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

Volume 4 To the New World: Chapter 15 Mai Sakurajima Unleashes Her Killer Move! (2-in-1 5k)

At a large chain cinema in Ginza, the signing ceremony for tickets to the movie "Your Name" was held.

With the release of various videos and GIFs by [Youchi] on the internet, the hype surrounding this event was very successful, leading to an increasing number of people participating in the offline event. The cinema's security guards and [Star Engine] staff had already begun maintaining order, repeatedly reminding the crowds inside and outside the cinema with megaphones.

"For everyone's safety, the number of people at the autograph session will be controlled. Please queue in an orderly manner. Thank you for your understanding and cooperation."

"Don't worry, everyone. If you don't get a spot today, there will be other opportunities later."

"Don't crowd!"

Fans came in waves, some managed to squeeze in, while others could only wait outside. Security guards blocked the entrances and exits to prevent overcrowding and any dangerous incidents.

Inside the cinema, the atmosphere of the autograph session remained just right.

Yu Minakawa and Akane Kurokawa sat together, signing autographs for the fans who had lined up to come today.

Although such events may be suspected of vote rigging, such voices were ultimately too weak and were quickly drowned out by the heated discussions online, without affecting the smooth progress of the autograph session at all.

Genkawa Yu didn't care at all.

He knew that while fan-driven tactics could quickly boost box office revenue, a work's long-term success depended on its own reputation.

Now that "Your Name" has been released for some time, its reputation has begun to spread quietly among casual viewers as the release date has lengthened.

More and more passersby went to the cinema, were moved by the delicate emotions in the film, and shared their viewing experience on social media platforms.

This kind of spontaneous publicity from passersby is better than any fan-based marketing, and it has allowed "Your Name" to maintain steady growth in box office revenue, without any significant drop even after the New Year's Day holiday.

What reassured Genkawa Yu even more was that...the publication of the manga was also progressing steadily.

Suo Shun has partnered with Nango from the animation studio, and the two are working overtime every day to study the layout and details of the manga, striving to make the manga version of "Your Name" perfectly capture the essence of the movie.

According to a message sent by Suo Shun this morning, the sample book of the manga should be ready this week. Once the sample book passes the review, the printing and distribution work can officially begin.

Everything went smoothly, which kept Genkawa Yu in a good mood.

Just then, a young girl wearing a Star Engine staff uniform carefully walked around the fence and whispered in Genkawa Yu's ear.

"Mr. Genkawa, a guest has come backstage. She says she wants to see you."

Genkawa Yu paused slightly, his brows furrowed gently, and a puzzled expression appeared on his face.

"I'm currently doing a book signing and it's inconvenient for me to meet with the customer. Please ask them to wait a moment. I'll go over after the signing is over."

The staff member looked embarrassed, and his cheeks flushed slightly.

"Mr. Genkawa, that guest is Mr. Sakurajima..."

"?"

Although the voice was not loud, because Kurokawa Akane and Minamoto Yu were very close, the girl naturally heard it as well as Minamoto Yu.

A look of surprise flashed across her eyes; she clearly hadn't expected Mai Sakurajima to suddenly appear backstage today.

"Why now..."

Genkawa Yu nodded helplessly, told the staff he understood, and then began to think about how to handle the matter.

Because the promotional activity was not announced to the other party in advance, and his "joint promotion" with Akane Kurokawa today has probably sparked quite a bit of discussion online.

Then Mai Sakurajima found out.

After roughly guessing the route, Genkawa Yu had a solution in mind.

He took a deep breath, then slowly stood up, picked up the microphone on the table, and spoke to the fans in a gentle and calm tone.

"Everyone, I'm so sorry, but the autograph session needs to be paused for a few minutes. Please give me a few minutes."

As soon as he finished speaking, the fans who were still in line showed expressions of surprise and astonishment.

"There are just some things that need to be done along the way, but I will be back soon. Please be patient."

Genkawa Yu gave the fans an apologetic smile, then turned to look at Kurokawa Akane beside him and gave her a look.

Since Akane Kurokawa is today's guest, if Yuu Genkawa goes backstage, we can't leave her alone on stage; naturally, the two of them should go together.

"Ah."

The girl quickly understood what her lover meant, and then spoke gently to everyone.

"Don't worry, everyone. We're just going backstage to take care of a little thing. We'll be back in ten minutes to continue signing autographs for you."

After the news was announced, the fans weren't too upset. After all, Yuu had been signing autographs for over an hour, so taking a few minutes to rest wasn't a big deal. The fans were quick to explain and express their sympathy for their idol.

"Yu-kun and Kurokawa-san went in together. Do they want to rest for a while?"

"Will the two of you rest together?"

"I have a bold idea..."

"what? What?"

"Could it be secretly in the break room..."

"Ok?"

I think it's very likely!

After the two walked into the backstage area together, the staff pushed open the door, and a figure that was familiar to both of them appeared inside.

Mai Sakurajima sat on the sofa, her posture elegant and composed. Today, she was wearing a black winter fitted jacket paired with dark jeans, which accentuated her slender and upright figure. She looked less gentle and charming than usual, and more dashing and heroic.

"Mai, what brings you here?"

"What, Yu-kun, you don't welcome me here?"

Mai Sakurajima's lips curled up slightly, then she glanced at Akane Kurokawa standing next to Yu Genkawa, and said with a smile.

"I know that Yu-kun is holding an autograph session today to boost ticket sales, so I'm here to help you increase your popularity."

Do you think it's appropriate for you to be here?

Before Yuu Minakawa could speak, Akane Kurokawa interrupted, coldly staring at Mai Sakurajima.

"Hehe, you're really shameless to say that."

Mai Sakurajima retorted with equally cold words.

"Your sneaking out was so blatant that it was obvious to anyone."

"you..."

"What, did I say something wrong?" Mai Sakurajima slightly raised her chin. "Yu-kun doesn't want to make it official, so you're using this tactic to give fans and viewers a preconceived notion, right?"

"I can not understand what you say."

Akane Kurokawa couldn't possibly admit it, so he retorted with a dark expression.

"I'm just here to support Yu-kun. On the contrary, what are you thinking of coming here for? If you show up at the autograph session, aren't you afraid of public opinion?"

"Of course I'm not afraid."

The two exchanged barbs, their tone growing increasingly sharp, their eyes filled with anger.

But at that moment, Mai Sakurajima suddenly suppressed her anger, and a meaningful smile appeared on her lips.

Her beautiful eyes looked at Genkawa Yu, and her tone instantly became gentle, completely different from her previous coldness.

"Yu-kun, I actually have another surprise to tell you, I guarantee you'll be very happy."

Genkawa Yu paused for a moment, a look of confusion on his face.

"What surprise?"

Mai Sakurajima's smile grew even gentler, as if she were truly sharing something happy.

"I heard that a resident on your floor is moving out, so I'm thinking of buying that apartment..."

"This way I can be closer to you, and I can spend more time with you in the future. How about it, Yu-kun, are you happy?"

"Hmm? Is it on the same floor as my apartment?"

"Not just that~"

Mai Sakurajima said with a smile, her tone laced with slyness.

"That apartment is actually right next to yours, separated only by one other apartment. It's just a few steps from Yu-kun's apartment. Isn't that a coincidence?"

Before Yuu Minakawa could reply, Akane Kurokawa's face had already darkened.

The composure and calmness on her face vanished without a trace, replaced by intense anger and panic.

Akane Kurokawa knew very well that her status as a "live-in girlfriend" was her greatest source of confidence and the biggest reason why she could stay by Yu Minakawa's side and enjoy this happy life.

She and Yuan Chuan You had been living together for a long time and were used to spending every day with him and being able to snuggle up next to him at night.

but

If Mai Sakurajima really moves in and becomes their neighbor, then everything will change.

She couldn't imagine what the future would be like.

What if Mai Sakurajima asks Yu Genkawa to stay overnight at her apartment?

What exactly are you planning to do?

"What do you mean, 'what am I planning to do'? Didn't you start it first?"

Akane Kurokawa took a deep breath and forced herself to calm down.

"Okay, if that's what you're planning to do, then I'll go and buy that apartment first!"

She wasn't lying. Akane Kurokawa's popularity has skyrocketed, and she's landed numerous advertising and endorsement deals, making it more than enough for her to buy an apartment.

"That won't do."

Mai Sakurajima smiled and shook her head. "I've already contacted the landlord and paid a deposit. He can't possibly break the contract, can he?"

"you..."

Seeing the two men's increasingly tense and escalating situation, Genkawa Yu could no longer hold back. He suddenly raised his hand and roared at them.

"Enough, all of you, stop arguing!"