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

"..."

Toka gazed at Chiya in a daze for a moment, then smiled gently.

"Close your eyes and rest. Don't worry about anything with me here."

Gen Chiya nodded slowly.

As Shihua descended the stairs, she covered her chest with both hands.

She was very reluctant to confront the inappropriate emotions welling up inside her at that moment.

But now, she does feel a faint sense of joy because she is taking care of Qianye and realizes that he needs and depends on her.

Takanashi Touka, be normal! Chiya is sick and feeling unwell right now!

The sight of her slapping her face was witnessed by Rikka Takanashi, who was changing Chiyo's diaper in the living room.

Shi Hua forced herself to remain calm.

Compared to her older sister's strange behavior, Rikka was clearly more worried about her sworn brother's condition: "How is Chiya?"

“He does have a fever. Let’s give him some fever reducers and see how it goes. If that doesn’t work, I’ll take him to the hospital.”

As Shihua answered, she quickly poured a glass of warm water, grabbed the fever reducer, and headed upstairs.

After changing Chiyo's diaper, Rikka carried her upstairs.

When I entered Qianye's room, I saw him tilting his head back to swallow the medicine and blowing his nose with a tissue.

"Qianye... how are you feeling? Is there anything wrong with your body? Does your head hurt?"

Under these special circumstances, Rikka has become much more obedient.

This was an unexpected bonus for Genchiyo, who had been feigning illness simply to resolve the Toka problem.

He carefully concealed the pill he spat out, wrapped it in a tissue, and tossed it into the trash can beside the bed, laughing, "It's nothing, I just feel a little tired and want to sleep."

Shihua opened the French windows in his room a little to allow for ventilation: "Then you should rest now, we won't disturb you anymore."

Rikka nodded her little head vigorously: "You can call me anytime if you need anything. I won't close my room door tonight."

"Even if it's not turned off, it would probably be difficult to wake you up."

"Well..." Rikka knew she had enviable sleep quality, so after a moment's consideration, she hesitated and said, "...Then I'll sleep with you tonight?"

"Well--!"

Just as Rikka finished speaking, Touka delivered a light chop to the head: "Stop talking nonsense. You go to sleep with Chiyo right now. I'll take care of Chiya."

"Oh." Rikka replied with a pitiful look, "Then I'll go back to my room first, Chiya. You can call me if you need anything, and you can tell me if there's anything you want to eat, and I'll have my sister make it for you."

Shihua glanced at her helplessly once again.

Is it really necessary for this to go through you as a middleman?

"Wait, Rikka." Minamoto Chiyo called out to her, "Don't tell Eriri and the others about my illness, so they won't worry."

Shihua nodded in agreement: "That's right. Qianye needs to rest now. If they all come to visit him, it will only bother him. Also, don't talk to Mom and Dad. They finally get a chance to relax, so don't let them worry."

Rikka nodded: "Yes, I understand."

After she left with little Chiyo in her arms.

Shika went downstairs, filled the thermos with water, and brought it back to Yuan Qianye's bedside.

Yuan Qianye had already changed into his pajamas and was lying on his side on the bed, quietly watching her.

Shihua tried her best to control her emotions, but her emotions had their own ideas and didn't listen to her commands at all. They surged and crashed wildly in her chest.

Her original intention was to stay by his bedside and leave after he fell asleep.

But being stared at by Qianye with such a subtle gaze, her heart couldn't take it.

So after much consideration, she decided to take her leave for the time being: "Then you should rest well and don't worry, I'll come to see you again later."

The groundwork laid over the past few days was all for this moment, so how could Gen Chiyo let him leave? "I just lied to Rikka."

Upon hearing this, Shihua stood up but sat back down halfway, asking in confusion, "What?"

"It's not that I'm fine. Actually, my head feels really strange. It's like there's an extra heart inside it beating. And for some reason, my body is feeling hot and cold."

After saying that, he coughed a few more times.

Shihua quickly poured him more water and leaned over to feed him a small sip.

"If you have a fever, this is usually a common symptom."

"Toka, are you one too?"

"Yeah, that's what happens when I have a fever too."

"Shihua is really amazing."

"Seriously, what are you talking about? What's so great about this?"

"I think it's amazing that you can get through something so difficult."

"According to your logic, there are probably no people in the world who aren't capable, because most people should have similar experiences."

Toka stood up again, and Gen Chiya reached out and grabbed her arm.

Shihua chuckled and patted his hand: "Don't worry, I'm not leaving. I'm just going to get something for you and I'll be right back."

"Oh." Upon hearing this, Yuan Qianye obediently let go.

Shihua quickly brought back a towel and ice cubes in a plastic bag.

She helped Yuan Qianye lie down, wrapped ice cubes in a towel, and gently placed it on his forehead.

“When I used to have a fever and feel unwell, my mom would help me cool down like this. Doesn’t it make you feel a little better?”

"Mmm, it feels cool and refreshing, very comfortable."

"Then lie flat and try not to move."

"Ah."

Yuan Qianye verbally agreed, but as soon as Shihua let go, he tilted his head slightly, and the ice towel on his head fell off.

Shihua helped her put it back in its place three times in a row, and she realized that he was doing it on purpose.

"Hey."

Toka's expression wasn't exactly angry. She was looking at Chiyo, who seemed different from usual and rather childish because of her illness, and even had a doting smile on her face. She herself didn't realize that her maternal instincts were kicking in at that moment.

"I'm sorry... but I don't know why, I just wanted Toka to keep supporting me."

"You're Rikka, aren't you? You're too willful."

"But tomorrow is Saturday, and you don't have any plans, Shihua, right... cough cough."

"..."

"Is it not allowed...?"

Once again, Toka's heart was softened by Minamoto Chiya's pitiful eyes.

Acting cute and spoiled when you're sick... that's just too much!

His behavior at this moment reminded Shika of when she was very young and sick, and she felt the same way because of his physical weakness.

I hope my closest mother can be by my side. Even though it doesn't mean much, having someone with me will always make me feel better.

"I understand. I'll stay with you tonight and won't leave. You can sleep peacefully."

"Thank you."

"No need for such unnecessary words, just go to sleep."

Yuan Qianye nodded and closed his eyes.

Shihua sat quietly by his side on the edge of the bed.

The boy's appearance was incredibly striking. Even though he was currently ill, Shika still found his features and eyes pleasing to the eye, which made her feel happy.

A few minutes later, Yuan Qianye suddenly opened his eyes.

Shika's heart raced as if she had been caught doing something wrong.

But she quickly realized that she was accompanying a patient, and observing the patient's condition was only natural.

My mindset quickly shifted to one of peace of mind.

She asked, "What's wrong? Are you still feeling unwell and unable to sleep?"

"No, I just think it must be uncomfortable for you to sit by my bed like this all the time, Toka."

As she spoke, Yuan Qianye moved further into the bed and patted the spot next to her.

"Come lean against me, at least it will make your back feel more comfortable."

His eyes were innocent when he made the suggestion, and Shika did not sense any ill intentions.

But Toka still wanted to refuse.

After all, she had just taught Rikka a lesson for wanting to sleep in the same bed with Chiya, so what would it mean if she went up there again now?

Even if he is sick, it doesn't seem quite right...

But Gen Chiya quickly spoke again: "If Toka could be closer to me, I should be able to rest better."

These words seemed reckless, revealing his true intentions.

But he spoke after careful consideration.

Sick people are often seen as vulnerable and need care, which greatly increases the level of patience and concern shown to them.

Not to mention, after a series of tests, he had discovered that Toka cared about him a lot, but she just hid it very well usually.

Therefore, Chiyo was confident that as long as he didn't make any excessive demands, he would generally get what he wanted.

Indeed, after hearing what Gen Chiyo said, Toka's expression became somewhat hesitant.

He seized the opportunity to continue, "Just lean against me."

He wrapped the small blanket around himself tightly, showing no intention of sharing it with Shika.

If it's just sharing a bed, but not sharing a blanket...