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

Should we go to Saeko's side instead of the Service Club...?

Eriri hesitated for a moment, but then immediately nodded.

"Okay, see you during lunch break."

The two parted ways and then returned to their respective classes.

Eriri had actually instinctively wanted to suggest that the meeting place be the Service Club.

The reason is simple: it was the place where she felt most at ease at school, and it was also where her best friend Yukino was.

However, after thinking about it more deeply, she suddenly felt that choosing Saeko's location was also a good idea.

Since it wasn't like before, where she was going to argue with that jerk, Qianye made it clear that she wanted to have a chat with her.

Besides, now that I'm with Chiya, even though Yukino already knows that, it doesn't feel right to rely on Yukino because of what happened between them.

It's like someone who has already eaten complaining about life to someone who is still starving... It feels quite pretentious, with a sense of superiority.

The analogy might not be quite right, but Eriri just has this strange feeling about it.

She wished more than once that if the fat woman next to Chiyo were replaced by Yukino.

This might take their already close friendship to a new level, and perhaps later on, at some more special moments, she'll even see Yukino's more adorable expressions...

It's a pity that life doesn't offer "what ifs".

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.

Lunch break time arrived as scheduled.

Eriri quickened her pace to the Service Club to return the class notes she had borrowed from Yukino last week before heading to the Kendo Club.

When she arrived, a considerable number of club members had already gathered in the training grounds inside the kendo club, and they had already begun their training exercises.

It is said that the Soubu High School Kendo Club will have an exchange match with another school soon, so the training schedule is very heavy these days.

As the head and captain of the kendo club, Saeko was naturally among them.

She didn't change into her kendo uniform; instead, she stood at the very front of the training group, pressing a wooden sword against the ground with both hands, her eyes focused on supervising.

Seeing Eriri arrive, Saeko smiled from afar and glanced towards the small office, indicating that she was busy and it was good that she let Eriri go by herself.

Eriri thought to herself how cool Saeko looked with her high ponytail as she walked into the office from the side of the training field.

Yuan Qianye and Shiyu had already arrived.

When Eriri arrived, Shiho, who was looking at her phone, merely gave her a casual glance without any other special response.

Yuan Qianye greeted him with a smile and handed him a canned drink that he had bought in advance.

Eriri thanked her happily, then said apologetically, "I went to see Yukino earlier, did I wait long?"

"It's not closed at all..."

"It's enough that you know it yourself."

Shiyu impatiently interrupted Chiya before she could finish speaking.

That one sentence instantly turned Eriri's bright mood gloomy, and her smile froze.

Her fingers tightened slightly around the iced drink, and a flame instantly ignited in her deep blue eyes.

She took a deep breath, about to retort—

"Shiyu." Yuan Qianye called Shiyu's name in a low voice with some helplessness. At the same time, he moved closer to Eriri and gently reached out from an angle where Shiyu couldn't see. He hooked his little finger around Eriri's fingers hanging by her side and shook them reassuringly.

He looked at Shi Yu, softening his voice, and tried to smooth things over: "We haven't been here long, so let's not worry about such trivial matters. Lunch break is short anyway, so let's get down to business as soon as possible."

"..."

Eriri felt the warm touch of Chiyo on her fingertips. She pouted and turned her face away, deciding to temporarily let go of that jerk for Chiyo's sake.

Shiyu finally put down her phone, raised her eyes, and her wine-red eyes first lightly swept over Yuan Qianye before landing on Eriri.

She didn't answer, but that was tantamount to acknowledging Yuan Qianye's suggestion and not dwelling on the matter further.

For the sake of their "mutual lovers," the tense atmosphere between the two was temporarily suppressed, and they did not start arguing on the spot.

Gen Chiya breathed a slight sigh of relief.

Saeko's office, which belongs to the kendo club, is not very large. With desks and bookshelves taking up space, and training equipment piled up in the corner, the remaining space is even more cramped.

There were only two chairs, one in front of the desk and the other against the wall near the entrance.

On ordinary days, Shiyu usually comes here to have meals with Saeko, and it's just right for the two of them to stay here.

If Gen Chiya were to come as well, one of them would have to lean against the table, or the two of them would have to squeeze together in a chair.

Therefore, this place is not really a good place for conversation.

However, considering the excellent privacy that this door offers once closed, Yuan Qianye still chose this place.

The subsequent developments also demonstrate that he was indeed very prescient.

Shiyu looked at Eriri and flicked her hair: "Alright, let's get down to business. Let me make it clear beforehand that I chose to meet you here because of Chiya. Please don't misunderstand anything and think that I can get along with you peacefully or anything like that."

Eriri retorted, her hands clenched tightly on her thighs: "I feel the same way. I have absolutely no desire to get along with you. To be honest, just sitting here and talking to you face to face already makes me quite uncomfortable!"

"That would be best. Let's continue our conversation on that premise."

"Hmph! I couldn't be happier!"

"..."

Yuan Qianye silently unscrewed the soda and gulped down a big mouthful.

When she first arrived, Saeko pulled him aside and quietly asked him if he needed any help, as she could ask a senior student to take over his duties as the supervisor of the kendo club's training at noon today.

But Gen Chiya shook his head.

On Saturday night, he suppressed his pent-up, unsatisfied desires and waited on Shi Yu until she began to take the initiative, even turning over and twisting her waist to try and take control of the situation.

The next morning, she hugged him tightly after waking up and stayed with him until he had to leave for work. As a result, he didn't even have time to eat breakfast.

At that time, Shi Yu acted exactly like a pampered young wife on her honeymoon.

Therefore, he felt he could completely control the situation, so he flatly refused, telling Saeko not to worry and that he could handle it.

But now... looking at the two of them going head-to-head like this, he's starting to have some doubts.

On the bright side, at least the two of them don't start arguing as soon as they meet, but are able to communicate effectively, which is already a great success.

We shouldn't be too greedy and expect to improve their relationship instantly. Let's take it slow.

Yuan Qianye slowly exhaled and placed the unfinished drink on the table: "Then I'll go first."

On Sunday morning, which was yesterday morning, he held Shiyu, who was as docile as a ragdoll cat after a night of tenderness and affection, and thought about confessing to her the fact that he and Eriri were together, as well as the detailed story of how they got together.

However, Shiyu pressed her fingertips against his lips to stop him from saying something so unromantic at that moment, so the topic was put aside and dragged on.

Now, Yuan Qianye felt that the time was right and it was indeed time for him to explain the situation.

"As for Eriri, it was mainly during summer vacation, when we went to the beach together..."

"Wait a minute." Shiyu interrupted Gen Chiya's words and turned to look directly at Eriri: "I think this is ultimately a matter between us, so there's no need for Chiya to speak on our behalf. Or do you need Chiya's help to talk to me? Didn't you take the initiative to come to me and talk to me before?"

It's a very obvious provocation tactic.

But even though Eriri was aware of it, she still fell for it.

"I want to say it myself without you reminding me!"

"Heh." Shi Yu chuckled softly.

“Um… Eriri…” Minamoto Chiya still decided to try to persuade her.

He suddenly had a strong premonition that if he didn't intervene, Eriri would be bullied terribly by one side.

But Eriri was also stirred up by Shiho's spirit at this moment, and hurriedly said, "It's okay, Chiyo, she's right. This is originally a matter between us. We can handle it ourselves. You don't need to worry!"

She never dared to express her feelings before, only secretly harboring unrequited love. In front of this wretched woman, she was like a stray dog, subjected to her open or subtle mockery, and had no way to fight back... Oh well.

Now that I've officially taken over, in a sense I'm on the same starting line as her, so why would I be afraid of her?!

Eriri's confidence completely shut down Minamoto Chiya's words.

Meanwhile, Kasumigaoka, with an air of nonchalance, curled the corners of his lips and looked at the imposing Eriri, his smile carrying a deeper meaning.

…………

Volume 2: Chapter 197: Her PUA

In the following conversation, Eriri talked about how her relationship with Chiya had become closer, from their summer vacation together to after they returned...

She was a little hesitant at first, but as the narration progressed, she gradually calmed down and her tone became natural and fluent.

Yuan Qianye was quite pleased, even though the two had been at each other's throats and looked like they were about to fight and pull each other's hair when they first entered the room.

But at least for now, it seems that the two of them can still sit down and have a calm conversation.

Indeed, my patience with Shiyu on Saturday night wasn't in vain, and the head pats and candy I fed Eriri in the morning did have an effect.

After Eriri finished speaking and stopped,

Throughout this time, Shi Yu remained unusually quiet without any intention of interrupting. As she pondered, she gently tapped her fingers, which were crossed over her chest, and finally spoke.

"According to what you've said, you two developed feelings for each other while traveling, and then you took the initiative to make that move, right?"

Gen Chiya noticed something was clearly wrong.

She deliberately emphasized "it's up to you to take the initiative," which seems like just a repetition, but in fact subtly shifts the responsibility for advancing the relationship onto Eriri.

As expected, it started. Utaha can never truly be at peace with Eriri.

He immediately spoke up, trying to clarify and reverse this potentially misleading statement: "That's not it, it's me and Eriri..."

"So what if that's the case!" The thought of protecting her lover rushed into her mind at this moment, and as the absolute top priority, Eriri spoke up without thinking.

After saying that, she gave her lover a reassuring look that said, "I'm fine, don't worry."

"..." Yuan Qianye silently rubbed his forehead, he couldn't rest easy.

He understood, of course, that Eriri's words were for his own good, and to be honest, he was also very touched. He could tell that Eriri really cared about him.

Even for such a harmless, internal issue, they didn't want him to be morally inferior and try to take all the blame upon himself.

But honestly, there's absolutely no need to go to this extent!