Green plums cannot become lovers.

Kasumigaoka Utaha sat by the window, opened her notebook, and began to write.

An and Asuka sat to the side, took out their phones, and looked through the script of "Small Town Family".

The setting sun cast golden rays through the window onto the floor.

The sound of waves could be faintly heard.

Occasionally, one can hear the soft scratching of Kasumigaoka Utaha's pen on paper.

This quiet atmosphere gives people a sense of peace.

“Asuka-kun,” Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly spoke.

"Ok?"

How's your script coming along?

"It's still being polished; after all, tragedies are much harder to write than comedies."

"Do you need any help?"

"If you're willing, senior."

Kasumigaoka Utaha put down her pen, took his phone, and looked at the script excerpt on it.

She watched very intently, occasionally frowning and occasionally nodding.

After a while, she spoke.

"This part would be better with some psychological descriptions."

"Hmm, I think so too, don't I?"

"And here, the dialogue is too direct; it could be a bit more tactful."

"Okay, I'll revise it."

The two discussed the script like this, and before they knew it, it was dark.

When Machida Sonoko returned from the hot spring, this was the scene she saw.

The two sat side by side, huddled together looking at their phones, discussing and drawing at the same time.

She stood at the door, not disturbing anyone.

He just smiled, gently closed the door, and then went to the front desk to book a new room.

I guess it's better not to live with young people, otherwise I'll just look like a third wheel.

Come to think of it, she had never seen Kasumigaoka Utaha get so close to someone before. This was clearly not a normal senior-junior relationship, but rather a relationship filled with a young girl's affection.

It's unbelievable that Kasumigaoka Utaha has someone she likes.

But if it's that boy, it doesn't seem impossible.

Volume 1: Chapter 228 Summer Warmth

Machida Sonoko still remembers what happened a year ago.

At that time, Shi Yu's novel was selling poorly and faced the crisis of being canceled. As an editor, she did everything she could—adjusting the publicity strategy, striving for more exposure, and communicating repeatedly with the editorial department. But the market is cruel; if sales don't improve, nothing she said will help.

To make matters worse, the venue and time of Shiyu's book signing event coincided with those of the well-known novelist "Jingxia".

Jingxia was a very popular young author at the time, whose works consistently topped the sales charts and had countless fans. To hold a book signing with her at the same time and in the same area was simply a disaster.

Machida Sonoko didn't dare to go see it.

She imagined the scene: Shiyu sitting alone at the autograph table, with no one in front of her, and the occasional passerby only glancing at her briefly before walking away. Meanwhile, at Jingxia's autograph session, there was a long queue and a bustling crowd.

She was afraid that if she went, she wouldn't be able to hold back her tears.

However, after the book signing event that day, Shiyu came back and told her—

"Sales are very good."

Machida Sonoko was stunned.

"very nice?"

"Mm." Shi Yu nodded, her expression calm, but there was a light in her eyes that she had never seen before. "There were more people than expected, and the autograph session went very smoothly."

After pressing her for details, she learned that it was a well-known musician named "Feiniao" who had helped promote Shiyu for free on social media.

He was that young man who amazed the entire music industry as soon as he emerged.

With just one post, he made countless people aware of Shi Yu's autograph session.

At that time, Machida Sonoko's thoughts were—

Shiyu will definitely succeed in the future.

It wasn't because of her talent—her talent is beyond question. It was because she met people willing to help her.

But now it seems she was right.

With the boy's help, Shiyu gradually became a well-known novelist. Sales soared, her reputation grew, and her fanbase expanded. The girl who once faced cancellation was now a key talent being groomed by the editorial department.

If it's an ordinary writer under her tutelage, she'll advise them to focus on writing and not get distracted by other things.

But if the other party is this boy—

She couldn't wait for the two of them to get married.

-

Day three.

An and Asuka, along with Kasumigaoka Utaha, went out to gather materials.

Machida Sonoko, who had originally agreed to go together, suddenly said in the morning that she "had something to take care of" and told them to go ahead on their own. As for what it was, she didn't say, but just gave a meaningful smile.

Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't ask any further questions.

An and Asuka didn't think much of it.

After finishing breakfast, the two headed to their destination as planned the previous day.

"We're going to a park today," Kasumigaoka Utaha said, looking at the map on her phone. "It'll take about ten minutes by train."

"A park?" An and Asuka asked curiously. "There's a park right next to our school, why don't we just go there?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha turned to look at him, a mischievous smile playing on her wine-red eyes.

"Junior."

"Ok?"

Sometimes, places that are too familiar can actually prevent you from having any particular thoughts.

She paused, her tone carrying a hint of lecturing.

"Whether it's writing or creating, what you need is fresh stimulation. What you see every day no longer gives you the urge to write it down."

An and Asuka thought for a moment and nodded.

"Makes sense."

“Of course that makes sense.” Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled with satisfaction. “I’m a professional in the field of physics and chemistry.”

Ten minutes later, they arrived at their destination.

It was a park located in the center of a residential area. It was not large, but it had complete facilities. (II) At the entrance of the park, there was a faded wooden sign with the words "Sakura-gaoka Park" written on it.

Walking in, you find yourself on a path shaded by trees. Tall cherry trees line both sides, but there are no cherry blossoms this season, only lush green leaves. The chirping of cicadas rises and falls, like a summer symphony.

After walking along the path, the view suddenly opened up before me.

In the center of the park was a wide open space with a sandpit, slides, swings, and several rows of benches. It was morning, and the open space was full of children on summer vacation.

People were jumping rope, playing hide-and-seek, and chasing each other; laughter filled the air.

Several little boys were playing soccer in an open field. The ball was kicked away and rolled to the feet of a little girl in a floral dress. The little girl paused for a moment, then bent down, picked up the ball, and threw it back with all her might.

"Thanks--"

The little boys shouted.

The little girl waved and continued running towards her friends.

An and Asuka stood by the roadside, watching this scene unfold.

It's a very ordinary scene.

A very ordinary summer day.

Yet it inexplicably evokes a sense of warmth.

He recalled that when he was in fifth or sixth grade, he often went to that small park in the small town with a few girls.

Marina, Ai, and Shizuka—at that time, they hadn't come to Tokyo yet; they were still living in that small town of Aichi.

Marina was always the most active one; she'd disappear as soon as they got to the park, climbing the slides, swinging on the swings, and chasing butterflies. Ai followed behind, laughing and calling out, "Wait for me!"

Shizuka was quieter; sometimes she would sit on a bench reading, and sometimes she would talk to him.

He sat to the side, watching the happy smiles on their faces.

Life was simple back then.

It's also wonderful.

"Junior? Junior?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha's voice pulled him back to reality.

An and Asuka snapped out of their daze and met her probing gaze.

"What's wrong?" he asked.

"I should be asking you what's wrong." Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at him and said, "I called you a few times and you didn't respond. What were you thinking about?"

“It’s nothing,” An and Asuka shook their heads. “I was just thinking about things from the past.”

"Things from the past?"

"Yes, I used to go to the park a lot when I was a kid."

Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded thoughtfully and did not ask any further questions.

Just then, music came from not far away.

It was very light and intermittent, but the melody was very familiar.

Anhe and the birds looked in the direction of the sound.

Under a large tree in a corner of the park, a group of children were gathered. In the center of the group, a little girl in a pale yellow dress was holding a guitar and playing something earnestly.

She looked to be about ** years old, with two small braids, a round face, and a very focused expression.

The piece she played was "Summer".

Anhe Feiniao was stunned by Yueyi Ling?r2 one robe three mausoleums vlIι for a moment.

Although the playing was very clumsy and halting, especially the transitions, which were disastrous, the melody was correct and the rhythm was barely manageable. For such a young child, this is already quite remarkable.

A group of children surrounded her, listening with great interest.

"Junior," Kasumigaoka Utaha's voice rang out from beside her, "What's wrong?"

Anhe Feiniao shook his head.

"It's nothing." He looked away. "Senior, do you have any inspiration?"

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked around, her brows furrowing slightly.

"Hmm..." she pondered, "I feel like something's missing."

What's missing?

“I don’t know either.” She shook her head. “It’s just that… indescribable feeling. It’s not quite enough.”

“No rush,” An and Asuka laughed. “Take it slow, it’s only the third day.”

"Too."

The two strolled around the park and finally found an empty bench under the shade of a tree to sit down.

Right next to me was that little girl playing the guitar.