In crossover anime, who isn't a childhood friend?

Or perhaps she felt resentful that someone as brilliant as her was surrounded by a man like herself.

But it doesn't matter which one it is~ He won't care.

Yoko Touma led them to a private lounge.

The room is simply furnished, about 20 square meters, with only two long sofas, a coffee table, and a bathroom.

Even so, it's enough for rest.

The room is isolated from the outside world, making it far more comfortable than public places outside in terms of privacy.

This is the privilege of having fame and a certain status—knowing that Touma Kazusa's genius daughter is going to participate in the competition.

Needless to say, the organizers specially prepared this lounge for them.

For someone like Yuan Qianye, who was completely unknown in the piano world and was participating for the first time, she was fortunate to have such an opportunity.

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 so sorry, President, I'm late."

"You're definitely late. If you miss the competition, you can say goodbye to your year-end bonus."

"Sorry, there was this idiot in the parking lot who couldn't back into his car. He blocked me for a long time, and in the end I couldn't stand it anymore, so I got out of my car and helped him park."

"You've had it tough too... Fine, I forgive you, give me the things."

"Yes!"

After waiting in the lounge for more than ten minutes, Miyoko Kudo finally arrived.

This person was a familiar face to Yuan Qianye.

She has absolutely no connection to that world-famous mystery novelist.

This fashionable and capable urban woman is simply a diligent employee at Touma Yoko's agency.

Back then, on Christmas Eve, she was instructed by her boss in Las Vegas to succumb to the allure of designer handbags and leave the party midway through, specifically to help her boss's daughter.

Miyoko Kudo is here mainly to deliver the suit that Yoko Touma specially ordered some time ago.

A luxury Italian handcrafted brand has meticulously crafted this product, touted as the social armor of the civilized urban man.

Of course, with such a high level of prestige, the price is bound to be equally hefty.

This suit was clearly prepared for Gen Chiya, who is participating in the competition for the first time today.

Looking at the suit that Yoko handed him, Gen Chiya said with a hint of helplessness, "Was this really necessary?"

He was wearing the school's Western-style uniform today, which is considered formal attire, and he thought it suited him perfectly and there was no problem with it.

Yoko handed the suit to him, giving him a "just listen to me" look: "Of course it's necessary. Although there are no special requirements for the piano competition, attire is indeed a part of scoring, and it's very important."

She wasn't lying.

Most formal piano competitions judge candidates based on several factors, including technical accuracy, musical expression, repertoire difficulty and suitability, and overall stage presence.

The "overall stage presence" refers not only to musical performance but also to the impressions given by the performer's attire, much like the impression score in a job interview.

Wearing a proper suit to a job interview will definitely make you more likely to be favored and get job opportunities than wearing flip-flops and a tank top like the Fire Cloud Evil God.

World-class pianists have said so, and he doesn't need to do anything extra; it's all been delivered right to him, all he needs to do is put it on.

Then Yuan Qianye had no reason to refuse again.

He asked twice how much the clothes cost, but Yaozi brushed him off lightly each time, clearly anticipating his thoughts and not giving him a chance to be polite.

Helpless, he took his suit and went into the bathroom after sincerely thanking Yaozi for her kindness.

Touma Yoko's judgment is naturally impeccable.

At her urging, Yuan Qianye went into the bathroom, changed his clothes, and came out the moment he did.

The other three women present were momentarily stunned by his handsome appearance the instant their eyes met.

It's like a school uniform for young girls.

The moment Yuan Qianye put on the custom-made suit, his destructive power was equally astonishing.

Kudo Miyoko clutched her pounding chest and quietly leaned close to her boss's ear: "Chairman, although it's not appropriate to talk about this now, my uterus definitely trembled the moment I saw this child."

"Really, you should go find a boyfriend..."

Suppressing the amazement in her eyes, Touma Yoko stepped forward and smoothed out the uneven patches on Minamoto Chiya's sleeves.

"I have good taste, this suits you perfectly."

She then turned around and took a lapel pin from her bag, handing it to Kazusa.

The daughter's behavior was even worse than that of her subordinate; it took two calls for her to finally react in a daze.

What am I going to do? This child just so happens to have inherited my genes for being obsessed with good looks...

Touma Yoko sighed inwardly, but outwardly remained calm as she instructed, "Help Chiya put this on. Miyoko and I are going outside to check on the situation at the competition venue."

"Oh, oh... I understand." Kazusa accepted it somewhat awkwardly.

After Yoko finished speaking, she led Miyoko out of the lounge.

A mother will always love her child.

The reason for deliberately leaving now is, of course, because I want to help my daughter.

Kazusa wore a deep blue silk dress today, with the hem slightly trailing on the ground. Paired with diamond earrings and a high bun, she looked elegant and professional, having shed much of her youthful naiveté.

The moment she stood before him, Yuan Qianye couldn't help but feel a little distracted.

Through the sheer fabric with its specially designed opening at the chest, he could even see part of the outline of two large white rabbits.

They huddle together, plump and healthy, already showing promise for the future.

The suit he had just changed into, whether intentionally or not by one of his mothers, was almost identical in color to Kazusa's dress.

At this moment, the dark red gemstone brooch in Kazusa's hand was exactly the same color as her earrings.

The two women's clothing and accessories share too many similar elements.

Even their looks and figures are quite well-matched.

If they had walked into the public rest area together in this manner, many people's initial suspicions would have become certainties.

It's hard not to imagine that these two perfectly matched people aren't a couple.

Wearing matching outfits like this is probably a deliberate way of showing affection to satisfy one's own desires.

Damn it! What do these two think this solemn competition is?! They have absolutely no respect whatsoever!

"Okay, all done..."

"oh oh……"

Kazusa helped Chiyo put on the lapel pin, blinked, and slowly took a step back.

Yuan Qianye tilted his head slightly, his response also somewhat dry.

The two sat on the sofa.

Having participated in many such events, Kazusa felt that since she was in a familiar place, it was necessary for her, as an experienced senior, to give the newcomers a few words of advice beforehand.

"The competition is about to start, are you nervous?"

"It's alright. In short, just remember to bow to the audience and judges when you go on and off stage. Besides that, the most important thing is to perform as perfectly as we practice."

Kazusa nodded.

Then she didn't know what to say.

Her feelings at this moment are somewhat similar to those of an otaku when they see their favorite girl cosplaying as a character from their favorite manga.

The phrase "extremely excited" is the only accurate way to describe it.

Yuan Qianye's figure, given his usual preference for loose clothing, appeared quite ordinary.

But now, wearing a tailored, fitted suit, his well-proportioned and shapely physique is on full display.

He truly embodies what a sporty young man should be, yet he also possesses a face that would easily make him an idol.

How could she possibly maintain her usual composure under such circumstances?

After a moment of silence, it was Gen Chiya who spoke again.

Let's cheer each other on in today's match!

"Ah."

After instinctively replying, Kazusa quickly glanced in his direction and added,

"If you perform normally, advancing to the finals will be no problem at all."

"Is that so? It's all thanks to Ms. Kazusa's hard work and guidance over this period of time."

"Don't blame everything on me. You've been working very hard lately, practicing swordsmanship while also taking care of the piano... That's great."

Gen Chiya looked at Kazusa in surprise. She saw that Kazusa had her head slightly lowered, her face flushed, and her hands were placed on either side of her knees, doing finger stretching exercises.

"Thank you," he replied after a moment's thought.

Kazusa lowered her head even further: "It's a promise, we'll meet in the finals. Don't get eliminated halfway through."

"Yes, I'll try my best."

"Let me make this clear first: I won't hold back in the final."

"That would be best. If you go easy on me, I'll get angry."

At this moment, Touma Yoko returned.

She smiled with satisfaction when she saw the two people chatting and laughing on the sofa.

However, after walking closer and seeing where Gen Chiya wore the collar pin, he was speechless.

My silly daughter, why did you tie the lapel pin almost all the way up to your chest? It looks like Ultraman's timer.

Seriously, anyone with a keen eye would laugh themselves to death if they saw someone go on stage like that.

Kazusa... she's useless even if you give her a chance.

But then I thought about it again. Over the years, this child has been spoiled by her, never having had a chance to help men with their clothes. It seems normal for her to make such a mistake.