Green plums cannot become lovers.

Anhe Feiniao had just put his phone away when it vibrated again.

Anna Hanami: When are you coming back?

An and Asuka thought for a moment, then didn't answer directly. He thought he might surprise the girl and tell her when they arrived.

Anhe Asuka: We haven't set a time yet.

Anna Hanami: Oh, okay then.

The girl sounded somewhat disappointed. An and Asuka smiled and added another comment.

Anhe Flying Bird: Skirt-Umbrella Private liNg Flag Ersi VIII It seems that you can rest assured, I will be there soon.

Anna Hanami: Okay! I'll wait for you!

The station was bustling with people, and announcements of train arrivals kept coming over the loudspeakers. An and Asuka bought their tickets and waited in the waiting hall for a while. No one came to see them off; he sat alone on a bench, watching the train information scrolling on the electronic screen.

The train arrived at the station on time, and he boarded the train back to his hometown after a long absence.

He hadn't gone back since coming to Tokyo after graduating from junior high school. Two years is neither a long nor a short time, but it's enough for many things to become blurred.

The carriage wasn't crowded. An and Asuka found a window seat and placed their shoulder bags on their laps. The scenery outside the window began to recede slowly as the train started moving—the city's tall buildings, dense residential areas, and crisscrossing streets. Then, it gradually transformed into a wider expanse of sky and fields.

The blue sky and white clouds became the canvas, painting the city's hustle and bustle, the winding mountains, and the lush vegetation. Inside the train, it was somewhat quiet; the rumbling of the tracks was like a heartbeat, steady and rhythmic.

Tokyo isn't far from Aichi; it's just over an hour's drive. The time felt short, yet also somewhat long. An and Asuka's hearts gradually shifted from calm to agitation. They couldn't quite describe the feeling—anticipation? Nervousness? Or something else entirely?

He looked away, leaned back in his chair, and turned on his phone. The album was overflowing with photos; as time passed and memories accumulated, the old photos were gradually buried, and the memories of the past were slowly being buried.

An and Asuka slowly scrolled up. The most recent photo was taken a few days ago at Ring, showing the girls taking their final bow on stage, the lights shining on them. Further back was a group photo in the practice room, everyone making hand gestures and laughing hysterically. Before that was the school festival, a performance by STARRY, the day they first met the band after the event.

The further you flip through the pages, the clearer the memories become.

Finally, he stopped at a group photo.

The boys and girls in the photo stand under a cherry blossom tree, holding their graduation certificates and smiling brightly. There's him, Marina, Shizuka, and Ai. There's also a girl with short blue hair and a cheerful smile, and a girl with long pink hair and a gentle smile.

Their names are Anna Hachimi and Karen Himegami.

I haven't seen them for two years, and I wonder how they are doing now.

An and Asuka stared at the photos for a long time before flipping through the pages again. Earlier photos, earlier memories—some scenes even required him to think for a while before he could recall when they were taken.

Before we knew it, the train had arrived at the station.

The train attendant's voice came over the loudspeaker, and the train slowly came to a stop. An and Asuka put away their phones, picked up their shoulder bags, and got off the train.

The platform was the same as always: tiled floor, metal railings, and an overhead awning. There was a familiar smell in the air; he couldn't quite place it, but it was definitely different from Tokyo's.

Instead of immediately going to find Hanami Anna, he walked out of the station and went to the bus stop not far away.

He needed to go home before seeing the two girls.

The bus arrived quickly. An and Asuka boarded, paid the fare, and found a window seat.

There were several girls in school uniforms on the bus, probably out together, chatting excitedly. When they saw him get on, their eyes lit up, and they huddled together again, whispering something.

An and Asuka didn't pay attention; he leaned against the window, looking at the street outside.

Just like when I left, the convenience store, ramen shop, bookstore, and post office all had the same familiar signs. The streets weren't wide, but they were very clean, lined with trees that cast dappled shadows on the car windows. A few elderly people were strolling along the roadside, walking slowly.

The bus stopped at each station, and the girls got off, glancing back one last time before they left. The bus emptied out, and the buildings outside the window became increasingly sparse.

After driving for a while, the buildings transformed into an endless expanse of farmland. A summer breeze blew, raising waves of wheat that rippled in the sunlight, stretching all the way to the foot of the distant mountains. The air was filled with the scent of grass and earth, a stark contrast to the sweltering heat of Tokyo.

Finally, the car stopped near a field.

An and Asuka got off the bus. The bus drove away behind him, the engine noise gradually faded, and the surroundings became quiet, with only the chirping of cicadas remaining. He stood by the roadside, gazing at the endless road, his heart filled with emotion.

It's been a really long time since I've walked this road.

The road remained the same, narrow, lined with neat rows of fir trees whose shadows cast dappled patterns on the ground. In the distance, the rooftops of a few houses could be seen, and beyond that, the rolling mountains stretched out before them.

The road was deserted, save for the incessant chirping of cicadas. He started walking, embarking on his journey home.

After walking for about ten minutes, the scenery became increasingly familiar. The traffic lights at the intersection were flashing, and the dog belonging to the family around the corner barked a few times upon hearing the footsteps.

When An and Asuka saw that familiar house, they were stunned for a moment.

The house is two stories high, with gray walls and dark tiles, and several potted plants on the steps at the entrance. It's exactly the same as when I left, as if time has stood still here.

He quickened his pace involuntarily.

He stood at the door for a while before taking out his key and opening it.

The moment the door opened, a familiar scent wafted out—the smell of wood, sunlight, and a hint of dust. An and Asuka changed their shoes and went inside.

The house wasn't dusty as I'd imagined; in fact, it was remarkably clean. The floor was gleaming, the furniture was covered with dust cloths but spotless, and a few small flowers were blooming in pots on the windowsill. It seemed someone came to clean regularly.

No, it was just cleaned – the floor is still a little damp.

As An and Asuka were looking around, the bathroom door opened and a woman came out.

She was wearing an apron, holding a rag, and her hair was casually tied back. When she saw the person standing in the doorway, she froze, not even noticing the rag slipping from her hand.

It took her a while to come to her senses, her voice filled with disbelief: "Asuka?"

Anwa Asuka looked at the woman in front of her, took a breath, nodded, and smiled, "Aunt Kirisaka, I'm back."

The woman paused for a moment, then immediately put down the rag in her hand, quickly walked over, and hugged him tightly.

"Asuka, it really is you."

Her voice was trembling with tears, and she held him tightly, as if afraid he would run away.

An and Asuka didn't struggle, and gently patted her back.

“It’s me, Auntie.”

After a while, the woman finally let go of his hand, took a step back, and looked him up and down.

"You've grown taller and stronger." She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "Are you tired in Tokyo? Are you eating well? Are you sleeping well?"

"Everything's fine," An and Asuka said with a smile. "How's Auntie? Is she doing well?"

"Okay, everything is fine." Aunt Yunmu nodded and pulled him to sit down on the sofa. "Why did you come back so suddenly? You didn't even tell me beforehand so I could pick you up at the station."

"I wanted to give Auntie a surprise."

"You silly child." She shook her head with a smile, her eyes still red.

"How are things going in Tokyo? I heard from Marina that you guys made a game, and it's really impressive."

"Yes, everything went smoothly." An and Asuka nodded. "The game sold well, and the band participated in some competitions."

"A band?" The woman blinked. "You guys even have a band with giant swords?"

“It’s a temporary group.” An and Asuka smiled. “Marina is in it too; she’s the drummer.”

"Maria?" Aunt Kirisaka's eyes widened. "When did she learn to play the drums?"

"I've been learning for several months and I'm playing pretty well."

"This child has never told me anything," Aunt Yunmu said, but the smile on her face was undeniable.

An and Asuka looked at her and said, "Auntie, Marina is really amazing now. A lot of people like her drawings, and she designs all the characters in the games. She even won a newcomer award before. Although it wasn't a big prize, the judges all said she has potential."

"Really?" Aunt Yunmu Saka's eyes reddened again.

“Yes.” An and Asuka nodded. “And she’s still writing a serial, which is very popular online. Readers all call her ‘teacher’.”

"That's wonderful..." Aunt Yunmu wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. "I never imagined this child would be so amazing... It's so good, so good."

An and Asuka looked at her and suddenly felt a little guilty.

"Auntie, I'm so sorry I couldn't come back to see you."

Aunt Yunmu Ban shook her head and took his hand.

“It’s okay, I know you’re all working hard. Marina tells me what you’re doing every time she calls, even though I don’t understand much, but I know she’s doing well.”

She paused, then smiled.

"Besides, I'm so happy that you can come back to visit."

An and Asuka nodded without saying a word.

Sunlight streamed in through the window, casting patches of light on the floor. The chirping of cicadas drifted from afar, mingling with the sound of wind rustling through the wheat fields.

Aunt Yunmu Saka stood up and patted her apron.

"You haven't eaten yet, have you? Auntie will go and make you something to eat."

"No need for that..."

"No trouble at all." She had already headed towards the kitchen. "I just bought the groceries when I got back, so it'll be ready in no time."

An and Asuka watched her retreating figure and did not refuse again.

He leaned back on the sofa, looking at the familiar living room. The wall clock was still the same, ticking away. The television was in the same spot. Several magazines sat on the coffee table, some featuring photos of him with three girls.

Volume 1: Chapter 254 The Secret in a Girl's Heart

After dinner, An and Asuka helped Aunt Kirisaka clear the dishes. It was completely dark outside, and the distant mountain shadows became blurry outlines in the twilight.

"Stay here tonight," Aunt Yunmu said. "I've already aired out the blankets, so you can just lay them out."

“Okay.” An and Asuka nodded.

He had originally planned to go home for a quick look and then leave, but seeing Aunt Yunmu Saka busy with everything by herself, he changed his mind.

Let's stay one more night; we can go find apricots tomorrow.

Aunt Yunmosaka went to prepare the bathwater, and An and Asuka went upstairs and opened their bedroom door. The desk was still the same desk, the bed was still the same bed, and the window faced the tree in the backyard. He walked over and gently wiped his finger on the tabletop—it was spotless, without a speck of dust.

The books he used to read were still on the bookshelf, and the guitar case in the corner was still there. He opened it and glanced at it; the strings were loose, but it was well-maintained. Aunt Yunmosaka probably came to wipe it down every now and then, even though she didn't know anything about guitars.

He felt a little guilty, but also warmed by the sight of the girl.

The next morning, An and Asuka had breakfast, said goodbye to Aunt Kirisaka, and went out.

The sunlight had bathed the entire path, and the cicadas were chirping even louder than yesterday. He walked along that familiar road, planning to text Xingcai when he reached her doorstep and see what her expression would be when she opened it.

After going around in circles, An and Feibiao stood at the girl's door and rang the doorbell.

The door opened, and a middle-aged man in pajamas held a newspaper in his hand.

The other person saw him, paused for a moment, and then squinted and sized him up for a while.

"You are... Anwa Asuka?"

"It's me, Uncle Banami, hello."

When Banai saw that her uncle's eyes had widened a little, she laughed.

"Oh my, it really is you! Long time no see, you've grown so much."

"Long time no see." An and Asuka nodded. "Is Apricot at home?"

“Apricot?” Banai saw her uncle turn around and glance into the house. “She went out. She left early this morning, saying there was something going on at school.”

"School?"

"Yeah, Shilu High School, you know it, right?"

An and Asuka knew; they remembered that Anzu and Himegami Karen had both been admitted to that school.

"Then I'll go to the school to find her."

"That's good, that's good." The man nodded with a smile. "The child will be overjoyed if he knows you're back."

An and Asuka smiled, said goodbye, and left.

After leaving the Banami house, An and Asuka stood at the intersection for a while before turning around and walking towards the station.

Ishiro High School is next door in Toyohashi. He had never been to that school, but he knew its approximate location. It would take about thirty minutes by bus.

He boarded the bus and found a window seat. The bus wasn't crowded; a few housewives carrying shopping baskets were chatting, and an old man was dozing off against the back of his seat. Sunlight streamed in through the window, making him feel rather lazy.

An and Asuka leaned back in their chairs, watching the street scene outside the window change little by little.

I passed a convenience store, a bookstore, and the dessert shop they used to frequent. The shop seemed to have been renovated; the signboard was new, but the bench in front was still there.

The car turned onto a wider road, and the buildings on both sides became taller. He thought of his junior high school days again. Back then, he and his friends would often walk together after school. Marina and Anzu would walk ahead, chattering away, while Shizuka and Ai would listen quietly behind them. He would walk in the middle, occasionally chiming in with a word or two.

The bus stopped at each station, and the street scene outside the window slowly changed.

An and Asuka leaned against the window, looking at the streets that were both familiar and somewhat strange. The convenience store they used to frequent had changed its sign, the bookstore on the corner had become a drugstore, and even the ramen shop seemed to have been renovated. A short time had passed, but enough for many things to change quietly.