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

Hayasaka Ai holds a high position at the Shinomiya Villa, serving as both the young lady's personal attendant and the estate's steward. Therefore, she doesn't need to do anything special at this stage; she only needs to quietly accompany the young lady.

But today, Shinomiya noticed that she had inexplicably picked up a knife and fork and held it in front of her, seemingly wiping it with a white cloth.

That's right, it just seems that way!

Although her hands were making those movements, she was actually looking down and tilting her head from time to time to examine the details of her face, staring at the smooth, mirror-like surface of the knife and fork.

Hayasaka's extreme narcissism became even more apparent during archery lessons at the manor in the afternoon.

During the lesson, Kaguya Shinomiya kept glancing at Hayasaka, who was accompanying her under the shade of a tree.

I noticed that she had even taken some time to put on light makeup, which made her look pure and beautiful. She also applied a glossy lip gloss, making her look exceptionally delicate and alluring.

The same goes for the chest area, and today it's even more than doubled!

Such a meticulous and even somewhat deliberate outfit, coupled with her adorable and slightly absent-minded expression, made even a woman like Shinomiya momentarily unable to deny her charm!

This situation...

In this situation, there can only be one possibility!

"You've worked hard, Miss. Your archery skills are getting better and better. Please rest well, and we'll continue next week."

After the lesson, the instructor bowed and said goodbye before leaving.

Kaguya Shinomiya took the towel from Ai Hayasaka, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and as she reached out to take the towel back, Ai suddenly gripped her wrist tightly.

Hayasaka Ai looked at her with a puzzled expression.

"Hayasaka, answer me honestly, you definitely have special plans for tonight, right?" Kaguya Shinomiya asked, blushing.

"Other arrangements?" Hayasaka Ai looked puzzled, as if to say, "Why are you suddenly saying this, Miss?" "Didn't I already tell you before, Miss? After you stay overnight at your friend's house, I'll head to my mother's place."

"Stop bringing up Aunt Hayasaka! Who would put on makeup and wear so many layers to see their mother?"

"Miss, you're being unreasonable again. Haven't I already explained this to you before? Even though I'm usually very busy and don't have much personal time, I'm still a girl, so it's perfectly normal for me to have a little vanity like other girls. It's just like how short guys want to stand out and be more popular, so they secretly put shoe inserts in their shoes."

Hayasaka Ai placed one hand on her chest and stated the situation with utmost calmness.

"As my mother's daughter, I made a promise to go shopping with her at the mall after she finishes her day. Even if it's just for passersby who are completely unaware of my presence, I want to make myself look more perfect in their eyes and make my beloved mother proud. So I made these preparations in advance. Is there anything wrong with that?"

Or is it that even during my private time after work, the young lady wants to interfere and offer me some other set of unsolicited advice?

"Forehead……"

Kaguya Shinomiya subconsciously took a step back, stunned by Hayasaka's extremely calm tone that had begun halfway through their conversation.

I never expected that my simple, curious question would elicit such a... menacing response from her.

This is not surprising. Although they are nominally master and servant, they have grown up together, accompanied each other, played together, and supported each other over the years. Their actual relationship is closer to that of close friends who cannot be kept secret, and good sisters who are not related by blood.

Therefore, when they are alone together in private, Hayasaka Ai does not show much respect to the so-called young lady.

Conversely, Kaguya Shinomiya also treats this maid with the same respect and does not show any condescension.

Given the current situation and Hayasaka Ai's behavior, Kaguya Shinomiya, who knows her very well, finally understood completely.

No matter how much I press her now, I probably won't get an honest answer from her, and she might even put on an even more terrifying expression.

So even though Kaguya scoffed at Hayasaka's explanation, she pretended to believe it for the time being and quickly tried to appease her by saying that she was just asking out of boredom and curiosity and that there was no need for such a detailed explanation.

Outdoor archery practice, the cotton kyuko (traditional Japanese dress) paired with trousers and skirts, was a bit stuffy.

Kaguya Shinomiya fanned her face with her hand, saying that she was very hot and needed to go back to her room to take a shower immediately. She turned the page lightly and changed the subject without showing any emotion.

"Liar! Vanity, wanting to make your mother look good! It's all lies!"

Kaguya Shinomiya, soaking in a bathtub full of water in the bathroom, angrily slapped the surface of the water, her expression sullen.

This girl is completely treating me like an idiot, always trying to fool me with her excuses about her mom! Even a fool could see she's just a lovesick teenager, her heart fluttering! Those silly, infatuated women in those shoujo manga she borrowed from her classmates all draw like that!

I usually discuss everything with her, but she always keeps things from me. It's such an interesting thing, I really want to know too! What kind of person is someone Hayasaka likes... and so on.

Hmph! Did you think you could get away with giving me such a flimsy answer?

too naive!

Kaguya Shinomiya sat upright in the bathtub, ran her right hand through her wet hair, closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She held this position for a few seconds, and when she opened her eyes again, her lively and girlish gaze had instantly become empty and cold.

Despite the smile on his lips, he inexplicably inspired fear.

This is the refined, self-interested, and absolutely rational side that was born from the strict imperial education of the Shinomiya family!

"Don't blame me, Hayasaka. This is for your own good, to prevent you from meeting any bad men."

Kaguya Shinomiya, whose aura has completely changed, talks to herself in a lazy tone, as if explaining to a friend or convincing herself.

It was simply out of sisterly concern, nothing more!

It wasn't that she was particularly bothered by Hayasaka's usually cold and somewhat boring face suddenly showing a gentle and cute expression, but rather that it wasn't for her sake.

Absolutely no such awkward idea exists!

At 5:40 PM, everything was ready, and Kaguya Shinomiya boarded the luxury car that had been waiting for her.

Since it was a trip to a good friend's house to spend the night and have fun, Hayasaka Ai naturally wouldn't be going along.

But the necessary instructions still need to be given.

"Even at the home of a close friend, Miss, please don't forget to maintain your elegant manners. Also, if there are any unexpected situations that are difficult to handle, you can always let me know so I can help you. Finally, I wish you a pleasant evening."

"You too, you had a great time with your aunt tonight."

Thank you for your concern.

The driver started the vehicle, and Hayasaka Ai took a step back. Inside the car, Shinomiya Kaguya waved to her with a smile.

Alright, that's finally put an end to the matter concerning the young lady for now.

Hayasaka Ai breathed a sigh of relief, turned around and went back into the mansion to give orders to the other servants to do their jobs, and then returned to her room immediately.

Around 4 PM, she received a message from Yuan Qianye on her phone, along with a detailed address. The message was concise, stating that he would arrive at the meeting place at 6:30 PM to wait for her, and added that there was plenty of time in the evening, so she shouldn't rush and could take her time.

But how could Hayasaka Ai not be anxious? Almost half a month had passed since their last meeting.

She was severely depleted of Qianye's energy and couldn't suppress her desire to see him as soon as possible.

Fortunately, she managed to dress herself up properly today, which minimized the necessary preparation time for a girl before going out. She only needed to change her clothes and do a simple hair combing.

Ten minutes after Kaguya Shinomiya left, Ai Hayasaka, having changed out of her maid outfit and into a pure white sleeveless top paired with a high-waisted dark green A-line skirt, walked out of the Shinomiya residence with hurried yet light steps.

At the same time, Kaguya Shinomiya, who was still in the car on her way to her friend's house, received a notification on her phone.

She picked it up to examine it.

[Young Miss, Hayasaka changed into casual clothes and left home at 5:50.]

Hayasaka's mother's work, no matter how slow it is, wouldn't end this early. I knew she must have some serious secret she's trying to hide...

Kaguya Shinomiya coldly issued the order.

[Keep following her and report any developments immediately. Her counter-surveillance capabilities are very strong. Remember to take turns tracking her, and don't get too close.]

【Understood, Miss.】

"Sigh, what on earth is going on here..."

Miyoko Kudo parked the car, got out, went around to the trunk to change her shoes, and walked a short distance to Setsukatsuka Co., Ltd.

She was familiar with the Yukino family's business, having visited several times before to discuss cooperation matters with her boss.

What she just complained about wasn't actually any dissatisfaction with the place.

What she was referring to was a phone order she had recently received from her boss—

"I need your help with something. Drive to Setsukyokuka Co., Ltd. and pick up Yono-nee. If she asks you any questions about my plans for tonight or what I've been busy with these past few days, don't answer them. Just say you don't really know and brush it off. In short, get her to the Tanabata Festival site. The exact arrival time should be around 7 o'clock. This is very important. After you drop her off, you can go home. I'll find some time to reward you properly later."

To be honest, Miyoko was a little confused when she heard her boss's order.

It wasn't that she was complaining or trying to slack off; she just couldn't understand why, since the Snow Moon Flower Company had its own car and Yang Nai was the executive director, it would have been easy for him to have his employees pick her up. If she was bothered by it, it wasn't a work-related matter, since the company was located in a busy area and it should have been easy to get a taxi. Why did she have to be the one to pick her up?

Miyoko had been wondering about this all the way, but now that they had arrived, she stopped worrying about it for the time being.

She spoke with the receptionist on the first floor and asked the receptionist to make a phone call for her. Soon, Yukinoshita Haruno came downstairs.

"It's been a long time since I've seen Miyoko-nee."

"It's been a long time since I've seen Executive Director Yukinoshita."

"I've said it so many times, just call me Yang Nai in informal settings. By the way, what's Chiya doing right now? Why isn't he with us?"

"The boss only told me to come pick you up, I don't know the specifics of his current situation." Despite her doubts, Miyoko remembered her boss's words.

"Really? This guy really knows how to order people around."

The two walked out of the company gate together, chatting and laughing.

"Wow! Yukino, Saeko, you all look so beautiful dressed up today! And Eriri, why are you dressed so formally and cutely too! Did you all plan this together? You all wore nice yukatas, while I'm just wearing a T-shirt and shorts. My style is so different from yours, which makes me look out of place!"

The Qixi Festival ceremony was held in front of the commercial street near the main venue, Green Forest Park.

Rikka puffed out her cheeks, clearly displeased with the few companions she met!

Eriri Yukino and Saeko, who were called out, looked at each other and couldn't help but laugh.

Eriri explained, "It was just a simple accident. How could we have discussed not bringing you along?"

Saeko took Rikka's hand and said, "That's right, Rikka is so cute, I would never abandon Rikka, even if I had to abandon anyone else."

Yukino took a mint from her handkerchief and handed it to them: "It wasn't our fault, but how about you forgive us for now if we eat this?"

Rikka instinctively took it, but immediately reacted and jumped up: "Don't treat me like a child!"

The girls, each with their own unique charm, covered their mouths and burst into laughter.

"Okay, look over here, let me take a group photo with you all."

Yuan Qianye, who was standing to the side, took two steps back while holding a camera and reminded them.

Upon hearing this, they immediately adjusted their posture.

Saeko, who was slightly taller, took Rikka's arm and guided her to stand in the middle.

Meanwhile, after several rounds of polite deference, Eriri gave up and moved closer to the center after Yukino shook her head once again.

"Everyone, come closer, that's right... smile, and do some more movements. Eriri is so cute, that's right, perfect, stay still."

Under Chiyo's guidance, Saeko smiled gracefully, Rikka covered her face with her hands, Eriri made the old-fashioned but effective peace sign, and Yukino looked at the camera quietly without any extra movements, but her rare smile that seemed to indicate she was in a good mood was enough.