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

“I thought about it carefully later,” Asakura Toru continued, “Why would Sakurajima-san, a senior figure in the entertainment industry, do something in public that would obviously cause misunderstanding and embarrass Kurokawa?”

Higuchi Enka frowned in thought; for a girl, this kind of thinking was actually quite easy.

You mean...?

“I suspect her relationship with Genkawa is definitely not ordinary.” Asakura Toru’s tone was very certain. “It’s very likely... that the two of them are secretly dating behind Kurokawa’s back.”

This speculation surprised Higuchi Enka.

But upon closer reflection, it does seem quite possible.

Given Mai Sakurajima's status and upbringing, she wouldn't have acted so provocatively unless she had sufficient confidence.

"so what?"

Higuchi Madoka asked, her eyes sharp, "Even if they are secretly dating, what does it have to do with you?"

"Yes, there is a connection."

Asakura Toru's gaze hardened. "If Yu-kun can accept anyone other than Kurokawa Akane, then why can't he accept me?"

This question was so direct that Higuchi Enka was momentarily speechless.

She looked at Asakura Toru, her childhood friend. Although the other person didn't seem to show her emotions very clearly, Higuchi Enka knew that she was the kind of person who wouldn't give up easily once she made up her mind about something.

"through."

She sighed; she didn't want her friend to fall into a pit of fire.

"Do you know what you're saying? Genkawa-kun already has a girlfriend. If he and Sakurajima-san are really secretly dating, it means he's two-timing. Do you want to be the third one?"

"Why not?"

Asakura Toru countered with a question, and a sudden, innocent and adorable expression appeared on her face, making her even more charming.

"If Yu-kun can like two people at the same time, why can't he like three people?"

This logic sounds absurd, but coming from Asakura Toru, it has a strange sense of rationality.

She's not the kind of person who would ruin someone else's relationship, but if Genkawa Yu is already managing a complicated relationship, then her involvement... of course wouldn't count as ruining it.

"Tou, have you really thought this through?"

Higuchi Madoka asked earnestly, "This path will be very difficult, you will face a lot of criticism, and you may even end up with nothing."

"I've figured it out."

Asakura Toru nodded. After thinking things through, she no longer felt the pressure she had felt when Kurokawa Akane had just made the official announcement.

The pursuit of happiness is a gamble, but she's willing to give it a try.

"I don't want to have any regrets. If I do nothing and just watch him drift further and further away from me, I'll regret it..."

Higuchi Enka remained silent.

"Ok."

Unable to find a reason to persuade her friend, she could only speak up.

“Since you’ve made up your mind, I can’t stop you. But Tou, promise me you’ll take care of yourself. If you feel pain or you feel you can’t take it anymore, you can quit anytime.”

"I will."

A smile appeared on Asakura Toru's face.

"Thank you, Higuchi."

Pulling his thoughts away from his memories, Asakura Toru looked at himself in the mirror and took a deep breath.

She's getting ready to go to tonight's party.

She put away her phone, gave her makeup and clothes one last check, and then left the lounge.

At 7 PM, after filming wrapped up for the day, the crew successfully completed their work.

Genkawa Yu, Asakura Toru, Sato Masaru, and Mayo Kazuto changed out of their costumes and makeup, and prepared to head to the izakaya.

"My friend has already made the arrangements."

Sato Masa said excitedly with a smile on her face, "The private room is at the very back, so it's absolutely private, and their grilled bird skewers and sake are absolutely amazing!"

"Then I'll look forward to it."

Masahiro said with a smile.

Genkawa Yu glanced at the time. "Let's set off then. The sooner we start, the sooner we can finish."

As he said this, he glanced at Asakura Toru, seemingly unintentionally.

Asakura Toru responded with a gentle smile to Genkawa Yu, but there was a meaning in his eyes that Genkawa Yu couldn't understand.

The four of them walked out of the photography studio together, got into Genkawa Yu's van, and drove towards Shibuya. The atmosphere in the van was relaxed and pleasant.

Sato Masashi and Mayo chatted with others about interesting things that happened on set, with Genkawa Yu occasionally chiming in, while Asakura Toru listened quietly, his gaze occasionally falling on Genkawa Yu.

Genkawa Yu could feel her gaze, and a complex emotion welled up in his heart.

When the car was halfway there, Genkawa Yu's phone vibrated again.

He took it out and saw that it was a message from Higuchi Enka.

"Genkawa-kun, are you free right now?"

Yuan Chuan You thought for a moment and typed a reply: "I'm free, on my way to a dinner party."

A few seconds later, a second message arrived: "Yuanchuan-kun, after we arrive at the destination, could you go somewhere secluded to make this call?"

This message surprised Yuu Minakawa.

Higuchi Enka is usually calm and direct, and rarely speaks in such a mysterious tone.

He thought about it again, then typed a reply.

"If you have something to say, Higuchi, I can find a quiet place when we get there. It should take about ten minutes."

The third message was delivered, and Higuchi Enka replied with a cute rabbit nodding emoji.

"Hehe, I wonder what she's planning to say."

After closing his phone, Yuan Chuan You waited for the vehicle to arrive at the location. Once at the izakaya, Yuan Chuan You got out of the car with his phone in hand and then spoke to the group.

"You guys go in first, just send me the room number later, I suddenly need to make a phone call."

"OK."

Sato Masaru didn't have any objections. He shrugged and led Masaki Kazuto and Asakura Toru inside.

As Asakura Toru entered the gate, he made a point of turning back to look at Genkawa Yu.

On the other side, Genkawa Yu walked to a relatively quiet corner and dialed a LINE number on his phone.

"Hey, Higuchi, I'm all set. What were you thinking about?"

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, followed by a hesitant voice from Higuchi Enka.

“Mr. Genkawa... there are some things I feel I should tell you in advance.”

A thought struck Yu Minakawa: "Is it related to Asakura?"

"...Yes."

"What is she planning to do?" Genkawa Yu asked directly.

There was another silence. He could hear Higuchi Enka's soft breathing on the other end of the phone and sense that she was carefully choosing her words and trying to make up her mind.

Finally, the girl spoke. Her voice was soft, but every word was crystal clear to Genkawa Yu's ears.

She's planning to... confess her feelings to you.

confession?

tonight?

During a group dinner?

Genkawa Yu held his phone, momentarily bewildered.

Although he had guessed what Asakura Toru might do, he didn't expect it to be in such a direct way.

"Thank you for telling me, Higuchi, but why tonight?"

"Because tonight is the celebration day for 'Love Like a Bouquet'."

Higuchi Madoka's voice was calm, "Toru felt that this was a good time, and... she also wanted to congratulate you in this way."

Genkawa Yu couldn't help but smile bitterly.

This does seem like something Asakura Toru would think. She doesn't care much about other people's opinions and has a straightforward personality, always going ahead to do what she wants.

"She knows about my relationship with Akane."

Genkawa Yu asked, "Then why did you suddenly have this thought?"

“Because she guessed an answer, she had even more courage,” Higuchi Madoka paused, “Genkawa-kun, can you answer a question for me?”

"What's the problem?"

"What is your relationship with Sakurajima-san... at present?"

Upon hearing this, Genkawa Yu pursed his lips. To be honest, it seemed that the premiere that day had indeed caused quite a stir.

Unexpectedly, Mai Sakurajima's appearance directly influenced Toru Asakura's choice.

"What do you think their relationship is, Higuchi?"

Are you two secretly dating?

"Yes."

"..."

The girl on the other end of the phone was breathing noticeably faster, but she continued speaking.

“Mr. Genkawa, Toru is my closest friend and I don’t want to see her get hurt, but I also know that feelings can’t be forced. I just ask you... if you’re going to reject her, please do it in the gentlest way possible.”