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

The young people's reactions were genuine and infectious; their pure joy eased the tension in the meeting room and drew many kind smiles from the other people.

With the complete cast list now announced, it's no surprise that some are happy while others are disappointed.

Director Aoyama briefly mentioned the general plans for the crew's subsequent preparations, script readings, and the opening ceremony before adjourning the meeting.

The crowd began to disperse like a tide.

Genkawa Yu packed his things and was about to leave with Kato Megumi when a figure approached him hesitantly and tentatively.

"Um, Genkawa-san, may I bother you for a moment?"

Genkawa Yu turned around and saw that it was Yamazaki Haruto, who had just obtained the [Karibe Daikichi] character.

Upon closer inspection, I realized that the other person was about the same age and height as me, with soft, fluffy black hair, broad eyes, and a smile that carried a touch of natural silliness and unguarded cheerfulness, like a large canine, giving people an inexplicable sense of friendliness and trust.

"Hello, Yamazaki-san."

Yuu Minakawa nodded in response. The character he was about to play, Daikichi Karibe, was a good friend of Ryohei Arisu. He was very friendly towards the actor who would be playing one of his most important partners in the drama.

"Yes, Genkawa-san..."

Haruto Yamazaki seemed a little embarrassed. He subconsciously scratched the back of his head, but continued speaking.

"Um, I know this might be a bit presumptuous, but I was wondering if Genkawa-kun has any plans for later? If so, let's grab a drink together. Since we'll be acting together in the future, we can get to know each other beforehand?"

His invitation was delivered somewhat haltingly, but it seemed very sincere.

Just like a college roommate you've just met, who might be a little reserved when they first show you goodwill before starting a "father-son" relationship.

Genkawa Yu was slightly taken aback.

He quickly scanned his social networks in his mind.

Indeed, he doesn't have many male friends in the entertainment industry.

The two members who participated in the dating reality show, Nobuyuki Kumano and Kengo Morimoto, can only be considered half of them, since they don't act; they're just not amateurs.

After entering the entertainment industry, due to his abnormal rise to fame and the previous media storm that swept the entire internet, Yuu Minakawa found it difficult to make genuine same-sex friends who were not motivated by self-interest.

He always seemed to be surrounded by women he had worked with—such as the gentle Akane Kurokawa and even close friends with whom he had a complicated relationship, like Mai Sakurajima.

Oh, and there's also a female writer, Kasumigaoka Utaha.

For him, being invited to drink directly by a fellow male actor of his generation was indeed a novel and rare experience.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw that Mai Sakurajima seemed to be about to come over and talk to him, but she stopped when she saw Haruto Yamazaki there.

The other person seemed to take out their phone and quickly press a few buttons. Immediately afterward, the phone in Genkawa Yu's pocket vibrated.

Upon closer inspection, it was indeed a text message from Mai Sakurajima.

[Genkawa-kun, it seems you have some 'new friends' to socialize with, so I won't bother you any longer. Let's chat properly at the next script reading.]

The text was followed by a playful winking emoji.

Although Mai Sakurajima has a slightly arrogant personality, she is also a very understanding girl.

If he had come over to say hello directly, it would have made fellow newcomer actor Haruto Yamazaki uncomfortable, so he chose to send a text message.

Genkawa Yu smiled slightly, a warm feeling washing over him, and typed a reply.

I will. I'll treat Sakurajima-san to dinner again next time. You can choose any table you like.

He checked his bank account a couple of days ago.

With the huge success of "Love Letter" and the appearance fees and multiple advertising endorsement fees from "Love is a Required Course in Life", the young man's account has successfully exceeded eight figures, and he is no longer the poor and destitute passerby actor he once was.

Putting away his phone, Genkawa Yu looked at Yamazaki Haruto, who was both expectant and nervous, and thought this might be a good opportunity to expand his social circle.

After all, a guy can't live surrounded by women forever, right?

"Okay."

He smiled and readily agreed, "I'm free tonight anyway, let's grab a drink together."

Standing to the side, Kato Megumi seemed somewhat surprised by this sudden non-work plan. She raised her eyes, her gaze sweeping over Yamazaki Haruto before turning to Genkawa Yu's face.

"Mr. Genkawa, I have a cover shoot invitation for the men's magazine 'LEON' tomorrow afternoon, which is expected to take four hours."

She paused, then said, "If you're going out for drinks, please be mindful of your alcohol intake tonight and make sure you get plenty of rest to maintain peak condition!"

She didn't directly object, but her role as an artist's assistant required her to provide clear risk warnings.

"Don't worry, Kato-san, I know what I'm doing and won't let it interfere with important matters."

Genkawa Yu nodded to her, indicating that he understood.

So Kato Megumi said no more, and simply nodded slightly to Yamazaki Haruto in a formal manner.

Then he stepped back, took out his phone and began recording the change of schedule, indicating that he would not participate in the upcoming private gathering.

Haruto Yamazaki was clearly very familiar with the area around TBS. He led Yu Genkawa through several bustling main streets, then turned into a quiet alley full of life, and finally stopped in front of an izakaya with a small storefront and a noren curtain hanging.

The red lanterns at the entrance cast a warm glow, and the aroma of grilled skewers filled the air as soon as you stepped inside.

"Ota-san! I brought a new friend!"

Haruka Yamazaki skillfully lifted the noren curtain and called out loudly to a kind-looking middle-aged man behind the bar, wearing a clean apron, his tone as if he had returned to his hometown.

"Oh! It's Yamazaki! It's been so long! And this is...?"

As the owner wiped the cups, he curiously looked at Yuan Chuanyou. Although the other party was very good-looking, he was not too surprised, only showing the enthusiasm of a regular customer.

"This is Genkawa-san! He'll be my important partner from now on!"

Haruto Yamazaki introduced the place with a smile, his arm naturally draped over Yu Genkawa's shoulder. His tone was warm and proud. This little izakaya was his secret base, so there was no need to introduce Yu Genkawa's current popularity. His attitude was more like introducing his best new friend from school to his family.

Yuan Chuanyu was also infected by this atmosphere and greeted the boss in a friendly manner.

"Nice to meet you, I am Yuu Genkawa, please take care of me."

This relaxed, unpretentious, and even somewhat "street-smart" atmosphere is quite different from the people he usually interacts with, but it feels very comfortable.

The two sat down at a small table next to the bar.

Haruto Yamazaki expertly ordered grilled bird skewers, fried chicken nuggets, edamame, and several pitchers of chilled draft beer. The golden beer foam surged, and after a few glasses of the cold, mellow liquid, the initial unfamiliarity and restraint were instantly washed away.

Haruto Yamazaki has a cheerful and talkative personality and is a natural atmosphere maker, but he is not noisy. On the contrary, he is very good at listening and guiding the conversation.

"Was that woman Genkawa-san's artist assistant?"

"Yes."

"Wow, that's amazing. I've only been in the industry for six months, and I only have one manager, and that manager isn't even my full-time manager." Yamazaki Haruto smiled and stuffed a skewer of grilled birds into his mouth.

"That's how everyone has gone through it."

As they chatted, Haruto Yamazaki started talking about his debut experience. It seemed that he was scouted while shopping in Shibuya and that's how he officially joined the agency.

He has a deep understanding of the original work of "Alice in the Land of the Dying," and can even discuss with Yu Genkawa the bond between Arisu and Karibe that transcends life and death.

The two chatted very easily. He could temporarily shed his aura and didn't need any scheming or defenses. They were just two young actors who had just met but got along very well, drinking and chatting.

"Honestly, Genkawa-kun, I got goosebumps watching your audition today!"

Haruto Yamazaki took a big gulp of beer and gave a heartfelt thumbs up, "That feeling of despair was so real! Working with you is incredibly stressful, but also super exciting! I feel like I can learn a lot from you!"

Genkawa Yu smiled and clinked glasses with him.

"Yamazaki-kun, your acting is also quite good. You really captured that seemingly rough-around-the-edges but actually loyal and passionate feeling."

"Let's look after each other for the next few months."

"Hehe, I have a feeling that we'll definitely become good friends during the next few months of working together!"

Haruto Yamazaki patted Yu Genkawa hard on the back, smiled broadly, and announced loudly.

Genkawa Yuya smiled and nodded in agreement. He felt that Yamazaki Haruto was right. Given how well they got along, they were indeed very likely to become close friends with a harmonious relationship and excellent working relationship during the next few months of filming.

However, they were all wrong.

It didn't take months, or even just a few hours, for the two to become inseparable friends.

However, they all forgot about those words the next day.

Noon the next day.

Genkawa Yu was forcibly awakened by the glaring sunlight streaming through the gaps in the curtains amidst a severe headache and dry mouth.

He found himself lying fully clothed on the living room sofa, covered with a thin blanket that he had somehow grabbed.

The phone lay on the carpet, its screen flashing dozens of unread messages and missed call notifications, most of them from the dutiful Kato Megumi.

The hangover hit me like a tidal wave, and my temples throbbed with pain.

Genkawa Yu struggled to sit up, rubbing his temples, trying to recall the details of last night, but all he remembered was walking out of the izakaya with Yamazaki Haruto arm in arm, loudly singing off-key anime theme songs, and then apparently hailing a taxi together.

After that, I have no memory of what happened.

He gave a wry smile, never expecting that he would lose his composure like this.

Strangely, apart from the physical discomfort, I didn't feel much regret or annoyance. Instead, I felt a sense of relief after the release.

He stood up unsteadily, wanting to take a hot shower and let the cold water wash away the fatigue and confusion of his hangover. However, after turning on the tap and waiting for a while, all that came out was icy cold tap water.

The water heater is not responding.

He tried several more times, even checking the power supply and gas valve, but the old water heater remained silent, as if it had completely broken down.

Yuan Chuan You sighed, rubbing his aching temples, and habitually took out his phone, intending to call the ever-enthusiastic, chubby landlord who only cared about collecting money to report the problem.

However, with his finger hovering over the dial key, he suddenly stopped.

He looked around the apartment; the furniture was a bit old, some parts of the walls were slightly yellowed from dampness, and the space felt a little cramped for him now.

"Forget it, I still have to go to film in the future, so I might as well just move to a different house."

Genkawa Yu dialed another number directly—his personal assistant, Kato Megumi.

The phone was answered almost immediately after only one ring, as if the other party had been waiting. Kato Megumi's ever-calm and gentle voice came from the other end of the line.

Good morning, Genkawa-san.

"Kato-san".