Green plums cannot become lovers.

Looking out from here, you see a Japanese garden of moderate size. While not as exquisite as those meticulously maintained famous gardens, it is full of natural vitality. Ivy climbs all over the wall, forming a green wall; several hydrangeas are in full bloom, their blue-purple flower heads standing out against the green leaves; in the corner, there are a few stones covered with moss; a small stone lantern stands quietly there, no longer lit, yet possessing a unique charm.

In the corner of the courtyard, there was an old tree with lush foliage, casting a large patch of shade. Under the tree, there was a stone table and two stone stools. On the table were a ceramic teapot and several teacups, indicating that someone had been drinking tea there that morning.

Looking further into the distance, there is a clear blue sky with a few white clouds drifting by, moving leisurely and unhurriedly.

A gentle breeze rustled the leaves of the plants in the courtyard. A glass wind chime hung in the corridor, its clear, tinkling sound like distant bells or the lingering echo of some musical instrument.

The sound of the wind, the ringing of bells, and the distant laughter of children.

Akane Akasaka sat quietly, without saying a word. She looked at the courtyard, felt the breeze, and listened to the wind chimes. Suddenly, she felt as if time had slowed down. In Tokyo, she was always being pushed around by various schedules: meetings, client visits, document processing, decision-making... every day felt like a race against time.

But here, time seems to flow at a different pace, so slow that you can listen carefully to your own breathing and feel your own heartbeat.

Just then, An and Asuka's fingers touched the strings.

It was no longer a casual strumming, but a conscious performance.

When the first note sounded, Akane Akasaka's heart skipped a beat.

It was a gentle melody, like ripples on water caused by a breeze, like sunlight filtering through leaves, like a faint, distant song. The guitar's tone was warm and clear, each note full and full of emotion.

An and Asuka lowered their heads slightly, intently watching the strings. Their fingers moved across the strings with fluid, natural movements, as if they were not playing, but caressing, or speaking. Sunlight filtered through the leaves of the trees in the courtyard, casting dappled shadows on them. Their profile appeared exceptionally soft in the light, their eyelashes casting faint shadows beneath their eyelids, and a faint smile playing at the corners of their lips.

Music flowed down the corridor, mingling with the sounds of wind chimes and cicadas, creating a wondrous harmony. It wasn't intense or flamboyant music, but rather gentle, introspective, and emotionally resonant melodies. It seemed to be telling a story—a story about growth, about parting, about encounters, and about cherishing.

Akane Akasaka listened quietly, feeling her heart sway with the music. There was a faint sadness in the melody, yet warmth shone through it; a longing for the past, yet also hope for the future. It was light and melodious, seemingly close at hand, yet also as if from the ends of the earth, carrying a sense of timelessness.

As the music ended, the lingering sound slowly dissipated in the air, merging with the sound of the wind chimes.

Akane Akane took a long time to come to her senses and asked softly, "What's the name of this piece?"

An and Asuka looked up at her and smiled slightly: "Forever Together".

永远同在

Hearing that name, Akane Akasaka's heart skipped a beat. Looking at the boy's calm face and the deep tenderness in his eyes, she suddenly understood something.

Forever together—for this young man, this was perhaps his most beautiful wish. He wished to be with the people who mattered to him forever, that those warm moments would never fade away, and that even when separated, their hearts would always be connected.

“What a nice name,” Akane Kousaka murmured.

An and Asuka did not answer, but simply plucked a string lightly, producing a clear note.

Akane Akasaka added, "This song would be perfect for lyrics. The melody is so beautiful, it would definitely touch even more people if it had lyrics."

“Yes,” An and Asuka said with a smile.

Under Akane Akasaka's stunned gaze, he took a deep breath and began to sing.

His voice had changed noticeably compared to a year ago. It had shed its youthful naiveté, becoming clearer and fuller, yet still retaining that unique, clean quality. His voice was like the distant sky, clear and vast; like the morning sun, warm and bright.

[Deep within, a yearning to step into a thrilling dream]

Although sadness keeps repeating itself, I know I will meet you again somewhere.

His pronunciation is very standard, but his singing style has a unique charm, like a folk song or a nursery rhyme, simple and sincere. Every lyric seems to flow from the bottom of his heart, full of emotion.

【lalalalalalala......】

In the chorus, he didn't sing the specific lyrics, but simply hummed "la." But those simple syllables were more moving than any elaborate words. It was a pure expression of emotion, unadorned, unpretentious, only the most sincere heartfelt sentiment.

Akane Akasaka was completely captivated. Looking at the boy's profile as he focused intently on his singing, at his seemingly glowing eyes, she felt something profoundly touch her heart. It wasn't just the beauty of the music, but a resonance of emotions. She could feel everything contained within the song—loneliness, longing, encounter, cherishing, hope.

She suddenly realized that this song might be a reflection of An and Asuka's inner world. That boy who was always strong, always gentle, and always caring for others also had such a cry and wish deep in his heart.

As the last note faded, Akane Akasaka snapped out of her reverie, saying, "That was beautiful."

She didn't even realize that her voice was a little hoarse.

An and Asuka put down their guitars and said with a smile, "Thank you."

Just then, they noticed that the other three girls had somehow appeared in the corridor. Marina, Shizuka, and Ai stood there quietly, not uttering a sound to disturb them, but simply watching them with gentle eyes.

Their faces were also tinged with sadness; their eyes were filled with emotion, and tears glistened in their eyes. When An and Asuka looked over, they both smiled warmly.

Akane Kousaka watched this scene, her heart deeply moved. She didn't know what this song meant to the three girls, but she was certain it was part of the story they created together with An and Asuka. Sweet, bittersweet, regretful, precious... just like the song, it encompassed all emotions.

The five people sat quietly in the corridor, none of them speaking. The wind continued to blow in the courtyard, the wind chimes continued to ring, and the cicadas continued to chirp. Sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the floor.

Time seemed to stand still at that moment.

Akane Akane observed An and Asuka for an entire day.

His mornings are relatively relaxed. After finishing his chores, he'll read for a while or practice his musical instrument. In the afternoons, he'll tutor the three girls. It's not the kind of strict tutoring, but rather patient and targeted guidance.

He explained things very carefully, making each step clear. The girls' furrowed brows gradually relaxed, and finally they exclaimed in realization, "Ah, I understand! So that's how it is!"

“Very good.” An and Asuka said with a smile, “Then do a similar problem again to reinforce your understanding.”

"Has Asuka always had such good grades?"

Judging from the way the teenagers are taught, it's definitely not like anything ordinary.

“It’s more than just good.” Marina said proudly, “He’s number one in the grade, and he’s been since the first year of junior high. He always leaves the second place far behind in every exam.”

“That brat…” Akane Akasaka was both annoyed and amused, “He even lied to me.”

But after the initial anger subsided, I felt mostly heartache. How much effort and sweat must this young man have put in to maintain such excellent academic performance while shouldering the heavy burden of a family? Every day he has to buy groceries, cook, do housework, take care of three girls, compose and practice music, participate in club activities, and still find time to study and maintain his position as the top student in his grade.

If it were her, she would definitely have collapsed under such difficult circumstances. But this boy not only didn't collapse, but he also handled everything so well.

She walked to the window and looked outside. Night had fallen, and the stars were beginning to twinkle. The summer night sky was exceptionally clear, and the Milky Way stretched across the horizon like a thin ribbon.

An and Asuka were collecting the laundry drying in the courtyard. He looked up at the starry sky, stood quietly for a moment, and then continued what he was doing. The moonlight shone on him, outlining a silver silhouette.

Akane Akane watched quietly, a myriad of emotions welling up in her heart.

This young man is like the brightest star in the night sky. Even in darkness, he strives to shine; even when walking alone, he gently illuminates others.

She understands him better today—not only his talent and hard work, but also the gentleness and resilience in his heart.

The twinkling stars at night seem to hold the secrets of who knows who.

But Akane Kousaka knew that one of those stars belonged to this boy named Anwa Asuka. And she was willing to become another ray of light protecting that star, to accompany him, support him, and watch him continue to shine, continue to grow, and continue to move towards a more distant future.

She looked down at the boy in the courtyard, and he saw her too.

He raised his hand and waved to her with a smile.

In the late August evening, the sky was a gentle orange-pink.

Hanami Anzu stood in front of the dressing mirror, carefully examining her reflection. Her light purple yukata was printed with white bellflower patterns, and her dark purple sash was tied into a small bow at her waist.

She went to the hair salon to get her hair done—her originally shoulder-length short hair was carefully styled, with the strands on both sides tucked behind her ears and the rest tied into a small wolf tail, revealing her fair nape. A small white velvet flower hair accessory was also pinned in her hair, echoing the pattern of her yukata.

She twirled in front of the mirror, her skirt billowing gently before settling back down. She wore light makeup and cherry blossom-colored lip gloss, making her appear a few years more mature than usual, but her eyes still held the brightness and anticipation unique to a young girl.

"It looks good," she said to herself, a smile unconsciously spreading across her face.

The festival arrived as scheduled on the last two days of August. This was the most important event of summer, something she had been looking forward to all summer. More importantly, she had made a promise with the boy—to do it together this year too.

Since they met the boy in fifth grade, this was the fifth festival they had attended together. Anna counted on her fingers: five years.

Time flies so fast.

Over the past five years, he has taken great care of her in both her studies and daily life. When she couldn't solve math problems, he would patiently explain them to her; when she encountered difficulties in club activities, he would help her solve them; when she was in a bad mood, he would quietly listen to her complaints and then say some encouraging words.

Thinking about it carefully, they've known each other for a long time, long enough to be considered childhood sweethearts.

Hanami Anna looked at herself in the mirror and took a deep breath. The fabric of the yukata clung to her skin, creating a subtle, taut feeling. She thought that she should take advantage of this festival to properly express her gratitude to him.

More than a month has passed since the volunteer survey was conducted. She now knows the boy's dream: he wants to go to Tokyo. She, on the other hand, will stay here, attend a local high school, and live an ordinary life.

The two paths that were originally intertwined are about to diverge and extend in different directions.

She knew this was inevitable. An and Asuka were talented, had dreams, and a bigger stage awaited them. Marina, Shizuka, and Ai would also go to Tokyo with him. The four of them were like a close-knit little group, heading towards a bigger world together.

And she was like the one left behind.

Although she really wanted to go to Tokyo, her parents disagreed, saying that there would be no one to take care of her if she went there, and she didn't want to cause trouble for her family.

So I stayed here.

"At least, at least we should get through this festival properly," she told herself, trying to suppress the bitterness welling up inside her.

I'm going out!

He called out to the people downstairs, and saw Anja put on her wooden clogs and walk out the door. The evening breeze carried the warmth unique to summer, fluttering the sleeves of her yukata. The wooden clogs made a crisp "tap-tap" sound on the stone pavement.

She jogged towards the agreed-upon meeting place—the torii gate in front of the shrine. Her yukata restricted her pace, preventing her from running too fast, but she still tried to hurry, afraid of keeping him waiting too long.

The setting sun painted the sky a gradient of orange-red, and lanterns along the streets began to light up. The aroma of takoyaki and yakisoba wafted through the air, while festival music and laughter drifted from afar. Everything was as lively and festive as ever.

Under the torii gate, she saw peace and birds.

The boy was wearing a simple dark T-shirt and shorts. However, his hair seemed to have been styled a bit, making him look neater than usual. He was chatting with several girls around him, each of them wearing a smile.

They seemed to be talking about something interesting. An and Asuka gestured animatedly, Marina laughed so hard she almost fell over, Shizuka covered her mouth and chuckled softly, while Ai looked at him with sparkling eyes. The scene was harmonious and beautiful, like a complete circle that she could not intrude upon.

Bana saw Anja pause for a moment, but quickly smiled and walked over.

“I’m sorry, am I late?” she asked.

“No, that’s perfect.” An and Asuka looked at her, a hint of amazement flashing in their eyes. “Hmm, Anzai looks beautiful today.”

A simple sentence made Anna Hanami's cheeks flush slightly. "Thank you."

She spoke softly, then naturally stood beside him.

After the group gathered, the festival journey officially began.

As in previous years, they slowly walked up the approach. Stalls lined both sides of the path, selling all kinds of festival food and toys. Takoyaki, yakisoba, grilled squid, marshmallows, candied apples... the aromas mingled together, creating a unique flavor that belonged to the summer festival.

"I want to eat takoyaki!" Marina was the first to rush over.

"I want candied apples," Xiao Ai said softly.

"Then I'll have fried noodles," Jing Sanqi Wo'er Sibaxiang said with a smile as she followed.

Hanami Anna looked at Anwa Asuka: "And you?"

“I’m fine with anything,” he said. “Let’s go shopping with them first, and then we can look at the rest later.”

They strolled from stall to stall. Marina bought takoyaki and shared it with everyone, Shizuka bought yakisoba, Ai bought candied apples, and An and Asuka bought grilled corn. Hana saw Anzu ask for cotton candy; the pink cotton candy looked like a fluffy cloud, appearing especially dreamy in the night sky.

As they ate and strolled, they arrived at the games area. Goldfish scooping, shooting games, ring toss... every stall was surrounded by people.

"I want to catch goldfish!" When Banai saw Anza's eyes light up, she grabbed An and Asuka and ran towards the stall.

This is where they first met. Every year at the festival, they come here, as if it were some kind of ritual.

The stall owner, a smiling old man, recognized them immediately: "Oh, it's you again. Want to take the challenge again this year?"

“Of course!” Hanami Anana took the paper net and squatted down by the pool.

An and Asuka also took a paper net and squatted down next to her. Goldfish swam around in the pond, red, gold, and black, shimmering under the light.

"Which one do you want?" he asked.

"That red one, the biggest one!" Anna pointed to a red and white koi swimming happily.

“That’s a very ambitious goal,” An and Asuka laughed. “Then I’ll help you distract it.”

The two worked together seamlessly—An and Asuka used paper nets to scare away the other goldfish, creating an opportunity for Hanami Anna; Hanami Anna, on the other hand, focused intently on the red and white koi, waiting for the perfect moment.

However, the paper net was too fragile. Just as she finally scooped the koi out and was about to transfer it to the bowl, the paper net tore with a "plop." The koi fell back into the water, splashing a small spray, and then quickly swam away.

"Ah—" Hana exclaimed in disappointment upon seeing Anja's expression.

"It's okay, let's try again." An and Asuka handed her their paper nets. "Use mine."

She failed the second time. The third time, the fourth time... each time the paper net tore at the crucial moment. The old man at the stall couldn't bear to watch any longer and said with a smile, "Little girl, would you like me to just give you one?"

"No need," Anna said stubbornly. "I want to catch it myself."

On her fifth attempt, she finally succeeded. She nearly jumped for joy when the little golden fish landed safely in the bowl.

"Look! I caught it!" She held up the bowl and showed it to An and Fei Niao.

"Great job." An and Asuka smiled and patted her head. "I knew you could do it."

This simple gesture sent a shiver down Anzu's spine. A warm hand landed on her head, bringing a feeling of being cherished. She looked down at the little goldfish swimming in the bowl.

How many more times can we experience such simple joy and such warm companionship?

"What's next?" Marina's voice interrupted her thoughts.

"Shooting game!" Karen Himegami joined them at some point—she arrived later, wearing a pink yukata, looking cute and lively.