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

"Hehe, well then there's nothing I can do but accept you as you are."

Akane Kurokawa smiled gently; she had actually brought this up on purpose.

She had long since stopped caring about the past scandal, but it was necessary to bring it up because it would remind Genkawa Yu of the concessions she had made.

"Yu-kun, if you win Best Actor today, shouldn't she be the one to present the award to you?"

"correct."

Genkawa Yu glanced at the front row and knew that Sakurajima Mai was waiting for him there.

Are you going to see her tonight?

"Uh...isn't this a bad idea?"

Yuu suddenly felt that Akane Kurokawa's suggestion was a bit scary. Today was the big day for "Love Like a Bouquet" to win an award. If he went to see Mai Sakurajima tonight, wouldn't that be provoking Akane Kurokawa?

"It's okay, I can let you go."

Akane Kurokawa stared intently at Yu Minakawa's face and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"But you have to text me back every half hour to let me know what you're doing."

"..."

Genkawa Yu was stunned for a moment, then said helplessly.

"Akane, I feel you're getting heavier and heavier."

"Huh, really? I've been watching my diet lately, it shouldn't be like this, right?"

The girl's face immediately lit up with a charming expression, as if she hadn't understood her lover's meaning.

"You."

Genkawa Yu patted her warm little hand and said softly, "Don't think too much. I will never leave you in this lifetime, Akane."

"..."

Akane Kurokawa paused for a moment, then flipped her small hand over and gripped Yu Minakawa's large hand tightly.

"Then you're not allowed to go!"

"Hahaha, I knew it."

"Humph."

Volume 3: I Am the Knight of the New Era - Chapter 64: Best Actor! True Glory Crowned! (2-in-1 5k)

The awards ceremony did not stop because of Genkawa Yu's obviously "meaningful" remarks. The host quickly adjusted his state and brought everyone's attention back to the awards ceremony.

"Next, we will continue to announce the other awards of this awards ceremony. The next award is the Best Original Film Score. Please welcome our presenter."

As the host spoke, several well-known musicians in the industry walked onto the stage and began to announce the awards one by one.

Unlike the thrilling Best Screenplay award, these other awards, while recognizing various aspects of filmmaking, are ultimately not considered major awards.

The artists in the audience regained their composure. Some chatted quietly, while others quickly replied to messages on their phones, their expressions showing great interest.

After all, the fact that Genkawa Yu openly mocked Suo Shogo has already become a trending topic, and everyone is enjoying the drama.

After a while, the winners of Best Original Score and Best Art Direction were announced, and they took turns going on stage to give brief acceptance speeches.

The award ceremony for these awards was completed very quickly.

The host returned to the stage, his smile still polite, but his tone gradually became more solemn.

Now that the awards for minor prizes have been given out, it's finally time for today's main event.

"Next, we will be revealing the most prestigious award at this year's Tokyo Film Academy Awards—Best Actress!"

The Best Actress award is the highest recognition of an actress's acting skills and an honor that countless actresses dream of. The competition is fierce every year. The winner of the previous year was Mai Sakurajima, who is sitting in the front row with a bright smile on her face.

"Next, let's take a look at which outstanding actresses are nominated for this year's Best Actress award!"

As soon as the words were spoken, everyone's eyes turned to the stage.

Akane Kurokawa sat in her seat, her body tensing slightly.

She was nominated for her role as Hachiya Kinu in "Love Like a Bouquet," but she wasn't sure if she would win.

Because among this year's nominees is a very strong competitor, a well-known veteran actress in the industry—Mako Ono.

The other party is a recognized acting talent in the entertainment industry. With many years of experience, he has starred in countless excellent film and television works and created countless classic roles. He is highly skilled and is deeply recognized by the judges and loved by the audience.

Mako Ono's nomination for Best Actress is for a female-centric film called "Akane-iro ni Somaru".

This film, centered on the life experiences of single mother Ryoko, tells the story of how Ryoko raised her son alone in difficult times, enduring hardships and social injustices, yet never giving up and always struggling with a deep love for her son.

The theme of this film is quite in line with the jury's tastes, so it is highly likely to win an award. Many media outlets have already made predictions, which makes Akane Kurokawa very unconfident.

She knew she still had a long way to go, but even so, when the host mentioned the Best Actress award, a faint sense of anticipation would rise in the girl's heart.

Who wouldn't want to win this award?

Genkawa Yu quickly noticed Kurokawa Akane's nervousness, so he reached out and gently took her slightly cold little hand in his, and said softly.

"It's okay, it doesn't matter if we don't get it, we have a long road ahead of us."

"Ah."

Akane Kurokawa looked at her lover, then squeezed his large hand, and relaxed completely again.

On stage, the host wore a mysterious smile and spoke slowly.

"Alright, the actresses nominated for Best Actress at the Tokyo Academy of Film Arts Awards are..."

As the host spoke, the large screen in the venue lit up instantly, clearly displaying the names and photos of the five actresses nominated for Best Actress, along with their nominated works and roles.

"The first one is actress Nana Matsumoto from 'Confessions in the Evening Breeze,' in which she played a girl who bravely pursued love. Her delicate and lively acting left a deep impression on the audience."

"The second is actress Rie Takahashi from 'The Promise in the Deep Sea,' in which she plays a marine biologist who stays true to her original aspirations, and she has received widespread praise from the audience."

The first two nominees introduced by the host were both actresses who were somewhat famous in the Japanese entertainment industry, but in essence, they were just there for show, since both of their films made almost no splash and had mediocre box office and critical reception.

After the host introduced the first two finalists, the main event began.

"Next, the third nominee is Akane Kurokawa, who plays Kinu Yatani in the movie 'Love Like a Bouquet.' This is her first time playing the female lead in a movie, but her excellent performance has won praise from audiences and garnered her a huge following."

As soon as he finished speaking, another round of enthusiastic applause erupted from the audience.

Then, it was the last person.

After introducing Akane Kurokawa, the host paused.

"Next, the last nominee we'd like to introduce is an actress highly regarded by the judges, Mako Ono from the film 'Akane-iro ni Somaru'."

"Ms. Mako Ono has been working in the industry for many years and has always been dedicated to her role as an actress. Her acting skills are outstanding, making her the biggest favorite for this year's Best Actress award."

As soon as he finished speaking, thunderous applause erupted from the audience, even more enthusiastic than the applause Kurokawa Akane had received earlier.

After noticing this, Yuu Minakawa exchanged a glance with Akane Kurokawa, knowing that this round was probably over.

After all, while "Love Like a Bouquet" was not bad, if we only compare acting skills, Akane Kurokawa is indeed no match for this senior.

"It's okay, I will keep trying."

Akane Kurokawa also sensed the atmosphere, shook her head, and composed herself.

"That's right, you'll have plenty of opportunities to win this award in the future. I have confidence in you."

Just as Genkawa Yu had predicted, the best actress turned out to be Mako Ono.

"The winner of the Best Actress award at this year's Tokyo Film Academy Awards is—Ms. Mako Ono for 'Akane-iro ni Somaru'!"

Mako Ono sat in the front row, and when she heard the host call out her name, she still had a gentle and composed smile on her face.

She was thirty-five years old this year, but there was no surprise in her eyes. She straightened her dress, and her smile became even gentler. The elegance and poise that had been refined by the years instantly attracted the attention of everyone in the room.

After getting up, she hugged her family members and then walked step by step onto the stage to receive her award.

The award presenter was Hirohito Kaku, the winner of the Best Actor award at the previous Tokyo Film Academy Awards, who is also an excellent middle-aged actor.

"Congratulations, Mr. Ono."

"Thank you, Mr. Kaku, and thank you for presenting me with this award."

After the Best Actress award was announced, only the last two awards remained at the awards ceremony, which were also the two most prestigious awards.

"Best Actor" and "Best Film of the Year".

Once this was clear, almost everyone's attention became serious, because these two awards represented the jury's direction and were the core focus for everyone.

In the second row, Shogo Suo's expression grew increasingly serious.

He knew that the Best Actor award and the Best Film of the Year award were his last hope and the only way for him to save face.

The old man originally said that the outcome had two aspects: the final box office of the film and the awards and honors.

His blockbuster film hasn't been released yet, while Suoh Shun has already won a Best Screenplay award thanks to Genkawa Yu. If he doesn't win either of these awards, then he's completely finished.

"Nakajima, let me ask you, are you confident you can win the Best Actor award?"

"...have."

"Okay, remember what you said today. If you win Best Actor, I will continue to invest heavily in you and give you more and better resources..."

Shogo Suoh didn't continue, but the meaning behind his unfinished words was clear.

If he loses, he won't continue wasting money on Ayumi Nakajima, a fact that Ayumi Nakajima himself is well aware of.

"Suoh-san, I will definitely not let you down."

Shogo Suo nodded in satisfaction and turned his gaze back toward the stage.

In stark contrast to their suppressed tension, Genkawa Yu remained relaxed, seemingly uninterested in the award.

As for Akane Kurokawa, although she missed out on the Best Actress award, she has great confidence in her man.

Among the male actors in this cohort, there are basically none with better acting skills than Yu Minakawa, and that's what gives her confidence.

"Yu-kun, are you confident?"

"of course."

Genkawa Yu glanced at the system panel, where the entry for "Protagonist-Level Acting Skills (Purple)" shone brightly.