In crossover anime, who isn't a childhood friend?

She seems to really like it; you can see her wearing it every day.

However, it must be said that Toka has an enviable swan neck, and she is indeed very suitable for wearing necklaces.

Yuan Qianye decided that he would find another opportunity to give her a few more in the future.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, Shihua placed a blackboard outside the gate that read "Closed at six o'clock tonight".

Minamoto Sanada told his eldest daughter about what had happened, and then Toka also came over to Minamoto Chiya's side, urging him to do what he had to do as soon as possible, since everyone was going to have New Year's Eve dinner together that night.

Looking at the sky outside, Yuan Qianye nodded and stopped insisting.

After handing the shop over to them, I changed my clothes, put on a mask, and walked out of the shop.

A message from Touma Yoko has already arrived on my phone.

First, there's an emoji making an OK sign, followed by text.

【I've already spoken with Kazusa; she'd be happy to teach you piano, and you can come whenever you like.】

Yuan Qianye replied with a very grateful emoji.

Instead of going directly to the Toma family's house, he took a detour to the dessert shop that Toma Yoko had mentioned and that Kazusa really liked, and ordered one of each of their signature desserts and cakes.

Then we went to a flagship store for dolls and plush toys.

The shop owner, a middle-aged man, greeted Yuan Qianye, a regular customer, naturally: "Oh, you're here. The limited edition doll you asked me to save for you is all wrapped up. Would you like to take it now?"

"Thank you, boss. How much?"

Gen Chiyo paid with a smile and arrived at Touma's house with her hands full of things.

This time, after only pressing the doorbell once, Touma Kazusa's usual aloof voice blared from the loudspeaker at the door: "Who is it?"

"Excuse me, Touma-kun, it's me, Minamoto Chiya."

"Bah."

The courtyard gate opened.

Gen Chiya walked through the courtyard with practiced ease.

It had been a few days since they last met, and when they met again today, Touma Kazusa looked much better than last time.

At least her skin was rosy and no longer so pale, though it could also be because she had just taken a shower.

The moment they met, Yuan Qianye noticed the dampness at the ends of her hair and the unique fragrance of her shower gel.

The clothes she wore were not the same two-piece pajamas she wore at home last time, but casual clothes that she could wear directly out.

The loose-fitting knit sweater highlights the youthful charm of a young girl, while the cropped jeans reveal her smooth, fair ankles.

It's a bit like knowing you're having guests over, so you make sure to wash up and change into your favorite clothes beforehand—that's how formal it is.

When Yuan Qianye came to study, he was extremely polite: "Kazusa-san, I may have to trouble you with the next step."

Touma Kazusa avoided his gaze and looked at the wall beside her, twirling her hair with her fingers: "It's okay, Mom already told me... You saved my mom's life, this little thing is nothing."

Following Touma Kazusa into the living room, Minamoto Chiya handed over the sweets she had bought.

Kazusa thanked her, but didn't rush to open it.

While Yuan Qianye was bending down to change his shoes in the entryway, she repeatedly scrutinized him, not missing a single detail.

Now that they're sitting so close together on the sofa, she feels a little embarrassed to make eye contact with the other person.

Yuan Qianye noticed that the flowers she had brought back on Christmas Eve were still in full bloom.

The water in the vase has become quite cloudy.

Kazusa noticed his gaze and explained, "The housekeeper changes the rice water for it every day, saying that it will last a long time."

"I see, that's a life hack."

"Ah."

"How are you feeling now? Does your stomach still hurt?"

"After drinking the porridge you cooked the next day, I was completely fine."

"That's good. Don't eat ice cream like that again."

"Ah."

"..."

What kind of conversation killer mode are you using?

You weren't like this when we went out together last time. Could it be that Touma is a multi-system personality who shows different personalities in different situations?

But isn't that an essential skill for working professionals?

"Then let's not delay, let's begin." Kazusa also sensed the awkwardness and stood up, trying to step directly into the battlefield she was familiar with.

This directness surprised Yuan Qianye: "Eh, shall we start right now?"

Is there anything else you'd like to do?

That's not it...

However, Yuan Qianye had originally planned to exchange a few polite words, chat casually, and smooth things over between the two of them to facilitate future activities.

But since Kazusa was so agreeable, it was indeed a pleasant thing.

I love being around straightforward people like you.

Yuan Qianye honestly shook his head: "It's nothing."

"Then let's just get started."

So, just three minutes after arriving at the Touma residence, before he had even warmed the sofa beneath him, Gen Chiya arrived at the heart of the Touma family's location.

Practice room.

Perhaps because a young girl spends at least eight hours here every day, the practice room has been infected with the scent of precious wood. As soon as you enter, you can smell a very obvious sweet fragrance.

Touma Kazusa suddenly and hurriedly closed the box of desserts she hadn't finished eating.

Turning around, she saw Yuan Qianye looking at her. Her pretty face flushed slightly, and she subconsciously explained, "I was hungry while practicing the piano, so I couldn't concentrate. Eating some sweets to replenish my sugar levels would be very helpful."

Yes, you're a piano master, so you get to decide.

Chiya's deeply agreeable expression pleased Touma Kazusa greatly. She wasn't a girl who smiled often, but the slight joy in her heart almost made her smile.

"Alright, let's begin. Mom said you want to improve your piano skills, but there are still many areas where you're lacking. She wants me to teach you properly, but I might not be as good as Mom in some aspects, so don't have too high expectations."

Gen Chiya shook his head and sat down in front of the piano, which was worth half of his house: "What are you saying? I still have great faith in Touma-sensei's piano skills."

Kazusa asked in surprise, "Touma-sensei?"

"You taught me piano, so of course you're my teacher."

Looking at the "Is there a problem?" expression on Minamoto Chiyo's face, Kazusa once again suppressed the little thrill that was welling up inside her, and took a deep breath to calm herself down: "Whatever."

"Okay, Mr. Touma, how should we begin? I'll follow your instructions."

Then go and cook me some porridge, the kind from last time...

Do you know how to read sheet music?

"I still know these basic things."

“Then play this piece once first.” Touma Kazusa picked up a creased piano beginner’s index book, opened it to a page on the music stand, and said in a way that was very similar to her mother’s, as expected of Yoko’s teaching: “I need to see your performance first to know where you are lacking.”

The book shows Bach's Minuet in G major, which is not very long or difficult.

As soon as Chiyo Minamoto placed her hands on the black and white piano keys, Kazusa, who was standing beside her with her arms crossed, reminded her, "You haven't adjusted the height of your seat yet."

"I think this is about right."

"You can't be too close. Practicing piano can take several hours at a time, so it's essential to adjust to your most comfortable posture."

Kazusa unexpectedly adapted to the role of "teacher" very quickly, and there was a subtle, peculiar sense of satisfaction in her words.

And with her being so earnest, Yuan Qianye was naturally more than happy to oblige.

Although Kazusa had previously said that she was not as good as her mother, in Chiyo's eyes, she was still a very good piano teacher.

Kazusa mentioned all the shortcomings that Touma Yoko had previously pointed out to him, and because she was there, she was able to correct his mistakes more directly and personally demonstrate the correct fingering for playing the piano.

"...You raised your hand too low just now, which makes it difficult to exert force, and the sound produced will be very low. You should raise your hand like this, so that your fingers can exert force downwards more effectively. Although it may be a little difficult at first, it will be very helpful for your future progress once you get used to it."

While explaining, Kazusa gave an impromptu short demonstration.

When she turned her head, she realized that Yuan Qianye had bent down and moved closer to her without her noticing, staring intently at her hands resting on the piano keys.

"When you play, your hands move as gracefully as butterflies spreading their wings. It's so beautiful." Yuan Qianye's praise was heartfelt, without a hint of flattery.

"...!"

"Teacher Touma?"

"What...what nonsense are you spouting!" Kazusa's voice was urgent. She quickly stood up from the other side of the piano bench, creating distance between them, and put her hands behind her back so he couldn't see her.

She never thought there was anything beautiful about her hands, which were different from those of ordinary girls and were small and delicate!

“I’m stating a fact. Has no one ever said this before?”

"Practice...practice your piano, using the fingering I just described!"

Honestly, if you're going to praise me, just accept it. What's with this "Eri-san is the next Eriri" nonsense...

Gen Chiya sat back down on the piano bench and, following Kazusa-sensei's instructions, began to correct her incorrect playing technique.

As he faced the piano, Kazusa, who was standing to the side, tried her best to hide her joy, which turned into a blush spreading across her pretty cheeks.

Two hours passed in the blink of an eye, and it was almost eight o'clock.

When Chiya announced that she was leaving to go home, Kazusa suddenly realized that so much time had passed.

But it seems like he rang the doorbell and came to the practice room just a moment ago.

Has time been fast-forwarded by the gods?