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

Eriri sniffed, trying to stop her tears, and asked timidly with a heavy nasal voice, "...What about me?"

What should I do? And how should I face you...?

What suddenly changed between us...?

When Yuan Qianye saw her with her eyes and nose all red from crying, his heart melted completely!

"As long as you don't back down again, everything else... just follow your own ideas, and we'll take it slowly, okay?"

"..." Eriri remained silent, looking at him with teary eyes.

After a few seconds, she nodded vigorously and replied in a trembling voice, "...Okay."

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.

On the other side of the city.

The Poison Island family.

Saeko was in the kitchen making tea for the guests.

Rikka knew she was clumsy, so she didn't try to help and obediently sat at the dining table outside to wait.

"Would matcha be okay?"

"Hmm... matcha tastes a bit bitter... chrysanthemum tea would be better."

"Okay, I'll make it for you right away and bring it over."

"Thank you, Saeko-nee~"

"I should thank you. Rikka has worked so hard all this time because of Eriri and Chiya."

"After all, he's my brother, and... well... Eriri does make you anxious just by watching her in certain ways. (The following is promotional material: 'The Crossover Anime, Who Isn't a Childhood Friend?', a heartfelt work by the author 'Can't Live Without a Nap,' available at Youxiang Study.')"

While waiting for her tea, Rikka sighed, rested her chin on her hand, and looked out into the yard, which was also the location of her apartment.

"Will it go smoothly?" she murmured to herself.

Saeko brewed some tea and brought it over: "Don't worry, everything will go smoothly."

"Saeko-nee, you really have a lot of faith in Eriri."

"hehe."

Saeko smiled but said nothing.

She didn't have confidence in Eriri, but rather in Chiya.

She wouldn't have been sure before, but Eriri took such a big step so bravely on this trip.

Although Qianye hasn't said anything yet, based on her understanding of him, she feels that he couldn't possibly be completely unaware of this.

In the days that followed the journey, she observed several times without making a sound and noticed that Chiyo's gaze toward Eriri was subtly different from before.

The look in his eyes held less of the helplessness and indulgence he had shown towards his "childhood sweetheart who needed care," and more of a deeper and more complex scrutiny.

And... a kind of drawn-in focus that he himself may not even be fully aware of.

Similarly, Saeko had witnessed Chiya seemingly wanting to say something to Eriri on more than one occasion, but the words were always interrupted by various unexpected events—sometimes by Yukino's unintentional interruption, and sometimes by Utaha's deliberate interference.

These may seem like small, insignificant moments when viewed individually, but when put together, they become remarkably clear, allowing her to be completely certain.

Chiya not only knew about Eriri's situation, but he was also thinking about it and preparing for it. He just needed a suitable opportunity where he wouldn't be easily disturbed.

Having understood these points, Saeko no longer needed to push things forward; everything would fall into place naturally, and it was just a matter of time.

Therefore, it was only natural that Saeko didn't drag Eriri into doing anything more in the following days, but instead chose to remain inactive.

Finally, on the night she returned, she spoke with Rikka beforehand, asking her to come over so that Chiya and Eriri at home could have some alone time.

Everything is ready.

So we should know the specific results tonight.

…………

Volume 2: Chapter 158: The Original Flavor of Ten Flowers (6k) (9)

"I'm back~"

"I'm home."

"Hey bro, are you watching TV?"

"Ah."

Where is Eriri?

"He's in his room. He said he's been out having fun lately, and the progress of several character design and illustration projects he's been working on has been delayed for a long time. He should be catching up now."

"Oh, I see... I bought some fried chicken, do you want to eat some together?"

"No need, and it's already past ten o'clock. Are you really not afraid of gaining weight?"

"My situation is different from my sister's. Because I'm younger, my metabolism is better. It's okay. I won't bother you anymore. I'm going to find Eriri."

"Well, let's go."

The above is a conversation that took place after Rikka returned home.

As Rikka carried the fried chicken toward her room, Chiya turned her gaze back to the television screen.

Rikka silently walked around the corner, then stopped and thought about her older brother's state just now.

It's too natural, so natural that it's somewhat disappointing.

His behavior makes it hard to believe Saeko's previous confident assertion that there was nothing to worry about between them and that something would definitely happen tonight.

So... nothing really happened?

Or... is he just putting on a brave face, putting on an act for himself?

Rikka stopped in her tracks, thought for a moment, and then turned around.

It slowly poked its head out.

A small tuft of hair first appeared at the corner, followed by her lively and attentive eyes.

After observing silently for a while, Rikka still found nothing.

At least from her perspective, she couldn't detect anything unusual.

Rikka pulled her head back and touched her chin with her fingers.

Yes, the skill gap between my brother and me is too big. I shouldn't have tried to find a breakthrough from him in the first place.

Rikka understood this key point and turned back to her room.

The room was poorly lit, with only the light from a small desk lamp and the computer screen, while the ceiling light was completely off.

As for Eriri, she was indeed sitting at her desk, drawing something, just as Chiya had said.

"Eri, I'm back."

"Oh... Oh!"

"Look, I bought some delicious fried chicken! Let's eat it together."

"You, you eat first, it's too late and I don't have much of an appetite."

"Oh, I see... I'll wait a bit then. I'll go take a shower first, and I need to get my clothes. Do you mind if I turn on the light?"

"It's ok."

Rikka turned on the light and glanced at Eriri again, looking very concerned.

Still, nothing seemed amiss.

How strange! Could it be that the opportunity that Saeko and I had carefully prepared for these two people was simply ignored by them, one watching TV and the other drawing?

So what's the reason I gave myself for going out so late at night?

Please pay more attention to other people's good intentions! You two slowpokes!

Rikka opened the drawer, sighed sadly, and took out her pajamas.

Although I was a little angry, there was nothing I could do.

You can't force a cow to eat grass.

Even if these two people just don't get it, there's no rushing it. You can't just knock them both out and throw them onto a bed.

I should report back to Saeko-nee later, acknowledge that today's plans have fallen through, and discuss what to do next...

Rikka grabbed her clothes, closed the closet door, and immediately prepared to take a shower.

"I'm going to take a shower."

"Okay, could you please turn off the headlights for me?"

Okay, good luck!

"Ah."

Rikka responded to Eriri's greeting, turned off the lights in the room, and then stepped one foot outside.

However, at that moment, she suddenly stopped.

Something is wrong!

As if suddenly realizing something, Rikka turned around sharply and rushed to Eriri's side, placing a hand directly on her shoulder.

The next moment, she leaned forward, and with a vague premonition, she was sure to meet Eriri's inexplicably wet eyes and her rosy cheeks that were impossible to ignore!

"I knew it! I knew something was off from the moment I came in. Not only were the lights off, but you didn't look at me once while you were talking!"

"Ugh!" Eriri covered her face and quickly turned away to avoid eye contact. "What are you doing, you idiot Rikka? I'm still drawing! Don't bother me!"

Rikka pointed at the computer screen, circled halfway around the chair, and came back to her: "When did your drawing skills become so bad? Don't tell me these messy doodles are your work. You're just using drawing as an excuse to cover something up!"

All correct!

Who would have thought that Rikka's radar was so sensitive when it came to "catching adulterers"?

Eriri's face turned even redder, and she stammered, unable to speak for a moment.

As the conversation progressed, Rikka's excitement became even more uncontrollable.