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

At this moment, only she could respond to Yuan Qianye's words without any negative feelings: "Maybe we can form a club together or something, that should be a lot of fun."

"Haha, I don't think we need to force ourselves into this. Everyone should just do what they like."

Thank God...

Eriri breathed a sigh of relief. Not wanting to talk about these things, she immediately changed the subject: "What are everyone's plans for the night of July 31st?"

Summer fireworks displays are, in her opinion, an essential activity during summer vacation that can enhance relationships between friends.

Saeko and Yukino both shook their heads, indicating that they had no special plans.

Yuan Qianye said, "I'm sorry, I already have an appointment that day. I have to accompany Shiyu to a banquet hosted by the company she is signed with."

As he spoke, he reached out to grab a piece of chocolate.

"Snapped!"

Yukino slammed the delicate chocolate box shut.

She said mercilessly, "There's not much left. Let's leave it for Uncle, Aunt, Sister Shihua, and Liuhua to try."

Gen Chiya: "?"

You're telling me there aren't many left, even though there are still a dozen or so?

…………

Volume 1: Chapter 107: The Blonde Beauty's First Encounter with Lord Yuan (4500)

Time quickly came to July 31st.

Chiya had made preparations long ago, and put on the suit that Kasumigaoka Utaha had specially bought for him.

During this time, Shihua, who also knew that he needed to appear at a formal occasion, insisted on tidying up his hairstyle and clothing.

After everything was ready, he went out and went directly to the Kasumigaoka residence to pick up today's leading lady.

Shiyu herself was really looking forward to this day, and was overjoyed that Gen Chiya would come to pick her up.

She had already decided to go directly to the banquet venue to meet up.

Who would have thought he would act so gentlemanly?

This was a completely unexpected and delightful surprise that she had not anticipated.

She was overjoyed, thinking that they could practically be considered a real couple right now, without feeling out of place at all.

"ah--"

"Are you alright?"

The slight difference in elevation when descending the steps in front of the gate.

She let out a soft cry as she walked through this place, Kasumigaoka, which she had visited over a decade ago.

He "accidentally" stumbled and lost his balance.

Yuan Qianye reacted quickly, immediately going over to support her arm.

Shi Yu leaned against him, her whole body pressed against his chest. She slowly straightened up, looked up, her eyes glistening with tears, and replied with utmost gentleness.

"Sorry, I'm not used to wearing high heels today. Thank you, Chiya."

"It's good that you're alright."

The two, a perfect match made in heaven, gazed into each other's eyes, their romance reaching its peak.

Suddenly, a strange "creaking" sound came from the side, quite clearly.

What the hell is that noise?

Yuan Qianye straightened Shiyu and tilted his head in confusion, searching for the source of the strange sound.

Mrs. Kasumigaoka shoved her gritting husband into the house, slammed the door shut without looking back, and gave the two of them a few words of advice with a smile.

"Shiyu, be polite when you're out. And little Qianye, thank you for your help today. Remember to have fun."

"Okay, Mom."

"Then we'll be going now, Auntie."

"Go on your way, and be careful on the road!"

After politely bidding farewell to Mrs. Kasumigaoka.

The two took a taxi together to the villa estate in Meguro Ward where the banquet was being held.

This appears to be a commercial estate that specializes in renting out banquets.

At the gate, Yuan Qianye saw a sign with relevant text engraved on it, which included business contact information.

Entering through the front gate, the villa is very grand, with a style leaning towards British.

The road, paved with dark red bricks, is lined with beautifully maintained green plants and flowers.

Before entering the banquet area, security personnel were on hand to maintain order and verify identities.

Although they seemed a bit busy, they generally gave off a very professional vibe.

"According to Ms. Machida, the banquet hosted by the paperback company this time not only invited professionals in the light novel industry, but also some big names in the traditional literary world, as well as the heads of large conglomerates, so the security at the event will be quite strict."

Kasumigaoka leaned close to Gen Chiya's ear and whispered an explanation, his soft, warm body right beside him, a faint fragrance wafting over.

Gen Chiya nodded silently to indicate that he understood.

The two entered the banquet hall.

The villa has a large interior space, with part of the second floor being opened up, and a huge crystal chandelier hanging from the center.

You can access the second floor from the back staircase, where you can see many rooms and also look down at the lobby on the first floor from the corridor.

As soon as Kasumigaoka appeared, the editor I just mentioned quickly greeted her with a happy smile.

"Welcome, welcome, Ms. Kasumiko!"

Her gaze shifted to her male companion, Yuan Qianye, and she looked surprised, blurting out...

"The Dragon of the Empire?"

Previously, it was because of Minamoto Chiya that Kasumi Shiko's "Love Metronome" was able to be revived from a desperate situation.

It indirectly helped me at work.

How could she not remember this boy?

The reason for blurting out such a nickname was not out of any intention to tease.

It was simply because this simple, unique, and positive nickname had appeared more frequently online and in the news media recently than her real name, leaving a deeper impression on her.

Yuan Qianye chuckled politely, seemingly unconcerned.

Kasumigaoka introduced the two to each other: "Chiya, this is Ms. Machida Sonoko. She is my editor and has given me a lot of help with my novel writing."

"Ms. Machida, this is Chiya Minamoto. I probably don't need to introduce the others."

"No, you don't need to, but you guys... you've actually become friends, that's so great."

Machida Sonoko looked them over, smiling broadly and appearing quite happy.

However, Kasumigaoka didn't bring her parents, but only this young man. The two of them were even wearing the same color suit and tuxedo, such a coordinated look...

She began to speculate about the relationship between them.

That's how young people should be!

Yuan Qianye noticed that their interactions were like those of friends, without the formality and awkwardness often seen in the workplace.

Naturally, they casually greeted each other and even spontaneously cracked a small joke.

"You said there was no need for a special introduction, does that mean Shiyu mentioned me to Ms. Machida before?"

Wow~ They're calling each other by their first names now.

They kissed in private, right? They definitely kissed more than once!

The editor suppressed her maternal smile.

"It has indeed been mentioned, more than once. After all, in Ms. Kasumi's heart, Gen-kun is the great benefactor who reached out and saved her from the darkness."

"..."

Yuan Qianye was somewhat surprised. She thought the editor would take into account Shiyu's position as a girl and deny it outright, but she didn't expect her to be so blunt.

Then turn your head to look at the person next to you.

Shi Yu's face was flushed, and her head was lowered, clearly showing that she was very shy.

Sensing Yuan Qianye's gaze, Shi Yu did not look away, but blinked and looked back.

This is the biggest difference between her and the other girls around Yuan Qianye.

She doesn't choose to hide certain feelings at appropriate times.

Despite the many moments of wavering in a young girl's heart, her racing heartbeat, and her thoughts boiling over like hot water, she still openly and generously expresses them.

This is her way of "fighting".

"Sorry, I'm a bit busy right now. Let's talk later. You're welcome to wander around. Feel free to help yourself to the food and drinks at the banquet."

Ms. Machida wanted to chat a little longer, but she had to fulfill her duties as an editor and attend to other light novel authors, so she left after a brief chat.

After what just happened, both Minamoto no Chiya and Kasumigaoka Utaha's mindsets underwent some subtle changes.

The atmosphere between them became somewhat subtle.

However, this change did not last long.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, who publishes "Love Metronome" under the pen name Kasumigaoka Utako, is now quite well-known in the light novel market.

Most of the people present were from the industry, and soon someone took the initiative to go up and chat with them.

Yuan Qianye, who was accompanying her, also enjoyed this treatment.

He has some fame in both kendo and piano.