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

That's some serious acting!

"That's great...that's really great..."

Director Mizuki couldn't help but murmur to himself, a satisfied smile spreading across his face as if he had found a treasure. "This is what I wanted... no, it's even better than I wanted!"

He almost held his breath, staring intently at the monitor screen, afraid of missing any subtle change in expression.

Filming continues.

The camera focused on the foot of Arashiyama, a quiet corner far from the hustle and bustle of the main street, with the lush outline of Arashiyama in the night and the shimmering river reflecting the moonlight and lanterns in the background.

Yuu Minakawa and Mai Sakurajima stood side by side by the stone railing on the riverbank.

Genkawa Yu held a glass bottle of marble soda in his hand. The dark blue bottle was covered with cool water droplets, which looked particularly refreshing between his slender fingers.

He would occasionally lift the bottle and take a sip, his Adam's apple bobbing gently with each swallow.

Ninako held a bright red candied apple in both hands, as if she were holding some precious treasure.

She tilted her head slightly, occasionally licking the sugar coating, and a satisfied blush would appear on her face, her eyes happily squinting into crescent moons.

They had their backs to the camera, facing the distant mountains and the deep blue night sky.

The contrast between Yuu Minakawa's tall stature and Mai Sakurajima's slender and petite figure was perfectly matched.

Just two quiet figures from behind, captured by the photographer's masterful composition, create a beautiful and evocative scene full of story.

The evening breeze gently caressed the sleeves and hem of the yukata, and the hem of Mai Sakurajima's pale green yukata occasionally brushed against Yu Genkawa's dark blue cuffs, depending on the direction of the wind.

The two small hands under the cuffs were very close together, but they kept touching and then separating, a movement captured by a close-up shot.

Director Mizuki was almost bursting with admiration.

"Is this the kind of teamwork a genius actor can achieve? They even proactively design these little details!"

After a while, it finally got completely dark.

The deep blue sky was like a giant velvet curtain, dotted with a few early stars. In the distance, the main street echoed with the excited chatter of people, foreshadowing the approach of an important moment.

Sudden.

"Boom-bang!"

The first firework, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound, pierced the silent night sky and burst open with a bang at the highest point!

A huge, colorful light instantly illuminated the entire valley, as well as the countless faces on the ground looking up.

"here we go!"

Mai Sakurajima gasped in surprise, tilting her head back. Her eyes were completely illuminated by the dazzling fireworks, sparkling with a childlike purity.

Genkawa Yuya tilted his head slightly, watching the fireworks rise one after another, blooming with various patterns and colors, and a faint smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

The deafening explosions, the gasps and cheers of the crowd, the music of the festival, the clamor of the main street in the distance... all the sounds seemed to merge into the background at this moment, becoming distant and blurred.

The camera slowly pans down, giving a close-up shot.

With their hands hanging at their sides, the two began to slowly approach each other as the fireworks illuminated the night sky.

Another firework soared into the sky, bursting into a giant heart shape, its pink light filling the heavens.

Under the cover of light, Yu Genkawa took the initiative to extend his little finger and gently hook it around Mai Sakurajima's finger.

This move was bolder than before, the wrapping force was slight yet firm.

Pause again.

The third round of fireworks went off, a silver streak of light like a meteor shower, falling gently into the sky.

This time, the entire palm was carefully pressed together.

At the moment when the light was at its brightest, the two tentative hands finally clasped together, their fingers interlocked.

Their gazes remained fixed on the sky, seemingly absorbed in the brilliance of the fireworks, but their tightly clasped hands and the irrepressible upturn of their lips betrayed emotions far more surging and intense than the fireworks in the night sky.

That is confirmation, that is reliance, that is the courage to hold on tightly to the other person even when the road ahead is still shrouded in mist.

Behind the monitor, Director Mizuki watched the two hands that had been tentatively clasped together in the flickering fireworks, and breathed a long sigh of relief, a smile of complete reassurance and immense satisfaction spreading across his face.

He knew that the most important soul of the film had been perfectly presented by the two lead actors in a way that went beyond the script.

"That's great, only good actors can play themselves."

"That's fantastic! This movie is sure to be a huge hit!"

In the shot, Yuu Genkawa and Mai Sakurajima still stand side by side, gazing at the night sky that is gradually returning to calm.

The last ember of the firework slowly fell and disappeared into the darkness.

Their hands never let go.

Volume 2 Tokyo Love Story: Chapter 73 Kurokawa Akane's Cunning, Kato Megumi's Love (2-in-1 5k)

My three days in Kyoto were like a meticulously woven dream, ending abruptly yet leaving a lingering aftertaste.

When the content of the last shot appeared on the monitor, Director Mizuki stood up abruptly, his gaze fixed on Yu Genkawa and Mai Sakurajima in front of him.

He clapped his hands vigorously a few times, his voice loud and clear, his face beaming with barely suppressed excitement.

"Everyone! Thank you for your hard work! The filming in Kyoto has come to a more successful end than expected!"

The next moment, he strode towards the two lead actors standing in the center of the crowd, his gaze shifting back and forth between Genkawa Yu and Sakurajima Mai, his tone filled with undisguised praise.

"Genkawa-kun and Sakurajima-san, your acting was absolutely superb! The Kyoto scenes were able to wrap up smoothly thanks to you two!"

The photographers, lighting technicians, and other key staff members around them nodded in agreement, their eyes filled with approval as they looked at the two lead actors.

To complete such emotionally intense scenes efficiently and with high quality within such a tight schedule requires not only superb acting skills, but also a deep understanding and trust between the actors.

Clearly, they did a great job.

Upon hearing this, Sakurajima Mai gave a slight bow, her usual smile on her face.

"Director, you flatter me. The effect we achieved is the result of the collective efforts of our entire team."

She paused, then turned her gaze to Yuan Chuan You beside her. A subtle, almost imperceptible tenderness flickered in her eyes.

"Of course, I also want to thank Genkawa-kun. He is an excellent co-star who always brings me new inspiration and excitement."

Genkawa Yu nodded humbly in return.

"Director Mizuki, you flatter me. Your on-set guidance has benefited me greatly. I have also learned a lot from working with Sakurajima-san on these scenes."

Although these were just polite words, there was no other way. After all, there were still people in the crew filming behind-the-scenes footage, and the actors could only ensure that their answers were watertight.

Afterwards, the crew began to pack up the equipment in an orderly manner, and the actors removed their makeup and changed back into their everyday clothes, preparing to return to Tokyo.

On the return flight, Mai Sakurajima chose a window seat, while Yu Genkawa sat on the other side of the aisle diagonally behind her.

The two did not speak deliberately, but when the flight attendant brought the drinks, Mai Sakurajima took the orange juice and subconsciously glanced back at Yu Genkawa, only to meet his gaze.

The two looked at each other, their lips curving into barely perceptible smiles, before they looked away.

It was a sense of relaxation that needed no words, proof that their relationship had officially warmed up again.

Mai Sakurajima sipped her slightly cool juice, gazing at the surging sea of ​​clouds outside the window, feeling a long-lost sense of peace and contentment.

This sense of satisfaction comes from two aspects.

First, there's the career aspect.

As the largest individual investor in "Sparkling Love" and the founder of "Sakura no Umi" agency, the success or failure of this film is directly related to whether she takes a steady first step after becoming independent.

The results of the three days of filming in Kyoto have undoubtedly given Er Ming Er Er Yi a strong boost.

"Since we have chosen independence and self-reliance, we must win decisively."

She whispered to herself that her career empire was one of the most important sources of confidence for her to weather the storms of the entertainment industry.

Mai Sakurajima is no longer a "product" that needs to rely on the resources of her agency, but a "creator" who can choose projects independently and even influence industry trends.

On the other hand, there are issues of personal feelings.

She could actually sense that the barrier between herself and Genkawa Yu had long since slowly disappeared.

Before the argument in the study, the two had been very close, but after the argument, even ordinary contact became cautious.

Even with her emotions on edge, Mai Sakurajima still couldn't get used to it or let it go; only she herself knew this feeling best.

Through this drama, they have undertaken a long and effective "emotional rehabilitation" by adopting the identities of [Ren] and [Ninako].

The scene under the fireworks, from fingertips to intertwined fingers, was probably her most dedicated and enjoyable performance in recent times.

The surge of emotion wasn't simply due to the character.

"At least, we can still get along like this."

Mai Sakurajima closed her eyes and leaned back in her chair, not to return to the past, but to embark on a new path.

As for whether I'll actually agree to his absurd idea in the end, that's for my future self to decide.

As the plane landed at Haneda Airport, the familiar hustle and bustle and efficiency of Tokyo immediately greeted me.

After a brief farewell to the crew, Genkawa Yu gave Kato Megumi a day off and then returned to his apartment alone.

Pushing open the door, the warm light and fresh floral fragrance wafted in, instantly washing away the fatigue of the journey.

"Yu-kun! Welcome home!"

Akane Kurokawa, wearing an apron with a bear pattern, poked her head out of the kitchen with a bright, untroubled smile on her face.

"Dinner will be ready soon. Go take a shower and relax!"

She jogged over and naturally took the coat and suitcase from Yuan Chuan You's hands, then looked up at him with bright, sparkling eyes.

"Was Kyoto fun? Was work tiring?"

"Fortunately, the filming went smoothly."

Genkawa Yu gently ruffled her hair, the gesture carrying an affectionate and comforting meaning.

How about you? How have you been these past few days?

"I didn't slack off!"