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

Eriri quickly convinced herself with a self-consistent set of logic, and her slight guilt vanished instantly.

At that moment, Gen Chiya returned from the bathroom.

Eriri and Rikka quickly exchanged a "as planned" look, tacitly stopped whispering, and pretended nothing had happened.

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.

Their plan was actually quite simple.

Broadly speaking, it consists of two parts: intelligence gathering and confirmation, and specific actions taken after confirmation.

Now that it's confirmed that Chiya does indeed share the same desire for Rikka, the first step can be considered successfully completed.

What remains is the specific strategy and action.

This means that Rikka should consciously use her feminine charm to try to have more natural and intimate contact with Chiya, without rushing to confess her feelings. Instead, she should subtly change the atmosphere and relationship between the two through this gradual and close interaction.

Wait until you feel the time is right and you're absolutely certain before trying to express your feelings. Things will fall into place naturally!

Of course, that's the plan, but if Chiya loses control first, whether by actively revealing her feelings to Rikka or by going along with Rikka's "unintentional" gestures of closeness... that would naturally be an even more welcome development!

This is Eriri's simple, direct, yet theoretically very effective action plan based on the current situation!

However, Rikka truly lived up to her reputation as a giant in words but a dwarf in deeds.

When she was encouraging and urging Eriri, she was so unrestrained and bold, with a whole set of theories. But when it came to her own turn, she immediately revealed her true nature as a paper tiger, becoming hesitant, indecisive, and unable to let loose.

Fortunately, with Eriri acting as a strategist and pusher, constantly encouraging her, offering advice, and even creating opportunities, Rikka managed to avoid being completely stuck and even take some action.

After a night and a whole day on Saturday, the clever Chiyo secretly figured something out. She couldn't help but feel a little tempted and even unconsciously imagined Toka and Rikka surrounding her.

However tempting it was, he still didn't succumb to temptation, and the reason was, of course, the ten flowers.

She wasn't prepared for this at all. If he rashly took Rikka into his possession, no matter how much he assured her that he was sincere towards Rikka and that he would treat her well and take care of her for the rest of his life, it would probably be in vain. This peaceful family might be in for a major upheaval.

Therefore, to be on the safe side and for the sake of family harmony, this matter should not be rushed and should be handled slowly.

In addition, another matter that needed to be dealt with suddenly came up to him.

Although it wasn't particularly troublesome, it made him feel uneasy, and he wanted to resolve it as soon as possible.

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.

Early Sunday morning, Kudo Miyoko, feeling somewhat uneasy, left her apartment with her parents and her cousin who had come to visit.

Downstairs, a sleek black luxury sedan was already waiting quietly.

Upon seeing them, the driver, dressed in uniform and wearing white gloves, immediately jogged forward and respectfully opened the car door for everyone with impeccable professionalism.

After everyone got into the car, the driver drove directly to Hoshino Eiki Co., Ltd.

On the way, Miyoko glanced at her parents and cousin as they got into the luxury car, trying to appear reserved but still glancing around nervously. She couldn't help but feel a little nervous herself.

She shouldn't have mentioned this to her boss. She didn't know why her boss specifically told her to come to the company today and even asked her to bring her family.

There wasn't any specific work that required her to go to the company today...

This story begins on Friday, the day before yesterday—

Miyoko's parents arrived in Tokyo quite suddenly that morning, saying that they hadn't seen her return home for the New Year and missed her terribly, so they came to see her together.

Miyoko didn't suspect anything; on the contrary, she was very happy. She told them her apartment password, told them to go back and wait for her, and then she sped up her work throughout the day, rushing back in the evening.

When she got home, she discovered that it wasn't just her parents who had come; her cousin, with whom she had always had a good relationship since childhood, had also come along.

This naturally made her even happier. You see, the two of them used to play together a lot when they were young, but as they grew older, they saw each other less and less, and sometimes they might not even see each other once a year.

However, this happy feeling did not last long.

Miyoko took them out to eat, and during the meal she noticed the sparkling diamond ring on her cousin's ring finger. She asked about it in surprise and learned that her cousin was already engaged. Miyoko naturally congratulated her immediately!

Then, around this time, Miyoko's parents began to reveal their true intentions.

You should know that her cousin is three years younger than Miyoko.

Now that even her cousin has found a good match and the marriage is settled, Kudo's parents, who had been sent back by Minamoto Chiya before, have started to have their little schemes resurface, and their secret anxieties have returned.

What worries them is nothing more than the old adage from their elders: as their daughter grows older, she still hasn't considered marriage, and they're worried that if she keeps putting it off, she'll become an old maid and have fewer and fewer options in the future.

So, from Friday night to Saturday, Miyoko was overwhelmed and annoyed by her parents' constant, relentless persuasion and concern, as well as their examples of how happy their distant relatives' daughters were when they got married and had children.

After not receiving a reply from her, Yuan Qianye called again out of concern. Hearing the weariness and helplessness in her voice, he asked and learned the reason.

After a brief moment of thought, he made a decision, which led to the scene we see today.

The vehicle came to a smooth stop in front of the company building.

The driver quickly got out of the car, jogged around to the side, and very respectfully opened the car door, placing his hand lightly on the top of the door to protect the Kudo couple from accidentally bumping their heads as they got out.

The thoughtful and meticulous service made Miyoko's parents feel flattered, and they thanked her repeatedly.

However, this is just the beginning.

With a forced smile, Miyoko led her somewhat awkward parents and her curiously peering cousin toward the company gate.

As soon as she stepped into the spacious, bright, and modern lobby, several smartly dressed young employees in sharp suits stopped one after another, bowed slightly, and greeted her respectfully: "Good morning, Executive Director Kudo!"

"Executive, you've arrived."

The feeling that something was wrong in Miyoko's heart instantly became amplified.

Although she holds a high position in the company and is the boss Yuan Qianye's most trusted assistant, she has always maintained a kind and low-key style and never puts on airs.

Her subordinates respected her, but the way they greeted her with such deliberate, even overly formal, respect, and the continuous stream of such greetings, was anything but ordinary!

She maintained a polite smile and nodded in response to each person, but her pace quickened involuntarily.

As the group entered the private elevator, the numbers kept jumping up, and her heart jumped with each step.

The elevator doors opened with a "ding," revealing a spacious employee office area.

At this moment, what Miyoko had vaguely sensed finally unfolded in a way that sent chills down her spine.

The path from the elevator to the boss's office has become a place that attracts a lot of attention.

Wherever she went, the employees at the workstations she passed would immediately stop what they were doing, stand up or turn around, nod at her with ingratiating smiles, and say in unison—

"Good afternoon, Executive Director Kudo!"

"Good day, Executive Director!"

"Thank you for your hard work, Executive Director!"

The voices rose and fell, their attitudes so respectful they bordered on humility.

It's important to know that today's "Starry Night Eternal Light Co., Ltd." is no longer what it used to be.

It is no longer the small team with only a handful of people that was once under the name of Touma Youko.

With multiple businesses progressing simultaneously, the company has expanded rapidly, and its full-time employees have long exceeded one hundred.

Moreover, because the company adheres to the system of "voluntary overtime, more work more pay, and transparent performance", even on Sundays, more than 70% of the employees in the office area are still working overtime voluntarily and with great enthusiasm.

This means that at this moment, the people bowing and greeting Miyoko were so numerous that they almost filled the entire field of vision.

This scene is truly spectacular!

The Kudo couple, who had spent their entire lives living an ordinary life in a small local town, had never seen anything like this before.

As they walked along, they watched in disbelief as everyone, regardless of age, gender, or social status, showed their daughter almost obsequious respect with fawning expressions. They were completely stunned, their steps faltering, and they could only mechanically follow their daughter forward, their hearts filled with turbulent emotions!

My daughter… does she really have such a high position in the company?!

At this moment, Miyoko was almost completely certain.

This extravagant display, this forced and unnatural respect... this is definitely a show specially arranged by our own boss!

As for the purpose... she had a vague guess in her heart, and an indescribable warm feeling welled up inside her.

We finally arrived at the boss's office.

She knocked on the door.

"Please come in."

"Sorry to bother you, boss." Miyoko pushed open the door and entered, followed by her parents, who looked dazed, and her curious cousin.

“Miyako, you finally… Ah, Uncle and Aunt, my apologies.”

Gen Chiya pretended to be completely unaware, then quickly changed his tune midway through his sentence, smiling as he stood up from behind his desk and came to the front of everyone. He first greeted Miyoko's parents: "...I'm sorry, Uncle and Aunt, I had some urgent work to do and couldn't leave. I hope I've taken the time to bother you, Executive Director Kudo?"

Today, instead of his usual casual clothes, he wore a well-tailored, high-quality dark suit, which made his already handsome and upright figure appear even more composed and capable, exuding a powerful aura!

Looking at the dazzling young president in front of her, who was almost too dazzling to look directly at, Kudo's mother was momentarily at a loss for words. Remembering her daughter's earlier address, she quickly imitated her and waved her hand, saying, "It's alright, it's alright. Mr. Yuan, it's her good fortune that you value her so much. Work is the most important thing, work is the most important thing!"

"If I had known that you, Uncle and Aunt, would be coming to Tokyo, I should have made some advance notice."

Yuan Qianye glanced at the expensive watch on his wrist with a hint of reluctance, then smiled and said sincerely, "How about this, I will finish things as soon as possible, and later I will treat you, Uncle, Aunt and this sister to a simple meal as an apology and a welcome back dinner. Please don't refuse."

"No, no, no need to go to such trouble, really no need. You all have your business to attend to, we'll just wander around on our own!" This time it was Kudo's father who quickly chimed in, his attitude even carrying a hint of barely perceptible respect.

The young man in front of him had a very strong presence, and his daughter was clearly someone he relied on highly, which made him subconsciously a little reserved.

"That won't do. Uncle and Aunt have come from afar. As Kudo's superior, I should do my part as a host."

Yuan Qianye's tone remained gentle, but the undeniable air of authority within it was even more pronounced.

He didn't give the two elders a chance to refuse and directly pressed the intercom to call two assistants: "Kuraki, notify the heads of all departments to have a short meeting in the first conference room in five minutes."

"Zhongheng, accompany Executive Director Kudo's family to the VIP lounge for a short rest. Make sure they are treated with the utmost hospitality."

"Yes, President!" The two assistants responded crisply and swiftly.

The assistant, named Zhong Heng, smiled obsequiously and led the Kudo family out of the office and towards the luxuriously decorated VIP lounge.

Finally, only Chiya Minamoto and Miyoko Kudo remained in the office.

By now, Miyoko was perfectly aware of what had happened.

The shocks her parents endured, the spectacle they witnessed, and the extraordinary status their daughter held in this thriving company... Once this drama ends, what right or standing will they have to urge her, as elders, to get married, have children, and find a so-called stable home?

“Boss…” Miyoko turned her head and looked at Gen Chiya. Her usually shrewd and capable eyes were now slightly red and misty with tears. She was overwhelmed by a surge of emotion.

She wanted to express her overflowing gratitude, but how could a few simple "thank yous" possibly convey such a profound feeling? So, a thousand words stuck in her throat, ultimately turning into a soft, choked whisper.

Yuan Qianye didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

Firstly, as a boss who cares about his subordinates, he naturally wouldn't remain indifferent to this matter.