Green plums cannot become lovers.

The air suddenly became somewhat subtle.

An and Asuka coughed lightly: "Of course not, I just said—"

"That's good!" Marina suddenly interrupted him, her face beaming with an overly bright smile, and patted his shoulder. "Then we can rest assured! Right, Shizuka, Ai?"

Shizuka smiled and nodded: "Yes, after all, Asuka always keeps her word."

Xiao Ai nodded vigorously: "I believe in birds!"

This reaction... isn't it a little too normal? An and Asuka's inner alarm bells went off. Based on his understanding of the three girls, Marina would probably sulk for at least three days, Shizuka would quietly fall into some kind of melancholy, and Ai would stick to him like a little tail, repeatedly confirming things.

But now they've accepted it so calmly?

Not right.

Something is very wrong.

"Well, that's good then," An and Asuka said cautiously. "It's getting late, we have class tomorrow—"

"Wait!" Marina grabbed his arm, her eyes shining brightly. "Since we're family, shouldn't we discuss some things together?"

"What is it?" An and Asuka asked warily.

Marina's smile grew even sweeter: "For example... how can we help your girlfriend recover as soon as possible! Didn't you say she was very ill? As your family, of course we should work together to find a solution!"

Shizuka chimed in at just the right moment: "I've been reading some books on nutrition lately, and maybe I can design a diet plan that's suitable for the patient."

Xiao Ai raised her hand: "I can teach Xun some simple breathing exercises! There are many relaxation techniques in idol training!"

An and Asuka were stunned. The suggestion was reasonable, even considerate. But why did something feel off to them?

"You... really think so?" he asked tentatively.

“Of course!” Marina nodded vigorously, her expression so sincere it was touching. “We grew up together! Your girlfriend is our… um, sister! Right?”

Shizuka and Ai nodded at the same time, their three young and beautiful faces clearly displaying the words "pure and harmless".

An and Asuka's doubts lessened slightly. Perhaps he was overthinking it? Maybe they genuinely wanted to help?

"Well... thank you all," he finally said, his tone softening.

"You're welcome~" Marina let go of his arm, humming a song as she walked towards the kitchen. "I'm starving, Shizuka, what are we having for dinner tonight?"

"Hamburger patties," Shizuka replied gently, then turned and headed towards the kitchen.

Xiao Ai skipped and hopped over, saying, "I'll help too!"

Only An and Asuka remained in the living room. He stood there, watching the three girls busy in the kitchen and listening to their natural conversation, and finally breathed a sigh of relief.

It seems they have truly accepted it.

He turned and walked toward his room, completely unaware that the three girls in the kitchen stopped what they were doing the instant he turned and exchanged a meaningful glance.

Late at night, the apartment fell silent.

The lights in An and Asuka's room were already off, but a faint light was still on in the next room.

Marina, Shizuka, and Ai sat cross-legged on the carpet in Marina's room, with a brand-new notebook spread out in the middle. The cover had several large characters written on it in highlighter:

[Childhood Sweethearts' Counterattack Plan - Top Secret]

“First, we need to be clear about the current situation.” Shizuka pushed up her non-existent glasses and adopted an analytical stance. “Asuka’s heart is currently with Kaori Miyazono, that’s a given fact.”

Marina hugged her knees and said sullenly, "I know... but I'm so upset. We were here first!"

Xiao Ai tilted her head: "But feelings don't have a first-come-first-served order, that's what they say in TV dramas."

"Shut up, Ai!" Marina poked her cheek angrily. "Now is the time to unite!"

Shizuka tapped her notebook lightly with her pen: "The point isn't complaining, but developing a strategy. Asuka made it very clear today that he considers us family. This means that we hold an irreplaceable place in his heart."

“But that’s not enough!” Marina clenched her fists. “I want the position of lover! The first person I see when I wake up in the morning, the last person I speak to before I go to sleep at night, it’s—”

“Maria, calm down.” Shizuka pressed her shoulder. “We understand how you feel, but what we need now is a plan, not a declaration.”

Xiao Ai blinked: "Then what should we do? Asuka and Kaoru are already together, we can't just break them up, can we?"

A brief silence fell over the room.

Marina's eyes suddenly lit up: "Wait! Asuka said they became lovers 'in a daze'! What does that mean? It means their relationship might not be as solid as we thought!"

Shizuka seemed to be deep in thought: "You mean...?"

"What I mean is, this is just the aftermath of a reunion! It's the suspension bridge effect! It's the special emotion that easily arises between a patient and a visitor!" Marina became more and more excited as she spoke. "Once Kaoru recovers and daily life returns to normal, their relationship will face a real test!"

Xiao Ai nodded, seemingly understanding, "So we have to... wait?"

"Of course not!" Marina slammed her hand on the table and stood up. "What we need to do is—deepen our presence in Asuka's heart! Make him realize that, compared to Kaori Miyazono whom we haven't seen for four years, we are the ones who truly understand him, accompany him, and share his daily life!"

Shizuka's eyes lit up slightly: "That makes sense. There's a psychological phenomenon called the 'pure exposure effect,' where people are more likely to develop a liking for familiar things."

“That’s right!” Marina quickly wrote the first line in her notebook, “Strategy 1: Strengthen your presence in daily life.”

Xiao Ai raised her hand: "How exactly do I do it?"

Marina grinned, revealing two small fangs: "Starting tomorrow, we're going to fill every day of Asuka's life with 'us,' and we're going to be even closer than usual!"

"We were too restrained before!"

Volume 1: Chapter 182 I like everyone~

The next morning, An and Asuka were awakened by an enticing aroma.

He rubbed his eyes and walked out of the room, finding the kitchen unusually lively. Marina, wearing an apron, was frying eggs, Shizuka was preparing miso soup, and Ai was humming a song while setting the table. Rice, grilled fish, natto, and several side dishes were already laid out on the table.

"Good morning, Asuka!" Marina turned around and gave him a bright smile. "Go wash up, breakfast will be ready soon!"

An and Asuka were stunned. Shizuka usually prepared breakfast, and it was a miracle if Marina and Ai even got up on time. This was...

"Why is there such a lavish spread today?" he asked, puzzled.

"Because from today onwards, we're going to take good care of you!" Xiao Ai skipped over and pushed him towards the bathroom, "Hurry up, hurry up!"

After washing up in a daze, An and Asuka returned to the dining table and found that everything had been set out on their seats, with even the chopsticks thoughtfully placed in an easy-to-reach position.

"Sit down," Shizuka said gently, serving him a bowl of soup. "Be careful, it's hot."

This service is far too attentive. An and Asuka sat down somewhat uneasily, and the three girls immediately surrounded him, each looking at him with expectant eyes.

“Uh…aren’t you eating?” he asked.

"You eat first!" Marina rested her chin on her hand, her eyes sparkling. "See if it suits your taste?"

An and Asuka took a bite of the fried egg; it was cooked perfectly and seasoned just right. He then drank a sip of the soup, which was warm and delicious.

"It's delicious," he commented honestly.

The three girls simultaneously smiled with satisfaction, as if they had received the highest praise, before they began to eat their breakfast.

"Asuka, what are your plans after school today?" Shizuka asked casually.

“We need to go to the hospital to see Kaoru,” An and Asuka said.

“Let’s go together!” Marina immediately chimed in. “Didn’t we agree to help out yesterday? I made bento boxes, Shizuka designed a nutritious menu, and Ai prepared relaxing music!”

As An and Asuka watched the three of them nod in unison, they suddenly felt as if they had been completely arranged for.

"Okay, fine..." He could only agree.

After school, the group went to the hospital again.

When Kaori Miyazono saw An and Asuka enter with the three girls, a happy smile immediately appeared on her face: "Maria, Shizuka, Ai! You're here again!"

"Xun!" Xiao Ai was the first to run over, taking out an exquisite box from her bag. "I brought you a gift! It's a calming and sleep-inducing aromatherapy diffuser, which I use myself!"

Marina leaned over and proudly presented a bento box: "This is something Shizuka and I made together! A nutritious meal specially designed for your health condition!"

Shizuka gently inquired about Kaori Miyazono's sleep last night, carefully taking notes.

An and Asuka stood to the side, watching this harmonious scene, a warm feeling welling up in their hearts. They were truly trying to help Kaoru.

Kaori Miyazono was clearly moved, her eyes slightly red: "Thank you... really, thank you so much."

"No need to thank me!" Marina waved her hand generously. "You're Asuka's girlfriend, so you're our friend! Helping each other is only right!"

She spoke these words naturally and sincerely, without any hint of anything amiss.

Shizuka smiled and said, "Kaoru, if you need anything, just let us know. We'd love to help you."

Xiao Ai nodded vigorously: "Yes! We can come see you together! And talk to you!"

Kaori Miyazono was so moved that she couldn't speak, and could only nod repeatedly.

The visiting time passed quickly, and the three girls showed extraordinary thoughtfulness and care. They chatted with Kaori Miyazono, telling her funny stories from school, and Ai even softly hummed a few soothing songs. The entire ward was filled with laughter.

As they left, Kaori Miyazono held An and Asuka's hands and whispered, "Asuka, they are both good girls. You should cherish them."

An and Asuka nodded gently: "I know."

Stepping out of the hospital, Marina stretched and yawned: "Alright! Mission accomplished! Kaoru looks much more energetic!"

Shizuka smiled and said, "Yes, emotions are very important for recovery."

Xiao Ai skipped and hopped ahead: "Shall we come again tomorrow?"

“Of course!” Marina said matter-of-factly, “You have to persevere!”

As An and Asuka looked at them, the last bit of doubt in their hearts vanished. They genuinely wanted to help Kaoru; his previous suspicions were truly unwarranted.

However, what An and Asuka didn't notice was that the three girls' strategy was being quietly implemented while they were helping Kaori Miyazono.

Over the weekend, Marina suggested, "Asuka, Kaoru is getting too bored staying in the ward all the time. How about we take her out for a walk? Just to the small park near the hospital, she can get some sunshine."

An and Asuka hesitated, "Her body..."

“The doctor said that appropriate outdoor activities will help her recovery!” Marina immediately rattled off her prepared explanation. “And we can stay with her the whole time and keep an eye on her condition!”

Shizuka gently added, "I've done my research, and sunlight and fresh air are indeed beneficial to patients' mental and physical health."

Xiao Ai clasped her hands together and looked at him with expectant eyes: "Please, Asuka, make Kaoru happy!"

An and Asuka were eventually persuaded.

With the consent of the doctor and Ryoko Miyazono, they pushed Kaori Miyazono in a wheelchair to a park near the hospital.

The park was beautiful in autumn; the ginkgo leaves were golden, the maple leaves were fiery red, and sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows. Kaori Miyazono looked up at the sky, took a deep breath, and a long-lost radiant smile spread across her face.

"It's been so long since I've seen such a blue sky..." she said softly.

An and Asuka squatted down beside her and gently held her hand: "I'll bring you here often from now on."

"Yes!" Kaori Miyazono nodded vigorously.

Suddenly, Marina pulled a camera out of her bag: "Come on, let's take a picture! This wonderful moment must be recorded!"

"I want to take pictures too!" Xiao Ai chimed in.

Shizuka smiled and said, "I can help take a group photo."

And so, on that sunny autumn afternoon, this scene appeared in the park.

The boy pushed the wheelchair, with Kaori Miyazono sitting in it, smiling brightly. Marina and Ai made funny faces on either side of them, while Shizuka stood a little behind, smiling gently.

An and Asuka would often stare at that photograph, lost in thought. He thought, this is probably what happiness looks like—important friends, a beloved lover, everyone caring for each other and living in harmony.

But isn't this happiness a little too overwhelming?

In the days that followed, this doubt quietly grew in his heart like a vine.

The girls were too nice to him.

At the dining table, Marina picked up a golden-brown piece of chicken and precisely placed it across half the table into An and Asuka's bowls: "Asuka, eat more~~ You've lost weight lately!"

“I can pick it up myself…” Before An and Asuka could finish speaking, Shizuka had already scooped a spoonful of stewed carrots into his bowl.

“This is good for your eyes,” Shizuka said gently. “You use the computer a lot, so you need to supplement with vitamin A.”

Not to be outdone, Hoshino brought over a small dish of pickled vegetables: "These are homemade, Asuka, have a taste!"

Looking at the mountain of food piled up in their bowls, An and Asuka finally couldn't help but put down their chopsticks: "You don't have to do this... I can eat by myself."

"What are you saying?"

Marina's eyes widened, her face saying, "How can you not understand our good intentions?" "Asuka has been so busy lately, going to school, writing new songs, and taking care of Miyazono-san. We definitely want to help you out!"

"But eating is really not an option!" the three said in unison.