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

But life isn't like that.

If you take things slowly, thinking you have plenty of time and energy, and thus procrastinate or even delay, you will miss the best opportunity and ultimately face failure.

Therefore, once you have a goal, you should strive for it with all your might and work hard to achieve it. You should use your strongest moves from the very beginning and not have any concerns or reservations.

In this way, perhaps one can successfully achieve... the future one desires.

Kasumigaoka Utaha had made up her mind about this idea a long time ago.

She pursued her light novel career with such determination, forging ahead relentlessly. Eventually, she has achieved some success in the industry and has begun to realize her goal of becoming a writer.

However, there are many different goals.

At least for now, the latest goal she wants to achieve is completely different in her mind from the actual situation.

Once you understand the target direction, it becomes very simple.

However, deciding to work towards that direction and putting it into practice requires a very difficult process of making the necessary decisions.

Anything involving romantic relationships must be handled with extreme caution.

First impressions matter.

The other party feels the same way about me.

In addition, the timing and environment are also important.

The art of expressing one's emotions.

It's great if everything goes smoothly, but if you're met with perfunctory responses or even outright rejection, you need to come up with a better way to deal with it.

This refers to the so-called fallback plan and contingency plan...

There are too many details to consider and pay attention to in this process.

Kasumigaoka Utaha gradually realized that she wasn't the kind of person she thought she was, someone who would dare to pursue love.

However, we certainly can't stay stagnant forever.

Moreover, Saeko is creating opportunities for herself.

Kasumigaoka Utaha took a deep breath.

Following the tram battle route, she slowly walked along until she unknowingly arrived at the gate of the Yuan family.

Hair...fresh with a subtle fragrance, OK.

I changed my clothes at home and checked them in the mirror several times before leaving the house, so there shouldn't be any problems.

Black, slightly sheer over-the-knee stockings with lace trim at the hem of the skirt... Today's choice seems a bit daring, but as long as Chiyo likes it, she can wear it like this every day from now on.

Kasumigaoka Utaha bent down and withdrew her fingertips from the non-creaseless stockings.

Then, her expression became resolute.

Even if I didn't find the right time to speak today...

She also needed to ascertain Qianye's more specific and direct thoughts about her.

"Ding dong!"

She pressed the doorbell.

…………

Chapter 181: The Many Layers of Schemes in Kasumigaoka

"Little Shiyu is here! Welcome, welcome! Come in quickly."

When I rang the doorbell, Junko Takanashi opened the door, holding little Chiyo in her arms.

This made Kasumigaoka Utaha nervous; she inexplicably felt like a woman meeting her in-laws.

Even though she and Qianye haven't reached that level of relationship yet.

She unconsciously straightened up, her heart pounding with unease, yet she still managed a polite smile.

"Hello, Auntie, sorry to bother you."

"What's the bother? Just like Eriri, come over and visit more often. I haven't seen your parents in a while. How are they doing? Are they doing well at work?"

Eriri comes over often...

Thinking this without batting an eye, Kasumigaoka bowed slightly and followed the greeting into the entrance hall, continuing to answer with a polite smile.

"My parents are both in good health and their work is going well."

"That's good. I often hear Rikka and Chiyo mention you at home. They say your novel was featured as a positive example in the news and that it's quite popular among young readers now. Congratulations!"

"No, I'm still far inferior to Qianye."

"Don't say that, Shiyu, you're amazing too. It was all thanks to you for being there for Chiya during that time, helping him with his creative process. Oh, and Eriri too, Auntie has been wanting to find a proper opportunity to thank you both..."

Junko Takanashi is kind and approachable, without any airs of an elder, and says almost anything that comes to mind.

However, she is, after all, Qianye's mother, and there's a high probability that she might be the woman he will call "Mom" in the future.

Therefore, Kasumigaoka remained extremely polite throughout, constantly nodding slightly to show her compliance, and covering her mouth with her hand when she laughed. Her behavior as she spoke softly all the way to the living room was that of a lady among ladies, completely unlike her usual cold and aloof demeanor.

After arriving in the living room, Kasumigaoka Utaha's stress level dropped significantly.

Takanashi Toka, who was busy in the kitchen, smiled and greeted her when she saw her.

The opportunity presented itself, and Kasumigaoka explained the purpose of his visit.

"This was brought to me by Saeko. She said it tastes very good, and she hopes you, Auntie, can try it."

She placed the gift box she was carrying on the table.

"Oh, Saeko is too kind. By the way, why didn't she come with you today?"

"She is currently the head of the kendo club. After school, she has to handle club affairs and prepare for the upcoming kendo competition. She has a lot of responsibilities, so she really can't find the time."

"To become a club president so quickly as a freshman in high school, Saeko is really amazing."

As the two chatted, Shihua wiped her hands and came from the kitchen to the living room.

She was very interested in cooking, and after officially giving up gymnastics, she had more time to study cooking.

It's not just about improving my own cooking skills, but more importantly, it's about wanting my family to eat better every day.

Especially for Qianye, who now has to juggle several fields at the same time, there is not enough time to spare. He is so busy that he sometimes doesn't even get enough sleep. Under such circumstances, he naturally has to pay more attention to his diet, ensuring that it tastes good and is nutritionally balanced.

As soon as Shihua arrived, she glanced at the gift box and accurately described its specific details.

"It's dried abalone from Aomori Prefecture, and it's not cheap."

Runzi's mother didn't know much about this: "Is this very expensive?"

"Depending on the specific condition and market price, 500 grams would probably cost between 150,000 and 200,000 yen," Toka stated directly, revealing the price of the gift Saeko had given him.

"Wow, it's so expensive!" Runzi's mother exclaimed in surprise.

"That's normal. After all, the weight of a properly dried abalone is only one-eighth to one-twelfth of that of a fresh abalone. In other words, only fresh abalone weighing more than four kilograms can be made into five hundred grams of dried abalone. Considering the time and process involved, plus the added value of the product's marketing, it is indeed worth the price."

Junko's mother stroked the head of little Chiyo, who was wriggling and moving around in her arms.

"This is too precious. I'll have to thank Saeko properly later, and I'll also have to think carefully about what kind of return gift to give her."

“Leave this to me.” Toka nodded in agreement, then looked at Kasumigaoka: “Thank you for your trouble, Shiyu, for making such a special trip. Chiyo told me in advance that you would be coming, so I made extra dishes today. Please stay and have dinner with us later.”

Kasumigaoka thanked her and readily agreed, since that was precisely the purpose of her visit.

But there were some things she still had to say, so she looked toward the kitchen and said, "I'll help prepare lunch too."

Shihua smiled and declined, "No need, there's no reason to let guests help with the cooking."

The reason was actually because she had witnessed firsthand how clumsy and embarrassing she and Eriri were in the kitchen, completely unprepared for any household chores.

When you rinse rice, most of the grains spill out of the sink; when you crack an egg, the shell goes into the bowl, the yolk and white end up on the counter, and then plop it falls to the floor.

Asking her for help would only cause more trouble, so it's better to refuse.

Since Toka had already said that, Kasumigaoka, who was very self-aware, stopped insisting.

Then she opened another paper bag she had been carrying when she came in and took out a few cute little clothes.

She had specially taken her mother to a children's clothing store on the street to buy this for Chiyo before visiting her.

After all, she had brought Saeko's gift, so she couldn't just leave without giving anything in return.

The three of them chatted and laughed around Chiyo in the living room for a while longer.

Soon after, Chiyo, who had only been slightly agitated, began to poke her fingertips into her mouth.

Runzi's mother immediately understood.

“I’m going to feed this little one. She didn’t sleep much at noon, so she’ll probably sleep for a while after she’s full. You two chat first.”

Kasumigaoka nodded obediently, and after Aunt Junko left, she asked Toka, "I didn't see Rikka today."

"Chiya had an interview after school today, and Rikka went with her." Toka said helplessly, "This girl is almost a high school student, and she still can't be more sensible. She insists on going along with Chiya's job and only causes trouble for others."

"Rikka is quite sensible and kind-hearted. Perhaps she's just thinking about whether she can help Chiyo in any way she can," Kasumigaoka comforted her with a smile.

Looking at the intelligent and beautiful girl in front of her, and the brilliance that flashed in her eyes when she mentioned Qianye's name, Toka felt a subtle pang of sadness.

That's great. Putting everything else aside, at least when she talks about the person she likes, she can express herself directly without having to think so much...

We're back!

From the entrance hall came Rikka Takanashi's energetic voice.

"Ah, it's been a long time since I've seen Sister Shiyu."

"It's been a long time since I've seen Rikka."

"Oh~ I see, it's because you've become a high school student. You look much prettier and more mature now, Shiyu-nee."

"It must be your imagination. I don't look much different from before. The clothes I'm wearing now were bought a long time ago."

Shiyu covered her mouth and chuckled softly.

This is a lie.