Green plums cannot become lovers.

"Yinglili."

"Ok?"

"Can I see your painting?"

Eriri paused for a moment.

"You...you want to see?"

"Ah."

"……Why?"

“Because my junior said you draw very well,” Kasumigaoka Utaha’s voice was calm. “I wanted to see if it was really that good.”

Eriri remained silent for a long time.

Then, she whispered.

"...I'll show it to you when I get back."

"Ah."

In the darkness, the two girls each curled the corners of their mouths into a slight smile.

As An and Asuka listened to their conversation, they suddenly realized that this summer seemed to be more interesting than they had expected.

Outside the window, the sound of the waves continued.

I'm going back tomorrow.

But the memories of this summer will stay with me forever.

Volume One: Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty: Universal Love

The next day, the three packed their things, checked out of the hotel, and set off back to Tokyo.

The morning sun shone on the city, casting a soft golden hue over the old buildings. The sea breeze, still carrying a salty scent, gently stirred the curtains.

The proprietress stood at the door to see them off, smiling and saying, "Welcome to come again next time."

Eriri carried her small suitcase and walked at the front. Today she was wearing a simple T-shirt and shorts, and her golden twin ponytails shone softly in the morning light.

Kasumigaoka Utaha followed behind her, her deep purple dress swaying gently with each step. She was also carrying a suitcase, but it looked much lighter than Eriri's.

An and Asuka walked at the back, carrying their lightweight backpacks and holding the fake goldfish that Eriri had given them and the amulet that Kasumigaoka Utaha had given them.

The three boarded the train back to Tokyo, but Machida Sonoko had long since disappeared.

Summer sunlight streamed through the tram windows, casting dappled patterns of light on the seats and floor. The tram swayed and lurched forward, the scenery outside the window gradually changing from a seaside town to fields, and then to increasingly dense buildings.

For Kasumigaoka Utaha, this journey was absolutely perfect.

Not only did they find new inspiration, but they also saw another side of the boy they had never known before—his genuine, gentle smile, and his patience and tenderness when interacting with children.

She even kissed him.

Although it was a stolen kiss.

But the boy wasn't angry when he heard this; he simply accepted it calmly. Could this be considered a form of mutual affection?

She leaned back in her chair, a slight smile playing on her lips.

The only minor flaw is—

She glanced at Eriri sitting opposite her.

It just means there's an extra light bulb.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Eriri noticed her gaze and immediately asked warily.

Kasumigaoka Utaha withdrew her gaze, her tone indifferent.

"It's nothing, I just feel something's a little strange."

"What's strange?"

"Didn't Eriri say she was coming here for a trip?" Kasumigaoka Utaha said slowly. "But she only stayed for one day and has to go back. Her efficiency in traveling is really high."

Eriri's expression froze for a moment.

"Can't I... I don't want to travel anymore?"

“Of course.” Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded. “It’s just a bit strange and a pity. We’ve come all this way, and we haven’t been able to do anything before we have to go back with us.”

She paused, then added, "Like a shadow."

Eriri's eyes widened instantly.

"Who are you calling a tagalong!"

“I’m talking to you.” Kasumigaoka Utaha said bluntly, even raising her chin slightly, with an expression that said, “So what if I say it?”

"Kasumigaoka Utaha!"

"Even if you yell at me, it won't do any good," Kasumigaoka Utaha said calmly. "Facts are facts."

Eriri gritted her teeth in anger, but couldn't find the words to refute her.

An and Asuka sat to the side, watching this scene, and after thinking about it, decided not to disturb them.

This is how the two girls interact.

They may seem to be arguing and at odds, but their relationship is actually getting better.

This is a special friendship between the two of them.

A tacit understanding that can only be expressed through playful banter.

The view outside the window continued to recede.

The tram roared forward.

An and Asuka turned their gaze away and looked out the window.

The sky was high and the clouds were light, the sky was as blue as if it had been washed clean. The sky in early July was a transparent blue, with a few white clouds drifting slowly by occasionally. Just looking at it made me feel better.

He remembered the time when Kasumigaoka Utaha stole a kiss from him.

"I stole a kiss from you while you were asleep."

She spoke calmly, as if stating something utterly ordinary. But a hint of nervousness was clearly visible in her wine-red eyes.

He understood her feelings.

This kiss signifies that the girl has entrusted her heart to him.

He didn't want to let them down.

We cannot let them down.

Perhaps this is wrong under modern moral standards. A man who already has a girlfriend shouldn't accept the feelings of other girls.

But rather than conforming to moral norms, he prefers to follow his own heart.

From childhood to adulthood, he has witnessed too many adults betraying each other in relationships.

His parents, Shizuka's parents, Marina's parents, and Hoshino Ai's parents.

He had seen far too many relationships fall apart.

The father left the mother, the mother left him, Shizuka's parents divorced, Marina's parents argued all year round, and Ai's parents were even worse.

One broken family after another, one hurt child after another, are the victims of these broken relationships.

Therefore, he didn't want anyone to get hurt in relationships anymore.

Yes, that's how loving he is.

He wanted everyone to be by his side, and he wanted everyone to be happy.

He wants to ensure that the girls who fall for him won't be hurt by "moral norms".

Kasumigaoka Utaha has already taken that step.

What about Eriri?

He glanced at the blonde girl across from him who was arguing with Kasumigaoka Utaha.

She must feel the same way about him.

Those glances he secretly gave him, those feigned concern, those tender expressions that only appeared in front of him.

But she hasn't done anything yet.

I didn't take that step.

Perhaps deep down, she still couldn't accept his feelings for her.

After all, she is the eldest daughter of the Sawamura family and received a traditional education from a young age. Sharing a boyfriend with several people might be too unconventional for her.

An and Asuka turned their gaze away and continued looking out the window.

He's not in a hurry.

Because they still have a long time ahead of them; their lives have just begun, and they have plenty of time to act.

"Birds".

"Junior."

Two voices rang out simultaneously.

An and Asuka snapped out of their daze and turned around to look, only to find that both girls were staring at them.

"What's wrong?" An and Asuka asked curiously.

Do you have time tonight?

The two girls asked in unison.

After asking the question, they looked at each other, and sparks seemed to fly in the air.

"......have."

Just as An and Asuka were about to answer, they suddenly realized something was wrong.

Looking at their expressions that said, "I made the appointment first, don't try to steal it," he instantly understood what was going on.

If he says he has time, the two of them will definitely fight over who gets to meet him alone.

If he says he doesn't have time, the two of them will probably be disappointed together, and then continue arguing.

In short, no matter how you answer, you'll end up stuck in the middle.

He paused for a second.

Then--

"Sorry, I might not have time tonight."

He chose a relatively safe answer.

"Why?" Eriri asked immediately.

"I just got back and want to get some rest," An and Asuka said casually. "Besides, I also need to take care of the things that have piled up over the past few days."

This is the truth.

While the reason of "dealing with backlogged issues" is somewhat of a catch-all, it is indeed true.

Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at him, a hint of understanding in her eyes.

"What about tomorrow?"

"tomorrow......"

“I also want to ask about tomorrow!” Eriri quickly interjected.

The two locked eyes again.

An and Asuka looked at them and suddenly felt a headache coming on.

"Let's talk about tomorrow tomorrow."

The tram continued forward.