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

She wanted to give him a final, tiptoeing kiss as a farewell kiss, but remembering that it was because of their tryst yesterday that Saeko discovered their secret... she forced herself to hold back.

Watching Hayasaka walk into the gates of the Shinomiya Villa from afar, Minamoto Chiya hailed a taxi on the side of the road to go back to Saeko's house.

He suspected that tonight would not end so simply.

Sure enough, the moment he got home, Shiyu, who had just finished showering and was sitting cross-legged on the sofa drying her hair, said to him, "Saeko said that if you're not tired after coming back, you can go to the tea room to find her; she's waiting for you there."

Yuan Qianye came to her side, took the towel, and gently wiped her face: "Aren't you coming with me?"

Shi Yu pinched his face and said fiercely, "You think you can get away with this? Dream on! I'll teach you a lesson when we get back to the room tonight!"

Gen Chiya smiled, wiped her hair briefly, and then used a hairdryer to completely dry it before getting up to find Saeko.

As you open the rustic sliding door of the tea room, a rich aroma of tea wafts out.

Saeko had changed out of her luxurious formal kimono and was now kneeling in front of the tea table, dressed in a simple, light-colored casual outfit.

On the tea table, a set of exquisite tea utensils is neatly arranged. On the small black stove, the kettle is making a soft "gurgling" sound, and steam is rising in wisps.

Saeko was performing the tea ceremony with elegant and skillful steps.

Warming the utensils, placing the tea, brewing... every movement is smooth and natural, carrying an understated and serene beauty that can soothe the anxiety in one's heart just by watching it.

Hearing the door open, Saeko didn't stop what she was doing. She simply raised her eyes slightly and gestured for him to sit down on the futon that had been prepared for him.

Yuan Qianye did as she was told, sitting upright opposite her without making a sound to disturb her.

A moment later, Saeko gently pushed a cup of brewed tea in front of him.

"Please use it."

"Thank you."

Gen Chiya picked up the teacup with both hands, blew on it, and took a small sip.

The warm tea slid down his throat, bringing a slightly astringent aftertaste that also relaxed his tense nerves.

Saeko arranged the tea set neatly, then straightened her back and looked calmly and deeply into her lover's eyes.

Without beating around the bush or laying the groundwork, she went straight to the point and asked the most crucial question for her in this incident.

"Chiya, do you know why I didn't get angry with Utaha and Eriri, and even showed approval and wanted to match them up, but this time with Hayasaka-san... I got so angry?"

…………

219: Her arrival was perfectly timed!

Compared to Shiho's question of "Who is more comfortable, me or her?", Saeko's current question seems to have the potential to be a fatal one.

But judging from her gentle tone and her earnest expression that suggested she wanted to have an honest conversation rather than interrogate, it seemed that wasn't the case at all.

Now that things have come to this, judging from Saeko's series of reactions tonight, Chiya Minamoto, while not completely seeing through her, has a general understanding of what she truly cares about.

Therefore, at this point, he certainly wouldn't try to get away with the same witty and sweet talk he used when dealing with Shi Yu.

Shiyu is the kind of woman who yearns for romance and sweetness and needs to be enveloped in intense love.

Even if he's angry, as long as he makes her clearly feel loved and valued, and assures her of her irreplaceable place in his heart, there won't be a big problem.

Just like a torrential downpour that eventually stops and the sun shines again, the process may be difficult, but the final result will definitely be good without any surprises.

But Saeko is different.

What she craves is not merely the sweetness, companionship, and passion derived from an emotional foundation.

She cares more about things that are grander and seem more ethereal, such as trust, honesty, each other's roles and responsibilities in the relationship, and the deeper bond and consensus that goes beyond simple love.

Gen Chiya took a deep breath, put down his teacup, placed his hands on his thighs, straightened his already upright back even more, and met Saeko's probing gaze without any hesitation: "I understand."

Saeko looked back at him quietly, her expression blank, clearly waiting for his next answer.

He gave his answer: "Because, unlike Utaha and Eriri, Saeko, you were completely unaware of Hayasaka's existence. My deliberate concealment made you feel betrayed by being excluded from an important secret by the person you trusted most."

It's understandable that you'd be so angry, even to the point of losing control... and I completely understand.

He didn't try to justify himself with weak excuses like "I was afraid you'd be angry," but instead directly pointed out the core of Saeko's anger and faced it squarely without running away.

Saeko did not comment on the answer, but her eyes flickered slightly.

She didn't pursue the topic further, but instead posed a new question: "Chiya, do you think I would definitely object to your relationship with Hayasaka, which is why you've been keeping it from me and haven't dared to tell me?"

Her tone was calm, without any hint of blame, more like a pure exploration driven by curiosity.

"That's not it. I was just thinking that when the time was right, and when Hayasaka was indeed ready, I would formally reveal the truth to you and Utaha."

Of course, not at the same time; I'll tell you first, and then choose to tell Shiyu.

The second half of the sentence that Yuan Qianye deliberately added was not an attempt to curry favor.

With the help of Saeko, who is more accepting and understanding of the matter, we can appease and persuade Shiho, who would initially be vehemently opposed, so that Shiho can gradually compromise.

Just like when he dealt with his relationship with Eriri, this was a strategy he had already planned.

“That sentence…” Saeko’s expression inexplicably turned somber and sorrowful: “It shouldn’t be… a lie to me, right?”

Her voice was soft, with a slight, almost imperceptible tremor, as if she were confirming something that was crucial to her, yet something she was afraid of failing.

"Absolutely not!"

Gen Chiya's heart tightened, and he almost immediately stood up, walked around the tea table, came to Saeko's side, and took her hand.

"Actually, even if you hadn't found out this time, Saeko, I planned to find an opportunity to meet you and Hayasaka during the upcoming joint school training camp, and I would have confessed to you then."

These were all things Hayasaka and I discussed privately when we decided to hold the event together with Shuchiin Academy. We never intended to keep our relationship a secret forever, nor could we possibly keep it a secret forever.

"..." Saeko looked at her hand that he was holding, but did not pull it away. Her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she seemed to be thinking about something.

Her silence made Yuan Qianye feel uneasy.

He would rather she be angry, scold him, or even attack him than remain silent and lost in her own thoughts.

He slowly moved closer and pressed his forehead against hers: "Saeko, say something, tell me what you're thinking."

"...I'm sorry, I don't know what to say next, because I'm really, really sad this time, not only because of what happened between you and Hayasaka, but also because of my own actions. I inexplicably hurt you like a madman, I..."

Saeko tried to pull her hand away, but Chiya noticed and held it firmly, preventing her from leaving: "Don't say things like that. I know Saeko was doing it for me back then..."

At that moment, Yuan Qianye suddenly leaned in and kissed her forehead, and her body trembled, clearly indicating that she was not prepared for this.

She didn't intend to seduce him, but her every move, glance, and smile kept Yuan Qianye in a constant state of restraint.

Now, he simply removes the shackles from his inner desires, no longer choosing to suppress them, but letting them run their course.

Saeko did not resist; instead, she raised her head slightly in response, letting his light, fleeting kisses fall on her brow, cheek, and neck.

Their noses brushed lightly, and this intimate touch instantly dispelled the slightly somber atmosphere in the tea room.

"Hmm—~" Saeko let out a suppressed groan, her eyes narrowing slightly as she showed signs of a change in emotion, indicating that she didn't dislike what was happening at this moment.

"I want to kiss Saeko..." Chiya pleaded in Saeko's ear in a clingy, deep voice.

"We..." We hadn't even finished our conversation...

She wanted to say that, but what followed turned into an indistinguishable, coquettish murmur of agreement.

So, Yuan Qianye lowered his head and gently touched her forehead.

Compared to friends who often rely on honesty, sincere apologies, and lengthy communication to reconcile after a conflict, lovers have a more direct and effective way to deal with conflict and discord.

Unsurprisingly, a warm breath landed on the corner of her lips the next moment.

Saeko closed her eyes, feeling her thoughts melting away like a hot flame, until a cool sensation swept across her skin, and she awoke as if from a dream, trembling slightly from the almost drowning warmth.

"Wait for Qianye..." Her voice was muffled, almost indistinct, as she gently placed her hand on his wrist: "Your injury..."

“It’s okay…” Yuan Qianye hugged her even tighter, using his embrace to let her know he was there. His fingertips did not pull away, but instead held her hand and pressed it against his heart.

A steady and powerful pulse came from beneath my palm, and a scorching heat emanated from through my clothes.

Saeko clearly sensed his longing and affection for her at that moment, even though it was silent.

Hormones catalyze the surge of love within.

In her feverish state, Saeko momentarily forgot the serious business they had just been discussing.

Last night, Saeko, too, abruptly slammed on the brakes while in the midst of high spirits.

The desires that were suppressed then have been reignited and are now even more uncontrollable.

"Then... don't move... let me do it..."

This was Saeko's last line of defense, as long as she still retained a shred of rationality.

Chiya had no objections. It didn't matter who was in charge now; he just wanted to become one with Saeko.

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 living room.

The television is currently showing a dating reality show where ordinary men and women are paired up.

The guests were generally not very good-looking, so Shiyu, who pays a lot of attention to appearance, couldn't get much enjoyment from them.

There's nothing we can do about it.

At this time of day, most channels are either rebroadcasting serious political and financial news or airing variety shows that are clearly aimed at male audiences and filled with suggestive and vulgar jokes.

In comparison, at least this program is barely watchable and can help pass the time.

but--

Shiyu glanced at the wall clock.

The time is now 11:04.

The dinner party ended around 8 p.m., and she and Saeko got home around 9 p.m.

After that, she took a bath, and when she came out it was around 9:40, which was about the same time Qianye got home.

He then spent about ten minutes patiently drying his hair before heading straight to the tea room to find Saeko.

It hasn't come out yet.

In other words, the two of them had been chatting alone in the tea room for almost an hour.

What exactly did they talk about for such a long time...?

Even though she understood that this matter was not small and that Saeko would definitely have many questions to confront Utaha about, the fact that there had been no movement for an hour was still somewhat unusual.