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

"What do you mean? Are you asking me to fill out the form for you?"

"You decide."

"You haven't even said what kind of show you want to produce yet."

"It's all up to you to decide."

"..."

Why don't you just hand over your entire future to me as well!

Yuan Qianye thought viciously.

“Okay, then I’ll fill in the crosstalk routine. When we go on stage, we’ll just stand there and I’ll tease you while you’re being the straight man. Every now and then, I’ll tap you on the head with my folding fan to make you look funny and make the whole audience laugh.”

"Sure, as long as you come up on stage with me."

After Kazusa finished speaking, her hands were already on the black and white piano keys.

Gen Chiya stared blankly at Kazusa, who immediately immersed herself in practice.

Wait... when did this guy become such a flirt?!

He took the application form and left quietly.

When he walked out of the club building, the music playing inside, "Ravina Etude," had been replaced by "Rondo of Fantasy."

This piece also has a more widely known and easier-to-remember nickname: "The Anger of Losing a Penny".

But at this moment, Yuan Qianye felt that this piece of music should not be called this, but should be called "The Joy of Finding One Hundred Million Yuan".

After all, with Kazusa's faster-paced performance, the incredibly cheerful melody that opened the piano really made it hard not to imagine her smiling as she played the piano.

In the afternoon, the last class ended.

Yukino Yukinoshita packed her schoolbag and left the classroom.

"Yukino, over here!"

"How about we go check out that newly opened crepe shop later? It has super high ratings online, and some customers have even taken pictures of it. The owner seems to have a pair of chubby orange cats in the shop, and they look really friendly. Yukino, I remember that besides pandas, you love cats the most, so this is a good opportunity to go and see them."

Rikka and Eriri waited for Yukino at the shoe-changing area as always.

Upon seeing her, the two waved to each other hastily.

As the three of them changed into their little leather shoes and walked towards the school gate, Eriri quickly showed Yukino her phone and told her about their plans after school that day.

This situation has become the norm recently.

In the early days of the semester, the three of them would occasionally meet up after school, but not as frequently as they do now.

Ultimately, it was because Rikka and Eriri noticed the strange, sudden estrangement between Yukino and Chiya.

Although they didn't know the specific reason, they thought that at least they should make Yukino feel better during this period—maybe that way, the two of them could reconcile faster.

"My older brother doesn't seem to have any special plans today. Come to think of it, he seems to really like crepes..."

As Rikka spoke, she secretly observed Yukino's reaction.

Yukino didn't respond with a smile as before; instead, she paused for a moment, a hint of apology flashing across her face.

Seeing this, Rikka knew it was hopeless for today. She had initially intended to suggest, "How about we bring my older brother along?" but quickly changed her mind.

"...When we get to the shop later, if it's delicious, I'll bring him a portion on the way back."

"Hey, you can't do that. How can you forget about Sister Shihua's share?"

"Haha, you're right."

Eriri quickly chimed in to help.

This is also an instinctive understanding that has developed with Rikka over this period of time through proper cooperation.

Yukino's feelings were complicated.

If she had to say who she felt most sorry for, it would undoubtedly be these two close friends who had been carefully maneuvering around her during this time.

They probably sensed that something had happened between her and Chiya, and that's why they were feeling down.

Therefore, they have been trying to improve their mood in various ways.

Last week, I took her to a cat-themed cafe, browsed some trinkets, and got a facial at Aunt Takanashi's shop. We also went to the library together over the weekend.

Especially that time at the library on the weekend, even though neither of them are the type to enjoy reading, they insisted that it was okay, thinking that maybe it would cheer her up, and so they forced themselves to stay with her all day.

Yukino couldn't forget the moment when the two of them walked out of the library at dusk, like birds released from their cages, feeling a sense of liberation and being granted a pardon, and like Andy Dufresne regaining his freedom in the rain, subconsciously revealing an unparalleled sense of relief as they escaped.

This intensified her feelings of guilt.

Of course, not towards the culprit, but towards these two good friends.

Their recent behavior is just like that of innocent children caught in the middle of their parents' argument, feeling caught in the middle, unsure of what to do.

While this analogy may not be entirely accurate, it does effectively convey Yukino's feelings at this moment.

I feel really sorry for them.

Perhaps... even if it's for their sake, even if I'm still unwilling now, I should restrain myself a bit?

Even just maintaining a superficial peaceful coexistence with that guy?

As Yukino smiled and responded to Eriri and Rikka's words, this thought arose in her mind.

Just as I stepped out of the school gate, a clear "Hey hello!" greeting came from not far away.

The three of them turned and looked to the right of the school gate.

Yukinoshita bid farewell to her juniors and walked towards the three of them with a smile, taking off her sunglasses as she approached.

Her outfit today was simple: a beige shirt paired with light blue slim-fit jeans.

Her sleeves were casually rolled up to her elbows, revealing her smooth, fair forearms, and she wore an exquisitely designed women's watch on her wrist.

What might be an extremely ordinary and basic outfit on someone else, somehow exudes an unattainable sense of sophistication on her, and it seems effortless for her.

Therefore, at this dismissal point, she easily attracted a lot of attention.

"Yang Nai-jie, it's been a long time!"

Eriri and Rikka greeted her in unison.

"Long time no see, Rikka, Eriri, you two are as cute as ever."

Yang stepped forward and warmly shook hands with both of them in turn.

I was originally thinking of touching Rikka's ahoge (cowlick).

However, she remained wary, covering her head defensively and saying things like, "This is the most important part, and I can't touch it easily," which prevented Yang from succeeding, but Yang was still amused by her.

Yukino didn't seem particularly happy to see her older sister appear; she simply asked indifferently,

"Sister, what brings you here all of a sudden?"

"Of course I came to see you because I was worried about you, and I also wanted to talk to you about some things."

Having not seen Minamoto Chiya, Hinano's gaze towards her sister held a deeper meaning.

Rikka chimed in enthusiastically, "Yono-neechan, we're planning to go to the crepe shop right now."

Eriri added, "There are also cute cats in the shop. If you don't mind, Haruno-nee, you can come along too."

"Hey, I love crepes too, then I won't be polite."

Yang smiled brightly at Rikka Eriri, but when she turned to her younger sister, that radiance instantly faded.

She slowed her speech and asked, "Is it alright if I come along, Yukino?"

Yukino took a deep breath: "...If you're willing."

Anyway, she knew her older sister well, and even if she refused, it wouldn't make a difference, would it?

…………

Chapter 019: Green looks good too (6k)

After leaving the school, the four of them went to a dessert shop together.

This shop, which has received high ratings from many people, does indeed have delicious signature crepes.

Besides Rikka, Eriri also packed a portion to take home for her mother to try.

It's a pity that the two chubby orange cats in the shop seemed to have eaten their fill and were lying on the cat shelf sleeping, their tails drooping lazily in the air and swaying back and forth.

Yukino really loves cats. Even though she couldn't pet them herself, she still took out her phone and filmed a short video of them.

After leaving the store, Rikka gave it a full five-star review online, but at the end of her review, she harshly criticized the cat-themed waitress for her passive service!

The Yukinoshita sisters parted ways with Eriri Rikka in front of the station.

"If there's anything you need to say, you can speak now, sister." As her two friends disappeared from sight, Yukino's smile faded, replaced by her usual indifferent expression.

"You really are as direct as ever." Yang Nai shrugged helplessly, but it wasn't surprising.

She glanced at the sky and then walked to the right side of the street: "No rush, let's buy some things together first."

Yukino followed, but said, "It's getting late. If you don't have anything important to do, I'll go home first. I haven't finished my homework and preparations for tomorrow's classes yet."

"Oh, what a model student you are, but these things aren't the most important thing for you right now."

"You can just say what you want to say."

"I've already mentioned it before, I was a little worried, so I came to check on you and see how you're doing lately."

"I've seen everything, can I leave now?"

"Yukino, really, you don't have to take your anger out on your own sister just because someone made you angry."

Yang walked into a convenience store.

Yukino, who was following behind, watched as she arrived at the shelves and threw peanuts, squid, seaweed crackers and other snacks into her shopping basket.

"We've already talked about this before, haven't we? I'll be careful at home now so my parents won't worry about me."

"These words really hurt me. It's not just Mom and Dad who will worry."

"Your expression doesn't make any sense at all... Also, you took way too much beer." Yukino's words revealed a lecturing dissatisfaction.

Yang Nai waved her hand dismissively: "It's just six cans. We're not going to finish these in one night. It's a month's supply. I only like to have a beer with pizza or fried chicken occasionally to cut through the richness, so there's no need to worry. Oh, by the way, there's no need to tell Mom and Dad about this when we get back."