Green plums cannot become lovers.

The sound of the waves outside the window came in one after another, like the breathing of this small town.

-

The last day.

Chiba is going to hold a fireworks festival.

They already knew this. Machida Sonoko had initially arranged the timing so that Kasumigaoka Utaha could make it to this summer festival.

As evening fell, the three changed into yukatas and set off to watch the fireworks display.

Eriri wore a light blue yukata with white flowers printed on it, and a dark blue sash around her waist. Her blonde hair was draped over her shoulders, and she looked much softer than usual.

Kasumigaoka Utaha wore a deep purple yukata with subtle silver threads hidden within its dark pattern, shimmering under the light. Her long hair was styled in an updo, revealing her slender neck and adding a touch of mature charm.

An and Asuka wore simple dark blue yukatas with white sashes. He stood between the two, with Eriri on his left and Kasumigaoka Utaha on his right.

The three of them walked together on their way to the fireworks display venue.

The streets were filled with people in yukatas, chatting and laughing as they walked in the same direction. The roadside was lined with food stalls, the aromas of takoyaki, yakisoba, candied apples, and marshmallows mingling together, tempting everyone's appetite.

"It's so lively..." Eriri's eyes sparkled as she looked around.

"Is this your first time attending a fireworks festival in Chiba?" Kasumigaoka Utaha asked.

"Yes! I watched them all in Tokyo before."

"Then let's experience something different today."

An and Asuka walked in the middle, and every now and then the two of them would pull her to look at this person and that person.

"Flying Bird, would you like some candied apple?"

"Junior, those takoyaki over there look pretty good."

"Feiniao, this goldfish scooping game is so much fun!"

"Junior, want to try shooting?"

The two stood on either side, each with their own passion.

An and Feiniao were pulled along by them, wandering from one stall to another, and soon their hands were full of things—candied apples, takoyaki, cotton candy, and a plastic goldfish they had caught while catching goldfish.

"Here, take this." Eriri handed him the fake goldfish.

"...Why give it to me?"

"Because I'm the one who caught it! Can't I give it to you?"

"……Row."

Kasumigaoka Utaha watched from the side and chuckled softly.

She took something out of her small bag and handed it to An and Asuka.

"Here, this is for you too."

It is a small amulet with the character "安" (peace) embroidered on it.

"I just prayed at the shrine for safety."

An and Asuka were taken aback.

"……Thanks."

He carefully put away the amulet and placed it together with the fake goldfish.

Eriri pouted when she saw this.

"Hmph, I'll beg too."

"Then why didn't you ask for it just now?"

"I...I didn't see it!"

"is it?"

"Of course!"

The two started bickering again, but their tone was no longer as hostile as before.

Looking at them, An and Asuka suddenly realized that the "three-person trip" of the past two days wasn't so bad after all.

Skirt_? Blame? Cage? Hairpin?? Tumor Qi? (Eight?) Eight——

The fireworks display has begun.

The first firework rose into the night sky, exploded with a bang, and transformed into a golden chrysanthemum.

The crowd cheered.

Then came the second shot, the third shot, and more and more.

Red, green, blue, and purple fireworks burst forth one after another, illuminating the entire night sky.

Eriri tilted her head back, staring intently at the sky.

"So beautiful..."

Kasumigaoka Utaha also looked at the night sky, a faint smile on her lips.

An and Asuka stood between them, also looking up.

The light from the fireworks fell on the three of them, flickering on and off.

Suddenly, Eriri turned her head and looked at An and Asuka.

The light from the fireworks fell directly on his face, illuminating his profile.

He was intently gazing at the sky, a slight smile playing on his lips.

Eriri paused for a moment, then quickly looked away.

My heart skipped a beat.

On the other side, Kasumigaoka Utaha was also looking at him.

She looked at his profile illuminated by the fireworks and thought about everything that had happened these past few days.

That kiss was so shallow it barely counted as a kiss.

That phrase, "Then don't release it."

And every glass of water he handed me, every caring look in his eyes.

She suddenly realized that the fireworks were more beautiful than she had imagined.

-

The fireworks display lasted for nearly an hour.

After it ended, the crowd slowly dispersed.

The three of them walked back with the flow of people.

"Are you tired?" An and Asuka asked.

"A little." Eriri rubbed her neck. "My neck is sore from looking up all the time."

“Me too,” Kasumigaoka Utaha said.

"Go back and get some rest."

"Ah."

When they reached a fork in the road, Eriri suddenly stopped.

"what happened?"

“Um…” she looked at a small stall not far away, “I want to buy a souvenir.”

"Now? The shop's about to close, right?"

"Just for a little while!"

She ran over, and then quickly ran back.

She was holding a small pendant shaped like a goldfish.

Is it pretty?

"nice."

Eriri nodded and put the small pendant away.

The three continued walking back.

As they approached the guesthouse entrance, Qishan Lingsi Sanshi Eriri suddenly spoke.

"Birds".

"Ok?"

"Thank you for these past two days."

An and Asuka looked at her.

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Thank you for letting me come along." She turned her face away. "I know I might be superfluous, but thank you for not kicking me out."

An and Asuka were silent for a moment.

Then he smiled.

"You're welcome."

Eriri paused for a moment, then smiled.

Kasumigaoka Utaha, who was watching from the side, suddenly spoke up.

"Yinglili."

"Ok?"

"You really are quite superfluous."

"Hey!"

"But sometimes, it's not so bad."

Eriri was stunned.

Kasumigaoka Utaha had already pushed open the door and gone inside.

Eriri stood there, watching her retreating figure.

Then she clicked her tongue.

"What is that?"

-

That night, the three of them slept in one room again.

But this time, no one spoke after the lights were turned off.

Only the sound of the waves outside the window could be heard, one after another.

An and Asuka lay at the very back, their eyes closed.

He thought of the fireworks today, the image of the two girls standing beside him, and the little gifts they gave him.

The corners of his mouth rose slightly.

Eriri turned over on the bed next to her.

"Kasumigaoka."

"……Um?"

"Will you still write after you go back tomorrow?"

"Write."

"Oh."

There was a moment of silence.