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

Upon hearing the sudden commotion that had turned tense, Yuan Qianye immediately turned around.

Just as she was thinking that she could no longer stand aside and was about to come in, Saeko also moved, and she slowly pressed down on Shiyu's palm.

"Okay, Shiyu, calm down. Hayasaka-san is just stating the facts based on my question. You don't need to be so angry."

"But she—!"

"If you're really angry, let's wait until we're done talking. I still have a lot of questions I don't understand, like the robbery that Hayasaka-san just mentioned. Have you heard Chiya mention it?"

"...!"

Shi Yu's anger froze.

Of course not...

She glared fiercely at her lover outside.

Just how many things is this guy hiding from them?!

Seeing that the situation seemed to have eased somewhat, and anticipating Shiyu's possible actions, Yuan Qianye had already turned his back to her, leaving her only with his back view.

“Actually, it can’t be Qianye.” Hayasaka Ai didn’t react much to Shiyu’s sudden outburst: “At that time, both he and I had our own unspeakable difficulties.”

Chiya, already somewhat famous at the time, didn't want to be harassed by unscrupulous reporters and media. As for me, due to the special nature of my job as a maid, according to regulations, even in my personal private time, if I met with outsiders, I needed to record and report it afterward according to the rules.

Saeko gently patted Shiho's back, making her sit down obediently again.

He then gave her a look, indicating "I'm here for you," and asked her to remain still for the time being.

After quickly finishing, she looked at Hayasaka Ai again: "So strict?"

"Because, whether it's the young lady or the other core members of the Shinomiya family, they have all suffered many attacks that are malicious. The business world is like a battlefield, sometimes even more brutal than a battlefield. Such precautions are only for safety reasons."

"That sounds tough."

"In the past, I didn't think there was anything hard about it, and even took it for granted. But as I just said... I met Qianye again, and he made me realize that life can have a completely different possibility."

It also made me realize... that I'm not fundamentally different from other ordinary girls; I also have desires, selfish motives, and things I want to grasp at any cost.

Even though you already know that he's already dating us?

“…I’m very sorry.” Hayasaka Ai was silent for a moment, then slowly lowered her head again, placed her hands flat on the tatami in front of her, and gently pressed her forehead against the back of her hands, performing a standard and solemn dogeza (a traditional Chinese bowing gesture).

She had neither the means nor the intention to refute this point.

This is indeed her despicable act, a mistake she made knowingly and yet still did something wrong, and she never tried to find any excuse for her behavior.

When Shiyu saw that Hayasaka Ai finally showed the humble and apologetic attitude that a "cheating cat" should have for the first time today, the resentment that had been bottled up in her heart seemed to dissipate a little.

She let out a soft snort, tinged with a hint of relief.

It should have been like this a long time ago.

Saeko shook her head: "You don't need to do this, Hayasaka-san. I specifically asked Chiya to meet with you today, just to learn more about what happened between you two, not just to hear your apology."

Hayasaka slowly raised his head, his gaze frank: "But I did do something that is morally unforgivable, so I naturally have to make a statement."

"Just making a statement?" Shi Yu couldn't help but interject again, her tone still sharp.

Hayasaka Ai turned her gaze to Utaha, looking directly at her: "So, Kasumigaoka-san... what would you like me to do?"

Shi Yu raised an eyebrow: "Yin Lin. Qi A Pa Si 4 Wu Liu, you'll do whatever I say?"

“If… it’s within my will and ability.” Hayasaka Ai’s answer was cautious and left room for maneuver.

"Then what's the difference between this and having no guarantee at all?" Shi Yu scoffed, clearly dissatisfied with the answer.

"Alright," Saeko interrupted the tense atmosphere between the two at the right moment, "Continuing this pointless conversation will not make any progress on our issues."

"...!" Shi Yu crossed her arms and turned to look at the courtyard.

Saeko said to Hayasaka, "My suggestion is that we can postpone other issues for now. Tonight, let's get to know each other better. What do you think?"

Hayasaka Ai was silent for a moment, seemingly weighing her options, before finally nodding gently: "As long as you two can stop making things difficult for Chiya like you did last night, I'm okay with it."

Saeko nodded in agreement and continued, "We've been asking questions ever since we came in. Hayasaka-san, do you have any questions for us?"

“I’m fine. Being able to talk to you two calmly like this is enough for me.”

"In that case, please tell us in detail about the robbery. Shiyu and I are both very curious about what happened. Also, there's something else—"

Saeko glanced at Utaha, who was closer to the sliding door of the courtyard, and gave her a meaningful look.

Shiha understood and was about to get up when Hayasaka beat her to it: "Please let me do it."

She quickly stood up after speaking, gently calling back Yuan Qianye. She waited for him to sit down at the table before taking her own seat.

Saeko looked at Chiya and said, "We've pretty much finished talking about what girls like us are talking about. Now, Utaha and I have learned something very interesting. Why don't you and Hayasaka tell us about it..."

Faced with Saeko, whose thoughts were unpredictable and who was unusually calm, Utaha, who was clearly in a bad mood and could explode at any moment, and Hayasaka Ai, who was standing beside him with a submissive demeanor and who seemed to place all her trust and reliance on him...

Yuan Qianye has no other choice now, so he might as well be completely honest to avoid any future troubles caused by deliberate concealment.

"Okay, I understand..."

Today's meeting will continue in the future.

Most of the time, Chiya Minamoto was the main character, while Ai Hayasaka played a supporting role. Saeko, who was listening attentively, explained to Utaha how the two of them had exchanged contact information since their reunion. At first, they only communicated online through LINE and phone, chatting about daily life and sharing their feelings.

Gradually, they began to tentatively arrange to meet outside. From the initial awkward and tentative meetings between ordinary friends, they gradually developed feelings for each other, sharing unspoken understanding and excitement.

Finally, their feelings deepened, they confirmed their love for each other, and ultimately crossed that line, leading them to where they are today...

Time slipped away quietly as we narrated and listened, and the sky outside the window had long since darkened completely.

The clock on the wall inside the private room had quietly moved from 5:30 to 8:00 PM without anyone noticing.

The maid's candid self-reflection has given Saeko and Utaha a relatively clear understanding of "Hayasaka Ai".

"...Alright, it's about time. Has Hayasaka-san eaten enough?"

"Yes, thank you for the hospitality tonight."

Saeko's words made Hayasaka realize that tonight's dinner meeting had come to an end.

However, she was still unsure what Saeko's attitude towards her and Chiya would be after tonight, given that Saeko had remained calm and indifferent.

After paying the bill, the four were respectfully escorted to the restaurant entrance by the waiter.

The cool night breeze carried a hint of chill, dispersing the lingering sandalwood scent from my clothes.

"Alright, Shiyu and I will head back now." Saeko Busujima adjusted the outer hem of her kimono and made the arrangement in a natural tone: "It's getting late, Chiya, you can take Hayasaka home."

"—!" Kasumigaoka Utaha turned her head sharply, looking at Saeko in disbelief, her eyes filled with incomprehension and disbelief!

Hayasaka was clearly taken aback by Saeko's arrangement and quickly shook his head, "No, there's no need to trouble Chiya, I can manage on my own..."

"It's alright. It's so late, we wouldn't feel comfortable letting a girl like you go home alone. Qianye, we're counting on you."

Under Saeko's unwavering gaze, Hayasaka finally couldn't refuse any longer. He could only lower his head slightly and reply softly, "...Then I'll trouble you, Busujima-kun, and I'll trouble you too, Chiya."

"Oh, right." Just before parting, Saeko suddenly remembered something and took out her phone: "If you don't mind, let's exchange contact information, Hayasaka-san."

Hayasaka, of course, had no objections. After exchanging LINE contact information and phone numbers with Saeko, she looked at Utaha.

Shi Yu merely glanced at her coldly before quickly looking away.

Hayasaka was not surprised by this, nor did he care at all.

After all, this straightforward personality, which wears its heart on its sleeve, is actually the kind of person who is easier to deal with in a way.

After a polite farewell, Hayasaka Ai followed Minamoto Chiya away.

"Saeko, what are you thinking? Why are you being so polite to her?! You even had Chiya take her home?! Have you forgotten who she is?! Have you forgotten how you..."

Now that it was finally just the two of them, Shiyu couldn't hold back any longer and immediately questioned them.

Saeko shook her head, unwilling to explain.

Before coming here, she really hoped that Hayasaka Ai was a woman full of scheming and cunning, so that no matter how cunning she was, she would be confident that she could team up with Utaha or even Eriri to deal with her.

But unfortunately... Hayasaka is the type of person she was most worried about encountering, even... somewhat similar to herself...

Is it fair to say that Qianye has excellent judgment? He just had to complicate things so much...

"Okay, let's not think about it too much for now. Let's talk about it when we get home."

"You really are..."

Shiyu looked at Saeko, wanting to say a lot of things, but seeing Saeko's somewhat lost and tired look, she ultimately let out a sigh.

On the other side, Minamoto Chiya took Hayasaka Ai in a taxi and got off near the Shinomiya Villa.

Neither of them spoke, and they walked slowly along the sidewalk.

Until the gate of the villa came into view, the moment arrived when they had to part ways temporarily.

"I'm sorry, Chiya. If I hadn't been so willful yesterday, you wouldn't have..."

"Alright, that's enough. We knew this day would come, so there's nothing to apologize for. Let's face it together. And as for today's outcome, it's not bad, is it?"

"But I can sense that Busujima-san still has many unresolved issues in her heart."

Gen Chiya naturally understood this, and he was also having a headache about how to face Saeko and Utaha when he got back.

However, Hayasaka doesn't need to know about these troubles; he's a man, so he can handle them quietly on his own.

"Don't worry, your task is complete. I'll take care of the rest."

It sounds like a very forced statement...

However, at this point, she seemed to have no better choice than to wait quietly.

Taking rash action may not only fail to help, but will likely add fuel to the fire and bring more trouble to Qianye.

She nodded, no longer dwelling on the topic. Her gaze fell on his bandaged right hand, her eyes filled with pity and heartache: "Now can you tell me? Your hand, and your shoulder... how did you get hurt?"

"It's nothing serious..." Yuan Qianye tried to brush it off lightly.

But under the maid's worried yet persistent gaze, he finally gave in.

He briefly recounted what happened last night, omitting many details and Saeko's horrifying state at the time, only saying that she was accidentally injured during the argument.

Hayasaka Ai didn't say sorry again, but the way she reached out and brushed the edge of the gauze on his hand, and then lightly touched his right shoulder, was the gentlest of all.

"Alright, go back now, don't think too much." Yuan Qianye held her slightly cool hand and gently squeezed it, trying to convey his warmth: "There won't be any problems between us. I will make Saeko and Shiyu accept it. Didn't we already decide that when we decided to be together?"

"Mmm..." the maid obediently responded.