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

The Yukino family, who were the inviters, waited at the entrance of the banquet hall in advance.

When Mrs. Yukinoshita, dressed in an expensive kimono, saw him arrive, she greeted him with a smile, accompanied by her two daughters.

"Good evening, Aunt Yukinoshita." Gen Chiya stepped forward and greeted her politely.

Mrs. Yukinoshita smiled gently, her gaze carefully examining him: "Good evening, Chiya-kun. It's only been a week since we last met, but you've become even more handsome and dashing."

"Not at all, you are as graceful as ever..."

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Gen Chiya immediately turned his gaze to the Yukinoshita sisters.

Yang Nai wore a bright red halter-neck fishtail dress tonight. The upper body had a simple high-waisted fitted design, which perfectly outlined her curvaceous and sexy figure.

The earrings, in the same color family, sparkled brilliantly under the lights.

Her face carried her usual languid and charming smile, and her eyes, as they moved, concealed an affection and a hint of cunning that only Yuan Qianye could understand. She was like a red datura flower blooming freely, alluring, dazzling, and full of aggression.

In contrast, Yukino Yukinoshita chose a completely different style of clothing.

She wore a light blue, flowing gown, its color as serene as the sea at night. The gown's fabric was smooth and flowed naturally from below her chest. A matching belt cinched her slender waist, highlighting her tiny figure and graceful curves.

However... the curves of her chest are not as breathtaking as her sister's, which is a bit of a shame.

As a result, she still looks somewhat immature overall, not as stunning and captivating as her older sister at first glance.

However, this retention of some girlish innocence and purity has a unique and refreshing charm.

It's similar to the situation with the maids; once you get the hang of it, the sense of nurturing through your own techniques and the love you give them is irreplaceable.

"Good evening, Yukino, Haruno-nee, you two tonight... were truly amazing."

With his future mother-in-law by his side, Yuan Qianye dared not say anything too outrageous.

Yukino met his burning and direct gaze, and a faint blush quickly rose on her fair cheeks. She turned her face slightly away, feeling a little uncomfortable.

Yang Nai chuckled, clearly enjoying the moment, and even had the energy to retort with a joke.

The atmosphere was nice, but they weren't here today to chat casually like this; they could do that at home.

"Alright, Chiyo-kun, come with me." Mrs. Yukinoshita spoke up at the right time, her smile unchanged, but her tone became more formal: "Let me introduce you to some people, Haruno, Yukino, you two come along too. Remember, you must be polite later."

"Don't worry, Mom," Yang Nai replied with a smile, taking Yukino's arm, who was still a little awkward.

Led by Mrs. Yukinoshita, they quickly found Mr. Yukinoshita, who was talking with several distinguished middle-aged men.

In front of Mr. Yukinoshita was an elderly man with silver hair and bright eyes.

He didn't engage in grand pronouncements like other politicians; he simply listened quietly, occasionally offering a brief comment or two. Yet, everyone around him, including Mr. Yukinoshita, treated him with obvious respect.

Mrs. Yukinoshita introduced him to Chiya Minamoto in a low voice, saying that he was a highly influential veteran figure in the party. Although he never stood in the public eye to run for office, his deep network of connections and shrewd political skills were enough to influence the overall situation at crucial moments.

For the rest of the time, Yuan Qianye followed Yukinoshita's side, like a nephew or junior introduced by her, meeting different political and business figures one after another, smiling, exchanging pleasantries, exchanging business cards, and saying some appropriate pleasantries.

Gen Chiya wasn't really used to this kind of occasion filled with hypocrisy, politeness, and calculations of self-interest. He could sense that Yukino beside him felt the same way; her back was always stiff, and so was her smile.

But there's no way to avoid this kind of thing.

Children can grow up happily under the protection of adults, but as they grow older and their parents age, some things will inevitably fall on their shoulders; this is responsibility.

Since he invested in Setsugetsuka Co., Ltd. and helped the Yukinoshita family's business through its difficulties out of consideration for Haruno, Mrs. Yukinoshita seems to regard him as one of her own.

While it was the same before, there was always a thin layer of "restraint" and "consideration" between us. Now, that thin layer has been pierced through.

Frequent invitations to family dinners, and like today, openly bringing him along to introduce him to the entire Yukinoshita family's social circle, opening up the family's network of connections to him...

All these actions undoubtedly show that she regards him as one of her own, and it could even be said that she is cultivating and paving the way for him to become her "future son-in-law".

"...Yuan is truly a promising young man!"

A councilor who was on good terms with the Yukino family smiled and looked at Chiya and Yukino standing side by side, his words laced with teasing.

"Look, our nationally renowned writer is standing next to our second young lady from the Yukinoshita family. Whether it's their appearance, temperament, talent, or knowledge, they are such a perfect match. They are simply a match made in heaven!"

“Look at what you’re saying,” Mrs. Yukinoshita covered her mouth with her sleeve, but the smile in her eyes deepened: “They are still children, and their studies and careers have only just begun.”

“Hey, Mrs. Yukinoshita, you’re not right. These young people are amazing, and these two are the best of the best. By the way, you mentioned before that they were childhood sweethearts who grew up together? With such a good relationship, could it be that they’ve already secretly gotten engaged? Hahaha…” Another guest chimed in with a laugh.

"That's not true. Although I've always treated Qianye like my own child, I still prefer to let the children make their own choices regarding their feelings and future. Young people these days have their own ideas and opinions. If we, as elders, insist on making arrangements, it might just upset them."

"Haha, you're right, times have changed..."

The two parties involved in the discussion.

Throughout, Gen Chiya maintained a polite smile, standing obediently beside Lady Yukinoshita as a junior, behaving very well.

As soon as this delicate topic began, he silently turned his head to look at Yukino.

Yukino's face was even rosier than before.

Due to her personality, she dislikes noisy and crowded places, and she often felt similar discomfort when going to amusement parks or fireworks festivals in the past.

But today's situation... is clearly not just due to the large number of people.

She could clearly feel the meaningful gaze of Yuan Qianye beside her, as if he could see through her thoughts, which made her even more flustered and almost dared not look back.

The mother was still talking to those uncles and aunts, in that "everyone understands" tone, about the "possible" future between her and Qianye...

She wanted to speak up and clarify that this was not true, at least... at least not in this way that was being accepted as fact.

But her mother's repeated admonitions before her departure, "Don't be impolite," and the fact that her older sister, Yang Nai, was now intimately holding her arm, her fingertips tightening slightly, silently conveyed the messages, "Don't be impulsive" and "Be a good girl and cooperate."

All the words that were on the tip of her tongue were swallowed back with difficulty.

She could only stand there like a delicate doll, letting the misunderstanding continue, enduring those well-intentioned but unsettling jokes, her fair earlobes turning so red they seemed about to bleed.

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 banquet officially began at 6 p.m.

By following Mrs. Yukinoshita and Mr. Yukinoshita, Minamoto Chiya became a familiar face to most political figures.

Each time she met someone, in the brief moment between turning around, Mrs. Yukinoshita would slightly tilt her head and, in a voice only the two of them could hear, whisper to him about that person's position, faction, influence, and family background.

Yang Nai would occasionally add more private information about the person's personality, preferences, or recent activities, helping Yuan Qianye quickly build an understanding of this complex interpersonal network.

Mr. Yukinoshita looked at Minamoto Chiya standing with his youngest daughter and listened to people joking about them. As a father, he felt particularly complicated.

He also understood more and more why his father-in-law always had that stern and serious expression when his wife first brought him to meet her.

The feeling of entrusting one's carefully nurtured and cherished daughter to another man is perhaps something only a father can truly understand.

However, to be fair, Yuan Qianye is indeed exceptionally outstanding in his eyes. His character, talent, and appearance are all exceptional!

A daughter will eventually get married. Rather than being tricked away by some unreliable blond guy who appears out of nowhere, this young man in front of her, who is well-known, capable, and clearly has feelings for Yukino, and who, in turn, feels the same way about Yukino... is undoubtedly the most perfect choice.

Mr. Yukinoshita has now completely come to terms with things. Although he still has complicated feelings, his attitude towards this kid is no different from his wife's attitude towards him, both in private and in public.

Although they didn't say it explicitly, they clearly regarded him as an indispensable member of the Yukinoshita family in the future and were therefore particularly affectionate towards him.

Before we knew it, it was eight o'clock.

Having made acquaintances with almost everyone he needed to meet, Yuan Qianye could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

Although it wasn't time to leave before the banquet ended, at least I didn't have to keep wearing that perfunctory smile.

"Alright, Miyoko, you should rest for a while too. You've been keeping me company the whole time and haven't had a proper meal."

"Okay, boss, I'm right over there. Just call me anytime if you need anything."

Miyoko glanced at Yukino, understood her boss's thoughts, and immediately turned and left, leaving them some alone time.

Chiya gestured to Yukino, and the two went to the corner by the floor-to-ceiling window.

At night, the dry landscape garden, under the carefully designed lighting, resembles a living ink painting.

"You must be tired?" Gen Chiya exhaled and turned his head to look at Yukino.

Today, she simply pinned her long, glossy black hair up at the back of her head, securing it with an exquisitely designed snowflake-shaped crystal hair clip, revealing her smooth forehead and graceful swan neck.

Bathed in the dim light from outside the window, it was almost unreal in its beauty.

“I’m fine.” Yukino shook her head, looking back at him with a hint of concern in her voice: “But you, you really don’t need to do this.”

"Ok?"

“You clearly don’t like these kinds of occasions, so you don’t have to force yourself to accept Mom’s invitation to attend this kind of banquet. If there are similar situations in the future, you don’t have to worry about it so much, just refuse directly. As for Mom… I will talk to her.”

"I wouldn't say I like them, but I didn't force myself at all. In the future, if I want to go further and achieve more, I will inevitably have to deal with these people here. Auntie is helping me expand my network, and I am very grateful."

"Is that so..."

"There's something I just mentioned, but it's not convenient to say it in front of my aunt and uncle."

"…!" Yukino's small hand holding the drink cup suddenly tightened, and she abruptly avoided his gaze. The unspoken understanding from their childhood companionship made her seem to guess what he was about to say, and she hurriedly tried to change the subject: "…By the way, about Eriri, what about us…"

"Yukino." Gen Chiyo looked at the girl he had grown up with, making no attempt to hide his infatuation and admiration, and gently interrupted her, "This evening gown suits you very well. You look really beautiful tonight."

"—!" Yukino's eyes instantly filled with tears.

Gen Chiya's gaze was intense, and he made no attempt to conceal his gaze as he looked at Yukino's delicate pink neck and her cute breasts that rose and fell with her slight trembling.

He reached out and gently touched the snowflake hair clip in her hair: "If I remember correctly, I gave this to you when I was in elementary school."

"...!" Yukino reacted like a fertilized fawn, instantly taking a step back until her entire back was almost pressed against the cold floor-to-ceiling window.

…………

255: Eriri Witnessed by Yukino (5k)

"You really need to change your shy nature." Yuan Qianye withdrew his hand and stopped pressing him.

“This…this has nothing to do with being shy…” Yukino turned her face to the other side, avoiding his burning gaze, her voice soft but stubborn.

I just find it hard to get used to you like this...

When her childhood sweetheart, with whom she grew up and knew each other intimately, spoke words of praise with such focused and profound eyes and such a serious and straightforward tone... how could she possibly remain completely unmoved?

After all, in her eyes, Yuan Qianye, dressed in a well-tailored and elegant suit tonight, was also exceptionally...heart-fluttering.

She wasn't unaware of his feelings.

She could sense the emotions hidden deep in their eyes, and the unintentional acts of protection and closeness.

But it was precisely this understanding that made her suffer even more.

She couldn't accept it calmly, not only because Eriri's bright smile would always inadvertently pop into her mind whenever the atmosphere between them became slightly ambiguous.

More importantly, it was the hurdle in her own heart, the hurdle of "right" and "boundaries," that she could never easily overcome.