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

The words "get well" stuck in my throat.

Shihua let out a muffled groan, and her body went limp instantly.

What the two talked about afterward had nothing to do with Rikka.

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.

The next morning, while having breakfast, Toka revealed the arrangements she had discussed with Chiya the night before.

Inform Rikka that from today onwards, if she has no other special plans after school or on weekends, she should go directly to her family's shop to help with the business.

She will be given a restaurant manager title and will be paid weekly based on her work performance.

She can have lunch and dinner at the store, and there's also a small private office where she can study. Shihua can also teach her if she encounters any problems she doesn't understand.

If Liuhua isn't in a hurry tonight, she can wait for Shihua to finish so they can go home together. If she has other things to do, she can go home on her own first.

"...In that case, you won't have to wait for us to give you pocket money anymore. You can support yourself, help out at home, and have a proper income. You'll be considered a mature member of society. It sounds respectable, doesn't it? And if you want something in the future, you won't have to ask me or Qianye anymore. You can just go and buy it yourself."

After Toka's patient guidance, Rikka's eyes lit up, and she thought it seemed to be quite good.

But when her gaze fell upon her sworn brother, who looked so handsome and captivating even while eating quietly—almost like a succubus reincarnated—she instantly calmed down.

Cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he finally understood the crucial point that his sister hadn't mentioned!

That is, if her free time is completely taken up by her older sister and work at the shop, how will she have time to spend with Qianye?

No, no, no, absolutely not!!!

"That one, sister..."

Liu Hua carefully poked her fingertips together.

"...I think your idea is indeed good, but I still feel...I'm too young to help you. If I make a mistake at work, it will only cause you trouble, right? So I think it's better not to. Anyway, your store is making such a good profit right now, so just hire a few more people to help you with the work."

"Heh, little? You're a high school sophomore now." Shihua sneered, "You have no problem managing Qianye's account, but you're making excuses for doing simple addition and subtraction for me?"

"That's different..."

"Alright, stop talking. I don't trust outsiders with the accounting work in the store. If someone with ill intentions tries to profit from it, it would be too easy for them. You're family, so I trust you. That's how it's decided."

"What?! I don't want to! Absolutely not! This is dictatorship!"

Rikka immediately objected!

But when Shi Hua Ningmei looked at him with murderous intent, he instantly lost all his confidence.

All she could do was pitifully shake Yuan Qianye's arm, her beautiful eyes blazing with desire to get his attention.

Onii-chan, look at her!

But this time, Gen Chiya didn't agree with Rikka as usual.

"Shika is opening more and more stores now, and she's already so busy in the kitchen that she can't even breathe. It would be really hard for her to manage the store's accounts as well. I don't have time, and only you can help her. Be good, Rikka, you can do it. It's not a very difficult job. You're so smart, I'm sure you'll adapt and do it well soon. I'll take you to the Maldives for a vacation later to reward you properly."

Hearing her most trusted and doting sworn brother say this, Rikka's heart sank.

At this moment, Toka slowly spoke up and delivered the final blow: "It's okay if you really don't want to help. I won't force you. It's just that it's a bit of a waste for you to stay at home all the time. Your mother is also very busy with work and taking care of Chiyo is quite tiring. You can go back and help her out."

The implication is quite clear.

Now you have two choices: either come with me to help manage our restaurant, or become a nanny and go back to live with your mother to help with housework and taking care of your sister. Choose one.

What else can Rikka do?

If I go to help my sister, at least I can go home and see Qianye at night. But if I go home, I guess we'll only be able to see each other at school most of the time from now on.

"Um, sister... I've made up my mind. I still want to practice more. I'll come to the store to report to you after school this afternoon!"

If both options are bad, you can only choose the one that's not so bad.

"It's good that you think that way. After all, you're my own sister. I won't let you work so hard. Just follow me and take it slow." Toka refilled Rikka's juice.

Rikka's weary mood eased slightly.

Shi Hua's lips curled up.

The strategy of giving a slap followed by a sweet treat has always worked well with my own younger sister.

I hope everything goes well.

"Qianye, you promised me a vacation..."

"Don't worry, Rikka. When have I ever broken my promise to you? Just listen to Toka and do your job well, and then we'll go have a seafood feast together."

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.

Tokyo in December, nearing the end of the year.

Christmas trees were displayed in the windows of department stores in advance, and reindeer and snowflake stickers were also seen everywhere on the streets.

I haven't realized how long I've been back...

Gen Chiya unfolded the Christmas card that Kazusa had sent from Vienna, her expression gentle and loving as she read Kazusa's early Christmas wishes and her description of her recent studies.

Shortly after, the car came to a stop, and Miyoko, who was beside her, reminded her, "President, we've arrived."

Gen Chiyo slowly folded the greeting card, and Miyoko knowingly took it and placed it in the folder.

The driver got out of the car and opened the door. Yuan Qianye straightened his collar and, together with Miyoko, who was wearing exquisite makeup today, stepped into the magnificent manor in front of them.

…………

254: The Child Husband of the Yukinoshita Family (5k)

Tokyo, Kiyosumi Ryotei.

This upscale restaurant is located in a corner of Akasaka in the heart of Tokyo.

It is surrounded by a carefully maintained, evergreen bamboo forest, isolating it from the hustle and bustle of the outside world.

The exterior is a century-old machiya with a classic and understated elegance. There are no eye-catching signs, making it extremely low-key, yet it has an aura that cannot be ignored.

Several female attendants wearing invisible communicators were already waiting on both sides of the entrance.

As soon as Chiyo and Miyoko got out of the car, a waiter respectfully approached them.

Miyoko immediately took out the invitation letter, which was printed with the elegant words of a waka poem.

The head waitress took it, quickly examined it, then bent almost ninety degrees at the waist and led the two through the door with the utmost respect.

Following behind the waitress, we walked along the stone-paved path.

Gen Chiyo noticed that Miyoko beside him had her back ramrod straight, her hands clasped in front of her, and her expression was more serious and tense than ever before. Even her breathing seemed much slower than usual.

He couldn't help but find it a little funny. He turned slightly to get closer to her and lowered his voice to reassure her, "Relax, Miyoko. We're just here for a casual meal at the invitation of the Yukinoshita family. There's no need to be so serious."

"That's what they say, but everyone at this banquet today is a big shot..."

What Miyoko said is indeed correct.

Mr. Yukinoshita is a member of the government cabinet, and those present at today's banquet are all high-ranking figures in the country.

The list, which was obtained in advance, shows that key cabinet ministers such as the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, the Chief Cabinet Secretary, and the Minister in charge of National Strategy will be in attendance tonight.

It could be said that the people who will determine the fate of Japan have gathered here!

They are completely different from those idols and celebrities who seem glamorous but are actually just playthings for the powerful and wealthy.

This time, she will be socializing with powerful figures, and she will be able to meet them face-to-face in a short time. This will naturally make Miyoko feel very uneasy!

I was afraid that I might do something wrong when I accompanied the boss to the event.

It's a small matter if she loses face herself, but it's a huge sin if she tarnishes the reputation of her boss and his company!

"Let's think about it from another angle. Even those big shots, one of the purposes of holding this banquet today is to ask us for something, or rather, to gain supporters like us. Does that make you feel less nervous?"

The official name for today's banquet is "A Night of Dialogue on the Future of the Nation".

The surface-level concept is to communicate from heart to heart, and for everyone to discuss the future of the country together, which sounds very respectable.

But anyone with a discerning eye knows that this is just a fig leaf; they're actually just playing the same old tricks.

The politicians are very capable; the overall ecology is ranked first in the country.

However, due to the internal division and rivalry among multiple parties, they need to attack their competitors to place themselves at the center of power, and what they need most in this regard is money.

The costs of election campaigning, the daily operations of the agencies behind the scenes, the tributes paid to factional politics, the expenses of cultivating one's own faction...

The sheer number of expenses adds up to an astronomical figure!

Unless a politician has deep pockets and can afford to pay this huge sum, most politicians will still seek the support of allies with shared interests.

This is the real purpose of today's banquet: to use the guise of discussing national affairs to solicit political donations from supporters.

The Japanese government itself does not hold banquets in its official capacity to solicit political donations, as this is not permitted under Japanese law.

Therefore, these banquets are usually hosted by politicians' support groups, and once the direct relationship is removed, there's no problem.

There are many such pointless and unnecessary things happening in Japan.

For example, gambling is prohibited but pachinko exists, and sex work is illegal but the sex industry is thriving.

In a truly remarkable way, as long as one can circumvent the explicit prohibitions in legal provisions in form, everyone can tacitly achieve a delicate balance and understanding. It can only be said that this country is indeed very magical.

The reason why Minamoto Chiya and Miyoko are here today is because they were invited by the Yukinoshita family.

Although he himself has not spent any money so far, he knows that this kind of banquet is not something that can be attended casually.

The banquet tickets that he and Miyoko needed to enter were probably paid for by the Yukinoshita family.

According to convention, it would cost at least 200,000 yuan per person to get in.

The cost of dining with these "big shots" is truly not cheap.

"Heh, heh..."

After hearing her boss's words of comfort, Miyoko forced a smile, which looked more like a grimace.

She understood the reasoning, but that didn't lessen her nervousness at all.

The two quickly entered the banquet hall, which was quite large.

The hall is spacious and features a simple yet elegant Japanese style, with extensive use of expensive cypress wood that exudes a delicate fragrance.

The outer side features a huge floor-to-ceiling glass wall, with a meticulously arranged dry landscape garden visible through the window.

Many guests had already arrived in the hall, chatting quietly in twos and threes, with soothing classical music and whispers filling the air.