Green plums cannot become lovers.

Rainbow Summer's drumbeats followed closely, with the snare drum and hi-hat creating a steady and progressive rhythm. Cool bass began almost simultaneously, its deep and solid notes set firmly at the bottom, perfectly locking in with the drumbeats.

In just a few bars of the intro, a complete and three-dimensional sonic picture, completely different from the demo, is instantly constructed. The guitar is no longer a missing or compensatory part, but truly becomes the leader of the melody and the bearer of emotions.

An and Asuka's performance was clean and crisp, with each note clear and full of emotion. The strength of their vibrato and the range of their string bending were just right, making the simple chords on the score rich in layers, sorrowful but not tragic.

Hongxia's eyes widened, and she unconsciously swung her drumsticks more vigorously and precisely in response to the sudden "perfect frame".

She was initially worried that the first ensemble performance would require some adjustment, and that she might need to stop to adjust the rhythm and correct mistakes... but there was none at all!

An and Asuka's guitars were like a perfectly fitting puzzle piece, precisely fitting into the rhythm and bass framework that she and Ryo had already built. Not only that, but they also guided and enhanced their performance. She felt that the force and timing of her drumming had been unconsciously corrected and optimized, with every stroke landing in the most comfortable position.

Ryo's expression finally changed noticeably. Her usually half-closed eyes opened completely, and her purple pupils reflected the profiles of An and Asuka, who were focused on the strings. Her fingers moved quickly and steadily across the bass fretboard, but the tremor within her was considerable.

As the technical expert, she has a deeper understanding of the subtle details in An and Asuka's performances: control of timbre, grasp of dynamics, and understanding of the overall structure of the music... This is a level that cannot be achieved by simply "looking at the score once".

What surprised her even more was that An and Asuka's guitar did not overshadow the main melody. Instead, while perfectly supporting the melody, it keenly captured and echoed some carefully designed details in her bass line, and even gave some unexpected yet perfectly fitting harmonic responses in some transitional phrases.

This is the tacit understanding between experts, even though it's their first time working together.

The song ended quickly.

silence.

A silence that lasted for more than ten seconds.

Hongxia, holding her drumsticks in the final pose, her chest rising and falling slightly, stared blankly at An and Asuka. Liang gently put down his bass, his gaze also fixed on him.

An and Asuka unplugged the guitar cable, put the guitar aside, and looked at them: "How was the first time playing together? Is there anything that needs to be adjusted?"

His tone was calm and normal, as if the amazing first collaboration just now was just something he did casually.

"Adjust...adjust?" Hongxia finally found her voice, which sounded a little dry and incredulous. "Anhe classmate...you, you really are seeing the sheet music for this piece for the first time? And playing it with us for the first time?"

“Yes,” An and Asuka nodded. “The sheet music is very clear, and the demo gives a basic tempo and feel. Is there anything wrong with it?”

This is a huge problem! Hongxia cried out in her heart. This is nothing like what a "first ensemble" should look like! This is clearly the level of understanding and performance that only a mature band that has been playing together for months, or even longer, can achieve!

She and Ryo spent countless hours rehearsing and revising these pieces to master them, while An and Asuka, after only glancing at the sheet music and listening to the rough demo once, picked up their guitars and played as if they had collaborated with them countless times. They not only performed flawlessly without a single mistake, but also made just the right amount of improvisation, elevating the quality of the entire piece to a whole new level!

This is beyond just being "amazing," it's practically magic!

"...No, there's absolutely no problem."

Hongxia's voice trembled slightly with excitement, "It's...it's perfect. Better than any of our previous practice sessions...no, even better than the best we could have imagined!"

She looked at Liang, seeking his approval.

Liang nodded silently, offering a succinct assessment: "Guitar, very strong. The coordination is no problem."

This is the highest praise she could give.

An and Asuka smiled and said, "It's because you guys have a good foundation. The drum and bass rhythms are very steady, which gave me a lot of room to perform. And the song itself is good, making it easy to get into the zone."

His humility made Hongxia even more embarrassed, but it also ignited greater hope and fighting spirit. With such a monster-level temporary teammate, next month's performance... might really create a miracle!

"Then, shall we continue with the next piece?" Hongxia suggested impatiently. She was full of energy and couldn't wait to play all the pieces with An and Asuka.

“Okay.” An and Asuka readily agreed. “However, before we practice the next song, I have a small suggestion.”

"Please speak!" Hongxia immediately perked up her ears.

An and Asuka pointed to the sheet music and briefly offered their suggestions.

These are all very subtle adjustments, but they often determine the layers of a piece's sound. After listening, Hongxia and Liang thought for a moment, and their eyes lit up.

"I see! That definitely creates a more layered feel!" Hongxia nodded vigorously.

“That works,” Ryo agreed.

"Shall we follow this approach, go through it again to solidify our understanding, and then try the next song?" An and Asuka asked for their opinions.

"Okay!" they both said in unison.

A new ensemble began. This time, with the subtle adjustments made by An and Asuka, the entire piece sounded much smoother and more dramatic. Nijika and Ryo also tried their best to keep up with An and Asuka's rhythm and guidance; although they were still a bit raw, their progress was clearly visible.

For the next hour or so, they practiced two more original pieces and two more arrangements together. Each time, An and Asuka were able to grasp the essence of the piece in a very short time and give a precise and constructive performance, while also keenly pointing out details in Nijika and Ryo's performances that could be improved.

His guidance style was gentle yet direct, often hitting the nail on the head, from which both of them benefited greatly.

The atmosphere in the practice room gradually shifted from initial tension and shock to complete absorption and excitement in discovering new possibilities. Nijika's smile grew brighter, and her drumming became increasingly confident. Ryo, though not talkative, was noticeably more focused during her performance, occasionally offering a suggestion or two about harmony or rhythm to discuss with An and Asuka.

As the last adapted song faded away, all three of them were slightly sweaty, but their faces showed a satisfied expression.

"That's about it for today." An and Asuka checked the time. "The first joint training session went much better than expected. Your foundation is very solid. The main focus now is on continuing to refine your teamwork, and..."

He looked at Hongxia, "The lead singer issue needs to be decided as soon as possible. Has anyone been chosen yet?"

When the lead singer was mentioned, Hongxia's excitement cooled down slightly, and she scratched her hair in distress: "Well... actually, we tried to contact Kita before, and she sings very well too."

But she seems to be quite busy lately, and we still can't get in touch with her. Besides, wouldn't it be too much pressure for her to be both lead vocalist and guitarist? We've considered finding a dedicated lead vocalist, but we haven't found a suitable candidate yet…”

An and Asuka pondered for a moment and said, "Is that so? Then how about we consider purely instrumental music?"

Unable to contact them... they've probably run away; this kind of thing happens quite often in bands. Someone just leaves the group without saying a word.

"Pure instrumental music..." Hongxia pondered, "It's not impossible, but it feels like something's missing..."

"We could consider adding some sampling or spoken word," Liang suddenly said, offering a suggestion in a very "cool" style.

"Sampling? Recitation?" Hongxia imagined it for a moment, feeling that it was a bit strange, but also seemed kind of cool.

"These are all directions that can be discussed and tried gradually."

An and Asuka concluded, "There's still time before the performance, so there's no need to be too anxious. The most important thing right now is to practice the instrumental parts until we're completely proficient. As for the lead singer, we can look for solutions while also preparing for the worst."

His words always put people at ease. Hongxia nodded: "Yeah! I understand! Thank you so much today, Anhe! I feel... our band is really saved!"

"Don't say that, it's the result of everyone's hard work." An and Asuka packed their things. "Shall we call it a day? Same time next week?"

Okay! See you next week!

It was late when they left STARRY. But An and Asuka were in good spirits. The temporary "job" they had been helping out with was more fun than they had imagined, and Nijika's enthusiasm and Ryou's solid technique had left a good impression on them. Most importantly, the music itself was enjoyable.

He took out his phone and saw that in the "Praise Music" group, the girls were sharing their practice results and interesting stories from the day.

He smiled and typed a line of text.

—Just finished. The collaboration went very smoothly. See you all at school tomorrow.

Soon, replies followed one after another. Looking at the familiar names and words flashing on the screen, even the night breeze seemed to become exceptionally gentle.

Busy, but fulfilling. Meeting different people through music and working together towards a common goal—this kind of life doesn't seem so bad.

Volume 1: Chapter 211 The Runaway Guitarist

With impromptu rehearsals for "Ending the Band" crammed into their schedules, An and Asuka's days were indeed busier than before. But like adding a well-functioning gear to a precision instrument, if managed properly, the overall system might actually become more efficient due to synergistic effects.

He had long been accustomed to this multi-tasking rhythm, and could even draw a certain sense of grounded energy from this fulfilling busyness.

Of course, no matter how busy he is, he can't neglect his girlfriend, and An and Asuka know this well.

So, on a Saturday afternoon when there was neither band practice nor urgent assignments, he arranged to meet Kaori Miyazono in advance at a quiet café that they both liked.

The shop wasn't large, with warm wooden decor, the air filled with the aroma of freshly ground coffee beans and languid jazz music. An and Feiniao arrived early and chose their usual window seat, where they could bask in the afternoon sun. They had barely sat down when the café door was gently pushed open, and a wind chime tinkled sweetly.

Kaori Miyazono walked in, her long golden hair styled into an elegant side ponytail, adorned with a small strawberry hair clip.

She wore a light yellow dress with a beige knitted cardigan over it, and a bright and gentle smile on her face. Her gaze swept across the store and quickly locked onto An and Asuka by the window, her eyes immediately curving into crescents.

She walked over quickly and sat down naturally opposite An and Asuka, placing her small handbag aside.

"Have you been waiting long?" Kaoru asked, her voice light and cheerful, typical of a date.

"No, I just arrived too." An and Asuka shook their heads with a smile and pushed the menu in front of her. "I ordered your usual fruit tea for you, it should be ready soon. Would you like to see some desserts?"

"Hmm!" Kaoru took the menu, glanced at the dessert section, tapped her chin with her finger, and looked very serious. "Hmm... I want chestnut cake today! What about you, Asuka?"

"I'll have the cheesecake."

After ordering, the waiter quickly brought over the drinks and cake. Warm sunlight streamed through the glass window, casting bright spots of light on the wooden tabletop, making the chestnut cake look even more tempting, while the aroma of coffee wafted up.

The two chatted casually about their recent lives and shared funny stories from school, the atmosphere relaxed and sweet. Kaori Miyazono scooped a piece of chestnut cake with a small spoon and put it in her mouth, squinting her eyes contentedly. Then, as if remembering something, she looked at An and Asuka:

"By the way, Asuka, how's your 'Praise Music' band's practice going? I heard you say you found a new practice room."

As Anwa Asuka's girlfriend, Kaori Miyazono always cared about his band's progress. Although she couldn't join the band, her support and understanding were never absent.

“It’s going quite smoothly.” An and Asuka cut a small piece of cheesecake. “The new practice room has a great environment, and everyone is improving quickly. Although we are still far from our goal, I can feel that everyone is moving forward.”

He paused, then joked, "Maybe I'll be able to perform at the Budokan sooner than I expect."

"Eh? You're bragging." Kaori Miyazono chuckled at his words, giving him a reproachful look, but her eyes were full of trust. "However, if it were Asuka, she might actually be able to do it."

She put down her spoon, rested her chin on her hands, and said with a hint of nostalgia and emotion, "But I really envy Marina and the others, being able to immerse themselves in music with you every day."

She recalled an earlier time, in a music classroom in Aichi Prefecture, when they had worked together for music.

She played the violin, and he played the piano or guitar. The melodies, though childlike, carried the initial spark and dreams. Later, she transferred to Tokyo for treatment due to illness. Although she eventually recovered, she missed many moments spent with him.

Now he has new bandmates who fully understand and support him, but occasionally a faint sense of melancholy for the past still rises in his heart.

“Silly girl, what’s there to envy?” An and Asuka reached out and gently took her hand on the table, feeling the warmth of her touch. “Don’t we often discuss music together? Your violin has given me a lot of inspiration for my compositions. And…”

He looked at her earnestly, "You hold a special place in my heart, and it has nothing to do with the band."

The straightforward words of love made Kaori Miyazono blush slightly, and the slight melancholy in her heart was instantly dispelled by the sweetness. She squeezed his hand in return and nodded vigorously: "Yes! I know!"

She quickly cheered up, her face regaining its bright smile, "Besides, I have my own 'battlefield' too!"

"Hmm?" An and Asuka raised an eyebrow.

"I also formed a band with Kousei, Tsubaki, Ryota Watari, Kashiwagi, and the others!"

Kaori Miyazono proudly counted on her fingers, "Kousei is on the keyboard, Tsubaki is on the drums, I'm on the violin, Nao is on the guitar and vocals, and Ryota is on the bass. Although everyone's style is a bit different, it's surprisingly fun to get together! We're also looking for a place to practice."

"Kaoru has formed a band too?" An and Asuka were a little surprised, but then smiled sincerely. "It sounds like a strong lineup. Kousei's piano skills, Tsubaki's sense of rhythm, your violin, and Kashiwagi-senpai's guitar... I really look forward to hearing your work."

"Right, right!" Kaoru shook her head happily after receiving her boyfriend's approval. "Although we don't get together as often as you guys, we always have a lot of fun playing together! Tsubaki's drumming is super powerful, Kousei always has a serious face, but he's really into playing the keyboard, Nao-senpai is so cool, and Ryota... although he's unreliable sometimes, he's actually pretty good at playing bass!"

Watching her excitedly recount the band's adventures, An and Asuka felt a warmth in their hearts. He knew that during the difficult days of their separation, it was these friends who had accompanied and supported Kaoru. Now, seeing her not only pick up the violin again but also form a band with her friends, enjoying the double joy of music and friendship, he was happier than anyone else.

“Kaoru looks really happy,” he smiled.

"Yes, I'm super happy!" Kaori Miyazono nodded vigorously. "Although I can't go to the same high school as Asuka and see her every day, just thinking that you're not far away, that I have so many good friends, and that we can still work together towards our respective musical goals, makes me not feel lonely at all."

Her gaze, gentle yet firm, fell upon An and Asuka's faces. "Besides, we promised to stay together forever, right?"

“Yes.” An and Asuka tightened their fingers, interlocking them, and nodded solemnly. “Of course.”

Sunlight gently fell on their clasped hands, and the aroma of coffee rose in the air. At this moment, no more words were needed.

After chatting for a while about their recent situations, An and Asuka suddenly remembered something that needed to be done, so they casually mentioned, "By the way, speaking of which, I recently agreed to help another band out."

"Huh? Another band?" Kaori Miyazono blinked curiously.

"Yeah, it's the livehouse that rents us the practice room, the manager's sister's band. Their guitarist suddenly couldn't be reached, and they have an important performance next month, so they asked me to fill in temporarily."

An and Asuka gave a brief explanation.

"Wow, Asuka is really amazing! People everywhere need you." Kaori Miyazono said with pride, then asked, "What's the name of that band? Who's the guitarist? Why can't we contact them all of a sudden?"

"The band doesn't have a name yet, and as for the missing guitarist..." Anwa Asuka recalled Ijichi Nijika's anxious expression at the time, "I think his name is Kita Ikuyo."

“Kita…Ikuyo?” Kaori Miyazono repeated the name, her brows furrowing slightly as if searching her memory. “This name…I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere before?”

"Really?" An and Asuka were somewhat surprised. Kaoru attended a different school than him, so if she had also heard of Kita Ikuyo, then this Kita Ikuyo might not be entirely untraceable.

"Hmm... I vaguely remember." Kaori Miyazono tried hard to recall. "It seems to be... a student from our school? Yes, she should be in the same grade as me. I remember... Tsubaki mentioned it once, saying there was a girl with a particularly cheerful personality who was quite famous in their sports club? Her name was Kita... I'm not sure if it was Ikuyo."

This information is important. If Kita Ikuyo and Miyazono Kaoru go to the same school, or even know Kaoru's friends, then there's another clue to the search.

"Kaoru, could you double-check for me?" An and Asuka asked. "If she really is a student from your school, we might be able to contact her through Tsubaki or other friends. That band really needs her right now."

“No problem!” Kaori Miyazono immediately agreed. Since it involved the band her boyfriend was helping, she was also very concerned. “I’ll ask Tsubaki when I get back! She knows a lot of people and is well-informed. If it really is someone from our school, she’ll definitely be able to find out!”

"Thank you." An and Asuka smiled gratefully.

"Why are you being so polite with me!" Kaoru Miyazono said reproachfully, then laughed again. "But, Asuka, you really can't stay idle. Your own band, a band you're temporarily helping out with, and you still have to write songs and make games... Take care of your health, don't overwork yourself."

"Don't worry, I know what I'm doing," An and Asuka assured her.

The pleasant afternoon tea time passed quietly as the two chatted. When they left the café, the setting sun had painted the sky a gentle orange-red. An and Asuka escorted Kaori Miyazono to the station near her house.

"Then, I'll leave the task of finding out about Kita-kun to you."

Before parting, An and Asuka said.

"Leave it to me!" Kaori Miyazono waved her little fist, then tiptoed and quickly kissed An and Asuka on the cheek, whispering, "Be careful on the road. Next time... let's go on a date again."