Green plums cannot become lovers.

The two remained silent for a while. A dragonfly flew across the river, touched the water, and flew away again.

"And now?" An and Asuka suddenly asked.

The girl was taken aback for a moment, but quickly understood what he meant.

Do you still want to leave now?

"I will leave."

There was no answer to whether or not they wanted to; the result was simply stated.

"I made a lot of preparations for this study abroad program, and my parents also gave me a lot of support. So I don't want my willfulness to let them down."

An and Asuka fell silent. He looked at the river; the current was slow, almost inaudible. The grass on the riverbank swayed gently in the wind, its reflection shimmering in the water, broken into tiny fragments by the breeze.

After a long while, he finally spoke.

"What if I don't want you to leave?"

Himegami Karen paused for a moment, then smiled. It wasn't a polite, courteous smile; it was a genuine smile, her eyes crinkling into crescent moons.

"Thank you."

An and Asuka remained silent. He understood the girl's resolve. It wasn't that she hadn't hesitated, or that she hadn't felt reluctant; those hesitations and reluctances were carefully hidden in her heart, in her nonchalant tone, and in her answer that only stated "the result" and not "whether she wanted to" or not.

In the end, it was because I came back too late.

Anhe and the flying birds looked at the river and gently exhaled.

"Then I wish you a safe journey."

The evening breeze carried the scent of parting. Ripples spread across the river, and the distant tree shadows blurred in the twilight. The cicadas had stopped chirping sometime earlier, and all around was quiet except for the rustling of the wind through the grass.

Himegami Karen leaned against the railing, gazing at the distant sky. The last glimmer of light vanished, the horizon turned a deep blue, and a few stars began to twinkle.

"Birds".

"Yue Yi II? Lin Qi Shi? a Si Hun?"

Will you come back?

An and Asuka turned to look at her.

Himegami Karen didn't look at him; she kept gazing at the distant horizon.

"I mean, with all your busy schedules, will you still come back to Aichi?"

An and Asuka thought for a moment.

"Yes, there are people I want to see here, of course I will come back."

Himegami Karen smiled slightly and said nothing more.

The two stood side by side, watching the river and the stars in the sky gradually brighten. Neither of them mentioned how much longer they would stay, nor did they say it was time to leave.

After an unknown amount of time, the girl's mother called.

"Hua Lian, it's time to come back."

Himegami Karen responded and turned to look at Anwa Asuka.

"Then I'm going back."

"Ah."

She took two steps, then stopped.

"Birds".

"Ok?"

"That question from earlier."

"Which one?"

“If I don’t leave…” She paused, not finishing her sentence, but just smiled, “Never mind, it’s nothing.”

She waved and turned to walk towards home.

An and Asuka stood there, watching her figure grow smaller and smaller until it disappeared from sight.

The streetlights flickered on briefly, then went out again.

He turned around and slowly walked back the way he came.

My phone vibrated.

Himegami Karen: Thank you for coming to see me off.

An and Asuka looked at the line of text and replied after a while.

Anhe Flying Bird: Have a safe trip. Remember to send me a message when you arrive.

Himegami Karen: Hmm.

Anhe Flying Bird: Go to bed early.

Himegami Karen: You too. Goodnight.

An and Asuka put their phones away and continued walking.

The streetlights cast long, long shadows that stretched into the darkness ahead.

Volume 1: Chapter 256 Outside the Long Pavilion

The girl's plane ticket was for two days later.

So they have two more days to spend together.

Perhaps wanting to create more memories, the girls were all very enthusiastic. Anna took An and Asuka to a newly opened dessert shop near the station, saying the pudding there was better than anything she'd ever had before. Karen Himegami took him to a used bookstore next to the school, saying that although she didn't know what he liked to read, she felt she should bring him there.

An and Asuka were introduced to their friends.

The energetic girl, Roasted Salt Lemon, laughs loudly and likes to gesture when she speaks. The timid girl, Komari Chika, speaks softly and blushes after saying just a few words. Then there's the seemingly melancholic Wen Shui Kazuhiko, always slow and deliberate, but occasionally uttering a very insightful remark.

The girl had many friends, more than he had imagined. Their lives were so vibrant and colorful while he was away.

Wow, it really is 'Asuka'!

The roasted salt lemon circled around Anhe and the flying bird, its eyes sparkling.

"Yana realized she wasn't lying to us after all!"

Komari Chika whispered, her tone filled with disbelief.

"Asuka-kun, are you really childhood friends?" Roasted Salt Lemon leaned closer. "Did you really form a light music club together in junior high?"

"Hmph, the facts are right in front of you." Seeing Anja standing with her hands on her hips, chin slightly raised, her face filled with pride and smugness, "You should all repent for doubting me!"

An and Asuka watched them bickering, a slight smile playing on their lips. Himegami Karen stood beside him, gazing tenderly at everything.

She didn't speak, she just looked, as if trying to memorize everyone's appearance.

Hachimaru saw Anzu standing in the middle, hands on her hips, chin held high, surrounded by her friends asking about "Asuka," her face beaming with smugness. Yamashio Lemon circled around her, her eyes shining as if she'd discovered a new continent. Komari Chika shrank back, whispering something, before Yamashio Lemon pulled her to the front, her face turning red. Onomizu Kazuhiko stood on the far side, slowly sipping his drink, occasionally being pulled over by Yamashio Lemon to act as judge and settle disputes.

As she looked at it, the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved into a smile.

"Hua Lian".

Suddenly, the salted lemon turned around and ran in front of her.

"Remember to send us postcards when you get to England! Take pictures of all the beautiful scenery and send them to us!"

“Okay.” Himegami Karen nodded.

"There's more delicious food!" Salted Lemon added. "I heard that British desserts are quite different from Japanese ones. You have to try them all and tell us which one is the best!"

"it is good."

Komari Chika also walked over from behind, head down, her fingers twisting the hem of her clothes.

"Um... I... I'll miss you..." Her voice was very soft, as if she was afraid of being overheard. "When you get there... take good care of yourself..."

Seeing that she was about to cry, Himegami Karen gently patted her shoulder.

"I will."

Komari nods and says nothing more.

Wen Shuihe stood not far away, still holding the can of drink in his hand. He remained silent for a while before slowly walking over.

"Take care of yourself."

He uttered just two words, his tone slow and unresponsive. But Himegami Karen knew that he paused for two seconds longer than usual when he said those two words.

"Yes." She smiled. "You too."

Hanami Anzu stood outside the crowd, watching this scene. She didn't come closer; she just stood there, clutching her phone, lost in thought.

Himegami Hanako looked at her.

When their eyes met, Bana saw Anna pause for a moment, then smile at her. Himegami Karen smiled back.

"Thank you everyone." Her voice was a little softer than usual, but very steady. "I'll miss you all. I'll definitely send you a message when I get there."

"We're waiting for you. Take good care of yourself," they said in unison.

Himegami Karen looked at them, her eyes slightly red. She blinked hard, holding back the tears, and said with a smile:

"Don't make it sound so serious, it's not like you're not coming back."

“Exactly!” Salted Lemon immediately chimed in, “Anyway, transportation is so convenient now, we can come back anytime we want!”

Komari nods in agreement, and Onami Kazuhiko hums in agreement.

No one pointed out that she was holding back tears.

No one called out that when the salted lemon said "I can come back anytime," his voice was several octaves higher than usual.

"When you get there, don't just focus on the scenery and forget to send us a message."

At this moment, Anna spoke in a low voice.

"Will not."

"Don't just focus on making new friends and forget about old ones."

"Will not."

"No, not either—"

“Apricot,” Himegami Karen interrupted her, smiling as she said, “I’ll miss you.”

When Banai saw Anja's words stuck in her throat, her mouth agape, unable to close for a long time, she turned her face away and muttered something under her breath.

"Who needs you to think about it?"

"Haha."

Seeing this, everyone couldn't help but laugh.

On the third day, Himegami Karen got up very early in the morning.

It wasn't fully light yet, and the light outside the window was dim and hazy. She quietly washed up, changed her clothes, and carried her suitcase downstairs. Her father was already waiting in the car. When he saw her come out, he got out and helped her put the suitcase in the trunk.

She did not notify anyone.

The car started and drove out of the gate. The street was still quiet, with only a few breakfast shops open, steam rising from their steamers.

Himegami Karen leaned against the car window, watching the scenery outside recede little by little. The convenience store by the roadside, the mailbox around the corner, the cherry blossom tree—things she had seen for over a decade, appeared exceptionally clear today.

She remembered how everyone gathered around her yesterday to say goodbye.

I remember the smug look on Hachina's face when she put her hands on her hips and said, "Repent!"; I remember the earnestness on Yashiro's face when she said she would send postcards; I remember the voice of Komari Chika when she said, with red eyes, "I will miss you"; I remember the words "Take care" after the silence from Onamizu Kazuhiko.

I remember that boy standing outside the crowd, smiling as he watched it all.

It's really going to be a long time before we see each other again.

The girl sniffed, and the man in the driver's seat glanced at her in the rearview mirror, sighed softly, and said nothing.

We've arrived at the airport.

Himegami Karen got out of the car and took her suitcase from the trunk. Her father helped her carry it, and the two walked together toward the departure hall. There weren't many people; only a few lines formed at the check-in counters. She stood in the line, watching the flight information scrolling on the electronic screen, feeling a sense of emptiness.

Then she saw someone.

An and Asuka stood at the entrance, wearing light-colored coats and carrying shoulder bags, looking like they had been there for a while.