Green plums cannot become lovers.

Tokyo is getting closer.

The view outside the window had completely transformed into a city scene: skyscrapers, dense residential buildings, and crisscrossing streets. Occasionally, one could see a school playground with a few students in sportswear running.

An and Asuka leaned back in their chairs, closing their eyes and pretending to sleep.

I overheard two girls talking in hushed tones.

-

The train soon arrived at Shinjuku Station.

The three of them got off the bus and stood on the bustling platform.

"I'll head back now," Eriri said, carrying her suitcase. "Mom's still waiting for me at home."

"Well, be careful on the road."

Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded, unusually refraining from arguing with her.

Eriri glanced at them, opened her mouth as if to say something, but then didn't.

Finally, she simply waved and turned to walk towards another exit.

"goodbye--"

Her voice disappeared into the crowd.

Kasumigaoka Utaha watched her retreating figure and chuckled softly.

"Junior."

"Ok?"

If Eriri asks you out tomorrow, will you go?

An and Asuka thought for a moment.

"It depends."

"What if I ask you out?"

An and Asuka looked at her.

Kasumigaoka Utaha was also looking at him, her wine-red eyes filled with a hint of mischief and a hint of seriousness.

"Does this senior sister really want to ask me out?"

“Yes.” Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded seriously. “I want to spend some time alone with you, without Eriri.”

An and Asuka smiled and said, "Okay."

Kasumigaoka Utaha's lips curled up slightly.

"Then it's settled."

She turned around and headed towards her own exit.

He took two steps, then turned back.

"By the way, junior."

"Ok?"

"Take good care of that fake goldfish."

An and Asuka paused for a moment, then looked down at the bag in their hands.

The plastic goldfish inside was staring at him with dead fish eyes.

"......it is good."

Kasumigaoka Utaha chuckled softly, then turned and left.

-

When An and Asuka returned home, the three girls had been waiting for them for a long time.

As soon as he pushed open the door, he heard hurried footsteps coming from the entryway. Marina was the first to rush over, followed closely by Ai, while Shizuka stood a little further away with a gentle smile on her face.

"Flying bird!"

We missed you so much!

"lonely......"

Before An and Asuka could react, two warm bodies pounced on him. Marina hugged his arm from the left, while Ai draped herself over his neck from the right, practically hanging on him.

The summer temperature was already quite high, and the two girls, having just stepped out of the air-conditioned room, still felt a chill, but it was quickly replaced by their body heat. Marina's arms were wrapped tightly around Ai's, and Ai's cheek was pressed against his shoulder, her warm breath brushing against her neck.

"Don't pull me away, it's so hot." An and Asuka tried to break free, but the two hugged even tighter.

"do not want!"

"I won't let go!"

Marina and Ai spoke in unison.

An and Asuka sighed helplessly, letting them hang there. To be honest, they didn't dislike them. It was just that they were a bit...unpleasant.

Kuze Shizuka stood to the side watching, a smile playing on her lips. After a while, she finally spoke:

"Maria, Ai, it's hard for Asuka to move around like this. Let him go wash up quickly."

Her voice was gentle, but carried an undeniable authority.

Upon hearing this, the two girls reluctantly got off An and Asuka. Marina pouted as she let go, while Ai still clung to his wrist, as if afraid he would run away.

"Okay, okay, I'm not going to disappear."

An and Asuka shook their heads and put their luggage away.

"Oh, right, Asuka!" Hoshino Ai suddenly remembered something, her eyes sparkling as she leaned closer. "Did you bring us any local specialties?"

Marina immediately perked up: "Yes, yes, yes! It's a specialty of Chiba! There must be lots of delicious food there!"

An and Asuka smiled slightly as they looked at the expectant eyes of the two.

"I brought them," he said seriously. "Thousand-leaf peanuts and thousand-leaf loquats."

"Wow!" Xiao Ai's eyes lit up even more. "Where? Where?"

"In my schoolbag."

Xiao Ai immediately ran over and rummaged through his backpack, found a bag, opened it, and saw—

His expression froze.

"Huh?" She picked up the bag of peanuts, then looked at the bag of loquats. "Isn't this... the stuff sold at the school store?"

“Yes,” An and Asuka nodded, looking innocent. “But these two things are indeed Chiba specialties.”

Marina leaned over to take a look, and then couldn't help but laugh.

"Asuka, this is way too perfunctory!"

"Exactly!" Xiao Ai puffed out her cheeks. "What kind of local specialty is it if you can buy it at the school store?!"

An and Asuka finally couldn't help but laugh.

Chiba is right next to Tokyo, and he's already tried all the local specialties there. It would be strange if he brought back something really weird or unusual.

"Alright, Asuka, stop teasing them." Shizuka smiled gently, walked over and lightly pushed his back. "Go wash up. It's so hot, you must have sweated a lot."

"Okay." An and Asuka nodded. "Then I'll go wash up first."

He walked toward the bathroom, and behind him he could hear the chattering of three girls.

"These peanuts... are actually quite delicious."

"The loquat is also good, it's very sweet."

"So Asuka still remembers to bring us things!"

As An and Asuka listened, the corners of their mouths turned up slightly.

-

In the bathroom, warm water flowed over my body.

He closed his eyes, reflecting on the past few days. The sea in Chiba, the town of Chiba, the fireworks festival, and those two girls. As he thought about it, his thoughts drifted back home.

I don't know why, but I felt that the three girls today were a bit strange.

But I can't quite put my finger on what's strange about it.

It's probably just my imagination.

After taking a shower, he changed into clean clothes and walked out of the bathroom.

In the living room, the three girls were sitting on the sofa, and everything seemed normal. Marina was watching TV, Ai was looking at her phone, and Shizuka was tidying up the table.

"Are you done washing?" Shizuka looked up. "Dinner will be ready soon, just wait a little longer."

"it is good."

An and Feiniao sat down on the sofa, picked up the remote control, and randomly changed a few channels.

He had no idea that while he was taking a shower, three girls were gathered in his bedroom for a brief "meeting".

-

Let's rewind to fifteen minutes ago.

As An and Asuka entered the bathroom, the three girls exchanged a glance.

Marina was the first to speak: "Who should go first tonight?"

Xiao Ai's face flushed slightly, but she didn't back down: "I...I'm fine with anything..."

Kuze Shizuka paused for a second, then spoke.

"My suggestion is to attack together."

Her tone was as calm as a cold-blooded killer, which stunned Marina and Ai at the same time.

"Together?!" Marina's voice changed.

Xiao Ai's face turned even redder, so red it was almost steaming.

Shizuka narrowed her eyes slightly as she observed their reactions.

Is there a problem?

"W-This is a big problem!" Marina stammered. "Th-that... Asuka's body won't be able to handle it, will it?"

"It's alright," Shizuka said calmly. "I'll make something for Asuka tonight to help her recover."

Marina and Ai exchanged a glance, both seeing complex emotions in each other's eyes.

Shock, shyness, and a hint of... faint anticipation?

Shizuka looked at them, a slight smile curving her lips.

She is usually gentle and calm, but she can occasionally show such a bold side.

So, do you agree?

There was a few seconds of silence.

Then Marina whispered, "...I...I have no objection."

Xiao Ai also lowered her head, her voice barely audible, "...Mmm."

Shizuka nodded in satisfaction.

"Then it's decided."

-

After An and Asuka finished washing up, the three girls returned to normal.

He didn't see anything.

Marina was still watching TV, occasionally letting out a silly laugh. Ai was still scrolling through her phone, occasionally glancing up to say a few words to him. Shizuka was still busy in the kitchen, the sounds of chopping and stir-frying vegetables occasionally drifting through the air.

Everything seemed the same as usual.

Until dinner time.