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

"I've already discussed joining the cast of 'Alice in the Land of the Dying' with the director. The crew will be taking a break for the New Year, and it will probably be back in about a week."

Yuan Chuanyu looked at his artist assistant and realized that with her help, he was indeed saved a lot of trouble.

"Please take a good rest during this time, Kato-san. Consider it a vacation for you."

"...good."

Kato Megumi nodded without saying anything more.

After seeing the two girls off, Genkawa Yu closed the door and let out a long sigh of relief.

The huge apartment fell completely silent, leaving him all alone.

This silence, unlike that of the hospital, was a domain entirely his own, free yet carrying a sudden sense of emptiness.

He glanced at his system panel. After two months of writing, the experience points for the two entries, "Unceasing Writing" and "Proficient Voice Acting," were almost full, while he was still a little short of half for "Proficient Voice Acting."

[Production Sequence 1: Skilled Level Voice Actor Shape Chart]

Experience points: 62/100

[Production Sequence Two: Unceasing Writing]

Experience points: 78/100

"I still need to keep working hard. Before the movie 'Love Like a Bouquet' is in pre-production, I must get the [Leading Role Acting (Purple)] rating."

Genkawa Yu glanced at the synthesis path and clarified his next goal.

[Newcomer Actor (Green)] + [The Masses (White)] + [Skilled Voice, Stage Presence, and Acting (Green)] = [Leader-Level Acting (Purple)]

Over the next two days, Yuu Minakawa enjoyed his long-awaited time alone. In addition to acting out his own script, he also underwent basic physical training to gradually readjust to a completely independent life.

As the calendar pages turn, the atmosphere of the New Year grows stronger.

The streets of Tokyo gradually became decorated with lanterns and colorful lights, and various year-end specials and variety shows were broadcast on television, filling the air with an atmosphere of bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new.

After giving Kato Megumi a break, Genkawa Yuu also told Yamazaki Haruto that he needed to rest and recuperate recently, and declined some non-essential invitations to gatherings.

He knew that everyone needed their own New Year holiday.

The day before January 1st, his cell phone rang. The caller was Haruto Yamazaki.

"Hey! Genkawa, we have a New Year's shrine visit at midnight today. Want to come with me to Meiji Shrine?"

Haruto Yamazaki's voice was as energetic as ever, "I've heard that Meiji Shrine is especially efficacious! Going there on the first day of the new year to pray for good fortune, get rid of bad luck, and also to ensure a smooth year ahead!"

Yuan Chuanyou held the phone, looked out at the clear winter sky, and thought for a moment that going out for a walk might not be a bad idea, and he could also feel the New Year atmosphere.

"Okay, let's go for a walk together then."

"Okay, let's go right after midnight tonight, right at the stroke of midnight! It'll definitely be super crowded and super lively!"

Haruto Yamazaki excitedly made plans.

"Okay, see you then!"

That night, the city was immersed in a festive atmosphere, and the distant sound of temple bells ringing on New Year's Eve could be faintly heard, melodious and solemn.

After meeting up, Yu Minakawa and Haruto Yamazaki walked towards the famous Meiji Shrine with the bustling crowd.

The approach to the shrine is brightly lit, with various food stalls lining both sides, emitting tempting aromas.

It was the dead of night, but the place was brightly lit. People were wearing thick down jackets, their faces beaming with smiles, and their breaths mingled with the cold night air, creating a lively cloud of white mist.

Young couples, families with children, groups of friends... everyone is moving in the same direction, filled with wonderful expectations for the New Year.

Haruto Yamazaki looked around excitedly, with Yuu Minakawa beside him, feeling the long-lost, lively atmosphere, and his mood gradually became more open.

After finally managing to move with the crowd to the inner side of the shrine, a long line had already formed in front of the huge ema (votive plaques) stand and the incense and money boxes for prayers. Devout people put their hands together and silently made their New Year's wishes.

Yuu Minakawa and Haruto Yamazaki joined them in queuing to make their wishes.

The wishes he silently made concerned his health, his career, and also the hope that his complicated and tangled emotions would find a clear answer.

After their prayers, the two slowly moved towards the exit with the flow of people. Yamazaki Haruto was still enjoying the takoyaki he had just bought.

Just then, Genkawa Yu's gaze inadvertently swept over a huge wishing tree not far away, and he paused slightly.

He saw a familiar figure.

It's Akane Kurokawa.

She wore a very stylish pale blue jacket over a white sweater, paired with a plaid skirt. Her long, flowing blue hair cascaded over her shoulders, and illuminated by the shrine lights, she looked as radiant as a girl straight out of a painting.

However, to Yuan Chuanyu's surprise, there was an extremely burly and tall middle-aged man standing next to her.

The man was wearing a sharp, dark suit jacket with a matching overcoat, giving him an air of meticulous seriousness even in such a casual setting.

He stood upright like a pine tree, with broad shoulders and sharp, steady eyes, exuding an air of authority without anger.

Simply by standing there, he naturally created an invisible aura that made the noisy crowd around him unconsciously keep a certain distance from him.

At that moment, Akane Kurokawa was tilting her head slightly and speaking to the man with a faint smile on her face. As the man listened, the corners of his hard lips seemed to soften slightly, and his eyes revealed the affection unique to an elder.

Haruto Yamazaki noticed it too. He nudged Yu Minakawa's arm and whispered, "Wow... is that Kurokawa-san? The person next to her... has such a strong presence!"

Before Yuu Minakawa could answer, Akane Kurokawa seemed to sense something and turned to look at him.

Their eyes met, and a delighted smile immediately appeared on her face. She waved from afar, then took the arm of the man beside her and walked towards them.

"Genkawa-kun, Yamazaki-san, what a coincidence!"

Akane Kurokawa's voice was cheerful, "Are you here for New Year's shrine visits too?"

"Yes, I didn't expect to run into you by chance." Yuan Chuan Yu replied with a smile, while her gaze politely turned to the very prominent man beside her.

Akane Kurokawa immediately introduced, "Dad, this is Yu Minakawa, whom I often mention to you, and this is his friend Haruto Yamazaki."

Then she turned to Yuu Minakawa and Haruto Yamazaki, saying, "This is my father."

Kurokawa Osamu—now the Superintendent General of the Metropolitan Police Department—sat down on Genkawa Yu with a sharp, scrutinizing gaze that seemed to see right through him.

He didn't speak immediately, but nodded slightly as a greeting. His imposing aura made Yamazaki Haruto, who was standing next to him, subconsciously straighten his back and even soften his breathing.

When the other person's gaze fell upon him, Genkawa Yu immediately felt an invisible pressure, but he did not back down. Instead, he maintained a polite smile and bowed slightly, neither humble nor arrogant.

"Hello, Kurokawa-san. It's nice to meet you. I'm Yu Minakawa."

Kurokawa Risa then spoke slowly, his voice deep and resonant, carrying the steady strength that came from years of giving orders.

“Mr. Genkawa, I’ve heard Akane mention you many times.”

His words were ordinary, but his eyes clearly conveyed the meaning that "I know you, and I know much more than just your name."

Akane Kurokawa seemed to sense the subtle tension in her father's attitude and quickly tried to smooth things over with a smile, "Dad, Genkawa-kun was just discharged from the hospital not long ago, and he's still recovering."

"is it?"

Kurokawa Osamu's eyebrows twitched slightly, and his gaze swept over Genkawa Yu again, seemingly assessing his physical condition, or perhaps thinking about something else.

After a few seconds of silence, he made a move that surprised everyone.

The man looked at Genkawa Yu and said in a calm but unyielding tone, "Genkawa-kun, since we've met, it must be fate. Why don't we find a quiet place and have a private chat?"

Suddenly, this chance encounter during the New Year's shrine visit became quite subtle.

Volume 2 Tokyo Love Story: Chapter 2 Opening the Door, Finding a Frail Female Neighbor (5.5k words, 2-in-1)

Along the approach to the shrine, the warm light from the hanging lanterns and the clamor of voices gradually fade as you walk deeper, until only the subtle rustling of the gravel path under your feet remains.

This small garden, located behind the shrine, was exceptionally quiet on New Year's Eve. Only a few ground lamps dimly illuminated the outlines of the evergreen plants, casting long, thin shadows of the two people.

Kurokawa stopped and turned around.

His imposing figure almost blocked most of the light in front of Genkawa Yu, casting a very oppressive shadow.

Without any pleasantries or formalities, the man's sharp eyes, which had weathered countless storms and were keenly perceptive of people's hearts, locked onto Yuan Chuan You directly. He got straight to the point, his voice deep and direct, carrying an unyielding force.

"Mr. Genkawa, I don't like beating around the bush, so I'll just get straight to the point... What exactly is your relationship with my daughter, Akane?"

This question came so directly, even somewhat bluntly.

However, it is very much in line with his style as a police superintendent, and it is also the kind of question that a father who is very protective of his daughter would ask.

The air seemed to freeze at that moment.

Genkawa Yu took a slight breath of the cold air, but did not immediately avoid the other person's gaze.

He had anticipated this question before he came over, but he didn't expect the other party to choose to get straight to the point in this situation.

He hesitated for about two seconds before choosing the safest and most realistic answer.

"Kurokawa-san, your daughter and I are very good friends, and we are trusted relatives."

"Relatives and friends?"

Kurokawa repeated the word, his tone devoid of emotion, but his slightly narrowed eyes clearly expressed his distrust.

"I've seen that program, 'Love is a compulsory course in life'."

He paused, each word like a pebble thrown out, "In the program, and what I just saw, the way Akane looked at you, and her undisguised concern for you, it's not as simple as just 'friends and family'."

"Not to mention... she hasn't worked for the past few months, but has been taking care of you in the hospital. I know all of this."

His words carried a fatherly scrutiny, and Yu could even sense the almost instinctive wariness emanating from him, as if he were assessing a "dangerous person" who might abduct his daughter.

Yuan Chuanyu was not intimidated by the other party's imposing manner. He understood the father's concerns, so he adjusted his posture to make himself appear more sincere and serious.

"Kurokawa-san, I understand your concerns. Variety shows have their own desired effects, and there's also post-production editing. You should have heard about that."

He explained slowly, his tone very sincere.

"But putting the show aside, I am indeed very close to Kurokawa. She is a very kind and passionate girl, and I cherish our friendship very much."

“I respect her and I would never do anything to hurt her or take advantage of her feelings. That is our current relationship.”

It wasn't that Yuu Minakawa was afraid of what Risa Kurokawa would do to him; it was just that the other party was Akane Kurokawa's father, so of course he had to explain in the most serious manner.

Kurokawa listened quietly to his answer, his expression unchanged, but his sharp gaze seemed to soften slightly, as if he were assessing the truthfulness of his words.

A few seconds of silence stretched between the two, with only the faint sound of distant bells and noise reminding them of the New Year's atmosphere.

Suddenly, Genkawa Yu smiled. He raised his head, his gaze no longer merely sincere, but also carrying a hint of questioning.

"Kurokawa-san, please allow me to ask a question, if... I mean, if one day in the future I really start dating Kurokawa... what would you do?"