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

Saeko, being a girl herself, didn't have as many concerns. Since she had a good relationship with Kasumigaoka, she said with a half-smile, "I didn't expect you to have such a good figure, Utaha. I never noticed before."

"That's not true at all. It's Saeko who mainly practices kendo and exercises every day, so her figure is really great. You can tell even when she's wrapped in a thick bath towel..."

The two on this side began to politely flatter each other.

Rikka glanced at her two silent, withdrawn friends out of the corner of her eye, then looked down at herself, and could somewhat understand their feelings.

Indeed, whether it's Shiwa or Saeko, their scale is far too excessive.

Even if they were given a year, they probably wouldn't reach the level that Saeko and Utaha have reached now.

Therefore, I really can't quite connect with this kind of topic right now.

The idea of ​​having a water fight was ruined because my older brother joined in, and he was wearing a bath towel and he was afraid of being exposed.

If it really comes to that, even she would care a lot.

We need to come up with a topic that everyone can participate in, or rather, a topic that everyone is interested in...

Therefore, in the next instant, Rikka had a brilliant idea and immediately raised her right hand to attract everyone's attention.

"Thousand Nights and Thousand Nights!"

"What are you doing?" Yuan Qianye, who was originally looking up at the starry sky, suddenly had a bad feeling when she looked at her younger sister who had suddenly become cheerful.

Sure enough, the next moment...

"Qianye, you've always been very popular with girls. On the personal account that I help manage for you, I often get private messages from people confessing their love."

"What are you trying to say?" Meeting Rikka's bright, sparkling gaze, Gen Chiya had no choice but to bite the bullet and respond.

"I don't mean anything by it. What I mean is, there are quite a few students in our school who are dating, but I've never seen you show any particular interest in any girl or any desire to date her. Is it because you haven't met the right one yet? Or do you have your own life plans or something, like you won't be dating any girls before graduating from high school?"

As soon as Rikka asked this question, everyone else in the hot spring pool was immediately invigorated.

The two, who had been politely complimenting each other's figures, stopped talking and looked over. The two who had been secretly feeling depressed and resentful about their natural advantages also secretly pricked up their ears.

Dear sister! Thank you so much!

Gen Chiya noticed the four extremely concerned gazes coming from the same direction, and wished he could just pluck the tuft of hair off Rikka's head right then and there.

They're really just asking for trouble. If you're curious about something, you can just ask them privately. There's no reason to ask them in front of so many people.

How am I supposed to answer that?

Is it really possible to find an answer that satisfies all four people without causing any problems?

However... thinking about it carefully, it seems there's no need to be so nervous.

Rikka's problem isn't that acute yet.

From another perspective, this opportunity that Rikka unintentionally created is a good chance to test their reactions, which seems like a good option.

"It's not true that I didn't date girls before graduating from high school... As for what you said, Rikka, that you've never seen me show any interest in dating any girl, that's purely your own misjudgment." Gen Chiya said carefully.

"I see... Hmm?!"

Rikka suddenly realized what was happening and her eyes widened.

I just casually mentioned it, but I never expected it to uncover such a bombshell!

The other four girls present also showed a complex mix of joy and uncertainty in their eyes, and their hearts began to beat faster at the same time.

"So, you actually have a girl you like now, Chiyo?" Rikka excitedly sat down next to Chiyo.

"Hmm." Although it's plural.

Gen Chiya replied lazily, looking up at the night sky again. It seemed like she was just having a casual conversation with her younger sister, but in reality, she was observing the reactions of the other people in the hot spring pool from a god-like perspective.

Yukino blushed quite a bit, but that could also be due to soaking in the hot spring. She appeared calm and composed while floating on the water's surface, but her cute little feet were arched at the bottom of the pool, her toes gently rubbing against each other, which was rather adorable.

Saeko's hair is styled in a bun, giving her a mature, womanly look. Her delicate, porcelain-like swan neck is also amazing; I almost want to leave some marks on it. The way the thick bath towel bulges around her body is a bit too...no, no! I need to observe her expression now.

Her face was as red as Yukino's, her hands were clasped together in front of her lower abdomen underwater, and she wore a reserved yet happy smile.

It wouldn't be surprising if Shiyu looked in her direction and her eyes flashed a pink heart at any moment. The affection she showed was so obvious that it was almost tangible, making one involuntarily think of a lioness on the African savanna chasing a male lion, wanting to have a child.

Eriri is cute and adorable, that's good... (others omitted).

Rikka leaned closer, shaking Chiya's arm in a pleading manner, wanting to satisfy her curiosity: "Tell me, who is it?!"

Yuan Qianye didn't move: "How could I possibly tell you?"

"You're so stingy. If I had a guy I liked, I would tell you right away."

"That kind of thing doesn't matter to me. Please respect my right to privacy."

"Cut~"

Rikka pouted helplessly.

But since Qianye had already said that, and given the warning look in his eyes when they met at close range, she knew she couldn't press him any further.

However, of course, it doesn't end there.

"I'm so glad you have such an understanding sister like me, Chiyo. Don't worry, no matter what, I'll always be on your side." Rikka suddenly leaned close to Chiyo's ear and whispered.

As the distance closed, their shoulders inevitably brushed against each other, allowing them to clearly feel the temperature of each other's skin.

However, their status as sworn siblings did not create any romantic atmosphere between them. The other four people who witnessed this could only secretly admire the good relationship between the siblings, without having any other thoughts.

"?" Yuan Qianye was somewhat puzzled.

Silly Flower, what do you want to do?

But Rikka had no intention of explaining further.

He gave his adopted brother a look that said, "Just watch me," and without waiting for his brother to respond, he got up again and started walking around in the hot spring. He then returned to the girl's side and naturally continued the conversation from before.

"Come to think of it, we've never really talked about our ideal partner, or what qualities and personality traits we would have in someone we like."

Because of her personality and style, it's never surprising that Rikka says anything, no matter when.

Because of Yuan Qianye, her favor within this small circle is beyond doubt.

Kasumigaoka glanced at Minamoto Chiyo, quickly thought for a moment, and then smiled as she followed up, saying, "Rikka, why did you suddenly think of talking about this topic?"

"It's just out of curiosity. We're all good friends, and this is a way to get to know each other better. Besides, you can't just sit here soaking in a hot spring; you have to talk about something."

Gen Chiya gradually understood Rikka's thoughts.

My opinion of this little idiot has changed a bit. It seems he's not just a cute little fool; he actually seems to have some effect.

“To deepen our understanding…” Kasumigaoka nodded, agreeing with Rikka’s statement and having no objection: “Then I’ll start.”

"Wait a minute." Yukino suddenly called out, the conversation had moved too fast and she was a little caught off guard: "Isn't this kind of topic a bit inappropriate?"

She looked at Yuan Qianye with some hesitation, not out of any sense of formality, but simply out of girlish shyness—words spoken impulsively out of emotion.

"What's inappropriate about it? I don't mind talking about these things with everyone; it's not like it's a private topic." Kasumigaoka pretended not to understand Yukino's concerns and spoke first.

"My ideal partner must be handsome and charming, hardworking and self-disciplined. Of course, the most important thing is that he also likes me. I must be one of the most important people in his heart."

Is just one of them enough?

"Hmm, that's enough. After all, there will be important parents, relatives, and even future children."

Rikka exclaimed "Wow—" with a drawn-out "Wow—" sounding quite excited: "So for Utaha-nee, mutual affection is the most important thing?"

Kasumigaoka smiled, then turned her gaze to Minamoto Chiya, her eyes seemingly teasing: "You could say that. Mutual affection is a very important prerequisite. Other conditions may not be met, but that doesn't matter much. After all, as we get older, our figure and looks will gradually fade with time, but true love will not fade with time."

Gen Chiya didn't respond to Kasumigaoka's flirtatious gaze, after all, there were other people present watching him.

The same feelings, the same words.

Why are you glaring at me, No. 1 Study Girl? The question was asked by Rikka, and the reply was given by Utaha. I've been sitting here the whole time and haven't done anything else!

"Sister Shiyu is indeed a novelist; even her words sound so sophisticated."

"It was just something I said offhand. It's not high-level at all. Besides, I'm not a novelist. I'm just a light novelist."

"Light novel authors are also very talented."

"He's not as good as your older brother."

"He only submitted his work to the Rampo Award; it's not certain whether he'll win."

"You mean other things..."

The two chatted idly for a few moments, laughing and joking.

His gaze then shifted to Saeko.

Saeko adjusted her bath towel, not being coy at all: "The requirements for the person I like... aren't that complicated. It's very simple. They just need to be better than me in every way. I only acknowledge people who are better than me, and I'm probably only interested in such people, and then other emotions will arise from that."

“Better than you, Saeko-nee... It’s hard to find a guy like that, isn’t it?” Rikka said, even though she knew that wasn’t the case.

"It's all about human effort, so it might not be that difficult." Saeko maintained the same smiling expression as when she spoke to Kasumigaoka, seemingly unconcerned about the matter.

Considering that they all looked at their brothers with a strange, gleaming light in their eyes when they answered, this was quite telling.

These two can be considered to have revealed their cards in a certain sense; they're just one step away from actually playing their cards.

That's so daring...

Rikka felt as if she had accidentally opened some terrible Pandora's box on a whim.

A dangerous sense of excitement filled my heart.

But things have come to this point and there's no way to stop halfway. Fortunately, the situation seems to be under control so far.

Rikka then turned her gaze to the remaining two.

"Yukino and Eriri, where are you?"

Compared to the proactive Kasumigaoka, and the poised and confident Saeko with her own ideas.

Considering their personalities, these two should have been much more reserved in their behavior.

At least Eriri, who spoke first, said: "Well... there's nothing special about it. What I value most is character. Someone who is kind-hearted, gentle, and able to protect me... I'm already very satisfied with that."

Rikka's eyes lit up: "Eriri's thoughts are similar to mine!"

"really?"

"Really, really. But there are some slight differences. I feel that if the man I meet in the future can dote on me alone and forgive and tolerate me no matter what mistakes I make, I will feel very satisfied."

It seems like there's already someone like that, even if he's just an older brother.