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

After all, since their first meeting, Yukinoshita's expression has mostly given off a cool and aloof feeling. Apart from the necessary greetings, she doesn't talk much, which is somewhat in line with the definition of the popular online term "ascetic girl".

I really can't tell the difference.

I can't figure out if she's like Sawamura, expressing her disapproval of my presence, or if this is just her true personality, somewhat similar to my own nature, and she needs time to get used to and adapt to strangers.

Kasumigaoka Utaha decided to think positively for now and observe the situation further.

So the next moment she came to Rikka's side: "What would you like to eat, Rikka?"

"Huh? Me?" Rikka was eating her candied hawthorn while looking at Eriri as if she had just realized something. Kasumigaoka suddenly pointed at her and asked her a question, which caught her off guard.

"I'm fine with anything, I'm not picky about food."

This was somewhat against her conscience; there were still many vegetables she didn't like to eat, such as green peppers and carrots.

And most of the time, it takes verbal coercion or even physical force from her older sister to get her to eat.

"I see..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha's mission was unsuccessful; despite two separate attempts to inquire, she received no useful results.

That leaves only two people.

"I've been practicing swordsmanship all afternoon and I'm quite hungry," Yuan Qianye said at this moment.

Others probably didn't hear it, but his stomach did indeed make a slight "gurgling" sound.

Kendo is a sport that requires complete concentration, exertion, and sweating. You also have to shout occasionally, since one of the most fundamental principles of Kendo is "unity of spirit, sword, and body." Anyone who has practiced it knows that it is really tiring.

The red bean cakes Eriri bought for him were just a small snack. When he got home, he was entertaining guests, and although he cut a lot of fruit, he didn't have time to eat any.

He had just finished working in the kitchen and hadn't sat down long when Toka, who had just finished showering, dragged him to the room to admire her first yukata outfit.

But it was indeed a good deal, and the scenery was pleasing to the eye, so he had no complaints.

“That’s true. Busujima-senpai also practiced swordsmanship all afternoon. She must be very hungry now.” Kasumigaoka Utaha gently clasped her hands together, looking happy.

"You can decide for yourselves." Saeko Busujima's words were consistent with her gentle and warm personality.

"If possible, it would be best to eat meat," Yuan Qianye added.

"It seems like you're really hungry, Source-kun." Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled faintly, secretly pleased.

Because she has a natural affinity for the guy next to her, every move he makes is magnified in her eyes.

Perhaps it was just a casual gesture without any deeper meaning, but it made her seem to be able to see the so-called intentions behind it that did not exist.

Just like now.

Making a point of talking to and showing concern for someone who has just joined the new group is a sign of caring and being attentive.

He really...

So gentle and considerate.

Although Kasumigaoka has never been in a relationship, she subconsciously believes that her future soulmate must be older than her, just like her parents.

Older men are undoubtedly more mature and more caring.

But now she feels that age is no longer an issue.

Younger men are also great.

After all, she saw it with her own eyes, didn't she?

The general requirements have been given, so the next step is to find a suitable restaurant.

However, at this very moment, the restaurants near the festival site were packed with people, with long queues outside.

After walking more than 200 meters in the opposite direction of the street, I finally found a family restaurant.

There was only one empty table left, and it was by the window; they were very lucky.

Unfortunately, the standard seating only accommodates four people, so we had no choice but to squeeze in.

Gen Chiya beckoned a waiter to bring over an extra chair and sat on the outside of the table.

Eriri Yukino and Rikka sat on one side, while Saeko Busujima and Kasumigaoka sat on the other side.

When the waiter came over to take our order, Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled and said that everyone should be very welcoming.

Unable to refuse their hospitality, Gen Chiya and Busujima Saeko thanked them and each ordered a single-person set meal.

As for the others, including herself, they only ordered a drink.

After the waiter left.

Saeko Busujima tilted her head and asked with concern, "Kasumigaoka-kun, aren't you going to eat something?"

"Ah, I already ate a lot of fruit at Yuan-jun's house. Also, I'm the type of person who gains weight easily, so I shouldn't eat too much at night."

"Is that so? But in my opinion, you're not fat at all, rather, you have a great figure."

"I'm lazy all day and don't exercise much, so my figure is nowhere near as good as yours, Busujima-senpai..."

This is not modesty; it is indeed the case.

They are the same age, but Saeko Busujima probably developed quite well because she practiced kendo from a young age, exercised frequently, and had a good intake of nutrition. She was already showing signs of developing a curvaceous figure when she was in junior high school, and even Toka's bra was a bit tight for her.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. This literary girl prefers quiet to activity. Although she has perfectly inherited her mother's excellent genes, she is even more beautiful than her mother. In other aspects, she may also be quite promising in the future.

But now, in terms of physique, there's really no way to compare them head-on.

Kasumigaoka and Saeko Busujima were chatting happily when she paused, then secretly glanced at Chiya Minamoto who was drinking water, and mustered her courage to speak boldly.

"...If you don't mind, you can just call me Shiho, everyone else too."

Kasumigaoka first looked at Saeko Busujima, then sincerely turned his gaze to the others, and finally naturally fixed his gaze on Chiya Minamoto.

Everyone reacted differently.

Saeko Busujima smiled and nodded, indicating that she understood, and it was natural for Kasumigaoka to call her Saeko, just like everyone else.

Yukinoshita simply nodded slightly, but did not directly respond to Kasumigaoka's question. Instead, she said calmly, "Some things don't need to be rushed. We can just get along naturally."

She noticed the last lingering gaze of Kasumigaoka on Minamoto Chiyo, a gaze that softened considerably compared to when he looked at them, which inexplicably made her feel uneasy.

Kasumigaoka was stunned for a moment, then quickly responded: "Yukinoshita is right. Please take care of me from now on."

"each other."

Eriri was trying not to laugh.

Although everyone seemed calm at the moment, Kasumigaoka, who had been paying close attention, clearly saw the momentary look of helplessness that guy showed after Yukino spoke!

That's hilarious! You actually make that kind of face!

Yukino is definitely the best!

As for Rikka, after the initial excitement of learning at home that Kasumigaoka Utaha was a light novel author had worn off, she now noticed something was off through observation.

It seems...it seems...Eri and Yukino don't get along very well with Kasumi-sensei.

She didn't have any bad intentions; she simply wanted to be friendly to her new friend.

Furthermore, it's easy to imagine that if the two sides really do not get along, then the one who will suffer the most is definitely Qianye, who is caught in the middle.

She used to be the one being taken care of, but now that it's a rare opportunity for her to make a difference, she naturally feels obligated to do so.

Therefore, Rikka intends to take on the duties of her adopted sister, and at this stage, neither of them is on the other's side.

Friends are precious, but Nissan is even more valuable! For now, she only stands by her sworn brother!

It's necessary to liven up the somewhat dull atmosphere right now!

Yuan Qianye was very pleased. Although he didn't know how Rikka, that little idiot, had come to her senses, he was indeed fortunate to have her help. At the following dinner table, thanks to her efforts, the conversation flowed smoothly, saving him a lot of trouble.

Kasumigaoka and Yukino also interacted frequently.

They talked about the mental journey they went through when they encountered external pressures while writing their novel.

And Yukino's experience studying abroad in an unfamiliar environment, as well as what she found interesting.

Others also joined in with great interest.

At this moment, Kasumigaoka Utaha noticed that Minamoto Chiya, who had only occasionally chimed in, was actually staring intently out the window directly in front of her.

She glanced out the window as if sensing something.

Across the street is a shopping mall, and above the main entrance is a large electronic screen that is currently displaying an advertisement featuring female models posing with black stockings.

Once the advertisement ended, she looked at Yuan Qianye again, only to find that he had already turned his gaze away and was chatting and laughing with the others present.

She slowly lowered her head with very small movements, her soft legs slightly together under the table.

She wore a dress and sandals today, which revealed her fair ankles and calves.

She felt like she had noticed something again. She thought her legs were in good shape, so maybe she could try that next time.

The restaurant served the food very quickly, probably because they knew it would be busy today and had sent extra staff in advance.

At 6:40, they finished their meal and left the restaurant.

The sky outside began to darken noticeably.

They weaved through the crowds and entered Sumida Park, the best spot to watch the fireworks festival.

Not far from here is the Sumida River, known as the mother river of Tokyo.

In a few tens of minutes, the fireworks will be ignited and released over there.

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.

In the years prior, Eriri and Yukino Chiya had also come out to watch the fireworks.

Everyone held various food items or toys from the festival, and they were all very happy as they smelled the faint smoke from the fireworks.

It's a precious memory, no doubt, but it always feels different from today.

They're in junior high this year, no longer little kids. Plus, Yukino's long-awaited return to their side means she'll be flying abroad again after tonight, all alone.

So Eriri wanted to create a unique memory for tonight, a farewell gift she had prepared to comfort her friends who were about to part ways.