Crossover anime, starting with Hachiman Hikigaya replacing Subaru Natsuki!

"Ignoring her actions, the joy of Hachiman Hikigaya's trial was diminished by some doubts. Looking at the library, he felt that he might actually have a connection with Frugal."

"Otherwise, why would the trial content happen to be one of the few areas of astronomy he knows? ... It might be a coincidence, but it's not necessarily a coincidence."

"However, it is indeed a coincidence."

On the rooftop of Roswaal's mansion, Beatrice shook her head.

Hachiman's caution and suspicion, which were originally his weapons for self-protection, have become the culprits driving his confusion in the moment of losing his memory. Although this confusion does not have a big impact on Hachiman, it still makes him feel a little uncomfortable.

While Beatrice focused solely on her confusion and distress, Crusch and Emilia, far away in the capital, were experiencing a mix of sadness and joy.

"It's certainly a good thing to pass the trial, and it's certainly a good thing that someone can help Lord Hachiman. Although it's a good thing, but... but—it's you again! It's you who guided Lord Hachiman to the path of passing the trial, Anastasia!"

Crusch wailed like a defeated dog, "Won't this mean that Lord Hachiman's feelings for Anastasia will also skyrocket after he loses his memory?!"

375. The explanation you need

In fact, Crusch was well aware that among that group of people, only Anastasia, the unscrupulous merchant, was so vigilant and proactive, which was why she was able to discover the deception and the balcony.

This is Anastasia's own ability; no one else would conduct such a detailed investigation, including Crusch before her amnesia.

So even if Anastasia doesn't do it, no one else will be able to enjoy this balcony perk.

But... I'm not reconciled, I'm really not reconciled.

Crusch wouldn't be jealous or hateful towards Anastasia, especially not this time. But she had been tricked by Anastasia before, and there were some things that Anastasia might have done in the future if Anastasia hadn't.

Unfortunately, Anastasia seemed to be her nemesis, always—

No, rather than saying that Anastasia was Crusch's natural enemy, it would be more accurate to say that Anastasia was the natural enemy of everyone except Beatrice who wanted to take over Hachiman-sama's position.

She was incredibly strong, so incredibly strong that it was outrageous, so strong that Crusch had absolutely no hope for her future self.

"Try your best, Emilia... I'm done for, but at least you can still do it—I initially supported you and Lord Hachiman."

"Even if I'm no longer able to, I hope that at least it will be you and Lord Hachiman, not Anastasia and Lord Hachiman!"

Wilhelm and Phyllis exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with helplessness... Lady Crusch, is this a forced "return to one's original intentions"?

Outside the Carlsten residence, a noisy crowd.

For most people in this world, the shock and astonishment of the news that the true sage Frugal also came from another world is far more remarkable than the encouraging progress in Anastasia.

After all, it was already a consensus that Anastasia was a sure winner, so there was nothing surprising about her making progress; it wasn't like Crusch suddenly turned the tables.

"So all the smart ones are from another world... Ouch! What are you doing, you jerk!"

As he was muttering to himself, he was suddenly hit on the head with a thud. The snarling thug turned around abruptly and saw the tall, burly apple stand owner. His loud voice instantly turned timid as he asked, "W-what did you do?"

"What am I doing? Of course, I'm telling you not to spread conflict and contradictions!"

The boss slapped the thug twice more and said loudly, "Yes, there are quite a few smart people in other worlds, like Frugal, Araji Kashin, and Hikigaya Hachiman, but we're not without such people here."

"That Hachiman has praised Lady Anastasia's intelligence and insight time and time again!"

"Besides, even if those three are from another world, so what? In the end, they still settled down here and accepted our world. So we can't simply separate their identities."

"Hachiman is both that side and this side, you understand, you idiot!"

He had once traveled to the future and was initially the boss who promoted apples to Hachiman Hikigaya. This uncle's eloquent talk attracted many listeners.

The thug, feeling wronged, yelled, "So what! Why did you hit me?!"

"Because your words just now will incite some people's hostility, you idiot! Think before you speak!"

The boss smacked him twice more—although by now there are far too many people who recognize and even admire Hachiman Hikigaya, it's still necessary to be careful to prevent the birth of any conflict.

Under the guidance of righteous individuals like apple vendors in various places, the potential conflicts arising from the subversive truth that the Great Sage Freugel is from another world were completely nipped in the bud from the very beginning.

"Crunch."

The library doors were pushed open, and the hurried, noisy footsteps stopped.

"When I woke up in the morning, I found that my Hachiman was missing, along with Miss Anastasia and Shaula. Emilia, who was extremely anxious, woke up the others. After a rough search of the various areas of the fourth floor without finding anyone, the group thought of the trial."

"——"

"The library, so different from yesterday, symbolizes the fact that the trial has been solved."

"But more than the joy of solving the trial, a sense of utter absurdity and shock filled everyone's hearts, which then spread to their faces, leaving them dumbfounded."

"What came into view was three people leaning against a bookshelf, fast asleep."

"Hachiman Hikigaya turned to the side, his back to Shaula as if he were disgusted. Shaula hugged her master tightly from behind, and judging from the curve of her legs, she was trying to wrap her legs around her master's waist, but she couldn't do it at all."

"Because Hachiman Hikigaya was holding Anastasia, who was curled up in his arms."

Unlike his disdain for Shaula, Hachiman Hikigaya stroked Anastasia's pale purple hair with one hand and wrapped his other arm around Anastasia's slender waist.

"In his sleep, the cunning merchant, with a satisfied and sly smile, nestled his head against the chest of his trusted prime minister in the most comfortable position."

"The three of them were sleeping together, entwined. Hachiman Hikigaya and Anastasia were enjoying themselves like a well-matched couple, while Shaula was like a little kid who had stuck to them on her own."

"Several books were scattered haphazardly at the feet of the three people."

"Jurius was stunned. His mind went blank for a moment, and he froze on the spot. He was completely dumbfounded and couldn't understand how things could have developed to this extent in just one night. The Optimal Knight crashed on the spot."

"I have a very unpleasant feeling about this!"

Emilia's eyes sharpened. She knew very little about love, but even she knew that her Hachiman should never be hugging other girls, especially someone from another faction like Anastasia.

"Heh, heh heh... heh heh heh... good, good, what a fine promise and three-point agreement from Hikigaya Hachiman, truly admirable."

Ram chuckled coldly and strode forward, only to be blocked by the petite Beatrice. Crusch, whose expression was equally unpleasant, was let go by Beatrice, because Crusch at least didn't exude any murderous intent.

Ram squinted. "Step aside, Lady Beatrice."

Beatrice gave a forced smile. "That won't do. Betty is Hachiman's spirit, destined to protect him for life. It's a contract. As for you, could you please be a little more rational with Betty?"

Watching the two confront each other, Melly slowly retreated behind Julius to avoid being caught in the crossfire, swallowing hard. "Big brother is truly a sinner."

"Ram remained expressionless. 'I can't do it. Ram needs an explanation.'"

"—I'll provide the explanation you want, okay?"

"A cute interlude of Ram and Beatrice's conversation, which was about to erupt into battle, drew everyone's attention. It was Anastasia, who had just woken up from her sleep with a smile on her face."

376. The Journey of Design

"Oh no, is Anastasia doomed?"

In the karaoke bar, Yumiko Miura's eyes lit up. She didn't dislike the shrewd businessman, but as the one who "clearly fell in love with Hayama first," she naturally rejected the vixen who came later.

She shared the same stance as Emilia, who had also arrived earlier, so at this moment, she felt a sense of schadenfreude.

However, Hayato Hayama didn't think so. He leisurely shook his finger and said confidently, "It's impossible."

"Huh? Why?"

Not only Miura Yumiko, but even Iroha Isshiki, a scheming woman, felt that Anastasia's situation was beyond saving. They couldn't understand why Hayama Hayato still thought there was no problem.

"A simple reverse calculation of this scenario will reveal the answer."

Hayato Hayama spoke with certainty and began to explain: "After we solved the trial last night, it was so late that everyone else was already asleep, so Hachiman couldn't bear to wake Emilia and the others up."

"But he had no feelings for Chaula, so he reluctantly called her to the library to explain the situation there. After that, Hachiman searched through the books until he was so tired that he fell asleep in the library."

"After Anastasia confirmed that Hachiman had fallen into a deep sleep, she curled up in his arms and fell asleep, enjoying his embrace."

As Hayama Hayato finished speaking, Miura Yumiko interrupted him with an incredulous look, "You mean, this scene was deliberately created by Anastasia? Why? Wouldn't that expose her?"

"Calm down and let me finish." Hayama Hayato waved his hand, silencing her.

By this time, not only female students, but also male students like Tobu Sho had gathered around to listen to his explanation of the "green tea" (a euphemism for sexual harassment).

Hayato Hayama held up three fingers. "First, everyone knows that Anastasia took the initiative. I bet that swindler will say later that it was an accident—because people do move around randomly when they're asleep, and it's reasonable for Hachiman to casually hug the soft Anastasia."

"Secondly, Anastasia has never been exposed before. After that, as long as she sighs or has an embarrassed expression, her innocent status will be solidified, and no one will suspect her."

"Third, after the unexpected close contact, Anastasia occupied a place in Hachiman's heart, even if it was an awkward one."

"But I believe she has many ways to transform this awkward position into a favorable future—except for Ram, Emilia and Crusch won't hate Anna forever because of this."

"In other words, this whole scheme, aside from alienating Ram, has yielded extremely considerable benefits. Now, do you still think Anastasia is doomed?"

Hayato Hayama looked around, and his analysis hit the nail on the head, sound and well-founded.

The dozen or so students in the karaoke room, regardless of gender, all couldn't help but open their mouths wide and clap their hands loudly.

Iroha Isshiki raised her hand. "But wouldn't that damage Hachiman-senpai's image? Surely a cunning merchant like you isn't that ruthless?"

"Anastasia is not that heartless, she truly loves Hachiman."

Hayato Hayama nodded and replied, "So she will definitely do her best to speak well of Hachiman from the bottom of her heart, and she will show her sighs and embarrassment in a way that is not too much of a concern to be held by Hachiman while sleeping."

"This made Hikigaya even more touched and his affection for her grew even stronger."

“But,” Miura Yumiko wondered, “Julius is the best knight who would risk everything for his lord. Isn’t Anastasia afraid of making things worse and causing Julius to turn against Hachiman?”

Hayato Hayama shook his head. "After everyone disperses, Anastasia will definitely tell Julius in private that she actually likes Hachiman.

All his actions were logical, reasonable, and emotional; Hayato Hayama's predictions were truly remarkable.

Miura Yumiko and Isshiki Hachiko exchanged a glance, then stared at each other in silence.

"You're clearly a man, how come you know so much about these 'green tea' tactics used on girls? That's outrageous!?"

Hayato Hayama chuckled… Having been a social butterfly for so many years, he'd seen all sorts of scheming women and vixens. However, his ability to anticipate the move this time was actually a flash of inspiration.

Anastasia was far too clever; even with a god-like perspective, Hayato Hayama still couldn't foresee most of her actions beforehand.

"—So that's how it is, don't worry, Mimi~"

Inside the Hexin Chamber of Commerce, Anastasia touched the worried Mimi, saw her future self clearly, and then revealed all those actions.

Hearing this with boundless admiration, Mimi bounced around excitedly, "Oh! Miss is the best in the world! Yay!"

At the same time, outside the capital, Ram snorted coldly, "Hmph, truly despicable."

Then, she patted her sister's shoulder and pouted, "But it's okay, only vixens are shameless when they use their methods. You were here first, Rem, watch carefully, learn well, and give them a taste of their own medicine. You'll definitely make that vixen regret stealing your man in the future!"

"Hmm..." Rem felt that this was really a bit of a stretch... These techniques are probably not something that can be learned just by wanting to learn them, right?

She felt that she was neither good at nor liked using these methods.