Green plums cannot become lovers.

Although she still felt a little unwilling, she had to admit that An and Asuka were right. "Hotaru no Hikari" did indeed have a special meaning for the Light Music Club. It was like the club's prized possession, and every performance was a tribute and a passing down of tradition.

Seeing that the boy had made up his mind, the others didn't say anything more. Banai saw Anzu shrug: "Alright, alright, let's go with 'Hotaru no Hikari' then. Anyway, we've rehearsed this piece countless times, we could play it with our eyes closed. This way, we can save some energy and not have to rehearse a new piece."

Her words carried a hint of self-consolation, but her expression had already relaxed considerably.

Himegami Karen patted her shoulder with a smile: "Didn't Anzu always say she wanted to take a longer nap? Now her wish has come true."

"That's right!" Bana exclaimed, seeing Anja's eyes light up. "Then the rehearsal time will be a bit easier from now on! Hooray!"

The atmosphere in the activity room became relaxed and pleasant again.

At that moment, Hoshino Ai seemed to suddenly remember something and asked softly, "By the way, Asuka, are you planning to recruit new employees this year?"

This question silenced everyone, and they all looked at An and Asuka.

Yes, recruiting. In the first year of junior high, the light music club was newly established and had no reputation, so we couldn't recruit anyone; in the second year, although we had gained a reputation, we were already used to the five-person group and felt that we didn't need more people; now that we're in the third year, this issue really needs to be reconsidered.

After all, they won't have the chance to return to the club after graduating this year. If the light music club is to continue, it needs new blood. They've poured so much effort and dedication into the club; it would be such a waste if it were to disband just because of graduation.

An and Asuka were silent for a moment, their fingers unconsciously tapping on the windowsill. Outside the window, the cherry blossoms swayed gently in the wind, their petals falling like rain.

"We'll see when the time comes," he finally replied, his voice calm but thoughtful. "I won't force anyone to recruit new members. Although with our current reputation, recruiting new members would be a piece of cake..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over every corner of the activity room—the walls were covered with photos of past performances, musical instruments were piled up in the corners, sheet music and music magazines were on the bookshelves, and several potted plants, thriving, sat on the windowsill. This small space held more than two years of their memories.

“But,” he continued, “if possible, I’d like to find a few members who are genuinely committed to this group. They don’t need to be exceptionally talented, they don’t need to practice incredibly hard, and even…”

He smiled, a strange gentleness in his smile: "It doesn't matter if they drink tea and play around here every day, as long as they truly love this place and truly cherish the name of the Light Music Club."

These words stunned everyone.

Banana blinked at Anzu: "Asuka, your expectations are too low, aren't they? Just drinking tea and playing around?"

“Not low.” An and Asuka shook their heads. “True love is not shown in superficial efforts, but in the cherishing in one’s heart. A person may not be technically skilled, may progress slowly, but as long as they genuinely like this place and are willing to regard it as an important place, that is enough.”

He looked at the familiar items in the activity room: "After all, this club was founded by me, and it's a place we've all run together for so long. We all have some feelings for it. I don't want to hand it over to someone who just uses this place as a bragging point or a place to kill time."

Ai Hoshino nodded: "I understand what Asuka means. The Light Music Club is like another home to us. We hope that whoever takes over will also cherish this place as a home."

“That’s right.” Himegami Karen clenched her fist. “We need to find a suitable successor for the Light Music Club!”

Anna Hanami perked up too: "Then it's settled! We'll start recruiting after the welcome performance! But before that..."

She winked mischievously: "Since we don't need to rehearse a new piece, can we end today's club activity early? I want to go buy the new crepes that are sold near the station!"

An and Asuka gave her a helpless look: "All you're thinking about is slacking off."

"That's called making good use of time!"

Seeing that Anzu was speaking with such confidence, Bana took out a few banknotes from her pocket and placed them on the table.

"I'll treat you to a meal."

A burst of cheerful laughter filled the activity room.

Time flows quietly, passing through the rich fragrance of spring and arriving at the lush branches of midsummer.

The June sun blazed fiercely, streaming through the classroom windows and casting bright dappled light on the desks. Outside, cicadas chirped tirelessly, adding to the hustle and bustle of the hot season.

The No. 1 Middle School in the city is a school that focuses on college entrance examination pass rates. After entering June, with the college entrance examination approaching, the academic pressure on the ninth graders has increased significantly. Various quizzes follow one after another, there are mock exams every week, and the grade rankings are released every month. The teachers' expressions have become serious, the explanations in class are more in-depth, and the amount of homework after class has also increased.

Many students are beginning to feel physically and mentally exhausted. Dark circles under their eyes have become a standard feature of ninth graders, and more and more students are taking naps at their desks during breaks. The sounds of discussing homework in the corridors have replaced the usual laughter and playfulness.

In this atmosphere, many clubs run by graduating junior high students have completed the handover process. The art club, the literature club, the sports club... one by one, the responsibility for these clubs has been transferred from the graduating third-year students to the first and second-year students.

This is an annual ceremony of passing on traditions on campus, tinged with sadness yet brimming with hope.

On Friday afternoon, another math mock exam ended.

When the bell rang to signal the end of the exam, a sigh of relief filled the classroom.

Seeing that Anzu seemed to have lost her soul, Banami swayed and then collapsed onto the table with a thud.

"I'm dead~" she groaned weakly, her voice muffled in her arms, "These math problems were insane! I had absolutely no idea how to solve that last one..."

She remained motionless in that position, as if her soul had truly left her body.

An and Asuka, sitting in the front row, turned around and looked at her, unable to help but laugh. "Is it really that exaggerated?" they asked.

He handed over the unopened bottle of mineral water on his table.

Seeing Anzu barely lift her head, Banami unceremoniously unscrewed the bottle cap and gulped down several mouthfuls before regaining a little bit of her vitality.

She wiped the water from the corner of her mouth and muttered, "You think everyone's like you? Handing in your math exam twenty minutes early..."

Her tone carried three parts complaint and seven parts admiration.

This guy has consistently ranked first in his grade since the beginning of junior high, excelling in every subject. Math, Chinese, English, science, social studies... An and Asuka's names are always firmly at the top of the report cards for every subject. Not only are his grades excellent, but his learning efficiency is also high. He always finishes his homework and review ahead of time, leaving him ample time for music composition and club activities.

It's incredibly strong.

"Of course you don't understand the suffering of ordinary students like us." Bana said in a muffled voice as Anzu slumped back down.

An and Asuka's smile deepened as they looked at her. He reached out and gently poked her head. "You're right, you're a bit slow, aren't you? Do you need me to tutor you?"

"Hey!" Yana looked up at him with displeasure. "Who's stupid! I'm just... just not very good at math!"

Her face flushed slightly, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.

"Just kidding," An and Asuka quickly reassured her, their voices laced with laughter. "Anza is very smart; she just hasn't found a learning method that suits her yet."

As he spoke, he naturally reached out and gently brushed the girl's bangs that had fallen in front of her eyes behind her ear.

The movement was very gentle; his fingertips brushed against her cheek unintentionally, bringing a slightly cool touch. Anna's body stiffened slightly, but she didn't pull away. Instead, she narrowed her eyes in enjoyment, like a cat being stroked.

Neither of them said anything. There were other students in the classroom, but no one seemed to notice this subtle interaction—or rather, everyone was already used to it. The close relationship between An and Asuka, and between Hanami Anna and Himemiya Karen, was an open secret in the class.

Just then, Himegami Karen, with her long pink hair, walked over and naturally sat down in the empty seat next to Hanami Anna.

"How did the exam go?" she asked, her voice tinged with the same weariness.

"Don't even mention it..." Bana said, waving her hand weakly at Anja.

“Me too.” Himegami Karen sighed. “I think I got the last big question wrong.”

The three of them gathered together, forming a small circle. Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting a golden glow on them. Hanami complained about the difficulty of the exam, while Himegami Karen offered words of comfort. An and Asuka occasionally chimed in, but mostly listened with smiles.

Their laughter occasionally drifted to other corners of the classroom, creating a stark contrast between the relaxed and cheerful atmosphere and the tired and heavy atmosphere around them.

Some boys glanced over furtively, their eyes flashing with complex emotions—envy, jealousy, and helplessness. An and Asuka were very popular in class, excelling academically, multi-talented, and cheerful, able to chat with anyone. But it seemed that only Anna Hachimi and Karen Himemiya truly belonged in his inner circle.

This special relationship makes many people hesitate and also makes some people feel bitter.

After chatting for a while, Bana saw that Anna suddenly seemed to remember something, sat up straight, and looked at An and Asuka: "By the way, Asuka, the college application survey is coming up soon, where are you going to go for high school?"

This question came suddenly, but it's also understandable. It's already June, and there are only six months left until the college entrance exams. Schools will soon be distributing high school preference surveys to help students make preliminary decisions about their future academic goals.

Himegami Karen also looked at An and Asuka, her eyes filled with the same curiosity.

An and Asuka thought for a moment, then calmly replied, "If nothing unexpected happens, I'll be going to Tokyo."

His tone was very natural, as if he were talking about something extremely ordinary.

But to Anna Hanami and Karen Himegami, these words were like a thunderbolt.

Both of them were stunned.

Tokyo.

When Banai saw Anja open her mouth as if to say something, but the sound got stuck in her throat, she couldn't make it out. The smile on her face froze, and her eyes became somewhat flustered.

Himegami Karen wasn't in much better shape. Her hands, resting on her knees, clenched unconsciously, her knuckles turning slightly white. Her long pink hair shimmered in the sunlight, but her face was rather pale.

The air suddenly became still. The chirping of cicadas outside the window sounded particularly jarring.

An and Asuka understood the situation from their reactions, but they didn't say anything. They simply waited calmly for them to process the news.

After a long pause, Anna finally found her voice and asked somewhat haltingly, "W-why Tokyo? Aichi Prefecture has very good high schools too..."

“Because Tokyo offers more opportunities,” An and Asuka answered frankly. “I want to go further on the path of music, and Tokyo is the best choice. There are top schools, professional production companies, and a wide stage there.”

He paused, then added, "And I also promised someone I'd go to Tokyo."

An and Asuka had already decided to go to Tokyo.

Even without any resources or connections, he knew that only in a metropolis like Tokyo could he find more opportunities and possibilities. Not to mention now that he had Akane Akasaka's help and Rouge en Rouge's resources, developing his career in Tokyo was almost an inevitable choice.

He's going to Tokyo, and not alone. He's taking Marina, Shizuka, and Ai with him. Those three girls' talents need a bigger stage, and their dreams need a wider sky.

Tokyo was their shared choice.

"..." Hana saw that Anna was silent. She lowered her head, her fingers unconsciously digging into the edge of the desk, leaving shallow scratches on it with her nails.

Himegami Karen remained silent for a while. She stared out the window, her eyes somewhat vacant, as if gazing into the distance.

An and Asuka waited a moment, then asked softly, "What about you? What are your plans?"

When Hana saw Anna look up, she forced a smile, but it looked somewhat strained: "I...we haven't decided yet..."

Her voice was very soft, with a barely perceptible tremor.

In fact, barring any unforeseen circumstances, she would stay here, in this small town within Aichi Prefecture. Her family was here, her friends were here, her social circle was here. Go to Tokyo? That was an option she had never considered, nor dared to consider.

Tokyo is too far from home, and everything is too unfamiliar. With her grades, she might be able to get into a decent public high school in Aichi Prefecture, and then, like most ordinary people, finish high school, maybe go to university or a vocational school, and then spend her life in this small town.

This is the most realistic and likely path.

But she never imagined that An and Asuka would choose a completely different path.

"Where's Karen?" Anwa Asuka asked, looking at Himegami Karen.

Himegami Karen snapped out of her daze, blinked, and her voice trembled slightly: "I...I haven't decided yet..."

Her situation was similar to that of Anna Hanami; neither of them had ever considered going to such a far-away city.

The change in their behavior was too abrupt, from their previous ease and joy to their current dejection and silence, with almost no transition in between.

An and Asuka saw this and understood, but they didn't say anything. He simply nodded and said calmly, "Is that so? Then you should think about it carefully. After all, this concerns your future. Don't make a decision casually just because you think high school isn't important."

He paused, then continued, "High school is three years long, but it's not short either. It will affect many of your future choices. So, think carefully and don't make decisions you might regret because of momentary emotions or laziness."

He spoke sincerely, but also with great tact.

He knew that these two girls might already consider him important—a friend? A crush? An important companion? In any case, he held a special place in their hearts. And he himself cherished their friendship just as much.

But he wouldn't try to stop them from going to Tokyo with him.

That's not his style.

Everyone has their own life path, their own family background, and their own right to choose. Hanami Anna and Himemiya Karen have loving families, stable relationships, and their own social circles. He has no right, nor the standing to demand that they change their life plans for him.

After all, his situation, along with Marina, Shizuka, and Ai, was unique. They could be described as "unburdened."

Although Marina still has a loving mother, her aunt had long ago entrusted Marina to him. Therefore, even if he wanted to take Marina to Tokyo, her mother wouldn't object. She knew that An and Asuka would take good care of Marina, even better than she could do herself.

Shizuka and Ai are no exception. One was neglected by her father and mother, and the other grew up in an orphanage. They had long regarded An and Asuka as their only family.

Therefore, the four of them can say that they can "go wherever they want" without too many constraints.

But Anna Hanami and Karen Himemiya are different. They have complete families, family members to care for, and life options that are happier and more stable for them.

An and Asuka respected their choices, just as he hoped others would respect his.

Silence fell over the classroom once again.

The cicadas outside the window were still chirping loudly, and the sunlight was still intense, but the atmosphere inside the room had become somewhat heavy.

Hanami saw Anja lower her head, her bangs falling down to cover her eyes. Himegami Karen bit her lip, her fingers tightly gripping the hem of her skirt.

An and Asuka looked at them, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside them. There was reluctance, regret, but mostly blessings.

He finally said softly, "Whatever choice you make, remember—we are friends. That won't change because of distance."

These words were like a warm current, breaking the heavy atmosphere.

Anna looked up, her eyes a little red, but she forced a smile: "Yes! Of course! We'll always be friends!"

Karen Himegami nodded vigorously: "Yes! Forever!"

Sunlight bathed the three boys and girls, creating a warm halo around them. The cherry blossoms outside the window had long since faded, but the branches were covered with vibrant green leaves, swaying gently in the summer breeze.

Volume 1: Chapter 159 The Last Summer Vacation [7.5k]

The summer vacation for junior high school students has officially begun.

On the first Saturday of July, the sky over Aichi Prefecture was crystal clear, and the blazing sun shone brightly on the earth. Cicadas chirped incessantly outside the station, and the air was filled with the scorching scent of summer, a mixture of asphalt and the smell of plants from the green belts.