Green plums cannot become lovers.

An and Asuka turned around to face them and shook their heads: "No, I just came to take a look. I heard that practice rooms can be rented here, so I came to check out the environment."

"Oh! You've come to check out the venue!"

The blonde girl's eyes lit up instantly, her previous anxiety replaced by an interest in discovering a potential "customer." "Then you've come to the right place! STARRY may not be big, but the equipment is fantastic! The sound system is great, and the manager is super pretty and kind! Plus, the location is so convenient!"

She took a step closer, her smile as bright as a little sun: "What do you want to know? I can tell you anything! I know this place very well! I come here to visit all the time!"

This sudden enthusiasm made An and Asuka a little uncomfortable, but he still maintained a polite smile: "Um, thank you. But I'd like to take a look myself first and get a basic understanding of the situation."

"Oh, I see..." The blonde girl's enthusiasm visibly waned a little, a hint of disappointment flashing across her face, but she quickly perked up again. "It's alright! Feel free to look around! You can ask me any questions anytime, we should all be downstairs today!"

"Alright, let's go downstairs first."

The blue-haired girl spoke up, her voice still flat. She glanced at An and Asuka, her gaze sweeping over them indifferently, then tugged at the blonde girl's sleeve. "We still need to keep looking for her."

"Ah, right!"

The blonde girl then remembered her business and quickly waved to An and Asuka, "Then we'll head down now! Goodbye! Hope you find a suitable practice room!"

"Thank you." An and Asuka nodded slightly.

The two girls turned and walked down the stairs leading to the underground, one after the other. The blonde girl walked briskly, while the blue-haired girl followed at a leisurely pace.

As they descended a few steps, An and Asuka could still faintly hear their conversation drifting up.

"Liang, don't you think that person just now... looks a little familiar?" The blonde girl lowered her voice, but it was still clearly audible in the quiet stairwell.

"No." The blue-haired girl's answer was concise and to the point.

"Really? I feel like I've seen her somewhere before... especially her profile..."

"An illusion."

"Is it really just my imagination? Maybe it's a celebrity from some school? Or online..."

"Hongxia."

"Ok?"

"You said yesterday that the delivery guy looked like your elementary school classmate."

"Uh...that was an accident!"

"So, this was an accident too. It must be a lighting issue."

"...Okay, you're right."

The sound gradually faded and disappeared as they went deeper underground.

After waiting for about a minute, estimating that the girl below had gone far away, An and Asuka stepped onto the stairs and walked towards the warm yellow light that was spreading from the ground.

The staircase wasn't long, only about twenty steps. At the end was a heavy, soundproof door, covered with posters of bands that had recently performed, each with a different style, mainly rock and indie music. On the wall above the door, the word "STARRY" was formed by bending neon tubes, quietly emitting a soft glow.

He grasped the doorknob and gently pushed it open.

Behind the door was a world slightly different from what he had imagined, yet it instantly captured his attention.

The first thing that hits the senses is a complex aroma—a faint scent of wood, a subtle metallic smell of electronic devices, the lemony scent of cleaning agents, and a lingering, ambiguous trace of tobacco and sweat from a nighttime performance.

The sound was filtered by excellent soundproofing materials, and the noise of the street outside almost completely disappeared, replaced by a deep, enveloping silence, as if stepping into a secluded cave.

The space in front of me appears more spacious than in the photos. The ceiling isn't high, but dark sound-absorbing materials were used to create a gray yet not oppressive atmosphere. Directly in front of me is a stage of about thirty square meters, half a meter above the ground, with dark wood flooring that is very clean.

On the stage, a drum kit, several speakers, microphone stands, and monitor speakers were neatly arranged. Although some of the equipment showed signs of use, it was in excellent condition.

Below the stage was a fan-shaped audience area. However, it was empty at the moment, and the deep red velvet seats looked quite textured under the warm yellow lights.

An and Asuka stood in the center of the audience area, looking around, already having a pretty good idea of ​​what to do. The online rental prices were also within their club's budget.

Now, all we need to do is find the person in charge, confirm the specific details of the rental, the schedule, and... see if the "store manager" those two girls mentioned earlier is really as "easy to talk to" as the comments say.

As he was about to walk toward the small door behind the stage, which seemed to lead to the backstage dressing room or office, the door was pushed open first.

A figure stepped out.

She was a woman who looked to be in her late twenties. She was tall and wore a simple black shirt and slim-fitting trousers with a gray knitted cardigan over them.

She had long, flowing blonde hair, loosely tied back, revealing her smooth forehead and gracefully shaped neck. Her features weren't particularly striking, but together they created a clean and sophisticated intellectual beauty, especially her slightly upturned red eyes that conveyed a sense of languidness and keenness.

She was wiping her fingers with a rag in her hand. When she saw An and Asuka standing in the audience area, she didn't seem surprised, but just raised her eyebrows slightly.

Welcome to STARRY.

Her voice was calm, with a hint of detachment, yet it wasn't rude. "However, it's not business hours now; the performance isn't until Friday night. If you'd like to come and look at venues or rent practice rooms..."

Her gaze lingered on An and Asuka's faces for a moment, and suddenly, a fleeting, elusive flash of realization crossed her languid eyes.

"...Then, please come over here to talk."

She turned to the side, gesturing for An and Asuka to follow, and then walked towards a small round table next to the bar.

An and Asuka followed, but a hint of doubt arose in their hearts because of the subtle change in the other party's expression just now.

This must be the store manager. Did she also think she looked familiar just now?

Just as he pulled out a chair and sat down, preparing to introduce himself, the door at the back of the stage was suddenly pushed open again.

"Manager! Manager! We still can't get in touch with Kita-chan! Could something have really happened to her?!"

The blonde girl rushed out in a flurry, her face filled with worry, clutching her phone with its screen still lit up.

The blue-haired girl who walked slowly behind her still had that indifferent expression, but when she saw An and Asuka, her gaze lingered on his face for half a second longer before looking away, as if she was just confirming that "this person is still here."

The woman referred to as the "store manager" sighed helplessly and rubbed her temples: "I've already said it, although Kita is a bit eccentric, she wouldn't put herself in danger. Her phone might be broken, or she might have gone somewhere with no signal for some reason. If you keep making such a fuss, you'll scare the customers."

As she spoke, she gestured to An and Asuka with her eyes.

"Ah! I'm so sorry!" The girl then noticed that An and Asuka were already sitting at the table, and quickly bowed in apology, her face slightly red. "I was too hasty... Um, have you finished looking at it? What did you think of it?"

She seemed to have completely forgotten the conversation at the stairwell and had returned to her "marketing" mode, her eyes sparkling as she looked at An and Asuka.

An and Asuka nodded: "I've finished looking at it. The environment is very nice, and the equipment looks good too."

"Right, right!" Ichiji Nijika clapped her hands happily, then, as if remembering something, turned to the store manager and said, "Manager, this student wants to rent a practice room! He's a potential client we brought in!"

Liang calmly added from the side, "He came looking for us himself; we just bumped into each other at the door."

"Ugh! Don't worry about such details!"

"Facts matter."

The shop manager looked at the two lively characters in front of her, then at the black-haired boy sitting quietly opposite her, a complex smile flashing across her eyes. She put down the dishcloth and sat down opposite An and Asuka.

"Well then, this student, I am Starry's store manager, Ichika Hoshika. We can discuss the practice room rental in detail."

Her gaze fell on Anwa Asuka's face again, this time lingering a little longer. Then, in a calm and even tone, yet one that stirred something within Anwa Asuka, she asked:

"By the way... classmate, is your surname An He?"

An and Asuka were stunned.

At the bar, Ijichi Nijika, who was pouring water, paused and turned her head curiously.

Even Liang, who had been expressionless the whole time, raised his eyes.

Volume 1: Chapter 206 A New Encounter

An and Asuka were slightly taken aback; it was clearly not a coincidence that the other party could call him by his surname directly.

"Yes, that's right, my surname is Anhe," he readily admitted.

"Anhe Asuka?" Ichiji Seika confirmed further, a hint of understanding flashing in her red eyes.

“Yes.” An and Asuka nodded.

"Huh?!!"

Upon hearing this, Ichiji Nijika, who was standing to the side, widened her eyes instantly and let out an incredulous exclamation.

She rushed to An and Asuka almost immediately, and in the warm light of the livehouse, she carefully, almost greedily, examined the boy's face. Earlier, in the dim light at the stairwell outside, and with her mind preoccupied with her missing friend, she hadn't paid much attention.

In the bright indoor light, that handsome profile, with its slightly aloof air, quickly overlapped with images from CD covers, concert posters, and music programs in her memory.

"It really is Anwa Asuka!" After seeing it clearly, her face was filled with shock and ecstasy, and her voice was trembling with excitement.

Even Yamada Ryo, who had been expressionless the whole time, was clearly taken aback for a moment. A faint look of surprise flashed across his purple eyes, and his gaze lingered on An and Asuka's faces for a few more seconds.

Ichi Hoshika quickly calmed down from her initial shock and regained the composure expected of a store manager.

She placed her hands on the table, leaned forward slightly, and asked in a tone that was both inquisitive and curious, "The famous Anhe, why would you come to our little workshop? With your resources, you shouldn't lack top-notch practice rooms, right?"

Her question was straightforward, but not offensive; it was more like a reasonable question based on facts.

An and Asuka calmly replied, "I just wanted to find a practice room that's close to home and reasonably priced. My friends and I formed a band at school, and we don't have enough practice rooms. I saw good reviews online, and the location seemed right, so I came to check it out."

He looked around and said, "After seeing it in person, I really think it's very good."

“I see. Practicing with the student band, huh…” Ijichi Seika nodded knowingly, a faint, meaningful smile playing on her lips. “That’s really our good fortune.”

She wasn't just being polite. While STARRY had a good reputation, it wasn't particularly outstanding among the many livehouses in Shinjuku. Attracting musicians of An and Asuka's caliber to rent the venue was a good thing, both in terms of actual revenue and potential fame.

Moreover, she had some understanding of An and Asuka's music and had a decent impression of it.

"Since it's Anhe who needs it, I'll definitely provide the best conditions."

Ichi Seika readily agreed, “We have the largest and best-equipped practice room here, which we rarely rent out. It’s mostly reserved for our own bands or special events. If you’re sure you want to rent it, we can give you priority, and we’ll try to arrange the time according to your convenience.”

"Thank you," An and Asuka said sincerely.

The other party's attitude was straightforward and efficient, without being overly enthusiastic or reserved because of his status, which made him feel comfortable. "We'll just follow the rules regarding the specific rental time and fees."

“Of course, one thing at a time.” Ichiji Hoshika took out a standard lease agreement and price list from under the bar. “Take a look first, and you can bring up any special requirements we may have to discuss.”

Just as the two began to have preliminary discussions about the details of the contract, Ichiji Nijika, who was standing next to them, could no longer contain her excitement.

Like a frolicking little bird, she circled around the area several times, and finally waited until her sister and An and Asuka's conversation came to a temporary end. She immediately came over again, her face beaming with a bright smile that was a mixture of admiration and pleading.

"Anhe! Anhe! Um... could you please sign my autograph?" She clasped her hands together, her eyes shining brightly. "I'm your biggest fan! I've been following you since your first single!"

Seemingly afraid he wouldn't believe her, she added very quickly, "Your music is super good! I love every single one of them! But my favorites are 'Summer' and 'The Rain'! The light and cheerful melody of 'Summer' makes you feel like you can smell the sea breeze and orange soda."

And then there's "The Rain"... even though the rhythm isn't sad, for some reason, listening to it makes me feel a gentle touch somewhere inside, a feeling of... joy mixed with a touch of melancholy? I can't quite explain it, it's just so powerful! Every time I listen, I have a new feeling!

She poured out all her affection, her cheeks flushed with excitement, and her amber eyes were full of sincerity.

An and Asuka looked at her, a subtle ripple stirring in their hearts. Hearing others talk about his music so specifically and passionately, feeling the resonance his creations stirred in others' hearts, was always a special comfort and motivation for him. He didn't dislike compliments, especially those that came from the heart and were based on genuine appreciation for the music itself.

"Thank you for your appreciation," he said with a smile, his tone gentle. "It is an honor for a creator to have their work remembered in this way."

"Th-that autograph..." Ichiji Nijika hurriedly rummaged through her canvas bag and quickly pulled out a notebook with cute cartoon patterns and a pen, which she respectfully handed to Anwa Asuka.

An and Asuka took it, opened the cover, and skillfully signed their names. After thinking for a moment, they drew a simple bird drawing next to it—a symbol they often used in public.

"Give."

"Wow! Thank you! Thank you so much!" Ichiji Nijika exclaimed as if she had found a treasure, carefully holding the notebook and looking at it again and again, her face beaming with uncontrollable joy.

For the next few minutes, she completely switched into fan mode, bombarding An and Asuka with questions.

"How's Anhe's new album coming along? Any inside information?"

"I bought Ember Knight too! Although I'm not very good at action games, the music and art are absolutely amazing!"

Is there a new project planned for forming a student band? Will you release any band-style tracks?

Where do you usually get your inspiration for songwriting?

"..."

Her questions came one after another, full of enthusiasm and curiosity, but without making anyone feel their privacy was being invaded. An and Asuka answered as briefly and politely as possible, and the atmosphere was quite harmonious.

It wasn't until Ichika couldn't stand it anymore that she coughed lightly and glared at her sister with a slightly warning look: "Nijika, that's enough. Anwa is here to talk about serious business, not to have a fan meeting. Don't bother her."

"Ah...yes! I'm sorry!" Ichiji Nijika realized she had gotten a little too excited, quickly stuck out her tongue, and took two steps back, but her gaze remained lingering on An and Asuka. "Then, I'll go wait over there...you guys continue chatting!"

After saying that, she walked to the other side of the bar, holding the autographed notebook, and stood next to Yamada Ryo, but her eyes couldn't help but glance in their direction, her face flushed with satisfaction and excitement.

Yamada Ryo glanced at her and commented indifferently, "Your expression is too obvious."

"Hey! Don't criticize me like this!"

"truth."

"Waaah..."

Meanwhile, Anwa Asuka and Ijichi Seika quickly finalized a basic rental agreement. Anwa Asuka left her contact information and agreed to bring the other band members to the site after school the next day to finalize the agreement and sign a contract.

"See you tomorrow then." An and Asuka stood up to take their leave.