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

"I was just joking. I know this is the key to this classroom."

Gen Chiyo's tone was as gentle as possible, but she was still attacked by Kazusa's right whip kick the next moment.

Given his reaction speed, how could he possibly be hit by her kick? As if he had anticipated it, his body instinctively took a step back, while simultaneously raising his hand to firmly grasp Kazusa's ankle.

From an outsider's perspective, it looked as if Kazusa had offered her foot willingly.

Gen Chiya's gaze unconsciously shifted downwards.

That's good, they wore their safety shorts obediently.

Kazusa was already quite annoyed that her attack, which wasn't particularly forceful, was so easily blocked. Now, noticing that his gaze was directed at her, even though she was well-prepared and couldn't see anything specific, it still made her blush even more.

The next moment, like a professional fighter, she unleashed a flying kick after part of her body was controlled.

Unfortunately, she was not a professional fighter, and the physical strength of Gen Chiyo was far beyond her imagination.

Finally, when she stopped moving, her flowing hair slowly fell onto his shoulders, and for some reason, her legs were wrapped around his waist from both sides, doubling the level of ambiguity.

The area of ​​her absolute territory, not covered by safety shorts and over-the-knee socks, allowed her to clearly feel the heat of his palm as it pressed tightly against her skin!

Their bodies were touching, so close that they could see their own reflections in each other's eyes.

In such an ambiguous and romantic situation, just as Yuan Qianye was about to say something again, his mouth suddenly opened wide and he let out a wail after uttering only one syllable.

Kazusa finally withdrew her hand from the soft flesh near his waist, completely satisfied.

Serves you right for bullying me!

Soubu High School, Kendo Club.

After completing physical training with the other members, he easily defeated five opponents in a row without firing a shot, earning a round of applause from the audience.

Chiya arrived at the sidelines, sat cross-legged next to Saeko, took the towel Saeko handed her to wipe her sweat, and rested for a while while watching the others continue training.

He felt that the advantage of Soubu High School's kendo club was that the venue was large enough to accommodate at least four groups of people for sparring practice without being crowded.

Because the space is larger, the indoor air circulation is also much smoother, so there won't be any overly noticeable odors.

"Did something good happen? You seem to be in a much better mood today."

"Well, it's a good thing... I'm not sure if it really is a good thing."

"When you answered like that, Qianye, there was an obvious smile on your lips."

Do I have one?

Yes.

"That's only because I saw Saeko."

Let's just say it is that way.

Saeko knew he was just trying to make her happy, but as long as she was in front of him, she didn't mind being a silly woman sometimes.

"When will this end today?" Yuan Qianye asked.

"Everyone is in high spirits this year, hoping to achieve good results in the upcoming national competition. They may train until around six o'clock at the latest."

Saeko changed the subject.

"But it's okay if I leave a little early. Just remind the others to turn off the power and close the club door before they leave."

Yuan Qianye shook his head.

"It's nothing urgent, I'll stay with you until the end."

"Okay, are you coming to my place to stay tonight?"

"I'm going to your place because there are some things I want to discuss with you privately, but I won't stay overnight. Toka has been going home very late lately, and I'm worried about leaving Rokka alone at home."

"That's perfect, I'll cook dinner together, and you can take a portion back to Rikka after you've eaten."

"it is good."

The two discussed and agreed on the next steps.

Two new first-year members asked Saeko for advice on the standard posture and footwork coordination when swinging a sword.

Yuan Qianye also got up and, like most of the others in his club, began practicing basic movements.

A little later, Yukino Rikka Eriri finished cleaning the Service Club and came to the Kendo Club before leaving to say hello to the two of them.

Yukino showed no unusual behavior towards Saeko, but when speaking to Chiya Minamoto, her gaze subtly evaded him.

After that, it got dark and it was past six o'clock.

The school, no longer bustling with activity during the day, gradually returned to quiet.

As the last group of members who had been training diligently left, Chiya Minamoto got up and accompanied Saeko to check the situation in various parts of the club, making sure the doors and windows were closed.

On her way to the school gate, Yuan Qianye looked up at the top floor of the club building.

Saeko noticed his movement and, understanding, said, "I wonder if Kazusa-san has left yet. Should we go check on her?"

“No need, the lights aren’t even on, they’ve definitely all gone home already,” Yuan Qianye said with certainty.

Saeko nodded and followed in his footsteps.

From the school gate to the tram stop, the two walked side by side, yet there was always a subtle distance between them, making them seem like ordinary classmates.

Once on the tram, seeing no familiar faces around them, they quickly huddled together, their hands clasped together, Saeko leaning her head against his shoulder.

Once home, Saeko took off her coat and started busying herself in the kitchen, while Chiya Minamoto helped out. Since it was just the two of them, he spoke without any hesitation about how Yukino had invited him to join the club that day.

He didn't go into too much detail, but simply calmly recounted the process, because he felt that Saeko could easily understand what he wanted to express and what was troubling him.

Our friendship, spanning three years from the first year of junior high to now, may not be as strong as that with Yukino and Eriri, whom I've known for much longer, but it's still incredibly precious.

As for the fact that Kazusa offered him the key to her practice room, he didn't mention it for the time being, because he felt that the situation there wasn't that urgent.

After listening to what he had said, Saeko nodded thoughtfully.

She then took off her apron, wiped her hands clean, and led him into the living room.

She sat down on the sofa, patted her thigh, and gestured for Yuan Qianye to come closer.

Tonight's dinner: the rice was only recently cooked, the saury is slowly roasting in the oven on low heat, and the beef is simmering away.

Therefore, they still have plenty of time to chat idly outside the kitchen.

Watching Saeko's actions, Chiya Minamoto thought she was trying to play the "mommy game" with him again.

A restless desire stirred within him, yet his eyes betrayed a struggle.

Seeing this, Saeko smiled and explained, "You look so worried, I wanted to massage your head to help you relax."

Oh, that's okay.

Yuan Qianye obediently lay down, letting her cool fingertips gently fall on his temples, slowly injecting just the right amount of pressure, bringing a very comfortable and tingling sensation.

He felt a sense of relief wash over him and slowly closed his eyes.

Saeko's gentle voice came through.

"With Yukino taking the initiative, Chiyo, you can no longer hide your relationship with me and Utaha. You're also worried that if you confess, it will hurt her and cause your relationship to drift apart and never be the same again, right?"

"Ah."

“Indeed, it’s not impossible. But based on my understanding of Yukino, she might be much more resilient than you think. She might feel sad, but she won’t show her vulnerable side so easily. More importantly, given the current relationship between you, me, and Utaha, she definitely wouldn’t be able to accept it, and might even try to intervene and salvage the situation, trying to pull us back to what she considers the ‘right track’.”

"..."

Saeko's speculation from her personal perspective made Chiya Minamoto open her eyes.

An outsider's perspective is clearer.

There is no way to deny that there is a high probability that the future will unfold in this way.

Saeko continued speaking.

"Furthermore, I think it wouldn't be a bad thing for you to take this opportunity to be honest with her. After all, if you keep dragging it out, your relationship won't make any progress."

Just like a seed breaking through the soil, it must first break through the constraints of its outer shell. Although the process is painful, it is the only way to achieve new life.

"Indeed..."

Yuan Qianye sat up, his previously worried eyes now bright and alert.

Saeko hugged him from behind, resting her chin on his shoulder, and asked with a soft smile,

Have you thought it through?

"Ah."

Yuan Qianye held her hand, which was pressed against his chest, and kissed it, having made his decision.

"I'll talk to her and be honest with her after the book promotion is over this week."

…………

Chapter 013: The Second Miss Opened Her Eyes Wide

On Monday of the new week, Yuan Qianye arrived at school in the morning and received far more attention than before.

The reason is simple: after pre-release promotion, his new book officially went on sale last Saturday.

He came to the TV station and faced the camera, recounting his creative process and sources of inspiration.

With resources managed by Kodansha, his interviews and book promotional footage were broadcast on various television channels at different times throughout the day.

This exposure in traditional media, coupled with deliberate online advertising, has brought his name back to the top of various lists after a long absence.

"The latest work by a child prodigy," "This novel tells of a hopeless yet steadfast love," "An inescapable darkness"... such eye-catching headlines emerged one after another, creating another big news story by itself.

And then Sunday.

The event was also arranged by Kodansha, and Chiya Minamoto came to Kudo Bookstore to hold a live book signing event from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

The originally planned two-hour session was disrupted by the overwhelming enthusiasm of the readers, who lined up from the east side of the street where the bookstore was located all the way to the zebra crossing on the west side.

The queue was over 200 meters long, and people kept joining at the end of the queue as time went on, which greatly exceeded the organizers' expectations.

Not wanting to disappoint her fans, Yuan Qianye took the initiative to approach the event organizer and discuss postponing the event by a few hours.

As a result, the delay lasted until 6 p.m.

For a full eight hours, except for brief breaks to drink water or use the restroom, Yuan Qianye sat behind a pre-arranged table, smiling and working.