Green plums cannot become lovers.

“It’s alright!” Marina said immediately, shaking her head vigorously. “The important thing is to get down to business! Asuka’s music is the most important!”

Shizuka softly echoed, "Yes, we're here, so you don't need to worry. Just focus on preparing the album."

Hoshino Ai nodded vigorously: "Asuka, do your best! We'll miss you!"

Eriri opened her mouth, wanting to say something, such as "I won't miss you" or "Finish your work early and come back early," but when she looked at the boy's calm and determined profile, she swallowed the words back.

Finally, she simply turned her slightly flushed face away and muttered in an almost inaudible voice, "...Don't mess it up."

Kasumigaoka Utaha took in her awkward concern, a knowing smile flashing in her eyes, but she didn't point it out.

From that day on, An and Asuka's lives were once again brought to a faster pace.

After the school bell rang, he no longer went to the laboratory building. Instead, he picked up his backpack containing sheet music and materials, joined the flow of people leaving school, took the train, and headed to the Rouge En Rouge office building in Shibuya.

There was a professional recording studio prepared for him by Akane Akasaka. The soundproof walls absorbed the noise from the outside world, leaving only the dim light of the instrument indicator lights and the faint, unique smell of electronic equipment mixed with wood in the air.

The enormous mixing console resembled the control panel of a sci-fi spaceship, with countless knobs and faders arranged around it; the monitor speakers stood quietly in the corner, waiting for the sound to awaken them; behind the pop filter in the center of the room, the expensive condenser microphone would become his faithful capturer of sound.

Akane Kousaka placed just as much importance on this album as she did on her previous album, "Hoshi no Soma".

She personally took on the role of producer, bringing in the company's most senior recording and mixing engineers to strictly oversee every aspect, from song selection and arrangement to every detail during recording.

After careful consideration, the album's tracklist was finalized with eight tracks. This is not just a collection of works, but more like a summary and outlook of a certain stage, a timeline connected by musical notes.

There are warm and healing piano and vocal works like "Forever Together," with melodies so beautiful they can instantly soothe anxiety, carrying the cherishing of bonds; there is also the theme song "Where the Stars Are," specially composed for "Where the Stars Are," which has become familiar to countless players due to the game's popularity, and will be rearranged this time to be presented in a more complete form;

Of course, we can't forget the official studio version of "Hotaru no Hikari," a song that represents "flying birds" in many people's hearts. The clear guitar and vocals intertwine loneliness and hope perfectly.

An and Asuka poured their hearts and souls into it. They spent four or five hours a day in the recording studio, repeatedly rehearsing, adjusting their breath, and pondering every word and emotional expression.

The recording of the instrumental parts was even more meticulous. He personally played the piano, guitar, and even some of the strings needed for the arrangement, or worked closely with the invited musicians. Sometimes, in pursuit of an ideal tone or a perfect improvisation, he would record dozens of times until the night outside the window was deep.

Akane Akasaka often appears in the control room, watching the boy immersed in the world of music in the recording studio through the thick glass wall.

He wore over-ear monitoring headphones, his eyes slightly closed, his fingers moving smoothly across guitar strings or piano keys, his lips close to the microphone, singing melodies that touched the heart. His focused expression made him seem more mature than usual, and also more... distant. As if separated from the world by a thin membrane of music.

She couldn't help but marvel once again, as if a soul weathered by life resided within this young man, enabling him to write and sing with such complex and profound emotions. Themes of parting, waiting, hope, and pursuit appeared so natural and so deeply moving in his works at such a young age.

The recording process progressed steadily with the collaboration of the professional team. At the same time, Akane Akasaka's long-planned publicity campaign also quietly began to be launched.

First, on Anwa Asuka's official Bicobico account, a short update was posted, revealing no specific content, only a photo of her back in front of the recording studio control panel, with the caption: "Entering a new phase. Getting ready."

The vague hints immediately ignited fans' speculation, and the comment section was quickly flooded with messages such as "Is it a new album?!" and "Finally!"

Following this, Rouge En Rouge's official social media account released a formal announcement: "Our artist 'Asuka' is currently in production for her first solo full-length album. More information will be released soon." A meticulously designed album concept image was also included.

Under an autumn starry sky, a boy's blurry silhouette sits at a piano, while ginkgo leaves fall outside the window. The style is consistent with "Where the Stars Lead," yet it possesses a more distinctive personal touch from the musician.

The news spread like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, its ripples quickly expanding to a wider area. Music media began to pay attention, music critics shared it and expressed their anticipation; gamers who knew "Asuka" because of "Where the Stars Fly" were thrilled, expressing their "double fan ecstasy."

Online discussions continue to heat up. Some have compiled all his works to date and analyzed the evolution of his style; others are speculating which tracks will be included in the new album; and players of "Where the Stars Go" are eagerly hoping that the game's classic background music will be included... The anticipation is at its peak.

Eriri was the most loyal observer of these discussions. She followed every related topic with a secondary account, secretly saved every official teaser image, and even mingled in fan groups, watching strangers who didn't know "Anwa Asuka" in person but were obsessed with his music exchanging ideas enthusiastically. She felt a strange sense of satisfaction mixed with pride and bitterness.

Look, the musicians she likes are just that amazing.

And he was right there within her reach.

Occasionally, she would encounter An and Asuka hurrying along the school corridors, and she would subconsciously stop in her tracks. He seemed to have lost some weight, but his eyes remained clear, only now they held a light of single-minded focus as he immersed himself in his work.

He would nod to her, but rarely stopped walking. She knew he was busy, so she couldn't even bring herself to ask, "How's the album coming along?" She just watched his retreating figure for a long time after he had passed by.

September passed quietly amidst busy recording sessions, rising anticipation, and the whispered rumors circulating on campus that "An and Asuka are going to become professional singers."

When the first gust of October truly brought coolness, and the ginkgo trees on the street began to turn golden, all preparations were finally complete.

October 5th, an ordinary Friday.

Just after midnight, I7 Liu Yi's music was simultaneously launched on major digital music platforms.

The physical record store displayed its carefully curated albums in the most prominent position when it opened in the early morning.

An and Asuka's first solo full-length album has been officially released.

The album cover uses the concept image from the teaser, but with more exquisite details. Opening the physical CD case reveals thick specialty paper inside, printed with the lyrics for each song, simple creative notes, and several black-and-white behind-the-scenes photos of An and Asuka in the recording studio or playing instruments. The overall design is simple yet sophisticated, highly consistent with his musical style.

On that autumn morning, the same boy's voice began to flow through countless people's headphones and speakers.

From the warm and bright piano prelude of "Forever Together" that is like sunlight piercing through the clouds, to the more magnificent and moving string arrangement of "Where the Stars Are"; from the familiar and reassuring clear melody of "Firefly Light" to the new work at the end called "Smiling Face".

With simple guitar accompaniment, the young man sang lyrics about farewell, searching, and starting anew in a voice gentler and more determined than ever before, as if drawing a hopeful comma rather than a period to the entire album.

The eight songs are like a complete journey of the heart, from the warmth of memories to the brilliance of the present, then to the reflection on the past, and finally pointing to a clear future. The emotions progress layer by layer, the musical language is rich yet unified, and the production quality is excellent.

Almost instantly upon its release, it received rave reviews.

The comment sections on digital platforms were flooded with five-star reviews and lengthy testimonials at an astonishing speed. On social media, the topic quickly trended. Music critics were lavish in their praise, calling it "the most moving new work of the year," "mature creation and performance beyond his years," and "a perfect example of the fusion of independent music and popular aesthetics."

Sales figures climbed at an astonishing rate. On the first day alone, digital sales surpassed the total sales of An and Asuka's previous mini-albums over the previous two weeks. Physical CDs quickly sold out in major record stores, and emergency reprint orders flooded the factory.

This is not just a successful album, but like a deep-sea bomb thrown into a lake, it created a huge wave that truly propelled the name "Flying Bird" into the public eye.

Meanwhile, in the classroom of the first-year students at Toyonosaki Academy, An and Asuka sat in their seats, calmly flipping through their textbooks for the next lesson.

Some of the classmates around him were talking about 'Asuka's' new album, and they would occasionally glance at him.

The reason is that someone discovered that one of the songs on this new album is the theme song for the game "Where the Stars Are".

"No way?"

"Could it be that Anwa is really 'Asuka'?"

"Of course! Their names all have 'flying bird' in them, didn't you notice?"

"And that song is exactly the same as the one in the game!"

"Wow, if that's true, then isn't Anhe-kun just too amazing?"

Everyone's eyes secretly turned to the boy sitting in the seat.

The sunlight outside the window was lovely, illuminating his serene profile, making him appear quiet and gentle. Yet, there was an unfathomable depth in his eyes, as if he were pondering some profound question.

An and Asuka weren't thinking about anything profound; they were just thinking about how they were one step closer to their goal, to that promise made in the snow.

He gently capped his pen and unconsciously drew a simple musical note in the blank space of the page.

Autumn is the season of harvest.

It's also... the season to prepare for winter.

Volume 1: Chapter 179 A Final Meeting

Kaori Miyazono gently pressed her cheek against the cool windowpane, her breath condensing into a small cloud of white mist on the glass before quickly dissipating.

Outside the window, autumn in Tokyo is unfolding in an almost extravagant splendor. The ginkgo leaves of the roadside trees are dyed a pure golden yellow by the season, and when the wind blows, they fall softly, like a slow and magnificent golden rain in the slanting afternoon light.

Inside the ward, everything was a constant white. The walls, sheets, curtains, instrument casings, and even the faint smell of disinfectant floating in the air all followed a sterile, static order.

Time seems to flow differently here than outside; it is stretched, diluted, and blends into the regularly dripping medicine in the IV drip bottle and the perpetually jumping green numbers on the monitor screen.

She couldn't remember how many sunrises and sunsets she had spent in this southeast-facing hospital room. She only remembered that when she was first brought here, looking out of this window, she could still catch a glimpse of the Yoshino cherry trees in the distant park, blooming wildly in the April wind, like clouds and rosy hues.

Now, the cherry blossoms have long since fallen to the ground, and the cicadas have fallen silent. In their place come the intermittent chirping of autumn insects and the increasingly clear and distant sky.

In order to survive, she confined herself to this clean "box." Her movements were strictly limited; she spent most of her time with only this bed, and was occasionally allowed to take short walks in the corridor accompanied by a nurse.

The world is simplified to the flowing scenery outside the window and the silent tug-of-war between the body and the disease, which is fought day after day.

However, the suffocating loneliness did not completely dominate the room. Her friends were the most vibrant light that pierced through the pale space.

"Xiao Xun! We've come to see you!"

A gentle knock sounded on the ward door, and several young and vibrant faces peeked in. Arima Kousei walked in first, carrying a bag of fresh-looking tangerines. Sawabe Tsubaki practically ran in like a cheerful little bird, followed by Watari Ryota and Kashiwagi Nao, their faces bearing familiar, reassuring smiles.

They were all friends that Kaori Miyazono made after transferring to this middle school in Tokyo. After she had to be hospitalized for a long time due to recurring illness, visiting her and bringing her some fresh air from the outside world became almost a regular routine for them.

"How are you feeling? Did you eat well today?" Sawabe Tsubaki sat down familiarly on the chair by the bed and began to check the things on the bedside table like a little housekeeper.

"Not bad, Tsubaki."

Kaori Miyazono sat up straight, her pale face regaining some color with the arrival of her friend. She tried to make her smile brighter. "It's just a little boring. Is there anything fun happening at school today?"

Ryota Watari immediately began to excitedly recount the fun stories of the basketball team's training, while Nao Kashiwagi quietly peeled the oranges that Kousei Arima had brought, placing the plump, golden segments of fruit onto a clean porcelain plate.

Arima Kousei didn't talk much. He just sat in a chair a little further away, looking at Miyazono Kaori with gentle eyes. Occasionally, when she coughed, his brows would furrow imperceptibly.

The noise brought by her friends temporarily dispelled the quietness of the ward. They talked about embarrassing moments in class, the progress of club activities, newly released movies, and the newly opened dessert shop on the street corner... Those trivial yet precious daily moments of healthy youth, like colorful fragments, were carefully collected by them and brought to her, piecing together a world that she could not yet touch, but could clearly imagine.

Amidst the laughter and chatter, Tsubaki Sawabe suddenly remembered something, her eyes lighting up: "Oh right, Kaoru! Your favorite guy—'Asuka,' he released a new album! It went live yesterday morning!"

Kaori Miyazono was taking the orange segments from Nao Kashiwagi when she heard this, and her fingers paused almost imperceptibly. Then, a bigger, more genuine smile bloomed on her face, and her amber eyes, which often looked tired due to illness, suddenly lit up.

"Really?" Her voice trembled slightly, almost imperceptibly, like a long-waiting traveler finally hearing an echo from afar.

"Of course!" Tsubaki Sawabe proudly pulled out her phone, quickly opening the music app. "I bought the digital version as soon as it was released yesterday, and I've been listening to it on repeat for days! It's super good! It feels like it's even better than the old songs!"

Ryota Watari chimed in, "It's really great! When I was running last night, I felt my pace had improved!"

Nao Kashiwagi nodded gently: "There are a few instrumental pieces that are particularly suitable for listening to while reading or drawing."

Even Kousei Arima muttered, "The arrangement is amazing."

"Quick, play it for everyone!" Kaori Miyazono urged, her body unconsciously leaning forward slightly.

Sawabe Tsubaki connected her phone to a portable speaker on the bedside table and pressed play.

The clear, flowing piano prelude began, and it was "Forever With You".

A warm and hopeful melody instantly filled the entire ward, as if sunlight pierced through the autumn gloom and streamed in. Kaori Miyazono listened quietly, her eyes unblinking.

When that familiar, clear voice, with a touch of youthful charm yet more composed and resolute than she remembered, rang out, her fingertips curled slightly as she gripped the corner of the bed sheet.

Next is "Where the Stars Are," a rearranged version with richer layers. The addition of strings makes the whole piece seem grand and affectionate. The official studio version of "Hotaru no Hikari" is clean and clear in every note, conveying the warmth in loneliness to the fullest.

And then there's that unfamiliar piece, "Smiling Face," a dialogue between the piano and cello that's both plaintive and poignant, carrying a touch of nostalgia, yet strangely, it doesn't evoke sadness, but rather a sense of serene tranquility.

Whether sitting or standing, the friends were all immersed in the music. Ryota Watari nodded gently to the rhythm, Nao Kashiwagi closed her eyes, and Tsubaki Sawabe hummed along softly to the chorus. Kousei Arima looked at Kaori Miyazono and noticed that she was listening intently, a gentle smile on her lips that seemed to know some secret.

Kaori Miyazono was indeed smiling. In a corner of her heart, the subtle wrinkles that had arisen from the long wait and unspeakable longing were being smoothed out little by little by these familiar yet new and moving melodies.

She quietly followed everything about him through her friends' sharing and snippets of information online. She knew he got into a good high school, that he seemed to be playing some kind of game, and that he was constantly creating music.

But hearing his new voice clearly and completely, and feeling his growth and changes over the past four years, still stirred up an indescribable surge of emotion in her heart.

He's still as amazing as ever.

No, your tumor is worse than before.

Those subtle emotions hidden deep within the melody, which only she could understand—perhaps a flash of inspiration during a practice session one afternoon, perhaps encouragement conveyed in silence on the eve of parting, perhaps a promise about cherry blossoms and the future—weave like a code between the notes, which only she can fully decipher.

This gave her a secret, almost blissful connection.

Her best friends are with her right now, moved by the music created by that special person in her heart.

They didn't know who "Flying Bird" was, nor did they know the story between him and her, but that didn't stop them from sharing this beauty. She, however, knew. She knew where these moving melodies came from, knew that the person who created them had once sat beside her on a winter rooftop, gazing up at the same sky, and made a promise about spring.

This feeling... is wonderful, and also very warm.

At the same time, on a quiet street in Chuo Ward, Tokyo.

An and Asuka pushed open the glass door of a French cake shop called "Ma Fille" (My Daughter).

The copper bell hanging on the door made a clear "ding-a-ling" sound.

The store is not large, but it is decorated in an extremely warm and elegant style. Soft warm light shines on the spotless glass display cases, which display various cakes, macarons and fruit tarts that are exquisitely designed like works of art.

The air was filled with the blissful aroma of baked butter, fresh cream, and coffee beans. A soothing piano piece was playing in the background—his own "Beyond Memory."

Behind the counter, a woman with a gentle demeanor and wearing an elegant apron looked up at the sound of her voice and immediately gave a professional and friendly smile: "Welcome."

An and Asuka's eyes met.

Four years have left clear marks on this mother. Fine lines have appeared at the corners of her eyes, and silver threads are visible in her hair. Her expression carries the weariness that is unique to long-term care of patients and cannot be concealed. However, the gentleness and resilience that belong to a mother and business owner remain unchanged.

She looked at the boy who walked in, a hint of unfamiliarity flashing in her eyes.

After all, the boy in front of them was tall and straight, wearing a simple dark coat and trousers, with a handsome face and a calm demeanor. He was quite different from the slightly thin junior high school student who stubbornly refused to leave his daughter in the snowy town four years ago.

More importantly, she probably never imagined that she would see him again in this cake shop in Tokyo, which she opened to treat her daughter.

An and Asuka did not immediately reveal their identities. He calmly looked away, pretending to be an ordinary customer, and browsed the desserts in the display case.

"What would you like? The strawberry cream cake and chestnut Mont Blanc are very popular today," Ryoko Miyazono enthusiastically introduced.

An and Asuka's gaze fell on a relatively simple cheesecake in the corner, adorned with a few fresh blueberries. "Please give me one of these blueberry cheesecakes, thank you."

"Okay, please wait a moment." Ryoko Miyazono deftly took out the cake and carefully packed it.