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

As she said this, her eyes revealed genuine concern.

This wasn't a lie; Akane Kurokawa was genuinely worried that Yuu Minagawa might be under too much pressure. However, behind this worry, there was something she truly wanted to know.

Kato Megumi listened quietly until the waiter brought her Americano, at which point she slowly began to speak.

"I understand Kurokawa-san's concerns, but from what I've observed, Genkawa-san's condition has been relatively stable recently."

Her voice was steady, and she explained at a measured pace.

"Because Yu-san Genkawa is a very good actor, there are very few situations where we need to do another take. So he is quite free on set. Sometimes he will read the script in the dressing room, and sometimes he will practice his vocalization and singing. Although the overall pace is tight, there are no signs of him overexerting his energy."

"And what about when we were filming 'Sparkling Love'?"

Kurokawa Akane asked tentatively, almost revealing the true intentions.

"He must have been very tired during that time, right? After all, it was a big-budget movie, and he was filming with Sakurajima-san."

She deliberately mentioned Mai Sakurajima's name to see Megumi Kato's reaction.

Unfortunately, the short-haired girl opposite her barely changed her expression upon hearing this; her eyes remained calm. She picked up her coffee cup, took a small sip, and then put it down.

"The filming schedule for 'Sparkling Love' was actually quite ample. It was just that Genkawa-san and Sakurajima-san had worked together on a drama before and had great chemistry, so the filming process went relatively smoothly."

Kato paused, as if recalling what he had witnessed.

"Moreover, the subject of this film is a love story among high school students. Although there are many emotional scenes, there are not many particularly intimate scenes. Genkawa-san said that this kind of filming is actually more relaxed, and there is no need to spend too much energy adjusting the physical contact."

This passage contained a lot of information, and Akane Kurokawa quickly analyzed it in his mind.

First, Kato Megumi admitted that Genkawa Yu and Sakurajima Mai had "great chemistry".

Secondly, she specifically emphasized that "there were no particularly intimate scenes."

Akane Kurokawa's heart raced slightly as she analyzed intelligence, which excited her.

Why did Megumi Kato specifically emphasize that there were "no intimate scenes"?

Was it an unintentional addition, or an intentional attempt to appease her?

If it was intentional, it means that Kato Megumi likely guessed her true intentions.

On the other hand, this information did reassure her somewhat.

Akane Kurokawa recalled the time when she and Yu Minakawa filmed "Love Like a Bouquet," a movie that included not only kissing scenes and hugging scenes, but also a scene of them bathing together.

If Yu Genkawa and Mai Sakurajima didn't even have this level of contact during their collaboration, then it at least shows that their interactions on set had clear boundaries.

"I see..."

Akane Kurokawa said softly, trying to make her expression look natural, "Then I'm relieved. Yu-kun sometimes just doesn't know how to take care of himself, but thankfully Kato-san is there to help him."

As she spoke, she picked up her coffee cup, using the act of drinking coffee to conceal the changes in her emotions.

Kato Megumi looked at her, her eyes calm, but a complex emotion seemed to flash deep within them.

"It's what I should do."

Kato Megumi said, "Genkawa-san is an excellent actor, and it is my honor to be able to assist him in his work."

This statement was impeccable, demonstrating both professionalism and maintaining a proper distance.

Akane Kurokawa nodded, deciding to test the waters one last time.

"Speaking of which, has Yu-kun mentioned anything about...things outside of work lately? Like making any new friends or having any special experiences?"

She asked her questions casually, as if she were chatting, but Kato Megumi instantly understood the hidden meaning.

“Mr. Genkawa rarely talks to me about things outside of work in the break room.”

Kato Megumi's answer was cautious: "Most of the time we discuss work arrangements and preparations. As for personal matters, as her assistant, it's not appropriate for me to inquire."

This was a clever answer; it neither lied nor revealed any information.

"Oh, I see..."

Akane Kurokawa knew that it wouldn't be appropriate to ask any further questions.

She had received enough information... or rather, information that Kato Megumi was willing to let her know.

Then, Akane Kurokawa smiled, a hint of relief in her smile.

"Thank you for telling me this, Kato-san. I'm relieved to know that Yu-kun is doing well on set."

Kato Megumi nodded slightly. "If Kurokawa-san has anything else he'd like to know, feel free to contact me anytime."

The two chatted for a few more minutes about trivial topics, such as recently released movies, the weather, and the latest news.

Half an hour later, the coffee was finished, and the meeting naturally ended.

Akane Kurokawa and Megumi Kato went downstairs together and said goodbye at the store entrance.

"Thank you so much, Kato-san, for indulging my whims today."

"You're welcome."

Seeing Akane Kurokawa's departing figure, Megumi Kato's face remained expressionless; she had long understood why the other party had come to see her today.

However, she chose to say nothing.

The complex emotional entanglements between Yu Minakawa and Mai Sakurajima, and between Yu Minakawa and Akane Kurokawa, should be faced and handled by the individuals involved themselves.

more importantly

Kato Megumi wanted Genkawa Yu to continue being willful.

Kato Megumi's emotional conversation with Genkawa Yu about Dazai Osamu was not unfounded. She believed that one day, she too could get what she wanted.

It should be soon.

The girl touched her bob haircut, which was adorned with a white hair clip—a gift that Genkawa Yu had once casually given her.

For Kato Megumi, this was her most precious treasure.

Volume 3 I Am a Knight of the New Era: Chapter 6 Mai Sakurajima's Tenderness and the Telephone (Two-in-One 6k)

At 10 p.m., Genkawa Yu pushed open the door to the apartment.

As he walked into the entryway, he heard the faint clinking of spatulas from the end of the corridor, along with a comforting aroma of food.

"I am back."

He spoke softly, his voice echoing in the quiet space.

When bending down to take off his sneakers, Genkawa Yu's movements were slightly slow due to the alcohol.

The dinner with Sato Masashi and Masahiro Kazuto in the evening was very enjoyable; after all, friendships between men are often easier to build than one might imagine.

A few joint training sessions, a few perfectly timed beers, and a few candid conversations about the role and the future were enough to break down the initial barriers.

Upon entering the kitchen, light shines through the frosted glass of the sliding door, outlining a slender silhouette.

The door was half open, and Genkawa Yu saw Kurokawa Akane standing in front of the kitchen counter with her back to him, wearing the light blue plaid apron he was familiar with, her long dark blue hair loosely tied behind her head, with a few strands falling around her neck as she stirred.

"Yu-kun, you're back."

The girl turned around at the sound, a gentle smile on her face.

"The hangover soup will be ready soon. Go wash your hands and change your clothes first."

Genkawa Yu leaned against the door frame, gazing at his girlfriend's profile.

He suddenly remembered that he had indeed sent her a message in advance, saying, "I'm going to have some grilled bird skewers with my friends, and I'll be home around ten o'clock."

"Akane, you are so virtuous."

He walked into the kitchen, gently wrapped his arms around her waist from behind, and rested his chin on her shoulder.

Akane Kurokawa's body stiffened for a moment in his arms, but quickly relaxed, even leaning back slightly and resting some of her weight on his chest.

"Hehe, eating grilled bird skewers always involves drinking, so I started preparing this a long time ago."

Yuan Chuan You smiled, his breath brushing against her earlobe: "Impressive, impressive."

Akane Kurokawa turned off the stove and carefully poured the steaming soup into two white porcelain bowls.

The soup is a clear, pale yellow color, with finely chopped scallions and minced ginger floating in it, along with a few pieces of translucent white radish.

A typical Japanese hangover remedy, simple yet effective.

The two sat facing each other at the dining table.

Genkawa Yu picked up the bowl and smelled it first... The spiciness of the ginger and the fresh aroma of the kelp blended together, warm and comforting.

He took a sip, and the warm liquid slid down his esophagus, immediately relieving the slight burning sensation in his stomach caused by the alcohol.

"Akane, you seem to be in a good mood today?"

He put down the bowl and carefully examined her face.

Compared to the obvious anxiety and absent-mindedness she displayed a few days ago, Akane Kurokawa seemed much more relaxed today.

Akane Kurokawa held her bowl, her fingertips gently stroking the warm surface of the bowl.

She lowered her eyelids, looked at the clear soup in the bowl, remained silent for a few seconds, then raised her head and revealed a faint smile, but one that was much more sincere than before.

"That's it."

She said softly, "I talked to a friend today, and it felt like I felt much lighter after talking about some things that had been weighing on my mind."

Akane Kurokawa wasn't lying; she simply omitted the most crucial part.

After meeting with Megumi Kato, she temporarily convinced herself that since there was no solid evidence, she shouldn't let unfounded suspicions ruin their relationship, especially at this sensitive time when the promotional period for "Love Like a Bouquet" was about to begin.

Genkawa Yu looked at her with a gentle and focused gaze.

"That's good."

He reached out, across the table, and gently ruffled her hair, the gesture as natural as if he had done it a thousand times before.

"No matter what happens in the future, you can talk to me if you have any problems. We're lovers, right?"

He spoke softly, and his gentle words made Akane Kurokawa's eyes well up with tears. She quickly lowered her head, pretending to concentrate on drinking her soup, letting the rising steam blur her expression.

"Ah."

Her voice came from behind the bowl, slightly nasal.