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

Akane Kurokawa nodded slightly and said softly, "I am Akane Kurokawa, good afternoon."

Upon receiving confirmation, Ayako took a deep breath and lowered her head even further, almost burying it in her chest.

Meanwhile, the woman next to her, Akemi Higashiyama, finally regained her voice, but was still filled with disbelief.

"It really is two people... Kenichi, you never said that..."

Kenichi Higashiyama had already entered a bit of "performance mode" at this moment. He picked up his teacup, took a sip, waved his hand, and tried his best to make his tone sound nonchalant.

"There's nothing to say. They're friends I've known for a long time, and they're my juniors. You don't need to be so reserved. Just treat them like ordinary people."

"Dad, Dad!"

Kui couldn't help but shout, her little face full of excitement and disbelief.

"How do you know such an amazing person? You're just an ordinary office worker!"

His daughter's blunt criticism made Higashiyama Kenichi feel uneasy, but he had to keep a straight face.

He cleared his throat, straightened his slightly overweight back, and gave a "you underestimate me" look.

"What are you talking about? Dad, I used to be really awesome too, okay?"

He himself felt a little guilty saying that, but according to the script, he had to uphold the persona of the doctor.

Genkawa Yu took over the conversation at the right moment, with a gentle smile and a sincere tone.

"Yes, Higashiyama-san helped me a lot in the past. Back then, I hadn't debuted yet and encountered a lot of trouble. At that time, thanks to Higashiyama-san, we received a lot of advice and encouragement."

As he spoke, he glanced at Akane Kurokawa, urging her to give it her all.

Akane Kurokawa immediately understood, nodding slightly with appropriate gratitude and nostalgia in her eyes.

"Yes, that's true. When I first acted in a stage play, it was Higashiyama who helped me get the opportunity. I'm really grateful to him."

Her voice was gentle, possessing a power that could easily soothe others' emotions, and the sincerity in her words was almost impossible to doubt.

"It's a lie, a lie, right..."

This time, even Higashiyama Akemi, who had been trying to remain calm, couldn't help but blurt it out. Her gaze swept over her husband's honest face, and then looked at the two radiant stars opposite them.

The woman's facial expressions kept changing, as if she was pondering some very complex problem.

Is my husband really that amazing?

Really?

The eldest daughter, Ayako, finally mustered the courage to raise her head, glanced quickly at Genkawa Yu, and then immediately lowered it again.

"Dad... he never mentioned it before, it really is with Genkawa-san..."

Aoi was completely excited, and she bombarded her father with questions like a machine gun.

"Dad! What did you and Genkawa-san play together before? Did you go to the movies? Was Genkawa-san this handsome back then?"

Kenichi Higashiyama broke out in a sweat when his youngest daughter asked him questions, and could only give vague answers based on the prepared script.

Inside the monitoring vehicle, Director Kawashima stared intently at the screen, his fingers lightly tapping the control panel.

“Very good, everyone’s expressions are spot on. Akemi-san is gradually wavering. Once she completely believes, the time will be just right.”

He checked the time and then looked at the screen, deciding it was about time.

Inside the private room, Akemi Higashiyama seemed to have accepted the answer and took the initiative to chat with Yu Genkawa, since she really liked Yu Genkawa's portrayal of Ryohei Arisu.

Just then, director Kawashima, backstage, gave instructions directly into the microphone.

"Ready! The assault team will enter in 10 seconds. Note that you should hold the sign up high and have a bright smile to create the atmosphere of the answer to 'Human Observation' being revealed."

"3, 2, 1—Action!"

A few seconds later, the sliding door of the private room was opened again, and this time three cameramen wearing program crew vests and carrying professional cameras, as well as a scene director holding up a sign with a huge logo of the "Human Observation" program.

"We are the production team of the 'Human Observation' program!!"

The on-site director shouted in an energetic voice, his smile almost reaching his ears.

The private room fell silent for a moment, then erupted into an even bigger commotion.

The expressions on Akemi, Ayako, and Aoi's faces changed rapidly within seconds, from astonishment to sudden realization, and then to a mixture of laughter and tears.

Mingmei first let out a soft "Ah," covered her mouth with her hand, and widened her eyes. Then she realized what was going on.

Ayako immediately covered her face, peeking through her fingers at the suddenly intruding crew members and the two people opposite her, Yuu Minakawa and Akane Kurokawa, who had already stood up and were waving at the camera.

"Really... it was fake after all."

Kui jumped up and pointed at the production crew, shouting, "Ah! It's a prank show! Dad! You lied to us!"

But her tone was more excited than angry. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at Yuu Minakawa and Akane Kurokawa, then at the camera. She clearly found the experience incredibly exciting.

Kenichi Higashiyama also cooperated by making an embarrassed expression after being "exposed," scratching the back of his head and grinning sheepishly.

"Oops, I've been found out. Sorry, it was just for the show."

The atmosphere instantly shifted from a delicate one to a joyful moment of revelation.

The photographers skillfully captured close-ups of each family member's reaction, especially the excited expressions of the two daughters and the wife Akemi's amused and exasperated summary.

"I knew it!"

Akemi clapped her hands, glared at her husband with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, then looked at Genkawa Yu and Kurokawa Akane with the cheerfulness and relaxed warmth typical of a housewife.

"How could he possibly know such a famous celebrity as a friend?! I was so nervous for ages..."

Kenichi Higashiyama gave a wry smile, and the family atmosphere was harmonious.

Next is a brief interview session.

With the guidance of the program crew, Yi Qi Yi Er Er Ju II's two daughters completely let loose.

Aoi gesticulated wildly as she described how shocked and happy she was to see Genkawa Yu and Kurokawa Akane walk in, exclaiming, "Genkawa-san is even more handsome than on TV! His face is so small! Kurokawa-neechan is so beautiful, like a fairy!"

Although Ayako was still shy, with the encouragement of her mother and sister, she was able to express her feelings in a soft but clear voice.

"I'm really shocked, I never expected to see it so close up..."

The family observation segment has successfully concluded; next up is the promotional segment as stipulated by the program.

With the background slightly adjusted, Yu Minakawa and Akane Kurokawa stand side by side in front of the logo of the "Human Observation" program, with a white wall behind them.

Genkawa Yu's face regained the composed smile of a professional entertainer. Kurokawa Akane stood beside him, her posture elegant, her gaze calm as she looked at the camera.

"Hello everyone, I'm Yuu Minakawa."

"I am Akane Kurokawa."

The two bowed slightly at the same time, as if in perfect unison.

Yu Minakawa continued, "I am very grateful to the Human Observation program team for giving us this interesting experience, and I am also grateful to the Higashiyama family for their cooperation and hospitality."

He paused, then adopted a more formal, promotional tone.

"I would also like to take this opportunity to report to everyone that the movie 'Love Like a Bouquet,' which I co-starred in with Kurokawa-san, is expected to be officially released next month."

After the full episodes of the show are released, the director will have the editors put the trailers here.

"I hope everyone will support us and go to the cinema to watch it."

Finally, the two bowed together again, completing their concise and effective publicity mission.

Recording is now complete.

The staff began to pack up the equipment in an orderly manner. Director Kawashima warmly invited them to a dinner party, but Yu Minakawa and Akane Kurokawa had to return to Star Engine for a follow-up promotional meeting, so they couldn't go together.

After leaving the recording site of "Human Observation", the van arranged by Kato Megumi was already parked quietly in the designated location, with its headlights on, marking a small area of ​​light in the parking lot.

Kato Megumi herself stood beside the car, holding a tablet computer, seemingly checking the upcoming itinerary.

"Thank you for your hard work, Genkawa-san and Kurokawa-san."

Kato Megumi's voice was gentle, "How did the recording go?"

As she asked, she naturally reached out and straightened the collar of Yuan Chuan You's clothes, which had become slightly loose due to her movements and the wind.

This is her usual meticulousness as an assistant.

"Yes, it went smoothly."

Genkawa Yu replied, slightly relaxing his straight back and letting Kato Megumi straighten him.

Akane Kurokawa stared at Megumi Kato's hand, her face expressionless.

Just then, a dull but continuous vibration came from Genkawa Yu's pants pocket.

Genkawa Yu subconsciously reached for his phone, and when he took it out, he glanced at the screen upwards.

On the lit screen, a name was clearly displayed: Mai Sakurajima.

Mai?

Why would she call at this time?

That half-second pause was precisely captured by Kato Megumi, who was standing right next to her.

Kato Megumi is well aware of the current relationship between Genkawa Yu, Kurokawa Akane, and Sakurajima Mai, so she knows what she should do.

She moved very quickly.

The hand that had just straightened Yuu's collar reached forward naturally and "took" the phone from Yuu's hand.

The whole process was smooth and effortless, without the slightest sense of snatching; rather, it was as if Genkawa Yu casually handed it to her.

"Mr. Genkawa, this is a work call."

Kato Megumi's voice was calm as usual, with a perfectly timed smile on her face. "At this hour, there might be an urgent matter with the production crew or the advertisers. Genkawa-san, you and Kurokawa-san should get in the car and rest first. I'll take this call and handle it."

Genkawa Yu was stunned for a moment when his phone was taken away, but Kato Megumi's words quickly brought him to his senses.

He immediately understood Kato Megumi's intention, and then smiled slightly and said.

"Okay, then I'll leave it to you, Kato."

Genkawa Yu nodded in agreement and turned to Kurokawa Akane, who was looking somewhat puzzled.

"Akane, let's get in the car first, I'm a little tired."

As he spoke, he naturally turned to the side and opened the door of the van for Akane Kurokawa, making a "please" gesture, smoothly diverting Akane Kurokawa's attention from the incoming phone call.