Green plums cannot become lovers.

However, this naive fantasy was soon shattered.

After school, Eriri, as usual, carried her graphics tablet and sketchbook to the laboratory building.

She was in a good mood—last night she had finally drawn the final design of the female lead that she was satisfied with, and she wanted to show it to the boy today. Her steps were light, her golden twin ponytails swaying lively with each step, and her skirt fluttering in a small arc.

She had an expectant smile on her face when she pushed open the door to the activity room.

Then, the smile froze on his face.

There was an extra person in the activity room at some point.

A figure both familiar and unfamiliar to her—Kasumigaoka Utaha.

This in itself wasn't surprising; Kasumigaoka Utaha was the script supervisor, so it was normal for her to come to the event room. What stunned Eriri was the way the two of them were acting at that moment.

Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned against Anwa Asuka's shoulder, her eyes closed, as if asleep. Anwa Asuka sat upright, motionless, even slightly adjusting her posture to make the girl more comfortable. The afternoon sun streamed in through the window, bathing the two in a warm glow; the scene was so beautiful...it was dazzling.

Eriri's heart felt like it had been suddenly clenched by something.

She stood in the doorway, her fingers unconsciously tightening, the edge of the graphics tablet digging painfully into her palm. Her mind was blank, only a few words echoing repeatedly—

Is this really the kind of relationship between the two of them?

This realization was like a cold needle, piercing the softest part of her heart unexpectedly. A strange, bittersweet emotion quickly spread, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.

She didn't know why she was reacting this way. She and An and Asuka were just classmates, just clubmates, and she had no right or reason to feel...sad.

But looking at the scene before her, seeing Kasumigaoka Utaha leaning so naturally on his shoulder, seeing him so considerately remaining still, that intimacy, that tacit understanding, that unspoken trust, was like a dull knife slowly cutting into her heart.

For some reason, Eriri felt a little sad.

At that moment, An and Asuka noticed Eriri standing at the door. He looked up, saw her stunned expression, and made a "shh" gesture to her, signaling her to be quiet and not to wake Kasumigaoka Utaha.

This action amplified the bittersweet feeling in Eriri's heart.

She bit her lower lip, forcing herself to look away. She didn't turn and run away like in idol dramas—that would be too embarrassing, and why should she? She wasn't some abandoned heroine.

She's just... just a club member.

Eriri took a deep breath, trying to calm her turbulent emotions, and then walked into the activity room. Her footsteps were heavier than usual, deliberately making a little noise, but not enough to wake anyone—an awkward, contradictory feeling of wanting to attract attention without seeming deliberate.

She sat down in her usual spot, placing her graphics tablet and sketchbook down with a somewhat heavy motion. Then she turned on her equipment, picked up the pressure-sensitive pen, and stared at the blank canvas, but couldn't draw a single word.

Her peripheral vision drifted uncontrollably toward the window.

Kasumigaoka Utaha was still leaning on Anwa Asuka's shoulder, breathing steadily, fast asleep. Her long black hair cascaded down like a waterfall, a few strands draped over Anwa Asuka's shirt, shimmering delicately in the sunlight. Her profile was serene and beautiful; the aloofness she usually exuded had completely vanished, leaving only an unguarded softness.

As for An and Asuka... he remained sitting upright, his gaze fixed on the window, his expression calm, as if the person leaning on his shoulder was not a famous beautiful senior from the school, but something perfectly natural.

Eriri's fingers tightened, and the pressure-sensitive pen drew a meaningless line on the digital screen.

She tried to hold back, but finally couldn't. She looked up at An and Asuka, her voice a little hoarse:

"You and Kasumigaoka... are you in that kind of relationship?"

The moment the question left her mouth, she regretted it. It was too direct, too impulsive, too much like prying into someone's privacy. And what right did she have to ask? A clubmate? A classmate? What gave her the right?

But the words were already spoken and couldn't be taken back.

An and Asuka turned to look at her. His expression was somewhat surprised, but he quickly understood what she was asking. He smiled, a gentle and frank smile:

No, that's not it.

His denial was straightforward, without hesitation or ambiguity.

Eriri felt a great deal of relief wash over her. But she still stared at him, waiting for further explanation.

"My senior stayed up for several nights to finish her manuscript so she could come and help me as soon as possible, and she was exhausted," An and Asuka explained softly, afraid of waking the girl on their shoulders. "That's why I lent her my shoulder to rest for a bit."

This explanation makes perfect sense. Eriri remembered that a few days ago, An and Asuka had mentioned that Kasumigaoka Utaha was rushing to meet the deadline for the third volume of "Love Metronome" and was too busy to come over. So she was working so hard to come and help as soon as possible that she was exhausted and needed someone to lean on her shoulder to rest.

That sounds reasonable.

But Eriri still found the scene before her eyes... jarring.

Even if it weren't that kind of relationship, this intimacy went beyond that of ordinary classmates or club members. The natural physical contact, the unspoken understanding, the mutual trust and support—it all went beyond that.

It's not that there's anything between her and this boy yet.

This realization brought back that bittersweet feeling in her heart, a feeling even clearer and harder to ignore than before.

She lowered her head, pretending to focus on drawing, but the lines drawn by the pen tip on the digital screen were chaotic and disorganized, making it impossible to tell what she was trying to draw.

The activity room fell silent again. Only the low hum of the air conditioner and the faint chirping of cicadas from outside the window could be heard.

After an unknown amount of time, Kasumigaoka Utaha stirred slightly and slowly opened her eyes.

Her wine-red eyes were slightly dazed when she first woke up, but they quickly cleared. She straightened up, moved away from An and Asuka's shoulders, and raised her hand to tidy her slightly messy long hair. Her movements were elegant and natural, as if taking a nap on her junior's shoulder was the most ordinary thing in the world.

Then she turned her head, her gaze falling on Eriri, a half-smile playing on her lips:

"Good afternoon, Sawamura-kun. Why didn't you say hello when you arrived?"

Her tone was ordinary, but Eriri detected a hint of... teasing? Or perhaps, a kind of assertive composure.

Eriri looked up and met Kasumigaoka Utaha's gaze.

She forced herself to put on a reasonably polite smile: "Good afternoon, Kasumigaoka-senpai. I saw you were resting, so I didn't want to disturb you."

"How thoughtful of you." Kasumigaoka Utaha chuckled, her laughter like a feather gently brushing against my ear, tickling me. "But I'm all rested now. Thanks to my junior's shoulder, it's much more comfortable than a pillow."

As she said this, her gaze drifted intentionally or unintentionally toward An and Asuka, with a hint of mockery in her eyes.

An and Asuka smiled helplessly and rubbed their slightly sore shoulders: "It's good that you've rested well, senior. Don't push yourself so hard next time, your health is the most important thing."

"Concerned about me?" Kasumigaoka Utaha raised an eyebrow, her tone clearly teasing.

“Of course.” An and Asuka nodded frankly. “What will happen to our script if our senior collapses from exhaustion?”

This was a practical answer, but Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't seem satisfied. She gave a soft "humph" and turned to Eriri:

"How's Sawamura-kun's progress lately? I want to see how well the character design is being finalized."

When the conversation turned to work, Eriri breathed a slight sigh of relief. She opened her digital screen and pulled up the drawings she had made over the past few days: "The final design for the female lead is almost complete. Here are the difference images for different expressions. The initial design for the male lead is here, but it still needs some adjustments..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned closer, her wine-red eyes intently scanning each image. Her critiques were professional, sharp, and to the point:

"The curve of the lips in this shy expression could be a little more subtle; if it's too obvious, it just looks artificial."

"The male lead's hairstyle is good, but the details of the clothing could be improved with more personal touches. The current design is too 'standard high school student'."

"The lighting and shadows in the starry sky scene are beautifully rendered, but attention should be paid to maintaining consistency with the overall color scheme of the game..."

Eriri listened attentively, quickly taking notes of the key points. Although Kasumigaoka Utaha's comments were merciless, they were indeed to the point, leaving Eriri with no choice but to admit defeat.

But occasionally, Kasumigaoka Utaha would say things that made her blood pressure rise:

"Sawamura-kun's drawing skills are indeed very professional, no wonder he is the ace of the art club. However... isn't it a little too 'standard'? It lacks a bit of personal style."

Eriri immediately retorted: "Game concept art needs to accurately convey the characters and scenes; too much personal style will only affect the narrative!"

"Oh?" Kasumigaoka Utaha raised an eyebrow, her tone playful. "But I've heard that true masters can find a balance between commercial demands and artistic expression. Sawamura-kun... do you feel you haven't reached that level yet?"

"You—!" Eriri's face flushed red. She knew that Kasumigaoka Utaha was deliberately provoking her, but she just couldn't help taking the bait.

"Alright, alright." An and Asuka interjected at the right moment, acting as peacemakers. "Kasumigaoka-senpai makes a good point, but Sawamura-kun's considerations are also very practical. We can slowly explore a unique art style that suits this project while ensuring the characters are recognizable."

He looked at Eriri with gentle eyes: "No need to rush, there's still time."

She then looked at Kasumigaoka Utaha, pleading with a hint of helplessness, "Senpai, stop teasing her."

Kasumigaoka Utaha saw the "please" look in An and Asuka's eyes, smiled slightly, and finally let Eriri go: "Alright, I'll listen to you, junior."

She sat back down in her chair and opened her laptop: "So, let's discuss the specific details of Chapter Two of the script. I've created several different plot branches, and I'd like to hear your feedback..."

The work discussion returned to normal. Eriri tried to focus on the script, but out of the corner of her eye, she couldn't help but glance at the two people by the window.

Kasumigaoka Utaha and Anwa Asuka stood close together, looking at the computer screen and occasionally whispering to each other. Their conversation was professional and efficient, but that unspoken understanding... still made her feel uneasy.

In particular, when Kasumigaoka Utaha mentioned a certain scene, she naturally turned to An and Asuka and asked, "Junior, which background music do you think would be more suitable for this scene? Should it be a gentle piano solo, or a dreamy style with some electronic sound effects?"

An and Asuka answered almost without hesitation: "A piano solo. This scene is the first time the female lead opens her heart to the male lead, and too complicated an arrangement would be distracting."

“Just as I thought.” Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled, a smile that conveyed a sense of satisfaction, as if to say, “You really understand me.”

Eriri silently lowered her head and scribbled circles on her notebook.

She suddenly realized that between Anwa Asuka and Kasumigaoka Utaha, there was a deep connection built on their shared creative work, one that she couldn't yet intrude upon. Their tacit understanding when discussing scripts and music, their shared comprehension of the story, their mutual respect for each other's talents.

That was something that hadn't yet been established between her, An, and Asuka.

No, maybe it's still under construction. They discuss art style together, study scene composition together, and he patiently answers her naive questions about programming.

But compared to Kasumigaoka Utaha, she was still a step too late.

This realization stirred a strange sense of resentment within her. It wasn't jealousy, nor would she admit to being jealous—it was just... just that she longed to have that kind of understanding, that kind of trust, that kind of mutual comprehension with An and Asuka.

She wanted to be an indispensable partner on his creative journey, not just an "illustrator".

The thought was so strong that it startled even herself.

"Sawamura-kun?" Anwa Asuka's voice pulled her back from her thoughts.

Eriri looked up and found that both of them were looking at her.

"Do you think it's better to use a low angle or a level view for the composition of this scene?" Anwa Asuka asked, holding a sketch of a key scene that Kasumigaoka Utaha had just described.

Eriri steadied herself and forced herself to focus on her work. She carefully examined the sketch and thought for a few seconds:

"Use an upward angle. This scene is the first time the male protagonist seriously looks up at the starry sky; an upward angle will emphasize the awe-inspiring feeling of 'discovering a new world.' It also contrasts with a later scene shot from a high angle..."

She spoke more and more fluently and passionately as she spoke. An and Asuka listened attentively, nodding occasionally with admiration in their eyes. Kasumigaoka Utaha also seemed lost in thought, jotting something down in her notebook.

At that moment, Eriri suddenly realized that she wasn't entirely unable to participate in their world.

She also has her expertise, her talent, and her value.

She looked at An and Asuka and found him looking at her with a gentle smile in his eyes, as if to say, "Well said."

At that moment, most of the bitterness and resentment in Eriri's heart quietly dissipated.

She raised her chin, revealing a smile tinged with a hint of pride:

"Of course, the specific lighting and shadow treatment depends on the overall color scheme of the scene. However, I suggest using a cool color scheme here to highlight the depth and mystery of the night sky..."

As the setting sun gradually dipped westward outside the window, it bathed the activity room in a warm golden-red hue.

The three continued their discussion, sometimes heated, sometimes harmonious, sometimes arguing fiercely over a disagreement, and sometimes exchanging knowing smiles over a brilliant idea.

The addition of Kasumigaoka Utaha is like injecting lubricant into a running machine.

The work that was originally being painstakingly carried out by An, Asuka, and Eriri accelerated dramatically thanks to her skillful script control and efficient decision-making. Details that previously required repeated discussions and revisions could often be pinpointed to their core issues, and she could propose practical solutions.

Those subtle facial expressions that Eriri struggled with for so long, and the plot rhythm that An and Asuka found difficult to follow, all became clear and orderly in her hands.

As a result, the two, who used to have to work until sunset to barely finish their daily tasks, can now pack up and leave the activity room at five o'clock.

At 5:00 sharp, Anhe and Feiniao saved the last piece of code and closed their laptops.

Outside the window, the summer sun was still bright, but the midday heat had faded, turning into a warm golden hue. In the small garden behind the laboratory building, hydrangeas cast long shadows in the slanting sunlight, their petals shimmering with a soft glow.

"That's enough for today." Kasumigaoka Utaha closed her notebook and stretched gracefully. This gesture made her appear less aloof than usual, and more like a girlish languidness.

"The plot of Chapter Two is basically clear. I can take the remaining details back and do them."

Eriri carefully put the graphics tablet and sketchbook into their protective case. Hearing this, she looked up and said, "Then I'll bring the revised scene concept art tomorrow."

“Hmm.” Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded, her wine-red eyes sweeping over Eriri, a glint of something unfathomable in them. “Sawamura-kun has made great progress lately. The scene of the observatory’s interior yesterday was handled with great depth and layering of light and shadow.”

This was a rare direct compliment. Eriri paused, her cheeks flushing slightly, and turned away, whispering, "It's...it's alright. It's just what I was supposed to do."

"Being able to recognize the 'level that should be achieved' and strive to reach it is remarkable in itself."

Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled slightly, stood up, and tossed her long hair behind her shoulder. "Many so-called geniuses fail because they are all talk and no action."

These words were quite meaningful; it was unclear whether they were praising Eriri or giving her a warning.

An and Asuka intervened at the right moment: "Then let's go, thank you for your hard work."

The three packed up their things, turned off the air conditioner and lights, and locked the activity room door. The corridor had quieted down; most club activities had ended, with only the faint sound of the wind band practicing in the distance, intermittent and like background noise on a summer afternoon.

They walked side by side down the corridor of the laboratory building. The setting sun slanted in through the west-facing windows, casting long shadows that overlapped and intertwined on the ground. Eriri walked in the middle, with An and Asuka on her left and Kasumigaoka Utaha on her right.

This position made her feel a little uncomfortable—like being sandwiched in the middle, but also inexplicably gave her a strange sense of security.

Kasumigaoka Utaha seemed to be in a good mood, humming an unknown melody softly. Her voice was low, but her pitch was excellent, and the melody was melodious and moving.

Eriri listened for a while and immediately recognized what song she was humming, so she asked, "Kasumigaoka Utaha, are you humming 'Summer'?"