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

“Because [Sakurai Kagekazu] shouldn’t have a dance background.” Sato Masaru answered seriously, sweat streaming down his face, but he didn’t wipe it away. “He’s an ordinary college student, so his first battle should be clumsy. If his movements are too coordinated, it would ruin the character’s authenticity.”

This answer made producer Watanabe nod and jot something down in his notebook.

Director Nakazawa finally showed a slight smile, though it was faint, it was definitely there.

"We still need to discuss this. You can go back now."

"Yes!"

Sato Masayuki bowed again, then turned and left the room.

The moment he closed the door, he leaned against the wall and let out a long, deep breath.

Regardless of the final outcome, he has at least proven that he is capable of understanding a character, of delivering a creative performance, and of finding his place in an environment full of strong competitors.

This is enough.

Inside the audition room, the discussion officially began.

"This number 47 is very interesting."

Producer Watanabe said he put an asterisk next to Masashi Sato's name.

"He's from AE, right? I know his manager. I heard it was to get him auditioned for [Hidetoshi Ukiyo], but I didn't expect him to have the guts to change course so quickly."

"Yes, he's quite clever. He realized he couldn't compete with Genkawa-kun, so he quickly adjusted his direction. And he adjusted very cleverly, not by blindly trying out other roles, but by choosing the one that best suited him." Director Nakazawa smiled.

"He's a promising talent."

He flipped through the audition record in his hand, "This is the fourth person to audition for [Sakurai Kagekazu] today. There were also some good people among the first three."

"Well, we'll vote on the final candidate later."

Producer Watanabe concluded, "But he still has to face competition from the two people behind him."

“Let the auditions continue,” Director Nakazawa said. “We need to see all the possibilities.”

The auditions continued.

Of the next two people called in, one of them also chose Sakurai Kagekazu.

"Number 47 is closer to the feeling of a 'boy next door,' making it easier for the audience to empathize with him, while Number 52 has a heavier feeling of 'an ordinary person oppressed by fate,' with stronger dramatic tension. It depends on which direction we want for [Sakurai Kagekazu]."

Director Nakazawa wrote down the characteristics of the two men in his notebook.

"We need to consider the role positioning, actor pairing, and market response when putting all of them into the shortlist."

Producer Watanabe nodded. "Let's leave it at that for now."

After saying all that, Director Nakazawa suddenly remembered something and immediately picked up the phone.

During this period, Yuan Chuanyu has been training, so he has been constantly gaining experience in the vocabulary entries.

He glanced at the system panel.

Production Sequence 1: Body Enhancement (Green)

Experience points: 89/100

[Production Sequence Two: Singing Mastery (Green)]

Experience points: 75/100

[Body Enhancement (Green)] + [Athlete (Green?)] = [Physical Modification (Purple)]

Today is just an audition, and filming hasn't officially started yet, so Yuu Genkawa still has time to prepare.

Entering his private lounge, Genkawa Yu glanced around and found the environment quite nice.

On a coffee table not far away was a thick stack of scripts, the complete scripts for the first ten episodes of "Kamen Rider Fox," which only the confirmed lead actors could receive in advance.

Genkawa Yu sat down on the sofa and picked up the top book.

The cover had the title and Toei's logo printed on it. He turned to the first page and began to read.

The script for "Kamen Rider Goku" is quite good, with a tight story pace, distinct characters, and an interesting premise.

The character 【Ukiyo Hidetoshi】 is more complex than he imagined. Although he appears to be a cynical genius gamer, he actually has a hidden past and motivations.

This character has a lot of inner monologues, a complex growth arc, and deep interactions with other characters.

It's a role worth giving your all for.

Genkawa Yu was engrossed in his reading until a knock on the door interrupted him.

"Please come in."

The door opened, and Kato Megumi walked in carrying a tray with a glass of bubbly beverage on it. The pale orange liquid had ice cubes and mint leaves floating in it.

"Mr. Genkawa, this is iced fruit juice sparkling water."

Kato Megumi placed the cup on the coffee table. Since it was summer and Genkawa Yu didn't like iced coffee, she immediately changed her choice.

"Thank you."

Genkawa Yu took the drink, took a sip, and the cool liquid, with its citrus fragrance and bubbly sensation, effectively relieved the summer heat and fatigue from long hours of focused work.

At that moment, Genkawa Yu's phone rang. The caller was Director Nakazawa.

"Moshi moshi".

"Mr. Genkawa, there's a small drinking party tonight. The president of Toei and high-ranking executives from the TV station will be there."

Director Nakazawa said with a smile, "I'll introduce you to them so you can build up your network. It will be good for your future development."

He had long recognized that Genkawa Yu was a promising talent, and the fact that the other party had even founded the [Star Engine] company was enough to demonstrate his ambition.

Upon hearing this, Genkawa Yu's eyes lit up, and he immediately nodded in agreement.

"Then I'll trouble you, Director. I'll be there on time."

Although the current Star Engine has the support of the Burning System, it must have its own network of contacts to truly achieve independence.

As the producer of the Kamen Rider series, Toei Animation, and TV Asahi, the core broadcasting platform, have a strong relationship with the executives of both companies, which is crucial for the company's future project collaborations.

"Okay, it'll be 7 PM. I'll take you there after the audition."

"it is good."

A few minutes after the call with the director ended, Genkawa Yu's phone rang again.

Glancing at her phone, the words "Mai" flashing on the screen brought a gentle smile to Yuu's lips.

"Hey, Mai."

He deliberately dropped the "Mai-san" he had always called her and called her by her name directly, with the intimacy unique to lovers.

The confession at the fireworks festival was still vivid in his mind, and Mai Sakurajima gave him a response, finally fulfilling his deepest, most greedy wish.

How did the audition go?

On the other end of the phone, Mai Sakurajima's voice carried the softness unique to a young girl. After becoming lovers, she gradually let down her guard and occasionally revealed her girlish personality.

"It went very smoothly. Director Nakazawa said that the role of [Eiju Ukiyo] is mine."

Genkawa Yu leaned back on the sofa, his fingertips gently stroking the cover of the script. "I have a dinner party tonight, I need to meet with the executives of Toei."

"...He's really become a big star, so busy he doesn't even have time to eat."

Mai Sakurajima's voice carried a hint of grumbling, but she wasn't really angry. She sat on the bay window of her apartment, the setting sun casting dappled light and shadows on her through the blinds.

Yuu couldn't help but laugh. "I'm just working hard. By the way, Mai, I'd like to go to your apartment next time and cook for you, okay?"

There was a sudden silence on the other end of the phone, with only the sound of soft breathing.

Upon hearing what Genkawa Yu said, Sakurajima Mai's cheeks instantly turned hot. A sweet warmth welled up in her heart, but her proud instincts prevented her from agreeing immediately, so she could only stubbornly say so.

"What...what do you want? You're not trying to take advantage of me, are you? You pervert!"

"You can choose any restaurant you like, whatever you want to eat."

Yuan Chuanyu didn't expose her hypocrisy, but gently went along with her words.

There was another brief silence on the other end of the phone. Mai Sakurajima's heart raced slightly. She knew that Yuu Genkawa could cook, and what would happen when lovers stayed in the apartment together was self-evident.

She bit her lower lip, her voice barely audible.

"Then...then come to my apartment, but let's talk about it another time, I...I'm not ready yet."

"Okay, I'll do as you say."

Genkawa Yu's smile deepened. "I'll prepare the ingredients in advance and make sure you won't be disappointed."

"Okay, okay, I'm hanging up!"

Sakurajima Mai hurriedly finished speaking and immediately hung up the phone.

She tossed her phone onto the sofa, covered her burning cheeks with her hands, her heart still pounding.

Genkawa Yu looked at the "Call Ended" notification on his phone screen and smiled helplessly.

He knew perfectly well that Mai Sakurajima's "we'll talk about it next time" was actually a tacit agreement.

Becoming lovers means that many things can gradually fall into place naturally. He is not in a hurry and is willing to wait for her to be ready.

Although this path is not easy, at least we have finally taken the first step.

Volume 3 I Am the Knight of the New Era: Chapter 3 Akane Kurokawa: Whose Hair Is This? (2-in-1 5k)

7 PM, Toei's audition hall.

The lights illuminated the faces of all those waiting, making them appear clear and pale. Everyone's eyes were fixed on the assistant holding the folder in front of them, and a thick sense of anxiety filled the air.

Sato Masashi sat in the third-to-last row, his fingers unconsciously fiddling with the fabric of his pants.

The audition had ended two hours ago, but the feeling of exhaustion from the intense tension still lingered, making it difficult for him to calm down.

After a while, he couldn't help but glance at the man sitting in the lobby. The man still looked calm and composed, as if he wasn't waiting for a fateful verdict, but rather whiling away the afternoon in a coffee shop.

Twenty minutes ago, Genkawa Yu returned to the hall alone.

He walked in through the side door, without looking at anyone, and went straight to the reserved seat. He sat down with a bottle of ice water in his hand, unscrewed it, and took small sips.