Green plums cannot become lovers.

"I look forward to your arrival." Ijichi Seika also stood up and nodded politely. "I will prepare the practice room in advance."

An and Asuka nodded to Ijichi Nijika, who was watching them expectantly from afar, and to Yamada Ryo, who was standing quietly, as a farewell, before turning and walking toward the exit.

Only after his figure disappeared above the stairs and the soundproof door closed gently did Ichiji Nijika finally let out a long sigh of relief, leaning against the bar like a deflated balloon, but her smile was incredibly bright.

"It's Anwa Asuka Masato... Sister! Did you see that?! He even signed it for me!" She hugged the notebook tightly to her chest.

"I saw it, I saw it! You're making so much noise I'm almost deaf." (Yue/Yi') (ヨ四邻七尔是坝事)

"However, he actually seems... quieter in person than he appears on TV and in photos. He has a very unique aura," said Ichiji Seika, though there was a hint of a smile in her eyes.

“Right, right! And he’s so approachable and polite!” Ichiji Nijika nodded vigorously. “He said he formed a student band… I really want to know what kind of band it is! The bandmates he chose must be really talented!”

“We’ll find out tomorrow.” Ijichi Hoshika picked up the rag again and wiped the bar. “But the fact that he’s willing to rent our place is definitely a good thing for STARRY. Nijika, when they come tomorrow, you better tone it down and don’t be as loud and boisterous as you were today, or you’ll scare them.”

"I know! I'll try my best to be a mature and composed mascot!" Ichiji Nijika puffed out her chest to assure them, but her sparkling eyes clearly betrayed her inner excitement.

"Oh, right!" She suddenly remembered another important matter, and the excitement on her face faded slightly, replaced by worry. "Still can't get in touch with Kita-chan?"

Mentioning this, Ichiji Seika frowned slightly: "No. Where did that girl go...?"

Ryo Yamada: "The probability of survival is decreasing over time."

"Ugh! I told you not to use that kind of language!"

Meanwhile, An and Asuka had already reached the surface street. The night air was slightly cool, dissipating some of the warmth of the underground space. He glanced back at the inconspicuous STARRY sign, its dark blue background gleaming softly in the night.

He hadn't expected things to go so smoothly, and he'd even unexpectedly run into someone he knew. However, this feeling wasn't bad. The girl named Ijichi Nijika's enthusiasm was pure, and the shop manager, Ijichi Seika's, way of handling things made him feel comfortable.

He took out his phone and sent a message in the game development department's group chat.

We've found a venue: STARRY Livehouse in Shinjuku. The atmosphere is nice, and the manager is easy to talk to. Shall we all go check it out after school tomorrow?

Shortly after the message was sent, replies began to pop up one after another.

[Maria] Yay! Finally, I don't have to be stuck in the activity room anymore!

[Shizuka] Looking forward to it. I'll make sure to have time free tomorrow.

[Xiao Ai] STARRY! I know where it is! Sometimes I see the poster when I pass by! Awesome!

[Eri] Hmph, at least I did something worthwhile. I'll check on the equipment tomorrow; I won't approve if it's too bad.

[Kasumigaoka Utaha] Your efficiency is commendable, junior. Looking forward to your on-site visit.

Looking at the replies flashing on the screen, An and Asuka's lips unconsciously curled up slightly.

With the matter settled, a major weight lifted from her shoulders. An and Asuka stepped out of STARRY and stood on the night street, unconsciously stretching out in a big yawn. Their bones cracked slightly, and the fatigue accumulated throughout the day seemed to dissipate with them.

He checked his phone; it was just past seven. The spring night arrived neither too early nor too late; it was the time when the city lights were just coming on and the pulse of the city was at its most vibrant. Going home seemed a bit early; the apartment was probably just a quiet place waiting for him. Perhaps… he should take a walk.

He has always loved the streets at night, especially areas like Shinjuku, which blend extreme vibrancy with secluded corners. The daytime hustle and bustle settles down, and the neon lights flash tirelessly, illuminating the faces of pedestrians in a bizarre and surreal way.

The enticing aromas wafted from various restaurants, mingling with the clamor of izakayas and the whispers of cafes; trams rumbled across the viaducts, leaving fleeting trails of light. This vast, complex, and ever-flowing rhythm gave him a strange sense of belonging and relaxation.

He was like a fish immersed in water, swimming freely in the gaps between the crowd and at the boundary between light and darkness.

There was no specific destination; I simply wandered with the flow of people and my intuition. I walked through the bustling main road, turned into a relatively quiet side street, passed by vintage shops that had already closed, bought a can of hot coffee in front of a convenience store, and leaned against the railing to watch the lights reflected on the river for a while.

My mind went blank, and I felt the cool night breeze brush against my cheeks, carrying away the last trace of warmth from the underground livehouse.

Just as he was about to finish his last sip of coffee and turn to go home, a clear and textured guitar sound, mixed with a bright female vocal, cut through the noisy background noise of the night and precisely caught his ears.

My steps involuntarily stopped.

The sound came from a street corner not far ahead. It wasn't a commercial center, nor was it a typical gathering place for street performers; it was just a small recess between two buildings, with an old but warm street lamp overhead. A figure sat on a folding chair under the street lamp, holding a wooden guitar in his arms, with an open guitar case in front of him, containing a few coins scattered around.

Volume 1: Chapter 207 The Era of Big Bands

She was a girl who looked a little older than him.

She wore a loose-fitting off-white knit sweater, simple dark blue jeans, and canvas shoes. Her long, silver-gray hair was tied into a slightly casual low ponytail, with a few stray strands falling beside her cheeks. She lowered her head slightly, focusing intently on the strings, her fingers moving smoothly across the fretboard.

An and the bird did not approach immediately, but stood a few steps away, listening quietly.

She was singing a classic folk song adaptation. The original melody was soothing and simple, but her performance infused it with a completely different vitality. The guitar arrangement was quite ingenious. While retaining the original structure, she added rhythmic percussion on the fretboard and complex bass lines, giving the simple acoustic guitar a layered feel, almost like a band performance.

Her voice—clear, steady, and with a natural penetrating power—possesses a comfortable depth and resonance. Even more remarkable is her handling of emotions; it's not merely sentimental or an imitation of the original singer, but rather a personalized interpretation, imbued with a touch of nonchalance and a sense of story, giving familiar melodies a fresh new dimension.

He has solid skills, an excellent sense of music, and his own unique ideas.

An and Asuka quickly made a judgment in their minds. This was by no means the level of an ordinary street enthusiast; it was even comparable to that of a professional singer.

Her playing and singing possess a precision and control that can only be achieved through systematic training and extensive practice, while also retaining an improvisational dynamism.

Strangely, however, this clearly exceptionally skilled performer had only An and Asuka as his "audience" at this moment.

Occasionally, passersby would hurry by, glancing at her briefly without stopping. Perhaps this corner was too secluded, perhaps people were used to blocking out these sounds on the streets at night, or perhaps her music style wasn't "catchy" or "popular" enough for hurried pedestrians.

The girl seemed to have long been used to the quietness, showing no disappointment or anxiety on her face, but was completely immersed in the music.

As the music ended, the lingering resonance of the last chord trembled gently in the air. Only then did she raise her head, seemingly noticing An and Fei Niao standing a few steps away, listening intently.

A slight hint of surprise flashed in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a hearty smile. The smile was pure, carrying the unpretentious ease that comes with being a street performer who has seen all sorts of people.

"Thank you for watching!" she said in a clear voice, nodding to An and Asuka. Then, her fingers lightly swept across the strings, creating a melodious ripple of harmony as a gesture of farewell.

An and Asuka then stepped forward and clapped generously. The applause was exceptionally clear in the quiet street corner.

“Great,” he simply commented, his tone sincere.

The girl blinked, seemingly a little surprised by his direct praise, but her smile brightened: "To have someone listen to the whole song and still clap is the best compliment I could receive. Want to hear another one? Consider it... a special treat for the only audience member?"

Her tone was relaxed and natural, with a touch of humor, making it easy for people to like her.

“Okay.” An and Asuka readily agreed, leaning against the wall and assuming a listening posture.

The girl smiled, lowered her head to slightly adjust the capo, and her fingers returned to the strings. This time, it was an original song with a touch of rock. The intro's glissando and string bending techniques were skillful, carrying a languid yet sexy feel.

Her voice also became lower and hoarse, as if telling a slightly regretful story that took place in a late-night bar. The lyrics were not complicated, but the imagery was used cleverly and vividly.

An and Asuka listened even more attentively. Original works often better reflect a musician's core. This piece has a smooth melody, unconventional harmonic progressions, and lyrics with a certain literary quality; overall, it is a very well-made piece.

More importantly, her immersion in the music during her performances, that focused and enjoyable state of being completely one with the music, is something that many technically gifted but soulless singers lack.

Then came the third and fourth songs.

I listened to four songs in a row, each with a different style, but each one showcased superb technique and unique musical taste.

An and Asuka's assessment became clearer and clearer: this was definitely a overlooked musician with professional-level potential.

Her skill level is even comparable to some of her peers who have already debuted and released albums. Why is she performing on the street here? Is she a student? Or an independent musician who has encountered setbacks on her journey to pursue her dreams?

Regardless of the reason, An and Asuka's "hunting" instincts as producers and discoverers were completely awakened.

Rouge En Rouge is also continuously expanding and discovering new talent in the music industry. Sister Zhu Yin has always had a keen eye and is happy to give talented newcomers opportunities. If this girl is truly a newcomer, or hasn't yet signed a contract, then...

Just as the girl, Lin Ni, finished the fourth song, breathed a sigh of relief, picked up the water bottle beside her feet, and took a sip, An and Fei Niao stepped forward without hesitation.

"Excuse me," he said.

The girl put down her water bottle, wiped her mouth with a tissue, looked at him with a questioning look in her eyes: "Hmm? Do you still want to hear more? But I need to rest my voice for a bit."

She pointed to her throat, her smile still bright and cheerful.

“No.” An and Asuka shook their heads and said bluntly, “Your performance and singing were outstanding. It was the best street performance I’ve heard in a while, bar none.”

Such direct and high praise made the girl pause for a moment, then she smiled and said, "...Really? Thank you, I love hearing that."

She paused, then said half-jokingly, "But, are we going to start with that classic line, 'I'm a talent scout from [company name], are you interested in signing me?'"

She had clearly experienced a similar situation before, or was wary of it, as her tone carried a subtle hint of mockery and detachment.

An and Asuka nodded seriously: "Although I'm not a talent scout, I do have this idea."

This time, the girl was genuinely surprised. She put down her guitar, sat up straighter, and carefully examined An and Asuka. The streetlight illuminated his clear facial features, and his deep brown eyes were calm and sincere, seemingly genuine.

"are you serious?"

“Very serious,” Anwa Asuka said. “Let me introduce myself first. My name is Anwa Asuka, and I am currently a high school student. I also pursue music activities under the name ‘Asuka.’ My company, Rouge En Rouge, has businesses in both the gaming and music industries. Our president highly values ​​promising newcomers.”

"Anhe... Asuka?"

The girl murmured the name repeatedly, then her eyes slowly widened. "Wait... Asuka? The Asuka who sang 'If You Can Shine' and 'Summer'? The Asuka who produced 'Ember Knight'?"

"It's me," An and Asuka readily admitted.

"Wow..." The girl let out a soft sigh, her expression instantly becoming complicated, a mixture of disbelief, surprise, and a hint of realization that "no wonder she looked so familiar."

"I never expected to run into you on the street. I really like your music, especially the arrangement of 'The Rain'."

She smiled, then shook her head. "But you're talking about a company... this is too sudden. And how can you be sure I haven't already signed with another company, or have some other background?"

“I can’t be sure,” An and Asuka said honestly. “It’s just based on my judgment of your performance and my intuition. If you’re already under contract or not interested in this, then disregard what I said.”

But if you are indeed a freelancer and looking for more opportunities, perhaps you could give it a try. At the very least, our company's recording studios and production resources should offer you some different perspectives and possibilities.

His tone remained calm throughout, without any sense of pressure; it was more like he was stating an objectively existing option.

The girl fell silent. She looked down at her guitar, her fingers unconsciously strumming the strings, producing a few scattered notes. The street corner quieted down, the distant city clamor becoming a blurred background noise.

After a long while, she raised her head again, her smile less cheerful than before, and more thoughtful.

"My name is Momoka Kawahara, and I am currently an amateur."

She introduced herself, her tone becoming much more serious, "As you can see, I love music and I love singing on the streets. I'm not signed to any company, and I don't have a proper manager..."

She paused, then looked at An and Asuka: "I'm very grateful for your appreciation, truly. To be recognized like this by 'Asuka' is a tremendous encouragement for anyone making music. But..."

She bit her lower lip, seemingly organizing her thoughts.

“But I sing on the street not entirely to be discovered or to debut. Of course, I would be very happy if more people could hear and like me. But more importantly, I like the feeling of singing my way here, in this corner.”

Her candor surprised An and Asuka, but it also made him admire her even more. It's rare to have such a clear understanding of one's relationship with music and to cherish certain pure aspects of it.

“I understand.” An and Asuka nodded. “So my suggestion is not to ask you to give up the way you like now, but to give you more options and more possibilities.”

You can continue singing here, and if you want to try more complex arrangements or explore different production styles, the company can provide a platform and resources. These two things are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

He looked into Momoka Kawahara's eyes and continued, "Furthermore, I believe your talent deserves to be seen by more people. Not just the dozens or hundreds of people passing by this street corner, but perhaps tens of thousands. There's something touching in your music; it deserves a bigger stage."

Kawara Momoka fell silent once again.

An and Asuka's words undoubtedly struck a chord with a corner of her heart.

“I… need to think about it.” Finally, she looked up and gave a cautious but open answer. “This is a big deal for me. Could you give me some time? And let me… learn more about Rouge En Rouge?”

“Of course.” An and Asuka immediately expressed their understanding. He took out a notepad and pen from his pocket—which he always carried with him to jot down any melodies or lyrics that suddenly came to mind—and quickly wrote down his personal contact information, as well as Matsue Sakura’s business card.

"This is my contact information; you can reach me anytime. This is our agent's business card. If you'd like, you can contact her directly; just mention my name. She's more professional than me and can answer more specific questions you may have about contracts and career paths."

He handed over the note and his business card together.

Kawara Momoka solemnly accepted it, examined it carefully, and then gently placed it into the inner compartment of the guitar case.

"Thank you, Anwa...kun?" She tried to address him, feeling that calling him "Asuka" directly was a bit too formal, while calling him "sir" was too formal.

"Just call me Asuka, or Anwa is fine too," Anwa Asuka said with a smile.

"Okay, Asuka-kun."

Momoka Kawara smiled, this time with less defensiveness and more genuine gratitude. "No matter what the final decision is, meeting you tonight and hearing your words has been an invaluable experience for me. I will seriously consider it."

"Looking forward to your good news." An and Asuka smiled as well. "Well then, I won't disturb your rest and the upcoming performance any longer. I'll take my leave now."

"Okay, goodbye. Take care on your journey." Momoka Kawara waved to him.

An and Asuka nodded and turned to leave the warm street corner. After walking a few steps, he looked back. Kawaraki Momoka had picked up her guitar again, but didn't start playing or singing immediately. Instead, she looked at the guitar case in front of her, her fingers gently stroking the business card, seemingly lost in thought.

She never expected that her performance today would be seen by that boy.

'Asuka'... It has to be said, this is an incredible gift for her. If she accepts it, perhaps she will have the chance to return to the stage.

however

Momoka Kawara recalled some things from the past.

Large companies certainly have more resources and can bring good development opportunities. However, she is more worried that she will fall into the predicament of being 'forced to change' again.

She didn't want to be changed, didn't want to become someone she wasn't.

She had witnessed firsthand how her close friends had changed and compromised.

After glancing at the business card for a while, Momoka Kawahara still didn't make a decision immediately. She tidied herself up, glanced up in the direction where the young mistress had disappeared, and then continued tidying up.

Volume 1: Chapter 208 The Girl's Dilemma

The next day after school, An and Asuka led the five girls from the game development club to STARRY as promised.