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

"This is a very smart move, after all, there are their descendants."

"Yes, if it were you or me, we probably wouldn't choose this method."

Mai Sakurajima knew Akane Kurokawa's pride; she also had her own pride.

"So if we don't take the initiative to do things, it's easy to become passive."

"What do you mean?" Mai Sakurajima asked.

"It means..."

Akane Kurokawa's eyes sharpened. "If Kasumigaoka and Higuchi really join Yu-kun's emotional world, then they will also have their own place. As for us, the first people to be with Yu-kun... I hope Yu-kun will value us even more."

Mai Sakurajima fell silent.

She understood what Akane Kurokawa meant.

This isn't jealousy or exclusion; after all, if it were jealousy or exclusion, they wouldn't have agreed to their joining in the first place.

This is a way of maintaining one's own position.

In this complex network of emotions, everyone needs to find their place and make sure they won't be ignored.

As the first person to establish a relationship with Yuu Minakawa, she and Akane Kurokawa naturally have a certain "priority".

"What do you plan to do?" Mai Sakurajima asked.

"We can join forces."

Akane Kurokawa said firmly, "I believe that the two of us hold the most important positions in Yu-kun's emotional world, so we need to go a step further and let Yu-kun know about our compromises and concessions. That's the most crucial thing."

"Are you planning to have Yu-kun compensate you?"

"Of course not. Once Yu-kun knows about our concessions, she'll naturally understand what to do. A girlfriend who actively offers compensation is not a qualified girlfriend."

Mai Sakurajima looked at Akane Kurokawa, a faint smile playing on her lips.

"Heh, do you know what you just said sounded like?"

"Like what?"

Mai Sakurajima laughed, "It's like two original wives joining forces to fight against a new mistress."

Akane Kurokawa knew that her words sounded a bit forceful, but she didn't think there was anything wrong with them.

"This is just my idea; it's okay if you don't want to join."

"I'm willing to join."

Mai Sakurajima's attitude was very clear; she had her own pride.

"However, although I can join you, I will not use any underhanded tactics."

"I believe in Yu-kun's love for me. Even if someone comes later, they could never be better than me."

"..."

This is Mai Sakurajima's pride, an innate confidence and self-respect that needs no reason.

Those who come after are merely spice in the story; the one Genkawa Yu truly cares about is her.

"What do you think we can do?" Akane Kurokawa asked.

Mai Sakurajima thought for a moment and said, "If you're going to do something, try not to use any methods or actions that are too obvious."

“Yu-kun isn’t stupid; he’ll understand things immediately once they happen.”

“I know that.” Akane Kurokawa nodded. Managing relationships is a very important skill, and she is still learning.

"Then we need to show friendliness."

Mai Sakurajima's attitude was very open: "I'm not talking about hypocritical kindness, but genuine kindness."

"Only when others feel our goodwill will they respect our position instead of treating us as enemies."

Sakurajima Mai looked into Kurokawa Akane's eyes and said, word by word.

"Yu-kun will know about our concessions immediately, that's enough, there's no need to do anything more."

Akane Kurokawa listened attentively, nodding occasionally.

"You're right, that's pretty much what I expected."

"The key is to prevent the situation from getting out of control."

"Yes."

Mai Sakurajima picked up her coffee cup and took a small sip.

“Yu-kun’s emotional world is already complicated enough; we can’t make it even more chaotic.”

The two girls looked at each other and saw a determination in each other's eyes.

"Then, from today onwards, we are allies."

"Please take good care of me, Kurokawa."

"Nice to meet you, Sakurajima."

Volume 4 To the New World: Chapter 47 New Album, Higuchi Enka Launches the Charge (2-in-1 5k)

After returning to Tokyo, April was already more than halfway over, the days were getting longer and the nights were coming very slowly.

It started getting dark around 6 p.m., and by just after 7 p.m., the entire city was completely shrouded in night.

【Star Engine】, the No. 1 dedicated recording studio.

This recording studio was designed with the personal involvement of Yu Genkawa, and has undergone several optimizations since then.

The soundproof wall panels are made of imported high-density mineral wool, and the floor is covered with dark gray sound-absorbing carpet. A huge soundproof glass window separates the recording studio and the control room. A thin layer of frosted film is applied to the window to ensure soundproofing without making it impossible for people on both sides to see each other completely.

It was already past eleven o'clock, and only Genkawa Yu was left in the control room.

The other employees had already left work. Kazuya Nakahara came by around 6 p.m., glanced at Yuu Genkawa who was still engrossed in his work, sighed, and left without saying anything.

Wearing monitoring headphones, Yu Minakawa sat in front of the mixing console, his eyes intently fixed on the fluctuating audio waveforms on the screen.

He is recording the audio for "Recovery".

This song is a unit track he was preparing to write for the album of [Nokuchiru]. It tells the story of a person slowly recovering from the pain after experiencing a painful separation.

The melody is slow and lyrical, with guitar and piano intertwined to create an atmosphere that is both sad and warm.

“From the station road bridge, walk along the road next to Daishoken.”

"If you turn at an intersection and go down the slope, your home and our memories will appear before your eyes."

"The clear sound of the wind chimes still echoes in that summer."

"The hand I'm holding is sweaty, and it feels like if I let go even slightly, you'll disappear."

"I don't want you to hate me, so I keep holding your hand tightly."

"Why did I come here alone, even though I can never see you again, I couldn't help but walk towards you?"

"We are still in a time of sorrow."

"Remembering your gentle face will cheer me up again."

This writing style is characteristic of Yu Minakawa.

He doesn't like to use overly straightforward language to describe emotions, but instead expresses the theme of emotions through specific details of life.

The sadness hasn't disappeared, but it has been partially digested and transformed into a weight that can be carried forward.

Genkawa Yu sang the chorus into the microphone, then took off his headphones and pressed the replay button.

The melody flowed from the speaker.

He listened to it once and thought it was okay, but he always felt that something was missing.

"I can try something new; this sound source should be very suitable for Tou's tone," he muttered to himself.

That's how recording works. Achieving technical perfection isn't difficult; the challenge lies in adding a touch of imperfection to that perfection, making the sound feel alive.

After working for a while, Yuan Chuanyou stood up and stretched.

Sitting in front of the mixing console for long periods of time caused his lumbar and cervical spine to protest, with his joints cracking as if complaining about his owner's neglect.

He has been extremely busy for the past week.

Since returning from Kanomori Island, he has hardly had a day off.

During the day, she handles various affairs at the agency, and at night she spends her time in the recording studio writing songs, arranging music, and recording audio for Nokuchiru's album.

The album is called "Yesterday's Poems", and the title track is called "Life Is So Beautiful".

Yuu Genkawa had his own reasons for choosing this name.

In addition to the title track, the album also includes five unit tracks.

"Romance Announced in Advance", "Border", "Recovering", "I'm Sorry All Along..." and "It Would Have Been Better If I Hadn't Met You".

Six songs, six emotions, six stories.

Yu Genkawa is very confident about this album.

He returned to the mixing console, ready to continue recording the next song.

Just then, he heard a voice.

The recording studio is very soundproof; almost no outside noise can get in.

But the sound didn't come from outside; it came from the corridor, seeping in like a wisp of smoke through the thin gap at the bottom of the soundproof door.

Footsteps.

Very light footsteps moved slowly down the corridor and then stopped at the door of the recording studio.

Genkawa Yu took off his headphones and turned to look at the door.

"Is someone outside?"

There is a small glass window on the soundproof door, from which part of the corridor can be seen from the control room.