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

"Shut up! I don't want to repeat myself, and stop arguing with me! Let's go! Right now!"

"I'm so sorry, it was really just an accident. I just couldn't hold back. Who would have thought it would be so accurate... And the timing of your appearance was too perfect. Don't be angry anymore. When I was drying your hair before, didn't you say you wouldn't let me off so easily and that you would give me a good beating? Come out now. My wound can't get wet. You have to help me dry off before you give me a good beating, right?"

"Who wants to help you clean your body? I don't care about your wounds, I'd rather they all fester! Let you suffer to death!"

And yet she was so worried about him! She was still foolishly outside thinking about how to speak up for him and mediate if Saeko was still angry with him!

And these two, especially him! Didn't they know they were injured? And...and they were moving so violently! So...!

The person involved doesn't even care, yet she's still worrying about it! She's acting like a self-deluded clown!

Yuan Qianye understood her feelings, and continued to try to speak softly through the door.

However, the results were minimal.

From God's perspective, he saw that after Shiyu wiped her face clean, she lay down on the bed and covered her head with a pillow, clearly wanting some peace and quiet.

Judging from the situation, there's no chance of making amends tonight.

Saeko finished tidying up the tea ceremony room and came over, but Utaha still didn't open the door.

She also knocked on the door and tried.

The result was similar to that of Yuan Qianye, receiving a dry and unsympathetic response like, "It's too late, I need to go to sleep and rest."

"Shiyu is still angry, let's just let it go. It was just an accident and not a matter of principle. It will be easier to handle once she calms down."

Having spent so much time together, Chiya Minamoto understood that Saeko's words made sense.

Shiyu sometimes acts like a child, her temper flares up and subsides quickly, but it's best not to confront her head-on when she's in a fit of anger.

The two did not insist any further and went to wash up.

While Saeko was taking a bath, Chiya Minamoto was brushing her teeth and washing her face outside.

After Saeko finished washing, she called him in again so she could help him dry off.

Then, the situation that Shiyu encountered last night was being replayed in front of Saeko at this moment.

However, unlike Utaha, when Saeko noticed that Minamoto Chiyo kept bending over and brushing her cheek, she did not shyly dodge away or playfully slap him away.

She paused only slightly, then raised her eyes, a mixture of understanding and helplessness flashing across them.

Under Yuan Qianye's longing gaze, she sighed softly, then leaned down and opened her rosy lips, choosing to gently embrace him.

They had just broken the ice between them, and now this is simply a return to their previous warm and normal relationship.

As for the bedtime arrangements, Shiyu was sulking in the guest room, so Chiya could only go back to the master bedroom with Saeko to rest.

The mess from last night has been partially dealt with. The broken pillowcases and lint have been swept away, and new bedding has been laid on the bed that was split in two. However, there are still dark red stains on a few tatami mats.

The bloodstains that had seeped into the rushes couldn't be easily removed, but the Busujima family wasn't short of money; they could just replace them with new ones later.

It was getting late, so the two went to bed together and leaned against the headboard in the same intimate position they had at the beginning of the night.

Saeko spoke first: "Let's leave it at that for now regarding Hayasaka-san. I can't guarantee that I can accept her right now because we've only met once, but I will try to get to know her better for your sake."

Her words weren't absolute, but you could clearly hear the meaning of compromise and concession.

A huge weight was lifted off Yuan Qianye's shoulders.

“Thank you, Saeko… Listen to me.” Gen Chiya turned to the side, placed his right hand on his heart, and solemnly swore to Saeko: “I, Gen Chiya, here today, formally promise you that I will never hide anything from you again.”

“Is that so…” Saeko stared into his eyes, her calm pupils seeming to ripple.

This time... can he really do it?

She really wanted to believe her lover, and this heartfelt vow softened her heart.

But at that moment, the image of Toka popped into her mind.

Her heart also began to race because of what she found in Shihua's bedside drawer that night.

"Yes, if I break my oath and hide anything from you again, you can kill me without any complaints!"

"..." Saeko continued to look at him quietly, without responding to his somewhat bloody guarantee.

She forced a gentle, reassuring smile and patted his hand lightly: "Alright, it's getting late. Let's not say such unlucky things. Go and get some rest."

She didn't want to delve any further into this topic.

That unconfirmed doubt about Shihua was like a tiny thorn stuck in her heart, preventing her from fully immersing herself in his sincerity at that moment.

But Yuan Qianye hadn't finished speaking.

"Wait a moment, Saeko. Besides Hayasaka, there's something else I need to tell you..."

"Oh?" Saeko paused slightly as she was about to lie down, and her eyes brightened slightly as she looked up again.

Yuan Qianye nodded, sat up straight on the bed, lifted the quilt and sat obediently in front of her: "Because my previous idea has always been that relationships are a two-way street, and I can't let my behavior cause trouble or embarrassment to the other person."

That's why I've been keeping it from you, Saeko, all this time.

I thought this was protection, to avoid trouble, but now I realize it was the biggest mistake I ever made, and a betrayal of the trust between us.

“I understand.” Saeko, like him, sat up in bed, her eyes shining with hope, as if encouraging him to continue: “I completely understand, so if you…”

Gen Chiyo gently pressed her fingertips against Saeko's lips: "The more you stand on my side and consider things for me, the more I feel like a terrible person. Although that is indeed the case, at least don't let me make the same mistake again."

I've grown from this experience and realized that the most important thing for us to be together is to love each other, but there's also an indispensable condition: absolute trust between us without reservation!

We can have our own little spaces, but on important matters, we must be aware of each other and face them together.

Yuan Qianye had made up his mind completely at this moment. He took a deep breath.

"Because I absolutely trust Saeko, and I just made a vow, I don't plan to wait for the right time to tell you as originally planned. But before I tell you what's going to happen next, could you please promise me one thing?"

He didn't even state his specific requirements, but Saeko understood immediately: "For now, let's keep it from Shiho, and it's best not to reveal what you're about to say to anyone else... Is that right?"

"Yes."

I promise you.

Saeko answered without the slightest hesitation, her reply crisp and clear.

"I wouldn't tell anyone about your private matters, Qianye, without my permission. As for Shiyu... I understand her easily angered personality. Even if I want to be honest with her in the future, I'll definitely have to choose the right way and the right time. Saying it rashly will only make things worse."

"Thank you, Saeko!"

"No need to thank me. Actually, I should be the one thanking you, Qianye. Thank you for trusting me so much."

Looking at the gentle and quiet Saeko, Chiyo's heart was filled with comfort and love.

Being with this woman is like this: putting aside those extremely out-of-control special situations, most of the time, she always makes him feel comfortable and at ease, like a gentle breeze.

As long as the situation is explained truthfully, she is able to rationally and tolerantly consider the issue from his perspective.

We should have discussed more things with her earlier, instead of waiting until now.

Alright, now that all the prerequisites and concerns have been addressed, let's get down to business!

“Saeko, about what I’m about to say…” He licked his slightly dry lips, his voice unconsciously lowering a little: “…Keep a good mood. You’ll definitely be surprised, but please don’t get excited, okay?”

This is both a way of giving her a heads-up and a way of preparing myself mentally.

Upon hearing this, Saeko's smile softened even more, perfectly concealing her inner thoughts that "I already guessed this, and I can completely accept it."

"Qianye, don't worry. I've adjusted my mindset a lot. No matter what you tell me, I won't get agitated. Don't have so many worries, just tell me. It doesn't matter what it is. Like we said, we'll face it together."

"Um……"

Encouraged by Saeko's gentle gaze, and having gained enough courage, Minamoto Chiya slowly spoke.

"Actually, besides you, Utaha, Eriri, and Hayasaka, there are other people around me right now... I'm actually dating someone."

My heart was pounding wildly in my chest, like a drumbeat.

After saying that, Chiyo stopped immediately and nervously observed Saeko's expression.

Saeko's expression remained elegant, dignified, and poised, not much different from before.

As expected, Saeko must have anticipated this when she heard the opening move she had just confessed...

"What this relationship means is..." she asked calmly, guiding him to continue.

"Um... it's the same kind of relationship as yours..."

"Did you do it?" Saeko asked directly.

“…I did it.” Yuan Qianye admitted, forcing himself to speak.

"It's not just a game, is it?" Saeko pressed on.

"...Yes, I'm serious."

“So…” Saeko leaned forward slightly, staring intently at him, and asked the most crucial question: “…Who is this person? Do I know them?”

“You know her…” Gen Chiya swallowed hard: “…and you could say…you’re very close to Saeko.”

Because of his extreme inner turmoil and worry about Saeko's unknown reaction, the conversation was very slow and hesitant, as if he were walking on the edge of a knife at every step, but in the end, they still arrived at this most crucial step.

"Oh? I recognize you?" Saeko raised an eyebrow, her thought of "It really is Toka-nee" becoming even clearer.

She had even prepared how to respond to him in the gentlest and most understanding way after he mentioned the name "Shihua," to hug him, and to tell him, "It's okay, I understand, let's figure something out together."

Her gaze softened, and her encouragement deepened, as if to say—speak up, just say it, and we'll all be free. Our relationship can return to the close intimacy and absolute trust we once had!

"Um...yes—"

From Saeko's perspective, the opening and closing of Minamoto Chiya's lips, the shape of her mouth about to utter the name she "expected," seemed to be slowed down.

Every subtle movement of the muscles in his face as he was about to speak was crystal clear.

She was relieved.

at last……

Although the process wasn't smooth, and they even had such a heated argument along the way, as long as the final outcome is good, as long as he's willing to be honest, and as long as they can rebuild trust without any secrets between them... that's all that matters.

If even the relationship with Sister Shihua, which is in some ways the most "complex" and "difficult to talk about," could be revealed to him...

Then she will finally be able to re-acknowledge and rebuild her trust in Chiyo, who just made a vow and a promise.

That's fine.

Everything will finally get back on track.

"—It's Yang Nai."