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

We're in this together, aren't we?!

The way Gen Chiya looked at her kept conveying this meaning.

However, Yukino's extremely shaken eyes did not look at him at all, so such a signal was ultimately not received.

In such a cramped car, how could the interaction between the two escape Mrs. Yukinoshita's eyes? But she pretended not to notice anything and naturally continued along with his words: "So, Chiya-kun actually values ​​Yukino's abilities more?"

That's right.

"Oh my~" Yukino's mother smiled even more gently and happily: "Yukino, did you hear that? This is the evaluation of you by the up-and-coming bestselling novelist who won both the Rampo Award and the Hayakawa Award."

"What he thinks of me is his business," Yukino said, turning her face away and feigning indifference. "Anyway, I only agreed to help him this once."

Mrs. Yukinoshita showed just the right amount of doubt on her face, glanced at Minamoto Chiya, and quickly regained her confident smile: "That being said, you were taking notes very carefully when he was giving his speech on stage just now."

"...!"

From Yukino's perspective, nothing made her feel more helpless than her own mother's teasing. She could argue back against her older sister's words, but she was truly powerless against her mother.

Seeing that the second young lady was about to fall into a state of self-isolation again, it was Yuan Qianye who spoke up again. This time, he took the opportunity of his parents' words to greet Mrs. Yukinoshita and extend an invitation to have dinner together later. He chatted about such family matters and once again successfully changed the subject.

The journey back to Yukinoshita's house from the university always took nearly an hour, and Minamoto Chiya followed along with Mrs. Yukinoshita, with Haruno occasionally chiming in as a side character, chatting all the way.

Yukino was quite dissatisfied with Chiya's womanizing character, but it was undeniable that he was exceptionally outstanding in many other aspects as well.

For example, the ability to chat happily with elders as if it were innate made her realize that she probably could never learn it in her entire life.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

When I arrived at Yukinoshita's house, it was already past four in the afternoon.

After getting off the bus, Yukino and Haruno, who were a few steps behind Yukino and Chiyo, exchanged a glance. They smiled knowingly at each other about what had happened on their way home.

After returning home, Mrs. Yukinoshita invited Chiya Minamoto to sit in the living room, while Haruno pulled her younger sister to the kitchen.

One person brews tea, while another takes out snacks from the refrigerator to serve guests.

After resting for a while, Mrs. Yukinoshita looked at the sky outside and estimated that it was about time, so she called Haruno to come to the kitchen to help prepare dinner.

Yuan Qianye was eager to show off his skills, since he was quite good at cooking. Even if he couldn't cook at someone else's house, he could definitely help out.

However, Yukino's mother refused him on the grounds that "you are a guest," and told him to sit in the living room and rest, or do something else with Yukino to pass the time.

Of course, Chiya wouldn't just sit there idly. In fact, Yukino did have something she needed to talk to him about privately.

"There's still a while before dinner. Let's go to my room." Yukino put the tea and snacks on a tray, picked it up, and stood up.

Yuan Qianye nodded and followed her into her boudoir.

The layout is still the same as I remember: clean floors, a neat desk, and a bed that looks so soft and comfortable that you want to lie down on it.

Hmm... The panda plush toys he gave her before are still placed on the bedside table.

In addition, there is a special display cabinet at the foot of the bed, which displays various small items that he and Eriri gave her when they were young.

Yuan Qianye's lips unconsciously curled up slightly.

There's a reason why Yukino has always held a place in his heart. The feelings nurtured by growth and companionship are the most special and irreplaceable.

Yukino placed the tray on the desk, then turned back and gently closed the door. She moved a chair from the corner of the room and placed it next to the desk.

"Come sit here."

She sat on the hard wooden chair herself, leaving the more comfortable ergonomic chair with a flexible mesh lumbar support, which matched the desk, to Yuan Qianye.

To judge a person's true attitude towards themselves, one should not listen to what they say or how they act, but rather look at what they actually do.

“Okay, sure.” Yuan Qianye didn’t stand on ceremony with her.

Yukino quietly sat down beside him, opened a drawer, took out a folder and placed it in front of him, while turning on her computer and putting on a pair of blue light blocking glasses.

Seeing this, Yuan Qianye smiled again; this was also a gift he had given her before.

Why are you suddenly grinning like an idiot?

"I just suddenly remembered something happy."

You seem to have had a good day.

"Well, it mainly depends on who you're with."

"..."

Yukino was silent for a moment, then nodded slightly as if she understood.

"I see. So that's how you managed to win the hearts of that light novel author and Saeko-nee so easily."

Yuan Qianye shook his head: "The process of how we got together is not as simple as you say. There is no doubt about our feelings for each other. If you are interested, I don't mind telling you in detail."

"No need, I'm not interested in those."

While chatting, Yukino's hands didn't stop moving; she had already opened the document on the table, which was the original manuscript of the new work that Minamoto Chiyo had given her earlier.

She manipulated the mouse and opened a document on the computer. It was a chapter from Gen Chiya's new work, but there were subtle differences between the lines. It was clear that this was a version that Yukino had polished after her own understanding.

"You moved so quickly," Yuan Qianye said, somewhat surprised.

"Let's skip the irrelevant comments," Yukino adjusted the document interface to a suitable reading size, her tone returning to its usual coolness: "Take a look and see if these modifications meet your requirements."

“There’s no rush.” Yuan Qianye suddenly spun his chair, leaned forward slightly, and sat upright facing Yukino, his expression unusually serious: “Before that, there’s something I want to make clear to you.”

Upon hearing this, Yukino stopped what she was doing, nodded gently, and asked in a clear voice, "What is it?"

"Regarding the fact that I touched your hand in the car when I came back, I can explain. Youxiang Study, this is where dreams begin and where dreams come true. It was a completely subconscious action, without any bad intentions. I just wanted to comfort you a little. Please don't misunderstand."

"You don't need to say anything more, I understand." Yukino raised her hand and gently pushed up her glasses on the bridge of her nose with her fingertips.

"Ah, I'm glad you understand. My only worry was that you might misunderstand."

"Yes, there is some resistance, but I can understand it, after all, it's me."

"Well, I'm glad you understand... Hmm?!" Yuan Qianye was halfway through her sentence when he suddenly felt that something seemed off.

"Faced with a beautiful girl like me, even if you have a girlfriend, it's hard not to be able to resist and have thoughts of wanting to get closer to me. It's not entirely your fault."

Yukino elegantly tucked a stray strand of black hair behind her ear, her tone carrying an all-knowing calm.

"Moreover, judging from your simultaneous relationships with two girls, the problems you have may not just be psychological infidelity, but your physical desires are probably far beyond that of ordinary people, so I can understand it all."

"...!"

Yuan Qianye was speechless for a moment. He opened his mouth, but couldn't say anything.

Damn it, I really want to argue, but everything she said is true! Her description of herself and her definition of him couldn't be more accurate, there's absolutely no room for rebuttal!

Yukino looked at Minamoto Chiya with even more tenderness, her tone softening as if she were offering him some form of forgiveness: "It's fine if it's just me. I won't call the police for the sake of our friendship, but you have to be careful not to do this to other girls in the future. I don't want to go to prison with Eriri to see you in the future."

"..."

Seeing the frustrated look on Minamoto Chiyo's face, which seemed to want to say something but couldn't, Yukino's cherry-colored lips, which she always habitually pursed, twitched up almost imperceptibly, a subtle slyness and a little bit of smugness flashing across them.

…………

Volume 2: Chapter 110: Yuki's Mother's Arrangement and Yukino's Sense of Déjà Vu (5k)

Looking at Yukino, whose expression was now very cheerful and lively, the slight annoyance that had been choked up in his heart only lasted for a moment before it smoothly dissipated.

He also gave a gentle smile and softly said "Okay".

The "okay" came somewhat abruptly, and its meaning was somewhat ambiguous.

Before Yukino could even ponder the specific meaning behind his simple response, he had already turned his gaze to the computer screen and begun to carefully review the manuscript she had revised and polished.

His profile appeared clear and focused under the dim light of the screen. His usual lazy and playful demeanor had quietly faded away, replaced by a concentration and composure when he was immersed in his work.

This completely different kind of handsomeness carries an aura that commands respect.

Yukino couldn't say anything more, but her reaction just now still stirred something within her.

That slightly inappropriate interaction shouldn't have happened.

She didn't have any preconceived ideas, but they just naturally showed themselves when she was with him.

Just like they had long ago, she missed that natural, relaxed, and unreserved feeling, but his change in status made her realize that it was ultimately just a fleeting illusion built on past inertia.

After he revealed to me that he already had a girlfriend, their relationship should have remained purely platonic; there shouldn't be, and couldn't be, any other possibilities.

But even knowing this fact clearly, it is still somewhat difficult to rationally sever the emotions that should not exist.

Just like breaking a long-standing, addictive bad habit—knowing how to do it and actually being able to do it are two different things.

Whenever Yukino clearly realized this, a faint, wistful sadness would pass through her heart.

She considered herself fairly rational, but even after the initial shock and dejection at his confession, she still found herself uncontrollably filled with regret in the days that followed, whether engrossed in reading or drifting off to sleep in bed at night.

If only I hadn't chosen to go abroad...

If I had been more assertive back then, and had chosen to stay in China for junior high school just like I did for elementary school...

If I stay by his side forever...

So, is the situation completely different now?

But there are no gods in the world, and no one has the ability to turn back time; life has no "what ifs"—she repeatedly told herself.

Letting your thoughts linger on repeated recollections only brings a new round of futile sadness.

Therefore, Yukino chose to seal away those surging emotions, thinking that as time went by, she would eventually be able to face him calmly, let go of those beautiful but fruitless past memories, and then move forward with firm steps.

But now, just being by his side, gazing at his profile so close to hers, and listening to him speak a few gentle words, those past days that she had forcefully suppressed in her heart suddenly burst forth uncontrollably, lingering and spreading in her heart, bringing waves of light, joyful, and bittersweet little feelings of happiness.

Upon realizing this, Yukino Yukinoshita felt a sense of powerlessness for the first time.

It's not about others, but about oneself.

"cough."

Yuan Qianye suddenly coughed lightly, reached for the teacup on the table, and took a sip.

The tea had cooled slightly, but he didn't mind.

His natural movement interrupted Yukino's chaotic thoughts and brought her back to her senses.

She was actually staring at his focused profile, lost in thought for so long.

Under the table, her toes, which were encased in over-the-knee socks and slippers, instinctively curled up slightly.

A belated blush crept onto her fair cheeks and earlobes.