Green plums cannot become lovers.

This was the first time that Goto Ichiri, An, and Asuka had truly been alone together.

She was holding her guitar case, sitting upright, her eyes fixed on the back of the seat in front of her, her fingers unconsciously twisting together.

The atmosphere was a little awkward.

She wanted to find something to talk about, but her mind went completely blank.

Just then, An and Asuka spoke up.

What prompted Goto to learn guitar?

Goto Ichiri was stunned for a moment.

She hesitated.

“It’s okay if you don’t want to answer,” An and Asuka said.

"Yes... I want to fit in with everyone."

Goto Ichiri finally answered, biting her lip. Her voice was soft, but clear enough in the quiet carriage.

"Because the guitar is cool, I thought that if I learned it, everyone would notice me..." she continued, head down, "but..."

"But in the end, you still didn't manage to attract attention, right?"

"Is it a neighbor? 22? 4? Private? ... Hmm."

"Haha."

Goto Ichiri stiffened slightly upon hearing the laughter.

She thought she was being mocked.

A feeling of embarrassment welled up inside him, and his cheeks began to burn.

But the next second, she heard the boy say:

“A treasure like Goto will definitely be noticed by more people.”

The boy's voice was so soft that it was almost drowned out by the rumble of the tram.

But it was also very heavy, so heavy that it made her heart feel somewhat burdened.

Goto Ichiri looked up at him.

The lights outside the car window swept across his face, flickering and making his gentle expression appear somewhat indistinct.

But she saw it very clearly.

He is laughing.

It wasn't a mocking smile, but rather a... very gentle smile.

"Shall we continue tomorrow afternoon?" Anwa Asuka asked.

Goto Ichiri was stunned for several seconds.

Then, she nodded vigorously.

"Um……!"

-

The tram arrives.

The two walked out of the station, the night breeze carrying the warmth unique to summer.

Goto Ichiri's house is near the station, just a five-minute walk away.

Standing at the door, she held her guitar case and looked at the boy in front of her.

"Um... thank you for today."

An and Asuka nodded.

"See you tomorrow."

"Okay, see you tomorrow."

Goto Ichiri pushed open the door and went inside.

The moment the door closed, she leaned against it and let out a long breath.

Then, she suddenly remembered something, walked to the window, and quietly lifted the curtain a little.

Outside on the street, the boy's figure was receding into the distance.

The streetlights cast a long shadow over him.

Goto Ichiri watched that figure until it disappeared around the street corner.

She looked down at her hands.

These hands played the guitar in front of many people today.

Although I'm still afraid, and although I still make mistakes, but—

She persevered.

And it will continue tomorrow.

She suddenly felt that something inside her was quietly changing.

Ring, a coffee shop.

"Xiangzi, where's 'Flying Bird'? Didn't you say he'd be coming today?"

Yutenji Wakana lay sprawled on the table, her large eyes looking pitifully at Toyokawa Shoko, looking like a deflated purple cat.

She had been looking forward to it all afternoon, and came right after practice, but she didn't see a single person.

"I...I don't know about the stockings..." Toyokawa Shoko was also at a loss, her fingers twisting together, her gaze drifting towards the door from time to time.

"Never mind." Yutenji Wakana sighed and got up from the table. "Let's come back tomorrow."

Toyokawa Shoko nodded and glanced at her phone again.

No new messages.

She hesitated for a moment, but still didn't send a message to ask.

They must be very busy; we shouldn't bother them.

-

The next day, An and Asuka went to STARRY as usual.

Pushing open the familiar soundproof door, he found the lounge area already bustling with activity. The four girls who had just finished their band performance were chatting on the sofa, and they all turned to look at him as he entered.

Then--

"Good morning, Anhe classmate."

A soft voice rang out.

An and Asuka were taken aback.

Goto Ichiri stood beside the sofa, her head slightly lowered, but her blue eyes were looking at him.

Although the sound was still as faint as a mosquito's buzz, but—

She took the initiative to greet him.

Kita Ikuyo was the first to react, jumping up from the sofa with her eyes wide open.

"Little Lonely actually took the initiative to say hello!"

Ichi Nijika was also stunned, and almost dropped the drink in her hand.

Even Yamada Ryo, who was always expressionless, raised an eyebrow slightly.

"What happened to you guys yesterday?" Kita Ikuyo leaned in, her face full of gossip. "There must have been something! Tell us!"

"N-nothing..." Goto Ichiri's face began to turn red, and her voice became even softer.

"There must be something!" Kita Ikuyo persisted. "Little Lonely usually cowers in the corner, but today he actually spoke up! This is absolutely a historic moment!"

Goto Ichiri's face turned even redder, and she subconsciously took a step back, but her gaze couldn't help but drift towards An and Asuka.

Seeing this, An and Asuka smiled and helped her out of the predicament: "She was just saying what was on her mind."

"What's on your mind?!" Kita Ikuyo's eyes lit up even more. "What's on your mind? Can you tell us?"

"No." An and Asuka walked over and gently tapped her on the head. "Don't bully Goto-san."

"Waaah..." Kita Ikuyo covered her head, looking aggrieved.

Ijichi Nijika chuckled to herself, while Yamada Ryo remained expressionless as always, though a slight curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.

As Goto Ichiri watched this scene, a strange feeling suddenly arose in his heart.

It seems like... I'm being protected?

-

The rest of the practice went as usual.

The four girls, having finished their band practice, were sweating profusely in the practice room. An and Asuka moved around among them, sometimes correcting Kita's rhythm, sometimes demonstrating new bass lines to Ryo, and sometimes reminding Nijika to pay attention to eye contact.

As for Goto Ichiri—

Her technique was as steady as ever, even more so than yesterday.

But An and Asuka noticed that she would occasionally look up and glance in his direction.

There seemed to be something more in his eyes.

Practice over.

That's all for today, we'll continue tomorrow.

Kita Yuyo was so exhausted that she collapsed onto the sofa, Iji Tomokazu was drinking water, and Yamada Ryo was slowly and methodically wiping her bass guitar.

An and Asuka looked at Goto Ichiri.

Goto Ichiri met his gaze, paused for a moment, and then nodded slightly.

An and Asuka smiled.

"Let's go."

-

After the two left, the rest area was quiet for a few seconds.

Then Kita Ikuyo suddenly sat up.

Something's not right!

"What's wrong?" Ichiji Nijika looked at her.

"Little Lonely Girl ran off with Anwa-kun again!" Kita Ikuyo's eyes lit up like light bulbs. "It was the same yesterday! And it's the same today!"

"so what?"

"So let's follow them and see!" Kita Ikuyo grabbed Ichichi Nikka's arm. "Hurry, hurry, or we won't be able to catch up!"

"Eh? Eh? Eh?" Ijichi Nijika stumbled as she was pulled. "Isn't this a bad idea..."

"What's wrong with that! We're just showing concern for our teammates!"

Yamada Ryo silently put down his bass and followed.

Ichi Nijika looked at the two of them, sighed helplessly, and had no choice but to follow.

-

It's the same park as yesterday.

The park was neither too crowded nor too quiet in the evening. A few elderly people were playing chess, a few young people were walking their dogs, and a few children were playing in the sandpit.

Goto Ichiri stood in the same spot as yesterday, holding his guitar, and took a deep breath.

Then, she started playing.

Still "Summ_衣七易2罢'丝拔er".

An and Asuka sat on a bench not far away, watching quietly.