I'm in a crossover anime world, and I've been transported to Hogwarts twice.

A simple word, yet it seemed to have exhausted all his strength at that moment.

He didn't press her further, didn't try to persuade her, and didn't try to change her decision with any form of pressure as he had done before.

Ultimately, he was never able to become a citizen of his country who could do whatever he wanted and act solely on his own whims.

The reverence for the word "respect" that had been built up under the spiritual impact of Shiina Mahiru played a crucial role at this moment.

He chose to respect her wishes, even though those wishes left him feeling immensely disappointed and resentful.

Seeing Genichi Hanyu's dejected appearance, as if he had been wilted by frost, the little resentment Shiina Mahiru had in her heart completely vanished, replaced by a soft feeling that was both amused and exasperated, and even a trace of secret heartache that she herself was unwilling to admit.

She never expected that this seemingly powerful and omnipotent man would show such a childlike and disappointed expression just because she said they were just friends.

She pursed her lips, a hint of cunning and a barely perceptible wavering flashing in her icy blue eyes, as if she had made up her mind.

She coughed softly, drawing Genichi Hanyu's unfocused gaze back, and then added in a tone that was both reproachful and encouraging: "However..."

She deliberately drew out her words, and watched as Genichi Hanyu's dim eyes instantly brightened again because of those words, "From now on, it's up to you how you perform."

She turned her head slightly to avoid his suddenly intense gaze, a faint blush rising on her cheeks. Her voice lowered, carrying the shyness and expectation unique to young girls: "If you behave well, it's not impossible for us to take things further."

moment!

Genichi Hanyu felt his heart, which had just plummeted to the bottom, being suddenly lifted up by an invisible hand!

The sunlight pierced through the dark clouds completely!

The disappointment in his eyes vanished, replaced by a brilliance as dazzling as stars, almost overflowing with light!

"Really, really?"

"What kind of performance are you referring to? And how exactly do you need to do it?"

Like a player who has finally obtained a clue to clear the game, he couldn't wait to know the details of the mission, his eyes fixed intently on Shiina Mahiru, filled with eagerness to achieve his goal.

Shiina Mahiru was taken aback by his overly direct and urgent questioning, and almost couldn't help but roll her eyes!

The romantic and expectant atmosphere she had just painstakingly created was instantly shattered by his relentless, inquisitive, and masculine way of thinking!

Although through their soul-to-soul connection just now, she had clearly seen that Genichi Hanyu was a complete straight man when it came to relationships, someone who needed to learn everything from scratch, and who had absolutely no understanding of girls' delicate feelings and subtle expressions!

She was already mentally prepared for this.

But!

When Genichi Hanyu bluntly and without any romantic flair asked what the performance was and how to do it specifically, Mahiru Shiina really couldn't hold back anymore!

She felt a surge of helplessness mixed with a mix of laughter and tears welling up inside her.

This was just her modesty as a girl and a little bit of expectation!

She hoped he could experience it for himself, explore it, and prove through his actions that he had learned respect and care, rather than treating it like a task and having her draw up a detailed list of strategies!

What is "performance"?

It means genuinely respecting her wishes, paying attention to her preferences and feelings, giving her the space and time she needs, and naturally showing care and appreciation in daily interactions.

Do she really need to list all these things out one by one?

What's the point?

"Genichi Hanyu, you idiot!"

She screamed silently in her heart, but her face turned even redder with shame and anger.

She glared at him, a hint of annoyance in her voice, "Let's talk about other things after you've truly learned how to respect girls!"

She emphasized the core point.

"Besides, we've only known each other for a few hours. Do you really expect us to...?"

She didn't dare to continue, but the meaning couldn't be clearer.

Seeing Shiina Mahiru's embarrassed and annoyed expression, her cheeks flushed, and hearing her emphasize that they had only known each other for a few hours, Yuzuru Genichi's hot-headed mind finally calmed down a bit.

He realized he had relapsed, being too eager to succeed and neglecting the process and the other person's feelings.

He scratched his head in frustration, a bitter smile tinged with apology and helplessness on his face, and let out a long, somewhat resentful sigh.

"Ok."

His voice was filled with resignation and resignation.

0.2 He knew there were no shortcuts on the road to further progress; he had to take it one step at a time and prove his change through time and action.

Seeing Yuzuru Genichi's expression—unwilling yet ultimately choosing to respect her pace and suppress his own eager desires—Shiina Mahiru's last bit of annoyance dissipated, replaced by a faint warmth and peace of mind that she herself hadn't even noticed.

She clearly realized that when faced with her displeasure, Genichi Hanyu, this man who was used to controlling everything, did not forcefully kiss her or declare his will as he had done before, but instead truly chose to restrain himself and respect her wishes.

This seemingly small change, to her, was the most powerful proof that he was keeping his promise and beginning to learn respect!

This restraint and respect touched her heart more deeply than any sweet words.

After experiencing ups and downs, intense conflicts and subtle tests, the atmosphere in the living room finally settled into a warm current of calm and possibility, carrying a new agreement.

Friends are both a starting point and a test.

As for the future, that depends on whether Genichi Hanyu can learn to respect others.

140 Sakayanagi Arisu, who sees through everything, and Kocho Shinobu, who is worried.

With the deliberate or unintentional encouragement of Genichi Hanyu and Haruno Yukinoshita, carefully selected fragments of intelligence, some true and some false, and even some with a deadly allure, spread rapidly through the highest echelons of power in Tokyo, like bait thrown into a deep pool.

"Genichi Hanyu recently engaged in a fierce battle with an unknown and powerful enemy, suffering severe injuries. His current whereabouts and fate are unknown!"

This news, like a thunderclap from a clear sky, stirred up a storm in the ears of those who had long coveted Genichi Hanyu's vast empire and mysterious power, yet were suffocated by his absolute strength!

Initially, due to their deep-seated fear of Genichi Hanyu's past reputation and their dread of his methods, most people were able to barely suppress their restlessness and chose to wait and see.

They cautiously probed the Yukinoshita family and various individuals closely connected to Hanyu, trying to discern the truth from the slightest clues.

Following Genichi Hanyu's script, Yukino and the others perfectly displayed their anxiety, their attempts to cover up the truth by blocking information, and some signs of internal chaos due to the lack of leadership.

However, as time went by, Genichi Hanyu remained as if he had vanished into thin air, never issuing any commands, never appearing in any place where he should have been, and not even revealing a trace of his presence.

This long, suffocating silence, like a weight that keeps increasing in pressure, finally began to break down the last line of defense in some people's hearts.

People's hearts inevitably began to waver.

Greedy weeds grew wildly, fueled by suspicion and wishful thinking.

Those long-suppressed desires, the thirst for power, and the extreme yearning to escape Yuzuru's shadow began to whisper, conspire, and stir in the dark room.

Beneath the seemingly calm night in Tokyo, undercurrents are already surging.

The Sakayanagi family home, study.

Sakayanagi Shigemori sat behind the large desk, but couldn't concentrate on reading a single word of the documents laid out in front of him.

His brows were furrowed, and his fingers unconsciously tapped the smooth mahogany tabletop, producing a dull "tap-tap" sound.

The meticulously manicured pines and cypresses in the courtyard outside the window cast distorted shadows under the lamplight, as if foreshadowing some kind of unease.

He looked up and gazed at his daughter, Arisu Sakayanagi, who was sitting in a wheelchair, quietly reading a thick foreign language book.

"Arisu."

Sakayanagi Narumi's voice, tinged with barely concealed worry, broke the silence of the study.

There was a lingering worry in his eyes.

The reason why the Sakayanagi family was able to develop peacefully and even gain many advantages under the halo of the great god Genichi Hanyu is largely due to the subtle and special relationship between Arisu and Hanyu.

If Yuzuru were to fall, the Sakayanagi family would undoubtedly be the first to be targeted and devoured by those greedy hyenas.

Upon hearing this, Sakayanagi Arisu slowly closed the book in her hands.

Her doll-like, exquisitely beautiful face, though pale, showed no sign of panic, and her icy blue eyes were as calm as a deep pool.

She raised her eyes to look at her worried father, a faint yet absolutely confident smile even appearing on her lips.

"Don't worry, Father."

Her voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

"I don't need you to say anything or do anything. I firmly believe that the man I have chosen will not be defeated so easily."

She slightly adjusted the angle of her wheelchair, facing her father with sharp and bright eyes: "No matter how vividly the news spreads, no matter how turbulent the outside world is, I have absolute confidence in Genichi Hanyu. He is not the kind of person who will fall into the shadows and disappear silently. His opponents may be strong, but he will only become stronger."

Hearing his daughter's resolute and determined answer, Sakayanagi Narumi's tightly furrowed brows finally relaxed slightly, as if a heavy weight had been lifted from his heart, and he let out a long sigh of relief.

He never doubted Sakayanagi Arisu's wisdom and insight into the situation.

Her certainty must have its reasons.

However, what Sakayanagi Arisu said next made Sakayanagi Narimori's heart jump again.

"By the way, Father."

Her tone became unusually serious, carrying an unquestionable commanding air.

"In the coming period, no matter who contacts you—whether they are old friends, business partners, or messengers of important figures—please remember: do not do anything unnecessary! Do not make any statements, promises, or participate in any form of collusion or probing! Remain silent and stay out of it!"

Sakayanagi Shigemori's pupils contracted slightly!

He wasn't stupid; he immediately sensed an extremely dangerous atmosphere in his daughter's unusually stern warning!

"you mean..."

His voice was even lower, tinged with surprise and doubt: "This...this might be..."

A faint, all-knowing smile returned to Sakayanagi Arisu's lips. She nodded slightly, her icy blue eyes sparkling with wisdom: "It's just my guess, but based on my understanding of him, the possibility is extremely high."

She looked out the window at the deep night, as if she could see through time and space and see that figure recuperating.

"If he really met with misfortune, given Yukinoshita and the others' personalities and abilities, they would never be in this chaotic state of trying to cover things up. Instead, they would retaliate and stabilize the situation with overwhelming force at all costs. But right now, it's an eerie calm before the storm..."

She paused, her voice carrying a hint of cold amusement: "So, I think if he's safe and sound but chooses to disappear and not show up at this time, the only reasonable explanation is..."

She didn't finish speaking, but Sakayanagi Narumi already understood completely!

He gasped, and a layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his back!

fishing!

Genichi Hanyu is using himself as bait to set a huge trap!

He was waiting, waiting for those fish that couldn't resist their greed and would be the first to jump out!

Looking at his daughter's attitude, as if she had everything under control and had almost blind faith in that man, Sakayanagi Narimori was filled with complicated feelings.

On one hand, he was amazed by his daughter's keen insight and composure; on the other hand, he couldn't help but worry: "Does Arisu trust Genichi Hanyu too much? What if, what if this time it's for real?"

Will this trust lead the Sakayanagi family into an abyss of no return?

But seeing the unwavering look in his daughter's eyes, he finally suppressed his worries and nodded heavily: "I understand, Arisu. I will keep everyone in the family in check and never take a single step out of line."

Meanwhile, in Chaldea.

The atmosphere here is equally tense.

The news of Genichi Hanyu's disappearance also caused quite a stir within Chaldea.

Although core members such as Yuki Suo knew some of the inside information, the lower-level staff and many employees who had merged from the Demon Slayer world were inevitably filled with anxiety.

A petite figure, dressed in a haori with butterfly wing patterns, yet exuding an imposing aura, hurried through the busy corridor, heading directly towards the temporary office where Yukinoshita was located.

It was Shinobu Kocho.

Her face, which always carried a gentle smile, was now filled with undisguised anxiety and worry.

Genichi Hanyu helped her avenge the blood feud of her sister Kanae Kocho by personally killing Doma. This kindness was heavier than Mount Tai to Shinobu Kocho!

This gratitude had already quietly fermented in her heart, transforming into deep admiration and dependence.

It could even be said that if Genichi Hanyu had shown even the slightest bit of desire, Shinobu Kocho would have immediately abandoned all her pride and thrown herself into his arms without hesitation.

In her heart, Genichi Hanyu was not only a benefactor, but also someone she was willing to follow and be loyal to.

Therefore, when 257 heard the news that Genichi Hanyu was missing and suspected of being seriously injured in the Demon Slayer Corps, she couldn't sit still at all and immediately set off for Chaldea, eager to find Yukino Yukinoshita, a woman who had an extremely close relationship with Hanyu and was in charge of secular intelligence, to find out the most real and core information!

"Ms. Yang No!"

Shinobu Kocho pushed open the office door, not even bothering to knock, her voice tinged with urgency.

"How is Lord Yuzuru? Is the news outside true? How badly is he injured? Where is he now?"

Yukino was standing in front of the huge floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the simulated city night view below Chaldea, when she heard the sound and turned around.