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

“That’s right.” Hiratsuka Shizuya chimed in, adding fuel to the fire.

"I waited here for you for so long, but you turned around and went to chat with another rich girl. I'm so sad."

These two consecutive attacks threw Duan Zilian into a complete panic.

He opened his mouth as if to say something, but found that anything he said would sound like an excuse.

…………

"Sister... Hiratsuka-sensei..."

Yukino said with a hint of helplessness, interrupting the two adults' wicked teasing.

She turned her head slightly, her blue eyes looking at Duan Zilian, who was standing idly by her side.

"You've taken this seat without your permission. I'm sure you must be quite annoyed, Mr. Duan."

Duan Zilian felt that there was a small flame hidden deep in her eyes, as if it was about to engulf him at any moment.

"If you'd prefer to sit with Hiratsuka-sensei, I can let my sister switch seats with you."

Yukino patted her chest. Although she sounded very reasonable, her cold tone carried a strong implication of "You dare to try?"

"...This girl."

Upon hearing this, Hiratsuka Shizuka muttered something under her breath, only audible to Haruno who was leaning against her.

However, who is Duan Zilian? He is a man who can dance on the edge of a knife.

Faced with Yukino's tactic of retreating to advance, Duanzi Lian didn't seem a little flustered.

"No, I don't mind at all. It's an honor to sit with the minister."

He seemed oblivious to the metaphor in Yukinoshita's heart, and said with a smile.

"..."

The calm tone of her voice silenced Yukino Yukinoshita, who could only give a soft "hmm" and awkwardly turn her gaze away.

【Yukinoshita-kun, after spending so much time with you, I know exactly what you're thinking.】

Duan Zilian smiled mysteriously to herself.

…………

Before Duan Zilian could feel smug for even a second, the voice that truly sent chills down his spine spoke again.

"Oh my... what a wonderful speech about youth, Xiaojing."

Yukinoshita rested her chin on her hand, watching Yukino's embarrassed state, and the smile on her lips deepened.

"It reminds me of when I was in school, changing seats in the hope of sitting next to my loved one."

Hiratsuka Shizuka instantly understood the subtext in this little devil's heart, but she chose to play dead with a blank expression, crossing her arms and putting on the serious face of a mature woman.

Yang Nai turned back to look at Duan Zilian and Yukino, and found that the two little ones had also started to pretend to be stupid.

Both of them lowered their heads in unison, pretending to be very interested in the empty track below.

"oh……?"

Upon seeing this unusual scene, Yang Nai's playful side was immediately aroused.

"Speaking of which, on this topic..."

Yang leaned forward slightly, passing Yukino and gently approaching Duan Zilian, tilting her head as she asked.

"Duan, do you... have a girlfriend now?"

"No...no."

Duan Zilian's muscles tensed instantly; he knew that the next few seconds would determine his life or death.

Yukino, standing to the side, also clenched her fists silently.

"In that case... how about I become your girlfriend?"

"what?!"

This statement was so shocking that it left the three people present completely stunned.

"Yang Nai! What nonsense are you spouting! Don't make such outrageous jokes about my student!"

Hiratsuka Shizuka was startled and quickly pulled Haruno into her arms, roughly squeezing her.

"Sister, if you want to find a boyfriend, those scions of prestigious families should be happy to line up. There's no need for you to go crazy here at my members."

Yukino turned her head, her face flushed, her eyes filled with dissatisfaction with her shameless older sister.

After she finished speaking, she quickly glanced at Duan Zilian.

Duan Zilian frantically waved her hands, her face clearly saying, "No, I didn't, how could I dare?"

Seeing her younger sister finally reveal her true emotions, Haruno, who was being held tightly in Hiratsuka's arms, let out a delighted smirk.

"Hahaha... They really are still students. I never get tired of seeing this kind of reaction..."

Duan Zilian wiped the cold sweat from her forehead, turned to look at the track, and updated her evaluation of Yukinoshita Haruno once again.

This woman... is absolutely, absolutely, absolutely not someone to be trifled with!

Chapter 262 Hideki Go's Words

While the group was joking around, preparations were in full swing in the maintenance area below the stands.

Just a hundred meters from the exit, 49 drivers gathered around their cars, making final adjustments.

"Hey friend, you need to check this ECU for me on the computer. I feel like the car isn't handling right today."

"Damn it, do you feel the same way? My car failed to start three times in a row this morning, and the screen even flickered a few times."

Listening to the complaints from the other team mechanics around her, Marina Kazama frowned slightly.

She turned her head and looked at Hideki Go, who was squatting next to the CB1300, doing the final test.

"What's wrong?" Hideki noticed her absent-mindedness. "You look so pale, are you nervous?"

"No... I was just wondering if Hayasaka is ultimately not coming. The match is about to start."

Hideki paused slightly, wiped his forehead, and stood up.

"I think... that child is probably trapped by something."

He patted Marina's tense shoulder, his tone as steady as a mountain.

"However, everyone has their own abyss to cross alone, and what you need to do now is hold on tight to your own handlebars."

Go on, don't let the wind that waits for you down.

“Yes.” Marina nodded emphatically and fastened her helmet.

Hideki watched Marina push the cart toward the assembly area and smiled with satisfaction.

He then turned and walked toward the employee passage next to him.

As he pushed open the iron gate leading to the outer field, his hand paused for a second before finally letting go of the doorknob.

"Ugh……"

A soft sigh drifted away on the wind, and Hideki turned and walked towards the wooded area behind the maintenance area where equipment was parked.

…………

Behind the maintenance area is a small grove of trees that was preserved to block out noise.

With most of the support staff already at the starting line, the area was unusually quiet.

Except for one person.

Ai Hayasaka straddled a Honda RC213V-S, her helmet casually tossed aside next to the dashboard.

Her long hair, which had originally been tied up, was restyled into a side ponytail, a symbol of her maid status.

Listening to the clamor of voices coming from the main venue, Hayasaka Ai felt increasingly uneasy.

She looked down, staring blankly at her hands covered in motorcycle gloves.

The intense training over the past few days has caused noticeable wear and tear on the palms of the gloves.

They silently tell of how much this girl once longed to break free from those constraints.

But now, it's all useless.

We still need to stop here.

Hayasaka Ai chuckled to herself.

"That's true. I'm just an appendage of the Shinomiya family, a maid who obeys orders... What right do I have to race against those who are truly free?"

"Why didn't you go to the starting line, Hasaka?"

A deep and reassuring voice suddenly rang out from under the shade of a tree not far away.

Hayasaka Ai suddenly looked up and met Hideki Go's deep and gentle eyes.

“Mr. Go…” Hayasaka Ai’s voice was a little hoarse.

"Just call me Uncle Xiang. The word 'sir' sounds too formal."

Hideki walked over with his hands in his pockets, completely unpretentious.

"Now that you're all dressed up and on the motorcycle, why not let it roar on the track?"

"You know, the wind on the track is just waiting to give you a push."

Upon hearing these words, the light in Hayasaka Ai's eyes dimmed completely.

"Uncle, there's no wind today, and no Hasakah."

"How can you feel the wind if you don't twist the accelerator and start driving?"

Hideki leaned against a large tree next to the motorcycle, looking up at the sky cut through by the leaves.

"Besides, if there's no Hasaka, why not just go back to being Hayasaka Ai?"

Hayasaka Ai suddenly looked up, staring incredulously at the old man at the auto repair shop.

“I’ve heard Marina talk about you.”

Hideki withdrew his gaze and looked directly into the girl's trembling pupils.

"So I've been wondering, what is it that makes you, someone so highly regarded by your companions and so trusted by that girl named Kaguya, willing to stop here?"

“I…I can’t just think of myself; I have to consider the interests of the family.”

"I can't let the young lady be embarrassed because of me, that's all."

Hayasaka Ai gritted her teeth and gripped the handlebars tightly.

"Everyone needs a moment when they live for themselves."

Hideki Go's voice wasn't loud, but it struck Hayasaka Ai's heart like a heavy hammer.

"If you don't dare to take that step, this shadow will continue to gnaw at your soul for decades to come."

Hideki Go stood up straight, his eyes piercing.

There will always be a moment when you will loathe the person you are today who chose to give up... because the price you pay is too high.

Hayasaka Ai pursed her lips, her inner strength churning fiercely.

"Besides those high-sounding reasons, what is the real reason that made you stop?"

Hideki stepped forward. "If possible, I want to hear the truth."

Seeing that Hayasaka Ai remained silent, Hideki Go spoke again, recalling the situation he had observed regarding the rear wheels of that car a few days earlier.

"Let me guess, were you coerced? Or... was your car tampered with?"

"...!"

Hayasaka Ai looked up at Hideki Go, and Hideki Go, seeing Hayasaka's expression, understood what was going on.

"This locomotive has excellent performance. Even after more than ten years in its assembled state, there should be no problem with lubricating oil dripping."

“When I did the repairs for you a few days ago, I found obvious signs of human damage.”