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

In short, she lowered her eyes slightly and continued in that steady tone: "What happened after that... was a very conventional development. Qianye was so outstanding that I simply couldn't ignore his brilliance and charm..."

Sensing that Hayasaka Ai seemed to want to take all the blame and responsibility upon herself, Minamoto Chiya naturally could not accept it, and would not choose to let her bear it alone.

He immediately spoke up, trying to correct and explain: "It's not entirely like that. Actually, between Hayasaka and me, I was the one who took the initiative most of the time. At first, we just got along like ordinary friends, but as we spent more time together, I gradually realized..."

"Chiya." Hayasaka Ai interrupted him again in a soft voice.

She looked up at him, her azure eyes clearly reflecting his face, which held concern, gratitude, but even more so, a firm resolve not to trouble him any further.

She was very perceptive and naturally understood that he said all this to protect her and exonerate her. She was very touched and grateful for his intentions, but precisely because of this, she didn't want to cause him any more trouble and put him in a difficult position.

"Could you grant me a request?" Hayasaka Ai's voice softened, tinged with a hint of pleading: "What follows is a topic between us girls... Could you please excuse us for a moment so we can talk alone?"

This can be considered an open scheme.

If Qianye were present, she would surely be worried about her, and would also feel troubled and pained by being caught between the two of them.

If he leaves temporarily, they can not only have a more direct conversation, but he himself can also temporarily escape from this suffocating pressure.

Saeko neither confirmed nor denied this.

Shiyu thought this was for the best. She couldn't fully release her emotions in front of him, but if he left, she wouldn't have that worry.

But Chiyo didn't want to leave. He frowned and stared at Hayasaka: "Where do you want me to go?"

"The scenery in the courtyard is nice... Please give us a little space and time, it will be over soon, please." Hayasaka Ai put her hands together, smiled at him, and begged him.

She controlled the intensity of her tone and expression perfectly, making Yuan Qianye feel her persistence and pleading, thus softening her attitude, without making Saeko and Shiyu think she was being coquettish or had ulterior motives, which would cause them to feel even more disgusted.

"Since Hayasaka-san has said so, Chiya, why don't you leave for a while and go enjoy the scenery in the yard? It's alright, we'll finish talking as soon as possible and you can come back later," Saeko said.

Shi Yu silently drank her tea, the only person present who did not express her opinion.

However, her silence can be seen as the same answer.

Gen Chiya's gaze slowly swept over the three girls present.

Saeko's calm and composed demeanor, Utaha's suppressed anger, and the complex light in Hayasaka's eyes that was a mixture of pleading and perseverance.

He finally sighed and reluctantly got up.

But he didn't leave. He just sat down with his back to us in the corridor outside the side door of the private room, showing no intention of going far.

However, this was enough for Hayasaka. The reason she made such a seemingly willful suggestion was simply because she didn't want him to continue to be troubled because of her.

Having achieved her goal, she knelt down, moved over, closed the sliding door, and then returned to her original position.

They knelt upright, their backs ramrod straight, as if ready to face the judgment to come.

"From the very beginning, I shamelessly fell in love with him."

Hayasaka Ai chose to get straight to the point.

"In subsequent interactions, it was mostly me who took the initiative... You could even say that I was like a lovesick woman, greedily craving his attention and warmth, so please don't blame Qianye. All of this is my responsibility."

Shi Yu scoffed: "How can you say that it's only your responsibility for something that can only be accomplished with the consent of both people?"

Hayasaka did not back down, looking directly at Utaha: "That may be true, but it is true that I was the one who developed feelings that I shouldn't have had first. I knew that he already had two such excellent girlfriends like you, but I still took a chance and had those wishful thinking thoughts. That is an indisputable fact."

Shi Yu's gaze was sharp as a blade, and her tone was utterly impolite: "You keep emphasizing this point, what exactly are you trying to say? Are you trying to highlight your greatness and self-sacrifice? So that we'll feel sorry for you?"

"I just wanted to say..."

Hayasaka Ai's voice remained steady, but her speaking speed increased significantly, revealing her inner turmoil.

"...After understanding all this, please stop making things difficult for Qianye on this issue. He did make mistakes, but the most obvious fault lies with me."

I hope that if either of you has any complaints or problems in the future, you can come directly to me, but please... please don't hurt him in the same way you did last night."

Her gaze swept over Shiwa and Saeko in turn, as if ice crystals were condensing deep within her eyes.

Although no one told her the actual situation, Qianye's wounds made it easy to draw conclusions after a little thought.

"You two are his official lovers, people he cherishes. I have always been aware of this and have never had any delusions about it."

I can accept any accusations, insults, or even any real harm you may cause me because of this matter, but please, both of you, never do that again, no matter what I just said!

Because he cherishes you both, I am willing to respect you both. However, if he is hurt because of you, even if he doesn't think it's a big deal, I might choose to be tolerant and forgive him.

But I will still feel heartbroken because of this, and in that heartbreak, perhaps... I will do something very irrational to the two of you.

On this point, I think... I've made myself clear enough.

Shiyu raised an eyebrow, her face as cold as Hayasaka's: "You... are you threatening us?"

"Do not."

Hayasaka Ai gently shook her head, her posture still respectful, but her tone had become neither humble nor arrogant: "I am merely stating a fact. I have no ill will towards either of you, and even feel a deep sense of guilt. I have never intended to compete with you for my place and status in Chiyo's heart, but..."

She paused briefly, then chose a metaphor that seemed somewhat inappropriate, but which she didn't care about at all.

"Just as a loyal dog would never remain indifferent if its owner were injured."

I like Qianye; he's like the only ray of light shining into my dull and gloomy life.

He led me to appreciate the many beautiful things in life and showed me that there is another way to live.

The significance of his existence... to me, is far greater than the significance of my own existence.

He is my treasure, so if he is hurt, no matter who the other party is... I cannot choose to stand idly by and do nothing.

"..."

Utaha looked at Hayasaka Ai's eyes, which seemed calm, but for some reason made her feel a little scared.

Even though the other person was just a delicate girl who looked like herself... why... did she feel that what she said wasn't just casual talk, but that she truly had the ability and determination to do what she said...

Even so, Shiyu still instinctively stuck out her neck, wanting to say something more sarcastic or rebuttal.

That's just her personality: proud, stubborn, and unwilling to give in easily!

Moreover, in this matter, she and Saeko were clearly in the right. How could she allow this newcomer to turn the tables and lead her by the nose, or even subtly suppress her?

But just as she was about to speak, Saeko gently patted her again from under the table, signaling her to calm down.

At this moment, for the first time since last night, Saeko's lips curled up slightly and she smiled.

Although the upturn of her lips was very small and fleeting, Shi Yu could see clearly that she was indeed smiling!

"Hayasaka-san and I both understand what you mean. Let's not talk about these unpleasant topics for now. What I'm curious about now is, Hayasaka-san, how did you come to like our Chiya?"

He must possess some unique qualities or personality traits that attracted you, right? Don't tell me it's just because of his young and wealthy image, or simply because of his looks.

"Of course not..."

The topic finally shifted to this direction, and Hayasaka Ai's tense nerves relaxed a little, with a rare, genuine, and beautiful blush appearing on her face.

Although it was very light, it did make her look much more vibrant.

"...I fell in love with Chiya. Although it was partly because he helped me when I was little and left a good impression on me, the main reason that made me fall for him completely was that time...when we went out together and unexpectedly encountered a robbery at a gold shop."

Saeko: "?"

Shiyu: "?!"

Robbers?!

robbery?!!!

Hayasaka paid no attention to Saeko, especially to Utaha's suddenly contorted and incredibly interesting expression.

Her eyes, gazing at the person's retreating figure outside, shimmered with a captivating iridescence, as if filled with stars.

"In that incident, his unwavering sense of responsibility in protecting me and his calm and composed demeanor in the face of danger... I think that was the beginning of my complete smittenness."

That was also the beginning of my first real love, when I truly fell in love with someone else.

…………

218: Saeko: Do ​​you know why I'm angry? (5k)

After expressing her feelings for Chiya, Hayasaka Ai felt a little regretful.

The reason is... Kasumigaoka Utaha's eyes, already dark as if brewing in a black hole, are staring intently at her without moving! As if she wants to devour her completely!

　Even though Saeko Busujima seemed so calm, I shouldn't have answered so directly and in detail. I should have been more considerate of their feelings and spoken more tactfully.

Hayasaka Ai realized this, but what's said is said, and there's no use regretting it now.

Furthermore, although it made Kasumigaoka a little unhappy, she herself was completely relaxed because of it.

Finally, I no longer have to live like a rat in a sewer, sneaking around and living in constant fear.

In short, she is prepared to face whatever ridicule, mockery, or even physical attacks she may encounter.

In any case, dealing with those two wouldn't be more difficult than dealing with the disgusting infighting and hypocrisy of the Shinomiya family.

"boom--!"

The palm slammed on the table, making a loud noise!

Shiyu finally couldn't hold back any longer.

What is this?!

In front of herself and Saeko, she spoke with a blissful, even wistful, expression about her forbidden feelings for a "married man"?!

Is this a blatant show of force against us? Or a direct provocation?!

Does this guy... have absolutely no sense of shame?!

Was it deliberately made Qianye leave temporarily so that, like now, he could tear off his disguise and bare his fangs to declare war on us without any restraint?

Yes, that's her declaring war!

Whether it was his calm yet subtly sharp tone, implying that she and Chiya were only able to reunite because of him, or his seemingly yielding but actually threatening remarks when facing Saeko's questions...

All of this clearly shows that this woman has completely misunderstood her position and is utterly unaware of her status as a "third party"!

Does she really think we can keep talking to her so politely forever?!

"Don't go too far—!"

Utaha, no longer leaving any way out for either of them, slammed her hand on the table and stood up with great force, her right finger pointing directly at Hayasaka!