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

"Hoo—" The eldest son of the current head of the Shinomiya family, Shinomiya Kanan, and the undisputed first heir to the Shinomiya Group, sighed wearily and rubbed his temples.

Not far in front of him, Kaguya Shinomiya stood with her back straight and her eyes slightly lowered.

Further along the wall, Hayasaka Ai also had her head down.

The master and servant had identical expressions at this moment, both keeping their eyes downcast and their gazes dark and lifeless, concealing all their emotions.

The air in the hall was so heavy it felt almost tangible; the invisible pressure made the servants unconsciously slow their breathing.

After a long silence, Shinomiya Hikari finally turned his gaze to his nominal sister, Shinomiya Kaguya, his eyes filled with undisguised contempt and impatience.

"You can use the reputation of the Shinomiya family as collateral?" He scoffed, his voice icy. "What can you collateralize? Is the reputation of the Shinomiya family something you can squander so casually, using it to endorse unrelated outsiders?"

He leaned forward slightly, creating an even stronger sense of pressure: "If I hadn't discovered it in time and contacted the TV station to forcibly conceal your identity information, do you know that because of your foolish act of speaking out for justice, the Shinomiya family would almost have become a laughing stock and suffered unnecessary criticism because of you!"

“…” Standing by the wall, Hayasaka Ai’s fingertips twitched almost imperceptibly, but her face remained calm.

Kaguya Shinomiya's expression was like wearing a perfect mask, showing neither joy nor sorrow.

She maintained a calm tone and stated her thoughts: "Brother, I am simply stating the facts and honestly recounting the situation at the time."

In addition, I also believe that such behavior can convey the image of the Shinomiya family as grateful and help improve our reputation among the public..."

"ridiculous!"

Shinomiya Huangguang interrupted her sharply, his mocking expression growing even stronger.

"Children are just children, pitifully naive. They're just a group of commoners. Why should we care what they think of the Shinomiya family?"

You are also a member of the Shinomiya family. As the eldest daughter, you must always remember your position! Lowering yourself to the level of a television star, becoming the subject of gossip and entertainment for idle people—do you think that's glorious? Something to brag about?

“That’s not what I meant, brother.” Kaguya’s tone remained calm. “I simply didn’t want the people of the Shinomiya family who helped me to suffer an undeserved disaster. My actions were also to demonstrate the Shinomiya family’s tradition of repaying kindness…”

"That's none of your concern!"

The sneer on Shinomiya Huangguang's face gradually faded, replaced by a chilling, sinister aura.

"You know perfectly well what your current stance is."

By running off to participate in some training camp without permission, causing such a mess, the Shinomiya family has become the subject of gossip and criticism!

Now they're showing no restraint, appearing in the media without permission!

"You have no shame! Don't drag the entire Shinomiya family down with you and make them pay for your foolish actions!"

"..." Kaguya Shinomiya remained silent, her long eyelashes trembling slightly, her face still expressionless, only her hands, placed in front of her, had her fingertips slightly digging into her palms.

At this moment, the slightly younger man sitting below Huang Guang, the second young master of the Shigong family, Shigong Qinglong, played the role of peacemaker.

With a gentle smile on his face, he said, "Alright, brother, calm down. Kaguya is still young, and it's inevitable that she might not be able to think things through properly."

He then turned to Kaguya, his tone still amiable: "However, Kaguya, you were indeed inconsiderate this time. As a member of the Shinomiya family, you must be careful in every word and deed."

"By appearing in the media without prior notice and publicly supporting a boy your own age, you're easily misinterpreted by those with ulterior motives, creating rumors detrimental to the Shinomiya family, understand?"

"..." Kaguya closed her eyes, took a shallow breath, and then opened them again, the last trace of emotion in her eyes returning to stillness: "Yes, Second Brother, I understand."

Shinomiya Seiryu clapped his hands lightly, his smile unchanged: "That's right. We're all family, why can't we talk things out? Why make it so serious? Big brother, don't you have an important meeting later?"

Huang Guang snorted coldly, accepting the offer of leniency.

He stood up, walked up to Kaguya Shinomiya, and looked down at her condescendingly: "For one month, you are not allowed to step out of the house. During this time, you should stay here and reflect on your actions, think clearly about your identity, what you should do and what you shouldn't do."

“…Yes.” Kaguya replied softly, her voice devoid of any emotion, as if she were merely agreeing to a trivial matter.

Seeing that his nominal sister was so obedient, Shinomiya Hikari said no more. He turned around and strode away from the conference hall with Shinomiya Seiryu and a group of bodyguards.

The moment he stepped across the threshold, Hayasaka Ai, who had been holding her breath the whole time, caught a faint whisper of disdain thanks to her exceptional hearing: "The offspring of a lowly person, as expected, is utterly unworthy of respect..."

The sound wasn't loud, but it was like a poisoned ice needle, full of malice.

A chilling glint flashed in the depths of Hayasaka Ai's lowered eyes, but it vanished in an instant, so fast that no one noticed.

She maintained her impeccably submissive demeanor, like a lifeless, exquisite doll.

After their footsteps faded away, I waited quietly for several more minutes.

She then took a step forward and came to Kaguya's side, calling out worriedly, "Young Miss, are you alright?"

Kaguya Shinomiya's cold expression vanished, replaced by a warm smile: "I'm fine, Hayasaka. I've been feeling really tired since the training camp, so staying home to rest for the next month is a good option."

Hayasaka forced a smile and said, "Indeed, Miss. You've always been so strictly disciplined. This is a good opportunity to put aside your studies and other matters and give yourself a break."

Kaguya stretched lazily and said, "Right? That's what I was thinking too. I can finally sleep in tomorrow, which is something I haven't done in a long time."

"What would you like to eat tonight? I'll tell the kitchen to prepare it right now."

"That's fine, whatever. But there's something very important I need your help with."

"What is it, Miss?"

"Regarding Chairman Yuan's novels... all his novels, go and buy me two sets of each... no, buy three sets!"

Hayasaka Ai smiled and replied, "Yes, I understand, Miss."

Seeing the meaningful smile on her face, Kaguya immediately explained, "Don't misunderstand. I did this simply to repay Chairman Minamoto's life-saving grace within my power!"

"Yes, I understand..."

…………

236: Boss and Secretary (5k)

December 23rd, the eve of Christmas Eve.

Several days have passed since Gen Chiya last defended himself on a live television program.

Late at night, he used the same trick again and successfully slipped into the Four Palaces Villa.

In Hayasaka Ai's room, only a warm yellow bedside lamp was on.

Instead of working at her desk as usual, she wore comfortable loungewear and watched videos of hydraulic presses decompressing on her computer to pass the time while waiting.

The moment she heard that familiar, faint sound coming from the window, she immediately turned her head, and her previously listless face instantly blossomed into a bright, spring-like smile.

"Qianye!" She lowered her voice, her excitement like that of a kitten waiting for its owner to return home, and jumped off the chair barefoot.

She walked a few steps to him, naturally took his hand, and led him to the bedside without saying a word.

"Wait, love, I..."

Before Yuan Qianye could even utter a complete sentence, she was pushed down by her.

Watching her pull up her shirt from bottom to top and take it off, her eyes lit up in the dim light, and she couldn't wait any longer before leaping into the air.

It reminded him of the snow foxes that habitually hunt by jumping upside down on the Arctic plains.

However, while this snow fox's initial attack was fierce, her stamina seemed disproportionate to her enthusiasm.

In less than twenty minutes, the maid, who had initially been on the offensive, was panting heavily, only able to whimper softly like a kitten, and lay limply on him, her cheeks flushed and her eyes glazed.

Twenty minutes later, the dust finally settled.

Yuan Qianye pulled the messy blanket over them and covered them up. He then took a tissue to wipe the sweat from the maid's forehead and tidied up the blonde hair that was stuck to her cheek.

“…Ai, actually, I didn’t come here just for this.” Yuan Qianye pulled her into his arms and let her rest her head on his arm.

This sounds like a cover-up after the fact, but it was indeed his original intention.

To be honest, the reason he made this special trip today was partly because he missed her and wanted to see her, and partly because of Saeko's suggestion.

"Christmas is just around the corner, don't forget to give Hayasaka a present too, don't just worry about me, Utaha, and Eriri."

The above are Saeko's original words.

When she said this, her tone was calm and natural, and her expression was quite gentle, without any sense of reluctance.

"It's okay..." Hayasaka Ai snuggled closer to him, finding a more comfortable position, her fingers unconsciously tracing circles on his firm chest. "This is what I wanted... It's so warm..."

Yuan Qianye smiled and ruffled her blonde hair: "Wait for me a moment."

Hayasaka Ai thought he was about to get up and leave, so she instinctively reached out and wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, burying her face even deeper, and mumbled in a spoiled tone, "Don't go..."

"You went through so much trouble to sneak in, and you've only been here a short while. I'm not leaving." Yuan Qianye chuckled and patted her back reassuringly. "I just need to get something."

Hearing his affirmative answer, Hayasaka Ai blushed slightly and shyly let go.

Yuan Qianye leaned over to the bedside, reached up to grab his pants, and pulled out a small, exquisitely crafted velvet box from his pocket.

He turned the bedside lamp back on and, under the maid's curious and expectant gaze, opened the box.

It was a Van Cleef & Arpels ladies' watch.

The deep blue dial resembles a tranquil midnight starry sky. The dial is adorned with sparkling diamonds that outline a dreamy fairy figure as the hands. Combined with stained glass and enamel craftsmanship, it presents rich layers and magnificent colors as light and shadow play, making it breathtakingly beautiful.

"This is for you. Merry Christmas in advance." Yuan Qianye leaned down and gently kissed his lover's forehead.

Hayasaka Ai's eyes instantly filled with a light of surprise.

She held out her wrist and let Yuan Qianye put it on for her.

The cool strap clung to her skin, and the starry sky and fairy pattern shone brightly on her slender wrist.

Really like!

She held her wrist up to her eyes, examining it closely under the light, her lips unconsciously curving upwards, unable to suppress the smile.

"Do you like it?" Yuan Qianye asked to confirm.

"Yes!" She nodded vigorously!

Before he could say anything more, the maid's lingering emotions surged once more.

A hint of cunning and shyness flashed in her eyes. She lifted a corner of the blanket and, like a nimble mermaid, slipped back inside.

"Love you……"

“This is… a return gift…” Her muffled, chuckled voice came from under the covers.

Immediately, Yuan Qianye felt a tightening around his waist, and he involuntarily gasped.

The second round begins again.

After another hour and a half of trouble, it was past 2 a.m.

The two were finally able to take a temporary break and lean against the headboard to talk about serious matters.

Hayasaka Ai, feeling weak all over, weakly asked, "Chiya...you've been very busy lately, haven't you?"