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

Yuan Qianye shook his head: "My parents are very free during the New Year and don't have any special plans. It wouldn't be right to lie to my aunties, and besides..."

He pondered for a moment, then smiled slightly and said, "Sooner or later, this day would come."

He didn't give them a chance to hesitate or make excuses, and made a direct decision: "I'll go back tonight and ask them what time would be convenient. We should be able to coordinate the times for both sides, and then we can discuss the details."

Since he had already said that, Yukino and Eriri naturally had no further objections.

After that, Yukino sat for a while longer before getting up to say goodbye.

Eriri stayed with Chiya Minamoto in the office for a while longer, until around 5 p.m., before finally going home at her lover's urging.

On the last day of the year, the important moment of crossing into the new year, it is ultimately time to reunite with family.

When Chiyo left the company around 6 p.m., the entire floor was empty except for the dutiful Miyoko, who was still organizing documents in the outer room.

He had Miyoko drive to pick up Saeko on the way, and then the three of them went back to his parents' house together.

Miyoko's hometown is in another city, and she doesn't plan to go back this year.

Saeko's father has been living overseas for a long time and has not returned this year.

During the New Year, a holiday for family reunions, Yuan Qianye naturally wouldn't let them spend it alone.

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.

Soon it was January 3rd.

The ladies have arranged to meet at nine o'clock today to go to the shrine together to pray for good fortune in the new year.

When the children have free time, they naturally want to come along too.

This morning, just as dawn was breaking, Yuan Qianye, who was out for a morning run, suddenly received an unexpected phone call.

Yaozi just returned from abroad and asked him if he had time to meet up.

To be honest, since he and Kazusa officially confirmed their relationship, he hasn't formally discussed this matter with his mother-in-law.

Both morally and logically, this meeting was necessary.

There was nothing inconvenient about it, so Yuan Qianye readily agreed.

He went home, quickly took a shower, changed his clothes, and then went to a high-end Western restaurant in a bustling area, following the address sent by Yaozi.

It was still early, and there weren't many customers in the restaurant. He immediately spotted the striking figure by the window.

Today, Yoko Touma wore a well-tailored off-white suit skirt with a light camel coat, which she casually draped over the back of a chair.

She was gracefully cutting the muffins on her plate with a knife and fork, looking quite well and showing no signs of fatigue from the long flight.

Seeing Yuan Qianye enter, she raised her hand, a bright and slightly playful smile blooming on her face, and gestured to him.

Yuan Qianye quickened her pace and walked over, her smile bright: "Aunt Youzi, it's been a long time."

Yoko put down her knife and fork, picked up a napkin and gently wiped her mouth. Her beautiful eyes, which bore a seven-tenths resemblance to Kazusa's, held a mischievous smile as she looked him up and down before slowly speaking, her tone languid and meaningful.

"Even now, you're still calling me 'Auntie'?"

Yuan Qianye was a little embarrassed. Although there had been such teasing before, things were really different now.

"Hmm?" Yoko raised an eyebrow and urged softly.

Under her intense gaze, Yuan Qianye finally couldn't resist and whispered, "Mom..."

"!" Upon hearing this address, Yoko instantly clutched her chest, revealing an expression of extreme relief. She then quickly opened her arms and replied, "Hey~ my good son~ come here and let Mommy hug you~"

She's clearly a middle-aged woman, but how come she looks so inexplicably adorable right now?

Yuan Qianye naturally did not go to her request to greet her, mainly because the change in his status was still recent and he needed time to adapt.

So he sat down opposite Yoko.

"Hey—what kind of son is so cold to his mother?"

"My rebellious son."

Yuan Qianye snapped his fingers and called the waiter to order.

After the waiter left, Yoko continued speaking with undiminished enthusiasm.

"It's a rare opportunity for us to be alone together. Could you spare some time to spend with me today?"

“This afternoon is fine, I have other plans for this morning.” Yuan Qianye took a sip of coffee.

"Just postpone your work, it's rare for me to come home, Mom."

"It's not for work. I have to go to the shrine with my mom, Yukinoshita, and Sawamura. We've already made plans, so it wouldn't be appropriate for me to suddenly not go."

“I see…” Yoko thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled very kindly: “…Anyway, I just got back and don’t have anything to do, so if it’s convenient, you can take me with you.”

　J溜侕摇衃P零8尔…………

257: Even mothers can be caught in a love triangle?!

Yoko's request was not refused by Chiya.

He also knew that, given her personality, there was no point in refusing her now that she had brought it up.

And so the matter was settled.

Tokyo Daijingu Shrine.

It was a little after nine in the morning.

When Yuan Qianye arrived, everyone had already gathered there.

Mrs. Gen was having a pleasant chat with Mrs. Yukinoshita and Mrs. Sawamura.

Rikka, standing to the side, was chatting and laughing with Yukino and Eriri.

At the start of the new year, all three ladies wore gorgeous kimonos and wooden clogs. With their beautiful, youthful faces and composed, sophisticated aura, they exuded an air of nobility.

The three daughters are equally stunning, even more youthful and charming, with delicate faces full of collagen. However, lacking the maturity of age, they are somewhat less refined in terms of overall presence.

When Gen Chiyo brought Touma Yoko closer to greet them, everyone was somewhat surprised to see the person beside him.

"Everyone, it's been a long time." Yaozi showed no awareness of being an intruder and greeted the three children of the same age in a very generous manner, and then waved to the other three children.

Rikka Yukino Eriri gave her a slight bow in politeness.

"I happened to have arranged to meet with Qianye to discuss work matters, and I learned about everyone's plans for today. I thought it would be a good opportunity to get a fortune reading for my daughter, so I asked him to bring me along. I hope this won't be a bother?"

Runzi's mother was the first to react, and immediately stepped forward with a smile to hold her hand: "How could I bother you? It's been such a long time. I originally wanted to invite you this time, but I heard from Qianye that you went abroad."

“Ah, that’s right, I’ve only been back for a short time.” Yoko also grasped Junko’s mother’s hand in return.

"After we finish praying with the children, we're all planning to have lunch together. It would be nice if Ms. Touma could come along too; it'll be more lively with more people." Mrs. Yukinoshita held a folding fan in her hand, and her demeanor was very gentle.

Yoko smiled even more brightly: "Of course that would be great."

"It's been a really long time since we last met," Mrs. Sawamura said, referring to the time when Chiyo Minamoto won the national kendo tournament.

At the celebration banquet afterward, the three of them attended together because of their daughters. They also used their own life experience to help Qianye analyze and finalize several endorsement deals that companies had offered to them.

“We’re all very busy with our own children, right?” Among the three women present, Yoko, dressed in a style that was distinct from the traditional style of the other three and exuded a cool and sophisticated urban vibe, easily blended into their circle.

"Alright, everyone's here, let's go." Runzi's mother turned around and called out.

Gen Chiya nodded and followed the others into the shrine.

Along the way, Yukino cast a questioning glance at her.

Yuan Qianye sighed, knowing what she wanted to ask, and said simply, "It was an accident."

Rikka suddenly asked, "Did Kazusa come back with Aunt Yoko this time too?"

Yuan Qianye replied, "No, Kazusa can only leave after she has studied to the point where the teacher can recognize her. It's a kind of closed training."

Eriri exclaimed, "It seems so strict. If it were me, I would definitely feel very oppressed."

"It is indeed very strict, but this is the path she chose herself. The darkness before dawn is indeed hard to endure, but as long as the sun comes out, she will feel that everything has been worthwhile."

Yukino looked at the gentle expression on Minamoto Chiyo's face as he said those words, and it was only at such rare moments that she could feel the authenticity of a "famous writer" from him.

Because it's the beginning of the year, even though we avoided the crowds of the first two days, there were still quite a few people at the shrine today.

To enter the main shrine courtyard, one must queue under the guidance of shrine staff.

When it was Gen Chiya's turn to go, everyone performed a hand-washing and mouth-rinsing ritual at the shrine. Afterward, they went to the front of the worship hall, threw in the coins they had prepared in advance, and then rang the bell rope to attract the god's attention.

Then, following the standardized etiquette of "two bows, two claps, and one bow," bow twice, clap your hands twice, close your eyes and pray to the gods in your heart, and finally bow once more to thank the gods.

The ladies first prayed to leave, then made way for the younger generation.

After Gen Chiya and the others came out of the worship hall, Mrs. Yukinoshita smiled and asked everyone what wishes they had made.

Yukino replied helplessly, "Mom, wishes don't come true if you say them out loud."

Eriri and Rikka shared the same attitude, stammering and refusing to explain themselves.

Yuan Qianye didn't seem to care: "I hope that everyone around me will have a smooth year and good health."

Whether these words are true or false, they are certainly pleasant to hear.

The ladies beamed with joy, and then, arm in arm, headed to other parts of the shrine.

Having finally managed to squeeze in a visit, I can't just go back like this. Just like Qianye just said, I need to get some protective charms or something for my family.

Passing through the ema (votive plaque) area, seeing the crowds at the shrine of prayers from afar, Minamoto Chiyo thought there was no need to rush over. Instead, she would write down her wishes here first. So she called out to the four ladies who were leading the way, "Mother, please wait a moment."

Runzi's mother: "Hmm?"

Touma Yoko: "What's wrong?"

A call made both ladies turn around at the same time.

At first, Junko's mother didn't realize what was wrong until she saw her son's stunned expression and the somewhat bewildered expressions of Rikka Eriri and Yukino beside him. Then she suddenly realized what was going on and turned her head to look at Touma Youko, who had just agreed with her.

The smiles on Mrs. Yukinoshita and Mrs. Sawamura's faces slowly faded, and their brows furrowed slightly. Their beautiful eyes held a scrutinizing and observing gaze as they looked back and forth between Yoko and Minamoto Chiya.

The shrine was bustling with people and incredibly noisy.

But at this moment, Yuan Qianye only felt that he was covered by the Gouba Starman, and the surrounding air was drawn into a vacuum. He gradually turned to stone and began to lose his sense of the changes in the outside world.

Runzi's mother feels extremely conflicted as her exclusive title has been inexplicably taken away by someone else.

However, two other wives shared similarly complex feelings.

Mrs. Yukinoshita suddenly unfolded her folding fan, smiled at Yoko, and then turned to Minamoto Chiya, breaking the silence: "This is really interesting."