Crossover anime, Hachiman's childhood friend's growth diary

What are these two people up to?

"Um, what can I do for you?"

"Seriously, why did Hachiman run out all by himself without saying a word?"

Does this need further explanation?

"Well, let's skip hide-and-seek, I'm not interested."

Hachiman gave them a heads-up beforehand.

"Hmm..." Wakaba Mutsumi looked sad after being rejected. She hesitated for a moment, then looked at the game console not far away. "Can we play games together?"

"Ah... whatever you want."

"Great, Xiangzi, you go back and find Oda and the others first."

"Ugh?"

Feeling "abandoned" by her friend, Toyokawa Shoko blinked and then said, "I want to stay here and live together peacefully, is that not allowed?"

"Ah, it should be fine, right? Is Hachiman okay?"

"This isn't my home, you don't need to ask for my opinion, do you?"

"Uh-huh."

With a cute smile on her face, the two girls were able to stay in the game room without any problems.

While searching for games that children could play in Hachiman, Toyokawa Shoko whispered in her friend's ear, "Mutsu, did you know this boy before?"

Toyokawa Shoko and Wakaba Mutsu grew up together, and she knew her childhood friend's personality very well. Even so, she was still somewhat surprised by how quickly Mutsu made friends this time.

"No, we just met a few minutes ago."

If Ye Mu was not hiding anything.

"That's true, but you and he seem to have a good relationship."

"Hehe, actually I think Hachiman is a very interesting person. Shoko, you can get to know him too, you definitely won't be disappointed!"

"Oh, me?"

"right."

"Hmm, I'll give it a try!" Encouraged by her companions, Toyokawa Shoko mustered her courage. "Um, Hachiman, may I bother you for a moment?"

"what?"

While still debugging the equipment, Hachiman heard a stranger call his name and instinctively trembled. He then turned around and looked at the other person with a puzzled expression.

"Um, my name is Hachiman, you can just call yourself Hachiman."

244 monsters

Sigh, Mu can be called by his name, but I can't?

Shoko Toyokawa felt a slight displeasure at this obvious discrimination, but she was a polite child and wouldn't force anyone to do anything.

"Hello, Hachiman-kun. Um, I haven't introduced myself yet."

Taking a deep breath, Toyokawa Shoko began her self-introduction in a serious manner.

From her self-introduction, Hachiman learned that both of them were natives of Tokyo and had come to the banquet with their parents.

"Also, Hikigaya-kun, please don't take what Oda-kun said to heart. He was just a little... shy. If you don't want to be a ghost, he definitely doesn't have a problem with you."

After introducing herself, Toyokawa Shoko apologized again for Oda-kun's actions.

Hachiman felt that the other party was making a fuss over nothing, and everyone knew whether they had any objections or not.

But when faced with this kind little girl, he wasn't cold-hearted enough to expose her directly. He simply nodded calmly, as if the matter was completely over.

Seeing that the other party did not refute, and assuming that her clarification had worked, Toyokawa Shoko breathed a long sigh of relief.

In the following time, Hachiman chose a relatively easy game similar to Mario Kart.

Shoko Toyokawa and Mutsu Wakaba both seemed to be gaming novices, not even knowing how to hold a controller. Fortunately, they were both smart and quickly learned how to use it correctly.

of course.

Given their beginner level, they were naturally easily crushed by Hachiman.

Honestly, it's not very fun to beat newbies, but it's better than just standing around doing nothing.

The three of them took turns playing, passing the time for about half an hour, when suddenly a stranger walked into the room and whispered something to Wakaba Mutsu.

"Hachiman, I'm sorry, my mom wants me to go home!"

As Momo sadly put down the controller, almost simultaneously, Hachiman pressed the pause button: "Let's call it a day then. I'm going back soon too."

"Yes, we'll see you again next time."

"Goodbye."

Toyokawa Shoko stood up with Wakaba Mutsu: "Hikiya-kun, I must take my leave now."

"Ah."

The two girls left the game room together.

After they completely disappeared through the door, Hachiman switched to a game that suited his taste better, but for some reason, the expression that Wakaba Mutsumi showed before leaving remained etched in his mind.

Why does she look so sad when she's just going home?

Never mind, maybe I'm overthinking it...

Hachiman lingered in the game room for a while longer, then, feeling that it was about time, he got up and left the second floor.

At this point, the banquet seemed to be coming to an end, and many of the celebrities on screen were saying goodbye to each other at the door.

The dazzling array of jewelry was almost overwhelming. As Hachiman went downstairs, he suddenly noticed a blond boy standing in a corner on the first floor, exuding an aloof aura.

just.

After noticing his gaze, the boy smiled in his direction, and the strange aura emanating from him vanished.

Is this what they call acting skills?

It's really amazing.

Hikigaya could tell at a glance that the person's behavior just now was a deliberate performance. In reality, if not repulsed, he at least didn't like being in such a lively atmosphere.

of course.

This has nothing to do with him; Hachiman is just in a hurry to get home.

"President Saito."

Hikigaya found Saito Ichigo alone in a room on the first floor, lost in thought, and spoke up.

"Ah, it's Hachiman. Speaking of which, it's about time we should go."

Saito Ichigo smiled, but just as the two were about to leave, a woman dressed in finery walked towards them, and behind her was the girl Hachiman had just met—Wakaba Mutsumi.

The two had the same hair color and looked almost identical. Based on the information that Toyokawa Shoko had given them before, Hikigaya guessed that this person should be Wakaba Mutsumi's mother.

"Oh my, isn't this President Saito of Strawberry PRO? Nice to meet you."

"Ms. Mori, it's an honor to meet you!"

Minami Mori is Wakaba's mother's stage name. The two greeted each other businesslike upon meeting, and Hikigaya obediently stepped aside, not intending to interfere with the adults' business.

but.

Strangely, Wakaba Mutsu, who was just a moment ago lively and energetic, was now completely silent, and when she saw Hachiman Hikigaya, she immediately looked away.

Ugh, what's going on?

It's impossible to say that he wasn't hurt at all, but compared to the pain in his heart, Hikigaya felt more confused and bewildered.

Isn't it a little strange to have such drastically different attitudes?

Since it was unclear why Wakaba Mutsumi had suddenly adopted a avoidance attitude towards him, Hikigaya decisively chose to do the same.

"Is this your daughter? She's so beautiful. She'll definitely be as charming as you when she grows up."

Saito Ichigo also noticed the little girl behind Mori Minami.

"No, no, to be honest, this child is usually quiet and reserved at home. Neither the child's father nor I know why he has become like this."

Minami held her chin in one hand and shook her head helplessly.

"The child is still young, he'll be fine when he grows up."

Saito Kazuo often spouts meaningless nonsense.

Perhaps due to the information gap, Hikigaya gleaned a different message from Minami Mori's words.

are you at home?

To be precise, I should say I'm with my parents.

Observing Wakaba Mutsu's expression, Hachiman thought to himself.

Before he could continue thinking, Minami looked over curiously and said to Ichigo Saito, "Speaking of which, is this your...?"

"Ah, Ms. Mori, please don't misunderstand. This child is just a little guy we signed a while ago."

"Oh?"

Minami raised her finely trimmed eyebrows, her scrutinizing gaze sweeping over Hikigaya without making a sound. This kid, did he just realize Mutsu's special qualities too?

"Oh, I see. I thought he was President Saito's son. No wonder he's so handsome~"

"Haha, my wife and I don't have any plans to have children at the moment."

"That's a real shame... By the way, President Saito, didn't Miss Ai come today?"

"She has caught a bad cold and may not be able to attend similar events for a while."

Saito Ichigo said with a heavy expression.

Hearing this, Minami didn't ask any further questions, but said regretfully, "I see. I was hoping to meet with Miss Ai. Actually, my husband and I are both very interested in the people from your company."

245 The Ultimate Introverted Man

If she can cleverly conceal the fact that she has given birth, and with her own efforts and the company's promotion, Hoshino Ai will surely become a top teen idol in the next few years.

On the one hand, idols are ultimately an industry that relies on their looks. People can't stay in their golden age of eighteen forever, but there will always be younger and prettier kids debuting.

On the other hand, it is human nature to be fickle and easily bored, and most fans cannot support only one person forever.

These factors also make the idol career different from other artists, with very strict time limits. Simply put, even the most popular idols will "graduate" one day.

In fact, once a certain point is reached, an idol's popularity will decline sharply, which is the root cause of being "graduated".

The best way to deal with declining popularity is to transform one's image. This not only helps maintain the existing fanbase but also attracts new fans through cross-industry collaborations.

In the entertainment industry, transitioning idols into singers or actors is the simplest and most common practice for management companies.

Minami Mori is a well-known actress. If Ai could get her help, she might be able to enter that industry more smoothly.

Upon hearing the other party's explanation, Saito Ichigo's mind raced, and his previously slightly drunk state instantly became perfectly sober:

"Ms. Mori, is everything you just said true?"

"Oh dear, why would I lie to you, President?" Minami covered her mouth and chuckled. "But it wouldn't make any sense if Miss Ai wasn't here. How about we find another opportunity to talk in detail next time?"

"no problem."

Saito Ichigo nervously swallowed, his eyes fixed on the other person. If he could, he wished love could teleport directly from Miyazaki Prefecture to Tokyo.

"Mutsu, sorry to have kept you waiting. We can go back now."

Having said what she needed to say, Mori Minami took her daughter's right hand and spoke softly.

"Ah."

Ruoye Mu nodded and answered in a soft, almost inaudible voice, then followed her mother out of the villa without saying a word.

"Take care, Ms. Mori!"

Saito Ichigo watched the two leave, then immediately took out his phone and quickly contacted the employee on duty at the company.