Anime Crossover : Living in the Heart of Tokyo

"Oiii~!"

The cheerful call came from ahead while the Hojou mother and son were still some distance from the school gate.

"It's Sakura-chan! Why haven't you gone home yet?" Mikiko asked.

"Hello, Auntie Hojou ! I was waiting for you and Kyosuke," Sakura replied, standing properly despite her usual quirky interactions with Mikiko.

"Oh, I see. You were worried about Kyosuke, weren't you?" Mikiko teased.

"Of course," Sakura admitted without hesitation.

"That Ishida Shoya guy is so bad. I wanted to stay in the office with Kyosuke, but they sent me back."

"Aww, Sakura-chan, you're just too adorable. You have to become part of our family someday," Mikiko said, bending down to gently pinch Sakura's cheek.

"Well, duh!" Sakura responded with a smile, though her young mind didn't fully grasp what being "part of the Hojou family" entailed.

All she knew was that she wanted to stay with Kyosuke forever.

"Oh, by the way, come have a big dinner with us!"

"But my family's waiting for me at home..."

"I'll call Makoto-san and explain it to her."

"Alright then."

Before Kyosuke could even interject, the two had already made the decision.

"Sakura, give me your bag."

"No need! I finished all my homework early, so there's nothing in it," Sakura said, wrinkling her cute little nose proudly.

"But whatever we eat later will still count toward your 'meal quota'!"

Hearing this, Sakura deflated instantly.

"You're a monster!"

"It's for your own good."

"Auntie Hojou ! Look at Kyosuke!"

"Hahaha, I can't help you there. Just accept Kyosuke's concern for you."

Mikiko watched their interaction with a doting smile—no, more like a mother-in-law admiring her future daughter-in-law.

...…..

The next day, Ishida Shoya walked to the shoe lockers, reaching for his indoor shoes. But his hand found nothing.

'Huh? Where are my shoes?'

Scratching his head, he assumed someone had accidentally taken them.

With class about to start, he didn't dwell on it and grabbed a pair of emergency slippers instead.

When he entered the classroom, the atmosphere felt different.

Hirose Keisuke, who usually greeted him loudly, just glanced at him before turning back to talk to Shimada Kazuki, who didn't even look his way.

Confused, Shoya took his seat.

His neighbor, Ueno Naoka, didn't speak to him either, continuing to help Nishimiya Shoko practice singing with Hojou Kyosuke.

On the third day, his desk was covered in cruel graffiti.

On the fourth day, his new indoor shoes went missing again.

On the fifth day...

...…..

Time flew by, and soon it was the day of the choir competition.

The gymnasium was packed, with parents standing at the back to watch.

"Next up, Class 2 of Grade 6 will perform The Monster's Ballad."

The students lined up on stage, with Shoko standing front and center.

As the music teacher raised the baton, the students began to sing in perfect harmony, not a single note out of place.

From the audience, Nishimiya Yaeko covered her mouth, tears streaming down her face.

'Shoko... Shoko did it.'

Even in the chorus, Yaeko immediately recognized her daughter's voice—clear, confident, and full of life.

"Thank you, Hojou-kun," Yaeko whispered, wiping her tears and composing herself.

She was once again the strong, independent single mother.

Watching Shoko sing with a bright smile, Yaeko felt nothing but pride.

In the end, Sakura's class took first place.

After the competition, Kyosuke and his friends—well, mostly a group of little girls—gathered behind the gym.

"So, Auntie Hojo , how was my singing?" Sakura asked excitedly. Her own mother hadn't been able to attend, but Mikiko was like a second mother to her.

"You were amazing!" Mikiko gave a thumbs-up, then crouched down to hug both Sakura and Shoko.

"And Shoko, you were fantastic too! I almost cried listening to you."

"Thank you, Auntie Hojo ," Shoko said, initially shy from the sudden hug but smiling warmly.

She glanced at her mother, who stood a little behind.

"Mom, are you okay?"

Seeing her mother's tear-streaked face, Shoko ran over to hold her hand.

Hearing her daughter's slow but clear and confident voice, Yaeko felt her nose tingle again.

'No, I can't cry. I need to be strong for Shoko.'

"Just like Hojou-san , I was moved by your performance," Yaeko said, forcing a smile.

"That's good. It's all thanks to Kyosuke-kun and Ueno-san," Shoko said happily.

"Hey! I helped too!" Sakura chimed in.

"You? All you did was distract Shoko and Ueno during study time," Kyosuke teased.

"Hey! Kids learn about the world through play! Shoko's improved so much because of me!"

"Your nonsense is getting out of hand. The school should publish a book: Yamauchi Sakura's Guide to Talking Nonsense with a Straight Face."

Sakura just giggled, hugging Mikiko.

She loved how Kyosuke always teased her but still indulged her antics.

Meanwhile, Ueno Naoka stood to the side, a hint of loneliness crossing her face.

"Naoka, I'm sorry we didn't win," Shoko said softly, walking over to her.

Her speech was now fluent, though slower as she carefully enunciated each syllable.

"Don't be silly. The choir is a team effort, and no one worked harder than you," Naoka replied.

Over the past few months, she'd grown to admire Shoko's kindness and gentleness, and the two had become close friends.

Well, the main reason was that she'd realized Kyosuke didn't have the feelings for Shoko she'd once feared.

Instead, Shoko had become a bridge that brought her closer to Kyosuke.

In fact, she'd spoken more with Kyosuke in these few months than in the past few years combined.

If anything, she should be more worried about Sakura, who was always so carefree around Kyosuke.

"Yeah, Shoko, the only reason your class lost is because you were up against us!" Sakura said, laughing mischievously.

"Alright, everyone, let's have a dinner party at my place. My dad sent some top-quality Shiraoi beef from the countryside."

"Yay! I want teppanyaki!" Sakura shouted, grabbing Kyosuke's arm.

"This dinner is for the 'defeated' Class 2. As the winners, shouldn't you be celebrating elsewhere?" Kyosuke joked.

"Auntie Hojo , look at him!"

"I can't help you... Oh, fine, teppanyaki it is!" Mikiko said, her head spinning from Sakura's enthusiastic tugging.

"I'll drive everyone over," Yaeko offered, pulling out her car keys.

She and Mikiko had already discussed the dinner, and the two families had grown quite close.

"Mom, what about Grandma and Yuzuru?" Shoko asked.

"Yuzuru's still at school. I'll drop you off at the Hojou's and then pick her and Grandma up."

"Okay."

Shoko nodded, then was pulled into a discussion with Sakura and Naoka about how to best enjoy the beef.

Sakura, of course, took the lead, sharing her past experiences with Hojou family dinners.

...

After the enjoyable meal, the Nishimiya family left by car, Sakura walked the ten steps to her house, and Kyosuke walked Naoka home.

"Kyosuke-kun, do you know something?"

"What?"

"Do you want to know?"

Naoka stopped under a streetlamp, turning to face him.

The yellow light illuminated her long black hair, making her look stunning. She bent slightly, her tone playful.

Naoka rarely acted like this around Kyosuke, always worried she might do something he didn't like.

"Of course I want to know. Since when did you start acting like Sakura?"

"I'm not copying anyone. This is just how I am. You just never noticed."

"Alright, tell me."

"No, you're not being sincere enough."

"Please, Naoka-sama, tell me."

"Still no. I'll tell you at the graduation ceremony."

With that, Naoka turned and ran a few steps ahead.

"I'm home. You should head back too. Be careful on your way!"

Before Kyosuke could respond, she dashed into her house.

'What was that about?'

Kyosuke scratched his head, confused not just by Naoka's behavior but also by the glowing "cursor" above her head—something he thought he'd blocked out.

It sparkled like a firework about to burst.

'Is the system finally giving me something?'