Green plums cannot become lovers.

Page 219

The two walked quietly through the old street to the seaside.

The beach was clean and not crowded. Waves lapped gently against the shore, leaving behind white foam.

Kasumigaoka Utaha took off her shoes and walked barefoot on the beach.

"Junior."

"Ok?"

Why do people always reminisce about their childhood?

An and Asuka thought for a moment.

"Because things were simple back then. We laughed when we were happy and cried when we were sad. We didn't have to think too much."

"And what about you?" Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at him. "Do you miss it?"

An and Asuka were silent for a moment.

"Some memories, but not all."

Kasumigaoka Utaha did not ask any further questions.

She could probably guess why.

The two walked along the beach for a long time until the sun began to set.

They returned to their guesthouse at four o'clock in the afternoon.

The two of them were stunned when they pushed open the door.

There was another person in the room.

A person with golden pigtails, wearing a summer dress, is sitting by the window flipping through a magazine.

English: English: English: English: English:

Hearing the door open, she looked up, met their gazes, and then—

"Oh." She waved, trying to make it seem like she was just passing by. "What a coincidence."

Kasumigaoka Utaha raised an eyebrow.

Why are you here?

"I was just thinking of coming here to play too." Eriri put down her magazine, stood up, and said with a hint of guilt in her voice, but more so with self-righteousness, "So I just came to see you guys, is that not allowed?"

"By the way?"

"By the way."

"A 'side trip' from Tokyo to Chiba?"

"Ah."

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at her, and a meaningful smile slowly curved her lips.

"Eri-kun."

"what?"

“Do you know,” Kasumigaoka Utaha said slowly, “that when you feel guilty, your left eye blinks involuntarily?”

Eriri was stunned.

Then she subconsciously touched her left eye.

Kasumigaoka Utaha burst out laughing.

"Just kidding."

"you--!"

Eriri's face flushed instantly, whether from anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell.

An and Asuka watched this scene from the side and couldn't help but laugh.

"Alright, Eriri, have you had dinner?"

"Not...not yet..."

"Let's go out to eat together later."

Eriri paused for a moment, then turned her face away.

"……casual."

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at her like that, gave a soft snort, but didn't say anything more.

That evening, the three of them went to town for dinner.

Although they said they were "together," the atmosphere was actually somewhat subtle.

Eriri sat to Anwa and Asuka's left, while Kasumigaoka Utaha sat to Anwa and Asuka's right. The two exchanged meaningful glances from time to time, separated by Anwa and Asuka.

“Eri-kun,” Kasumigaoka Utaha picked up a piece of tempura and said slowly, “Didn’t you say you were coming to play? Where did you go today?”

"I only arrived this afternoon," Eriri said, biting her chopsticks. "I haven't had a chance to look around yet."

"Oh? So where are you planning to go tomorrow?"

"I haven't decided yet." Eriri paused. "Anyway, you guys are doing research too, so I'll just go with you."

"follow us?"

“Yeah, you guys are just wandering around anyway,” Eriri said matter-of-factly. “It’s more fun with more people.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at her, a slight smile playing on her lips.

"Eri-kun."

"what?"

"You didn't come all this way because you were worried about me being alone with my junior, did you?"

Eriri froze for a moment.

"No, no, that's not true!"

"is it?"

"Of course!" Eriri's voice rose a few octaves. "I just... I just happened to want to go out and have some fun! Don't overthink it!"

Kasumigaoka Utaha didn't refute, she just smiled.

But that smile clearly said, "I'm watching you make this up."

Eriri felt uncomfortable with her laughter, so she simply lowered her head and focused on eating, refusing to look at her anymore.

An and Asuka ate quietly to the side, occasionally glancing up at the two of them, feeling as if the scene was familiar.

After returning to the guesthouse after dinner, another problem arose.

How do I sleep in the room?

"I'll go book another room."

“No way,” Eriri immediately objected.

An and Asuka looked at her.

“Uh… I mean,” Eriri realized she had overreacted and quickly tried to cover it up, “Well… the room is big enough anyway, we can just add a bed. No need to spend any more money.”

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at her with a half-smile.

"Eri-kun certainly knows how to save money."

“Of course!” Eriri said matter-of-factly. “I’m not like some people who spend money recklessly.”

"Am I a big spender?"

"Isn't that right? You just bought that limited edition book like that last time..."

"That's for work purposes."

"Does it mean I can spend money however I want just because I need it for work?"

"Eri-kun is really nosy."

"I didn't care! I was just saying it casually!"

The two of them talked back and forth, neither willing to give in.

An and Asuka stood aside, watching this familiar routine, and sighed helplessly.

In the end, following Eriri's suggestion, an extra bed was added.

Three Ying and Ou & Qi Jiu Liu San / Two beds, Anhe and Asuka are in the innermost part by the window, Kasumigaoka Utaha is in the middle, and Eriri is in the outermost part by the door.

When Machida Sonoko heard this, she laughed so hard she couldn't stand up straight.

"Oh, it's so nice to be so young." She patted Anwa Asuka on the shoulder. "Asuka-kun, thank you for your hard work."

Anwa Asuka: "...It's alright."

At night, the room became quiet.

The lights were off, and only moonlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting faint silver streaks on the floor.

An and Asuka lay on the innermost bunk, their eyes closed, listening to the sound of the waves outside the window.

Then he heard a rustling sound.

Eriri is turning things around.

Then came Kasumigaoka Utaha's soft cough.

After a while, Eriri spoke up.

"Hey, Kasumigaoka."

"Ok?"