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

"They seem to have started grilling lamb chops and squid over at the teppanyaki area. The aroma is wafting over. I remember you really like those, so let's go get some together," Yuan Qianye suddenly said with a smile.

At this delicate juncture, it would have been better if he hadn't spoken. His words only solidified Yukino's suspicions.

"You go first, I'm not very hungry right now."

She shook her head, her gaze falling on the lines of text in bold, which made them stand out even more.

Suddenly, a flash of inspiration struck her; she remembered the new work by Qianye that she had just read last night.

This social realist mystery novel employs a narrative trick from the very beginning, using the perspective of the criminal to subtly create preconceived notions in the reader, leading them to make what they believe to be correct judgments.

Now, holding the agreement in her hand and looking at the content marked in bold, she suddenly realized something.

In most real-life situations, such deliberately highlighted text is used to emphasize more important content, such as news headlines, roadside warning signs, and featured dishes on restaurant menus.

Because of this preconceived notion, she had focused most of her attention on the bolded text.

But what if that's not the case?

What if Qianye also used the same method as in the novel, deliberately misleading her in the opposite way?

Yukino's pupils contracted slightly.

She tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear, revealing her fair and beautiful profile and her small, adorable earlobes.

She began to look more carefully at the standard clauses that were not specifically marked.

Suddenly, her finger stopped on a line of text, and with a slight press of her fingertip, she made a shallow indentation on the paper.

found it.

Yukino raised her head, a faint yet confident smile curving her lips.

She tilted her head slightly, her beautiful eyes staring directly at Qianye, a smug gleam in them as if she had seen through his scheme.

"Regarding this clause," Yukino tapped the paper with her fingertip, her words clear and her tone cool, "what does it mean that 'from the date of signing until the completion of the current series, Party B is obligated to assist Party A in fulfilling relevant requirements'?"

"Huh? Is there a problem with this clause?" Yuan Qianye looked bewildered and innocent.

"Stop playing dumb." Yukino pointed to the most crucial phrase: "Why 'current series' instead of 'current work'?"

The agreement, which was as long as seven pages, was completely changed by the addition of just two words.

That was close...

If it weren't for the narrative tricks he used in his novels, I probably would have been misled by his sincere and considerate demeanor and those bolded, prominent clauses.

Looking back now, the seven pages of text must have been intentional on his part, with the aim of using so much information to dilute and conceal this "trap."

Yukino leaned forward slightly, staring into his eyes, and asked, word by word, "The addition of these two words means it's not just this one novel, but the entire series, right?"

The setting sun outside the window sank a little lower, and the warm orange light shone through the glass, casting a soft glow on her.

Her fair, almost translucent skin appeared even more delicate under the light, and her pink lips looked exceptionally soft as they were slightly pursed.

She was completely unaware that although her posture was still upright, the small, proud expression on her face, like that of a top student solving a difficult problem, was something that Yuan Qianye hadn't felt in a long time.

From elementary school onwards, they grew up competing with each other. She always regarded him as her goal. When exam rankings were announced, when comparing how they treated others and how they helped others, she would look at him with such focused, serious eyes, and a light that refused to admit defeat.

Even though they were separated during junior high school, when they met again during winter and summer vacations, she would still look at him with the same eyes, comparing their growth and making sure he hadn't slacked off.

It was a unique gaze between childhood sweethearts, a mixture of rivalry, playful teasing, tacit understanding, a certain unspoken agreement, and many beautiful moments...

But ever since he went public with his relationship with Saeko Utaha, she has rarely shown such vivid and lively expressions in front of him.

More often than not, she simply maintained a polite and considerate response, as if she had put on a transparent yet tough thin shell to separate and try to sever the connection that once existed between them.

Therefore, seeing Yukino reveal this familiar and long-lost expression in front of him at this moment made Chiya somewhat lost in thought.

"What's wrong with you two?" Rikka, who had just returned to the table, noticed that the two were staring at each other without saying a word and easily sensed something was amiss.

Yukino leaned back in her chair, her stern gaze softening slightly. For some reason, the prolonged stare had left her cheeks slightly flushed, but her eyes still held a clear, all-knowing gleam.

"Your unscrupulous brother is planning to use an agreement to trick me into working for him for free for the rest of my life."

…………

Chapter 100: A Surprising Expectation

"Oh dear, given our relationship, calling it a lie would be too much of an exaggeration," Yuan Qianye said with a chuckle, his eyebrows relaxed and his tone as easy as ever.

However, he did not deny Yukino's accusations.

He knew Yukino too well; he knew her principles and bottom lines, and he understood what he could try to do in front of her, and what red lines he could never cross.

Yukino was secretly amazed by his thick skin; even after she had exposed his intentions, he could still maintain such a calm demeanor.

Not only was he not embarrassed at all, but he could even put on a natural expression as if nothing had happened, as if he wasn't the one who had just tried to mislead her with wordplay.

"What's wrong?" Eriri returned to the table and looked at Rikka standing there, while the two sitting there had a subtle atmosphere.

Rikka didn't quite understand what Yukino had just said either, but she tried to make sense of it from the few words she heard: "It seems like my brother bullied Yukino."

As she spoke, she sat back down, a serious expression of protecting her friend appearing on her small face: "Yukino, don't be afraid. Even though he's my brother, if he dares to bully you, I'll definitely stand by your side!"

Yuan Qianye couldn't help but chuckle, his tone also helpless: "I need her help, how could I dare to bully her?"

Yukino glanced at him, her cool voice carrying an undeniable certainty: "It's not bullying, it's deception."

“I’ve already said, given our relationship…” Yuan Qianye still wanted to use that same excuse.

"Stop trying to play the emotional card with our relationship." Yukino said calmly, "I trusted you too much, which is why I was distracted by all the talk you gave me beforehand, and almost unknowingly signed this agreement with hidden traps in the text."

Her explanation left Eriri and Rikka even more confused.

Afterwards, the two of them asked each other a few more questions before they finally understood what had happened when the two of them left.

"What's wrong? Yukino, you look so serious and nervous. I thought something was wrong."

Eriri took the agreement from in front of Yukino, glanced at it, and breathed a sigh of relief.

“When I helped Chiya before, he also had Ms. Kudo draft a contract for me to sign. There’s really nothing wrong with that. Signing these kinds of things between us is more of a formality than a practical matter. How could Chiya possibly hurt us?”

“Exactly.” Yuan Qianye was very pleased. Eriri did a good job. After so many years of friendship, she was still very reliable in a critical moment.

Eriri chuckled foolishly at the encouraging look that Minamoto Chiyo gave her, but suddenly a faint chill swept over her, making her shiver.

Without even turning her head, she could guess that her childhood friend's expression was probably quite grim.

She quickly coughed lightly, and, adhering to the principle of fairness and objectivity between her two good friends, spoke again.

"However, Chiya, this agreement does have some issues. If you really want Yukino to help you, you can just tell her directly. There's no need to play these word games. Even if you don't sign this agreement, Yukino definitely won't stand idly by if you really encounter difficulties. This is not only the founding principle of the Service Club, but also because of the friendship between you two, isn't it?"

Yukino listened to Eriri's words and at first nodded slightly involuntarily to show her agreement, but gradually she realized that something was wrong.

The latter half of her statement completely placed her on a moral high ground!

The chill that had just subsided began to spread again.

This time, Yukino didn't target Eriri. Instead, she directly turned her gaze to Minamoto Chiya, her clear blue eyes scrutinizing him: "Those words you just said, weren't they ones you told Eriri to say beforehand?"

Yuan Qianye immediately raised his hands: "Heaven and earth bear witness, I did print out the agreement, but I never discussed anything with Eriri beforehand."

His reaction, coupled with Eriri's deliberate explanation from the side, made Yukino realize that she had been overthinking things. She shook her head and didn't dwell on the detail any further.

However, the issues surrounding the agreement remain unresolved, and she remains dissatisfied with it.

“Actually, Yukino, you don’t need to be so angry at all.” Rikka joined in the mediation, her tone soft and ingratiating: “Look at it from another angle, my brother only thought of using this method to keep you by his side because you are so outstanding, hoping that you can continue to help him. This is actually a reflection of your outstanding personal abilities and qualities, Yukino!”

“That’s right, that’s right.” Eriri quickly chimed in, “Besides, an agreement is an agreement. It’s impossible for us to have any malicious intentions. Even if you, Yukino, didn’t realize you signed it, and later you have something to do and want to back out, Chiya definitely won’t use the agreement to force you not to back out. He’s not that kind of person.”

Yes, he's definitely not that kind of person.

Yukino knew her childhood friend very well; he would never do something like holding an agreement in front of her, making forceful demands, or even forcing her to be tied to his works and work as his text editor forever.

That didn't align with his aesthetic sense of life, and it was too embarrassing.

And just as she understood him so well, he, in turn, understood her just as thoroughly.

He certainly understood that there was no need to do anything to force her. As long as he successfully induced her to sign her name, she would accept the consequences according to her own principles, and her future trajectory might be set from that point on.

In the years to come, she might follow her original life plan, taking over the responsibilities from her parents like her sister, and starting to manage the Yukinoshita family's business step by step.

But in private, if he wanted, she would probably keep this side job, thus continuing to be entangled with his life.

He went to such lengths specifically for her sake... Even if Yukino wanted to deliberately ignore or deceive herself, it would be difficult for her to completely turn a blind eye.

Having put in so much effort, his "expectations," or rather "plans," probably extend far beyond the realm of simple work or friendship.

Compared to her outspoken exposure of the so-called "deception and trickery," this is actually more like a meticulously designed, patient, and cunning... unique way of pursuing someone.

After many days, Yukino realized this again. Even without Eriri and Rikka constantly speaking up for Chiya, she found that she wasn't actually as angry as she had expected.

However, there was still a hurdle in her heart. The situation around Qianye was too complicated, which had long since disrupted the pure expectations she once held for love.

Furthermore, setting aside the existence of Kasumigaoka Utaha, her fairly good relationship with Busujima Saeko... all of this makes it impossible for her to accept this overly entangled relationship.

And at this moment, there was something else that annoyed her even more.

Even though his shady schemes were exposed, and Eriri and Rikka kept trying to smooth things over for him, how come this guy was just there happily eating the food they brought back with his mouth full of oil, and acting as if nothing had happened?

"Hey, you idiot Chiya, stop eating. No matter what, you were in the wrong. Apologize to Yukino first!" Seeing that she had almost appeased Eriri, Rikka nudged Chiya's thigh under the table and winked at her.

Gen Chiya nodded, first wiping his mouth calmly, before turning his smiling gaze to Yukino: "There's nothing to say. This time, Yukino, you're incredibly perceptive. You saw right through me. I have nothing to say. I have indeed lost."

Damn it, bro, I asked you to apologize, what kind of nonsense are you spouting!

Simply put, a sincere apology will resolve the matter.

Furthermore, your little schemes have been completely exposed and labeled, and yet you still try to salvage the situation by defining it as some kind of competition?!

Rikka was absolutely stunned.

Eriri did the same, glancing at him and then at Yukino, afraid that his words would upset Yukino even more, so she got up and left on the spot, making all her and Rikka's good intentions go to waste.

Both of them were extremely anxious about this, but they didn't notice that Yukino's icy expression, which was entirely forced and tinged with slight anger, softened slightly because of Chiyo's words, and a very faint, almost imperceptible fluctuation flashed deep in the depths of her eyes.

At this moment, Chiya spoke again: "But one thing at a time, Yukino, you still stand by what you promised me, right?"

Yukino glanced at him lightly: "I'm different from some people. I will always do what I promise..." She paused deliberately.

Yuan Qianye automatically took the bait and corrected him: "Don't talk nonsense. When have I ever gone back on my word?"

Yukino slowly uttered the second half of her sentence, her tone carrying a subtle, almost imperceptible teasing tone: "...And I would never resort to underhanded means to achieve my goals."

Yuan Qianye shook his head slightly: "What you're saying is true. Even police undercover agents who infiltrate illegal organizations can't be seen in the light of day, but what they do is also for the sake of the people and social stability. They are completely positive role models, heroes in the darkness."

To his blatant sophistry, Yukino simply replied with a light, clear gaze, "Are you?"