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

"I won't do something so boring."

Yukino took out her phone and checked the time; it was almost six o'clock.

"If you're just asking me today to check on how I'm doing, I can give you the answer right now. I'm fine, don't worry. I really have to go back now."

"Do you really hate being around me that much? You used to stick to me like glue when we were little."

“You said that was in the past. When you were little, you were always clinging to Dad.”

"Did your mother tell you that?"

“There are photos in the family album. It shows my older sister as a child, riding on my father’s back, hugging his neck and not letting go, and even leaning in to kiss his face. It’s hard to imagine that you used to be such a cute person.” As she spoke, Yukino’s expression softened.

Despite her past being dug up, Yukino didn't seem to care: "I'm a pretty precocious kid. My dad was really handsome when he was young, so it's normal for me to like him. Don't talk about me, Yukino, you were the same when you were little. You were criticized by your mom and felt down. Whenever I wasn't around, you always liked to snuggle into your dad's arms."

As she spoke, she sighed sadly, "Later, when my father started to get busier with work and spent more time socializing outside, he would come home almost every day smelling of cigarettes and alcohol from work-related socializing. I stopped wanting to be near him because I simply couldn't stand that smell."

It's strange, though. Something I hated as a child, I've surprisingly come to accept now, and even find quite nice and likable. I guess that's what they call the changes that come with growing up.

"Sister, you... beer is one thing, but are you suggesting cigarettes...?"

"Haha, how could that be? Moderate alcohol can help me relax and sleep better, but cigarettes are a no-go. They damage the lungs, make teeth yellow, and give bad breath. They're harmful in every way, and I'm not going to touch that stuff."

"As long as you know."

"Don't talk to your sister in the same lecturing tone as your mother."

Yang reached out and gently flicked his sister's forehead.

A gentle smile on her face, followed by a sigh about her childhood—this feeling was something Yukino hadn't experienced in a long time.

"How have you been doing with him these past couple of days? Same old routine, sulking and ignoring him?"

Yang suddenly got straight to the point.

Yukino's warm smile, which had just appeared as she talked about the past, suddenly froze.

She tried to appear nonchalant, her gaze drifting to the merchandise on the nearby shelf.

"I told you I'm fine, so you don't need to worry, sister."

Yang Nai sighed, "You're still the same as always. You keep everything to yourself and never share it with anyone or ask for help. You just silently digest things, which makes people feel bad... I'm your sister, blood is thicker than water. Is there anything you can't tell me?"

"I don't want to talk about this." Yukino's tone was cold and restrained, but it was clear that she was somewhat dissatisfied with Haruno's questioning.

“You absolutely have to talk to him. I can’t just let you continue like this. You know I’ve watched you both grow up. Aren’t you worried? I’m feeling really frustrated watching you two fight like this. You can’t just cut ties with him over something so trivial and never have anything to do with him again, can you?”

If you're truly determined, then I won't say anything more. I'll fully support your decision and will absolutely never nag you about these things again.

"..."

Yukino pursed her thin lips and remained silent.

Yang Nai sighed softly, with an expression that said, "I knew it would be like this," as if she had expected it.

"Since you haven't made up your mind, it would be better to restore your previous relationship with him as soon as possible. After all, from your perspective, you have absolutely no right to be angry, right? You are just friends, even though you have a very good relationship and have been by each other's side since you were very young. You are childhood sweethearts, but that can't cover up the fact that your relationship is just 'friendship', right?"

"..."

Yukino remained silent.

"You become very quiet when the topic of him comes up. Before, it was because of shyness, but now what is it? Regret? Resentment?"

Yang deliberately did this, speaking in an extremely sharp tone, digging out the secrets that those girls were ashamed to mention or even express, and putting them on the table for all to see.

This made it impossible for her emotionally sensitive yet timid sister to ignore or escape her anymore.

"...Sister, what exactly are you trying to say?"

"It's simple. Stop putting on that worrying, weak expression. If you're feeling sad, then honestly go back to being good friends with Qianye and hold hands again. As for what happens after that..."

Yang Nai revealed a dangerous yet impeccable smile. The righteous aura she usually exuded, somewhere between a good older sister and a life mentor, instantly shifted, making her resemble a cunning and charismatic villain from a political drama.

"...The Yukinoshita family should fight for what they want. The process can be ignored. What matters most is who has the last laugh. The future is so long. Who can guarantee that the promises made now and the relationships established now will remain unchanged in the future? What do you think?"

Just as Yukino was about to say something, Haruno reached out and pressed her lips against Yukino's.

They put down their shopping baskets, took a step forward, and their faces were almost touching.

"There's one more thing I hope you'll remember: no matter what happens in the future, or whatever situation you encounter, your sister will always stand firmly by your side, and that will never change."

"Drive carefully."

"Yes, Miss."

"Yukino, after you go back, think carefully about what I told you."

"..."

Yukino didn't reply, but nodded slightly.

Yang took two steps back, and the vehicle slowly drove away.

After watching them leave, Yang Nai turned around and went back into the apartment.

At night, as she leaned against the headboard, preparing to fall asleep, she took out a small keychain doll from the bedside table that Gen Chiya had asked her to give to Yukino.

I pinched the hanging rope between my fingertips and watched it sway gently from side to side in front of me.

She delivered the message and indeed gave away the little doll in front of her, thus perfectly completing her mission.

However, Yukino was still angry at the time and did not accept it, but made her return it.

As it stands now, Yang Nai has naturally not followed his instructions and has instead kept them to himself.

She cherished the things her younger sister didn't want and carefully hid them away.

"How tragic..."

The sentence lacks a subject, making it unclear who is being referred to.

As she recalled the words she had spoken to Yukino from her sister's perspective that evening, a sarcastic smile involuntarily appeared on her face.

Were her words at that time meant to encourage her sister, or were they a self-imposed limitation to warn herself against having any other thoughts?

She couldn't tell the difference, nor could she come up with a definite answer.

May 2nd.

Thursday.

Early in the morning, Yuan Qianye opened his eyes from Toka's arms.

The experience of using the Shihua brand pillow is quite perfect. It provides a warm touch to the face and ears, and leaves a light, pleasant fragrance of shower gel in the nasal cavity.

If possible, Yuan Qianye would very much like to keep it with her at all times, so that she can rest her face on it for a while during lunch breaks at school or during work breaks.

Unfortunately, the soft pillow is bound to Toka for life and cannot be lent out, which has nothing to do with whether or not Minamoto Chiya has a good relationship with her.

He sat up, stretched, and felt refreshed.

Shihua didn't react much and continued to sleep soundly.

Last night, from God's perspective, after confirming that the maid had indeed fallen asleep satisfied.

He sneaked into Shika's room and, without her realizing she was fast asleep, woke her up again to relax her body.

After regaining her senses, Toka also politely returned the gesture of a dogeza (a traditional Chinese kneeling posture) to him, who had shown him kindness.

OTZ-8, OTZ-8, OTZ-8...

Overall, it was a very pleasant night as their relationship warmed up.

They love each other dearly, which is a cause for celebration.

At the breakfast table in the morning.

Yuan Qianye looked at the string of eggshells she had peeled off with remarkable smoothness in one go, and felt very good.

This is a very good omen, perhaps indicating that something good will happen today.

And by noon, the prophecy had indeed come true.

As always, Yuan Qianye walked out of the classroom and headed towards the cafeteria.

The canteen at Zongwu High School offers a wide variety of dishes that are both delicious and affordable.

In addition, both I and Toka entered a new stage of life after entering high school and university, which made us even busier.

So now he basically eats lunch at the cafeteria, which is convenient and saves him a lot of trouble.

Just like yesterday, on the way to the cafeteria, Minamoto Chiya encountered Eriri, Rikka, and Yukino.

Unlike yesterday, Eriri and Rikka were both clearly unable to hide their excitement.

On the way to the cafeteria, Rikka deliberately lagged behind by half a step and whispered in his ear,

"Today has nothing to do with Eriri and me. It was Yukino who suggested waiting for you!"

"Really."

Gen Chiya looked at Yukino walking ahead. She had a straight back and upright steps. Her long legs were encased in black over-the-knee stockings, and her long black hair fell behind her, swaying slightly.

"Dude, why don't you seem happy at all?"

"I'm very happy, didn't I show it?"

"Oh, alright then. Anyway, although I don't quite understand what happened between you two, Yukino finally showed some interest today, so you must seize this opportunity to make up with her!"

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

"After you finish eating, remember to come to the Service Department, please!"

"Hmm."

Although his older brother mostly stared at Yukino's back during the conversation, and his tone of reply seemed somewhat casual.

But Rikka still wiped away non-existent sweat from her forehead.

With his hands on his hips, he thought to himself, "I've really had a tough time."

I've sacrificed so much for this family... no, for this little team!

After leaving the cafeteria, Gen Chiya followed them to the Service Department.

Not long after the Service Club was established, after Minamoto Chiya confessed everything between him, Saeko, and Utaha to Yukino, the hazy and intimate warmth between them instantly froze and plummeted to freezing point.

Since then, the interior renovation of this activity room has no further connection to him.