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

Teacher Ilsa's words were like a ray of light, piercing through the heavy gloom of parting in her heart.

Although the disappointment and exhaustion on her face did not disappear immediately, her eyes did brighten slightly.

"I'm giving you a half-day off today as a special exception. Take a good rest and clear your head. Tomorrow we'll officially start accelerating our learning pace."

“No, teacher.” Kazusa stood up, her eyes filled with an unprecedented determination: “Let’s begin now. Today’s practice will be doubled, no, tripled!”

The desire to see him surged so intensely the moment he left that it almost overwhelmed her.

Just as the teacher said, she didn't want to waste any time that could shorten this longing, not even a second!

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.

Three months may not seem like a long time, but for Saeko Shiwa and her group who stayed in Japan, it was a long time.

It was the first time I had ever experienced being separated from the one I loved, and it was indeed quite difficult. The usually lively group chats felt a bit less lively because of his absence, but thankfully it's finally over now.

The lineup was similar to when they saw him off, with all the women gathered, except that the Gen couple and Toka were missing.

They knew that Yuan Qian would go home at night, so they didn't join the others in this.

As the plane landed, Yuan Qianye strode out of the exit and saw the beautiful figure of the women who were eagerly waiting for him from afar.

As they approached, everyone else hesitated because it was a public place, but only Rikka, as his adopted sister, could throw herself into his arms without any worries, saying things like "Welcome back, brother" and "We all missed you so much" and acting coquettishly.

Eriri, who was very sensitive, felt a lump in her throat when she saw her beloved boyfriend finally return to her side after many days.

Gen Chiyo stroked Rikka's head and looked at everyone in turn, finally landing on Eriri, whose eyes were a little red. He chuckled and said, "Don't cry, Eriri. I'm back safe and sound."

"I'm sorry, I'm just... a little too happy!"

Saeko looked at him tenderly: "Chiya, have you lost some weight?"

"I don't really feel that way. Maybe the food there isn't to my liking."

Miyoko quickly said, "Boss, I've already made a reservation at a Japanese restaurant. We can head over now and everyone can have a meal together!"

"As expected of Miyoko! Alright, everyone, let's not just stand here like idiots, let's go!"

The group departed from the airport in a grand procession and headed to a restaurant to host a welcome banquet for Yuan Qianye.

At the dinner table, Yuan Qianye talked about her study experience in Vienna and listened to other people's interesting stories about their time in China. The atmosphere was quite lively.

Today is August 28th, the end of summer vacation.

The timing of Yuan Qianye's return was quite suitable. He could rest for two days after returning from Vienna and then make it to the opening ceremony of the second semester of his second year.

After the dinner with everyone, he went directly to his parents' place with Rikka. Toka would be back a little later today.

Although he and Toka and Rikka moved out at the beginning of high school, their room on the second floor has remained unchanged.

Runzi's mother would also clean and tidy up every now and then, so that they could stay comfortably whenever they came back.

Back home, Yuan Qianye was carefully examined by Runzi's mother, who kept asking him questions, worried that he had suffered during his time abroad. She was relieved to see that he was still full of energy.

Hearing that he had eaten dinner outside, Runzi's mother hurriedly went to the kitchen to cut up his favorite watermelon.

Yuan's father's reaction to his son's return was rather indifferent. When his son entered the house, he stood up, met his gaze, smiled, and said, "You're back?"

Yuan Qianye nodded and replied with a smile, "Yes, I'm back."

Communication and confirmation between father and son is that simple.

Then Chiyo pounced on him, hugging and cuddling him, and finally climbed onto her brother's shoulders, playing for almost an hour.

It was past ten o'clock.

After Chiyo finished washing up, her parents took her back to her room to rest.

The living room fell silent immediately.

Runzi's mother had already given instructions in advance, and the pajamas and towels had been prepared and placed in the bathroom on the second floor.

She even made a point of telling him not to wash his own clothes, but to put them in the laundry basket as before, and that she or Shihua would take care of them the next day.

"Qianye, want to watch a movie together? Or should we go take a shower and rest now?"

On the sofa, Rikka was diligently massaging Chiya's legs.

"Hmm..." Yuan Qianye pondered for a moment: "When will Toka be back?"

"Sister, if there are no special plans, you should get home around 11 o'clock."

"So late?"

"It's already considered early. My sister recently opened her third branch, and with so many shops to manage, she's been coming home later and later. The latest she's ever come home is after 2 a.m. Later, Dad got worried and talked to her, which was kind of a semi-forceful way to stop her from working so hard. He set a time for her to come home before midnight."

"Is that so..."

Yuan Qianye nodded to indicate that he understood, and then turned off the TV.

"Let's not wait for her then. Let's go upstairs, wash up, and go to bed early. I'll give her the gift tomorrow morning."

What gift did you give your sister?

"Just like you, these are just local Viennese handmade trinkets."

"Oh."

The two went up to the second floor together.

The narrow passageways, far less spacious than those in the tower apartments, filled Yuan Qianye with a deep sense of nostalgia.

Rikka told her sworn brother to go first, saying, "You must be very tired after such a long flight," and Chiya did not refuse.

Just as he finished filling the tub and submerged himself, Rikka crept over furtively and slowly peeked through the crack in the door.

"Hey!" Yuan Qianye hurriedly grabbed a towel and covered his sensitive areas.

Rikka blinked, her face slightly flushed, but she still tried to appear calm and innocent: "Um... I didn't mean anything by it, I just wanted to ask if you need me to scrub your back?"

"Let's not talk about that now. I remember I locked the door just now!"

Rikka glanced away nervously: "Oh, the bathroom lock here was broken before, but since it's just my sister and me using it and there's nothing inconvenient about it, we haven't fixed it."

After explaining in a low voice, she glanced at Qianye's expression and asked again, "Then... do you need me to scrub your back?"

Yuan Qianye took a deep breath: "No need, I appreciate your kindness."

"But it feels really good to have my back scrubbed! My sister wants me to scrub her back every day, but it depends on my mood!"

The implication is that you shouldn't miss such a great opportunity!

"No need, Rikka. Just tell me what you want, and you can order it directly from my phone later."

"Okay... take your time washing..."

Having said all that, if she continued to insist, she would only become more and more unnatural.

The bathroom door closed slowly, and as she listened to Rikka's departing footsteps, Minamoto Chiya's tense body gradually relaxed.

Of course, there are also places where I haven't been able to calm down and still feel incredibly energetic.

Just because of a mere Rikka?

Yuan Qianye lowered his head, looking at his disappointing brother across the swaying water, and fell into a brief period of contemplation and self-doubt.

"Aaaaaah—!"

Meanwhile, Rikka, who had returned to her room, was lying on the bed, rolling around in agitation with her hands on her head.

Why is everything going so wrong?!

He used to ask me to massage his shoulders and legs, and even give him a bath and scrub his back. Why is he being so polite now?

After venting her frustrations in silence, Rikka, having calmed down a bit, picked up her phone and opened an AI app.

She bit her nails, carefully considered her words, and then began typing, word by word—

I'm currently writing a romance novel about a brother and sister who aren't related by blood. The brother doesn't yet have romantic feelings for his sister that go beyond familial love. In this situation, how should the sister gradually create opportunities to win over her brother?

If everything is correct, click Send.

The software quickly provided the corresponding answer.

The first stage requires focusing on the transition from "younger sister" to "woman"...

In the second stage, the younger sister needs to transform her intimate distance into an absolute advantage...

The third stage requires introducing a catalyst to stimulate the older brother's possessiveness and sense of crisis...

Rikka looked at it intently, her eyes sparkling!

Although the suggestions given to her by the AI ​​software were rather general and conceptual, thinking along the lines it provided did indeed give her a lot of new ideas!

Before Chiya left, Rikka was once unable to discern the emotions surging within her.

Perhaps it was just her dependence on her sworn brother, seeing such an outstanding man as her pillar of strength, which is why she respected and admired him so much, becoming his little fangirl!

But this time, after being away for so long, he was finally able to return today. As she waited for her plane to land, she repeatedly reminded herself to stay calm and not to act too dramatically.

But the moment he actually appeared before her, she instantly forgot everything and rushed into his arms, greedily inhaling his clean and refreshing scent, feeling incredibly happy and content!

At that moment, she instantly understood that the bond between them as sworn siblings had long since soured.

She didn't feel disappointed or frightened by this, since the situation around Qianye was already complicated enough.

It's Saeko-nee again, Utaha-nee again, Eriri, and Yukino, who is 100% certain to escape.

So, there shouldn't be any problem with her being just a small karaomi!

She had already decided on her future life goals, and after graduating from university, she stayed at home as a lazy bum.

Qianye had also promised that as long as that was truly the life she desired, he would support her for the rest of her life without any problems.

Since they've already decided to support each other for life, and their lives are intertwined, then...

So, whether you're raised as an "adopted sister" or as a "lover," the difference isn't that significant, is it?

My parents and sister might find it hard to accept, but I can just keep it from them.

As for the others, Saeko, Shiwa, Eriri, Yukino... Rikka also felt that as long as she could successfully handle Chiya's side, they shouldn't have any objections.

I've always been the group's darling and mascot! Who would speak ill of someone like that?

After figuring out many key points that night, Rikka's thoughts became even more resolute!

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.