Green plums cannot become lovers.

Hachimi Anzu: That's good, that's good! I thought I had bothered you!

Anwa Asuka: No. You said it was something important, what is it?

There was a moment of silence on the other end.

Anzu: First, tell me if you have time.

Anna Hanami: If you can come back, I'll let you know then. If not, never mind.

An and Asuka were somewhat puzzled. What could possibly be so important that it had to be said in person? But from the girl's tone, he could tell it wasn't a trivial matter.

Anwa Asuka: Is it important?

Anna Hanami: Yes, it's very important.

Just two words, no extra expression, no usual liveliness.

Just as An and Asuka were about to reply, Marina's voice came from the kitchen.

"Asuka, dinner's ready."

"coming."

He put down his phone and got up to help serve the dishes. As soon as he sat down at the table, his phone vibrated again.

Anzu: Are you busy again? Let's talk when you're done.

An and Asuka picked up a piece of fried pork cutlet, chewed it twice, and then picked up their phones again.

Anwa Asuka: I'll think about it. I'll probably go back.

The replies are almost instantaneous.

Anna Hanami: Really?!

Anna Hanami: This is great! This is great! This is great!

Anna Hanami: When are you coming back? I'll pick you up at the station!

Hanami Anna: Oh wait, you know the way, don't you?

Hanami Anna: Anyway, let me know when you arrive!

An and Asuka looked at the series of messages, and the corners of their mouths turned up slightly.

Anhe Asuka: Okay.

Hanami Anna: Then I'll wait for you!

He put down his phone and continued eating. Marina leaned over from across the table and glanced at him curiously.

"Who is it? They seem to be having a great time chatting."

"Apricot."

"Apricot?! Really?" Marina's eyes lit up. "We haven't been in touch for so long, what did she say?"

"They said there was something important and asked me to go back."

“Then let’s go back,” Marina said matter-of-factly. “Anyway, nothing urgent comes up lately. And you haven’t been back for over a year, have you?”

Shizuka nodded: "There must be a reason why Anza is looking for you. Please give her our regards."

“But, the game…” An and Asuka were still a little worried.

"Asuka, let's not talk about games now."

Marina put down her chopsticks and looked at him seriously. "It's not like we can't finish. Now that you're gone, we can finish the backgrounds and character illustrations for the last few chapters. When you come back, we might even be ahead of you in terms of progress."

Shizuka gently added, "Besides, Kasumigaoka is keeping an eye on the script, so there won't be any problems."

Xiao Ai nodded: "Don't worry about senior and Eriri, they will definitely understand you."

As An and Asuka looked at them, their hesitation lessened considerably.

“Okay.” He nodded.

“Then it’s settled!” Marina smiled and put another piece of fried pork chop into his bowl. “Eat more, don’t go hungry on the way back.”

An and Asuka smiled and continued eating.

After a while, he looked up and glanced at the three girls opposite him.

"By the way, are you coming back with me?"

Marina paused for a moment, her chopsticks hanging in mid-air.

"I......"

She glanced at Shizuka, then at Ai, and the three of them exchanged glances.

"Let's not go," Marina said, putting down her chopsticks and smiling. "It'll give you more personal time."

"Besides, someone needs to keep an eye on the game," Shizuka added. "If we leave, are we going to teach the game to Senpai and Eriri?"

Xiao Ai nodded: "I have an event next week, so I can't get away."

She glanced at Marina and Shizuka, but didn't continue.

An and Asuka knew what they were thinking; they just didn't want to disturb his meeting with Anja.

"Alright then." An and Asuka breathed a sigh of relief. "When I come back, I'll bring you some local specialties from my hometown. You haven't had them in a long time, have you?"

“It’s a deal!” Marina immediately smiled. “I want to eat that shrimp cracker sold at the station!”

"Just buy whatever you like." Shizuka smiled gently.

"And what about me? And what about me?"

"All."

The three girls continued eating with smiles, their conversation shifting from Aichi's local specialties to their past days in Aichi. Marina talked about playing together in the park, Shizuka recalled their favorite dessert shop near the school, and Ai reminisced about everyone at the orphanage.

An and Asuka listened, occasionally interjecting a word or two, a smile always playing on their lips.

After finishing their meal, An and Asuka returned to their room and checked their game progress on the computer.

The script is nearing completion; only a few background illustrations are missing, and only two songs remain. Even if he leaves for a while, the girls should be able to finish these finishing touches.

He glanced at his phone again and saw that the last message from Anzu was still lit up.

Hanami Anna: Then I'll wait for you!

He smiled and locked the screen.

It's been over a year since we last met.

I should go back and take a look.

Volume 1: Chapter 253 The Return Journey

The next morning, An and Asuka came to the activity room.

When the door opened, Kasumigaoka Utaha and Eriri were already there. Kasumigaoka Utaha was sitting by the window, reading a script, and looked up when she heard the door open. Eriri was sitting in front of her easel, adjusting something, without looking up.

"Good morning," An greeted Asuka.

"Good morning." Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded.

Tsubasa Mio, Izumi, and Eriri responded with a soft "hmm."

An and Asuka put down their bags and walked up to them.

"There's something I want to tell you."

"What is it?" Kasumigaoka Utaha put down the script.

"I need to go back to Aichi."

The activity room fell silent for a second.

Eriri finally raised her head, her pen hovering in mid-air.

"Huh? You want to go back at this hour?" Her voice rose several octaves. "Don't you know the game is almost over?"

“I’m sorry,” An and Asuka nodded, “but I have to go back; it’s something very important.”

He remembered the message that Yana had sent him yesterday. The words "Yes, it's important" were still in his mind, so brief and unlike her usual style.

"..." Eriri stared at him for a few seconds, then turned her face away.

Kasumigaoka Utaha leaned back in her chair, her fingers tapping lightly on the table.

"Junior, is what you're talking about really so important that you should put aside the game you're about to finish?"

"I don't know either," An and Asuka said honestly.

He genuinely didn't know; Anna hadn't told him the specifics, only that it was important. He couldn't determine just how important it was, but the girl's tone made him feel that he should go back.

"Huh? Are you kidding me?" Eriri turned her head, her eyes looking like she wanted to kill someone.

"No."

"..."

Eriri pouted, not wanting to say anything more. She crossed her arms and leaned back in her chair, turning her face to one side, looking somewhat angry.

The activity room was quiet for a few seconds.

Kasumigaoka Utaha glanced at Eriri, then at Anwa and Asuka, and sighed softly.

"Since you've decided to go back, then go back." Her voice was calm.

Eriri turned her head, somewhat incredulous: "Kasumigaoka Utaha!"

“Eri, trust your junior.” Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at her. “He’s not the kind of person who would abandon something easily. If he says it’s important, then it really is important.”

Eriri opened her mouth, then closed it again.

She glanced at An and Asuka, gave a soft snort, and turned away without saying a word.

But that expression already indicated agreement.

An and Asuka smiled.

He took a USB drive out of his pocket and placed it on the table.

"I've finished all the music; it's right here. All that's left is tuning and integration; you guys can handle that."

Kasumigaoka Utaha picked up the USB drive and put it away.

"You can send me a message if you encounter any difficulties."

"Don't worry, we're not that stupid," Kasumigaoka Utaha smiled.

"By the way, when are you leaving?"

"I'll leave this afternoon."

"So soon?" Kasumigaoka Utaha was somewhat surprised.

“Mm.” An and Asuka nodded.

"Alright then." Kasumigaoka Utaha thought for a moment and then said nothing more. "Be careful."

"Ah."

The activity room was quiet for a while.

Eriri lowered her head, tapped her pen twice on the drawing board, and then stopped.

Come back soon.

The sound was very soft, as if it were being squeezed out of the throat.

An and Asuka paused for a moment, then laughed.

"understood."

He picked up his bag and walked towards the door.

I'll let you know when I arrive.

“Yes.” Kasumigaoka Utaha nodded.

An and Asuka pushed open the door and went out.

The corridor was quiet, sunlight streaming in through the windows and casting patches of light on the floor. He took out his phone, glanced at the time, and realized he still had time to go home and pack his things.