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

"...Alright, alright, let's not talk about that now. Come with me."

People around had already noticed the scene of the two arguing like a young couple and were looking over with gossip.

Knowing that Yukino cared about her image, Chiya pulled her along and led her to the other side.

Yukino tried to break free, but not only did she fail, he also took the opportunity to change the grip on her wrist to holding her hand.

Her initial hurt feelings quickly shifted in another direction. She didn't speak or resist, and quietly and obediently let him lead her to the changing room.

With the fabric curtains drawn, the outside view is blocked, creating an excellent private space.

"What...what are you going to do?"

In the cramped space, with only the two of them facing each other alone, Yukino suddenly felt a little flustered.

Gen Chiyo raised an eyebrow, released his hand, first pressed Yukino's shoulder to signal her to sit down, then squatted down himself and took the bracelet out of his pocket.

"Hands out."

Seeing the teasing smile on his face, Yukino's eyes widened slightly, and she belatedly realized that she understood everything.

He bullied me again by saying those malicious things on purpose!

Yukino was a little angry, but the feeling of being wronged and upset that she had just felt had indeed disappeared.

Seeing that she was still hesitating, Yuan Qianye didn't waste any words. He turned into a domineering CEO and directly pulled her hand over, wrapping the bracelet around her slender wrist.

Yukino was quite conflicted, but after thinking it over, she didn't know what to say. She could only blush and tilt her head to look at the wall next to her.

The hand that Yuan Qianye had led her to didn't move obediently. She was afraid that if she refused again, she would really have to give this bracelet that she liked to the novelist she didn't like.

The bracelet was put on quickly.

"I said it was for you, and it is for you. My taste was right, it suits you perfectly."

Gen Chiya released her hand, and Yukino raised her wrist and moved it slightly.

The four-leaf clover pendant made a soft tinkling sound when it touched the metal chain, like the joyful whispers of a young girl's heart.

Before Yukino could say anything, Minamoto Chiya spoke again.

"I went a little too far with the joke just now. It was my fault, but you also made mistakes. Since you liked it so much, why didn't you just accept it? Why say it's too expensive? Do we need to talk like that about our relationship? Think about it yourself. Weren't you being too distant with me?"

As he said this, he remained in a half-squatting position in front of Yukino.

His posture appeared slightly lower in his line of sight, causing Yukino to look down slightly at his position above her.

It appears that the other party is in a superior position and has the dominant power.

However, in reality, Yuan Qianye glosses over the inappropriate things he did, while focusing on explaining her behavior.

After this simple back-and-forth, and with the added boost of the goodwill she already had, Yukino was no longer concerned about the fact that she had just been deliberately bullied. Instead, she began to reflect on her mistakes, going along with his words.

Although, according to social etiquette, she did not actually do anything wrong.

"Feel sorry."

Despite her fluctuating emotions, Yukino still apologized, but it was an apology she gave in a good mood, without any resistance.

Gen Chiyo, his face seemingly serious and tense, nodded, appearing quite satisfied with this turn of events.

"It's okay, I forgive you. From now on, whatever I give you, just accept it if you like it. Oh, and if you're not satisfied, you can tell me, and I'll change it for you."

"I wouldn't be so rude as to choose a gift you went to such lengths to pick..."

Yukino murmured to herself, regaining the relaxed and cheerful feeling she had when they first met earlier that day.

The second young lady in junior high school is still quite easy to handle.

Yuan Qianye noticed that her gaze was still fixed on her wrist, scrutinizing it closely, as if little stars were popping out of her eyes.

It seems she really likes it; it was worth the time and effort she spent buying it.

"Give me the bracelet box too." Yukino reached out her hand.

"It looks good when you wear it, why pretend it's not?"

"I don't want to pack it up, I just want the box too, it's part of the gift, isn't it?"

"Oh."

Yukino took the box containing the bracelet, carefully placed it into her bag, zipped it up, and was finally satisfied.

"Thank you for your birthday present, I'm very happy."

"This year has really been tough; even sending a gift has been so complicated," Yuan Qianye remarked as he stood up.

Knowing that he was subtly complaining, Yukino realized she was in the wrong and said softly, "I understand, I won't do it again."

The matter was resolved, and it wasn't right for the two of them to stay in the locker room indefinitely.

They walked out one after the other, and then they walked side by side again.

Looking at the dazzling array of goods in the store, Yukino suddenly remembered something.

"You said that novelist's birthday is coming up, and you're going to give her a gift, right?"

“Hmm.” Yuan Qianye nodded calmly. What’s wrong with friends exchanging gifts? There’s nothing to be ashamed of.

"What are you planning to give her?" Yukino asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.

"Ugh, I haven't decided yet, it's giving me a headache."

Over the past year, Yuan Qianye has gradually started to worry about giving birthday gifts.

The most direct reason is that my social circle has expanded. Before, it was only Yukino and Eriri, and I only needed to think about this twice a year.

The number of people has increased too much.

Utaha, January 31st; Toka, February 15th; Ai, April 2nd; Saeko, May 8th; Kazusa, May 28th...

Rikka doesn't need to worry too much. She can just wander into a model shop and buy some mysterious and impressive-sounding item, and she'll happily accept it, making her happy for days.

But others can't do that.

Just thinking about it makes my head spin.

Therefore, many people envy those who have many beautiful girls as friends, but in fact, there are also costs to be paid for being in such an environment.

We cannot favor one over another; everyone must be taken care of, and we cannot be perfunctory in our approach.

"As a light novel author, she must spend a considerable amount of time writing every day. Consider this when choosing a gift."

After thinking it over, Yukino gave her suggestion.

She wasn't that petty; she had been sulking because Yuan Qianye had teased her about giving the gift originally intended for her to Shiyu.

What we're discussing now is simply what birthday gifts to give his friends; these are two separate issues and there's no need to connect them.

Of course, there must have been some ulterior motives involved.

Choosing a gift based on the novelist's daily work would minimize the possibility that the gift Qianye gave might contain any other personal emotions.

"Hey~ Not bad, I've got it. She spends a lot of time in front of the computer, which puts a lot of strain on her eyes. Giving her blue light blocking glasses would be perfect."

The second young lady silently considered the price of blue light blocking glasses... they couldn't compare to hers.

Moreover, this kind of gift is very ordinary, with a clear intention and no ambiguity.

Yukino achieved her goal and was in an even better mood.

"Are you planning to buy it for her today? I can go with you."

Chiya was quite surprised by this, but she nodded in agreement with Yukino.

"If you don't mind."

"Of course I don't mind."

I wonder how she would have reacted if she had inadvertently revealed to the novelist later that she had suggested choosing the gift Qianye gave her.

It should be very interesting~

The two, both in good spirits today, were unaware that their intimate behavior while walking alone was being observed by a long-haired girl on the other side of the street.

"Um... Busujima-senpai?"

Several junior students from the kendo club beside her were puzzled when they saw her stop.

Saeko Busujima snapped out of her daze and said with a smile,

"Sorry, I suddenly remembered something. Let's go, let's go pick out some bamboo swords for you to practice with..."

…………

Volume 1: Chapter 134: Saeko's Active Awakening (6000) (50/51)

"What specific methods does Busujima-senpai use to improve her kendo skills?"

"I'm just like everyone else. The most important thing is to practice sword swinging every day and not to slack off or be lazy."

"Eh~ It's just about swinging a sword. I've seen some movies and TV series about kendo. The training methods of the sword masters who have mastered it are very impressive. For example, they tie iron weights to their legs and waist, practice their movements between swinging sandbags, and jump around on wooden stakes with protrusions on the ground to practice leg coordination."

"What? Wakana, you must have been watching a movie or TV show about Eastern martial arts."

"But they were indeed carrying wooden swords."

"These kinds of movies and TV shows are artistic creations and shouldn't be confused with real-life situations! Don't always ask your senior such childish questions..."

A few younger girls were chattering away.

He briefly mentioned Saeko Busujima in the middle of the conversation, and couldn't concentrate on the situation around him.

Even though I've walked quite a distance, I still can't help but look back at the square where I just saw Chiya and Yukino walking together.

Of course, their figures had long since disappeared into the bustling crowds on the street.

If Qianye is with several other people, then it doesn't matter.

But being alone with Yukino today was a situation that Saeko couldn't help but worry about.

Although she outwardly chatted and laughed with the younger students at school, her hand unconsciously made a stroking motion on her forehead.

Recalling that night a few days ago, he left a gentle kiss in this spot.

She also responded, although she was so shy that she ran back to her room at the time, but later she mustered up the courage to convey her attitude through a message.