Green plums cannot become lovers.

The opportunity is coming!

Marina was secretly delighted, but her face showed a slightly troubled yet eager-to-share expression: "Actually... I do have some ideas. A friend of mine is running a game development club, and they want to make a story-driven game. I'm helping them come up with character designs... This is a preliminary impression of one of the female protagonists? But I'm just dabbling in my hobby, and my drawing skills are just average. It would definitely be far from being realized."

"A game development club? A story-driven game club?" Eriri blinked her bright blue eyes, her interest seemingly piqued. "It's from our school? What's it called?"

"Yeah, it's called the 'Game Development Department,' and it's only been established for a short time." Marina observed her expression. "The main goal is to create a touching romance adventure game with beautiful characters and great music. The script is being written by an incredibly talented upperclassman! Unfortunately, we're severely lacking in art staff; right now, it's just me, a half-baked amateur, filling in..."

She then revealed a look of regret mixed with longing: "If an artist as talented as Sawamura-kun could join the project, the characters would definitely come alive! Just imagining those scenes is amazing..."

Eriri listened, her gaze shifting between Marina's sketches and the exquisitely detailed characters on her own screen. Game development? Romance adventure? A script written by her brilliant upperclassman? She certainly had a passion for creation and a desire to place her characters in a broader "world."

School club activities sometimes seemed a bit mundane to her, while "game development" sounded... more challenging and rewarding than simple drawing practice or club activities.

“The game development department…?” she repeated softly, her fingers unconsciously twirling the ends of her golden hair.

Marina's heart leaped with joy; she knew the fish had seen the bait. Instead of pressing for a sale, she smiled and changed the subject, talking about other painting techniques. Sometimes, leaving room for imagination and curiosity is more effective than a direct invitation.

When the school bell rang, Marina packed her things and politely said goodbye to Eriri. As she walked out of the art club room, she glanced back and saw Eriri still standing there, gazing out the window, seemingly lost in thought.

"First step, success!" Marina clenched her small fist, her violet eyes gleaming with a cunning yet expectant light.

Next, it remains to be seen when Asuka and Utaha-senpai can create an "opportunity" that would make this proud and talented girl willingly join.

Volume 1: Chapter 170 The Rain Keeps Falling

In June in Tokyo, the weather was already showing signs of summer. The daytime sun was beginning to scorch, and the shade cast by the roadside trees became a place for pedestrians to seek refuge. The air was filled with the slightly burnt smell of asphalt after being baked by the sun, mixed with the fresh, green scent of plants struggling to grow.

Despite the lukewarm response to the recruitment notice, the game development department's activities did not stop. Anwa Asuka and Kasumigaoka Utaha continued to refine the core game design during their after-school time.

On the whiteboard in the activity room, character relationship diagrams, fragments of worldviews, and keywords gradually increase, and the outline of a fictional world is slowly and solidly emerging.

That afternoon, Kasumigaoka Utaha left early due to an impromptu meeting at the publishing house, leaving only An and Asuka in the activity room. He was studying programming in front of the computer screen.

After all, he's the only one who learns programming very quickly.

A soft knock sounded at that moment.

"Knock, knock knock."

The rhythm was somewhat hesitant, and the force was very light.

"Please come in." An and Asuka stopped what they were doing and turned to the door.

The door was carefully pushed open a crack, and a head with dazzling golden twin ponytails peeked in. The azure eyes, filled with a mixture of curiosity and caution, quickly scanned the room.

"Excuse me... is this the 'Game Development Department'?" The girl's voice was clear and crisp, with a hint of barely perceptible nervousness.

An and Asuka recognized her—Sawamura Spencer Eriri, a first-year student in Class A, the ace of the art club, and a well-known mixed-race beauty on campus.

He was somewhat surprised, stood up, and nodded politely: "Yes, this is the game development department. I am the head, Anwa Asuka from Class 1-E. Sawamura-kun, please come in."

Eriri seemed slightly surprised that the other person could call her by name immediately, but her good manners allowed her to quickly compose herself and push open the door to enter. Today, she was wearing a neatly pressed summer school uniform, her bow tie was tied perfectly, and her golden twin ponytails were combed neatly and elegantly. Every step she took exuded the good manners of someone who had received strict etiquette training, creating a subtle contrast with the somewhat simple activity room.

"I'm Eriri Sawamura, a first-year student in Class A." She introduced herself with a reserved tone. "I... heard about this club from Kirasaka-san, and I was a little curious, so I came to check it out."

She wasn't entirely telling the truth. Marina's "unintentional" sharing that day and that rather inspired sketch did pique her interest, but what ultimately prompted her to take this step was more of a secret inner desire for "creation" and "placing characters in a story."

"Welcome." An and Asuka gestured to the empty chair. "Please sit down. If Marina mentioned it to you, you probably know that we're preparing a romance adventure game project, right?"

"Yes, she said some things."

Eriri sat down in the chair, her back straight, her hands elegantly folded on her knees, but her gaze was involuntarily drawn to the writing and sketches on the whiteboard. "It seems... it's still in the very early stages?"

“That’s right, we’re currently focusing on world-building and core character development.” An and Asuka walked to the whiteboard and began to briefly explain their current ideas. They didn’t use exaggerated language or vague descriptions of a “masterpiece” vision; instead, they used clear and simple language to introduce the possible background of the story, the initial characterizations of several main characters, and some emotional themes they hoped to explore through the story.

His explanations are rational and specific, occasionally mentioning things like "a piece of background music is needed to set the mood," "the turning point of this scene needs strong CG support," or "the psychological changes of the character at this moment need to be reflected through subtle differences in the character's facial expressions."

These words precisely touched on Eriri's interests as a creator—she cares not only about whether the character is "aesthetically pleasing," but also about whether the character "comes alive" in the story, and whether her expressions, postures, and the scenes she is in can effectively convey emotions and advance the narrative.

As the explanation deepened, Eriri's cautious gaze was gradually replaced by focus and contemplation. She would occasionally ask a question or two, such as, "Will the script handled by this 'Kasumigaoka-senpai' lean more towards literary style or focus more on the game's pacing?" or "What are the requirements for the historical accuracy of the character costumes and scene details?"

Both An and Asuka gave clear and organized answers, and frankly explained the current advantages and limitations of the project.

He could sense that Eriri's polite distance was diminishing, replaced by a professional and serious attitude as she assessed the feasibility of the project.

He even caught a glimmer of anticipation in her eyes, especially when he mentioned a scene concept, describing "a heroine standing alone in front of an ancient shrine amidst cherry blossom rain, her gaze complex as she looks back." He saw Eriri's fingers twitch unconsciously, as if sketching lines on a virtual canvas.

However, when An and Asuka casually mentioned that "we have referenced many excellent works of the same genre, hoping to learn from their strengths in emotional rendering and character development," Eriri's expression stiffened almost imperceptibly.

When the conversation moved further and touched on terms like "anime culture" and "otaku aesthetics," the spark of interest that had just ignited in her eyes seemed to be shaken by an invisible wind, quickly becoming shrouded in a shadow of wariness and retreat.

An and Asuka keenly noticed this change. He timely stopped the in-depth discussion about specific game genre culture and shifted the topic back to the more neutral realm of creative techniques.

Ultimately, the visit ended in a slightly awkward atmosphere. Eriri politely stood up to thank them, saying, "I understand, it's a very interesting project," but she didn't directly offer to join, as An and Asuka had vaguely hoped.

"I will seriously consider it." She left those words behind and gracefully departed the activity room.

An and Asuka looked at the door that had closed again and sighed softly.

He could see that Eriri's talent and interests were genuine, but a strong, personal resistance was an obstacle. Although he felt it was a pity, he respected her personal choice.

Forced relationships are never sweet; what the community needs are truly like-minded partners who can fully commit themselves.

He sat back down at his computer and continued tweaking the unfinished melody. The sunlight streaming in from the window cast a long shadow of him.

Saturday.

The morning was still quite cool, but after ten o'clock, the heat began to rise. Anwa Asuka, at Shizuka's request, went to a large bookstore a little further away to buy some recently published literary reference books and sheet music. Tokyo's weekend streets were always bustling, and he weaved through the crowds, carrying increasingly heavy shopping bags.

As we completed our mission and began our return journey, the sky subtly changed.

The once azure sky was now covered by thick, gray-white clouds, completely swallowing the sunlight. The air became incredibly hot and humid, as if it could be squeezed dry. Faint thunder rumbled in the distance.

"It's going to rain." An and Asuka quickened their pace.

However, summer thunderstorms always come swiftly and violently.

Before he could find suitable shelter, large raindrops began to pelt down, initially sparse, but quickly turning into a torrential downpour. Visibility blurred instantly, and pedestrians on the street screamed and scattered, seeking cover.

An and Asuka had a bad feeling; they hadn't brought an umbrella. Looking around, the nearest place to take shelter from the rain was a boutique across the street that was already closed, with a narrow awning in front of it. Protecting his book bag, he braved the rapidly intensifying rain and rushed over in a few steps, his back and shoulders instantly soaked.

He had just steadied himself under the eaves when hurried footsteps, accompanied by panting, approached from afar. Another person seeking shelter from the rain rushed over, carrying a damp mist and a faint, lavender-like scent of fabric softener, nearly bumping into him.

"I'm sorry!" a somewhat flustered female voice rang out.

An and Asuka instinctively stepped aside to make room, while looking at the person who had come in.

At first glance, he did not immediately recognize the other person.

She was a girl dressed rather "plainly," even somewhat "rustic." She wore a slightly oversized bright green sports jacket with the eye-catching white Chinese characters "東瀛" (Eastern Japan) printed on the front, and the style resembled a souvenir from some kind of club activity.

She wore simple dark-colored sweatpants and slightly worn canvas shoes. She wore a pair of somewhat bulky black-rimmed glasses, the lenses glistening with water droplets. Her once dazzling long blonde hair was now soaked and clung to her cheeks and neck, a few strands clinging mischievously to her forehead, still dripping wet. She clutched tightly a paper bag containing merchandise featuring a certain anime character; the edges of the bag were already damp and limp from the rain.

The girl was frantically trying to wring out the water from the hem of her coat, muttering under her breath, "Oh no, I just bought this art book..."

His voice was full of frustration.

However, his unique hair color, delicate facial features, and the deep blue brilliance in his eyes that he couldn't hide even through his fogged-up glasses when he occasionally looked up...

"Sawamura... classmate?" Anwa Asuka called out tentatively.

The girl, who was struggling with her wet coat and the baby's paper bag, froze at the sound. She slowly, almost like in slow motion, raised her head and looked at the person next to her through her foggy glasses.

When that familiar yet bewildered, handsome face came into view—

"!!!"

Eriri's blue eyes widened to their limit, as if she had seen the most incredible and terrifying thing in the world. She froze, her arms holding the paper bag stiff, her lips slightly parted, but no sound came out. Only the clear "plop" of raindrops dripping from her hair could be heard.

My mind went completely blank.

Her otaku mode fully activated... and someone at school saw her! It was An and Asuka from the game development club! That seemingly serious but somewhat difficult top student! He saw himself like this! Wearing those dowdy glasses! Wearing that embarrassing "Japanese" jacket! Clutching a paper bag full of doujinshi and art books! Running away in the rain in a sorry state!

It's over, completely over.

The elegant image of Eriri Sawamura Spencer... has collapsed! Social death!

A tremendous shock and shame overwhelmed her like a tsunami. She instinctively wanted to curl up, wishing she could disappear on the spot, or that the rain would fall harder to wash away the person in front of her, along with her memories.

She suddenly lowered her head, burying her face in the paper bag in her arms, her pigtails drooping limply, her whole being exuding a strong aura of "wanting to die".

An and Asuka were momentarily stunned as they watched Eriri instantly switch from a panicked, homebody to a state of utter despair. The scene before them was vastly different from the refined, reserved, and well-mannered mixed-race young lady they knew; the contrast was so dramatic it was almost comical.

But he quickly recovered from his shock. The torrential rain pounded against the eaves and the road, splashing white sprays of water; the sound of the downpour almost drowned out everything else. Damp air, mixed with the scent of earth and plants, filled the narrow space under the eaves.

Eriri's soaked "Japanese" coat was even more glaringly bright, and her slightly trembling shoulders looked particularly thin.

An and Asuka could understand her predicament. Everyone has a side they don't want others to know, especially for a young lady like Eriri who cares about her image and how others see her. Being caught as a "homebody" by her classmates would probably be nothing short of a disaster.

He showed no surprise or mockery, nor did he attempt to comfort or press for answers—that would only make the situation more awkward. He simply spoke in his usual calm tone, "It's raining heavily. Looks like it won't stop anytime soon."

Eriri didn't react, still keeping her head down like an ostrich.

An and Asuka didn't mind. He turned around, carefully placed the book bag in his hand in a drier corner, and then took out an unopened pack of tissues from his small bag, pulled out a tissue, and handed it to Eriri.

"Wipe your face, Sawamura-kun. Your glasses are all fogged up." His voice was still clear amidst the pouring rain.

Eriri's body twitched almost imperceptibly. After hesitating for several seconds, she very slowly lifted her face slightly from behind the paper bag, looking through her wet bangs and fogged glasses at the hand extended in front of her. Long, clean fingers held the pristine white tissue without the slightest tremor or hesitation.

There were no strange looks, no probing questions, just a calm handing over of a tissue, as if it were just an ordinary scene of mutual help in the rain.

Her nerves, stretched to the limit, relaxed slightly because of this overly casual attitude. She sniffed very lightly, finally reaching out and quickly taking the tissue, her voice barely audible: "...Thank you."

She took off her glasses, wiped her face and lenses haphazardly with a tissue, and put them back on. Although she still couldn't look directly at An and Asuka, at least she no longer completely hid her face.

The two stood side by side under the narrow eaves, maintaining a polite distance. The downpour showed no sign of abating, and the world was shrouded in a white mist. The streets were deserted, with only the deafening roar of the rain dominating the scene.

The silence continued, but the initial extreme awkwardness seemed to be somewhat alleviated by the deafening sound of the rain and the other party's unexpected calmness.

As Anhe and Asuka gazed at the rain, Anhe suddenly said softly, "This kind of weather is perfect for staying at home, reading a book, or drawing."

Eriri's fingers tightened slightly as she gripped the tissue.

“However, there are also pleasures to going out,” he continued in that casual tone, “such as being able to buy things you’ve been looking forward to for a long time.”

His gaze swept almost imperceptibly over the paper bag with anime characters printed on it that she was clutching tightly, then returned to the rain without lingering.

Eriri's heart skipped a beat. He... saw it, but he didn't point it out. Instead, he acknowledged the "legitimacy" of the contents of the paper bag in an almost considerate way.

My tense shoulders relaxed a little.

After a while, Eriri asked in a low voice, almost inaudible to herself, "Don't you... find it strange?"

“What’s so strange?” An and Asuka asked in a natural tone. “Buying books and materials related to a story or character because you like it? That’s perfectly normal. Creating and appreciating beautiful things is never something to be ashamed of.”

His words were calm and firm, without a trace of perfunctoriness or deliberate pandering.

Eriri abruptly raised her head, looking directly at An and Asuka's profile for the first time. Rainwater streamed down the eaves, forming a transparent curtain of water that shimmered before him.

His expression was calm, his gaze fixed on the distant rain scene, as if he had just said something completely ordinary.

The expected disdain, surprise, or even veiled mockery did not materialize. Instead, there was only an almost taken-for-granted acceptance and understanding.

This realization, like a ray of light, pierced through the heavy gloom of shame that shrouded her heart.

The rain was still falling. But the air in the small space under the eaves seemed to have subtly changed.

Eriri loosened her grip on the paper bag. She looked down at the ridiculous, soaked cuffs of her jacket, printed with the word "Eastern Japan," and her lips twitched slightly—a self-deprecating smile mixed with a hint of relief.

Perhaps... being seen isn't as scary as you imagine.

Once this thought arises, it's like chiseling a crack in a thick layer of ice. Then, the crack spreads uncontrollably.

Yes, now that the worst has happened—that a classmate has caught you looking like this, in a truly "image-ruining" state—no amount of hiding, panic, or trying to salvage the situation will seem futile or pale; it will only make you look more ridiculous.

Eriri took a deep breath of the damp air, a mixture of rain and earth, and her shoulders finally relaxed from their tense, hunched posture. She even unconsciously straightened her back a little, despite still wearing that ridiculous "Japanese" jacket and clutching that nerdy paper bag.

A strange sense of relief, a feeling of "what's the use of throwing caution to the wind," or rather, a strange ease that comes from shedding some heavy pretense, quietly replaced the initial overwhelming shame.

She turned her head and, through her newly cleaned glasses, secretly glanced at the boy beside her. He remained quietly gazing at the rain, his profile serene in the grey light of the sky. There was no scrutiny, no snickering, and no unnatural avoidance of her gaze. It was as if she were just any stranger who had happened to be taking shelter from the rain, and what she wore or what she carried was irrelevant.

This overly casual attitude actually helped her gradually relax the last bit of hesitation and awkwardness in her heart.

"Um..." She cleared her throat, her voice still slightly unnatural, but much clearer, "You...you're not allowed to tell anyone."

As soon as the words left her mouth, she regretted them. They sounded like a childish threat, utterly ineffective.

Anwa Asuka turned around at the sound, a slightly amused expression on her face: "In Sawamura-kun's eyes, am I a big mouth who likes to gossip about other people's private affairs?"

"No, no!" Eriri quickly shook her head, her golden twin tails swaying as a few drops of water fell. "That's not what I meant! It's just... sigh!"

Frustrated that she was only making things worse by trying to explain, she simply shut her mouth, her cheeks slightly flushed.

An and Asuka didn't embarrass her further, but simply turned their gaze back to the torrential rain and casually replied, "I just didn't expect Sawamura-kun to be interested in this. Last time in the activity room, I thought you weren't interested at all."

He was referring to games, and the subcultures they embody.

Eriri pursed her lips. Denying it or being vague now seemed pointless. Her fingers unconsciously traced the edge of the paper bag as she whispered, "...I am interested. But..."