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

Eriri nodded vigorously: "Yes, I always feel that you, Chiyo, have a very mature air about you!"

Yukino apologized from the side, "I'm sorry, I didn't know my sister would suddenly bring Mom along."

"It's alright, it's alright, Aunt Yukinoshita is a very nice person."

If Yukino and Chiya were alone together, they would most likely be quietly doing their own thing, perhaps exchanging a few words occasionally.

This is the way they've gotten used to interacting since kindergarten.

But now that Eriri has joined the group, the situation is completely different.

Eriri has the liveliness and energy that is typical of children her age.

She and Yukino had become quite familiar with each other, so she naturally felt less restrained in her room.

"This panda plushie looks a bit fierce, but it's so cute!"

As Eriri approached the bedside table, Yukino glanced sideways at Chiya, who was scrolling through his phone—it was a birthday present he had given her in their second year.

"Those are Mr. Pan's playful series of dolls. You can hug them if you like."

Is it really possible?

"of course."

Hugging is fine, but bringing them home is absolutely not allowed.

"Oh, there's a smaller one here too."

"Yes, that's a plush pillow in the image of Mr. Pan. The filling material is different; it's very soft and comfortable to hug and sleep with at night."

"Yukino, you really like Mr. Pan."

"..."

Yukino simply smiled and did not give a direct answer.

Like it?

I think I still like it.

She probably started to like this cartoon doll ever since she received that little pendant as a gift from Minamoto Chiyo when she graduated from kindergarten.

Not long after, she reciprocated by giving him a brand new pencil case.

It was probably after she returned the gift that they, who were now in the same primary school, officially developed the unspoken habit of giving each other gifts on their birthdays.

The dolls Eriri just pointed to were birthday gifts that Minamoto Chiyo gave her in her first and second years, and in return, she gave him a teacup and a pen.

When it was time for dinner, because there were many people in the living room, the three of them took what they wanted to eat and went back to Yukino's room to start eating.

It's easier to open up when you're surrounded by familiar people.

Eriri had a great time and dragged Yukino along to recreate their previous stage performance.

It was a little embarrassing, but the atmosphere was very cheerful.

It was in this atmosphere that Eriri innocently spoke up: "Chiya, Yukino, let's be friends forever, just like we are now, okay?"

A lifetime...

Yuan Qianye's gaze swept over the row of English learning materials on the bookshelf next to him.

A lifetime is long, like towering mountains and mighty rivers, stretching endlessly.

A lifetime is also very short, like a fleeting moment.

Everyone's life is unpredictable.

Different directions of study, different workplaces, different ideals... separation and unexpected events are the norm.

Even couples who share the same bed and pillow cannot guarantee that they will always stay by each other's side in the future.

Not to mention the agreements made by children whose thoughts and thinking are not yet mature.

Needless to say, Yukino, who is far more mature than Eriri, is no exception...

"it is good."

"..."

Gen Chiya looked at Yukinoshita in surprise.

You're making me feel really awkward, my number one study girl.

Yukino nodded slightly, her words concise and to the point.

Eriri's face lit up with joy, and her expectant gaze fell entirely on Minamoto Chiya.

A gentle smile graced her face beneath the snow.

She really enjoyed laughing tonight, probably more than she did in several weeks at school combined.

"Okay, I see."

Yuan Qianye smiled helplessly, taking it as a way to make the two children happy.

"Yay! It's a promise, we'll be friends forever! Forever!"

"Mmm, mmm, mmm, forever and ever."

Although Chiyo's words were perfunctory, Eriri jumped for joy.

As soon as he took a bite of the pizza on the table, his expression suddenly changed.

"what happened?"

Yukinoshita looked over with concern.

She helped her mother prepare the pizza for dinner beforehand, thinking the problem was with the taste or texture.

"..." Yuan Qianye shook his head. He slowly opened his mouth, and a small white tooth was sticking to the pizza cheese that was not completely bitten off.

His baby tooth fell out naturally; this is the second one he's lost this year.

"Pfft... Hahaha...!"

Eriri couldn't resist.

Yukinoshita couldn't help but laugh, and quickly grabbed her phone to take a picture of the scene.

"Delete that photo! What's so interesting about taking it?"

No~ don't~

…………

019: Options for Studying Abroad

As evening approached, the snow outside the window began to fall more heavily.

This subtly enhanced the Christmas atmosphere.

The weather forecast says there will be heavy snow in the next few days, and it is foreseeable that traffic in the city will definitely be affected.

However, this also makes the Christmas atmosphere even stronger.

Looking at the dense snow falling outside the window, Mrs. Yukinoshita intended to have the two young guests who came to visit tonight stay overnight.

There are several guest rooms in the house, so you don't have to worry about clothes, toiletries, or anything else.

Eriri, with her childlike nature, seemed somewhat tempted, but seeing that Chiyo Gen had politely declined, she followed suit and shook her head.

However, she also had her own ideas.

She felt that if she didn't go with him, even if she could ask her parents to take him home later, he would probably feel a little awkward.

After all, that's how she is herself.

So it's best for me to stay by his side.

Around 9 p.m., just like when she arrived, the Sawamura couple safely delivered her home.

The house remained quiet and deserted as always, but he had gotten used to it.

After washing up, he went to bed and read a book for a while while leaning against the headboard.

At 10:30, he turned off the lights and went to sleep on time.

Children's bodies shouldn't stay up late; going to bed early and waking up early is essential for their healthy development.

He snuggled under the covers, found a comfortable position, and slowly closed his eyes.

The snow outside the window was falling even harder, and a fierce wind was blowing.

I don't know how much time has passed.

Yuan Qianye was awakened by the sound of heavy footsteps outside the room.

He groggily picked up his phone.

It was past 3 a.m.

His father, Minamoto Sanada, usually returned home around six in the morning after finishing work.

However, there are occasional exceptions.

Yuan Qianye stood up, a tuft of hair sticking up on his head.

He grabbed a coat, draped it over his shoulders, yawned slightly, and walked out of the room, intending to see what his father was doing.

The footsteps were dense and disorderly, waking him up immediately.

It would have been fine if I hadn't gone out to take a look, but as soon as I pushed open the door and entered the living room...

Yuan Qianye's lingering sleepiness vanished instantly!

A woman with regular features was lying on her side on the sofa. Judging from her closed eyes and unusually flushed face, coupled with the strong smell of alcohol in the air, she was clearly drunk.

His father was half-squatting in front of the sofa, scratching his head and thinking for a moment before finally stretching out his hands.