Green plums cannot become lovers.

An and Asuka's hands paused slightly. The question came suddenly, but he knew what Shizuka was asking—not just about kissing, but something more intimate, a communication between lovers.

"Hmm..." He nodded honestly, his ears burning slightly.

Shizuka looked up at him, the faint city light filtering through the gaps in the curtains, casting dappled shadows in her eyes. The light was still gentle, yet it carried a hint of danger that An and Asuka had never seen before.

"Then~~" her voice was as soft as a feather brushing against the heart, "I want one too."

As soon as she finished speaking, she suddenly put down her cup and rolled over, pressing herself against An and Asuka. The neckline of her silk nightgown was slightly open, revealing her delicate collarbone and a patch of fair skin. Her long hair fell down, a few strands brushing against An and Asuka's cheeks, carrying the scent of lavender.

"Shizuka?" An and Asuka were somewhat surprised. The initiative and pressure that Shizuka, who was usually quiet and reserved, was showing at this moment made his heart beat faster for no reason.

Compared to the lively, cheerful, and emotionally expressive Marina, Kuze Shizuka always felt like a deep pool to An and Asuka—calm and gentle on the surface, but with unfathomable whirlpools hidden deep within. And now, this deep pool is beginning to churn.

Shizuka looked down at him, a gentle yet undeniably firm smile playing on her lips: "Is it alright?"

Her fingers gently traced An and Asuka's cheeks, the movement as tender as if touching fragile treasures, yet the determination in her eyes was as firm as a rock.

An and Asuka's Adam's apple bobbed as they swallowed. "Even if I said no... you wouldn't listen, would you?"

"Yes, that's right." Shizuka chuckled softly, a rare hint of slyness and a touch of triumphant pleasure in her laughter.

She lowered her head and gently kissed his lips.

This kiss was different from Marina's sweet and passionate one; it was more like a silent dialogue—starting as a tentative touch, as light as a butterfly alighting on a petal; then gradually deepening, yet still maintaining a quiet rhythm. There was a solemn meaning in Shizuka's kiss, as if confirming something, or as if entrusting something. Her palm gently rested on his chest, conveying a slightly cool touch through his clothes, yet making his skin warm slightly upon contact.

An and Asuka's initial surprise gradually melted away in those two kisses. He responded to her, his movements gentle yet firm, his arms encircling her slender waist and pulling her into his embrace. Moonlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting a soft glow on their intertwined shadows.

Shizuka's gentleness concealed a delicate focus. She would occasionally step back, gazing into his eyes by the moonlight, as if trying to read his feelings. Then, when she drew closer again, her kisses would adjust their angle, her hands finding a more comfortable place. This silent observation and adjustment conveyed her care more directly than any words—she wasn't demanding, but exploring, seeking a way to make them both more comfortable.

The night flowed slowly in stillness. The moon outside the window had unknowingly moved across half the sky.

The next morning, when An and Asuka woke up, Shizuka was no longer beside them. A faint lavender scent lingered on their pillow—the smell of her usual shampoo. He sat up, feeling a deep, satisfying weariness, as if he had just completed a long and peaceful journey.

"Asuka, you look so tired~" Marina was bringing out breakfast from the kitchen when she saw him like this and couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle.

Xiao Ai leaned in too, blinking her big purple eyes: "Did Fei Niao not sleep well last night? You've got dark circles under your eyes!"

Normally, An and Asuka would have coughed lightly and brushed it off with something like, "Children shouldn't ask about adult matters." But today, he barely had the strength to speak, so he could only wave his hand and stagger to the dining table to sit down.

Kuze Shizuka, on the other hand, sat gracefully on the other side of the table, sipping her black tea as if nothing had happened. In the morning light, she wore a neat school uniform shirt, her expression calm, showing no trace of the enthusiastic and proactive girl from the previous night.

“Alright,” she put down her teacup, her voice light yet carrying an invisible authority, “Let Asuka get some rest. I’ll ask for leave for him from class this morning.”

Marina and Ai exchanged a glance, swallowed hard, and nodded obediently, "Okay, okay..."

Shizuka looked at An and Asuka again, her eyes gentle as ever: "Have breakfast and then go back to sleep for a while. I cooked some nutritious porridge and put it in a thermos."

An and Asuka stared at Shizuka, who seemed as if nothing had happened the night before, and were momentarily dazed. Was this the ultimate form of "gap moe" (a Japanese term for someone with a contrasting personality)?

It wasn't until noon that An and Asuka recovered. He sat on the living room sofa, looking at the autumn sunlight outside the window, his mind still replaying the events of last night.

At that moment, a long-lost voice suddenly rang in his mind:

【Ding--】

[Congratulations, host, on completing Main Quest One: Rescuing Childhood Friend - Marina Kirasaka]

[Congratulations, host, on completing Main Quest Two: Saving My Childhood Friend - Shizuka Kuze]

[Rewards for completing the mission:]

[1. /?Un-print another device 4 "Any wish can be granted" voucher ×2 (Note: Must comply with the basic rules of this world, cannot violate the laws of physics and ethical bottom lines, and cannot exceed the system's capabilities.)]

[2. "Amulet of Health and Protection" x2 (Note: Grants the target a health blessing, effectively resisting any disease, lasting indefinitely)]

[3. Character attribute points ×100 (can be freely allocated to five attributes: Strength, Speed, Intelligence, Talent, and Appearance)]

An and Asuka were stunned.

The system notification was clear and formal, accompanied by a semi-transparent screen unfolding in his mind, where pale gold reward icons shimmered with a soft light. He stared at the text for a long time before slowly coming back to his senses.

Yes... how could he have almost forgotten about that?

From the day the system awakened, these two tasks were like the Sword of Damocles hanging over his head, constantly reminding him to protect the girls around him. Marina was traumatized by the family tragedy she witnessed in her childhood, and Shizuka was prematurely mature and repressed due to her parents' divorce... Over the years, he has carefully accompanied them as they grow up, hoping to help them overcome the shadows of their past.

Unbeknownst to him, they had completely integrated into his life, becoming a part of him. So much so that he almost forgot that his initial intention was to "save" them.

So, the completion of the mission isn't just about solving the surface problems, but about waiting until they truly achieve happiness and establish a complete emotional connection?

An and Asuka leaned back on the sofa, closed their eyes, and countless images flashed through their minds—

Along the way, I've experienced so much.

At that moment, An and Asuka felt their eyes welling up for some reason, and a complex mix of emotions welled up in their hearts. This emotion wasn't sadness, but a heavy, warm feeling filled with emotion. It was like a traveler who had finally reached their destination after a long journey, looking back and seeing all the hardships of the journey transformed into precious memories.

Did he finally... completely save them?

No, perhaps it's not entirely about "salvation".

True healing is mutual—while helping them emerge from the shadows, they also fill the void in his life, giving him irreplaceable warmth and companionship.

An and Asuka took a breath and then looked at the two mission rewards.

Judging from their names alone, the rewards for these two tasks seem impressive, but in reality, they are surprisingly ordinary.

Item Description:

A wish-granting coupon: A small blue card adorned with tiny flowers bears the words "Any wish can be granted" written in childish handwriting. Perhaps its original owner never imagined that one day it would actually come true.

[A protective amulet against illness and misfortune: A pink, crudely made amulet with unsightly stitching; a trace of blood on it testifies to the intentions of its maker.]

Ok?

An and Asuka looked at the description above and found it somewhat strange.

These two things both seem to have a heavy past, don't they?

What does the system want with this?

Before An and Asuka could ask for clarification, they were interrupted by a voice.

"Asuka?" Shizuka's voice came from beside her. "Are you alright? You look a little strange..."

An and Asuka opened their eyes and saw Shizuka standing there wearing an apron, holding a soup spoon, her face full of concern. Marina and Ai also looked at him curiously.

He snapped out of his daze, took a deep breath, and then gave a genuine smile: "I'm fine, I just suddenly realized... it's so great to have met you all."

The three girls looked at each other and then laughed.

"Why are you saying such cheesy things all of a sudden!" Marina muttered, blushing.

"Is the bird still asleep?" Xiao Ai asked, tilting her head.

Shizuka seemed to understand something. She walked back to the kitchen, her voice gentle as she said, "Lunch will be ready soon. I made your favorite braised pork with ginger today, so eat plenty."

Sunlight streamed into the living room, making the autumn afternoon warm and peaceful.

As An and Asuka watched the girls' figures, and then looked at the reward icons flashing on the system screen in their minds, they felt an unprecedented sense of peace.

Never mind, as long as the things work, that's fine.

An and Asuka stood up and walked towards the kitchen: "Do you need any help?"

"No need, just sit and wait!" Marina pushed him back to the living room.

"Then I'll help you set the table!"

Shizuka poked her head out from the kitchen, smiling, and said, "Then I'll have to trouble you."

The sounds of cooking wafted from the kitchen, and the sunlight streamed into the living room. An and Asuka watched all this, and suddenly realized that this was probably what "happiness" truly meant.

He will do everything in his power to protect this happiness.

On the third night, it was Hoshino Ai's turn.

An and Asuka thought they were prepared after the "test" of the previous two nights. However, when the door was gently pushed open and Ai, dressed in an exquisite nightgown like an idol's stage costume, slipped in, they realized they were still too naive.

"Bird~" Xiao Ai, like a nimble cat, jumped onto the bed, her purple eyes sparkling with excitement in the dim nightlight. "It's my turn today!"

An and Asuka smiled helplessly and put down the sheet music in their hands: "Why aren't you asleep so late? Don't you have idol training tomorrow?"

“Training is nothing compared to flying!” Xiao Ai said matter-of-factly, then mysteriously pulled out a small box from behind her back. “Look! I got this from my manager!”

The box contained several delicate candles and a small bottle of aromatherapy oil.

“This one smells like lavender, it helps you sleep,” Xiao Ai said as she skillfully lit the candle and added a few drops of essential oil. “I’ve heard… a romantic atmosphere is very important!”

An and Asuka watched her bustling around the room and couldn't help but laugh: "Where did you learn all this from?"

"I saw it in a dating magazine!" Xiao Ai blushed slightly, but her hands didn't stop moving. "And this—"

She then pulled a small speaker from her pajama pocket, connected it to her phone, and a gentle piano melody began to play. It was her own cover of An and Asuka's "Forever Together."

After making all the preparations, Xiao Ai climbed back onto the bed, knelt down in front of An and Fei Niao, nervously clutching the hem of her pajamas, and said in a small voice, "Fei... Fei Niao... I'm ready."

Her expectant yet shy expression was incredibly cute. An and Asuka reached out and ruffled her hair: "Don't be so nervous, just act like usual."

"It's different!" Xiao Ai shook her head vigorously, her ponytail swaying with the movement. "Marina and Shizuka both... they both did that! I want it too!"

As she spoke, she suddenly mustered her courage, leaned forward, closed her eyes, and kissed An and Asuka.

The kiss was initially awkward, like clumsy steps in a beginner's dance. But soon, Xiao Ai found her rhythm—after all, she was an idol, with top-notch learning ability and physical coordination. Her kisses gradually became skillful and adept, carrying a certain theatrical flair, yet remaining natural because of genuine emotion.

What surprised An and Asuka even more was Ai's stamina. As an all-around idol who excels in singing and dancing, she not only possesses exceptional flexibility but also endurance far exceeding that of ordinary people. Just when An and Asuka thought it was time to end, Ai blinked her still bright eyes and said in a coquettish tone, "Let's do it one more time~"

"Xiao Ai, you still have to..."

"It's okay! I have great stamina!" Xiao Ai proudly puffed out her chest. "My manager said I could dance for three hours straight without getting tired!"

An and Asuka finally realized how "terrifying" the professional training for idols could be in some ways.

It wasn't until late at night that Xiao Ai finally nestled contentedly in his arms and fell asleep, a sweet smile still on her lips. Meanwhile, An and Asuka stared at the ceiling, beginning to seriously consider how to allocate their physical energy.

On the morning of the fourth day, when Marina saw the obvious dark circles under An and Asuka's eyes, she first felt sorry for them, and then a glint of eagerness flashed in her eyes.

“Feiniao looks so tired,” she leaned closer, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Want me to help you ‘relax’ tonight?”

Before An and Asuka could answer, Shizuka had already come over with a cup of nutritious oatmeal and said calmly, "Maria, Asuka needs to rest."

“But Asuka already rested last night!” Marina retorted.

"Is that what you call resting?" Shizuka raised an eyebrow.

"Then it's my turn tonight!"

"no!"

While the two girls were arguing, Xiao Ai came out of her room, humming a song with a radiant smile, showing no signs of having stayed up all night. Seeing An and Asuka's tired appearance, she asked with concern, "Asuka, didn't you sleep well? Do you want me to teach you your idol's quick recovery method?"

Looking at the three energetic girls in front of her, and touching her aching back, An and Asuka finally realized the seriousness of the problem.

If this continues, he might collapse before Kaori Miyazono is even discharged from the hospital.

That evening, An and Asuka convened a "family meeting" in the living room with the three girls.

“Listen to me,” he said seriously, “we need to establish a rule regarding what happens tonight.”

The three girls immediately sat up straight, looking at him with bright eyes.

An and Asuka took a deep breath and said with a forced smile, "For everyone's health and sustainable development... each person can only have it once a month."

There was a three-second silence in the living room.

"Huh?!" Marina was the first to jump up. "Only once a month?! That's too little!"

Xiao Ai puffed out her cheeks: "I disagree! Once a week is more like it!"

Although Shizuka didn't speak, her slightly furrowed brows expressed her dissatisfaction.

An and Asuka tried to remain serious: "This is for our long-term happiness. You don't want me to get sick from...overwork, do you?"

These words made the girls hesitate.

Marina muttered softly, "But once a month is too much..."

"There is absolutely no room for negotiation!"

An and Asuka looked serious.

Although Hoshino Ai was still somewhat reluctant, she nodded and said, "Okay... So I've used up my chances for this month, and I'll have to wait until next month?"

“Yes.” An and Asuka breathed a sigh of relief.

Marina sighed and dramatically slumped onto the table: "The long wait is about to begin..."

Although the girls had some reservations about the rule, they eventually accepted it reluctantly. After all, they didn't want An and Asuka to really collapse from exhaustion.

And it turned out to be a wise decision. With a regular schedule and proper moderation, An and Asuka's complexion quickly improved, their dark circles disappeared, and their energy returned to normal.