Green plums cannot become lovers.

The sunlight fell perfectly on the boy's shoulder, and he opened his arms to her.

At that moment, all the emotions that had been building up finally burst forth. Kaori Miyazono could no longer hold back and rushed down the steps like a bird returning to its nest, her light golden hair billowing in the wind in a beautiful arc, as she rushed straight into the warm embrace that had been waiting for her.

An and the bird caught her steadily, and the sunflower petals from the bouquet gently brushed against her cheek, carrying the scent of sunshine.

“Welcome home,” he whispered in her ear.

Kaori Miyazono buried her face in his shoulder, nodded vigorously, and silently soaked his coat with her tears.

This time, there was no pain or fear in the tears, only the clear joy of finally arriving in spring after a long winter.

"I am back."

"Go and say hello to everyone."

An and Asuka smiled and released the girl, walking to the side. Kaori Miyazono quickly wiped away her tears, then looked at everyone with a bright smile.

"Everyone, I'm back!"

"Xiao Xun! Congratulations!"

"I knew Xiao Xun would be alright!"

"Now we can all play together again!"

This sentence completely ignited the emotions of the crowd, who all gathered around to congratulate the girl on her recovery.

The atmosphere outside the hospital was cheerful.

Volume 1: Chapter 184 Returning to Normal

[Congratulations, host, on completing the mission: Rescue Kaori Miyazono]

[Quest Rewards: Attribute Points *100, Skill Points *100, Fate's Bond, Character Effect *Healing]

Congratulations, host, you have received the mission reward:

Fate and Bond: Can only be used on one person. After use, the fate of that person will be inextricably linked to that of the host, and nothing can separate them.

Character Aura * Healing: After use, it will affect those around you, temporarily alleviating the suffering caused by the illness. Note: It can only alleviate, not cure, any illness!

Looking at the task rewards given by the system, An and Asuka felt a sense of relief.

He finally saved the girl completely.

Looking at the girl smiling brightly in the sunlight, Anhefei gently handed her a bunch of blooming sunflowers and smiled, "Come on, Xun, everyone's waiting for you—we've prepared a discharge party for you."

"A party? Yay!"

Kaori Miyazono's eyes instantly lit up like stars. Holding the bouquet, she happily twirled around, her light golden hair tracing joyful arcs in the winter sunlight. Dewdrops on the petals fell with her movements, refracting into tiny rainbows in the air.

Her friends around her were also infected by her unreserved joy, and laughter rose and fell—Marina jumped up and clapped, Shizuka gently covered her mouth and chuckled, and Ai excitedly took Kaori Miyazono's arm: "Kaori, there are so many surprises!"

The party was held at "Ma Fille"—a French cake shop run by the Miyazono family. Today, a hand-painted sign reading "Closed Today for Private Celebrations" hung next to the wooden signboard at the shop entrance. Warm yellow lights shone through the glass windows, appearing especially cozy in the fading evening light.

The moment Kaori Miyazono pushed open the door, two loud "bangs!" rang out, and colorful confetti rained down like festive fireworks, adorning her hair and shoulders.

"Welcome home, our Kaoru!" Ryoko and Yoshimi Miyazono stood inside the door, holding confetti canisters, their eyes slightly red, but their smiles were brighter than ever. Ryoko, the mother, stepped forward and hugged her daughter tightly, her voice choked with emotion: "Finally... finally I can bring my precious daughter home."

The small cake shop was filled with a festive atmosphere. The glass display case that originally held the desserts had been temporarily moved away and replaced by a long table covered with a lace tablecloth, which was filled with exquisite desserts—not the regular ones sold in the shop, but special editions made by her parents for her.

Each layer of the three-tiered strawberry cream cake was adorned with frosting that read "Congratulations on your recovery," the chocolate mousse was decorated with edible gold leaf stars, the macarons were carefully stacked into a rainbow tower, and even the simplest croissants were made into bow shapes. The air was filled with the sweet aroma of frosting, freshly ground coffee beans, and happiness.

“These were prepared by my parents over three days,” Miyazono said, scratching her head sheepishly. “Ryoko said she had to make Kaoru’s favorite design.”

Looking at the table full of desserts, and then at the faint dark circles under her parents' eyes, Kaori Miyazono felt a lump in her throat, but she forced a bright smile: "I want to try every single one!"

The party officially began amidst laughter and cheers.

Marina, Shizuka, and Ai surrounded Kaori Miyazono, chirping like three cheerful little birds. Marina gestured excitedly as she recounted the latest amusing events that had happened in the apartment.

Shizuka gently added details, while Ai occasionally chimed in with inside tidbits. The conversation between the three girls made Kaori Miyazono laugh so hard she almost fell over, her amber eyes brimming with a long-lost, carefree joy.

As dusk fell completely and the warm light in the shop became even more inviting, Kaori Miyazono suddenly stood up. She walked to a corner of the shop and took down the violin case hanging on the wall—it was the one she had left at the shop before being hospitalized; the dark brown case was somewhat worn, but it was spotless.

As the crowd quieted down, she opened the violin case and took out the violin that had been with her for many years. The violin gleamed warmly under the light, and the rosin residue on the bow bore witness to countless hours of practice. She gently rested the violin on her shoulder, closed her eyes, and took a deep breath.

“This piece of music… is dedicated to each and every one of you,” she said softly, her voice gentle yet clear. “It’s dedicated to my parents who never gave up on me, to my friends who have always been there for me, to the doctors and nurses who created miracles, and also to…”

Her gaze met that of An and Asuka, and the unspoken words turned into a gentle smile on her lips.

The moment the bow touched the strings, clear, spring-like notes flowed out. It was "Forever With You"—a piece from An and Asuka's album, now reinterpreted by her on the violin.

The sound of the strings wasn't as warm and inclusive as the piano version; instead, it possessed a clarity and sincerity unique to strings. The first few notes were slightly awkward—after all, she hadn't practiced formally for a long time—but soon, muscle memory returned, and the dialogue between her fingertips and the strings became smooth and affectionate.

She played with great passion, her body swaying gently to the melody, her long, light-gold hair undulating like waves. The melody contained gratitude for her parents' unwavering love, a love as deep and profound as mountains and seas; cherishing the companionship of her friends, those moments as light as feathers; thanking the medical staff for their meticulous care, their concern as gentle as spring rain; and even more so, a heartfelt sentiment for the boy who traveled four years to find her, a sentiment as enduring as the Milky Way.

Every vibrato carried a subtle shift in emotion, every strum of the strings spoke of indescribable feelings. In the chorus, she improvised a brilliant cadenza, the notes leaping like deer in the forest—a joyous celebration of rebirth. The shop was so quiet you could hear the soft steam of the coffee machine; everyone was immersed in this musical expression of gratitude.

Ryoko Miyazono leaned on her husband's shoulder and silently shed tears. Kousei Arima listened intently to the handling of each note. Unbeknownst to them, Nao Kashiwagi had added another drawing to her sketchbook—a girl playing the violin and the people listening.

As the music ended, the last note slowly faded into the air, like the last rays of the setting sun. Kaori Miyazono put down her bow and bowed deeply. When she looked up, her eyes glistened with tears, but her lips curved into the brightest smile: "Thank you so much... thank you all. Without you, I might..."

"What are you saying!" Marina was the first to jump up and hug her. "We're going to do so many things together! When spring comes, we're going to Ueno Park. Shizuka said she'll bring a picnic basket, I'm going to do sketches, Ai said she'll sing, Kaoru will play the violin, and Asuka will play the guitar!"

Shizuka gently handed over a handkerchief embroidered with lavender: "Kaoru, your music has told us everything."

Xiao Ai nodded with her artistic flair, her purple eyes sparkling: "Kaoru's piano playing is more moving than any idol's singing! How about Kaoru be a special guest at my next concert?"

Ryoko Miyazono quietly wiped away her tears, while Yoshimi Miyazono silently tightened his grip on his wife's hand. Kousei Arima clapped softly, Tsubaki Sawabe and Ryota Watari whistled, and Nao Kashiwagi quickly sketched the moment in her sketchbook—everyone in the drawing had a genuine smile on their face.

At 8 p.m., the party drew to a close in a warm and reluctant atmosphere. Friends said goodbye one after another, with Marina, Shizuka, and Ai leading the way. They winked at An and Asuka, leaving behind a "say goodbye properly" look.

In the end, only the Miyazono couple, who were cleaning up the dishes, and An, Asuka, and Kaori Miyazono, who were standing at the entrance of the cake shop, remained in the shop.

The early winter night breeze carried a slight chill, but the warm yellow light emanating from the store enveloped the two in a cozy glow. Across the street, the convenience store sign shone brightly, and occasionally, late-night pedestrians hurried past.

“Then… I’ll come again tomorrow.” An and Asuka said, naturally smoothing her wind-blown hair, their fingertips inadvertently touching her warm cheek.

Kaori Miyazono nodded, then suddenly glanced around—her parents were carefully wiping the counter inside the shop, and the street was deserted. As if making a decision, she tiptoed and swiftly planted a feather-light kiss on An and Asuka's lips. The touch was warm and soft, carrying the sweet scent of strawberry cake, and it ended in an instant.

She blushed and took two steps back, her amber eyes sparkling under the streetlights, brimming with girlish shyness and boldness. "Come visit me again tomorrow!"

With her hands behind her back and her body leaning slightly forward, she spoke in a coquettish tone, her face full of undisguised sweetness and anticipation, "We agreed to start working on the 'things I want to do after recovery' list. The first item... will you come with me to the bookstore tomorrow? I want to buy new sheet music."

An and Asuka paused for a moment, then smiled. The smile spread from the corners of their mouths to their eyes, incredibly gentle under the light.

He reached out and ruffled her hair. "Yes, definitely. I'll pick you up at ten in the morning."

The brass bell on the shop door rang softly as people entered and exited. Kaori Miyazono waved and retreated step by step into the warm shop. Through the glass window, An and Asuka saw her being embraced by her parents. The three of them were talking, and then they laughed at the same time—it was the way a family should look after a long storm finally seeing the sun shine again.

He turned and stepped into the night, his footsteps particularly clear on the quiet street. After walking a distance, he couldn't help but look back.

The lights of "Ma Fille" shone warmly on the street corner, like a small lighthouse in the darkness. He remembered that snowy day four years ago, the pale girl in the ward, the fluctuating fan value in the system, his trembling hands when exchanging for medicine, the unexpected kiss this morning, and her glowing profile as she played the violin today.

It's been a long journey, but every step has been worthwhile.

My phone vibrated in my pocket; it was a message from Marina.

Did you say goodbye to Kaoru properly?

An and Asuka looked at the message on the screen, their smiles deepening. He put away his phone and looked up at the night sky—there weren't many stars to be seen in Tokyo tonight, but the moonlight peeking through the clouds was clear and bright.

After another day of rest and adjustment, on the morning of the third day, Kaori Miyazono finally carried her long-unused schoolbag and stepped into the campus of Sumitani High School.

In November, the campus avenue was carpeted in golden leaves, with dappled sunlight filtering through the branches. She stood at the school gate, taking a deep breath of the air, filled with the scent of books and plants—a healthy, campus morning. The light gray skirt of her Mogu High School uniform fluttered gently in the breeze, and the violin case on her shoulder gleamed softly in the sunlight.

"Xiao Xun! Over here!"

Sawabe Tsubaki's clear voice cut through the morning noise. She was seen running from the direction of the school building with Arima Kousei, Watari Ryota, and Kashiwagi Nao—all students of Sumitani High School and the first friends Miyazono Kaori made after transferring to Tokyo.

Tsubaki grabbed Kaori Miyazono's arm, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons with laughter: "We came all the way to pick you up at the school gate! How does it feel to be back at our school?"

Kaori Miyazono nodded honestly, looking around at the campus where she had actually only spent less than a month: "It feels a little unfamiliar... yet I also miss it a little."

When she was admitted to the hospital, it was April when the cherry blossoms were just beginning to bloom. Now it is late autumn, and the time she missed makes many corners of the campus still fresh to her.

"Don't worry!" Watari Ryota patted his chest. "You're the center of attention in the class today! Everyone's waiting to see you!"

Nao Kashiwagi gently handed over a handmade name tag: "I made this last night. I embroidered your name and 'Welcome back' on it. Don't worry, everyone misses you."

Although Arima Kousei didn't talk much, he carefully took her violin case: "The music classroom is on the third floor. I'll go with you after school."

This lively scene drew the attention of many early-arriving students from Sumitani High School. When Kaori Miyazono entered the Class 1-B classroom with her friends, the morning chatter fell silent for a moment—many students were curious about this transfer student who had suddenly been hospitalized in April and miraculously recovered in November.

"Miyazono-kun! Welcome back!" The class monitor was the first to stand up and applaud.

"You're all better now? That's wonderful!"

"We heard you were discharged from the hospital, and our class committee even prepared a welcome card!"

The students spontaneously gathered around, their young faces radiating genuine concern. Kaori Miyazono was caught off guard, but her eyes welled up with tears at this undisguised kindness. She bowed deeply, saying, "Thank you everyone... I'm back."

However, after the initial excitement, during the break before the first class, Kaori Miyazono sat alone by the window, still feeling a slight sense of alienation—her classmates chatted in small groups about their summer vacation memories, the disastrous midterm exams, and the latest anime; the daily routines she had missed felt like an invisible wall. She bent down to organize her stationery when suddenly Tsubaki Sawabe's energetic voice rang in her ears:

"Everyone! Before the teacher arrives, I have some big news to announce!"

Tsubaki jumped onto the podium, and Ryota Watari tapped the blackboard, instantly drawing the attention of the entire class. Kaori Miyazono looked up blankly and saw Nao Kashiwagi wink at her, while Kousei Arima sighed and rubbed his forehead in exasperation—clearly, this was a pre-planned "operation."

"Let me tell you—" Tsubaki drawled, successfully piquing everyone's curiosity, "Our little Kaoru has a super amazing secret!"

"What secret?" the girl in the front row immediately asked.

"She has a childhood sweetheart she grew up with!" Chun announced proudly, then lowered her voice mysteriously, "And he's not from our school! He's a super celebrity from another school! He even released a super popular game not long ago."

Whispers filled the classroom. Sumi Valley High School and Toyonosaki Academy weren't far apart, and students from both schools often interacted. Soon, someone guessed the direction: "Could it be that Toyonosaki one...?"

“That’s right!” Ryota Watari couldn’t wait to reveal the answer, “It’s Anwa Asuka from Toyonosaki Academy!”

"Huh?!" Exclamations of surprise rose and fell.

The names An and Asuka are equally well-known at Mokuya High School. A legendary figure among their peers—not only the core producer of "Where the Stars Go," but also the musician "Asuka" who recently sparked a buzz with his album.

"Really? That Anhe classmate?"

"Miyazono-kun, is this true?"

Faced with a barrage of questioning gazes, Kaori Miyazono was taken aback at first, then smiled calmly. She stood up and nodded gracefully, "Yes, it's true. Asuka is a friend I grew up with."

As soon as he finished speaking, the classroom erupted in excitement. Students crowded around, bombarding him with questions:

"Are you really childhood sweethearts? How did you meet?"

What kind of person is Anhe in private?

Will he come to our school?

Kaori Miyazono patiently responded to each question, recounting the time they spent together in the small town.

Her narration was gentle and vivid, her amber eyes sparkling with memories. Before they knew it, the students were engrossed, and the sense of distance they felt about "geniuses" transformed into warm and relatable stories in her words.

"So Anwa-kun actually lost to Miyazono-kun twice?"

"They ended up going to the same school? And even the same department?"

"So, are you dating Anhe?"

When the class bell rang, everyone reluctantly dispersed.

Volume 1: Chapter 185 Warmth

December arrived quietly amidst a light, first snowfall. The delicate snowflakes, like icing sugar sprinkled by angels, swirled and drifted slowly down the Tokyo night sky, landing on eaves, branches, and the shoulders of passersby, adorning this city that never sleeps with a rare tranquility and poetic beauty.

Anwa Asuka and Miyazono Kaoru walked side by side on the streets of Shibuya. The girl wore a light beige wool coat and a light blue scarf given to her by Anwa Asuka, and her breath condensed into white mist in the cold air.

The boy wore a long, dark gray trench coat, and the two wore matching gloves in different colors, their fingers secretly intertwined beneath the gloves. Neon signs were bathed in a dreamlike sea of ​​light against the snowy backdrop, and Christmas carols flowed from the shops along the street, dancing with the snowflakes.

“Time flies,” Kaori Miyazono looked up at a snowflake landing on her eyelashes and blinked. “It feels like I was just discharged from the hospital yesterday, and Christmas is already here.”

An and Asuka squeezed her hand: "This year can finally be a good one."

Yes, this is the first Christmas in four years that she doesn't have to spend in a hospital room.

"The last time we spent Christmas together was on New Year's Day, wasn't it?"

“Yes,” An and Asuka raised an eyebrow and said, “but they each live their own lives.”

"Hehe, I thought I was keeping it a secret," Kaori Miyazono chuckled, "but it turns out you already knew."

“Your acting is terrible,” An and Asuka laughed. “You said you were going back to your hometown for a month, but you didn’t even bring much luggage.”

"Then why are you playing along with my act!"

“Because that was your choice.” His voice was exceptionally gentle in the snowy night. “You wanted me to see a healthy, vibrant Kaori Miyazono, so I’ll pretend to believe you.”

Snowflakes landed on their clasped hands, instantly melting into tiny water droplets. They smiled at each other; the worries, waiting, and careful protection of those years had settled like amber in the river of time, now shimmering with a warm glow under the Christmas lights.

Before they knew it, they had strolled into a small, meticulously decorated square. It had become a temporary mini Christmas wonderland—a Christmas tree in the center, adorned with colorful balls and stars, stood tall, and the Star of Bethlehem at the top of the tree shone quietly in the snow.