Green plums cannot become lovers.

Like him, she learned to face life alone at a young age. She simply chose a path that was equally difficult, yet required even more support from others to express her inner thoughts. That perseverance deserves to be seen and supported.

As dinner drew to a close, Matsue Sakura wiped her mouth, looked at the two of them, and her tone became more serious:

"Asuka, Nanami. I called you here today not only because I miss you and want to see how you are doing, but also because I have another reason."

Both of them put down their chopsticks and listened attentively.

"I know you all have your own paths to follow and you're all very busy. But..."

Her gaze lingered on their faces. "If possible, I hope you won't lose touch because of distance and time. You are witnesses to each other's youth, and companions who once worked hard together for music. This connection is precious."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "In the future, perhaps you will have opportunities to support and help each other succeed in your respective fields, just like the audition opportunity that Feibiao mentioned tonight."

The teacher hopes you will remember that in this vast Tokyo, you are not completely alone. At least, you still have your teachers, and each other, as guiding lights to look back upon.

As the night deepened outside the window, the restaurant lights seemed to grow even warmer. These words, though brief, were like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating ripples in the hearts of Anwa Asuka and Aoyama Nanami.

Aoyama Nanami nodded vigorously, her eyes slightly red: "I will remember, Matsuzuki-sensei. Thank you... for always thinking of us."

An and Asuka nodded solemnly: "Yes, I understand, teacher."

This is not just polite talk; it's a commitment. It's about cherishing past friendships, respecting each other's efforts, and being open to future possibilities.

As they left the restaurant, a cool night breeze blew. The three of them stood at the entrance, their shadows stretched long by the neon lights of the street.

"Nanami, be careful on your way back to the dorm," Sakura Matsue reminded her.

"Asuka, why don't you see Nanami off? Her place is a bit far from the subway station," Sakura Matsukatsuki said naturally, then winked at Nanami Aoyama, "With Asuka here, I feel more at ease, teacher."

Just as Aoyama Nanami was about to say it wasn't necessary, An and Asuka nodded, "Okay. Teacher, please be careful on your way."

Matsue Sakura looked at them, a satisfied, loving smile that belonged to a "teacher," and then turned and walked in another direction.

Anwa Asuka and Aoyama Nanami walked side by side down the street at night. They were silent for a moment, but the atmosphere wasn't awkward. The streetlights sometimes separated their shadows, sometimes overlapped them.

“Asuka,” Aoyama Nanami suddenly spoke softly, “thank you, and... congratulations on your success in the game.”

"Thank you," An and Asuka replied, pausing for a moment before adding, "Good luck on your exam, Nanami. Don't hesitate to ask if you need any help."

Aoyama Nanami turned her head and gave him a clear and firm smile: "Yeah! You too, don't overwork yourself."

They walked to the subway station entrance, where bright lights shone through.

"That's enough for now, Asuka. Thank you for seeing me off."

Okay. Be careful on the road.

Aoyama Nanami waved to him and turned to merge into the crowd at the subway station.

An and Asuka stood still, and just as her figure disappeared, he suddenly spoke.

"Nanami."

Upon hearing this, Aoyama Nanami instinctively stopped in her tracks. Then, she turned to look at An and Asuka, a question on her face.

"Is there anything else, Asuka?"

"How about we walk around some more?"

An and Asuka took a step forward and walked up to the girl, saying, "Is it alright?"

It seemed like it had been a long time since they had spent time alone together like this. Just as Ms. Matsue said, although they were not far apart, something seemed to be drifting further and further away.

"Huh?"

Aoyama Nanami blinked, looking at the boy in front of her with some surprise.

"Um, okay."

Volume 1: Chapter 202 A New Direction

The girl agreed, her voice soft but clear. A faint, genuine smile curved her lips.

Although we live in Tokyo and occasionally meet for various reasons, such as our chance encounter at the coffee shop last time or the teacher's invitation tonight, it has been a long time since we've had a time like this, where no one else is present, there are no specific matters to discuss, and we simply walk side by side.

They were all too busy, busy running on their chosen paths, almost forgetting to stop and look at the scenery around them, and the people who had traveled with them for a while.

Instead of returning to the bustling main road, the two strolled slowly along a relatively quiet side street next to the subway station. The street was lined with small shops that had already closed and quiet residential buildings, with only a few windows still lit.

The evening breeze was gentler than before, carrying the cool and refreshing scent unique to April nights, dispelling the day's fatigue and the stuffiness of the subway station.

“It’s only been a little over half a month since we last met.”

Aoyama Nanami put her hands behind her back, her steps were lighter than before, and her tone carried a long-lost, lighthearted banter between friends, "But it feels like... it's been a long time since we last met."

“Yes.” An and Asuka walked half a step away from her, nodded in agreement. The sense of time passing became distorted and subjective in the midst of busyness.

“Right, right.” Aoyama Nanami tilted her head slightly to look at him, the light from the streetlamp casting a soft shadow on her face. “It seems like because we’re so busy, even time feels stretched out. It’s like a day is being split into two.”

There was no complaint in her voice, only a calm statement. Studying, working, voice acting school classes, endless practice... her life was filled to the brim with these necessities, so full it was almost cruel.

As a result, the energy allocated to reminiscing, contacting others, and even simply "spending time" was compressed to its limit. She wasn't distancing herself, it's just... she couldn't keep up with time, nor could she keep up with the seemingly endless pace of the boy in front of her.

"So, once you're done with this busy period... um, I mean, after the exams, do you have any special plans?" An and Asuka asked, steer the conversation toward a slightly lighter future.

"Well..." Aoyama Nanami thought for a moment, then smiled somewhat helplessly, "It'll definitely be even busier. If I pass the exam, then it'll be even more intensive specialized courses and more practical opportunities. If I don't pass..."

She paused, her eyes still resolute, "Then I'll take the exam again, or find another path. I don't want to give up on this path easily."

After she finished speaking, she asked in return, "And you? You've completed such an amazing game again. Will you continue making games, or will you focus on music?"

An and Asuka looked at the road ahead illuminated by the streetlights and thought for a moment: "We'll see when the time comes. Maybe... I'll think about forming a band."

"Band?" Aoyama Nanami repeated the word unconsciously, her steps slowing almost imperceptibly.

Yes, a band. Come to think of it, she and the boy beside her had a short-lived band back in elementary school. It was a group full of childlike innocence yet incredibly earnest, with a name she still finds beautiful to this day—

Bluebird.

The phoenix, symbolizing hope, happiness, and distant horizons, signifies that their music, like the bluebird, carries dreams and takes flight. However, their band's lifespan was short, naturally disbanding when she transferred to Tokyo in sixth grade due to family reasons. But the memories of that time—practicing repeatedly with simple sheet music, performing nervously and excitedly in a small music classroom, and sharing the same drink afterward—have never faded.

"What's wrong?" An and Asuka noticed her momentary lapse in concentration and the fleeting nostalgia on her face, their tone carrying a hint of teasing that only comes with old friends. "My good partner seems... a little nostalgic?"

Aoyama Nanami blushed slightly, realizing her secret had been exposed. But she didn't deny it; instead, she nodded frankly, gazing at the blurry outlines of buildings against the distant night sky: "Yes, I miss it."

How could she not miss it? Although that period of time only occupied a small corner of her long life, as fleeting as fireworks on a summer night, it was indeed one of the brightest and most carefree moments of her childhood.

Music, friends, pure joy, and the boy beside her who could always easily master various musical instruments, whom she sincerely admired.

“In that case,” An and Asuka’s voice pulled her back from her reverie, “would you be interested in forming another band with me? A real band, one that belongs to us now.”

This suggestion was like a pebble thrown into a still lake, creating clear ripples. Aoyama Nanami's heart skipped a beat, a surge of emotion—a mixture of surprise, excitement, and longing—rushing up instantly. Almost a voice inside her screamed: Yes! Of course I want to!

But the weight of reality quickly suppressed that impulse. She was silent for a few seconds, then unconsciously clasped her hands behind her back and then let go. She even deliberately made her steps lighter and took an extra half step forward, as if that would create some distance and make her voice sound more relaxed and indifferent.

"I...I think I'll pass."

She had her back to him, and her voice drifted back on the evening breeze, trying to remain calm.

"I've decided on my path, Asuka. Voice acting is what I want to dedicate myself to right now."

She paused, then continued, her tone becoming lighter, as if trying to convince herself, "Besides, you already have many people around you. Marina, Shizuka, Ai, and Kasumigaoka-senpai and Eriri, whom you told me about."

They are all much more capable than me, and they understand better what you're doing right now. They will definitely be able to accompany you further and create even better music than I am.

She was telling the truth, or at least the truth of what she saw. The girls around the boy were all exceptionally talented and radiant. Marina's paintings gave music a visual life, Shizuka's writing deepened the meaning of music, and Ai's singing possessed a magical power to touch people's hearts.

And what about herself? A voice acting trainee still struggling with the most basic standard pitch and delivery of lines, and a former partner who has long since lost her musical talent. What can she offer to stand shoulder to shoulder with them? Perhaps, not holding them back, not becoming the weak link that needs to be taken care of and accommodated, is all she can do right now.

"what?"

An and Asuka's reactions were completely unexpected.

He offered no comfort or rebuttal, but instead let out a short, almost laughing gasp, followed by a blunt assessment: "What a 'loser' statement, Nanami."

"Defeat...defeat?!" This blunt and somewhat hurtful word made Aoyama Nanami turn around instantly, her eyes wide open, her face filled with disbelief and a real "blow".

She hadn't expected him to say that.

“You can’t do that, Nanami.” An and Asuka stopped and looked at her seriously. The light from the streetlamp shone down from above and to his side, making his earnest expression particularly clear. “You can’t be so self-deprecating.”

His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable power.

"How far an individual or a team can go is never determined by one person's unilateral 'opinion.' It requires everyone's joint efforts, mutual support, and shared witnessing. You haven't even tried, or given me a chance to hear your opinion, yet you've already judged the outcome. That's unfair to yourself and to potential partners."

Aoyama Nanami was stunned. His lips moved as if he wanted to explain, but he found that his reasons, such as "but..." and "however...", seemed somewhat pale and timid under his clear and firm gaze.

“Everyone has their own strengths, Nanami,” An and Asuka continued, their tone softening but still earnest. “Your strength may not be an innate, dazzling talent, but you possess something more precious and powerful than talent—effort.”

It's the unwavering determination to know what you want and then grit your teeth and move forward step by step; it's the resilience to never give up, even when utterly exhausted. I've seen you practice until your voice was hoarse, and I remember your dedication to meticulously refining a single pronunciation. These are things not everyone possesses.

As he watched the tears welling up in her eyes, his voice became gentler, yet more penetrating.

"Of course, I won't force you to join any of my plans. You have your own dreams, and that path deserves respect and your full commitment. I'm saying all this simply to encourage you to value yourself more."

He took a small step forward, closing the half-step distance between them, his gaze sincere.

"But, Nanami, if... I mean, if someday in the future, when you feel the time is right, or simply want to try again—"

He paused, then spoke clearly, word by word:

“I welcome your return at any time. As the other master of ‘Bluebird,’ I have always felt that only you can fill this position.”

The night breeze seemed to stand still at that moment.

The streets were quiet, the distant city clamor becoming a blurred background noise. Aoyama Nanami stared blankly at the boy before her, at the unpretentious sincerity on his face, and at the unreserved trust and expectation in his eyes.

A thousand words were stuck in my chest, but my throat felt constricted, and I couldn't utter a sound. Only warm tears welled up uncontrollably in my eyes, blurring my vision.

She blinked hard to suppress the sour feeling, then took a deep breath of the cool night air.

She didn't immediately answer "yes" or "no." Some promises are too heavy to bear; they need time to settle and be confirmed.

But when she raised her hand, it wasn't to wave goodbye, but rather to reach out to An and Asuka.

Her fingers twitched slightly, as if she hesitated, but in the end she reached out and gently, quickly, touched the back of his hand.

The touch was fleeting, like a butterfly flitting across a petal, so light it was almost an illusion. But the brief warmth from her fingertips, and the unusually bright and resolute smile on her face, tinged with tears, told An and Asuka that it was no illusion.

"Thank you, Asuka." Her voice was a little choked up, but her smile grew wider and wider. "I will... remember what you said today."

She withdrew her hand, put it behind her back again, and straightened her back.

"Well... I'm really going back this time! I have class early tomorrow morning!"

"Well, be careful on the road."

This time, An and Asuka didn't call out to her again. He stood there, watching Aoyama Nanami turn around, her steps lighter and more powerful than when she came, merging into the crowd at the subway station, and then disappearing completely.

The atmosphere in the club activity room is always the most relaxed on Wednesday afternoons.

Sunlight streamed through the blinds, cutting bright strips of light across the long table. The air was filled with the unique aroma of old books, new paint, and the black tea brewed by Shizuka.

An and Asuka sat in their usual spot, a brand-new notebook open in front of them. He ran his fingers over the edge of the pages, pondering how to begin.

Shifting the focus of work from games to music, even if only temporarily and concurrently, was not a decision he could make alone. This small club, the "Game Development Department," was where they had all poured their hearts and dreams into it. He needed their recognition.

He cleared his throat.

The other four people in the activity room stopped almost simultaneously and turned to look at him. This tacit understanding was cultivated through countless discussions, arguments, and collaborations.

“Everyone,” An and Asuka began, their voices steady, “there’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”

"What's up? Have you come up with the initial ideas for the new game?" Eriri asked immediately, her bright blue eyes shining with anticipation. She was proud of the success of "Ember Knight" and was eager to make her own big splash.

“It’s not a game.” An and Asuka paused, meeting their questioning gazes, and voiced the idea they had carefully considered, “I was thinking… for the next period of time, could we… perhaps put some of our focus… on forming a band?”

"band?"

This word is like a pebble thrown into a calm lake.

"You mean," Eriri blinked, trying to understand, "that for our next game, we're going to make a music game? Like Rhythm Heaven or Taiko no Tatsujin?"

That's a novel idea. Combining Asuka's musical talent with their creativity, they might be able to create something quite unique.

An and Asuka shook their heads: "No. It's not for the game. It's just... pure music. Forming a real band, writing our own songs, and maybe trying some small shows."

The activity room was quiet for a few seconds.

"what?"

Eriri was the first to react, her voice suddenly rising in unbelievable disbelief.

Volume 1: Chapter 203 The Band is Formed

"Anhe Asuka, what are you thinking about?" She stood up, placed her hands on the table, and leaned forward, her golden twin ponytails swaying from the movement. "Look carefully, this is the 'Game Development Department'! The sign has been up for over a year! It's not the 'Music Department', and it's definitely not the 'Band Room'!"

Her tone was fast and urgent, like a machine gun.