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

Incidentally, the only confirmed companions for this trip to Jodohama are these six people: Chiya Minamoto, Yukino, Eriri, Rikka, Saeko, and Utaha.

Others were also invited, but they couldn't come along for various reasons.

For example, Shihua is currently the actual operator and head chef of the Moonlit Restaurant. The restaurant is currently in a booming growth phase, and she simply doesn't have time to get away from it.

Kazusa is currently in seclusion preparing for the piano competition in August.

According to her mother, who is an expert in the field of piano, Kazusa's piano skills improved during her first semester of high school, probably because she was too relaxed and carefree. However, this improvement was very subtle compared to the changes over the years.

Some things don't need to be said too explicitly; it's enough to leave it at that. Yuan Qianye also knew that the great pianist's purpose in saying this was partly to let Kazusa clearly understand her current level of piano playing, and partly to remind him to consider Kazusa's needs more.

We should not only care about her as a person, but also pay attention to guiding her career direction.

Kazusa's situation is actually similar to Saeko's before.

She performed a four-hand piano duet with him on stage, played the lead female role in a movie, and also served as the music producer and composer behind the scenes. During this time, the two were very close and happy, but they neglected and became lax in other aspects.

Women only affect my speed at drawing my sword; the same applies regardless of gender.

As for Miyoko, her father back home twisted his back while doing carpentry a few days ago. Although, according to her, it was nothing serious and the doctor advised her to rest at home and recover in a while, Gen Chiya still gave her a long leave the day before yesterday, took her work phone, and forced her to go home, telling her to wait until her family's health improved and she could finally feel at ease before returning to work.

Anyway, he didn't have that much work during the summer vacation, and he could handle most things on his own. It was just that he had to take over the communication and coordination with various parties that had been handled by Miyoko, which was a little tedious.

But it's not like he's never done this before. Before he officially had an assistant, he always did it all by himself, and it wouldn't last long anyway.

As for the maid and Hino...

Yuan Qianye really wanted to invite them along, but the reality was that things didn't always go as planned.

Their relationship is a bit complicated, and it's really difficult to arrange such a large event together.

Eriri asked with concern, "Around when are they coming?"

"Saeko went to school early this morning to lead the kendo club in summer training. After lunch, she practiced for about two more hours and should be coming over soon. As for Utaha..."

Yuan Qianye thought for a moment,

"...She's been staying up late to finish her novel during the holidays, and she's probably still in bed catching up on sleep. According to her usual routine, she should get up around 11 or 12, but she'll still need to take a leisurely shower and change clothes, so she should arrive around 1 or 2 pm."

"As expected of a boyfriend and girlfriend, you really know her well." Yukino finally spoke her first words since entering the Minamoto family.

It's like there's a hidden meaning in his words.

Gen Chiya responded quite casually: "But in terms of understanding, I understand the three of you the same way."

Yukino didn't respond, because it was the truth.

"I'm going to the kitchen to get busy. Please make yourselves at home." Yuan Qianye chuckled, then turned and left.

The three girls sat on the sofa, eating ice cream, enjoying the cool air conditioning, and watching TV. They quickly cooled down.

Eriri threw the ice cream wrapper into the trash can. She looked at the kitchen, from which came the faint sound of a range hood, and then turned her head to look at Yukino, wiggling her round little bottom closer.

Yukino's body tensed up for a moment.

Even though more than an hour had passed since she discovered Eriri's "little secret," she still couldn't calm down. Her mind was filled with the exquisite details of Eriri's painting, depicting the intertwined bodies of her and Chiya.

She had seen Eriri's doujinshi a few times before, but Eriri would always thoughtfully show her versions with the covers added. So, she would blush slightly and feel a little emotional, but that was the end of it and wouldn't affect her for long.

But this time it was completely different. Not only was it high-definition, but the male and female leads were her childhood friends who were most familiar with her!

That was truly... absolutely mind-blowing!

Yukino felt that she might not be able to completely let go of this accidental discovery for the next week.

Fortunately, Eriri came over not because she noticed Yukino's unusual behavior in this regard.

Eriri whispered in her friend's ear, "Hey, Yukino, aren't you going to go help?"

Yukino turned to face her, but her gaze shifted slightly downwards, as she couldn't bring herself to meet Eriri's eyes for a moment: "Are you talking about the kitchen?" Eriri, oblivious to her friend's odd behavior, replied: "Yes, Rikka and I can't help. If we insisted on going over, it would only make things worse."

She had previously visited Chiya's house, where Junko's mother was busy in the kitchen. She thought she should make a good impression, but she ended up knocking the eggs over and making herself very embarrassed. After that experience, she completely gave up the idea of ​​making a good impression in the kitchen.

But Eriri knew that Yukino was different. She had taken professional cooking classes and often helped with cooking at home. Her cooking skills were excellent, so there was absolutely no problem for Eriri to help out in the kitchen.

Yukino looked towards the kitchen, remained silent for a moment, and then got up and went over.

She can't look Eriri and Chiya in the eye right now.

The former is because the depiction of her in the painting is seriously inconsistent with reality in some aspects, and carries a slight sense of guilt for invading someone else's privacy.

The latter... it was simply that certain parts of her body were too grotesque, and she was completely terrified.

Since things are as they are, she doesn't really care which side she stays on.

Besides, having something to do might alleviate some of the pressure of her overthinking.

"I'll help." Yukino walked into the kitchen.

"Thank you so much." Yuan Qianye certainly didn't refuse. He could prepare lunch by himself, but it would be better to have the beautiful second young lady by his side.

What do I need to do?

Yuan Qianye pointed to the bright green, fresh vegetables in the drain basket in the corner of the kitchen counter: "Please help me chop these after washing them. It's so hot, I want to make a refreshing vegetable soup."

"Understood." Yukino picked up another apron hanging on the wall, skillfully tied it on, and began to help as he instructed.

Yuan Qianye glanced at her, then returned to the stove and slowly stirred the soup.

He casually started a conversation: "It feels like it's been quite a long time since we've been like this."

Yukino continued what she was doing: "What exactly do you mean?"

"It's just the two of us now, preparing meals together."

"We haven't had many experiences like this before."

"But I did have those memories, and I really miss them."

Yukino drained the vegetables and placed them on the cutting board, her tone cool: "When someone suddenly brings up the past or tries to evoke emotional resonance through conversation, you should be careful, because they are likely to have ulterior motives."

"..." Yuan Qianye was speechless for a moment: "Where did you get this theory from?"

"It's not something I came up with from somewhere; it's just a conclusion I naturally reached based on my own observations and understanding."

"You want to be a sociologist in the future?"

"I don't have any ideas in that regard, but I feel it's worth considering. My main research direction could be the diverse mate selection views of modern men who are not satisfied with their own, and the underlying logic behind their promiscuity and fickleness."

This statement is quite academic, and also quite... suggestive.

"Why beat around the bush? Just mention my name directly."

"I'm sorry for hurting your feelings. I'll reflect on it; I should have hidden it better."

"..."

Gen Chiya put down the soup spoon in his hand and stared intently at Yukino, who was chopping vegetables.

He sensed something was amiss and slowly approached Yukino.

Yukino stopped what she was doing, but still didn't look at him directly. She kept her head down as if she were chopping vegetables, and moved sideways a short distance like a crab.

"Speaking of which..."

Gen Chiya leaned forward, one hand on the kitchen stove, his body slightly tilted, his head craning to meet Yukino's gaze, and asked directly,

"I've felt something was off ever since you came in. What's wrong with you today?"

…………

Volume 2: Chapter 117: Sorry, I've embarrassed you too (6k)

"...What's wrong with you today?"

"I am fine."

"Yukinoshita-kun, are you particularly proud of the back of your head or your back view?"

"No."

"Then why don't you dare look me in the eye and instead speak with your back to me?"

"..."

"Well, it's actually quite nice this way." Yuan Qianye suddenly changed his tone, with a hint of leisurely teasing, his gaze roaming unabashedly over her back: "Look closely, time really is a magical thing. The frail girl in my memory has now grown into such a graceful young woman, with impeccable posture, beautifully curved calves, a slender waist, and a rather... well-defined bottom..."

"...!"

Under the nonchalant yet frivolous verbal assault of Gen Chiya, Yukino, even though she knew he was doing it on purpose, ultimately couldn't resist. Almost instantly, she put her hands behind her back, futilely trying to cover herself, and at the same time, she turned around abruptly, glaring at him with embarrassment and anger, her cheeks flushed.

Yuan Qianye laughed triumphantly: "You've finally decided to look at me properly."

Yukino's eyes were so cold they could almost freeze: "Based on what you just said, I can report this directly to the police station and have you arrested immediately."

"Even if the most righteous and indignant police officer were to arrive, once he knew about our long-standing friendship, he would probably only understand my sincere concern for my good friend, and might even persuade you to open your heart to me instead."

The soup pot next to him started to boil, and Yuan Qianye casually turned the stove fire down to the lowest setting.

This small action made Yukino realize that his inquisitive attitude towards her current situation meant that he wouldn't give up easily without a reasonable explanation.

"Alright, there's nothing we can't talk about, right? After all, we've been such good friends since we were five years old. My own father only met me five years before you. Besides, considering how busy he's always been with work, I probably haven't spent as much time with him as I have with you."

In a short time, he once again brought up past warm feelings, but unlike the casual chat just now, this time his remarks became a kind of psychological attack that was actually launched in an attempt to break through her closed heart.

"Trying to build a relationship won't work on me." Yukino turned her face away, her voice still cold: "Didn't you just try it?"

"Does this mean you've made up your mind not to speak?"

"Because it's not something... worth discussing in depth with you."

Gen Chiya's fingers, resting on the edge of the counter, lightly tapped the surface: "So, my hunch was right, something did happen to you."

"..." Yukino clearly didn't want to continue this topic. She lowered her eyes slightly and waved her small hand gently in his direction, signaling him to step back a little. After he obediently made way for her, she stood back in front of the cutting board, picked up the cleaver, and started chopping vegetables again, her movements a bit stubborn and forceful.

“Never mind.” Yuan Qianye suddenly sighed, his tone sounding quite reasonable: “Everyone has their own little secrets, and whether or not they are willing to share them with others or ask for help is their personal freedom.”

Hearing him say that, Yukino breathed a slight sigh of relief, and her tense shoulders relaxed almost imperceptibly for a moment.

However, Yuan Qianye quickly added the second half of the sentence: "However, this statement can also be true from other people's perspectives."

After all, the freedom to fill in the blanks, imagine, or speculate is something everyone is born with, as long as it doesn't degenerate into nonsense, rumors, or slander.

It's just something to keep to yourself for your own amusement. Even if you conquer the universe, become a tyrant, and do all sorts of absurd and bizarre things in your inner world, it doesn't violate any laws, nor should it be subject to any moral condemnation.

You probably agree with that, Yukino, right?

Yukino immediately became alert, pausing her chopping motion: "What are you trying to say?"