being understood washed over her like a tidal wave.