Green plums cannot become lovers.

Himegami Karen was stunned.

"Asuka, you..."

“I knew you would leave without saying goodbye.” An and Asuka walked over and looked at her with a smile. “That’s why I came ahead of time.”

Himegami Karen opened her mouth, unsure of what to say.

“Apricot wanted to come too,” An and Asuka continued, “but she was afraid that if she cried, you wouldn’t be able to leave, so she didn’t come. She asked me to tell you on her behalf that you have a safe journey.”

Himegami Karen lowered her head, her fingers gripping the handle of her suitcase until her knuckles turned white.

The girl's father stood to the side, glanced at the two of them, and then walked away in silence.

The departure hall was bustling with people, and flight information kept coming over the loudspeakers. The security line moved slowly forward; some waved goodbye, while others hurried along, dragging their suitcases. Only the two of them stood still, as if time had been paused.

“Hua Lian,” An He Fei Niao said.

Himegami Karen raised her head.

I don't want you to leave.

His voice was calm and gentle as always, but Himegami Karen could tell that every word he said was sincere.

She looked at him for a long time, then shook her head.

It's not that she doesn't want to stay, it's that she can't stay. She said that her parents have given her a lot of support, and she can't let her willfulness betray their support. She said that once a decision has been made, she can't just stay because she doesn't want to.

Seeing this, An and Asuka said nothing more. This was his last attempt; if the girl didn't agree, then there was nothing he could do.

He nodded, helped her lift her suitcase, and walked towards the security checkpoint.

The line wasn't long, and it was her turn soon. Himegami Karen took the suitcase, stood in front of the security line, and turned around.

"I'm leaving."

"Ah."

She looked at him, wanting to say something, but then felt there was no need to say anything.

She turned and walked into the security checkpoint.

An and Asuka stood there, watching her figure grow smaller and smaller in the distance. She went through security, turned back, and waved to him. He waved back. Then she disappeared into the crowd.

An and Asuka stood there, looking in that direction, for a long time.

The announcement of flight departure came over the loudspeaker. He didn't know which flight it was, but hearing that announcement made him feel a void in his heart.

It took him a while to turn around and leave.

Then, he saw someone.

Himegami Karen stood behind him, carrying her suitcase, quietly watching him from beside a pillar in the departure hall, as if she had been standing there for a long time.

An and Asuka were taken aback.

"How could you..."

"I didn't go up." Himegami Karen smiled.

An and Asuka looked at her without saying a word.

Himegami Karen lowered her head, her fingers gripping the handle of her suitcase until her knuckles turned white. The departure hall was bustling with people; announcements of flight information were playing over the loudspeakers. Some people hurried past, dragging suitcases, others waved goodbye. Those sounds passed by her and faded into the distance, as if from another world.

“After going through security,” she began, her voice soft, as if speaking to herself, “I sat at the gate for a while. Looking out the window at the plane, I thought that it would take off soon. To a very, very far place. To fly for a very, very long time.”

She looked up at him.

"Then I thought, if I go there, I will meet new people, see new scenery, and experience many new and interesting things."

She paused.

"But you weren't in those things."

An Heyi abandoned her umbrella and stood there, watching her.

Himegami Karen smiled faintly, as if she were forcing it.

“Dad sighed in the car just now. He knows I don’t want to leave. I haven’t wanted to leave since yesterday, and I haven’t wanted to leave since the day I met you.”

As she spoke, her eyes reddened, but she didn't cry.

"But I can't be willful. My parents support me, and I've prepared for so long. If I just decide not to go, what about all that effort I've put in?"

She sniffed, her voice trembling slightly.

"So I told myself that I had to go. I had to get on a plane, fly to England, finish my foundation year, and get into university. I had to make my parents feel that their support hadn't been in vain. I had to make everyone feel that I hadn't let them down."

She looked at Anhe and the birds.

“But I was just thinking about those things—doing foundation courses, taking university entrance exams, and staying in the UK for five or six years. These things are very important, very important.”

Her voice grew softer and softer, until it was almost inaudible.

"But I don't want to go five or six years without seeing you."

After she finished speaking, her shoulders relaxed, as if she had finally put down the heaviest thing in her heart.

An and Asuka looked at her for a long time.

Then he laughed.

"Then we won't leave."

Himegami Karen remained silent.

"I'm not leaving." An and Asuka walked over and took the suitcase from her. When his hand covered the back of her hand, she realized that her fingers were already cold.

"Stay in Japan, stay in Aichi. If you want to see different scenery, I'll take you there sometime. If you want to go to farther places, we'll go when we're ready."

He looked at her tenderly: "No need to rush."

Himegami Karen stood there, looking at him, at the suitcase in his hand, at the gentle, reassuring smile on his face. She opened her mouth, wanting to say something, but nothing came out. Her throat felt like it was blocked by something, a sour and astringent feeling.

She simply nodded.

The departure hall was bustling with people, and flight information was still being broadcast over the loudspeaker. Some people hurried by, dragging suitcases, while others held up signs and waited for someone. Sunlight streamed in through the floor-to-ceiling windows, casting bright shadows on the floor. Those shadows passed by their feet and then moved away, as if nothing had happened.

An and Asuka, pulling Y-Jiu Ling Si Lu Qi Ba Suitcases, headed towards the exit. Himegami Karen followed beside him, but after a few steps, she suddenly stopped.

"Birds".

"Ok?"

"Over at Xingcai's place..."

"She will be very happy."

Himegami Karen paused for a moment, then smiled. This time it was a genuine smile, her eyes curving into crescents, just like every time she was happy before.

"Too."

The two walked out of the airport. It was already fully light outside, and the sunlight shone on the parking lot, making every car gleam.

The distant mountains were clearly visible, the sky was blue, the wind was gentle, and an airplane flew overhead, its engine roaring as it grew farther and farther away, until it finally disappeared into the clouds.

Himegami Karen looked up at the plane for a while. Then she looked down at her hands. They were empty; the suitcases were in An and Asuka's hands. She suddenly felt as if something had flown away with the plane, or as if something had been left behind.

An and Asuka took out their phones and sent a message to Anna Hanami.

Anhe Flying Bird: The person was picked up, but couldn't leave.

The replies are almost instantaneous.

Hanami Anna: What do you mean?

Anhe Asuka: She's not leaving.

Hanami Anna: !!! Where are you? I'm coming right now!

An and Asuka glanced at Himegami Karen beside them.

"Xingcai is coming over."

Himegami Karen smiled.

"Let her come."

An and Asuka sent their location. As they put their phones away, they saw another message from Anna Hanami.

Anzu Hachimi: That's great.

He looked at those three words and smiled.

Volume 1: Chapter 257 Staying Behind

"That's wonderful! Karen!"

Anna practically lunged forward, wrapping her arms tightly around Karen Himegami, her grip so tight it seemed she wanted to absorb all the worry and elation of the past few days into her embrace. Her short blue hair brushed against Karen's temples, and she trembled slightly with excitement, her clear voice brimming with undisguised joy, echoing in the gentle breeze outside the airport.

Himegami Karen stiffened slightly as Himegami hugged her, a light blush quickly spreading across her cheeks. Her hands, which had been hanging by her sides, rose slightly, then fell awkwardly again, finally only loosely encircling Anja's back.

Just a few days ago, she solemnly bid farewell to everyone, expressing her determination to go to England with unwavering resolve, even managing to perfectly capture the sadness of parting. Now, her sudden return, this flip-flopping, warmed her heart yet made her feel embarrassed, and even her ears turned slightly red.

When Hana saw Anza release her, she immediately saw the unease in Anza's eyes. She then smiled and playfully poked Anza's flushed cheek: "What's wrong, Hana? Are you embarrassed?"

"Don't, don't tease me, Anja..." Himegami Karen turned her head slightly, her voice soft and sweet, with a hint of helplessness, but her eyes were filled with an unconcealable gentle smile.

"Hehe." Seeing Anja's triumphant smile, Bana reached out and naturally took her hand. The warmth of her palm was soothing that it went straight to her heart.

An and Asuka stood to the side, quietly watching the two girls play, their deep brown eyes filled with a gentle light like the summer sun.

A breeze blew from the distant field ridges, carrying the crisp scent of grass and rice, dispelling the lingering sorrow of parting that had just filled the airport.

Before long, the news spread rapidly thanks to the cell phone signal. When Banai saw that Anja's pocket kept vibrating with messages, she looked down and swiped the screen, her smile widening. She waved her phone at the two of them and said, "Lemon and the others all know! They're all so happy, they've already made plans to go to our usual dessert shop to celebrate!"

Himegami Karen felt a warmth in her heart; her earlier embarrassment vanished, leaving only the comfort of being cared for by her friends. She had thought that the last-minute change of plans would catch everyone off guard, but instead, she was met with genuine joy. This unconditional acceptance gently filled her heart.

The three returned to the small town and walked side by side toward the dessert shop on the street corner. A summer breeze began to rise, dispelling the daytime heat. Pink and blue hair intertwined gently in the wind. An and Asuka walked on the outside, slightly turning their bodies to protect the two from passing pedestrians, their silent movements full of care.

Pushing open the wooden door of the dessert shop, the wind chimes tinkled softly under the eaves, and the sweet aroma of cream and fresh fruit wafted out. Warm yellow lighting created a cozy atmosphere, keeping the lingering heat from outside. As soon as the waiting friends entered, the once quiet shop instantly came alive.

Salted Lemon was the first to bounce up to her, her energetic voice clear and bright: "Hua Lian! You really stayed! That's amazing! We thought we wouldn't see you for a long time!"

Komari Chika stood timidly to the side, clutching the hem of her clothes. When she looked up at Karen, her eyes were slightly red, and her soft voice was full of genuine joy: "That's wonderful... We can study together in the literature club and walk home together after school from now on..."

Wen Shuiheyan leaned against the booth by the window, slowly put down his tea, nodded slightly to the group, and said in his usual lazy tone with obvious satisfaction: "It's good that you're staying."

Surrounded by the enthusiasm of her friends, Karen Himegami felt a slight sting in her nose as she looked at their joyful faces, but a gentle smile bloomed in her eyes.

She once thought that the scenery was only in the distance, but now she truly understands that the most precious thing is never the unknown journey, but the people around her who always care about her, this homeland full of memories, and the warmth and joy that are within reach right now.

Hana saw Anzu pull everyone into a circle and excitedly waved to the counter: "Boss! Bring us one of each of our signature desserts! We're going to celebrate properly today!"

An and Asuka found a seat by the window and sat down, watching the noisy yet heartwarming scene before them, their smiles remaining gentle.

Around the dessert table, the sweet aroma of cream mingled with the refreshing scent of fresh fruit filled the air. A salted lemon, chin propped on its hand, peered curiously forward, breaking the quiet silence in the lively atmosphere.

"Hua Lian, why did you suddenly decide not to leave? We all thought you were going to England for a very long time!"

Komari nods gently, her watery eyes full of doubt. Even Onamizu Kazuhiko puts down his tea and looks at Himegami Karen.

Under the watchful eyes of several people, Himegami Karen's cheeks instantly flushed a light pink. Her fingertips unconsciously traced the cool glass, her eyes lowered, and her voice was as soft as willow catkins drifting in the wind:

"I... I just suddenly realized something."

As soon as she finished speaking, Anna couldn't help but smile and tease her, deliberately drawing out her words: "What's wrong? It's not because of someone that you can't bear to leave Aichi, is it?"

As she spoke, she glanced at An and Asuka across from her, her cunning glint in her eyes impossible to conceal.

Everyone suddenly realized, and knowing glances darted back and forth between Himegami Karen, An, and Asuka. Yamashio Lemon couldn't help but exclaim "Wow!" and Komari Chika's cheeks also turned red.

Himegami Karen felt increasingly embarrassed under his gaze, her entire face burning hot. She wished she could bury her head in the table, her fingers gripping the cup so tightly they trembled slightly.

Seeing this, An and Asuka coughed lightly and gently took over the conversation, subtly helping her out of the predicament: "Karen is just reluctant to leave everyone, after all, there are so many people she cares about here."

His tone was calm and gentle, like a perfectly timed evening breeze, softly easing Karen's embarrassment. Karen quietly looked up, meeting his deep brown, gentle eyes, and the panic in her heart instantly turned into a soft warmth.

Laughter filled the small dessert shop once again. After everyone finished their desserts, they strolled together along the summer streets. The breeze carried the fragrance of rice paddies, the cicadas' chirping gradually subsided, and the setting sun painted the sky a gentle orange-pink. The shadows of the young men and women were stretched long, their lighthearted laughter echoing along the way.

They walked past the familiar street corner bookstore, passed the small park where they used to play together, and strolled slowly under the dappled shadows of the trees until the sun sank behind the distant mountains and only the last warm orange hue remained on the horizon. Only then did they wave goodbye at the crossroads.

The noisy crowd dispersed, leaving only Anwa Asuka, Himegami Karen, and Banami Anna.

As Anna looked at the two people walking side by side beside her, at the tenderness that Karen Himegami couldn't hide in her eyes, and at An and Asuka's unconsciously slowed pace, a knowing smile quietly appeared on her lips.

She stopped, swung the canvas bag in her hand, and said in a light tone, "I suddenly remembered I have something to do at home, so I'll head back now! Take your time, no need to see me off!"

Before the two could respond, she waved to them, her short blue hair tracing a light arc in the sunset. She turned and skipped away in the opposite direction, thoughtfully leaving the two of them some alone time.