Green plums cannot become lovers.

"Thank you." An and Asuka took the guitar and sat down on the bench.

He adjusted the strap, tried a few notes, and then his fingers gently touched the strings.

The moment the first note sounded, the world around us seemed to fall silent.

That wasn't the folk song the girl had just practiced, but a completely new, improvised melody. The first few notes were very light, like ripples spreading across a pond from spring raindrops, gentle and clear. Then the melody gradually unfolded, becoming brighter, like the first rays of morning sunlight piercing through the clouds, illuminating the sleeping earth.

An and Asuka closed their eyes, their fingers moving freely across the strings.

He didn't deliberately arrange anything, nor did he pre-set a structure; he simply let his fingers flow with the emotions in his heart. In those notes, there was the heaviness of yesterday, the complexity of reunion, the joy of completion, the bewilderment of being lost, and also the warmth of this moment on this unfamiliar street, playing for two girls who were worried about him on a stranger's guitar.

The melody flows.

Sometimes light and nimble like a deer leaping through the forest, sometimes serene like moonlight flowing in the dead of night, sometimes warm like a winter fireplace, sometimes vast like a clear autumn sky. Every chord change is clean and crisp, every vibrato is full of emotion, and every strumming strikes the listener's heartstrings perfectly.

The streetlights cast a warm glow on him. The boy lowered his head slightly, his eyelashes casting soft shadows on his cheeks, his focused expression making his profile appear exceptionally gentle. His slender fingers danced on the strings, each movement fluid and natural, as if the guitar were an extension of his body.

Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri stood quietly, completely absorbed in the music.

They had heard many of An and Asuka's works—the meticulously produced albums in the recording studio, the passionate performances at their concerts, and the heartfelt playing of Iki Ichiyama on the piano. But this was the first time they had ever seen someone improvise an entire piece on the street, using someone else's guitar.

This music is so realistic. ^

Without any embellishment or commercial considerations, it was simply a pure expression of emotion. The unspoken concern of the women and the unspoken feelings of the young people were all transformed into musical notes, flowing quietly in this spring night.

Before they knew it, a group of passersby had gathered around.

The middle-aged man on his way home from get off work stopped his hurried steps, the housewife carrying shopping bags paused to listen, the elderly man walking his dog stood quietly to the side, and a few high school students on their way home from school secretly filmed with their phones. No one spoke, no one disturbed, everyone was drawn to this sudden street performance.

The music enters its climax.

An and Asuka's fingers moved swiftly across the strings, the melody becoming stirring and powerful, like the wind breaking through dark clouds, like a sprout emerging from the soil, like the dawn finally breaking after a long night. It was a declaration that no matter what one has experienced, no matter what one carries, life itself has the power to overcome all obstacles.

Then, the music gradually calmed down.

The last few notes drifted down like falling leaves, swirling slowly in the air before silently merging into the night.

An and Asuka opened their eyes and their fingers left the strings.

silence.

A silence that lasted for several seconds.

Then, applause broke out.

First, there were a few scattered cheers, then they grew into a chorus, and finally, they turned into enthusiastic and sincere applause. Smiles were on the faces of passersby; some whistled, some shouted, and the girl who lent out the guitar, Yiqi Yi, was so excited that her eyes lit up as she clapped vigorously.

An and Asuka smiled somewhat sheepishly and handed the guitar back to the girl: "Thank you for the guitar. That chord change just now should have been like this—"

He demonstrated a standard finger technique, moving slowly so that the girl could see it clearly.

"Oh, I see..." The girl suddenly understood, tried to imitate it, and succeeded this time. A happy smile appeared on her face. "Thank you! You played so well!"

"You'll get better with practice," An Erying said gently. "Keep it up."

He stood up and walked towards Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri.

The two girls looked at him with complex expressions. There was surprise, emotion, a deeper understanding, and some other emotion that they themselves couldn't quite explain.

"Let's go," An and Asuka said softly.

The three left the still-applauding crowd and rejoined the nighttime streets.

After walking for quite a while, Eriri asked softly, "That piece of music... did it have a name?"

An and Asuka thought for a moment and shook their heads: "No. It was impromptu."

“It should,” Kasumigaoka Utaha said softly. “It deserves a name.”

An and Asuka fell silent.

The night breeze swept through the streets, carrying the aromas of distant restaurants and the faint sound of music. The Tokyo night continued, countless stories unfolding in this city, and their stories, too, continued.

“Then let’s call it…” Anwa Asuka looked up at the red glow of the Tokyo Tower in the distance, ““Thank you.”

The performance under the streetlights, the companionship after the reunion, the kindness of strangers, and those unspoken but real emotions.

All of these are contained in this piece of music.

Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded, her wine-red eyes gleaming gently in the night: "A very good name."

Eriri whispered, "Hmm...it sounds really nice."

The three continued walking, and this time no one spoke, but their emotions were flowing between them.

Volume 1: Chapter 201 Hmm, Okay

Days flow like the tide, silently overflowing the banks and taking some things away in the process.

The reunion at the amusement park entrance that day, the precarious conversation in the family restaurant, the silent night on the overpass—all of these were carefully folded and gathered by An and Asuka, and placed in a corner of their memories that they would no longer easily touch.

He neither deliberately forgot nor indulged in it.

It's like dealing with an old object: brushing off the dust, seeing its whole form, then putting it in a suitable box and closing the lid. Life goes on, and he has so much to look forward to.

Two days later, Ember Knight was released as scheduled.

This roguelike game, developed by An and Asuka almost single-handedly over nearly five months, has caused quite a stir in the indie game scene.

From the initial planning and conception, to the drawing of every pixel, the writing of every line of code, the creation of every piece of background music, and the complex numerical balance and level design, only he knows best the effort he has put in.

Countless days and nights spent debugging code in front of the screen, countless times of overturning and starting over to find the best feel, finally culminated in this unique, hardcore, yet addictive game.

The market response was more enthusiastic than expected.

"A game genre I've never experienced before," "The unique cycle of death and rebirth is addictive," "A perfect combination of art and music," "Producer 'Asuka' is truly an all-around genius."

Such reviews quickly spread across player communities and gaming media. On the Sbeam store page, the positive review rate remained steadily at 90% next to the green "Very Positive" label. Sales exceeded expectations for indie games in the first week of release and continued to perform strongly.

"Feiniao, look!"

In the corridor of Rouge En Rouge, Matsue Sakura, unusually lacking her usual composure, strode in on high heels, her face beaming with undisguised excitement.

She wore a well-tailored off-white suit skirt, and her long dark brown hair was tied into an elegant updo at the back of her head, but her usually calm eyes were now sparkling, as if filled with starlight.

She handed the tablet to An and Asuka, the screen displaying real-time sales data and player reviews for Ember Knight.

"In just 48 hours since its release, sales have already exceeded our most optimistic estimates! Look at these reviews, players really love it!"

There was a sense of pride in her voice, as if she herself had achieved this success. But An and Asuka knew that Matsue Sakura was genuinely happy for him. As his manager and his former teacher, she had witnessed him grow from a quiet boy in Aichi Prefecture to the creator he is today, capable of excelling in both music and gaming.

An and Feibiao took the tablet, their eyes scanning the scrolling numbers and text. They looked calmly, a gentle smile playing on their lips. Joy was present, of course; it was the solid, fulfilling satisfaction of a farmer witnessing a bountiful harvest.

But more than anything, it's a confirmation—confirmation that his judgment was correct, confirmation that his efforts were worthwhile, and confirmation that there is still light ahead on the path he chose.

"I'm glad everyone likes it."

"What do you mean 'that's good'!" Songyue Ying gave him a reproachful look, then laughed again, "You child, you're always so calm. But... your teacher is really proud of you."

She still occasionally uses the title "teacher" in private. That title contains a deeper emotional connection that transcends the duties of a manager.

The two walked side by side to the lounge area and sat down on the sofa by the window. The afternoon sun shone through the blinds, casting neat shadows on the carpet.

"What are your plans next?" Sakura asked, picking up the coffee her secretary had just brought. "Smash it while it's hot and start brainstorming for the next game? I think Marina and the others seem even more excited about the new project than you are."

An and Asuka leaned back on the sofa, gazing at the azure sky outside the window. In the distance, the skyscrapers of Shinjuku gleamed with a cold, hard luster under the sunlight.

"I'll probably still make games," he said thoughtfully, "but I want to change my mindset first. After making two in a row, I feel like I need to absorb something different."

"Where the Stars Lead" is about teamwork, a gathering of youth and a projection of dreams; "Ember Knight" is about solitary honing, a tempering of skills and a dialogue with oneself.

Two works, two completely different creative states. He felt he needed to pause, catch his breath, and let his thoughts wander to other areas. Musically, preparations for the new album are progressing steadily, which is yet another field requiring careful cultivation.

Matsue Sakura nodded understandingly: "That's good, creation requires a balance of tension and relaxation. So..."

She paused, put down her coffee cup, and looked at Anhe Feibiao. Her eyes held a different meaning, as if she had something to say but was considering how to start.

"Asuka, are you free tonight?"

"Yes, what's the matter, teacher?"

A mysterious yet expectant smile appeared on Songyue Ying's face: "You'll find out then. Seven o'clock tonight, I'll send you the location later. Remember to be on time."

She didn't say anything more, leaving behind a lingering mystery, before getting up to attend to other tasks. An and Asuka watched her departing figure, somewhat puzzled, but simply smiled. He was already used to trusting this teacher, who was always gentle yet occasionally a little calculating.

At 7 p.m., An and Asuka arrived at a relatively quiet shopping street in Shibuya Ward, following the address. Their destination wasn't the upscale restaurant or secluded club they had imagined, but a seemingly ordinary Japanese restaurant specializing in home-style dishes.

The noren (traditional curtain) is indigo blue with the words "食事処" (food place) printed in white on it. Warm yellow light shines through the wooden lattice windows, creating a cozy and homey atmosphere.

He pushed open the wooden door, and the wind chimes tinkled sweetly. The shop wasn't large, but it was very clean and tidy, with natural wood tables and chairs, and several landscape paintings hanging on the walls. The air was filled with the aroma of miso soup and grilled fish. It was dinner time, and a few tables of customers were chatting and laughing quietly, creating a relaxed atmosphere.

His gaze quickly settled on a seat by the window.

Sakura Matsue was already there. She had changed out of her daytime formal attire and was wearing a light purple knitted cardigan over a simple white T-shirt. Her long hair was draped smoothly over her shoulders, and she looked much gentler than when she was at work, more like the music teacher in An and Asuka's memories.

And the person sitting opposite her, listening intently to what she had to say—

An and Asuka paused almost imperceptibly.

It is Aoyama and the Seven Seas.

She seemed to have just gotten off work, still wearing that familiar, easy-to-move-in casual outfit—a white shirt, dark trousers, and her hair tied in a neat ponytail, revealing her smooth forehead.

Compared to when we last met at the coffee shop, she seemed to have lost some weight, and the light blue shadows under her eyes were more pronounced, but her eyes were still clear, and her expression remained serious and focused.

Sakura Matsue saw An and Asuka and waved to them with a smile. Nanami Aoyama turned around at the sound of her voice and, upon seeing him, also gave a somewhat shy but genuine smile.

"Flying Bird, over here."

An and Asuka walked over and sat down in the empty seat next to Matsue Sakura, facing Aoyama Nanami.

"Sorry, am I late?"

"No, we just arrived too early," Songyue Ying said with a smile, pushing the menu in front of him. "Take a look and see what you'd like to eat. The stews and fried pork cutlets at this restaurant are quite good."

After ordering, the waiter brought out hot tea. The warm steam rose gently, creating a light mist in the three of them's vision.

“Teacher,” Anwa Asuka looked at Matsue Sakura, “can you tell me now what special arrangements are made for today?”

Matsue Sakura picked up her teacup, blew on it gently, and her eyes curved into a gentle smile: "There's no special arrangement. It's just that I've been wanting to find an opportunity to have a meal with you two, my two most proud students."

Her gaze slowly moved across Anwa Asuka and Aoyama Nanami's faces, her eyes filled with memories and emotions.

"Time flies. Back in Aichi, you two were still elementary school students, sitting in the music room, one playing the piano and the other practicing vocalization, all for a sudden mission."

Aoyama Nanami lowered her head somewhat embarrassedly: "Back then... I caused the teacher a lot of trouble."

“How could it be troublesome?” Sakura Matsue shook her head, her tone sincere. “It is my good fortune to have students like you. Seeing you two now, one pursuing your dream of music in Tokyo, and the other working hard towards your goal of becoming a voice actress… I am truly happy.”

Her words were simple and unadorned, yet they silenced Anwa Asuka and Aoyama Nanami. Memories of Aichi, of afternoons in the music room, of Matsutsuki Sakura's patient guidance, quietly resurfaced with her words.

That was a relatively simple and goal-oriented period. The hard work was for visible progress, and the teachers were the warm beacons that illuminated the way forward.

“Speaking of which,” Matsue Sakura looked at Anwa Asuka, “Nanami’s voice acting school entrance exam seems to be at its most crucial stage.”

Upon hearing this, An and Asuka's gaze naturally turned to Aoyama Nanami. He could see the tension beneath her calm exterior, a state of focused energy, where no room for error was allowed.

"Are the preparations going well, Nanami?" he asked, his tone one of natural concern between friends.

Aoyama Nanami looked up, meeting his gaze, and nodded slightly: "Yes, I'm doing my best. Vocal exercises, lines, written tests... everything is proceeding according to plan. It's just..."

She hesitated for a moment, but then frankly said, "It's just that balancing work and studies sometimes makes me feel like I don't have enough time, and my energy isn't quite up to par."

She spoke calmly, without complaint, simply stating the facts. But An and Asuka could sense the weight in her voice. He remembered the last time at the coffee shop, when she said, "Sometimes when I get home from work, I'm so tired I don't even have the strength to speak."

To avoid adding to her family's burden, she chose to shoulder the tuition and living expenses on her own. Behind this precocious sense of responsibility were countless tiring days and nights.

“I remember,” An and Asuka pondered, “Rogue En Rouge occasionally has jobs that require young voice actors, such as voice-over for minor characters in games or narration for promotional videos. Although they may not be main roles, they should be good opportunities to gain experience and practice.”

He looked at Matsue Sakura: "Teacher, do you know anything about this?"

A hint of understanding and approval flashed in Songyue Ying's eyes. As a manager, she was naturally aware of the company's projects. "There are indeed some. However, these kinds of opportunities are very competitive, and usually require an audition."

She turned to Aoyama Nanami, her tone gentle yet earnest, "Nanami, if you're interested, I can keep an eye out for you and send you the audition materials if the opportunity arises. Of course, the premise is that it won't affect your current exam preparation."

Aoyama Nanami's eyes widened slightly, clearly not expecting the topic to veer this way. She looked at Anwa Asuka, then at Matsutsuki Sakura, her lips moving, unsure what to say. Her eyes held surprise, gratitude, and a flutter of being recognized.

"Thank you, Ms. Matsue, thank you... Asuka." She finally said softly, her fingers unconsciously stroking the teacup. "I will prepare carefully. No matter how small the opportunity, I want to give it a try."

"That's right." Sakura Matsue smiled with relief. "If you have a goal, go for it. If you encounter difficulties, don't bear them alone. Aren't you here, Teacher and Asuka?"

Then, the dishes they ordered began to arrive. Steaming stews were served in heavy earthenware pots, fried pork chops were golden and crispy, served with shredded cabbage and sauce, and small bowls of rice and miso soup. Simple food, yet it exuded the comforting taste of home.

"Come on, let's eat first." Songyue Ying picked up her chopsticks. "This is a treat from your teacher, so you all need to eat more, especially Nanami, look how thin you are."

Dinner took place in a warm and relaxed atmosphere. They talked about many things from the past—the clumsy performance at the concert, the chaotic preparations for the cultural festival, and the moments when Matsue Sakura was both exasperated and amused by them. They also talked about the present, An and Asuka's games and music, Aoyama Nanami's voice acting lessons, and the little things about life in Tokyo.

An and Asuka ate their meal quietly, listening to the conversation between Matsutsuki Sakura and Aoyama Nanami, occasionally responding with a few words. He looked at Aoyama Nanami sitting opposite him, at her earnest expression as she spoke, at the unwavering light of her dreams in her eyes, and a slight stirring stirred in a corner of his heart.