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

"Auntie, you flatter me. It's all thanks to the director's guidance and the hard work of the whole crew. I still have a lot to learn."

"Oh dear, don't be modest."

Kurokawa Aoi waved her hand, her interest growing even stronger. "Later, Kurokawa-kun, you and Akane went to participate in that show called 'Love is a Required Course in Life.' Oh my, I didn't miss a single episode! Seeing your interactions with Akane on it, I thought you two were such a perfect match!"

"this..."

As she spoke, she glanced meaningfully at her daughter beside her, who was practically burying her face in her teacup, and her smile deepened.

"Akane has always been a very opinionated child. Once she's made up her mind, nothing can change it. Since she entered the entertainment industry, her father and I have been worried but also supported her. Seeing how well Genkawa and she... well, get along, I feel relieved."

The implication in those words couldn't be clearer.

Kurokawa Aoi clearly believes that her daughter has successfully "won over" Minakawa Yu, and tonight's scene in the courtyard is the best proof.

That's why she naturally adopted the attitude of "a mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law and liking him more and more," her words filled with appreciation for Genkawa Yu's talent and her delight in his relationship with her daughter.

Genkawa Yu could only maintain a polite but slightly awkward smile, nodding occasionally in agreement. He scooped up a spoonful of miso soup and put it in his mouth. The delicious taste spread on his tongue, but it couldn't completely dispel the complex emotions in his heart at that moment.

He noticed that Akane Kurokawa was sitting uneasily to the side, her cheeks as red as ripe apples. She wanted to interrupt her mother several times, but didn't know how to get to the point. She could only desperately try to convey "I'm sorry" and "find a way to end this quickly" to him with her eyes.

"Mom! Please stop talking!"

Finally, after another ten minutes or so, just as Kurokawa Aoi began to reminisce about Kurokawa Akane's childhood anecdotes in an attempt to build rapport, Akane could no longer hold back and interrupted her, blushing.

"Yu-kun has work tomorrow and has to get up very early. We can't keep him from resting any longer!"

As she spoke, she stood up, making a gesture as if she were about to see the guests off.

Kurokawa Aoi glanced at the clock on the wall and seemed to realize that it was indeed getting late. Although she was still reluctant to leave, she still considerately said...

"Ah, that's true. Genkawa-kun works hard, he should go home and rest early."

She stood up as well, still wearing a warm smile. "Then I won't keep you any longer today. Come visit me anytime, Genkawa-kun."

Genkawa Yu felt as if he had been granted a pardon. He immediately put down the bowl of soup he had already half-finished, stood up, and solemnly bowed to Kurokawa Aoi to say goodbye.

"Thank you so much for your hospitality, Auntie. The miso soup was delicious. It's getting late, so I won't bother you any longer."

Akane Kurokawa quickly grabbed Yu Minakawa's coat, preparing to see him out.

However, just as the three of them walked towards the entrance, and Genkawa Yu was about to change his shoes, the sound of a key being inserted into the lock and the door being turned came from the entrance.

"Click".

The door was pushed open from the outside.

A figure, carrying a faint smell of smoke and the coolness of the night, walked in.

The newcomer was tall and imposing, dressed in a well-fitting dark suit with a high-quality trench coat over it. Although his face showed a hint of weariness that was hard to conceal, his sharp, hawk-like eyes still exuded an undeniable air of authority and insight.

His gaze habitually swept across the entryway, and when he saw the pair of men's leather shoes on the floor that clearly didn't belong to a family member and had a young and fashionable style, his eyes instantly became as sharp as searchlights.

It was Kurokawa Akane's father, the Metropolitan Police Department's Superintendent—Kurokawa Risa.

"dad?!"

"Didn't you say you were going to work overtime today and wouldn't be back until very late?"

Akane Kurokawa exclaimed in surprise, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible tension.

Kurokawa Ryo did not answer his daughter's question immediately. His gaze passed over her and landed on Genkawa Yu, who was standing on the inside of the entrance hall, holding his coat and with a slightly stiff expression.

"Oh, there was a tricky case that was supposed to be interrogated overnight."

Kurokawa Osamu's voice was deep, carrying the authority that comes from long-term leadership positions; his tone was calm yet full of pressure.

"However, the suspect confessed today, so the follow-up work can be handled by my subordinates, and I'll come back now."

As he spoke, he took off his leather shoes and put on indoor slippers. His movements were unhurried, yet every step carried an invisible pressure.

"Good evening, Kurokawa-san."

Genkawa Yu chose to greet them first, speaking very politely.

"Ah."

Kurokawa hummed in response but did not offer any further reply.

At this moment, his wife, Kurokawa Aoi, immediately smiled broadly and, in a tone that conveyed obvious joy and "you know what I mean," cheerfully tried to smooth things over.

"Oh, honey, you're back just in time. We have guests today. Genkawa-kun and Akane came over for a visit."

Upon hearing this, Kurokawa Ryo's expression remained unchanged, though his sharp eyes narrowed slightly as he looked at Genkawa Yu again, his tone revealing neither joy nor anger.

"Genkawa-kun, don't you have work today?"

"I had a day off today. I went to a concert with Kurokawa this afternoon, then dropped her off and visited my aunt."

"So that's how it is."

Kurokawa Risa nodded, then stared at Genkawa Yu quietly for a few seconds with eyes that seemed to see right through people. The pressure of that silence made Kurokawa Akane next to her so nervous that her palms were sweating.

Then, he did something unexpected.

He turned slightly to Genkawa Yu, tilting his head towards the direction leading to the courtyard, his tone leaving no room for argument, "Genkawa-kun, if it's convenient, shall we go outside and have a chat?"

It wasn't a question, but an invitation that was almost a command.

The next moment, Akane Kurokawa's face turned pale, and she instinctively wanted to say, "Dad!"

Kurokawa Aoi was also taken aback for a moment, but then tugged at her daughter's arm and gently shook her head, signaling her not to interfere.

She understands her husband and knows that he acts with discretion, even if his methods are a bit direct.

"it is good."

Yuu Minakawa wasn't that nervous. After his last conversation with Osamu Kurokawa, he knew that Kurokawa was a very organized person.

He glanced at Akane Kurokawa, whose face was full of worry, gave her a reassuring look, and then turned to Risa Kurokawa, nodding calmly.

"Okay, Kurokawa-san."

The two walked one after the other into the cold, moonlit courtyard once again. The atmosphere was completely different from the enchanting one before; the air now seemed to carry a heavy weight.

Kurokawa Ryo stopped in the center of the courtyard, turned around, and faced Genkawa Yu. He didn't beat around the bush; he got straight to the point, his voice deep and clear, carrying the caution and severity of a law enforcer.

"Mr. Genkawa, I don't like beating around the bush. You should still remember what I told you last time, right?"

"Yes, I remember, Kurokawa-san."

"it is good."

Kurokawa Risa's gaze was as tangible as it pressed down on Genkawa Yu.

"Since you visited with Akane today and even chatted with her mother for a while, can I assume that... you and Akane are now in a serious relationship with marriage in mind?"

The man's questions left almost no room for maneuver, which was consistent with his identity and personality as a vigilant inspector, who was used to getting straight to the point.

Meeting Kurokawa Risa's extremely imposing gaze, Genkawa Yu did not answer the question immediately.

He knew that a simple "yes" might temporarily appease the other party, but that would be a deception and irresponsibility towards Kurokawa Akane, himself, and the father in front of him.

Moreover, since he has already made up his mind, he can say it quite frankly.

Genkawa Yu remained silent for a few seconds. In this brief silence, the moonlight stretched the shadows of the two of them, as if they were having a silent confrontation.

After a while, he raised his head, his eyes clear and honest, without the slightest hint of evasion.

"Kurokawa-san, I am very grateful for Akane's feelings and cherish my relationship with her. However, regarding the future... regarding marriage, I am currently unable to give you a promise that will satisfy you."

Upon hearing this, Kurokawa Osamu's brows furrowed instantly, his eyes sharpened, and even took on a hint of coldness.

Without pausing, Yuan Chuanyu continued speaking, his tone sincere and firm.

"Because I am trying to choose a path that may seem unconventional to you, but is one that I truly want to explore. This path is full of uncertainties, and I do not want to make any uncertain promises until I have sufficient ability and confidence to ensure that I can give the other person a stable and happy future."

He did not specify what this "new path" was, but the seriousness and prudence in his words were clearly conveyed.

Kurokawa stared at him for a long time, then suddenly let out a short, ambiguous sound that was almost a laugh of anger.

"Heh... a new path? Genkawa-kun, you've got some nerve."

His tone carried a hint of sarcasm and surprise, "When I was standing in front of you, when I explicitly asked you if you were dating my daughter with marriage in mind, you told me you were looking for an uncertain new path? Do you know that based on what you just said, I can completely assume that you are toying with my daughter's feelings?"

A powerful sense of oppression surged forth like a tide; it was the aura unique to those who had long held positions of power and law enforcement officers.

Genkawa Yu stood ramrod straight, staring intently at Kurokawa Osamu, his gaze unwavering.

"Kurokawa-san, it is precisely because you are Akane's father, the family member she cares about and respects, that I feel I must be honest with you. If I were someone who only wanted to play with emotions and was irresponsible, I could easily deceive Akane with sweet words, and I could also be hypocritical and make all sorts of promises to you here, but that would be an insult to Akane and a disrespect to you."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a resolute force.

"I'm telling you my true thoughts and situation now in the hope that you can understand that I'm not being irresponsible, but I just need to be more careful in my choices. Please keep this a secret for now and don't tell Akane directly. I don't want her to feel uneasy or pressured because of this."

After hearing these words, Kurokawa Osamu fell silent.

His sharp gaze swept across Genkawa Yu's face, as if assessing the truthfulness of his words, and evaluating his courage and sense of responsibility.

"You're talking about an uncertain path, does that mean you want to... have your cake and eat it too?"

As a police inspector, the well-informed Kurokawa immediately pressed for answers.

"..."

Yuan Chuanyu paused for a moment, after all, it was too risky to say that he wanted to do such a thing in front of the other man's father.

The atmosphere between the two became even more tense, but the next moment, the man opposite them spoke again.

"It seems... I guessed right, Genkawa-kun, you really are a very courageous man."

Seeing that he didn't answer immediately, Kurokawa smiled again and then slowly spoke.

"Yuu Minakawa, tell me, in your current state, how do you think you can get me to agree with your ideas? I'd really like to hear it."

This is a question that strikes at the very core of one's being.

Genkawa Yu took a deep breath of the cool night air, his eyes becoming incredibly bright and resolute in the moonlight. He met Kurokawa Ryo's scrutinizing gaze and spoke clearly and forcefully, word by word.

“I dare not say that I am qualified now, but I will strive to reach that point, to the point where everyone has to face me squarely, have to acknowledge me, and even… have to respect me. When that time comes, I think I will have enough qualifications and ability to take on the responsibilities I want to take on, and to protect the people and the future I want to protect.”

There was no arrogance in his words; after all, the road wasn't long, and he had already steadily embarked on it.

Kurokawa fell silent again.

He stared at Genkawa Yu for a long time, as if trying to see through his eyes to the true nature of his soul.

The night was quiet, with only the rustling of leaves in the wind.