Anime Crossover: My Part-Time Job as a Giant of Light While Studying Abroad in Chiba

"Huh...we're...back?"

Seeing that no one responded, he looked ahead and found that Hong Kai and Wei Lai had already turned around, staring straight at him and letting out a wicked laugh.

"Hey...why are you looking at me like that...it's creepy."

Duan Zilian felt inexplicably uneasy.

"Young man, stop talking nonsense and get off the bus!"

Hong Kai suppressed a laugh and waved his hand, issuing the final order.

Duan Zilian, bewildered, pushed open the car door and stepped onto the street in Chiba with a look of suspicion on her face.

But just a second later, he no longer had any doubts.

Less than ten meters ahead is their coffee shop with the 【CREW GUYS】 sign.

Everything was so familiar, even the potted plant that I would plant myself by the door was still radiating vitality in the morning sun.

In contrast, there was the profile of a cool and aloof girl standing in front.

Today she was wearing a white summer dress with a light blue knitted cardigan over it, carrying a paper bag in both hands. She looked aloof and dignified, yet exuded an indescribable gentleness.

The girl stood quietly on the steps, seemingly waiting for someone important.

A gentle summer breeze swept through Chiba, swaying the dappled shadows of the trees and ruffling the girl's long hair.

The girl reached out a hand and gently tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. Then, as if she suddenly sensed something.

Yukino Yukinoshita slowly turned her head, her clear blue eyes, as clear as a snowy winter sky, falling on Tanzi Rei opposite her.

She seemed a little dazed, then a gentle ripple appeared in her eyes.

The two of them stood silently gazing at each other across the sun-drenched street in Chiba.

Finally, Yukino Yukinoshita took a deep breath and smiled gently at Rei Duanzi.

"Welcome back, Mr. Duan."

Summer seems to have truly arrived.

Chapter 223 Old Friend Returns Home (Volume 2: The Uncrowned Emperor)

Clang—

The small truck came to a steady stop in its usual spot in front of the Beidou Bakery.

As the engine shut off, Hokuto Seiji jumped out of the driver's seat, which no longer had doors.

He closed his eyes and took a deep breath of Chiba air.

"Ah... I'm back. As expected, the air in Chiba smells so good, with the aroma of freshly baked bread."

In the back seat, Nozomi Taiga stretched out a big yawn and stepped off with his long legs.

"Finally—we've arrived! This Chiba road is like a maze, it's making my head spin."

Upon hearing this, Hokuto Seisaku couldn't help but laugh and pat the hood of the car.

"There was nothing we could do. After all, we didn't know exactly where Dan's place was in Chiba. He even got his own address wrong, which made us wander around most of Chiba before we finally found it."

Just over ten minutes ago, Hokuto Seiji had warmly invited Moroboshi Dan to stay overnight on the second floor of the bakery, but the stubborn old man refused with a smile.

He said that when he was fighting the Guts aliens in Kyoto, he met a human officer who was very moved and excited and insisted on providing him with a place to live.

Seeing how determined he was, Dan Moroboshi simply agreed.

"According to the group, I think that officer must be Director Sawai."

"more or less."

Taiga Nozomi tossed his long brown hair and let out a long breath.

"However, it's almost lunchtime now, Taihe, would you like to come in and have a hot meal?"

Hokuto Seiji pointed to the bakery's sign and invited them with a smile.

"Ah, no, Mr. Hokuto, I have a bunch of underlings waiting for me in Chiba."

After hearing this, Dahe Wang waved his hand, a hint of concern flashing in his eyes.

"I haven't heard from them for so many days, I need to hurry up and meet up with them, lest they think I've been captured by aliens and used as food."

Hearing what Taiga said, Hokuto Seiji did not insist on keeping him, but simply nodded gently.

"Okay, then be careful on your way. I'll come often to make you delicious bread."

"Alright! It's a deal!"

Dahe Wang waved his hand with great enthusiasm.

【Goodbye, Grandpa Beidou! Please give my regards to Aunt Nanxi!】

Zero's voice also left an invisible farewell through Taiga Nozomi's actions.

Watching Taiga Nozomi's receding figure, Hokuto Seiji's face revealed a relieved smile.

Just then, there was a "creak".

The wooden door of the bakery was gently pushed open, and a gentle, graceful figure peeked out from inside.

"The old man... is back?"

Minami Yuko had actually been waiting here for quite some time.

From last night's news until now, her heart has been in her throat.

Looking at the perfectly intact Big Dipper in front of her, her tense shoulders finally began to relax.

Looking at his wife's eyes, which were filled with both relief and heartache, Hokuto Seiji smiled. He realized that he was indeed just an ordinary middle-aged man working at Chiba Bakery.

He stepped forward and took his wife's hand.

"Yes, I'm back, Yuuko."

…………

Inside GUYS coffee shop.

The phonograph played soothing music, completely isolating the listener from all external sounds.

"It's been a long time, Ms. Yukinoshita. It's been more than a week, hasn't it?"

Hibino Mirai carried four steaming cups of coffee to the table and placed them steadily before sitting down next to Kai.

"Moreover, they specially prepared such a sumptuous bento for us today. We are truly grateful."

On the other side of the table, looking at the polite and gentle Mirai across from her, Yukino Yukinoshita responded with a light laugh.

"It's nothing, I just happen to be researching some cooking techniques lately."

"Thinking about the huge disaster that happened in Tokyo, you all must be very tired, so I did a little extra."

Upon hearing this, Hong Kai, who was sitting next to the future, nodded repeatedly.

Looking at the delicious bento box he had devoured, Hong Kai slumped back in his chair with satisfaction, like a peaceful old man.

"Moreover, the primitive creatures were surprisingly unharmed in this disaster, and they even had such good appetites."

Yukino rested her chin on her hand, her gaze falling on Tanzi Rei sitting beside her.

"This can be considered an important sign of successful evolution."

Duan Zilian was patting her belly with satisfaction when she heard Yukino's words and her face turned red.

"Cough... What kind of talk is that? Men are creatures that constantly evolve through pain and setbacks."

"Besides, I saved quite a few people yesterday, so I'm now the Plus version of Duan Zilian."

He stretched out his fist, striking a pose of great confidence, like an old man.

"Still as confident and stubborn as ever, Mr. Duan."

Yukino Yukinoshita retorted without hesitation, taking a sip of her coffee to conceal the slight smile on her lips.

"...The minister's sharp tongue remains as deadly as ever."

Duan Zilian slumped weakly onto the table.

"Thank you for the compliment. I was just stating an objective fact."

Watching the two bickering so skillfully across from each other, Hong Kai and Wei Lai exchanged a glance and couldn't help but smile.

But then, Hibino Mirai seemed to remember something, and her expression suddenly became somewhat strange.

【Kaisang…】

In the future, he nudged Hong Kai with his elbow under the table and started a private chat.

[Hmm? What's wrong? Didn't you eat your bento?]

Hong Kai slowly opened his eyes, looking lazy.

No, no! Look how good they are to each other now...

[But, but what about Miss Shinomiya? Miss Shinomiya is clearly... well... like that... oh dear, what should I do?]

Hibino Mirai couldn't think of a way to express herself, so she could only stare blankly in frustration.

Seeing the look of utter despair on Future's face, Hong Kai could roughly guess what he was thinking.

He couldn't help but chuckle to himself, then straightened up, crossed his arms, and leaned back in his chair.

Do you know what the future holds?

[What do you know?] The future is listening intently.

This is the most dangerous, yet also the most genuine, emotional struggle during adolescence.

One wrong step and you'll fall into an abyss, shattered to pieces!

Hong Kai deliberately made his tone extremely terrifying.

【Huh?! Then... what should we do?!】Mirai panicked completely.

Want to know the secret to breaking this deadlock?

【think! 】

Hong Kai mysteriously gestured for Wei Lai to lean closer.

When the future looked serious and put its ear close, it was as if it was preparing to receive some ultimate secret concerning the peace of the universe.

"I don't know either," Hong Kai said in a serious, low voice.

"Kaisan!"

Realizing she had been tricked again, she became furious and accidentally shouted it out.

Hong Kai chuckled at the shouting and quickly gulped down his coffee to cover his embarrassment.

"...What are you two up to over there?"

Duan Zilian's scrutinizing gaze swept over, and Yukinoshita also put down her cup, her eyes filled with a hint of doubt.

"Ah! It's nothing, it's nothing! We were just saying... that this bento box was really delicious."

Realizing he had lost his composure, Wei Lai frantically waved his hands, sweating profusely.

Seeing this, Hong Kai decided to go all in and put his arm around Wei Lai's shoulder, laughing as he spoke to the two people in front of him.

"The future means that everyone has just finished eating, and it's been so long since you two have seen each other."

"Miss Yukinoshita, why don't you take this kid, Danji Rei, out for a walk to digest his food?"

"Huh?" Duan Zilian was stunned.

"Stop it! The shop has been closed for so long, it's covered in dust. Future and I need to do a thorough cleaning in preparation for reopening tomorrow! You'll just get in the way and cause trouble!"

As he was talking, Hong Kai pinched his future thigh under the table.

"Hiss—Yes! That's right! Duan Jun's presence here is hindering our work!"

In the future, he hurriedly nodded in agreement.

"Kaisan...Future-san...Could you two possibly be any worse at acting?"