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

"...Gurgle!"

Eriri's body trembled, her eyes changing rapidly. She restrained herself from smiling, seemingly because her mother's words were starting to trigger related associations.

"What made Qianye's eyes linger on me... We just went out to have fun. We're all good friends, and we had a great time creating precious memories. Mom, please don't misunderstand..."

Despite saying that, Eriri honestly began to take off her clothes under her mother's teasing and amused gaze.

Mrs. Sawamura helped Eriri put on her swimsuit.

"Mom...how...how is she?"

Eriri stood gracefully in the center of the room with her hands behind her back, her face flushed red.

Mrs. Sawamura looked pleased, her right hand supporting her slightly tilted cheek.

"My Eriri has really grown up."

"Huh? What does that mean?"

"It's a compliment! You look great! Mom's eye for style is still sharp. This outfit suits you perfectly. But there's one thing you need to be careful about at the beach: for swimsuits with ties, make sure to tie the bottoms tightly, otherwise they might come undone in the water."

Utaha had met Saeko and Mrs. Sawamura before.

Well, even as a wife, she wasn't confident that she could outshine those two girls with her curvaceous figure.

Therefore, this is especially true for young, innocent daughters, who need to find their advantages in other areas.

Fortunately, her daughter not only inherited her good looks, but also her beautiful and perky buttocks.

Tighten the swimsuit at the bottom to accentuate your curves.

This can be considered as playing to one's strengths and avoiding weaknesses, highlighting one's advantages.

If you lack personal skills, you need to think of other ways to improve.

"Well, I see."

"Also, when you talk to Qianye, try to straighten your chest or bend over as much as possible. In short, don't hunch over."

"What does this mean?"

"You don't need to worry about that."

It's one of those little schemes, I suppose.

Eriri didn't quite understand, but she nodded obediently nonetheless.

She took off her swimsuit and changed back into her casual clothes.

"I've told you this before, Eriri, that back then, between your father and me, it was actually your mother who was the one pursuing you. I was always the one who took the initiative, while he was the one who was passive."

"Yes, I did."

My parents are both very noticeable; their past romantic relationships have surfaced many times, either intentionally or unintentionally in casual conversations.

"Don't let your dad's current appearance fool you. He's got a scruffy beard, a bit of a nag, and a slowpoke. He was quite handsome when he was young, and he even looked like Leonardo DiCaprio at first glance."

"Mom, let's forget it, that would be too much trouble."

"Whether you believe it or not, that's the situation back then. As a result, many girls surrounded my father, each of them eyeing him covetously. Among them was his childhood sweetheart, so my mother faced immense competitive pressure. But why was my mother the only one to succeed, while everyone else failed? Do you understand why?"

"I understand, Mom. Didn't you say that during a trip or something, when no one was looking, you would ask Dad to come out alone with you so he could teach you to swim? During that time, your relationship would gradually warm up, and then everything would fall into place naturally... or something like that."

"That's just a specific action. Didn't you see something more direct?"

"More directly...Mom, what exactly are you trying to say? I should probably leave soon."

"Listen up, Eriri. Whether it's love or anything in real life, if you want something, you have to work hard to get it. Passively waiting for what you expect to come to you is undoubtedly the most passive and foolish thing to do. That's also the side that your competitors most want to see you show."

As Mrs. Sawamura spoke, she placed her hands on her daughter's shoulders and met her gaze into her eyes.

This principle is the philosophy of life she has always followed.

She worked hard from a young age and achieved the life she desired: a gentle husband, a lovely daughter, and a happy family.

She didn't expect her daughter, who was more like her husband in terms of a laid-back and easygoing personality, to suddenly have an epiphany and put it into practice based on her words at this moment.

But at least hopefully she can understand her current situation a little better, be aware of it, and take precautions so that she doesn't fall too far behind her many competitors.

"Mother……"

"Alright, it's almost time. You're supposed to meet at the station, right? Mom will take you there now."

"Okay! Thank you, Mom."

The Poison Island family.

Saeko Busujima quickly prepared breakfast in the kitchen.

Not just my share, but also Kasumigaoka Utaha's share.

"I'm sorry, Shiyu, I didn't expect you to come so early today."

It is indeed very early.

However, just after five o'clock, while Saeko was still fast asleep, her doorbell rang.

"I should be apologizing. My dad received a call from his boss who suddenly fell ill, asking him to fill in for him and go out of town to play golf with a business partner. He couldn't take me as planned. After waking me up and telling me, I figured I was already awake, so I just had him bring me here."

“Your father has also had a tough time.”

"He's doing alright. Those years with the heaviest workload are over, and now he's risen to a leadership position. Such a situation is rare, maybe only once a year."

Watching Saeko's efficient and elegant cooking movements, Utaha felt envious but also gave up the idea of ​​helping out.

After all, with her almost zero cooking skills, she would probably only get in the way and cause trouble if she went there.

"Alright, let's have breakfast. We were a little rushed, so please don't mind if the taste isn't great."

"How could that be? I could smell the food from far away. Let's dig in."

"I usually eat pretty light breakfasts... Oh right, there's natto in the fridge, Shiyu, do you want some?"

"Um, never mind that."

Shi Yu's reaction to this sticky, stringy food that smelled like stinky tofu was less about disliking it and more about being completely unable to accept it physiologically.

"Saeko, if you want to eat, don't worry about me."

"Actually, I'm not used to eating natto. It's my father who really likes it. He bought a lot of it and put it in the refrigerator, but he didn't finish it before he left."

"I see..."

The two chatted briefly.

Now that this topic has been brought up, Shiyu felt it was time to make her request.

Despite being a bit shameless and troublesome, once I succeed, I will repay her tenfold for any needs she may have, as long as I can help her.

With this conviction as her vow, Shiyu mustered her courage and spoke the next moment.

"Zezi."

"Ok?"

"Regarding this trip to the beach, I actually want to ask you for a favor..."

…………

Chapter 193: The Little Joys of a Piano Girl's Daily Life

Yuan Qianye left home at 6:30 in the morning.

Miyoko Kudo's car was parked on the street in front of the door.

He walked straight over and, as was his usual habit, opened the passenger door.

As a result, the passenger seat was piled high with bags and packages, leaving no room for another person.

Miyoko Kudo, who was looking down at her phone in the driver's seat, looked over. Despite having done it on purpose, she immediately clasped her hands together and gave an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, boss, I brought a lot of stuff today, so I'll have to trouble you to sit in the back."

Although they addressed each other as "boss," their tone was quite casual, which is typical of their daily interactions.

Yuan Qianye shrugged and said nothing, then turned around and went to the back to open the car door.

The next moment, their eyes met those of Touma Kazusa, who was eating a piece of bread.

Today she wore a long-sleeved white shirt paired with a matching tulle skirt, which suited her chic and simple taste.

Her long, straight black hair, which usually falls naturally, has been styled differently today. It's loosely tied up with a hair tie of the same color, and the cool and aloof feeling she usually exudes has faded a lot. Today, she looks more like a girl next door.

Good morning, Kazusa.

Yuan Qianye suppressed the amazement in his eyes and greeted everyone normally after getting into the car.

"Morning."

Kazusa nodded and wiped her mouth with a tissue.

Watching Yuan Qianye get into the car and sit next to her, she thought for a moment, then picked up an opened bag of bread from beside her and handed it to him.

"Want some?"

"No need, thank you. I've already had breakfast at home."

"That's quite early."

"Yes, my family knew I would be leaving early today, so they prepared this for me in advance."

"Hey, it's pretty good..."

Watching the young boy and girl talk in the rearview mirror, Miyoko Kudo felt a strong urge to do so.

I feel like I've become much younger and more naive because of these two influences, as if I've returned to my distant student days. In short, I'm just a bit naive!

This innocent, subtle, bittersweet feeling... is so wonderful.

"Hold on tight, we're about to set off."

With this prompt, Kudo Miyoko put on sunglasses, pulled the handbrake, and slowly pressed the accelerator.