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

Taking a deep breath, Genkawa Yu drank some cold water, his spirits lifted, and he opened the manuscript, immersing himself once again in that world of the early Showa era, filled with hope and sorrow.

"The Wind Rises" is an extremely beautiful yet incredibly cruel Japanese love story.

The story begins on a sunny summer plateau, where a young painter, Saku Mizuno, comes to Karuizawa to escape the heat and sketch in search of inspiration.

There, he met Setsuko Koizumi, a girl as pure and beautiful as a breeze on the plateau.

Setsuko loves nature, has a clear smile, and possesses a natural sensitivity to art.

The two met because of their shared interest in painting, were quickly attracted to each other, and fell in love.

"Love, perhaps more than anything else, serves as evidence that life truly existed. In this ever-changing world, only this emotion can withstand the erosion of time and become an eternal echo."

The theme of this section comes from the sincere emotions flowing from the text.

However, happy times are always fleeting.

As summer drew to a close, Setsuko was diagnosed with tuberculosis, a disease that was almost a death sentence at the time. The illness, like a sudden shadow, shrouded their bright world.

The story then takes a somber turn, with Mizuno Saku frequently visiting Setsuko's home. Seeing his beloved's increasingly pale and emaciated face and forced smile, he is filled with helplessness and pain.

At Setsuko's father's request, and also out of their shared desire, Mizuno Saku decided to temporarily put aside his painting career and accompany Setsuko to a hot spring resort deep in the mountains of Shinshu.

On the day of departure, Setsuko wore an elegant kimono. Although she looked sickly and haggard, her eyes sparkled with anticipation for the unknown journey and complete trust in those around her.

In his journal, Mizuno Saku wrote: "We carried simple bags, but also love and fear as heavy as mountains, and embarked on this journey into the unknown as if we were going on a honeymoon together."

The sanatorium is located in a secluded valley, with a tranquil environment that exudes an air of isolation from the world.

As autumn deepened, Setsuko's condition fluctuated, but the overall trend was not optimistic.

To alleviate his inner anxiety and to record this unforgettable time, Mizuno Saku began to conceive a novel based on their life in the sanatorium.

He pondered the meaning of a "true marriage vow," while at the same time, Setsuko's condition suddenly deteriorated, and the premonition of death, like the biting winter wind, increasingly assailed the two of them.

In early December, after a violent coughing fit, Setsuko held Mizuno Saku's hand and said weakly, "Saku-kun, I'm sorry... It seems I can't accompany you any further..."

At that moment, Mizuno Saku felt his world collapse.

Setsuko ultimately couldn't survive that cold winter, passing away quietly like a candle flame blown out by the wind.

The final chapter of the story is also the part where emotions are settled and sublimated.

In the second winter after Setsuko's death, Mizuno Saku returned alone to the plateau where they first met.

Instead of staying in a bustling summer resort, he chose a remote and quiet village known locally as the "Valley of Happiness." However, in Mizuno Saku's eyes, every blade of grass and every tree here was imbued with Setsuko's figure and the laughter they once shared, but now only boundless loneliness and the gnawing of memories remained.

He felt that this place could only be called "Valley of Death Shadows," which was also the title of the final chapter.

Upon arriving here, Mizuno Saku was immersed in immense grief over the loss of his lover, barely able to pick up a pen to paint or continue his unfinished novel.

Until one snowy night, he accidentally read Rilke's "Requiem" and, as if suddenly enlightened, Mizuno Saku burst into tears. He finally decided to pick up his paintbrush again and begin to depict Setsuko from his memory, and to depict the valley that held their love and pain.

At the end of the novel, Mizuno Saku stands on the plateau in early spring. The cold wind is still biting, but a new light has appeared in his eyes.

He decided to leave, carrying with him the strength he gained from the precious years he spent with Setsuko, to start anew and live on with resilience.

"I don't seem to be happier than the average person, but I'm not unhappy either."

"I can live so nonchalantly now, perhaps because I try not to communicate with people and live a life of isolation. I can do all this, even though I have no backbone, all thanks to you."

“But Setsuko, I never felt that I was living this lonely life for you, I only felt that it was for myself, to do everything I liked to do.”

"Or perhaps I did this for you, but I've become so accustomed to your love that I even feel I'm doing it for myself. You love me so selflessly, with such unwavering devotion..."

"The wind is rising; all we can do is try to survive."

As Yu Minakawa put the last period on the computer document and carefully proofread the last paragraph, the sky outside the window was already turning a pale white.

He had worked all night without even realizing it.

My body was exhausted, but my mind felt a sense of exhilarating comfort.

"Well..."

Yuan Chuanyou leaned back in his chair, closed his sore eyes, and rubbed his temples. The book was only about 80,000 words long, with five carefully structured chapters, and every word and sentence had been repeatedly scrutinized by him.

He felt that this revision and polishing had finally elevated the work to the level he had hoped for, and this was the kind of content a true writer should produce.

Just then, the study door was gently pushed open a crack.

Akane Kurokawa poked her head in, her face filled with worry. "Yu-kun, didn't you sleep all night?"

The girl returned home at 2 a.m. last night, but when she opened the door to the study, she found her boyfriend engrossed in writing on the computer.

Akane Kurokawa didn't interrupt his thoughts. Although she was worried, she could tell from her boyfriend's expression that he was in a state of flow while creating, a state that was rare and precious.

So she quietly returned to her bedroom, intending to wait until Yuan Chuan You finished his work before talking to him, but she ended up waiting all night.

Genkawa Yu opened his eyes and looked at his girlfriend at the door.

"More or less... but all my hard work has finally paid off, and I've finally finished this manuscript!"

Yuan Chuanyou's voice was also a little low due to staying up all night. He started the printer to print the document, and a relieved smile appeared on his lips after completing an important task.

Akane Kurokawa walked in, her gaze falling on the gradually forming manuscript, but she didn't actively look at its contents.

This is her way of showing respect to her boyfriend, and it's also one of the rules she follows as a girlfriend.

Akane Kurokawa never inquired about the specific content of Yu Minakawa's works, nor would she ever look through his manuscripts without his permission.

She was willing to wait, to wait for him to take the initiative to share his world with her.

"Finally finished?"

She walked up to him, her tone filled with cautious confirmation and joy at his happiness.

"Yes, it's done."

Genkawa Yu nodded, moved aside, and gently pushed the printed final draft in front of Kurokawa Akane.

"Akane, would you like to see this? This is the final version."

This action clearly startled Akane Kurokawa.

Looking into the undisguised trust in Yuan Chuan You's eyes, a warm feeling welled up in her heart. Then, as if receiving an incomparably precious treasure, she carefully picked up the stack of manuscript papers.

"Can I watch it now?"

"of course."

Genkawa Yu stood up and stretched his stiff neck.

"You take a look first. I'll go call editor Machida to arrange the subsequent publication matters, and I also need to make a work call to Mr. Suo."

Publishing "The Wind Rises" is not only to further increase brand awareness, but the royalties from it are also an important source of income, providing solid financial support for the initial operation of [Star Engine].

Meanwhile, the animated film "Your Name," which he is preparing with Suoh Shun, has entered the production stage. Its final performance will determine Suoh Shun's performance report in the film industry this year, so there can be absolutely no slackening.

"Okay, Yu-kun, you go ahead and get busy. I'll take a look first."

Akane Kurokawa couldn't wait to sit in the spot where Yuu Minagawa had just been and opened the first page of "The Wind Rises"—"Overture".

Yuan Chuanyou smiled as he watched her profile become increasingly absorbed in the text, then took his phone and left the study, gently closing the door behind him.

He first dialed the phone number of editor Machida.

When Machida, the editor on the other end of the phone, heard the news that "The Wind Rises" had finally been finalized, his voice was filled with excitement and anticipation.

As Yu Genkawa's editor, he knew that this work, which Yu Genkawa valued so highly, was no less significant than "Love Letter," and might even be more so.

The two quickly finalized the submission process, the initial review schedule, and the subsequent publicity and pre-launch plan.

About fifteen minutes later, after hanging up the phone with editor Machida, Genkawa Yu contacted Suo Shun.

On the phone, Suoh Shun's voice was as calm and capable as ever. He summarized the current progress of the film project. The overall progress was in line with expectations, but in order to ensure the ultimate quality of the final product, some details still needed more time to be polished.

"Quality is the top priority, Mr. Suo. We don't need to be afraid to spend money on details, because when it's finally shown in theaters, the audience is the most important judge."

Genkawa Yu's tone was firm.

"The quality of the film must never be compromised!"

"Hehe, of course I understand, Genkawa-kun. Don't worry, I've moved to an old apartment near the animation team. I need to keep an eye on the progress."

Suoh Shun is the son of a wealthy family in the "Burning Flame" industry, but he is not a pampered young master. In order to surpass his older brother and inherit the position of president of the "Burning Flame" company, he has almost given his all this year.

At this moment, Genkawa Yu also threw out some unexpected news at him.

"Also, regarding the theme song for 'Your Name'... I've recently had some inspiration and am trying to compose a song. If it's completed successfully, it might be used directly as the movie's theme song."

Upon hearing this, there was a noticeable silence on the other end of the phone for a few seconds, clearly indicating that the sudden news had caught Zhou Fang Shun somewhat off guard.

He knew that Yuu Genkawa was exceptionally talented, but he was surprised that he had crossed over from acting and writing to music composition, especially for such an important theme song.

This was truly unexpected.

But soon, Suoh Hayabusa laughed, his tone filled with amazement and trust.

"Genkawa-kun, you really keep surprising people! You truly are a genius! Alright, then I'll wait for good news. If you could personally compose the theme song, the 'soul' of this movie would be even more complete!"

"I will try my best, after all, this is important to both of us."

After ending his call with Suo Hayato, Genkawa Yu stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in the living room, gazing at the city outside, which had fully awakened.

Composing the theme song "Zenzenzense" was a very important task, and now that "The Wind Rises" has been finalized, he can finally focus his energy on that.

However, after the song was completed, choosing who would sing it became another crucial step.

The candidate needs to have solid singing skills and a unique timbre, be able to perfectly interpret the sense of destiny and passionate emotions that transcend time and space in the song, and preferably be a trustworthy candidate.

This thought lingered in his mind, but he didn't have a clear answer yet.

After making two important phone calls, the subsequent specific coordination work can be handed over to assistant Kato Megumi for arrangement.

Genkawa Yu rubbed his throbbing temples, intending to go to the kitchen to get a glass of water and then check on Kurokawa Akane's reading progress.

When he entered the study with a glass of water, the scene he saw made his heart skip a beat.

Akane Kurokawa remained seated in the chair in the same position as before, but her shoulders were trembling slightly.

The stack of manuscript paper for "The Wind Rises" was spread out in front of her, and the girl lowered her head, one hand tightly covering her mouth, while the other hand unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.

Tears were streaming down her beautiful, downcast face.

she cried?

Yuan Chuanyou panicked and quickly took his water glass and walked over.