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

At least Rikka and Eriri both had obvious expressions of enjoyment on their faces at that moment.

Yukino remained calm and unmoved, while Kazusa's gaze sharpened as she recalled the harassment she had suffered on her first day of school, revealing a hint of disgust.

After taking their lunches, everyone found an empty table and sat down.

"Since Utaha-nee is so popular, Saeko-nee, you must be just as popular, right?"

"That's not the case. Perhaps it's because I'm more proactive in dealing with things than Shiyu. Actually, I haven't encountered much trouble in this regard."

"that is……"

"Yes, I've made it clear that I'll consider it if anyone can beat me in swordsmanship."

Rikka felt sorry for those who admired Saeko: "No one can do that, right?"

Saeko smiled and said, "So this is the effect I wanted."

It's not fair to be so absolute...

Yukino's gaze shifted between Saeko and Chiya, but she ultimately didn't say anything more.

Now that they have officially entered high school, in addition to paying attention to their daily studies, what they care about most is, as expected, the second most important thing in their high school life: club activities.

"Oh, right, Qianye, this is for you."

Saeko took a folded piece of paper out of her pocket and handed it to her.

Gen Chiyo took the unfolded form; it was an application to join the Kendo Club. He smiled.

"I was originally planning to pick this up when I went to visit after school in the afternoon."

"I know you're usually very busy, so I brought this over for you since we're having lunch together."

"I'll fill it out and give it to you tomorrow."

"Hmm, no rush."

Looking at her older brother's decisive and efficient style of doing things, Rikka couldn't help but sigh.

"Brother, you're so great. You've decided which club to join so quickly. I still haven't figured out which one to join."

Yuan Qianye picked up her chopsticks again: "Didn't you say before that you wanted to start a nap club, find a teacher, find a quiet and secluded classroom, and start your free and comfortable high school life?"

"That's obviously a joke. What respectable school would allow such a weird club to exist!"

The others chuckled.

On this topic, Saeko also took the opportunity to mention Kazusa, who seemed a bit out of place in this small circle: "Kazusa-san, you'll probably join a music-related club, like the instrumental club or the light music club."

Kazusa shook her head: "No, I don't have that idea for now."

Saeko reminded him, "At Soubu High School, unless there are special circumstances, it's mandatory to join at least one club."

Yuan Qianye spoke up: "She is that special case."

Kazusa explained, "I applied for an empty classroom from the school, and I practice the piano there during my free time at school."

Rikka looked on with admiration: "As expected of you, Kazusa."

She then turned to her older brother and said, "Qianye, do you think it's possible for you to apply to the school for an empty classroom? I remember you got a pretty good ranking in the piano competition before."

“If our family were to donate an eight-figure luxury piano to the school, I think the school might actually consider it.”

"Eight...! Eight digits?!"

Sorry to bother you!

Rikka looked at Kazusa with deep respect.

"Don't be like that." Her reaction made Kazusa a little embarrassed: "If you want, you can come and find me anytime."

"A word is settled!"

Regardless of this guy's antics, Gen Chiya asked about the others' situations: "Eri will undoubtedly join the art club, right?"

“Well, but the school doesn’t stipulate that you can only join one club, so I’d really like to expand my interests in other areas.” Eriri looked at Yukino.

Saeko smiled and said, "Why don't you try out the kendo club? Chiya and I are there, and we'll take good care of you."

Eriri quickly waved her hand: "Please spare me this one. With my small frame, I'm worried that if I put on my kendo uniform and pick up my bamboo sword, I won't be able to walk more than a few steps before I'm out of breath."

Now, only one person remained silent, so everyone's attention naturally focused on her.

Yukino felt a little awkward, but since everyone had spoken frankly about their thoughts, she couldn't just keep quiet when it came to her turn.

That's inappropriate and impolite.

“As for me, I would probably create my own club,” she said slowly.

Eriri was the first to raise her hand: "I want to join!"

Rikka joined in the fun: "Me too!"

Yuan Qianye looked at the two of them with amusement: "She made her statement too quickly. You don't even know what kind of club she wants to create."

Eriri answered without hesitation, "Yukino's club must be very fulfilling and interesting."

Rikka chimed in, agreeing, "I think so too!"

Gen Chiyo looked at Yukino with admiration: "Congratulations on successfully developing your own followers. The next step is to start trying to sell them various amulets and pots and prepare to make a fortune."

Yukino rolled her eyes at him helplessly, but there was no real annoyance in her eyes. Instead, her gaze was like a pool of spring water rippling in the spring breeze, with a more charming and delicate quality.

Saeko chuckled and steered the conversation back on track: "What kind of club does Yukino plan to establish?"

She observed Yukino's changing expression and then spoke up at the right moment: "If you haven't thought it through yet, there's no need to force yourself to answer."

Yukino shook her head and looked at Saeko with gratitude: "Don't worry about me, there's nothing to hide about this. It's just that I feel a little embarrassed to say this myself, so I hope everyone won't laugh at me."

“How could that be?” Eriri replied immediately.

“Everyone here is a friend; there’s no one with bad intentions,” Saeko said.

“Exactly, exactly,” Rikka chimed in.

Even Kazusa nodded slightly, indicating her stance.

Upon arriving at Yuan Qianye's location, the tone suddenly shifted.

I'll try my best.

This is the second time in a short period of time that he has deliberately caused trouble.

No, it can't be called causing trouble. Strictly speaking, Yukino could clearly tell that he didn't mean any harm. He was just deliberately trying to make himself stand out and get her attention, in a way that was kind of flirting...

Thinking of this, Yukino subconsciously bit her lower lip and tightened her grip on the chopsticks slightly.

She kept telling herself not to overthink it, not to let him stir up her emotions, and continued, "I want to form a community that can help others."

“Helping others…” Eriri repeated softly, then quickly turned her gaze to Minamoto Chiya, but then quickly looked away, worried about being discovered.

Saeko said, "It sounds like a very warm club. What kind of activities will it have?"

“It’s very simple: accept other people’s requests and help them with problems that they cannot solve on their own.” Yukino put down her chopsticks, placed her hands on her thighs under the table, and said seriously, “Many people encounter difficulties, but choose to remain silent because they are afraid of being treated perfunctorily, pitied, or do not want to owe unclear favors. Others are used to interfering in other people’s affairs with rash good intentions, just for their own satisfaction, without considering that it will only make the situation worse.”

As she said this, her eyelids lowered slightly, oblivious to the subtle change in Yuan Qianye's expression; her tone remained as firm as ever.

"I believe all of the above are incorrect approaches. What I hope for is a more correct, purer approach that is free from personal emotions and interpersonal relationships, so that the final result will lead to a conclusion that satisfies everyone."

What Yukino Yukinoshita said came entirely from her true feelings.

This world has many imperfections and many distortions. An individual may not be able to change all the sad and sorrowful developments, but at least within her own reach, she still hopes to do what she believes to be "right".

Just like... we've walked side by side all the way through life, and I've always witnessed what he's done.

The second young lady's declaration of establishing the society left everyone else momentarily silent.

Rikka was simply pondering what she had just said. She could understand any one sentence on its own, but when put together, she couldn't quite grasp it.

It seems that Yukino wants to help others, but there also seems to be some personal will that she insists on.

Or rather...belief?

Eriri met Chiya and Yukino a few years earlier than Rikka, and because she received help from both of them at the beginning of their acquaintance, she felt more deeply about Yukino's words.

She also vaguely realized that Yukino's idea of ​​building such a club might stem from the subtle influence that Chiya had exerted on her in the past.

During the time Yukino had just spoken, Kazusa had been silently observing the expression on Chiya's face.

Saeko, as expected of the woman most trusted by Chiyo, seeing the silence between them, stopped pondering the meaning of Yukino's words and spoke up.

"So, if I encounter any problems in the future that I can't solve on my own, I can ask Yukino for your help?"

Yukino smiled and nodded: "Of course."

"Are there no additional conditions? For example, no fees?"

"There are no conditions, but it's not free either. It just means you don't have to make any special effort. The specific reward will be received the moment I actually help you."

As Yukino answered, her gaze drifted towards Minamoto Chiyo.

However, in the subsequent discussions surrounding the club founded by Yukino, Gen Chiya did not express any further thoughts.

After lunch, Saeko planned to return to the kendo club.

Yuan Qianye planned to go with her, which could be considered as getting familiar with the club he would be in beforehand.

As for Kazusa, since the piano her mother bought hasn't been delivered to the school yet, she hasn't received the key to her personal classroom.

Therefore, without any other thoughts, she planned to go straight back to the classroom and sleep on her desk.

But Rikka didn't let her have her way, and without saying a word, she grabbed her arm and pulled her together.

Saying things like, "Since you're planning to go to sleep anyway, going to a quieter place will actually be a better experience," she pulled Kazusa along to the library with Yukino Eriri.

Chiya thought it was a good idea. That way, even if she couldn't come to school in the future because of work, Kazusa would at least have the lively Rikka by her side, so she wouldn't be all alone.

The two groups said goodbye at the entrance of the cafeteria.

The lunch break wasn't long, so Saeko quickened her pace and led Chiya Minamoto to the kendo club.

After all, it was high school, and the kendo club's area was much larger than the one Chuanlan had back then. As soon as you entered, you could smell a mixture of wood fragrance, sweat, and leather protective gear.

Although the central wooden floor area shows many obvious signs of use, it is well maintained.

The shrine hangs high, with calligraphic plaques below bearing the words "Kendo," "Zanshin," and "Unwavering Heart."

The bamboo sword rack and storage cabinets at the edges are also complete.