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

Eriri forced a smile and said, "You've worked hard, Yukino. Would you like me to pour you some tea?"

"There's no rush with the tea." Yukino sat down next to Eriri, placed her hand on the back of Eriri's hand, and looked at her with concern: "Now that there's no one else here, it's about time you told me the truth."

"T-Tell the truth?" Eriri suddenly became nervous, but still tried to bluff her way out: "Yukino, what are you suddenly talking about?"

Yukino sighed as she looked at her unfocused gaze: "It's too obvious. I'm not that oblivious. For the past three days this week, you and Rikka haven't appeared in the same scene together. You two used to be inseparable and could talk about anything. What's wrong with you now? It's too abnormal."

Also, last weekend you stayed overnight at Qianye's house, and you didn't come back to pick up your schoolbag and drawing board the next day before going straight home. You're not that careless, so something must have happened when you went to Qianye's over the weekend, right?

Yukino deduced step by step with clear logic, finally stating her conclusion: "Did you have a fight with Rikka, or did you have some kind of conflict?"

That hits the nail on the head; as expected of Yukino...

Eriri gave a wry smile: "You all noticed, huh..."

This was considered an admission. Yukino continued to press for details with concern: "What exactly happened? I just can't imagine that there would be a conflict between you and Rikka."

They were both girls who were extremely gentle and mild-mannered.

"Some things did happen, but we didn't have any conflicts."

"What exactly is it?"

"..." Eriri pursed her lips, her mind in turmoil, but when she thought of her conversation with Rikka in the bathroom, she finally shook her head: "I'm sorry, Yukino, I made a promise with Rikka that I can't tell anyone else."

Yukino listened thoughtfully, but she wasn't angry. She nodded understandingly and then asked with concern, "Is there anything I can help with?"

"I think you won't be of much help this time, Yukino..."

"So what do you plan to do now? Just keep dragging this on? Neither I nor Chiya can let you continue like this. If you can't do it, then maybe I should go and talk to Rikka."

"Don't do this, Yukino. This time... please don't interfere in what's between me and Rikka, and tell Chiya not to get involved either. We'll handle it ourselves. I just hope you can give us some time."

"..." Yukino stared at Eriri: "Can you promise me that you two will be as good as before?"

Eriri forced a smile: "Yeah, I can promise, so... don't worry."

"Okay, I believe you, but please do it as soon as possible. The student council room is much quieter without Rikka, but I really don't feel used to it."

"Leave it to me."

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

During lunch break that day, Eriri agreed to Yukino's request, even though Yukino had sensed something, but there hadn't been any concrete progress.

Eriri tried to calm herself down and formally decided to talk to Rikka.

But without exception, they were all turned away.

As for Rikka, she doesn't reply to her private messages or answer her calls.

At school, Rikka initially avoided meeting Eriri in the designated place: the lounge of the kendo club, which was managed by Saeko.

Eriri came looking for her, but she immediately made an excuse to pee and ran away.

Later, Rikka changed locations and went to the library. When she saw Eriri arrive, she immediately picked up her things and started playing a game of "Qin Wang circling the pillar" with her among the bookshelves.

Finally, realizing Eriri's intentions more and more clearly, she stayed close to several of her classmates, not giving Eriri a chance to speak.

In short, Rikka's state during this period was to run away if she could and avoid things if she could!

During this time, feeling guilty, Rikka even went back to live with her parents, as if to prevent her adoptive brother from having a heart-to-heart talk with her.

And so it went, and before we knew it, it was already early March, half a month had passed.

No, no, I can't keep getting caught up in Rikka's rhythm and letting her lead me by the nose!

I must get to know her better today!

That afternoon after school, Eriri took a taxi directly to the Gen family apartment without informing anyone beforehand.

When the doorbell rang, Chiyo, the little onion-headed girl, hopped over to open the door. Upon seeing Eriri's smiling older sister, she immediately rushed over excitedly, hugged her leg, and acted like a spoiled child.

"Oh, it's Eriri! Come in quickly." Mama Minamoto seemed a little surprised, but she immediately and happily brought her slippers.

"Excuse me, Auntie."

"What do you mean 'bother'? You should have been like this a long time ago, coming over to play whenever you have time. But... isn't Rikka with you?"

"She still has some things to do at school, so I came over first."

"Oh, I see. Then please come in and sit down. Auntie made a chocolate cake this afternoon, I'll bring it to you to try."

"Thank you, Auntie. Oh, by the way, Auntie, my feet got a little sweaty after PE class this afternoon. May I take my shoes out to the yard to air them out?"

"Okay, here, give it to me."

"No need, no need, don't trouble yourself! I can do it myself!"

With permission, Eriri took her shoes from the entrance hall into the yard.

This is also to prevent Rikka from noticing something is wrong as soon as she enters the house and running away!

After doing all that, Eriri went to the living room and began playing with Chiyo while patiently waiting.

About an hour later, Rikka opened her front door without warning, changed her shoes, and called out, "I'm home!" as she walked into the living room.

"Mom, what's for dinner tonight...?"

Rikka's words caught in her throat when she saw Eriri holding little Chiyo in the living room.

"Oh, there's lots of delicious food tonight, because Eriri is here, there's your favorite hamburger patty, and Eriri's favorite beef..."

Runzi's mother didn't listen to a word she said!

The moment Rikka realized what was happening, she dropped her backpack and ran away!

Eriri had finally found this opportunity, how could she let it slip away like that? She immediately put down Chiyo and chased after her!

Rikka moved quickly; she put on her shoes and, without even pulling up her heels, leaped out of the courtyard.

Eriri rushed as fast as she could but couldn't catch up, mainly because she was wearing indoor shoes and it wasn't convenient for her to chase after them.

Seeing that Rikka was about to escape again, she couldn't care less about anything else. She cupped her hands to her mouth at the doorway, took a deep breath, and shouted, "Rikka, if you run away again this time, I'll tell Touka-nee everything you've done! She'll teach you a lesson! I really mean it!!!"

Her voice was so loud that it startled a flock of birds in the surrounding area in the afterglow of the setting sun!

This move was indeed effective; Rikka's figure came to an abrupt halt.

Eriri's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly went to the courtyard to change into her little leather shoes. She rushed over and grabbed Eriri's arm tightly, pulling her back.

Runko's mother stood at the door, looking at the two of them with a puzzled expression: "Rikka, no wonder you came back to stay this time. Did you do something to upset your sister again?"

"..." Rikka murmured, her face ashen.

Eriri quickly smiled apologetically: "Rikka accidentally ruined Toka-nee's dress, and I was just thinking of persuading her to go back and apologize."

"You should apologize; you can't keep running away from this kind of thing."

"Then, Auntie, I'll go upstairs with Rikka and we'll chat for a bit."

"Okay, I'll call you for dinner later."

…………

263: Let's test Chiya's reaction!

Rikka was dragged up to the second floor by Eriri, who seemed affectionate but actually quite fierce.

After arriving at the room, Eriri closed the door before finally letting go of Rikka's hand. She sat down on the bed with Rikka, but looking at Rikka's lowered head, she was overwhelmed with mixed feelings and didn't know how to start a conversation.

She was hesitating, and Rikka was also having mixed feelings.

She had been avoiding the scene ever since she was caught in it that day, thinking that she could just let it go and forget about it. But Eriri was completely different this time and actually chased her all the way to her house, catching her off guard!

This left her at a loss, but she wasn't entirely without a solution.

She made up her mind that no matter what Eriri said later, she would pretend to be stupid and refuse to respond.

Little did she expect that Eriri's very first words would plunge her into a trap.

"Rikka, you don't need to keep running away and hiding it like this. I've been through the same state you're in. Chiyo is so outstanding and handsome, what girl can resist his charm? And the reverse is also true. Rikka, you have delicate features and are cute. No boy doesn't like you. Chiyo is the same."

I've already sounded things out for you with him. Besides seeing you as a younger sister, he certainly harbors feelings for you that go beyond that of a romantic relationship. He's just been hesitant to take any further action because he doesn't know your feelings.

"Really?! Qianye... he really likes me?"

Instead of seeing her as family, he sees himself as the kind of woman women like?!

After hearing Eriri's "heart-to-heart" words, Rikka was overjoyed and immediately forgot everything else, instinctively asking questions to confirm!

But Eriri's gentle expression suddenly turned complicated and awkward, and her eyes wavered violently, no longer as smooth and natural as before.

Rikka paused when she saw her like this, realizing that her words were meant to elicit her true feelings!

Her face turned bright red, feeling as if the most secret corner of her heart had been laid bare and seen clearly by Eriri. She quickly turned her head away, preparing to get up and run away again.

Eriri grabbed her hands tightly, her voice trembling, "You really like Chiya? When did that happen?"

"Let go of Eriri! When did you become so cunning?!"

"Answer my question first!"

"At this point, does timing even matter? Let go!"

"I won't let go!"

Rikka struggled, but Eriri held her back, preventing her from getting her way. The two argued, their pushing and shoving turning into playful fighting, before rolling around on the sheets together and huddling in each other's arms.

In the end, Rikka was found by Eriri and pinched hard under her armpits, like a kitten having its neck squeezed, and immediately became docile without a trace of temper.

Rikka realized that she was completely unable to break free and was thus carried on Eriri's back. Although unwilling, she had no choice but to slowly reveal her feelings for Chiya under Eriri's questioning.

From the very beginning, after Rikka was brought to her new family by her mother and became acquainted with Chiya through his care and love, she always liked and respected him.

After entering junior high school, her feelings gradually became complicated, and she often had many dreams about him at night.

Finally, when he entered high school, he saw that Saeko and Utaha were always together when they joined the team, and later Eriri also joined. This feeling overwhelmed him and could not be ignored.

She also had the thought that everyone else could be with Qianye but she couldn't. After all, strictly speaking, they only had a formal family relationship and no blood relation, right?

As Rikka slowly spoke, Eriri gradually loosened her grip on her, her feelings becoming extremely complicated.

She came here specifically to confront Rikka, still clinging to a sliver of hope that she had misunderstood something.

But now the truth is right in front of her, leaving her no room for wishful thinking.

We have to face reality.