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

Seeing this reply, Yuan Qianye gently held Shiyu's small hand and smiled happily.

At 11:30 a.m., the flight attendant came over and handed them the lunch menu.

However, even though it's called a menu, the selection isn't very large.

All three set meals are traditional Japanese bento boxes, only the side dishes inside are slightly different.

Shiyu was woken up, ate only a small bite of rice and tamagoyaki, and then fell back into a deep sleep, revealing her night owl nature.

Later, it was Yuan Qianye who finished her lunch as well.

The lunch delivered was a small portion; he ate two portions but didn't feel full, and he didn't want to ask for another one because the taste was quite average.

Around 2 PM, the Shinkansen arrived at Miyako City.

After waking Shiyu, Gen Chiya and his group took a car to the hotel they had booked in advance.

Saeko, Rikka, Eriri, and Yukino rode in one car.

Yuan Qianye and Shiyu rode in the same car.

The taxi slowly drove away from the station and merged into the not-so-busy traffic of Miyako City.

Shiyu leaned against the car window, watching the different city street scenes flash by. Suddenly remembering something, she casually asked, "By the way, I heard you booked a Japanese-style inn this time?"

"Yes, it's a well-regarded local restaurant with excellent reviews. They have private hot springs and a quiet atmosphere." Yuan Qianye nodded, turning to look at her: "What, you don't like the Japanese style?"

“No.” Shi Yu shook her head, her gaze still fixed on the scenery outside the window, her voice devoid of emotion: “I quite like it. It’s rustic, charming, and calming, it’s just…”

"that is?"

"It just inexplicably reminds me of that time before, which is a bit... unpleasant."

"Which time before?"

"You, and Saeko."

"Oh~" Yuan Qianye suddenly realized.

His reaction, in Shi Yu's eyes, was clearly a smug look of someone who had gotten a good deal and was now acting innocent.

The next moment, she snorted coldly, and without hesitation, took off one of her soft-soled casual shoes.

Then, her foot, encased in a short white sock, stepped on his instep, which was covered in shoes, with a hint of anger, and even ground it slightly!

As she released her pent-up desire and prepared to withdraw, Yuan Qianye swiftly reached out and firmly grasped her slender ankle!

“You…” Shi Yu’s body trembled. Warm, dry hands pressed against her slightly cool ankle skin, sending a strange sensation through her.

Two blushes quickly rose on her face. She lowered her voice, both embarrassed and annoyed, and said, "Let go! This is in the car!"

Yuan Qianye whispered in her ear, "Shiyu is clearly doing it on purpose. She likes to do it this way. I understand."

"I don't……!"

Yuan Qianye remained unmoved, since the front seat backs blocked the driver's view of the small movements under the back seat.

So he also took off Shiyu's other shoe and restlessly tickled her ankle and instep with his fingers, playing with her like that all the way.

Shi Yu initially tried to struggle, but later realized it was completely futile and might even attract the driver's attention, so she had no choice but to give up and let him be.

Her blush deepened, and her breathing became increasingly rapid. She could only turn her head away, pretending to look at the scenery, to hide her embarrassment.

The couple's little games continued until the taxi arrived at the entrance of the booked Japanese-style inn.

As soon as the car came to a stop, while Yuan Qianye was paying, Shi Yu quickly pulled her foot back, hurriedly put on her shoes, and then pushed open the car door, practically running out of the car.

After he got out of the car, a panting Shi Yu aggressively reached out and pinched his stomach.

Yuan Qianye hissed in response to appease her shame and indignation.

At that moment, a voice carrying obvious uncertainty came from their side and behind.

"Yuan...Qianye?"

With outsiders present, Shi Yu immediately became serious and virtuous, and stopped what she was doing.

Yuan Qianye thought she had been recognized by a passing fan again, but she was somewhat surprised when she turned around and saw the person approaching.

He had a healthy wheat-colored complexion, a sturdy and upright build, wore a baseball cap, and had sharp eyes and calm features under the brim.

He was Fukube Heiji, whom he had faced off against in a kendo competition many years ago.

…………

Volume Two: Taking a Day Off

I had to work overtime until very late tonight, so I'm taking a day off. I'll make up for it with 8k tomorrow when I have the day off.

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Volume 2: Chapter 132: Their Confrontation (8k)

Gen Chiya slowly removed his mask, and Hattori Heiji, seeing that he had indeed recognized the person correctly, smiled.

As he looked at Gen Chiya, Gen Chiya was also observing him.

Hattori Heiji looks much the same as when they met on the kendo field many years ago.

He stood ramrod straight, had a friendly smile, spoke with a thick Kansai accent, and still had a dark complexion as dark as soy sauce.

Apart from growing a bit taller, he hasn't changed much in all this time.

It seems that her skin condition is indeed a genetic issue and has little to do with sun exposure.

Having quickly regained her usual elegant and ladylike demeanor, Shiyu glanced at Hattori Heiji with a slightly inquisitive look and asked softly in a voice only the two of them could hear, "Friend?"

Before Chiya could answer, Heiji Hattori quickly pointed to himself and said, "It's me, Heiji Hattori from Osaka Kaifang Middle School. Don't you remember? We sparred at the Osaka Kendo Grand Finals."

A genuine smile appeared on Minamoto Chiya's face: "I haven't forgotten. What a surprise. It's been a long time, Hattori-kun."

He offered his hand.

Heiji Hattori immediately extended his hand to shake his, acting as if they were old friends: "Wow, I really didn't expect to run into you here. Japan isn't that big, but it's not that small either. Fate is a strange thing!"

“Who says otherwise?” Yuan Qianye smiled and agreed, then naturally turned his gaze to Shiyu beside him and introduced them: “Shiyu, this is Hattori Heiji. We met a few years ago at the National Kendo Tournament. Although we haven’t kept in touch much since, we get along very well and are friends with compatible personalities.”

He paused for a moment, then continued, "Hattori-kun, this is Kasumigaoka Utaha, um... she's kind of my senior."

"Hello, hello, Kasumigaoka-san." When greeting Kasumigaoka, Hattori Heiji did not extend his hand, but simply nodded slightly with a bright smile after making eye contact with her.

Shiwa returned the smile with an impeccable elegance, her voice soft: "Hello, Hattori-kun, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Hattori Heiji quickly looked at Minamoto Chiya again: "Minamoto-kun, what you just said was quite subtle. She's your senior, does that mean there's something even closer between you two?"

“Hmm…” Yuan Qianye smiled and drew out the sound without saying a word.

Utaha, in a mischievous tone, looked at him gently and said, "Yes, I've never been sure about his attitude on this matter either. Today is perfect, Hattori-kun asked him for me."

"Eh, did I really stumble upon some sensitive topic by accident? I was just joking..." Sensing that the topic was taking a slightly awkward turn, Hattori Heiji was holding the back of his head and chuckling awkwardly, preparing to play dumb and let it go.

Suddenly, a young girl's voice came from behind.

"Heiji—! You really are…!!"

A girl in a dress ran towards them from in front of a shop on the side of the road, calling out.

Upon approaching, the first thing she did was angrily complain to Hattori Heiji.

"Honestly! We agreed to shop together, how come you just ran off halfway through? I didn't even notice! You were in the store talking to yourself and picking things out for ages, and when I turned around you were gone! I only realized it when other customers were giving me weird looks. Do you know how embarrassing I was?!"

Hattori Heiji quickly raised his hands in front of him, making a gesture of surrender, and smiled apologetically: "Well, don't be angry, Kazuha. I just suddenly saw a friend I haven't seen for many years."

His reminder made her realize that there were two other people standing in front of her, and she felt a little embarrassed, her face turning red.

Hattori Heiji began, "Let me introduce you. This is my childhood friend, Toyama Kazuha. As you can see, she's a bit impulsive, so please forgive her."

"Who's being so reckless!"

"Alright, stop arguing about this in front of my friends!" Hattori Heiji tried to drown her out.

Kazuha Toyama retorted sharply, "Isn't it your argument that's flawed?"

After waiting for them to finish arguing, Hattori Heiji finally straightened up and gave a formal introduction to both sides.

After hearing the introduction, Toyama Kazuha's gaze fell on Minamoto Chiyo's face. He looked at her carefully for a moment, then suddenly realized what was happening. Pointing at Minamoto Chiyo, he exclaimed in surprise,

"Ah! I remember now! You're the one I always see on TV and in magazines... 'Tiger of the Empire'! The one who's amazing at writing books besides swordsmanship, Minamoto Chiya!"

Yuan Qianye nodded in agreement: "Yes, the Tiger of the Empire, that's what my friends usually call me."

Kazuha Toyama realized that her actions and address might have been somewhat impolite, so she quickly withdrew her hand and apologized softly, "Ah, I'm so sorry, I was so rude..."

Hattori Heiji laughed heartily, earning an eye roll from his childhood friend. He then naturally asked the next question: "But Gen-nii, what are you doing here?"

Gen Chiya's gaze swept quickly over the travel bags he and Toyama Kazuha were carrying, along with the diving watch on his wrist: "Our reason for coming here is probably the same as yours."

Hattori Heiji put his hands on his hips, his smile widening, and turned his head to look at the hotel not far away: "Gen-nii is in the same place for the same reason as us, and there is no other place to stay nearby except this hotel. It can't be that much of a coincidence."

Gen Chiya smiled noncommittally: "Don't keep calling me Gen-nii, just call me by my name. Hattori-kun, how long will you be staying here?"

"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony. Qianye, you can just call me by my name."

He glanced at the distant mountains and leaves beside him and replied,

"Because her idea is to visit as many tourist attractions as possible during the summer vacation, and I am accompanying her on her father's orders, we will probably only stay here for two or three days. Our next stop should be Ryusendo in Iwaizumi-cho."

Kazuha Toyama nodded and added, "That's one of the three major stalactite caves in Japan. Inside, there's an underground lake with extremely high transparency. Combined with the reflections from the pebbles on the lakebed, it's said to be as beautiful as the Milky Way!"

"It sounds like it's definitely worth a visit. I wish you a great time in advance."

"Putting that aside, unexpectedly running into you here, Qianye, makes me feel like the next few days are going to be much more interesting. Speaking of which, I'm a big fan of your books! Your novel, 'The Astrological Murder Magic,' is absolutely amazing; the plot twists are absolutely brilliant."

I have so many questions about the details and foreshadowing in the novel that I'd like to ask you in person. How about we grab a meal sometime? We can have a good chat, and of course, it'll be on me!

"It's fine to have dinner together, but there's no need for you to treat me."

"Don't be so polite, after all, it was me who extended the invitation..."

The two chatted warmly as they walked side by side toward the hotel lobby.

Shiha, who was a step behind, and Toyama Kazuha, who was slightly at a loss but still maintained a polite smile, exchanged a glance.

Utaha gave Toyama Kazuha a friendly smile first, and the two of them followed along while chatting.

Like Hattori Heiji, Toyama Kazuha also concluded, based on her own judgment, that the relationship between the two people in front of her was probably far more than just friendship.

The way their eyes met, the natural atmosphere that flowed between them... well, it was definitely something special.