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

His reminder suddenly unlocked the long-buried memories.

Kazusa remembered; it was indeed a long time ago.

The stomach pain caused by my impulsive eating of ice cream, the helplessness and embarrassment at the time, and the sudden appearance and help of this person later all came back to me clearly.

Looking back now, it seems that it was from that embarrassing and unfortunate incident that the initial unfamiliarity between them was broken down, and their relationship truly became closer.

It's just a pity that such an opportunity could have come a few years earlier...

"I was in so much pain back then, and you still had the nerve to laugh." Kazusa savored her shaved ice, her tone carrying a hint of coquettishness that she herself didn't realize.

“I didn’t mean to make fun of you,” Yuan Qianye explained gently. “I’m just glad that I was able to be there for you when you needed help the most. It was thanks to that opportunity that we became closer and closer, and that we can now talk face to face without any reservations.”

He paused, his gaze softening as he looked at her face: "When I think about all this, I feel so grateful that we are like this now."

Looking at him like this, a surge of heat uncontrollably rose to Kazusa's cheeks and ears; she could almost feel her skin burning.

She quickly lowered her eyelids, her thick, long eyelashes fluttering gently like the wings of a startled butterfly, trying to conceal the turbulent emotions in her eyes.

"What nonsense are you spouting..."

"Well, just consider it nonsense." Yuan Qianye casually glanced at his phone: "There's not much time left until your official performance. Are you nervous?"

"What do you say?"

"That's the kind of spirit we're looking for. Everyone entrusted me to come and cheer you on, but now it seems that's completely unnecessary."

"Please thank them for me."

Kazusa scooped up a small mouthful of shaved ice mixed with jam and cream and quickly put it in her mouth.

The icy touch exploded on my tongue, slightly relieving the heat that was spreading across my face once again.

She felt somewhat guilty and remorseful, feeling that she had let down her friends with whom she had gotten along very well in recent days.

From the moment Qianye appeared in front of her until now, all her attention has been focused on him, and she has even forgotten that everyone promised to come and support her today.

"You should express your gratitude to them in person after your performance."

It was visibly getting darker.

Seeing this, Yuan Qianye understood that Kazusa's situation was similar, and it was time for him to head to the next battlefield.

"I won't disturb your rest any longer, I'll be going now."

Minamoto Chiya didn't say where he was going, but Kazusa understood that he was going back to everyone, so she nodded.

"Oh, right, there's one last thing I forgot to mention." Before leaving, the boy suddenly closed the polite distance between them, his alluring breath wafting freely from the girl's extremely sensitive ear: "Although Ms. Kazusa is already very beautiful on a normal day, you seem even more captivating today."

After flirting with him, Yuan Qianye ran away. Looking at the time on her phone, she followed the park path and quickly arrived at the commercial street she had been on before.

He looked around in the small square beside the street.

Very good, the timing is perfect, but we haven't seen the maid yet.

Yuan Qianye quickly went to a nearby milk tea shop, ordered two fruit teas, and specifically asked for less ice for both.

He returned to the agreed meeting place, holding one glass in his hand and gulping down the other until only one-fifth remained.

A few minutes later.

A taxi pulled up to the side of the road, and Hayasaka Ai handed over the banknotes she had prepared beforehand.

Without waiting for change, he arrogantly said "Keep the change" and got off the bus.

She was somewhat annoyed.

She made a slight miscalculation; the traffic at the festival site was quite heavy. Otherwise, she should have arrived ten minutes earlier.

She glanced at the time; thankfully, it wasn't yet the agreed meeting time, and Qianye shouldn't have been waiting for her for too long...

With this thought in mind, the maid took out a small makeup mirror from her bag, checked that she looked just as perfect as when she left home, and then quickened her pace to head towards the address shown on her phone.

Arrived.

It's nearby.

The maid was in the square. Before making the call, she subconsciously looked around. She was lucky enough to see Yuan Qianye waiting in front of the statue right away.

He was carrying something in his left hand, looking down at his phone. Just as the gaze happened to fall on him, he put the phone back in his pocket, yawned slightly, and gently rubbed the area around his eyes with the back of his hand.

Hayasaka Ai didn't think much at the moment; she just felt genuinely happy the instant she saw him.

She started running instinctively, only realizing something was wrong when she got close.

So she immediately stopped running, quickly adjusted her breathing, and her steps transformed into an elegant and evenly rhythmic ladylike gait.

As they drew closer, Yuan Qianye also saw her.

A surprised and genuinely happy smile instantly bloomed on his face, and his eyes, which had just been a little tired, immediately lit up.

He took the initiative and strode quickly towards her.

"Sorry." Hayasaka Ai adjusted her slightly rapid breathing from the jog and spoke first, her voice carrying just the right amount of apology, but her gaze couldn't help but linger on his face: "There was some traffic on the way, so I'm a little late. Did I keep you waiting long?"

“No need to apologize. You weren’t late, and I just arrived recently. Here, take this.” Yuan Qianye handed over another untouched cup of fruit tea.

"Thank you." Hayasaka Ai thanked him and accepted the gift, her fingertips deliberately touching his, bringing a subtle warmth.

This sneaky and dishonorable act made her heart tremble, and it also gave her a subtle but real sense of satisfaction at the moment of their meeting.

However, when Hayasaka Ai held the fruit tea firmly in her hand, the sensation in her palm made her slightly startled.

The fruit tea drinks feel almost at room temperature when you touch them; you can only detect a slight, lingering coolness if you feel them closely.

The feeling this fruit tea gives is that it's been left at room temperature for quite some time after it was made, so much so that the coolness of the cup has long since dissipated.

“Let’s go.” Yuan Qianye seemed unaware of her momentary pause and naturally pointed in the opposite direction from the main venue, suggesting, “Anyway, let’s head this way first. According to my research, the streets here are temporarily under traffic control, so in addition to the shops that are open as usual, there will be many stalls on both sides of the road. We can stroll around and have some fun, it should be quite interesting.”

“Okay.” Hayasaka Ai nodded in agreement and followed in his footsteps.

After finishing his fruit tea, Yuan Qianye sipped the entire drink through the straw, making a "gurgling" sound.

Passing by a trash can, he threw the empty cup in.

Hayasaka Ai watched his actions with concern, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over the back of his hand that had just touched her eyes, and then considering the almost completely cold drink in her hand...

Connecting these observations together, it is easy to conclude that he is not, as he just said, a recent arrival.

The truth should be quite the opposite.

Was he also looking forward to meeting me today, just like I was, which is why he arrived so early?

The maid subtly tightened her grip on the cup.

Her feelings at this moment became somewhat complicated and difficult to describe.

Besides the heartache and apology, there was also a subtle, sweet feeling of being quietly cherished.

…………

Chapter 081: Happy Birthday, Sister (6k)

Hayasaka Ai was in high spirits; there was no way she could not be.

Before this day arrived, she had imagined many times what would happen after the two of them met today.

Perhaps, like before, the two of them would stroll around a large shopping mall, going in and out of various digital product stores, offering each other suggestions on what to buy. Although it was just a fairly common shopping trip, it would be fun enough with him by their side.

But to her surprise, Yuan Qianye doubled her expectations and brought her an even bigger surprise.

Being in the midst of a festival, amidst the joyful atmosphere, Hayasaka Ai rarely felt the reality that she was just an ordinary girl.

Takoyaki has a chewy texture, taiyaki is soft and sweet, chestnut cream ice cream has a rich flavor, and the egg patty burger is so small that you'll want to eat another one after you finish it.

Hayasaka Ai had wondered why she didn't have any specific feelings for the other boys in school, but had such a strong affection for him.

Outstanding personal abilities, exceptional looks, and a gentle and considerate way of treating others... these may indeed play a significant role, but they are not the final deciding factors.

The root of it all was, as expected, the experience of being helped by him since childhood.

The most beloved contact book, which was thought to be lost forever, was unexpectedly recovered with his help.

That warm memory faded over time, but it was vividly recalled when they unexpectedly met again many years later.

After that, through a series of coincidences and experiences, they came to understand each other better.

He made the maid feel that she could completely relax and be her true self when she was with him.

That's the main reason why she likes him so much and feels that she can't live without him.

"No way, this time I have to pay."

At the candied hawthorn stall, Hayasaka Ai took out her wallet before Minamoto Chiya could and handed over the banknotes she had prepared beforehand.

"Alright, then you can do it this time. I won't stand on ceremony."

"There's no need to be polite. You've been paying the whole time since we met."

Gen Chiya smiled and, at the stall owner's invitation, chose a bunch of grapes with the skins peeled off, while Hayasaka Ai chose a bunch of blueberries.

These candied hawthorns are just small skewers, not much longer than a finger, making them quite miniature. You can only eat them in two or three bites.

That's how festivals are; almost all the food stalls sell small portions. Customers come to festivals with a relaxed and curious attitude, and they're naturally looking to try a lot. Smaller portions and lower prices attract more customers. The appeal is the convenience of being able to eat while strolling around. If the portions were too large, even if the price was affordable, most people would probably choose not to buy them because they find it too much trouble.

"Shall we try out that toy gun shooting booth over there?" Yuan Qianye pointed to the booth not far away, her tone light and cheerful: "I played with these when I was a kid. I was incredibly lucky back then, hitting the jackpot on my first shot. I was happy for days... Be careful!"

Before he finished speaking, he suddenly reached out and grabbed Hayasaka Ai's arm, gently pulling her into his embrace.

Before Hayasaka Ai could react, three children holding burning sparklers ran past her, laughing loudly, and sparks almost grazed her clothes.

"Where did this brat come from? This isn't a place to play with fireworks," Yuan Qianye muttered under his breath, frowning.

Hayasaka Ai was slightly taken aback, her cheeks feeling the warmth of his chest through his shirt.

Taking this opportunity, the maid buried her face in his chest and took a deep breath before stepping back and tidying her slightly messy hair: "Thank you, I didn't even notice."

"It's alright. Hayasaka-san is wearing such a beautiful outfit today. It would be a huge loss if it got burned by the fireworks."

"It's just casual clothes, nothing that exaggerated."

"Then next time you have the chance, please let me see your fully prepared formal attire. I'll be looking forward to it."

"Don't have too high expectations, it just feels like there will be a lot of pressure."

The two chatted and laughed as they walked toward the next stall.

At that moment, Yuan Qianye's phone rang.