Green plums cannot become lovers.

“It’s a secret~” Kaori Miyazono took his arm and led him toward the station. “But I can tell you first, I found a great coffee shop. I heard their cheesecake is super delicious.”

The two took a tram to the vicinity of Yoyogi Park. The café that Kaori Miyazono mentioned was located on a quiet residential street, with a small storefront.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, the wind chimes tinkled crisply. The interior was decorated in a warm, retro style, with dark wood furniture, old movie posters and vinyl record covers hanging on the walls, and the air filled with the aroma of roasted coffee beans and a hint of cinnamon.

In the afternoon, there weren't many customers; only a few tables of casual diners were chatting quietly, with soothing jazz piano music playing in the background.

They sat down by the window, where sunlight streamed through the blinds, casting striped shadows on the table. Kaori Miyazono ordered the signature cheesecake, as expected, while An and Asuka opted for hand-drip coffee.

"So, what exactly happened?" An and Asuka asked after the food was delivered.

Kaori Miyazono took out a notebook from her bag and opened it to a page: "Look, this is the draft of the music I wrote for the Mokuya High School Cultural Festival. Our class has decided to make a musical, and the class president asked me to be in charge of the music."

An and Asuka took the notebook. It was filled with musical scores and annotations in neat handwriting, showing the author's dedication. He looked at it carefully for a while and nodded: "The structure is very complete, and the chord progressions are very mature. But here—" He pointed to a paragraph on the second page, "if it were changed to a minor key transition, the emotional tension would be stronger."

“I knew you’d say that.” Kaori Miyazono laughed happily. “Actually, I also felt that it was a bit bland, but I couldn’t think of a better solution.”

The two naturally began discussing music. The sunlight outside the window moved slowly, and the customers in the café changed several times, but they were completely unaware. Kaori Miyazono's eyes always shone brightly when she spoke, and her fingers traced the lines of an imagined melody in the air; An and Asuka listened quietly, occasionally offering suggestions, but mostly admiring her immersion in her creative process.

Such moments are peaceful and fulfilling, as if they could last forever.

However, just as An and Asuka got up to refill their drinks at the counter, a familiar figure came into view—in the semi-open kitchen behind the counter, a girl with a ponytail and a dark blue apron was intently making sandwiches.

Green mountains and seven seas.

An and Asuka were taken aback. Since arriving in Tokyo, they had kept in touch and met up frequently, but he had never heard that she was working part-time, let alone expected to run into her here.

Seemingly sensing her gaze, Aoyama Nanami looked up. When she saw An and Asuka, she also showed a surprised expression, followed by a somewhat shy smile.

An and Asuka returned to their seats with their coffee and said to Kaori Miyazono, "I saw someone I know."

"Ok?"

“Qingshan Qihai, a classmate from my hometown,” he explained briefly. “She works in the kitchen.”

Kaori Miyazono turned her head curiously: "Should we go say hello?"

"Let's wait until she's resting."

About twenty minutes later, Aoyama Nanami took off her apron and walked out of the staff entrance. She had changed into her own clothes—a simple white shirt and dark trousers, her hair still tied in a neat ponytail, making her look refreshed and capable. Seeing An, Asuka, and Miyazono Kaori, she hesitated for a moment, but still walked over.

"Asuka, long time no see." She greeted him first, then looked at Kaori Miyazono, "And this is...?"

“Kaori Miyazono, my…” Anwa Asuka paused, “…girlfriend.”

"Huh? Girlfriend?" Aoyama Nanami was taken aback when she heard this.

Kaori Miyazono smiled and nodded: "Hello, I am Kaori Miyazono. Asuka often mentions you, saying that you are his first musical collaborator."

Aoyama Nanami snapped out of her daze and said, "That was a long time ago. How did you end up here?"

“Kaoru said this shop’s cheesecake is very famous,” An and Asuka replied, then casually pointed to the empty seat opposite them, “Why don’t you sit down and chat? You should be taking a break now.”

Aoyama Nanami glanced at her watch, nodded, and sat down. A waiter quickly brought her a glass of water, which she thanked and took a small sip.

“I didn’t expect you to be working here,” An and Asuka said. “When did you start?”

“Last October,” Aoyama Nanami replied, her voice as earnest as ever. “Every Wednesday and Friday after school, and all day on weekends. The manager was very kind; knowing I was a student, he made the schedule very considerate of my time.”

"It must be tough, right? You have to go to school and work at the same time."

“It’s alright, I’m used to it.” Aoyama Nanami paused, her fingers unconsciously stroking the glass. “Besides… I have a reason to make money.”

An and Asuka keenly sensed something: "A voice acting school?"

Aoyama Nanami looked up, somewhat surprised: "How did you know?"

An and Asuka laughed and said, "Didn't you tell me about your dream before? Besides becoming a voice actor, I can't think of any other place where you would need to spend so much money."

After a few seconds of silence, Aoyama Nanami nodded, her voice lower than before: "Yes. I'm preparing for the entrance exam to a voice acting school. But the tuition..."

She didn't finish her sentence, but her meaning was clear.

Kaori Miyazono asked softly, "Doesn't your family support you?"

“It’s not that I don’t support you,” Aoyama Nanami shook her head, “I just don’t want to add too much burden to my family. My dad’s work hasn’t been going well lately, and I want to at least manage my tuition and living expenses on my own.”

She spoke calmly, without self-pity or complaint, simply stating the facts. But An and Asuka could see that familiar stubbornness in her eyes.

This has been her way since childhood. Once this girl decides to do something, she will take the most down-to-earth approach, step by step, even if the path is more difficult than others.

"How's your exam preparation going?" he changed the subject.

"I'm still working hard," said Aoyama Nanami. "I do two hours of vocal exercises every day, three script lessons a week, and I also have to take extra cultural classes."

She paused, a rare bitter smile appearing on her face. "Sometimes when I get home after work, I'm so tired that I don't even have the strength to speak."

At that moment, Kaori Miyazono suddenly spoke up: "Nanami-kun, can I ask you a question?"

"Please speak."

"Why did you want to become a voice actor? I heard that this path is difficult and the competition is fierce."

This question caused Aoyama Nanami to fall into a brief moment of contemplation. She looked at the shimmering water in her glass and answered softly after a long while, "Because sound can convey emotions. Not through facial expressions, not through actions, but simply through sound... it can make the listener feel joy, sadness, hope, or despair."

She raised her eyes, her gaze clear and firm: "When I was in junior high school, I once lost my voice because of a cold and couldn't speak normally for a whole week. During that time, I realized how precious it is to be able to express myself with my voice. So I want to turn this preciousness into a career, to use my voice to interpret different stories and touch different hearts."

As she spoke, Aoyama Nanami seemed to radiate light. The passion that was usually hidden behind her seriousness and earnestness was subtly revealed at this moment, making her appear more mature than her actual age, yet full of the pure innocence unique to young girls.

Kaori Miyazono listened quietly, then smiled: "A very impressive dream."

"It's just a dream." Aoyama Nanami lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly. "I don't know if it can come true."

“But you’re working on it,” An and Asuka said. “That’s already quite remarkable.”

Just then, the store's loudspeaker announced the end of the employees' break. Aoyama Nanami stood up, gave the two a slight nod and a slight bow, and said, "I have to go back to work. Asuka, Miyazono-kun, thank you for chatting with me."

"Keep it up," An and Asuka said.

Aoyama Nanami nodded and turned to walk towards the employee entrance. Her back was straight, and her steps were firm, just like the path she had chosen—perhaps difficult, but never hesitant.

After watching her leave, Kaori Miyazono said softly, "She's a very serious person."

“I’ve always been like this since I was little.” An and Asuka picked up their slightly cooled coffee. “They put in a lot of effort in everything they do, sometimes to the point that it’s worrying.”

"But you like her a lot, right?"

An and Asuka thought for a moment and nodded: "Because her efforts are genuine. It's not about proving anything to anyone, it's just because it's something she wants to do, so she does it. That kind of purity is rare."

As the sunlight outside the window gradually slanted westward, another group of customers arrived at the café. An, Asuka, and Kaori Miyazono sat for a while longer, discussing the details of the musical's soundtrack, before finally paying their bill and leaving.

As they stepped out of the shop, the setting sun cast a warm, golden glow over the entire street. An and Asuka glanced back at the coffee shop's entrance, the image of Aoyama Nanami diligently working in an apron flashing through their minds.

"Asuka," Kaori Miyazono suddenly spoke, "You want to help her, right?"

An and Asuka did not deny it: "But she won't accept money directly."

“Then let’s do it in a way she can accept.” Kaori Miyazono took his arm, her eyes sparkling. “For example, if there are any suitable job opportunities for her…”

“I’ll ask Sister Zhu Yin,” An and Asuka said. “Rouge En Rouge occasionally needs voice actors, for things like narration and game voice-over. It may not be much, but it’s at least a start.”

"Hmm."

The two walked slowly along the street bathed in the setting sun, their shadows stretched long. The warm spring evening breeze ruffled the ends of Kaori Miyazono's hair and the hem of Asuka An's clothes.

"Birds".

"Ok?"

"It's so good to know you, and to be able to take a walk with you like this."

An and Asuka squeezed her hand: "Me too."

At the end of the street, the city lights gradually illuminated the night. It was another ordinary spring evening, but it felt exceptionally gentle because of some chance encounters and conversations about dreams.

Volume 1: Chapter 190

After leaving the café where Aoyama Nanami worked, An and Asuka's thoughts lingered on their old friend who had been working silently for her dream.

The following afternoon, he went to Rouge En Rouge as usual to handle his work, pondering how to offer some help without hurting the other party's self-esteem—perhaps he could use Zhu Yin's connections to introduce Nanami to some basic voice-over audition opportunities.

Pushing open the company's glass door, the receptionist looked up and said, "Anhe-kun, President Akasaka is waiting for you in his office. He says he has something important to discuss."

An and Asuka nodded, temporarily putting aside the matter of Aoyama Nanami. They took the elevator to the top floor; the corridor was so quiet that the faint sound of the central air conditioning could be heard. He gently knocked on the heavy wooden door of the president's office, and a brief reply came from inside: "Come in."

In the office, Akane Akasaka stood by the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the Shibuya cityscape. Hearing the door open, she turned around, steam rising from the coffee cup in her hand. Today, she wore a sharply tailored dark gray suit, her long hair meticulously tied back, and her makeup flawlessly perfect.

“Sit down.” She gestured to the leather chair opposite the desk.

An and Asuka sat down as instructed and took the initiative to ask, "Sister Zhuyin, is there something you need from me?"

Akane Akasaka didn't answer immediately. Instead, she slowly walked back to her desk, put down her coffee cup, and placed her hands folded on the table. Her gaze lingered on An and Asuka's faces for a moment before she slowly asked, "Asuka, how long have you been with the company?"

“More than three years,” An and Asuka replied. “I signed the contract in the second year of junior high school.”

“More than three years.” Akane Akasaka repeated the time, seemingly lost in thought. “In these three years, from your first mini-album to ‘Where the Stars Fly,’ and then to last month’s concert, I personally handled all your affairs—contracts, publicity, performance arrangements, media relations.”

An and Asuka nodded. This was precisely why he was grateful to Akane Kousaka. As the president of Rouge En Rouge, she could have handed him over to a subordinate team, but she always personally acted as his producer and manager, participating in every decision, big or small, in his career.

“But now, things have changed.” Akane Akasaka changed the subject. “Your fame is rising, your scope of work is expanding, and simply being a ‘musician’ is no longer enough to define you. Game producer, creator, even provider of idol songs… you need a more professional team to manage these increasingly complex matters.”

She paused, her gaze sharpening: "My time and energy should be devoted more to the strategic level, rather than checking your schedule, dealing with media interviews, and handling fan mail every day."

An and Asuka understood the implication: "So, Sister Zhu Yin is going to arrange an agent for me?"

“To be precise, it has already been arranged.” Akane Akasaka’s lips curled up slightly, revealing a rare, slightly playful smile. “This person will be fully responsible for all your future daily work arrangements, external communications, contract negotiations, and all other matters. Of course, I will still oversee major decisions.”

An and Asuka weren't surprised. As their careers developed, specialization was an inevitable trend. He was just curious about what kind of person Akane Kousaka would choose—given her discerning eye, there probably weren't many suitable candidates.

“I trust Sister Zhu Yin’s choice,” he said sincerely.

Akane Akasaka seemed quite satisfied with the answer. She reached for the internal phone on her desk and pressed the button: "Please come in."

The office door was pushed open again.

An and Asuka instinctively turned their heads to look, and then they froze.

The woman standing at the door looked to be in her late twenties, wearing a beige knit sweater and dark trousers, with a well-tailored light gray trench coat over them. Her long, tan hair was loosely tied back, with a few stray strands falling beside her cheeks, softening her facial features.

Her face was delicate and gentle, with a calm and reassuring quality in her eyes and brows, and a faint, familiar smile on her lips.

What shocked An and Asuka the most were those eyes—gentle, clear, as if they could see through all the restlessness and pretense, yet full of tolerance. He had seen those eyes countless times after school, beside the piano in the music room, and on summer afternoons in the small town filled with the chirping of cicadas.

"Matsuzuki... teacher?"

His voice trembled with disbelief.

Since their separation during the New Year of their second year of junior high school, when Matsumatsuki Sakura left Aichi Prefecture to pursue her career in Tokyo, their contact gradually dwindled. They would occasionally exchange brief greetings on LINE and send each other holiday wishes, but that was all.

Matsue Sakura walked into the office, her footsteps light and silent.

She nodded slightly to Akane Akasaka: "President Akasaka." Then she turned to Asuka Anwa, her familiar smile deepening: "Long time no see, Asuka. No, should I call you Anwa-kun now?"

Her voice was as gentle and melodious as ever, like a babbling brook in spring. Anwa Asuka, finally snapping out of her shock, hurriedly stood up: "Matsuzuki-sensei, how could you...?"

"How did you end up here?" Sakura Matsue picked up where he left off, blinking. "Because from today onwards, I'm your manager. Nice to meet you, Anwa-kun."

Akane Akasaka watched this scene with great interest, her fingers lightly tapping the table: "It seems I don't need to introduce her further. Ms. Matsutsuki is someone I spent three months persuading. Not only does she have an educational background, but she also holds a music degree and a manager's license, and most importantly—"

She looked at An and Asuka, "She understands you, knows your personality, your pursuits, and your bottom line. No other agent can replace that."

Sakura Matsue sat down next to An and Asuka, her posture relaxed and natural: "Actually, I was quite surprised when President Akasaka contacted me. After all, I've been out of the education industry for two years and am now working at a small music publishing house."

“But you still agreed,” Akane Akasaka said.

“Because the object of my affection is Asuka.” Sakura Matsue said frankly, turning to look at An and Asuka, her eyes full of tenderness. “Seeing my former student grow to this point, as a teacher, I want to witness his future path firsthand. Of course, it would be even better if I could help him.”

A complex mix of emotions welled up within An and Asuka. Surprise, emotion, nostalgia, and a touch of inexplicable peace of mind. Matsue Sakura's appearance was like a bridge, connecting his time from Aichi to Tokyo, connecting his past and present.

"Teacher..." He opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Matsue Sakura seemed to see through his helplessness and said softly, "Don't feel pressured. At work, we are manager and artist, and I will professionally fulfill my duties. In private, I am still your teacher, and you can still come to me to discuss things and confide your troubles, just like before."

She paused, then added with a smile, "Of course, now it's probably more you teaching me things. For example, how to make games? I watched 'Where the Stars Go,' it's really amazing."

Akane Akane cleared her throat, drawing their attention back to the main topic: "Ms. Matsuzuki has already understood the specifics of the contract and her responsibilities. Starting next week, she will officially take over all of Asuka's daily affairs. The main reason I called you here today is to help you get back to familiar with each other and, incidentally, to discuss the upcoming work arrangements."

Over the next hour, the three discussed in detail An and Asuka's recent work plans: the progress of the second official album, the development timeline of "Ember Knight", possible commercial cooperation invitations, and the selection criteria for media interviews. Matsue Sakura demonstrated amazing professionalism in the meeting - she not only had an in-depth understanding of the music industry, but also seemed to be very proficient in contract terms, publicity strategies, and artist image management.

What impressed Anwa Asuka even more was her ability to accurately grasp his thoughts. When Akane Kousaka proposed a commercial endorsement, Sakura Matsutsuki would first observe Anwa Asuka's expression and then subtly suggest that the brand might not be a good fit for his image; when discussing the style of the new album, she could accurately pinpoint Anwa Asuka's musical pursuits and his unwillingness to compromise.

“Ms. Matsutsuki knows you very well,” Akane Akasaka said meaningfully during a break in the meeting.

Matsue Sakura smiled: "After all, I taught him for two years. Asuka-Anwa-kun is a very special student. His thoughts are written all over his face, but many people just don't see it carefully."

An and Asuka looked away somewhat embarrassed. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he asked, "Teacher, when did you get your agent's license?"

“This is my second year in Tokyo,” Sakura Matsue replied. “After leaving school, I found that I still couldn’t let go of music and music-related work. But I didn’t want to be a teacher anymore, so I took a certification exam and wanted to find a job in the music industry. I just didn’t expect to come back in this way.”