Green plums cannot become lovers.

Page 187

"Waaah..."

Kita covered his face.

“But they held on for the rest of the time,” An and Asuka continued. “It’s normal to be nervous; the important thing is that you don’t break down. Overall, it was pretty good for your first time on stage.”

"Wow! I got praised by Anwa-senpai!" Kita instantly perked up, a bright smile spreading across his face.

Hongxia smiled too, her eyes filled with gratitude as she looked at An and Asuka.

"Thank you, Asuka. Today really... we definitely wouldn't have made it without you."

“I only played my part.” An and Asuka shook their heads. “You guys carried the whole thing on your own.”

Just then, the backstage door was suddenly pushed open.

Ijichi Seika strode in, a rare smile on her face—not her usual professional smile, but a genuine, satisfied one.

"The performance was good." She walked directly to Hongxia and reached out to pat her sister's head. "You were so nervous that you hit the drums crookedly, but overall it was alright."

"Sister!" Hongxia protested, covering her head. "What do you mean 'missed'?"

"You almost carried me off rhythm," Xingge said mercilessly.

Hongxia pouted, but did not refute.

Xingge then looked at Anhe Feibiao and nodded earnestly: "Anhe, thank you so much for today. Without you, this performance wouldn't have been so successful."

"You're too kind," An and Asuka said.

"There's one more thing." Xingge looked around backstage. "None of you are allowed to leave tonight."

"Huh?" Kita blinked.

"A celebration party," Xingge announced simply. "I've already booked the seats. Today's performance was a success, so we must celebrate."

"A victory celebration!" Kita's eyes lit up instantly. "Really? Really?! Is there barbecue?"

"Have."

"Wow!! Long live Sister Xingge!!"

Kita was so excited he almost jumped up, but Nijika grabbed him.

"Calm down, Kita, we haven't even left the house yet."

"But it's barbecue! Barbecue!"

Hongxia couldn't help but laugh when she saw her greedy expression.

Liang was quietly tidying up her bass when she heard this, and unusually asked, "Can I order cold noodles?"

“Yes,” Xingge said.

"it is good."

An and Asuka looked at them, about to say that they might have to go back first—

"Flying Bird, don't even think about running away." Xingge seemed to see through his thoughts and directly cut him off. "You are one of the main characters today, so you must come."

"But......"

"No buts." Xingge crossed her arms, her attitude firm. "I know how much you helped my sister's band to have this performance today. It's just a meal, you can't refuse."

An and Asuka opened their mouths, then closed them again.

He glanced at Hongxia's expectant eyes, then at Kita's "I'll cry if you don't come" expression, and finally at Ryo—Ryo was staring at him, her expression blank, but her eyes clearly saying "Don't even think about escaping."

“…Okay.” He nodded helplessly.

"Yay!!" Kita cheered.

"Let's go! Let's change clothes!" Hongxia got excited and pulled Xiduo towards the changing room.

Liang followed behind at a leisurely pace.

Backstage, only Anwa Asuka and Ijichi Seika remained.

Xingge looked at him and suddenly smiled.

“Anhe, classmate.”

Yueyi, "Hmm?"

"Thank you." Her tone was much more serious. "Not just today, but also in the days before. These girls must have caused you a lot of trouble."

An and Asuka shook their heads.

“It’s no trouble at all,” he said. “They are all very serious people. It’s quite enjoyable to make music with them.”

Xingge looked at him, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

Then she nodded.

"That's good."

She turned and walked towards the door, but after taking two steps, she turned back.

"By the way, the barbecue restaurant is nearby, a five-minute walk. Come over when you're ready."

"understood."

Xingge pushed open the door and left.

The backstage area quieted down, with only the faint sounds of Kita's laughter and Nijika's urging coming from the distant dressing room.

An and Asuka stood still, looking around the small backstage space.

The walls were covered with posters of various band performances, and the corner was piled with sound equipment and instrument cases. The air still carried the scents of sweat, dust, and a hint of excitement.

This is their place.

He was just a temporary visitor.

But now, standing in this space where cheers had just erupted, he suddenly felt that this "temporary" time was also worth cherishing.

The door to the changing room was pushed open, and three girls who had changed their clothes rushed out.

"Feiniao! Let's go, let's go!" Hongxia grabbed his hand and pulled him outside.

"Barbecue is calling me!" Kita's eyes lit up.

Liang walked silently at the back, holding the sign that read "Take a look even if you don't buy"—for some reason, she brought it with her.

An and Asuka were ushered out of the backstage area by them, through the empty audience seats, through the doors of STARRY, and up the stairs leading to the ground floor.

The night breeze blows in my face, carrying the warm and moist scent unique to early summer.

Above, the stars twinkled.

"Asuka-senpai!" Kita's voice rang out from behind, "Thank you so much for today!"

An and the flying bird turned around.

Three girls stood under a streetlamp, their red ponytails, long blonde hair, and short blue hair standing out vividly in the light. They all wore smiles—Kita's was radiant, Nijika's warm, and even Ryo's lips held a faint curve.

He looked at them, a slight smile playing on his lips.

"You're welcome," he said.

"Let's go, the barbecue is getting cold."

"Yay!!"

Laughter echoed through the streets at night.

Volume 1: Chapter 218 Little Loneliness [8k]

At the celebration banquet, An and Asuka received warm hospitality from the girls.

"Anhe, eat more of this!"

Kita Ikuyo picked up a sizzling piece of beef tongue and put it directly into his bowl.

“And this, this is the best.” Hongxia wasn’t going to be outdone, so she added another piece of pork belly.

"Hmm." Liang silently pushed a plate of vegetables in front of him.

An and Feiniao looked down at their bowls—which were piled high like a small mountain, with layers of meat slices, vegetables, and mushrooms almost overflowing the rim.

“...That’s enough.” He tried to stop him.

"Not enough! Not enough!" Kita immediately retorted, "You're a hero today! You need to eat more to have the energy!"

“Yes, yes,” Hongxia chimed in with a smile, “We feel like we were all big stars today! Thanks to you!”

Looking into their bright eyes, An and Asuka swallowed back the words that were about to come out: "I am not a hero, I just participated in your efforts."

Forget it, there's no point in being a downer at a time like this.

He picked up his chopsticks, took a piece of meat, and put it in his mouth.

"Then you should all strive to become big stars from now on."

"Of course!" Kita Ikuyo puffed out her chest, her amber eyes sparkling with confidence. "We'll definitely become big stars! Bigger than today!"

She spoke as if it were a matter of course, as if this were not some distant dream, but a future that had already been written.

Hongxia couldn't help but laugh when she saw her like that.

Liang didn't speak, but nodded slightly.

Ijichi Seika sat to the side, looking at the three girls, a rare smile on her face—not the usual professional smile, but a genuine smile from the heart, tinged with pride.

She raised her glass and gestured towards An and Asuka.

An and Asuka also picked up their drinks and touched them together from a distance.

The celebration banquet was drawing to a close.

The once-hot atmosphere gradually cooled down. The grill on the table stopped sizzling, and the beverage bottles were mostly empty. Kita was still struggling with the last piece of meat, while Nijika leaned back in her chair, rubbing her full stomach, and Lengmian expressionlessly drank the bowl of cold noodle soup she had been longing for.

Anhe Feiniao glanced at his phone.

Three new messages were displayed on the screen, all from the "Praise Music" group:

Marina: Asuka! Is the show over? How was it?

Xiao Ai: We're waiting for you to come home so we can talk about the details~

Shizuka: It's getting late, be careful on the road.

He smiled, replied "I'll be right back," and then put his phone away.

"That's all for today." He stood up and said to the group, "See you next time."

"Wait a moment."

"Ichi Nijika suddenly shouted."

An and Asuka turned their heads: "What's wrong?"

Hongxia stood up and walked in front of him. Her expression was somewhat serious, quite different from the energetic drummer girl she usually was.

“Anhe,” she said earnestly, “let’s come up with a name for our band.”