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

Higuchi Enka fell silent instantly.

She looked into the unreserved love and determination in Asakura Toru's eyes, and realized that she had no right to say anything more.

So the girl took a deep breath, forced herself to calm down, tried to suppress the uncontrollable flutter in her heart, leaned back in her seat, and stopped talking.

Silence fell over the carriage again, but the atmosphere became somewhat awkward.

Just then, Higuchi Madoka's phone vibrated, breaking the silence in the carriage.

Higuchi Madoka subconsciously took out her phone, and after unlocking the screen, she saw a new text message from Genkawa Yu.

The girl's heart raced instantly, and her fingertips trembled slightly as she carefully opened the text message.

The text message was very concise.

"Higuchi, please take good care of Toru these next few days. I don't have time to spend with her, so I hope you can help me out. I'll treat you to a meal next time to thank you."

It was followed by an adorable bunny emoji with droopy ears and a cute, innocent look.

"Uh..."

Higuchi Madoka recognized the rabbit emoji at a glance. It was a theme she had sent to Genkawa Yu when they chatted before. She didn't expect that he would save it and even send it to her in a text message.

The text message wasn't complicated. Higuchi Enka understood what Minakawa Yu's concerns were. Asakura Tohru had just become an adult, so her body definitely needed to rest, and her emotions also needed someone to accompany and comfort her. He was worried about Asakura Tohru, which was why he specifically asked her to take care of her.

But this thoughtful instruction, along with the phrase "I'll treat you to a meal to thank you," stirred up those peculiar thoughts that she had forcibly suppressed in her heart once again.

She kept reminding herself that she could only supervise at most, making sure that Genkawa Yu didn't do anything to betray Asakura Toru.

I... must not have any thoughts of overstepping the bounds.

However, Yu's suggestion immediately stirred up ripples in her heart, making it impossible for her to remain calm.

Higuchi Enka glanced at Asakura Toru, who was resting with his eyes closed, and felt a pang of guilt.

But... I should still reply to him, right?

Otherwise, it would be impolite.

The girl took a deep breath, trying to calm her racing heart, and carefully typed a reply.

"I see."

After sending the text message, her fingers seemed to be out of control, and she inexplicably typed another line.

"Thanks? Genkawa-kun, aren't you a very busy person?"

Her words contained a subtle probing, as well as a hint of expectation that even she herself hadn't quite figured out.

She wanted to know whether Yuan Chuanyu's private thanks were just a casual remark or something he truly meant.

After sending the text message, Higuchi Madoka gripped her phone tightly, staring nervously at the screen, both anticipating Yuu's reply and fearing a disappointing answer.

Unexpectedly, Genkawa Yu's reply came very quickly, almost instantly.

"I'll have more time off in October, so call me when you're free."

She pursed her lips, trying to suppress the joy in her heart, and typed a reply again.

"I see."

This time, the words carry a unique tenderness.

After sending the text message, Higuchi Madoka carefully put her phone back in her pocket, leaned back in her seat, closed her eyes, but the content of Genkawa Yu's text message kept echoing in her mind, and the throbbing in her heart could not be calmed for a long time.

She knew that there might be no future between her and Yuu Minakawa, but this simple promise rekindled the glimmer of hope in her heart.

Um... this is just normal interaction.

Toru is his lover; I'm just a friend.

Just a friend...

Volume 3: I Am the Knight of the New Era, Chapter 47: Mai Sakurajima: I'm Not Your Bride Yet! (2-in-1 5k)

As traffic on the highway thickened, Genkawa Yu gripped the steering wheel, his gaze fixed on the road stretching ahead.

It's almost ten o'clock now. Since I promised Mai Sakurajima that I would go with her today, I have to hurry.

After all, the girl had hung up the phone somewhat angrily yesterday, and they had to go to the outlying islands today, which would take a lot of time, so they had to make the most of every second.

About an hour later, the vehicle slowly drove into a quiet, upscale residential community.

This is the apartment that Mai Sakurajima bought. It is far away from the hustle and bustle of the city, with tight security and excellent privacy. It is the place that the two of them often choose when they are alone together.

Genkawa Yu parked his car in the designated parking space downstairs at the apartment building, raised his hand to put on a mask and a black baseball cap, pulling the brim down to cover most of his face, revealing only his two bright eyes.

Walking along the flagstone path to the apartment entrance, the flowers in the courtyard were in full bloom, and a faint fragrance filled the air.

Mai Sakurajima had already registered his fingerprint on the smart lock. He could have simply pushed the door open and entered, but instead, he took out his phone and pressed the dial button.

At this moment, in the bedroom of the apartment, warm light shines through the floor-to-ceiling windows onto the dressing table, enveloping the bottles and jars on it.

Mai Sakurajima was sitting in front of the vanity mirror, carefully drawing her lip line. The light pink lipstick spread across her lips, making her skin appear even whiter.

Today she wore a beige floral dress that accentuated her slender and graceful waistline. Her long hair was styled into a low bun, with a few wisps of hair hanging down her neck, adding to her gentle and elegant temperament.

After hanging up the phone yesterday, she did indeed stay on the sofa, angry for a long time, and even tossed and turned all night without sleeping.

Despite her anger, she remained full of anticipation for today's trip to the outlying islands.

Since getting together with Genkawa Yu, the two have rarely seen each other, and can only spend three or four good times together a month, making each time alone all the more precious.

This is precisely why Mai Sakurajima has an undisguised aversion to Akane Kurokawa... that woman can live with her lover, can sleep in his arms every night, and be together day and night.

Even after all this, she's still not satisfied and wants to continue taking over Yuu Minakawa's days off?

What a shameless woman!

When the phone rang, a barely perceptible flicker of excitement flashed in Mai Sakurajima's eyes, but she deliberately put on a serious face, pressed the answer button, and spoke with a deliberately sarcastic tone.

"Yu-kun?"

After the call connected, Yuan Chuanyu paused slightly, his tone unconsciously softening considerably.

"Yes, Mai."

"Hehe, it seems that woman's charms couldn't hold you back? Were you reluctant to leave?"

"Uh..."

Standing in the courtyard, Yuan Chuanyou listened to the girl's bittersweet voice on the other end of the phone and smiled helplessly.

He thought to himself: It is indeed hard to part, but it's not the gentle embrace of Kurokawa Akane.

However, he couldn't say this outright; he could only go along with her words to comfort her.

"There's no reluctance at all. I was just thinking about coming to pick you up. I'm already at the door. Are you ready?"

"Wow? So fast?"

Mai Sakurajima sounded a little surprised. She quickly got up and walked to the window, lifting a corner of the curtain. Sure enough, she saw that familiar figure in the courtyard.

She quickly checked her makeup in the mirror, and only after confirming that everything was perfect did she speak into the phone.

"There's just a little bit to finish. You can come in now. Haven't your fingerprints already been recorded?"

"it is good."

Genkawa Yu hung up the phone, pressed his fingerprint, and the heavy door popped open gently.

He took off his shoes, put on his familiar slippers, and walked lightly through the living room. He was very familiar with everything here, from the decorations in the entryway to the furnishings in the bedroom, all of which held traces of their tender moments together.

The living room is decorated in a simple and elegant style. A beige blanket is draped over the light gray sofa, and a stack of open scripts is placed on the coffee table, which should be the new drama that Mai Sakurajima is currently selecting.

The bedroom door was ajar, and through the crack, one could see the girl busily working.

Genkawa Yu gently pushed open the door, his footsteps very light. It wasn't until he reached the dressing mirror that Sakurajima Mai noticed his arrival.

The girl looked up at him in the mirror; most of the anger in her eyes had faded, leaving only a gentle smile.

The next moment, she picked up a thin eyebrow pencil and handed it to him.

"Here, help me finish this last stroke."

Genkawa Yu raised an eyebrow, his gaze falling on her brows and eyes.

Because she was going on a trip today, Mai Sakurajima wasn't wearing glamorous stage makeup, but rather a simple and elegant light makeup look.

The base makeup is light and thin, making the skin tone look radiant and glowing. The eye makeup only has a light eyeliner and a layer of light brown eyeshadow. Only the eyebrows are still missing the final touch.

Why do you suddenly want me to draw for you?

Yuan Chuan You didn't hesitate. He took the eyebrow pencil, his tone filled with curiosity.

Mai Sakurajima turned around, looked up at him, and her eyes sparkled with a hint of longing.

"I recently watched a TV series where the male lead liked to draw the female lead's eyebrows. I think that's what true love looks like. Wouldn't you like to draw mine, Yu-kun?"

Her voice was soft and sweet, with a hint of coquetry. Her long eyelashes trembled gently, making her look endearing.

"Of course I'm willing."

"That's more like it. You can do it then."

Genkawa Yu nodded, then picked up the eyebrow pencil and fiddled with it for a moment. Just then, a Chinese poem suddenly flashed through his mind, and a gentle smile unconsciously appeared on his lips.

So he read it softly.

After finishing her makeup, she whispered to her husband, "Is my eyebrow makeup fashionable?"

The poem was written in a gentle tone, with a rhythmic quality unique to Chinese. When it reached Mai Sakurajima's ears, she couldn't understand the meaning, but she felt it was very impressive.

"Is this... a line from a poem by the Xia Kingdom?"

Mai Sakurajima looked puzzled. She knew that Yuu Genkawa's Chinese was extremely good when the two of them went to Xia Country together to promote "Alice in the Land of the Dying".

So when she heard Yuanchuan Chuan San Shi o Qi Er ι?si Ba Si You Nian Shi, she immediately remembered it.

"correct."

Genkawa Yu looked down at her, his fingertips gently brushing across her brow bone, his tone tender.

"Let me finish drawing it for you first, and then I'll explain it to you slowly."

"Oh."