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

But even after that, Saeko continued to chat with him from time to time, and even made a point of video calling him.

Although she appeared nonchalant, it was quite obvious to Kasumigaoka that she was steer the conversation towards the specifics of her and Chiya's interactions afterward.

That's a conclusion that can be reached very easily.

It was also the first time this situation was noticed.

Kasumigaoka Utaha had already decided in her heart that Saeko Busujima was the first and only true friend in her life so far, and perhaps she would continue to cherish this unique and precious friendship in the future.

Not counting Qianye, Qianye has an even more unique and exclusive title~

It's just that my best friend's taste is a bit lacking...

The profile picture used in the communication software is an unnamed blooming flower.

The vibrant colors reminded Shiyu of the group of middle-aged women in their forties and fifties in her mother's phone contacts.

But such trivial matters do not affect the purity of their friendship.

Okay.

Because besides Chiya, Saeko is now her favorite person, so much so that she unconsciously adds cute suffixes to her replies.

It was noon.

Kasumigaoka Utaha tossed her long hair as she gracefully walked out and arrived at the school rooftop.

Seeing that familiar figure, she smiled and quickly walked over.

"Saeko, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting."

Saeko Busujima smiled back, and while sitting on the bench, she reached out and patted the spot next to her.

After sitting down next to Kasumigaoka, she took out two bento boxes from the cloth bag beside her, one for herself and the other for Kasumigaoka.

"Thank you, Saeko."

"It's alright, it was just something I did on the spur of the moment, nothing to worry about, no need to thank me, I just don't know if it suits your taste."

“I have witnessed Saeko’s cooking skills firsthand, and I think they are even better than those of some professional restaurants.”

Kasumigaoka opened the bento box.

That is indeed the case.

In a casual conversation some time ago, Saeko seemed to have mentioned that she had shown an interest in cooking since the third grade of elementary school and had begun to put it into practice.

Her accumulated skills and experience over the years have enabled her to reach a remarkably high level of culinary expertise.

The bento box contains mixed grain rice, and the side dishes include shrimp, tamagoyaki (Japanese rolled omelet), broccoli, and pan-fried beef.

"I was a little lazy yesterday and didn't go to the supermarket to buy groceries, so I didn't have any extra ingredients to make soup. So I'll just make do with this today."

Seeing Saeko take out two cartons of milk from her bag, Kasumigaoka couldn't help but chuckle again.

Now we have meat, eggs, and dairy products all together.

Kasumigaoka had always been dismissive of the Yamato Nadeshiko image so revered by the Japanese people.

They felt that this was merely a subtle ideology promoted by the male-dominated upper class that placed women in a subordinate position, and that it was a sinister attempt to enslave and subjugate women.

When she was actually there, being cared for by the gentle and soothing Saeko, she instantly overturned her previous preconceived notions.

I genuinely feel...

Yamato Nadeshiko is truly wonderful...

"By the way, Shiyu, did Qianye's visit to pick you up from school earlier work?"

"Yes, thanks to Saeko's suggestion, no one keeps putting those strange love letters and gifts in my shoe cabinet and drawers anymore."

"It has nothing to do with me, it's all thanks to Qianye. If you want to thank someone, you should thank him instead."

"Of course, I understand."

Hehe~

Saeko is here again~

She really, really cares about the progress between herself and Qianye.

Kasumigaoka recalled the time they watched fireworks together on a summer night, and how she inexplicably felt a strong hostility towards Saeko, even thinking that Saeko might be a troublesome obstacle between her and Chiya, and that they might inevitably have a competitive conflict in the future.

Back then, I was too presumptuous, too young, and too sensitive.

Now it seems that's not the case at all.

At that time, I thought I had noticed a subtle ambiguous relationship between Saeko and Chiya. It should just be a normal interaction between seniors and juniors who are close friends in the same school. However, I mistakenly thought that they had feelings for each other.

Kasumigaoka's certainty naturally stemmed from her own judgment.

After all, it's from her own perspective.

If Saeko truly harbored romantic feelings for Chiya, she wouldn't be openly and secretly trying to bring them together like this.

Conversely, her current behavior is enough to show that Saeko has absolutely no feelings for Chiya.

Or perhaps it existed before, but no longer does.

As for the reason, Kasumigaoka felt that it might be because after arriving at the same school, Saeko gradually became aware of her own personal charm and her feelings for Chiya.

So after much consideration, she ultimately chose friendship over the vague and uncertain romantic relationship, and voluntarily withdrew, thus allowing others to have their own happiness.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's way of thinking is indeed not a problem under normal circumstances.

Unfortunately, Kasumigaoka Utaha was unaware that Busujima Saeko could not be viewed through the lens of ordinary people.

She was unaware that, in the heart of Saeko, whom she considered her best friend, she was gradually becoming a perfect sparring partner for Chiya, who was filled with intense feelings of inadequacy because she couldn't satisfy Chiya's almost inhuman enthusiasm and could never give him her all.

Even the succubus herself, who was determined to save Kasumigaoka from her darkest hour and extended a helping hand to her, was an unconventional character who had quietly awakened a benevolent attitude and could not be viewed with normal thinking.

In the towering buildings.

Kasumigaoka stood on the rooftop, looking out at the azure sky above.

She felt she was at the top, and that was the reality; what she saw was indeed the case.

Little did she know that thousands of meters above her head, in a place where her view was obscured by clouds, there floated a sky city.

Saeko, on the other hand, truly looked down from above, observing everything in the lower realm with calm eyes.

"Don't waste any food, you have to eat it all, and drink all the milk too."

Saeko carefully gave Shiwa these instructions.

For a moment, Kasumigaoka mistook Saeko for her mother, and she was often referred to as such at home.

But compared to the helplessness and occasional slight resistance when facing her mother.

At this moment, Kasumigaoka, facing her best friend, obediently nodded without the slightest reluctance.

Even though this packed lunch was a bit too much for her small appetite, she knew that eating it all would make her feel quite full.

But Kasumigaoka replied in a very good mood, "Okay."

Saeko Busujima is actually quite concerned about whether or not food is wasted in her daily life, but only when it comes to herself.

She felt she had no right to interfere in what others did.

But the situation is different now.

As Shiyu's ideal replacement, Shiyu's appearance and temperament are impeccable, but in terms of physical strength, which is also very important, she feels that Shiyu is far too weak.

From Saeko's classroom window, she could see the playground, and she had witnessed Utaha's poor performance in physical education class several times.

Even though starting now might feel like a last-minute effort, Saeko still wants to make some progress on her own.

After all, even someone as weak as Shiyu can improve their physical condition to some extent by consuming more nutritious foods.

"Shiyu, my dad has been staying home a lot lately, hasn't he?"

"Yes, I've heard you mention it."

"So during this period, he has received many visitors, and each person has brought various gifts."

"Saeko's father is, after all, a leading figure in the field of kendo, so it's normal that he is so respected."

"They're all just empty titles. That's not what I wanted to talk about. Shiyu, do you have time after school today?"

"Yes, as usual, when I get home I'll do my homework first, then read some reader letters, and then write the content for the new volume of my novel. It's okay if I go home a little late."

"Then come to my house after school today. My father has an old friend whose family is in the seafood business. They visited before and brought several boxes of abalone from Aomori Prefecture. Shiyu, why don't you take a box back for your uncles and aunts to try?"

"That must be very expensive, I can't possibly accept that."

"It's okay. It's just my dad and me at home. We don't know when we'll be able to finish all that food. Also, I wanted to ask you for a favor. I don't have much time lately, so when you go to Qianye's house, could you please bring him a box for me as well?"

"..."

"Shiyu?"

"……call"

Kasumigaoka slowly exhaled.

Not only is she concerned about what's going on between her and Qianye, but she's even come up with a reason to go and bother them.

With this level of support, even a real mother wouldn't be this good.

"Yes, I understand." Kasumigaoka nodded emphatically, realizing that she really needed to take the initiative.

Let's leave aside the guy who's still abroad and about to return home.

Right now, the main thing is not to let Saeko down.

The best way to repay her kindness is to work hard and become a sweet couple with Qianye.

Saeko smiled gently: "Thank you for your help."

"It's me who's bothered you."

Saeko's birthday is next month, and Kasumigaoka has already decided that this time she will definitely give her a very thoughtful gift to represent the irreplaceable and shining friendship between them.

Human desires are diverse.