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

The Hayasaka family's debts were taken over by the Shinomiya family, and according to the agreement, the Hayasaka family was also absorbed into the Shinomiya family, becoming a branch family affiliated with the Shinomiya family.

The former head of the Hayasaka family, the Hayasaka couple, also began to work officially for the Shinomiya family.

Later, Hayasaka Nao became pregnant and gave birth to Hayasaka Ai. Coincidentally, the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family was born three months earlier in the same year.

Two children of the same age, both female, were to grow up together. The head of the Shinomiya family, for certain reasons, ordered Hayasaka Ai to stay by Shinomiya Kaguya's side as a friend and grow up together.

Of course, they are called friends, but in reality they serve.

The Hayasaka couple were reluctant to let such a young child leave their side to serve others... Just thinking about it was heartbreaking, but from their perspective, they had no choice but to agree.

And so, from that moment on, Hayasaka Ai's life took a dramatic turn.

She began her maid career by Kaguya Shinomiya's side, accompanying her mistress while also undergoing rigorous and almost cruel all-around training from the Shinomiya family.

She must be proficient in multiple languages, martial arts, intelligence gathering, psychology, etiquette, and various talents... She must be proficient in all of these.

"...I love her, but she left my side when I was four years old."

Before we knew it, it was already past midnight.

Nao Hayasaka's beer glass was empty and then refilled, this was her fourth glass. Her cheeks and ears were already flushed with drunkenness, and her eyes were glistening with moisture under the dim lights of the izakaya.

Her narration, which started out calm and restrained, became increasingly emotional. When she mentioned her daughter's childhood, the guilt and heartache between her brows were almost overflowing.

“She’s clearly a crybaby… but on the day we parted, her eyes were red, yet she still forced a smile at me and waved gently… It was as if she was telling me, ‘Mom, I’ll take good care of myself, don’t worry.’”

Nao Hayasaka's voice choked for a moment. She picked up her glass, tilted her head back, and drank it all in one gulp, as if trying to use the cold liquid to suppress the bitterness in her throat.

“Even now, I often dream of that scene. In my life, I can be at peace with everyone else, but I owe that child so much… so much.”

She reached for the bottle again. This time, however, Gen Chiya gently moved the bottle to her side and softly advised, "Ms. Hayasaka, too much of a good thing is bad for your health. Drinking too much alcohol is also bad for your health."

Nao Hayasaka's hand paused in mid-air for a moment, then slowly withdrew, not persisting, and simply nodded silently.

She started supporting her chin with one hand. The slight intoxication from the alcohol helped her open up more, and it also made her posture much more relaxed, no longer the elegant but tense woman she had been at the beginning.

She looked up at Yuan Qianye, a slightly weary smile curving her lips: "Is there anything else you want to know?"

"There is a question." Gen Chiyo paused for a moment, his back straightening unconsciously, and asked solemnly, as if the important question was about to be asked: "Is the Hayasaka family now completely swallowed up by the Shinomiya family, with absolutely no possibility of becoming independent again?"

Nao Hayasaka smiled upon hearing this, her smiling eyes seeming to see right through him, directly addressing his true concern: "Are you truly concerned about the Hayasaka family's current situation? Or... are you truly worried about the future, that Ai will be burdened by the Hayasaka family and forced to stay in the Shinomiya family, serving them until she grows old?"

“I’m very worried too.” Yuan Qianye met her gaze, her words sincere and heartfelt: “I can see that Hayasaka cherishes her family. If she had a choice, she would definitely want not only herself, but also her closest family members to be freed from a life they don’t like.”

"Your statement ultimately stems from your love for the child, and your concern for the Hayasaka family's situation just happens out of it."

Nao Hayasaka looked at Chiya Minamoto's awkward, forced laugh, shook her head slightly, and smiled with unconcerned satisfaction.

"Regardless of what you think, I'm actually quite happy for that child. So first, let me answer your question about the Hayasaka family's current situation. Don't be fooled by how heavy I sounded—the competition failure, being swallowed up, living under someone else's roof, having to serve the Shinomiya family... It sounds like they're in a terrible and undignified state, but the reality isn't that bad."

Nao Hayasaka took the chicken skewers, used her chopsticks to poke off the skin from the chicken thigh meat, her eyes lowered as if she were carefully considering her words.

"How should I put it... Over the years, under the protection of the Shinomiya family, or rather, within its system, the Hayasaka family has actually developed quite well. Many bad assets have been divested, and the emerging industries they have invested in are performing well. Although the work is hard and the pressure is high, their assets, income, and quality of life have not declined. In fact, they are even more stable than when we took over. Putting aside those empty 'dignity' and 'face,' from a practical point of view, isn't working for someone else also work? Moreover, the platform and resources that the Shinomiya family can provide are indeed extraordinary."

"So, the current situation is that—"

"Yes, the Hayasaka family and the Shinomiya family are currently in a mutually beneficial relationship. My husband and I are quite capable, and over the years we have handled a lot of problems and tasks for the Shinomiya family. As a result, we have gradually gained some real power within the Shinomiya Group, which allows us to seek our own interests and room for development."

At this point, she stopped there, not going into further detail. Some things don't need to be said too explicitly; intelligent people will naturally understand.

In fact, based on the information she revealed, it wasn't difficult for Gen Chiyo to understand.

The Hayasaka and Shinomiya families have evolved from their initial "annexation and dependence" into a symbiotic relationship similar to that of "hermit crabs and sea anemones".

Sea anemones can attach themselves to the shells where hermit crabs live, expanding the hermit crabs' feeding range through their movement. Conversely, hermit crabs can also use the stinging cells of sea anemones to defend themselves against predators.

Therefore, even if the Hayasaka family has the opportunity to become independent now, they may not choose to leave due to practical interests and long-term considerations.

Seeing that Minamoto Chiyo quickly grasped her meaning, Hayasaka Nao was even more impressed and continued, "As for Ai, her specific situation is somewhat complicated."

"How so?" Yuan Qianye couldn't help but ask.

"Now, as long as her father and I think of a way to work things out privately, it's not impossible for her to leave the Shinomiya family on her own. It will be a bit troublesome, but the premise is that the child really has such a wish."

"Auntie, do you mean that Hayasaka-san doesn't want to escape her current living situation?"

"Who knows? You should ask her to get a more accurate answer to that question."

“…Yes, I understand.” Yuan Qianye nodded gently.

“I understand your concern for that child and your desire to help her. It’s really worrying that she’s so young and already going through so much. But now is not the right time, after all, the Shinomiya family now…”

"?"

"...It's nothing. That last sentence was just me talking to myself. It doesn't mean anything. Don't worry about it."

The more you say that, the more impossible it is for people not to care, isn't it?

However, Yuan Qianye could tell that she was unwilling to talk more, so he nodded obediently and did not ask any further questions.

“It really is… I haven’t had such a pleasant chat with someone in a long time.” Hayasaka Nao raised her hands and stretched, her eyes filled with relaxed joy. “Thank you, Chiya-kun.”

"I am the one who should be thanking you. Thank you, Auntie, for patiently answering so many of my questions."

"It's nothing. You can come to me directly if you have any problems in the future. You have my contact information. As long as you and Ai can continue to get along like this in the future, that's fine."

"Will do."

"Also, should I keep the things we discussed tonight a secret from that child?"

"No need, there's no need for that. If you don't mind, Auntie, I'd like to bring this up with her myself when we meet later."

“Yes, that’s a good idea.” Nao Hayasaka nodded, her eyes showing approval. “It would have been better to ask her directly about some of your questions.”

Some of Chiya's questions were answered, and she gained a better understanding of Hayasaka Ai. Having achieved her goal for the day, and with it getting late, the two left the izakaya together in perfect unison.

Pushing open the wooden door, a breath of fresh air greets you.

The alley was deep and secluded, and the streetlights cast long, thin shadows of the two people.

After taking only a few steps, Nao Hayasaka's steps suddenly became unsteady, her body swayed slightly, and she looked like she was about to lose her balance.

Gen Chiyo reacted quickly, taking her arm and standing there in a very gentlemanly manner. He did not make any further moves, looking straight ahead and not glancing at her deep cleavage that was partially exposed.

Seeing that Nao Hayasaka seemed to be a little drunk, Chiyo Minamoto was thinking of accompanying her back to her place when a middle-aged woman dressed as a waitress and wearing white gloves came up to them from the alley entrance.

Seeing the two chatting familiarly, Yuan Qianye felt relieved and handed over the task of helping the woman to her. He declined Hayasaka Nao's offer to take him home and watched them leave first before hailing a taxi.

Meanwhile, Hayasaka Nao, who had been leaning against the car window with hazy eyes, slowly straightened up.

The misty haze in her eyes quickly dissipated, restoring their usual clarity and sharpness.

She raised her hand and slowly and carefully fastened the buttons on her slightly open collar, her movements steady and showing no sign of drunkenness.

Reflecting on the boy's behavior, judging from our meeting today at least, he is upright, kind, and gentle, and his character seems impeccable. No wonder he could be so infatuated; he is indeed quite outstanding.

With such excellent inner qualities, coupled with his achievements, he is undoubtedly a high-performing stock that deserves to be seized upon.

…………

Chapter 106: Bathroom, Shower Gel, Pantyhose

Having learned more detailed information about the maid from Mrs. Hayasaka, Chiya's feelings were somewhat complicated.

She didn't work for the Shinomiya family out of her own free will, but now that she has other options, she's unwilling to simply leave the Shinomiya family.

Although Mrs. Hayasaka didn't explain the reason in detail, and he didn't ask the maid directly, he had already roughly guessed what it was.

For the maid, the Shinomiya family and such should be completely irrelevant; they are merely entities she nominally works for.

What she truly cared about was probably the young lady she served.

After all, the two of them were by each other's side when they were so young. If you put yourself in their shoes and imagine it, you can conclude that the two of them must have a very good relationship, and it is even possible that this relationship is no less than that between him and Yukino.

After all, although they are childhood friends, the amount of time these two spend under the same roof and by each other's side is much more significant.

Taking this into account makes things a little more difficult.

When he realized his genuine desire to take care of the maid, Yuan Qianye felt even more sorry for her working so hard every day. This complicated situation left him feeling powerless, but perhaps he would have another chance to probe the maid's true feelings later.

Then, based on her specific answer, find a solution that satisfies both sides.

Yeah, let her escape from that damned, stressful job, embrace her youth normally, and like other high school girls, enjoy her leisure time to the fullest, go shopping, watch TV shows, and try delicious food, and then—

Slightly, not demanding, but simply asking for help, without going against her wishes and with her consent, asking her to spare a small portion of her free time to come to my side and help with some small tasks related to her work.

In private, it's not that wearing a maid outfit is absolutely necessary, but if possible, that would be best... after all, it's pleasing to the eye.

These are the key points that Chiyo Minamoto has hidden deep in her heart, the ambitions she hopes to realize in the near future.

There's no point in rushing things right now; let's take it slow.

The time that followed passed by in this unhurried and leisurely manner.

As the end of the semester approaches, the atmosphere at school has become much more solemn in preparation for the final exams. There is much less noise during breaks, and many clubs have postponed their activities during lunch breaks and after school.

Eriri and Rikka did the same. They worked incredibly hard in the final stretch of time. They weren't exactly hanging themselves by their hair or pricking their thighs with awls, but they did spend most of their free time at school doing practice problems. During lunch breaks, they would also have Yukino by their side to act as a tutor who could explain things to them at any time, all in order to get good grades on the final exam.

The former wants to use this to convince her parents that she is now old enough to prioritize her studies, so they don't need to take her with them when they go abroad to see her grandparents.

The latter was to prevent her older sister's threat from coming true. What a joke! Summer vacation is for having lots of fun, not for going to those cram schools! What's the difference between that and going to jail? She'd rather die than go!

On such a day, a few days before the official holiday, Minamoto Chiya received a message from Yukinoshita Haruno.

This indicates that the "surprise" prepared for him is ready and waiting.

At that time, Chiya Minamoto was in the Service Club, sitting directly opposite Yukino watching Rikka and Eriri do their homework. Even though he was trying to hold back, he couldn't help but smile slightly because of the anticipation that was running through his mind.

But Yang Nai's next message made him experience what it meant to have extreme emotional ups and downs.

[Yang Nai: Our school will be holding a special lecture series on literary creation and dissemination, and many senior figures in the literary world will be invited. My advisors and I have recommended you. After all, as a winner of multiple literary awards, and with every novel you've published being a bestseller, you certainly deserve it. So, if you'd like, you can come and give a speech, talk about your thoughts during the creative process, or share your personal journey during that time.]

[Yuan Qianye: That's it?]

[Yang Nai: Seriously, what do you mean "that's all"? Our school is ranked internationally, and the audience won't just be students, but also various school leaders and officials from the Education Bureau. Multiple media outlets will also be there to film and report. Your presence here to speak is an affirmation of your abilities and a recognition of your status. This experience might not have a significant impact in the short term, but in the long run, it will definitely be a real benefit to your future development.]

Yuan Qianye understood the logic, and Yang was completely on his side, paving the way for his long-term life path and aiming to weave a broader network of interpersonal relationships for him.

The purpose is similar to that of Touma Yoko before.

However, upon closer examination, there are still differences.

Yaozi introduced him to mostly entrepreneurs and artists who had already established themselves on the social stage, with a focus on tangible resources and reputation.

What Yang built for him was closer to the context of culture and the system, a fellow traveler deeply involved in literature, and a bridge that could be closer to academia and even policy guidance.

Of course, their starting point was exactly the same: they all sincerely hoped that he could go higher and further.