Green plums cannot become lovers.

Page 199

The school grounds were bustling with activity, the shouts of vendors from each class's stall rising and falling, and upbeat music playing over the loudspeakers, occasionally interspersed with announcements about the school festival.

An and Asuka's class runs a café with the theme "Butler Café".

The boys, dressed in black butler uniforms, and the girls, dressed in maid outfits, moved around the classroom serving the students. An and Asuka, being the most popular boys in the school, were naturally assigned important tasks.

There weren't any major activities in the morning; I mostly just helped out in the classroom and dealt with various guests.

"Sister Zhu Yin, please enjoy your meal."

An and Asuka placed a cup of coffee and a plate of cookies in front of Akane Kousaka. He was wearing a well-tailored black butler uniform with a dark bow tie at the collar of his white shirt, making him look more formal and handsome than usual.

Akane Akane rested her chin on her hand, smiling as she looked at him. She was dressed casually today, looking like an ordinary visitor to the school festival, but her elegant demeanor and shrewd eyes still made her stand out from the crowd.

"Hmm, how about some special services?" she teased, her eyes curving into crescent shapes.

“We don’t offer that kind of service,” An and Asuka replied without changing their expressions.

Akane Akasaka smiled and took a small sip of her coffee. Although it was instant, she showed no dissatisfaction.

After putting down the cup, her eyes became somewhat nostalgic.

“I really miss it,” she said. “The last time I saw you wearing such formal clothes was four years ago when you were in the second year of junior high school. You were still so small back then.”

As she spoke, she gestured with her hand to indicate her height, roughly reaching his chest.

An and Asuka looked at her helplessly: "It's not that small, is it?"

He clearly remembered that he was already about the same height as Hatsune Miku at that time.

“Yes, yes.” Akane Kousaka laughed even more heartily. “You came to my place back then.”

She compared the height to her own shoulders, saying, "Now everyone is taller than me."

"That's because Sister Zhu Yin is too short."

"Hey!"

Anhe Asuka smiled and changed the subject: "However, if Sister Zhuyin wants to see it, I can apply to be your housekeeper in the future."

Akane Akane paused for a moment, then raised an eyebrow.

"Hmm, that's a good idea," she said slowly. "Just don't find me annoying later."

“How could that be?” An and Asuka shook their heads seriously. “I’m so grateful to Sister Zhu Yin.”

What he said was the truth.

Without the woman before him, his path might have been entirely different. She reached out when he needed an opportunity most, giving him a platform to showcase his talents and a place he could call "home."

Akane Akane looked at his serious expression, a hint of tenderness flashing in her eyes.

She knew she hadn't misjudged him.

This child felt different to her from the very first time they met.

It's not because he's a genius, well... although he is indeed a genius, but the main reason is because there's something in his eyes, something that remains clear even after weathering storms.

The two chatted for a while longer before An and Asuka were called away by their classmates.

"Anhe, someone's calling roll!"

"They're here, they're here."

He nodded to Akane Akasaka, then turned and walked towards the door.

Four familiar figures stood at the door.

Long, red, flowing hair; a golden ponytail; short, blue hair; and a figure hiding at the back, only half of its pink head showing.

The four girls who had finished their band activities were all present.

"Wow--!"

Kita Ikuyo was the first to exclaim in surprise, her amber eyes widening as she looked An and Asuka up and down.

"Anhe looks so handsome in this outfit!"

She covered her face with her hands, but left her fingers wide open, her eyes shining brightly as she peered out.

Nijika Ichichi nodded repeatedly, "Really, really! I always thought Anwa was good-looking, but she looks even better in this outfit!"

Yamada Ryo didn't say anything, but she silently took out her phone.

Goto Ichiri shrank back, her face flushed, and muttered softly, "So-good-looking..."

An and Asuka looked at them: "Are you here for coffee, or to critique the clothes?"

"Of course we're here for coffee!" Kita Ikuyo immediately raised her hand, "And to see some handsome guys!"

"The important thing is that it's incidental."

"hey-hey."

An and Asuka shook their heads helplessly and led them to sit down in the empty seats.

As soon as he sat down, Yamada Ryo pointed his phone at him.

"If I could take this picture, I could probably make a lot of money," she said expressionlessly.

"Ryo-senpai! You're here again!" Kita quickly grabbed her hand.

Ignoring their usual interactions, An and Asuka pulled out a menu: "What would you like to order?"

"Hmm...I'd like black tea!"

“Me too!” Kita raised his hand.

"coffee."

Goto Ichiri whispered, "I...I also drink black tea..."

"Okay, just a moment."

An and Asuka turned and went to the bar, returning shortly with a tray. On the tray were three cups of black tea, a cup of coffee, and several small cakes—which he had paid for himself.

"Huh?" Kita took the black tea, took a sip, and then frowned. "It's not as good as I imagined."

"Instant," Anwa Asuka readily admitted.

"You're treating instant coffee so formally!"

"That's called professional ethics."

Kita was speechless, caught off guard.

Hongxia chuckled to herself, then suddenly remembered something, pointed to a spot on the menu, and gave a mischievous smile.

"Anhe, could you do this for me?"

Anhe Asuka looked down and his lips twitched slightly.

On the menu, in the section he had helped write back then, there was a line of small print—

[Special Spell Service: Simply recite the following spell to receive a mysterious blessing from the shop assistant!]

Below is a line of "incantation" he wrote himself:

"So magical! It smells amazing! Even the gods would praise it!"

It also features a cute cartoon illustration.

Anwa Asuka: "..."

He had completely forgotten about it.

Yamada Ryo leaned over for a look, and then his eyes lit up, a rare occurrence for him.

"This," she said excitedly, "I want to hear it."

Kita also came over, and after looking at it, clapped her hands excitedly: "Wow! This spell is so cute! Anwa-kun, please say it!"

Hongxia chimed in, "Read it once! Read it once!"

Even Goto Ichiri peeked out, his eyes filled with anticipation.

An and Asuka were silent for two seconds, and then—

"I refuse."

"Eh—!" The four of them exclaimed in disappointment at the same time.

"No, no!" Kita Ikuyo insisted. "We are guests! Anwa-kun has to fulfill the guests' requests!"

“Exactly!” Natsumi Ichichi chimed in, “It’s part of the service!”

Seeing their expressions that said, "I have to listen to you today," An and Asuka suddenly changed the subject.

"But I don't know how to do it," he said innocently. "Could you demonstrate for me?"

The four of them were stunned for a moment.

"Demonstration?" Kita tilted his head.

“Hmm.” An and Asuka nodded seriously. “After all, this is what I wrote, but I’ve never read it aloud myself. Read it to me once, and I’ll read it to you after I’ve learned it.”

This logic seems... to be fine?

"I'll do it!"

Without a second thought, Kita Ikuyo immediately stood up and struck a pose—

She raised her hands in a heart shape above her head, slightly raised one leg, and tried her best to make a cute expression on her face.

Then, she took a deep breath and read in her sweetest voice:

"So magical! It smells amazing! Even the gods would praise it!"

"Let's make it taste even better~ Okay~~"

After she finished reading, she remained in that position, her eyes sparkling as she looked at An and Asuka.

"How is it? Is it up to standard?"

An and Asuka did not answer.

He kept his head down, and his shoulders were trembling slightly.

Hongxia paused for a moment, then slowly frowned.