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

Just then, Matsumoto Yuki, who had led them in, looked at the schedule on her tablet and then spoke to Asakura Toru.

"Asakura-san, according to the president's latest schedule update, his morning shoot might take a little longer than expected. He won't arrive at the company until around 3 PM. He specifically asked me to ask you whether you'd prefer to wait until he arrives before starting the auditions, or to start the auditions in the current order?"

When Asakura Toru heard that Genkawa Yu wouldn't arrive until the afternoon, he took a deep breath and thought that this wasn't so bad.

"Matsumoto-san, let's proceed in the current order."

If Yuu Minakawa stands outside the audition room, it might affect her mood.

"Okay, I completely understand. Please wait here in the rest area for a while. This is the complete sheet music for 'Zen Zen Zense' and a demo recorded by the president. You can familiarize yourself with it first. I will let you know when it is your turn."

Yuki Matsumoto smiled and handed over a transparent folder containing documents and a small MP3 player before going to coordinate matters for the other auditioning singers.

Asakura Toru and Higuchi Enka found a relatively quiet window seat in the rest area and sat down.

Asakura Toru put on the headphones he had brought and began listening to the demo.

The waiting time seemed exceptionally long, with each minute stretching out as the singers ahead of us walked into the top-of-the-line recording studio and then came out again.

Toru Asakura felt that he had to seize this precious opportunity.

This opportunity will allow her to get closer to the light she is chasing.

About an hour later, Yuki Matsumoto came over again, and her voice woke Toru Asakura from his immersive world of music.

"Asakura-san, please get ready, you're next."

Asakura Toru looked up from the lyrics and melody, as if she had been infused with some kind of determination. She stood up, carefully straightened the hem of her T-shirt and the folds of her skirt, and smoothed her hair. Then she gave Higuchi Enka a firm look that said, "I'm going, I'll do my best."

"Keep it up, Tou."

Higuchi Enka looked at her and nodded gently, just as she had done countless times before she stepped onto the stage.

Asakura Toru turned around and, with the light steps of a young girl, followed Matsumoto Yuki toward the professional recording studio that symbolized challenge.

As Asakura Toru's figure disappeared behind the heavy soundproof door of the recording studio, Higuchi Enka sat back down in her chair, her gaze thoughtfully falling on Matsumoto Yuki, who was still standing not far away.

So she decided to make a simple test.

"Um, Matsumoto-san."

Upon hearing this, Matsumoto Yuki turned her head, a professional questioning expression on her face.

"Higuchi-san, is there anything you need?"

Higuchi Enka didn't beat around the bush. Her calm and unwavering gaze met Matsumoto Yuki's directly. Her voice wasn't loud, but it carried a unique charm.

"Matsumoto-san, Genkawa-sensei, you've actually already arrived, haven't you?"

"Eh..."

Yuki Matsumoto was clearly not expected to be questioned so directly. A hint of panic flashed across her face, but faced with Madoka Higuchi's cold gaze, she didn't know how to explain for a moment.

After several seconds, she nodded as if resigned to her fate, and then said with a forced smile.

"The president is really a prophet. He has indeed arrived, and he even said that Higuchi-san might have guessed this."

Higuchi Enka paused for a moment before speaking.

"Could you please take me to see him now?"

Yuki Matsumoto didn't hesitate much about the request, since Yu Minakawa had already given her some pointers. If Madoka Higuchi had guessed it, then she could just bring her over.

"...Okay, please follow me."

She led Higuchi Madoka past the public rest area, through a quiet corridor covered with soft carpet, to the door of the president's office at the end of the floor.

Yuki Matsumoto took a deep breath and gently knocked on the door.

"Please come in."

A clear, somewhat familiar male voice came from inside.

Pushing open the door, one finds Yuu Genkawa sitting behind his desk in the spacious and bright office.

In front of him was an ultra-thin Apple laptop and some scattered documents, with a steaming cup of black coffee beside him.

Seeing Higuchi Enka follow Matsumoto Yuki into the room, a knowing smile appeared on his lips.

"Teacher Genkawa."

Higuchi Enka greeted him immediately, her eyes fixed on him.

"Higuchi-san, good afternoon."

He waved his hand, indicating that the somewhat uneasy Matsumoto Yuki could go ahead and get back to work. The other woman felt as if she had been granted a pardon, and quickly bowed and withdrew, gently closing the heavy office door behind her.

"Higuchi-san, why do you think I've already arrived?"

Higuchi Madoka thought for a moment, then said, "It's probably intuition. After all, I observed how Toru interacted with you last time. If you were still on set, you wouldn't have made that choice."

"..."

Genkawa Yu's smile faded, and his expression became serious and sincere.

"sharp."

He looked at the girl in front of him. As an idol, she possessed an appearance and temperament far beyond that of ordinary people. In addition, she also had such sharp thinking, which was truly astonishing.

"Actually, the reason I did this is very simple. I hope that... Asakura can be free from any external interference, so that she can focus on her true strength and level and complete this crucial audition."

"I really hope that her voice can be recognized by the music department supervisors and that she can eventually become the singer of 'Zenzenzense'."

“I’ve heard her sing, and I believe her voice has a certain quality that this song needs,” Genkawa Yu paused, then continued, “Of course, Higuchi-san, the singers who came today are all very excellent, many of them are experienced senior singers. The final selection is not entirely in my hands. The professional opinions of the music department are crucial, and I need to respect their judgment.”

"So all I can do is wait for the final result."

Hearing Yuu Minakawa's candid explanation, Madoka Higuchi's usually calm heart stirred slightly.

Since becoming an idol and entering the bizarre and wonderful entertainment industry, she has met all sorts of people.

Investors, producers, seniors, colleagues... many people approach them with various motives, whether it's hypocritical flattery, ulterior motives, or simply seeing them as pretty tools to make money.

She operates with a "silent and unassuming" approach, which is certainly the image set by her agency, but it is also closely related to her naturally perceptive, habitually distant, and calmly observant inner personality.

Those with ill intentions or hypocritical masks are often quickly seen through by her seemingly indifferent but actually incredibly insightful eyes, making it difficult for them to truly get close to her inner world.

However, in the case of Genkawa Yu.

She rarely felt that kind of uncomfortable calculation, utilitarianism, or hypocrisy. At this moment, she could clearly feel the unreserved sincerity in his words, a pure intention based on genuine trust in his friend's abilities and a beautiful expectation that he could become a better person.

Hmm... it seems that Genkawa-sensei simply believes in Toru's potential.

This trust and support remain within the realm of solid and open friendship, without any ambiguity or other superfluous thoughts.

As Higuchi Enka recalled Asakura Toru's efforts and aspirations over this period, she couldn't help but sigh softly in her heart.

She raised her eyes and looked again into Genkawa Yu's clear, bright eyes.

"I understand, thank you, Mr. Yuanchuan."

Genkawa Yu looked at her with a gentle and sincere smile. "Higuchi-san, you really are a very reliable friend. Asakura is lucky to have a friend like you by her side, supporting and protecting her at all times."

At this point, he changed the subject, his eyes showing a hint of anticipation for the future.

"Speaking of which, if you [Nokuchiru] want to reach a broader and higher stage in the future and need more diversified development and support, [Star Engine] is always willing to open its doors to you, and I am willing to provide all the resources and support I can."

Upon hearing this, Higuchi Enka's delicate eyebrows twitched almost imperceptibly. She looked at Genkawa Yu and asked with a hint of confirmation and necessary caution in her tone.

"Mr. Genkawa, is this... a formal offer to poach you?"

Upon hearing this, Genkawa Yu couldn't help but chuckle, then shook his head with a hearty smile, carrying a sense of calm and composure.

"Of course not. I would never poach talent, and Star Engine would never start in this way."

"I just want to say that everything in the future is still unknown, but I am happy and hope to be able to work with artists with potential like you."

Of course, it would be best if it could help me earn more money.

Since he was going to follow the capitalist path, Yuu Genkawa felt that the more cash cows he had, the better.

Upon hearing his words, Higuchi Enka was stunned once again.

Because of the books "Love Letter" and "The Wind Rises," she already harbored great curiosity and a certain indescribable concern for Genkawa Yu.

Hearing him praise their group so sincerely at that moment, the inexplicable care and appreciation seemed to deepen instantly, becoming even more genuine.

Higuchi Enka has a cold personality, and her inner world is clearly divided and has distinct boundaries.

She would only carefully categorize the very few people she truly respected from the bottom of her heart into that extremely small circle.

Currently, besides their blood relatives, the only people in this circle are the teammates in the group [Nokuchiru] who have worked together with them, especially Asakura Toru, who grew up with them since childhood.

But at this moment, looking at the gentle and clean-cut young man in front of her, Higuchi Enka clearly felt that the barrier deep in her heart, which had been solid for more than ten years, seemed to have been breached by a gentle yet firm force.

It seems there's going to be one more person in the circle...

"Thank you for the compliment, Professor Yuanchuan. I believe we will have the opportunity to collaborate if the chance arises."

Higuchi Enka's expression became more serious.

"That's good."

Genkawa Yu smiled gently, "By the way, Higuchi-san, since Asakura and I are friends, you don't need to use honorifics anymore, just call me Genkawa-kun."

"...good."

Higuchi Enka stared at him blankly, then nodded seriously.

Volume 2 Tokyo Love Story: Chapter 69 - A Head Pat on Kato Megumi (2-in-1 6k)

[Star Engine], President's Office.

Genkawa Yu sat in the chair, holding the script for the follow-up scenes of "Sparkling Love" in his hand, but his gaze was not fully focused on it, and his thoughts were somewhat complicated.

Asakura Toru has already started the audition, Higuchi Enka went out to wait for her, while Genkawa Yu could only stay here and wait for the results.

As the president, he is the highest decision-maker of [Star Engine] and theoretically has the right to decide who sings "Zenzenzense".

However, his current approach is to let professionals do what they are good at.

The selection of singers, especially for such an important movie theme song, hinges on the quality and suitability of their voices, which is not his area of ​​expertise.