Green plums cannot become lovers.

“Anwa… Asuka…” Machida Sonoko murmured, her brows furrowing slightly. She rested her chin on her hand, her index finger lightly tapping her temple, lost in thought. “This name… I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere before. Not recently, maybe even earlier…”

"Hmm?" Kasumigaoka Utaha raised her eyes and looked at the editor who was deep in thought. Even Ms. Machida felt that the name sounded familiar.

Sonoko Machida diligently searched her memory bank. As a senior editor at Shinazugawa Shoten, she had worked with numerous authors and collaborators, and had reviewed countless submissions and documents.

The surname "Anhe" is not particularly common, and the name "Feiniao"... a vague impression flickers on the edge of my mind, but it's like looking through frosted glass, not clear at all.

Was it a casual conversation overheard at an industry gathering? Or a name that flashed by in a report or email? Or perhaps the "other people's child" mentioned in casual chats among colleagues?

After thinking for a few seconds, the vague clues ultimately failed to become clear.

Machida Sonoko shook her head, temporarily giving up on tracing back. "Maybe I remembered it wrong, or I confused it with the name of some new author." She smiled, her attention returning to the present. "Anyway, we really owe a lot to you, my junior, this time. I never expected that crucial help would come from within the school."

She sighed, her eyes brightening with renewed energy: "With this great start, things will be much easier for us going forward! We can be more confident in promoting the second volume, and the crisis of being canceled is temporarily averted! Shiyu, focus on your writing from now on. The quality of the third volume is key. Leave the external affairs to me!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded. The relief from the easing of the crisis and the renewed fighting spirit of the editor eased the pressure on her shoulders somewhat.

However, the fact that Machida Sonoko remembered the name "Anwa Asuka" and found it familiar was like a small pebble thrown into the calm lake of her heart, creating subtle ripples.

Could it be that the junior who appears calm and composed, seemingly focused only on his own little circle, has already left behind traces in a broader field that others have not noticed?

She recalled his clarity when discussing the story's structure, and his eyes, which were always calm yet seemed to see through many things.

Perhaps he is far more complex than he initially thought.

“I understand, Ms. Machida.” Kasumigaoka Utaha stood up. “I will finish the outline for Volume 3 as soon as possible.”

"Okay! You must be tired too, go back and get some rest! Today was really... wonderful!" Machida Sonoko saw her to the office door, her face beaming with genuine joy.

Leaving the editorial office building, the night breeze carried a chill. Kasumigaoka Utaha pulled her coat tighter and walked alone towards the station. The city lights flickered in her wine-red eyes.

Anhe Flying Bird.....Qi Lingni 3 Private

She silently repeated the name in her mind.

Next time we meet on the rooftop, perhaps I can ask him what he's doing besides his occasional "consultant" work.

The moment this thought crossed her mind, Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't realize that her usually slightly pursed lips seemed to have softened a little more than usual.

Volume 1: Chapter 168 I'm Not That Gentle

The next day on the rooftop, the sun was shining brightly and the breeze was gentle.

When Kasumigaoka Utaha pushed open the iron gate, the boy was already sitting in his usual spot.

She walked towards the boy, her long black hair shimmering with a subtle, understated sheen in the sunlight. Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't speak, but simply handed him a simply wrapped gift bag.

"What's this?" An and Asuka asked curiously as they took the bag. The bag was very light, almost weightless.

"You'll see once you open it." Kasumigaoka Utaha's tone was calm, but a fleeting glint of light flashed in her eyes.

An and Asuka opened the bag as instructed and looked inside—it was empty. He looked up, his face displaying just the right amount of confusion.

Just then, Kasumigaoka Utaha stretched out her other hand from behind, with a plastic model about ten centimeters tall lying quietly in her palm.

It's a character that has recently gained some popularity among anime fans, with an exquisite design and vibrant paint job.

"So, junior is so easy to fool." Kasumigaoka Utaha's lips curled up slightly, revealing a very faint yet vivid smile, a rare expression of hers with a touch of playfulness.

An and Asuka saw the rare slyness in her eyes and smiled as well: "Just playing along with my senior."

His gaze fell on the model. "However, this..."

“I didn’t know what you liked, so I bought this for you.” Kasumigaoka Utaha handed the model forward. She had indeed thought about what to give as a thank-you gift. They hadn’t known each other for long, and their conversations mostly revolved around creation and stories, so they had limited knowledge of each other’s personal preferences.

After returning home yesterday, she lingered in front of the shop window for a long time before finally choosing this seemingly popular model—even though she herself had no particular interest in such merchandise.

"Is this a thank-you gift from my senior?" Anwa Asuka asked.

“Okay.” Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded. “If you don’t like it, I can change it.”

An and Asuka took the model and examined it carefully. The workmanship was acceptable, and it looked quite exquisite, but it wasn't something they liked.

He looked up and said bluntly, "I really don't like it."

Kasumigaoka Utaha was taken aback. She hadn't expected him to be so direct. Just as she was about to say something, she heard the boy continue:

“But since it’s a thank-you gift from my senior, I’ll accept it.” An and Asuka’s voice softened. He gently held the model in his hand, his gaze sweeping over the less-than-perfect details, clearly assembled by a novice. “It’s poorly assembled.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha felt a tightness in her chest again.

Does this person have to be so...honest?

“However,” An and Asuka added, noticing the subtle change in her expression, “since it was a gift from my senior, I will cherish it.”

The up-and-down, hesitant rhythm of the conversation finally made Kasumigaoka Utaha unable to hold back any longer and say, "Junior, do you have to talk like that?"

An and Asuka raised an eyebrow, a hint of a smile in their eyes: "I didn't expect that senior wouldn't be as mature as she looks."

Kasumigaoka Utaha understood—this was "revenge" for her little prank earlier. She gave a soft snort: "You stingy little thing."

"Hmm." An and Asuka accepted the assessment readily and carefully placed the model into the packaging bag.

This didn't create any distance between them; instead, a relaxed atmosphere quietly filled the air. Kasumigaoka Utaha sat down next to An and Asuka, took out her usual pineapple bun and carton milk from her bag, and began to enjoy her simple lunch.

"Does senior really like pineapple buns?" An and Asuka asked, looking at the golden bread in her hand. During lunch breaks these past few days, he seemed to see the same combination every time.

"It's alright," Kasumigaoka Utaha said, taking a small bite of her bread. "It's mainly convenient."

As someone who often stays up late writing and always rushes out the door in the morning, a pineapple bun and yogurt that can be quickly grabbed at a convenience store is indeed the most practical choice.

“Is that so?” An and Asuka nodded in understanding, but added gently, “But a balanced diet is very important.”

After saying that, he opened his lunchbox, which was obviously much more substantial. Shizuka's lunches were always well-balanced with meat and vegetables, and also included cut fruit.

Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at his lavish bento box, then looked at her own dry pineapple bun, and made a rare joke: "I thought that after you said something like that, you would share some of your bento with me."

An and Asuka laughed: "I'm not that kind of gentle person, so you'd better figure it out yourself, senior."

“Not such a gentle person…” Kasumigaoka Utaha repeated softly, taking a bite of the pineapple bun, the sweet taste melting in her mouth.

She tilted her head slightly and looked up at the May sky.

"Really?" she thought dismissively. How could someone who would quietly accompany someone at a quiet book signing, who would carefully read and offer sound advice, and who would provide help in the least burdensome way possible be "not so gentle"?

A gentle breeze carried the unique fragrance of late spring, a blend of newly sprouted grass and subtle floral scents. The two ate their meals separately, and neither spoke again, yet the atmosphere was not awkward; rather, it possessed a tranquil harmony that needed no effort to create.

After lunch, Kasumigaoka Utaha carefully put away the wrappers before speaking again: "By the way, junior, do you have time after school today?"

"Yes, there is." An and Asuka closed the lunchbox.

"Well... how about we go for a walk together after school?" Kasumigaoka Utaha's tone sounded casual, as if it was just a spur-of-the-moment idea. "It's... an extension of the return gift."

An and Asuka thought for a moment. It seemed that Marina and the others had made plans to go shopping for art supplies today, and Ai also had her regular training at the agency.

He nodded: "Okay."

After the afternoon classes ended, An and Asuka briefly explained the situation to the three girls.

Marina blinked and gave him an "I understand" smile; Shizuka gently reminded him to be careful and come back early; Ai puffed out her cheeks and whispered, "Don't stay out too late." None of them asked any further questions, but simply gave him space in a tacit understanding.

After parting ways with them at the school gate, An and Asuka quickly met Kasumigaoka Utaha.

"Where do you want to go?" An and Asuka asked.

"Just wandering around," Kasumigaoka Utaha said. "Or rather, where would you like to go?"

"Let's just wander around then."

Tokyo's streets always offer surprises around every corner—perhaps a hidden alleyway with a delicious bakery, a café filled with greenery, or a general store displaying quirky old items. These quiet corners, concealed in the folds of the bustling city, are like secrets quietly hidden by the city, waiting to be discovered unexpectedly.

Anwa Asuka and Kasumigaoka Utaha spent a long afternoon exploring like this.

They strolled along unfamiliar paths, sometimes pausing in front of a secondhand bookstore window, gasping at the price tag of a rare, out-of-print book; sometimes drawn by the aroma of baking, they bought freshly baked, still-hot chestnut bread, breathing out hot breaths as they shared it; sometimes they walked into a café full of greenery, sat by the window, and watched the sunlight filter through the leaves, casting dappled patterns of light on the table.

The conversation flowed naturally like a stream, covering a wide range of topics. From recently discovered obscure literary genres to reinterpretations of historical events; from the potential influence of classical music's polyphonic structure on modern pop music arrangements to philosophical reflections sparked by the latest nebula images observed by astronomical telescopes.

Kasumigaoka Utaha initially approached the situation with a subtle, probing and display—she was accustomed to her intellectual superiority and secretly hoped to see her junior show a look of bewilderment or admiration in some area. That might allow her to regain some of her "senior's" composure, or even garner a few sincere compliments.

However, she soon discovered that her plan had failed.

No matter how obscure or off-topic the topic, An and Asuka could always catch it smoothly. He might not be an expert in everything, but he could always ask insightful questions or offer unique perspectives after listening.

His knowledge is like a deep well, seemingly calm and still, but when you throw a stone in, you always hear a deep and clear echo. What Kasumigaoka Utaha finds even more subtle is that his way of thinking is not simply a piling up of knowledge, but an internalized insight imbued with personal warmth. When discussing literature, he connects it to the emotional structure of music; when discussing history, he focuses on the subtle position of individuals within grand narratives.

After several exchanges, Kasumigaoka Utaha's secret desire to "show off" was gradually replaced by a mix of frustration and stronger curiosity. She was frustrated that she had failed to reach the high ground she had imagined, and curious about the kind of environment in which this boy had grown up to develop such a perspective and composure that was beyond his years.

As the setting sun cast long shadows, the two of them were each holding a cup of fruit tea they had bought from a small shop on the street, walking slowly along the riverside path.

Kasumigaoka Utaha took a sip of her slightly sweet drink, the cool liquid sliding down her throat. She turned her head, looking at the clear profile of the boy beside her, outlined by the afterglow of the setting sun, and finally couldn't help but ask the question that had been lingering in her mind for so long.

“Junior,” her voice was particularly clear in the evening breeze, “you wouldn’t happen to be… actually the young master of some family, would you?”

Upon hearing this, An and Asuka paused almost imperceptibly, then turned around with a look of obvious surprise on their faces, which quickly turned into a low laugh: "Hahaha... Senior, where did you get this idea from?"

“Isn’t that right?” Kasumigaoka Utaha carefully observed his reaction. “The surname ‘Anwa’ isn’t common in Japan. Especially…” She paused, “There’s a very senior and top-tier singer in the entertainment industry named Anwa Tendo. If you really are a child of the Anwa family, then a lot of things make sense.”

For example, his eloquence and vision, which seem to have been cultivated through immersion in excellent educational resources; the equally outstanding young women around him; and even his own musical achievements.

An and Asuka's smile deepened, but a complex emotion, difficult to detect, flashed in their usually calm eyes.

"Young Master?"

He repeated the word, his tone carrying a faint, almost self-deprecating tone, "Senior, you really read too many light novels. I'm just an ordinary student from some small, unknown city in Aichi Prefecture. My family... is also very ordinary."

"Really?" Kasumigaoka Utaha raised an eyebrow, clearly not entirely convinced. "It's not some kind of 'young master gets tired of the fine life and decides to hide his identity and experience the life of an ordinary person' story, is it?"

“Really not.” An and Asuka shook their heads, their smiles fading slightly, their tone becoming calm and certain. “I come from a very, very ordinary family. I have no distinguished background, and I haven’t had any dramatic experiences in life.”

He gazed at the shimmering river, the setting sun shattering into countless golden scales on its surface. "Although... I may have lost some things, I have also gained a lot. Many people care about me, and that's enough."

His words were soft, yet carried an undeniable weight. Kasumigaoka Utaha keenly caught the phrase "lost something," and also sensed the cherishing of what he had "gained" in his tone. This was not the tone of a pampered, carefree young master.

"...It seems I was overthinking it." Kasumigaoka Utaha stopped pressing the matter and took a sip of her fruit tea. The sweetness remained, but a subtle ripple stirred within her heart as she glimpsed a glimpse of his true emotional state. He wasn't feigning mystery; he genuinely had a past he didn't want to discuss. This realization gave her a new understanding of his previously mature demeanor beyond his years.

The two walked in silence for a while until their drinks were empty, then found an empty bench at the edge of a bustling entertainment plaza and sat down.

The square was bustling with people. Skateboarders whizzed by, vendors sold balloons and snacks, and in the distance, a small makeshift stage was set up where several young people were tuning their instruments, seemingly preparing for a street performance.

Kasumigaoka Utaha's gaze swept past the hustle and bustle, her thoughts drifting back to last night. After confirming the autograph session data, out of curiosity, she searched for the name "Anwa Asuka" on Bicobico. The results surprised her somewhat—there was indeed a musician account with the same name and an astonishing number of followers, boasting over two million followers.

The original music and performance videos posted on the account are of extremely high quality, and the comments section is full of praise from professional music critics. She even discovered that she had unintentionally heard one of his instrumental pieces before, but had not paid attention to the composer at the time.

The account's bio was extremely concise, with no real person appearing on camera, and a low-key style, yet the work brimmed with astonishing talent. Could it be the same person? A blogger with two million followers, and this high school freshman calmly sipping fruit tea and spending the afternoon shopping with him?

As she was considering how to begin her thought process, a faint yet clear sobbing sound suddenly reached her ears, interrupting her thoughts.

Following the sound, I saw a little girl, who looked only seven or eight years old, squatting alone by a flower bed not far away. She had her face buried in her knees, and her shoulders were trembling. She was wearing a cute floral dress, but her knees were clearly scraped and bleeding slightly.

People walked by, but most of them only glanced at the scene and walked away without stopping.

Before Kasumigaoka Utaha could react, the boy beside her had already put down his cup and stood up without hesitation, walking towards the little girl.

She sat there, watching An and Asuka kneel down in front of the child, their tall figures deliberately lowering to be at eye level with the little girl. He first checked the wound on her knee, then took out clean tissues and bandages from his pocket and gently treated it for her.

His lips moved, as if he were asking something in a gentle voice.

The little girl was initially wary, sobbing and remaining silent. But soon, An and Asuka said something, or perhaps made some funny face, and the little girl looked up at him with teary eyes, staring blankly, and then—"pfft," she burst into laughter through her tears.

Kasumigaoka Utaha couldn't hear their conversation, but the scene was imprinted on her mind with unparalleled clarity: the golden-red rays of the setting sun spilled down, enveloping the crouching boy and the little girl who was looking up, her tears turning into laughter.

The boy's face held a gentle smile she had never seen before, unreserved and tender. His eyes were focused and patient, as if the whole world consisted only of this little life in need of help.

In that instant, Kasumigaoka Utaha felt something gently bump into her heart.

She recalled that afternoon on the rooftop when he calmly said, "I'm not such a gentle person."

lie.

A completely gentle lie.

The little girl had gotten separated from her parents in the crowd. An and Asuka accompanied her, and Kasumigaoka Utaha also went over. The two comforted the child while asking her about her parents' appearance and decided to take her to the service center in the square to make an announcement to find them.

Before we even reached the service center, a young couple looking flustered rushed over. Upon seeing their daughter, the mother immediately ran over and hugged her tightly, while the father repeatedly expressed his gratitude.

"Thank you so much! She disappeared as soon as we turned around, we were so scared!" The mother's eyes reddened.

"It's good that you're alright, no need to thank me so much." An and Asuka said to the couple in front of them, "Go back and comfort them properly."

"Goodbye, brother and sister!" The little girl, who was being held by her father, suddenly leaned over and quickly kissed An and Asuka on the cheek, then shyly buried her face in her father's shoulder.

After thanking them again, the young couple joined the crowd with their child. An and Asuka touched the spot on their face where they had been kissed and smiled.

Kasumigaoka Utaha walked to his side, the evening breeze ruffling her long hair.

"Junior," she asked softly, "do you really like children?"

Anhe and Feibiao gazed in the direction where the family of three had disappeared, the smile on their faces not yet completely gone, but their eyes had become somewhat distant.