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

The two men exchanged a glance and simultaneously let out a low groan.

After a moment of silence, Eriri Sawamura asked,

"Was that thing you just showed me really brought from afar?"

"Yeah, it wasn't hidden well; it fell on the sofa and I noticed it."

Kasumigaoka Utaha walked to the window and looked at the gloomy sky.

Eriri Sawamura's cheeks were still flushed; Kasumigaoka Utaha's answer had given her a slightly inappropriate thought.

"What did Qianli say when he came to see you?"

“I know what you want to know, but there’s no need to beat around the bush. He didn’t mention you.”

"Ah."

"Believe it or not, the important thing isn't that, but that his situation is somewhat different from ours."

"Different? What does that mean?"

Eriri Sawamura sat up in bed.

"Simply put, his dreams are incomplete. He knows us and is aware of the general process of our interactions in the dreams, but he is completely unaware of some specific details, such as the little things we did together in real life."

"..."

"How should I put it? Our relationship with him right now can be described in one sentence: the most familiar strangers."

Kasumigaoka Utaha did not turn back.

Eriri Sawamura stood up and walked directly to her side, looking at her suspiciously.

"That's a suspicious statement. You're not up to some trick again, are you?"

"I knew you'd react like this."

Kasumigaoka Utaha returned to her desk, picked up her phone, and tapped it a few times. Then, Sawamura Eriri's phone beeped.

"There's no point in saying more. I've already sent you Qianli's LINE account. It would be better if you asked him directly for details."

Eriri Sawamura stared at her phone screen.

Since that wretched woman had already gone this far, she was actually starting to believe that what the other party said was true.

But as expected, she still felt some resistance to accepting this situation. If she could, she would definitely hope that Suzumiya Chisato would remember the things in her dreams as clearly as she and Kasumigaoka Utaha.

After a blissful life in a dream ends, reuniting in reality with longing and memories for each other, and making up for the regrets and unfinished things in the dream one by one, would have been a romantic and beautiful thing.

For example, taking advantage of the best years before entering society to visit scenic spots you've never been to before; strolling hand in hand through city streets, sparkling with romance; and having more than just one child, at least two, or even three...

"I was a little surprised when I first learned about this from him, but I quickly came to terms with it."

Looking at the continuous rain outside the window, Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly said something that brought the uneasy-looking Sawamura Eriri back to her senses.

"What do you mean?"

"Appearance, figure, smell, habits, eyes, gait, smile, food preferences... Except for his less proactive personality, everything else feels exactly the same to me. I know he is still him, and that's enough."

"...Are you trying to comfort me?"

"No, I'm just telling you my thoughts honestly. But if I had to say, it would be best if you could withdraw voluntarily."

"You know perfectly well that it's impossible, so why did you bring it up on purpose?"

"Some things become clear once you meet them in person, and there's no point in hiding them."

"...Thank you so much."

Eriri Sawamura glanced at her.

Kasumigaoka Utaha shrugged.

"Consider it my apology for the bad things I did before, don't mind it."

Eriri Sawamura sighed, sat back down on the edge of the bed, and lay down straight, burying her face in the soft pillow.

This was entirely a subconscious act. The impression from the previous dream was too deep, and now she no longer particularly dislikes Kasumigaoka Utaha's things, after all, they had shared a big bed for a lifetime.

Of course, the two of them would never sleep together; they would always hold onto Suzumiya Chisato's left and right arms, one on each side.

Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't say anything more about Sawamura Eriri's behavior this time. She sat down at the table and opened the novel she hadn't finished reading before.

"Hey, Shiyu."

"what happened?"

"What you just said, is it true? That's the feeling Qianli gave you."

"Yes, without a doubt, even something as intangible as temperament feels extremely familiar to me."

"...I really want to see him too."

"just go."

"But I have very mixed feelings right now. After hearing what you said about his situation, I have no idea how to face him or what to say when I meet him."

"It's really the troubles of a young girl. She doesn't seem like someone who has just given birth at all. You know, the real Qianli has many fewer memories than us. Do you know what that means?"

"What does it mean?"

Eriri Sawamura raised her head.

Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed softly.

"This shows that your IQ is indeed not high enough. You've wasted so many years of experience as a married woman. You should just leave the group this time."

…………

Chapter Ninety-Eight: Sparkling Bright ~kirakira~

What does Ichika Hoshika, the manager of the Starry Night Showroom, usually do?

Cleaning the store, selling drinks at the bar, adjusting the stage lighting and microphones/sound equipment...

She doesn't need to do any of these things; the store staff naturally have their own responsibilities.

As the store manager, her responsibilities are more macro-level.

Besides ensuring the store's profitability and timely wage payments, we occasionally have to face situations like this.

The two sat facing each other at a small table.

"Suzumiya Senri, a second-year student at the Minegashiro Affiliated School."

"Yes."

Do your parents agree to you working? And are there any restrictions on working at your school?

"My parents have no problem; they encourage me to go out and experience life more. There are no problems at school either; our school has a very open and autonomous atmosphere."

"Hmm, do you have any prior work experience?"

"Yes, I've handed out flyers and worked as a waiter in a restaurant."

Although it was an experience from a past life, it wasn't exactly a lie, so Chisato Suzumiya's tone was very natural.

"Really... Smile."

Upon hearing Ichiji Hoshika's words, Suzumiya Chisato paused for a moment, but immediately did as she was told.

The boy's lips curled up, his smile like ripples spreading across a lake, touching people's hearts.

Ichi Seika silently sipped the strawberry milk in her hand, slowly biting the straw in her mouth.

She was overwhelmed with mixed feelings. She thought of the boy she had a crush on in junior high school but couldn't confess to, the idols she was obsessed with in idol dramas when she was in a band, and the all-night parties with her girlfriends at karaoke.

All the beautiful memories of youth in my mind were unearthed by the casual smile of the boy in front of me.

She's already 29 years old, can't she be a little more reserved? She's actually getting a little shy being stared at by a high school student.

Ichi Seika reflected on herself in her heart and kept reminding herself that the person in front of her was her sister's friend, and she couldn't even think about it!

"Well... since it was Hongxia who recommended you, I don't have any other questions. If you've made up your mind, you can come and start working tomorrow."

Suzumiya Chisato stood up and bowed slightly.

"Thank you very much."

"If you're free today, stay here a little longer, get familiar with the surroundings, and feel free to wander around. It'll get lively later. Go ahead."

Ijichi Hoshika didn't dare to linger her gaze on his face any longer. She got up, went back behind the bar, and put on her headphones.

The interview went smoothly and uneventfully, and Suzumiya Chisato was in a good mood.

I came here with Goto Ichiri, and unexpectedly, his part-time job problem was also solved along the way. What a pleasant surprise!

I'll treat myself to a chicken leg tonight, and give Ya Ya some different nuts too—I'll buy a small bag of pine nuts for her to try.

With this plan in mind, Suzumiya Chisato turned and walked towards the room on the side of the stage. It was a recording studio that was not usually open to the public, but it was used by the band to practice. Because it was a specially made soundproof room, there was no need to worry about disturbing the neighbors no matter how noisy it was.

While he was conducting the interview, Ichika Ichiro first took Goto Ichiri on a tour, telling him to come find them directly after he finished.

When Suzumiya Chisato pushed open the door and walked in, the sound of an electric guitar coming from inside startled him, who was completely unprepared.

However, he quickly suppressed his surprise. When Ichiji Nijika noticed him coming in, she saw him put his index finger to his lips and make a shushing gesture.

Suzumiya Senri nodded and quietly looked at the only performer in the recording studio, Goto Ichiri, who was playing the guitar with all his might.

Contrary to her usual clumsy and slow-witted demeanor, her left hand displayed astonishing dexterity, with each fingertip seemingly possessing its own consciousness, dancing lightly between the neck of the violin, while the pick in her right hand precisely produced the beautiful tones of the strings.

Suzumiya Chisato recalled Goto Ichiri's performance during lunch break that day, when she jokingly remarked that the unplugged electric guitar sounded a bit like fluffing cotton.

He had unspoken praise at that time, but even from a layman's perspective, it was clear that Goto Ichiri's guitar-playing technique was quite skillful.

What's more striking than the sound of her electric guitar is her expression—a mixture of seriousness and joy—as she immerses herself in her beloved world.

Just like... just like Touma Kazusa when she plays the piano, she shines and is full of charm.

The melody that resounded in the recording studio gradually faded.

Goto Ichiri's chest heaved slightly, and beads of sweat trickled down his forehead. It was his first time performing in front of others, and he had inadvertently overdone it.

But it should be fine, right? Although the melody sped up for a while, she quickly adjusted it back, so she probably wasn't noticed.

She cautiously raised her head, and the moment she finished playing, the spirited guitarist disappeared, and the gloomy, autistic character reappeared.