In this crossover anime, I've been bound to two systems.

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.

"I'm not asking you to apologize... I'm the one who needs to apologize..."

Eriri Sawamura lowered her deep blue eyes and spoke, suppressing a strong sense of shame.

After saying that, she bit her lip and glanced at Suzumiya Chisato's facial expression.

She had never apologized to someone her own age before; this was the first time she had ever done so.

She did feel guilty about the question that Suzumiya Chisato had asked her earlier. Just as he had said, good friends shouldn't hide things from each other; that would be a sign of estrangement, like bullying that deliberately excludes someone.

No one likes bullying, especially someone who has always considered them a good friend or even someone they have romantic feelings for. They would probably dislike the feeling of being excluded even more.

The key is what you're about to say. I've practiced it many times at home over the past few nights, so there shouldn't be any problem. I just need to say what I've practiced before, smoothly and fluently.

Eriri Sawamura secretly encouraged herself.

"...I'm sorry, Suzumiya. I shouldn't have hidden the fact that I was drawing doujinshi in secret from you. I should have told you sooner. Can you forgive me... Can we still be friends?"

For Eriri Sawamura now, she had already downgraded the priority of being forcibly kissed to the incident of hiding her friend's secret because of Chisato Suzumiya's preconceived one-sided questioning.

She was simple-minded and thought that by making such a concession and forgetting about the unpleasant incident, she could reconcile with Suzumiya Chisato. This was the most normal and natural development.

But there is never a journey that is absolutely smooth sailing, and things obviously unfolded as such.

After she finished speaking, I thought I would see Suzumiya Chisato's usual gentle smile. He was a boy, and naturally more composed than me, so this little bit of concealment was no big deal, right?

In addition, he himself made a mistake by acting that way towards a girl, which was extremely ungentlemanly.

I'll let it go for now. I'll find another opportunity to make him apologize, and after a few rounds of self-restraint, I'll forgive him. Then, their relationship will definitely return to what it was before—a harmonious relationship where they are both friends and competitors on the path of painting.

It will definitely go by that smoothly... right...?

Eriri Sawamura looked at Chisato Suzumiya, who remained silent for a long time without responding, her expression somber and indifferent.

The initial excitement of being absolutely certain gradually subsided, and the heartbeat slowed down.

Things didn't go as she expected; it shouldn't have been like this...

They will reconcile. There may be some unexpected situations along the way, such as awkwardness between themselves or the other person because they haven't been in contact for a long time. But these are all insignificant and can be easily overcome.

Looking back after they've made up, those awkward moments might even be something to cherish as a pleasant memory, the kind that brings a smile to your face.

This is how it should be...

"...I'm sorry, Eriri."

After a long silence, Suzumiya Chisato finally spoke.

Wait a moment.

Don't apologize.

"I can't convince myself to do it."

His voice was utterly desolate, completely devoid of the warm and vibrant quality that Eriri Sawamura was familiar with; it was like a withered leaf drooping on a branch in the depths of winter, drifting in the wind.

"Why...why?!"

Eriri Sawamura blurted out the question instinctively, her voice becoming unnaturally loud due to her emotional outburst, drawing curious glances from pedestrians waiting for the green light at the zebra crossing.

Such an inappropriate behavior should have made Eriri Sawamura, who usually pays attention to her image, blush and lower her head in embarrassment, but she didn't care about such external reactions at all.

She simply stared intently into Ryoumiya Chisato's eyes with a stubborn and earnest gaze, wanting to get his answer.

Despite his cold demeanor, Suzumiya Senri managed a forced smile.

Eriri Sawamura disliked that smile at all; it was unfamiliar and fake, and it made her feel extremely heartbroken.

"Why... that's the question I should be asking."

"I don't understand what you mean."

"..."

"Liang... Palace?"

Don't stay silent...

Eriri Sawamura looked at him, and a sudden, indescribable feeling of sadness welled up in her nose.

"...What kind of torture is it to keep someone who has already expressed their feelings by your side as a friend, watching you so close yet unreachable every day?"

A self-destructive, bitter smile appeared on Suzumiya Chisato's face. Sawamura Eriri was stung by his smile and only then realized that her seemingly perfect reconciliation plan was wishful thinking from the beginning, without any consideration for Suzumiya Chisato's feelings.

"I'm sorry, I can't continue being friends with Eriri."

After repeating the phrase "it's a done deal" once again.

As the green light turned on, Suzumiya Senri began her journey along with the surrounding pedestrians.

The next moment, his right hand was tightly gripped by two warm little hands, making it impossible for him to move forward.

Unseen by Eriri Sawamura, Chisato Suzumiya let out a soft breath.

That was the expression of relief that appeared after a period of extreme tension.

…………

Chapter Twenty-Eight: A Friendship That Has Gone Astray

"Don't cry... Along the way, people must have thought I bullied you."

You've already bullied me. Normally, would a boy be so petty as to break off a friendship with a girl?

Eriri Sawamura wanted to say that, but because she always felt that she was in the wrong, she could only remain silent.

"..."

With a sigh, Chisato Suzumiya took out a tissue and wiped away the tears from Eriri's eyes, whose face was covered in a mess of tears.

Eriri Sawamura kept blowing her nose, her beautiful deep blue eyes were surrounded by redness, making her look quite pitiful.

"Also, now that we're at my house, you can let me go now, right?"

"...If we don't let go, what if it runs away?"

"I can't run away. This is my home. Where can I run to?"

After much persuasion, Eriri Sawamura finally relented.

Suzumiya Chisato hung her uniform jacket in the closet, said "I'll go make you some tea," and then opened the door and went downstairs.

Eriri Sawamura didn't stop her. She really needed some alone time to sort out her thoughts, even if it was just temporarily.

After that conversation outside, she instinctively grabbed Ryoumiya Chisato's hand to prevent him from leaving.

After that, she became even more determined not to let go and followed him all the way to Suzumiya Chisato's house.

Luckily, his mother wasn't home, otherwise he would have been so ashamed he wouldn't have been able to lift his head.

In a relatively private setting, Eriri Sawamura's sense of shame finally came out belatedly.

It was embarrassing, but it was still not too bad. At least in the situation just now, her relationship with Suzumiya Chisato seemed to be showing signs of improvement.

However, it had been a long time since I had been to Suzumiya's room. I had been there twice before but hadn't stayed for long, so I hadn't had a chance to observe it closely.

Eriri Sawamura stood up, took a few steps, and looked around.

The room was clean and hygienic, with nothing strange or smelly.

There are many books on the desk, most of which are art textbooks.

Looking at the various drawing pens neatly arranged on the table, Eriri Sawamura couldn't help but walk over and gently touch the table with her fingertips.

He studies and paints here every day.

She saw a small lock on the middle drawer of the desk, but the lock was not locked.

If it can be locked, there must be some important secret hidden inside, like a diary where you record your feelings or something.

Reason told Eriri Sawamura that it was wrong to spy on other people's privacy, but her hand still unconsciously reached towards the drawer.

The current Suzumiya Chisato feels increasingly unfamiliar to her, and even though he unilaterally announced that they can no longer be friends, she is still unwilling to give up like this.

If I could really see Haruhi's diary, then I might be able to understand his inner thoughts better, and then their friendship might have an unexpected turning point.

Eriri's fingers had already gently touched the delicate little lock.

"quack!--"

Suddenly, a sharp and unpleasant sound came from the room.

Before Eriri Sawamura could even react to what the sound was, a black crow descended from the sky and landed on her desk.

It flapped its jet-black wings frantically, scaring Eriri Sawamura so much that she kept backing away and sat down on the bed.

"what happened?"

At that moment, Suzumiya Senri also opened the door and walked in, carrying tea.

He saw the black wings standing in the center of the desk, and then he saw Eriri Sawamura looking panicked. He vaguely understood what was going on.

He calmly handed the tea to Eriri Sawamura.

"I'm sorry I startled you. This is my pet. I should have told you before."

"It wasn't said to be a bird..."

Eriri Sawamura realized before she could finish her thought that crows were indeed a type of bird.

"Go back after you finish this cup of tea."

Suzumiya Chisato reverted to the indifferent demeanor she had displayed on the street.

Eriri Sawamura gripped her teacup tightly; the journey had solidified her resolve.

"I won't go back like this unless you, Suzumiya, agree to be friends with me again."

Suzumiya Chisato sighed.

"Did you completely misunderstand what I just said, Eriri? Do you need me to repeat it?"

"I do not care……"

"what?"