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

He put away his phone and quickened his pace.

The sky had completely darkened, and the deep blue night sky, like a giant velvet blanket, enveloped the entire riverside park.

The lanterns shone even brighter, casting long shadows that overlapped and intertwined on the ground.

Under a tree in the distance, stood a girl wearing a light blue yukata.

The yukata was light blue with white crane patterns printed on it, elegant and unique. A silver sash was tied around her waist in a delicate knot.

Most strikingly, she wore a white rabbit mask with long, upright ears, giving her a playful yet mysterious appearance.

"Hey, is she wearing a mask too?"

Genkawa Yu walked to the tree and stopped in front of her.

The two figures, a fox and a rabbit, stood facing each other, creating a wondrous scene in the dappled light and shadow cast by the lanterns.

"Yu-kun, did you also think about wearing a mask?"

Mai Sakurajima spoke first, her voice coming through the mask, carrying a faint smile.

"That's natural."

Genkawa Yu replied, "It's not completely dark yet, so it's still easy for people to recognize me, and..."

He paused, then continued, "Doesn't this create a more festive atmosphere?"

Mai Sakurajima chuckled softly, her rabbit mask twitching slightly. "That's true. So, where do you plan to place us? We can't just stand here forever."

"Come with me."

Genkawa Yu made a "please" gesture, "Since I've decided to choose this place, I naturally won't be unprepared."

The two walked side by side along a relatively secluded path.

The sound of wooden clogs tapping on the stone pavement was crisp and synchronized, like a tacit rhythm. Genkawa Yu took a slight lead, guiding Sakurajima Mai and using his body to shield her from the occasional oncoming crowd.

He had already established contact with the organizers of the fireworks festival. As one of the most sought-after young actors at the moment, Yu Genkawa's connections were quite useful.

The organizers not only agreed to reserve a spot for him, but also thoughtfully chose a quiet and secluded corner.

It was on a gentle slope on the riverbank, far from the hustle and bustle of the main venue, yet offering an excellent view.

A dark blue picnic mat was laid out on the slope, with two cushions on it.

"here..."

Sakurajima Asa walked over, looked around, and said with surprise, "It feels pretty good."

Genkawa Yu followed her in, took off his fox mask, and placed it aside. "After all, today is very important."

Mai Sakurajima also took off her rabbit mask.

Beneath the mask lies her face, hailed as a "national beauty," with delicate features like meticulously sculpted works of art. Her eyes, in particular, are slightly upturned at the corners, conveying both the clarity of a young girl and a maturity beyond her years.

She wore light makeup today, with a watery red lip gloss that made her lips look especially soft under the light.

"The fireworks festival hasn't even started yet, Yu-kun, are you already going to start saying sweet nothings?"

Mai Sakurajima knelt down on the cushion, her posture elegant and graceful.

Genkawa Yu sat down next to her. "Let's watch the fireworks first."

In the distance, the music of the festival could be faintly heard. The rhythm of the taiko drum was deep and powerful, and the sounds of people talking and laughing rose and fell like the tide, but became blurred due to the distance, and instead became a kind of background noise.

"Ten minutes left."

Genkawa Yu glanced at the time on his phone. "The fireworks festival is about to officially begin."

Mai Sakurajima nodded, her gaze fixed on the river.

The Tama River flows quietly in the night, reflecting the lights on the banks like a ribbon adorned with stars.

"It's a beautiful night," she said softly.

“Yes,” Genkawa Yu replied, but his gaze lingered on her profile.

A silence fell between them, but it wasn't awkward.

It was a comfortable tranquility; they simply sat side by side, waiting for the moment the fireworks would go off.

Time passed second by second.

Finally, at exactly 7 p.m., a long, melodious flute note pierced the night sky.

Immediately afterwards, a sharp "whoosh" came from the opposite bank of the river, and a point of light shot straight into the sky, bursting open at its highest point.

The first official firework bloomed in the night sky.

It was a huge golden chrysanthemum shape, with layers of petals stretching out in all directions, a blazing white light at the center, and edges that gradually transitioned to a warm orange-yellow.

The light illuminated the entire riverbank, lighting up everyone's faces in that instant, and exclamations of surprise and admiration surged up like waves.

"It's starting," said Genkawa Yu.

As the first firework faded, more and more sparks of light rose into the sky one after another.

Genkawa Yu quietly turned his head to look at Sakurajima Mai.

She tilted her head back, gazing intently at the night sky, her pupils reflecting the ever-blooming and fading flowers of light. The flickering glow of fireworks on her face outlined her beautiful features.

Genkawa Yu thought for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh again, actually because he was nervous.

The commotion caught Sakurajima Mai's attention, causing the girl to turn her head and look over.

"what happened?"

"Mai-san," Genkawa Yu said, looking at her earnestly, even when he was just addressing her by her name, it carried a solemn meaning.

Mai Sakurajima seemed to sense something, her breath catching slightly.

Fireworks exploded continuously above their heads, illuminating the small space in an alternating pattern of light and shadow.

"I like you."

Genkawa Yu spoke each word clearly and forcefully, piercing through the sound of the fireworks explosions and reaching Sakurajima Mai's ears.

"Although I have many flaws and am a bit greedy, I still hope... you can stay by my side."

He finished speaking and just looked at her quietly, waiting for a response.

Mai Sakurajima's pupils dilated slightly.

Even though she had a premonition, when he actually said those words, her heart still felt like it had been gently bumped by something, and then it began to beat faster.

Mai Sakurajima's lips moved, but no sound came out.

Her eyes gradually welled up with tears, and in the reflection of the fireworks, they seemed to sparkle like stars.

She reached out, her fingertips gently touching the back of Yuan Chuan You's hand, then slowly placed her hand on top of his. Yuan Chuan You grasped her hand in return; his palm was warm, his strength gentle yet not allowing her to break free.

"if..."

Mai Sakurajima finally spoke, her voice choked with emotion, "If only I had met you sooner."

"In that case, I will definitely not give you to anyone else."

As she spoke, a smile appeared on her lips, a smile mingled with tears, possessing an indescribable beauty.

“Yes, but it’s not too late now,” Genkawa Yu said softly. “We still have a lot of time.”

Mai Sakurajima nodded, and for some reason, her tears flowed even more fiercely, but her smile became even brighter.

She suddenly raised her other hand, made a fist, and gently punched it against Genkawa Yu's chest.

"You've really gotten off easy this time, humph."

She muttered, her tone carrying a hint of coquettish complaint.

Genkawa Yu smiled, reached out his arm, and gently pulled Sakurajima Mai into his embrace.

She stiffened slightly at first, then relaxed, buried her face in his shoulder, and wrapped her arms around his waist.

The two embraced each other as they sat beneath the sky ablaze with fireworks.

"However... don't get too cocky. I don't want to run into Kurokawa too often."

Sakurajima Mai leaned against Genkawa Yu's chest. Unable to let go of her love for him, she ultimately gave in to his "absurd suggestion."

Genkawa Yu felt the warmth of the girl in his arms and smelled the faint floral fragrance in her hair. His heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of satisfaction.

"Yes, I will cherish you all."

"Genkawa-kun?"

"Ok?"

"There shouldn't be anyone else after this, right?"

"..."

Near the main venue of the festival.

Asakura Toru stood at the edge of the crowd, looking up at the night sky.

"Tou-chan, what's wrong? You've been distracted since earlier," her teammate Hina Ichikawa asked with concern.

Asakura Toru shook his head. "It's nothing."

Higuchi Enka glanced at her childhood friend but didn't say much. She had invited him over hoping that Asakura Toru would be happier.

But she still seemed preoccupied.

"Look, Toru! It's a heart-shaped firework!" Fukumaru Koito excitedly pointed to the sky.

Asakura Toru looked up and, sure enough, several pink fireworks formed a giant heart shape in the sky, eliciting cheers from the surrounding crowd.

Couples embraced tightly, while singles sighed with envy.

Let's take a group photo together!

To avoid spoiling everyone's fun, Asakura Toru took out his phone with a bright smile on his face.

The four girls huddled together, their brightest smiles shining against the backdrop of fireworks.

The shutter clicked, capturing a moment of this summer night.