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

"The occurrence of feelings often does not completely follow the rules of reason and first come, first served."

He saw a deeper pain flash in Mai Sakurajima's eyes, but he knew he couldn't stop.

“I saw Akane’s feelings, and I could no longer turn a blind eye, so I chose to take our relationship to the next level.”

Genkawa Yu candidly dissected his inner journey, his tone calm yet carrying a sharp, unvarnished truth.

“However, I admit, Mai-san, your feelings are the same... I have similar feelings for you. Everything we have experienced together is equally precious and irreplaceable to me.”

At this moment, he changed his tone, his eyes becoming as firm as a rock, and he uttered that earth-shattering statement.

"Appreciation and goodwill coexist with the feelings I've already confirmed I want to reciprocate, which makes me realize one thing—I might be an incredibly greedy person."

"greedy?"

Mai Sakurajima murmured repeatedly, her pale face revealing for the first time an emotion beyond sadness.

Yes, greed.

Meeting her gaze, Genkawa Yu's tone was resolute, carrying a pure frankness.

“I know this sounds absurd, selfish, and even a desecration of your and Akane’s feelings, but seeing the sadness in Mai-san’s eyes, I can’t deceive myself, and I can’t deceive you.”

"I cannot accept that because of my choices, someone must be happy while another is destined to suffer."

He took a small step forward, his gaze burning as if a resolute flame were raging within him.

"I like Akane. She made me feel the warmth and courage of being loved without reservation. But similarly, my feelings are the same for Mai-san."

"So the path I want to take is one that may not be recognized by the world, and may be full of difficulties, but it is a path that I must try to take."

"I hope that the people I cherish can be happy, instead of suffering the pain of loss because of me."

Upon hearing this, Mai Sakurajima was completely stunned.

She anticipated various reactions from Genkawa Yu—a powerless explanation or a cold admission.

But she never expected that instead of a rejection, she would receive such an outrageous declaration!

After the initial shock, a flood of memories suddenly washed over Mai Sakurajima, and she immediately thought of her parents.

Although she didn't know the real reason for her parents' divorce, it was an undeniable fact that her father had formed a new family with someone else and had a daughter.

On the other hand, she is Mai Sakurajima, a national actress with the status and strength that countless artists crave. What she longs for is a complete, pure, and unique love, not a love to be shared with others.

next moment.

"greedy?"

She repeated the word, her voice suddenly rising, tinged with a sharp disbelief.

"Yu-kun, do you think I would agree to something like this? In your opinion, am I the kind of person who can accept... such an absurd arrangement?"

Her pride was like a drawn sword, gleaming coldly in the air.

Looking at Mai Sakurajima's appearance, Yu Genkawa had actually expected it, but a strange tenderness and a deeper determination welled up in his heart instead.

He knew her pride, and it was precisely because he knew that he had to be honest at this moment.

“I know, I’ve always known Mai-san’s pride, I know you deserve the best love in the world, and I know better than anyone how offensive and unfair this idea is to you.”

Yuan Chuan paused for a moment, his eyes as deep as the night sky, but his tone carried an undeniable firmness.

"So, I don't expect you to agree or accept it easily right now. I just... want to tell you my true thoughts. I don't want to deceive or hide anything. As for the future..."

What are your plans for the future?

This time, Mai Sakurajima crossed her arms and looked coldly at Yu Genkawa's face.

"Hehe, if Mai-san really doesn't want to accept, that's fine too. In the future... I'll just pursue you!"

Genkawa Yu suddenly smiled, his face showing the ease of speaking his mind.

"Hmph, chasing me?"

Mai Sakurajima couldn't help but feel a shiver run through her, but she quickly regained her composure and continued to look at him coldly, "Unless you completely sever ties with Kurokawa, don't even think about it."

"I'll come up with a suitable way to do it."

Looking into her beautiful eyes, Yuan Chuanyu spoke slowly and deliberately.

“It is indeed too much to say such things, and I know that this is also a form of coercion against Mai-san, but I have no better way.”

"If Mai-san still rejects me in the end..."

Upon hearing this, Mai Sakurajima stared intently into his eyes, as if whatever Yu Genkawa was about to say would completely shatter the bond between them.

"Well... I won't give up either. Just like Mai-san once said, I will try again... to make you like me."

Mai Sakurajima fell silent.

The other person's words were utterly absurd, yet the flame in his eyes was so real and so intense, as if he truly believed he could accomplish the impossible.

She loved Yuu Minakawa; his gentleness had already silently entwined her heart like vines.

Asking her to give up easily would be like tearing out her heart and bones.

It is precisely because of this deep love that I am in even greater pain, anger, and emotional turmoil at this moment.

She bit her lower lip so hard she could almost taste blood. Mai Sakurajima's long eyelashes trembled violently, concealing the turbulent emotions churning in her eyes.

In the end, all the words turned into a long sigh, filled with endless weariness and a sense of absurdity.

"Oh..."

She let out a short, ambiguous laugh and shook her head, as if trying to shake the whole mess out of her mind.

"This is... utterly absurd."

She didn't look at Yuan Chuanyou again, as if even one more glance would cause her to break down. Then she turned around abruptly, put her hat and mask back on, and wrapped herself in that cold protective shell once more.

Mai Sakurajima opened the study door without stopping.

However, just as she was about to step out of the study, the girl paused slightly, turned her back to Genkawa Yu, and spoke in a voice that was trying hard to remain calm but still had a slight tremor at the end.

"Next week...we'll start the promotional campaign for 'Alice in the Land of the Dying'."

Mai Sakurajima's voice was soft, yet it was like a pebble thrown into a lake, creating ripples in Yuu Genkawa's heart.

See you then.

After saying that, she didn't linger. She walked straight to the entrance without even glancing at Kurokawa Akane, who was standing in the direction of the kitchen. She quickly opened the apartment door and her figure resolutely disappeared into the light outside.

Yuan Chuanyu stood there, staring at the closed study door, and remained motionless for a long time.

He knew that his words had undoubtedly dealt another heavy blow to Mai Sakurajima's pride.

But he doesn't regret it.

Concealment and deception will only bring longer and deeper harm.

He laid bare his choice and his seemingly impossible ambition right in front of the other party.

This way, more possibilities can be created in the future.

After an unknown amount of time, the study door was gently pushed open.

Akane Kurokawa walked in, still wearing that oversized men's cardigan. She looked at the complex expression on Yuu Minakawa's face, a mixture of exhaustion and a hint of barely perceptible confusion, without asking any questions or offering any words of comfort.

She simply walked up quietly, stretched out her arms, gently wrapped them around his waist, and pressed her cheek against his chest, which seemed somewhat thin and cold at the moment, as if to transfer her body heat and strength to him.

Feeling the warmth and support from her embrace, Yuu's stiff body slowly relaxed.

He lowered his head, rested his chin on the top of Kurokawa Akane's hair which exuded a fresh fragrance, and closed his eyes.

Silence spread between the two, but it wasn't awkward; instead, a silent understanding flowed between them.

After a long while, Genkawa Yu's deep and hoarse voice rang out in the quiet room, carrying a hint of uncertainty and hesitation.

"Akane..."

He asked softly, as if asking her, but also as if asking himself, "Do you think I'm a jerk?"

Akane Kurokawa gently shook her head in his arms, her cheek rubbing against the fabric of his chest. Her voice was muffled, yet exceptionally clear and firm.

"of course not."

She didn't press them about what they talked about, nor did she show any jealousy or unease.

Akane Kurokawa possesses a skill called "profiling," and her intelligence has already allowed her to subtly glimpse Yu Minakawa's inner struggles from the slightest clues.

However, the girl chose to be understanding, to wait, and to believe.

This concise and affirmative answer was like a warm current, instantly flowing through Genkawa Yu's entire body.

He tightened his arms, holding the warm, soft body in his arms even closer, as if she were the only reliable driftwood in the raging storm.

"Thank you, Akane."

Akane Kurokawa raised her head and looked into his deep eyes. Her gaze was clear and calm, but deep within it lay an undeniable affection and a hint of worry.

She had long been inseparable from him; from the moment he reciprocated her feelings, she knew she had completely fallen for him.

Therefore, even though she vaguely guessed his shocking idea, and even though she felt uneasy and hurt, she chose to stand by his side.

The next moment, Akane Kurokawa reached out and gently smoothed her boyfriend's slightly furrowed brow, her tone as calm as if she were saying something perfectly natural.

"Do whatever you want, Yu-kun."

Her voice was soft, yet carried a rock-solid firmness.

"As long as you remember to come home in the end, that's enough."

As Yuan Chuanyu gazed into her eyes, which were filled with understanding, tolerance, and boundless affection, the last trace of hesitation and doubt in his heart was dispelled.

He nodded heavily and hugged her tightly again.

"Ah."

He replied, his voice low and firm.

Volume 2 Tokyo Love Story: Chapter 34 Kato Megumi's Massage, Subtle Influence on the Heart (2-in-1 5k)