Green plums cannot become lovers.

In an instant, only An and Asuka and Himegami Karen remained on the deserted street.

A gentle evening breeze rustled the roadside grass, and the soft glow of the setting sun bathed them in its warmth, making the air itself seem tranquil and gentle. They walked side by side, not speaking deliberately, yet there was no awkwardness, only a subtle warmth surrounding them.

An and Asuka turned their heads to look at the girl beside them, whose cheeks were still flushed. Their voices were soft and gentle, breaking the silence:

"Hua Lian, what are your plans for the future?"

Himegami Karen paused slightly, raising her head to gaze at the distant mountains bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun. She then gently turned to look at Anwa Asuka, her eyes filled with a starlight-like determination and tenderness, her voice clear and earnest:

"I'll finish high school here, and then I'll come to Tokyo to find you when I go to university."

As she finished speaking, a gentle evening breeze blew by, ruffling her pink hair and stirring the boy's heartstrings.

An and Asuka looked at the clear light in her eyes, at the lingering gentle blush on her cheeks, and a gentle smile spread across their deep brown eyes. He didn't speak immediately, but simply nodded and gently brushed a fallen leaf from her shoulder.

My fingertips brushed against her shoulder unintentionally, carrying a faint warmth.

Himegami Karen's heart skipped a beat, and her cheeks flushed even more. She looked down at their shadows, which were side by side on the ground, close together, like a gentle painting.

"it is good."

The sound of peace and birdsong was soft yet exceptionally clear, carried on the evening breeze, firm yet gentle.

"I'll be waiting for you in Tokyo."

The setting sun sank completely behind the distant mountains, the warm orange of the sky gradually turning into pale purple, and the first star quietly climbed into the night sky. The two continued walking side by side, slowly making their way along the familiar street. The road seemed long, and the evening breeze was gentle.

With Himegami Karen's worries resolved, the "important matter" that Banami Anna mentioned has finally reached its most perfect ending. According to the original plan, he should now be boarding the train back to Tokyo to continue the final finishing touches on the game.

But looking out the window, the gentle twilight of Aichi was unfolding, the rice paddies rippling like green waves, the evening breeze carrying the familiar scent of cooking fires, and beside him, two young girls with undisguised joy and dependence in their eyes. He suddenly felt that, compared to the anxiety of rushing to finish his work, this warmth of a long-awaited reunion was more precious.

With Kasumigaoka Utaha and Shizuka overseeing the script, Eriri and Marina focusing on the artwork, and Ai handling the music, the team was able to progress smoothly even without him present. Thinking of this, An and Asuka took out their phones, opened the Tokyo club's chat group, and slowly typed a line of text, tinged with apology and tenderness.

—Sorry, although things here have been resolved, I want to stay in Aichi to spend the rest of the summer vacation with my old friends. Thank you all for your hard work in finishing up the game. I will be online to help out as needed.

The message was sent out and replies popped up in the group chat moments later.

Kasumigaoka Utaha: Junior, you're still too soft-hearted after all. Don't worry, I'm here for you. Just enjoy your summer vacation.

Eriri: Honestly, of all times, you have to slack off at a time like this... Fine, I'll grant permission since you rarely come home! Just don't delay the subsequent integration!

Shizuka: Asuka doesn't need to apologize. The most important thing is to get along well with old friends. We all understand that.

Marina: That's awesome! Asuka, have fun! Remember to take lots of pictures of Aichi's scenery, and don't forget the local specialties!

Seeing the screen full of understanding replies, An and Asuka's apology dissipated, replaced by a feeling of warmth. He put away his phone, turned and walked out of the room. In the living room, Hanami Anna and Himegami Karen were huddled together looking through old photos, their laughter soft and sweet, like cotton candy.

"I've decided, I won't be going back to Tokyo for now," An and Asuka said softly. "I'll spend this summer with you guys."

As soon as she finished speaking, Anna suddenly looked up, her blue eyes instantly lighting up with surprise. She jumped up from the sofa and rushed to Asuka: "Really?! That's great, Asuka!"

Himegami Karen slowly rose, her pink hair falling beside her cheeks, a gentle smile radiating from her eyes, like starlight on a summer night: "It's so good to be able to stay."

For the next two days, the three of them could be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys of Aichi. It seemed that Anna and Karen were trying to make up for the lack of companionship over the past two years, taking An and Asuka to all the old places they used to visit, and also getting to know their new friends from high school.

Besides the previously mentioned roasted lemon, Xiaoju Zhihua, and others, they also brought Asuka to the school's arts club, where they met the gentle and kind club president and the calm and meticulous vice president. The members of the arts club had already heard stories about this musical prodigy from Anzu, and now that they had met him in person, they were all exceptionally enthusiastic, without any sense of unfamiliarity or distance.

That evening, the three sat under the cherry blossom trees on campus. The cicadas' chirping gradually subsided, and a cool evening breeze blew. Suddenly, Anna seemed to remember something, clapped her hands, and looked at An and Asuka with bright eyes.

"By the way, Asuka, there's an event you absolutely have to come to!"

"What kind of event?" An and Asuka raised their eyebrows slightly, somewhat curious.

"The Literature Club's training camp!" Anna Hanami's tone was full of anticipation, nodding her head like a bird pecking at rice. "The club president started a novel writing activity, which is still ongoing. Everyone is planning to go to a guesthouse in the mountains for a training camp to find inspiration and polish their works together."

An and Asuka were taken aback for a moment, a hint of surprise flashing in their eyes: "A training camp for the Literature Club?"

“Mmm!” Anzu nodded quickly, afraid he would refuse. “I’ve wanted to tell you for a while, but I haven’t had the chance. The club president said that this training camp is a good opportunity to relax and also find some inspiration for writing.”

"But I'm not a member of the Arts and Literature Department. Would it be inconvenient for me to participate so abruptly?" An and Asuka had some concerns. After all, it was a group activity within the club, and it felt inappropriate for an outsider like him to join.

Anna immediately waved her hand and patted his shoulder casually: "It's okay! Didn't I already introduce you to the club president and seniors? Everyone treats you as a friend and won't care about these things at all!"

"Are you sure it's okay?" An and Asuka were still a little hesitant.

"Ugh, stop nagging! I already said it's okay!" Seeing Anja standing with her hands on her hips, Bana pouted as if feigning anger. "Karen wants you to come too, right?"

Himegami Karen nodded gently, her eyes full of anticipation: "Everyone is very kind. It will be a lot of fun if we go together."

Seeing the sincere expectation in the eyes of the two girls, An and Asuka finally couldn't bear to refuse, and a gentle smile appeared on their lips: "Alright, then I'll bother you then."

"Great!" Anna jumped up excitedly. "The training camp is in two days! We'll meet at the station early in the morning and go to the guesthouse in the mountains together!"

An and Asuka smiled and agreed.

Volume 1: Chapter 258 Daily Life

The next morning, An and Asuka were pulled out of the house by the two girls.

Hanami walked in front, her steps light as if she were on springs, humming an unknown tune. Himegami Karen walked beside her, carrying a light-colored canvas bag containing a water bottle and a parasol. An and Asuka followed behind, not fully awake, the sunlight a little too bright for their eyes, causing them to squint.

Where exactly are we going?

"You'll see when we get there." Bana said, seeing that Anja didn't even turn her head.

The three walked through the shopping street and turned into a wider road. More and more shops appeared on both sides, some selling home appliances, some selling general merchandise, and a few clothing stores that looked newly opened. Anna stopped in front of one shop; several new summer items were displayed in the glass window. She tilted her head to look at them, then took a step forward and stopped in front of a swimwear store.

An and Asuka looked up and saw the words on the sign.

"...swimsuit shop?"

“Yeah, right.” As Anna turned around, Bana said matter-of-factly, “Buy a swimsuit.”

An and Asuka were taken aback.

Why buy a swimsuit?

“He liu san ling? 8? Er yue-? Yi? Su a.*

"Isn't it in the mountains?"

"The sea is right next to the mountain."

An and Asuka fell silent.

Seeing his stunned expression, Hana couldn't help but laugh. Her clear laughter drew the attention of passersby.

"Didn't you know? That guesthouse isn't far from the beach, just a ten-minute walk away. The president specifically chose it, saying that after finishing his work, he could go to the beach to relax."

An and Asuka were unaware that they were just going to the mountains to stay quietly for a few days, but they didn't expect to be given a free sea as a bonus.

“So swimsuits are a necessity!” Seeing that Anzu had reached a conclusion, Bana pushed him into the store.

The air conditioning inside the store was blasting, a stark contrast to the sweltering heat outside. The walls were adorned with a variety of swimsuits, ranging in color from pristine black and white to vibrant fluorescent hues, and in a diverse array of styles—two-piece, one-piece, and even some with skirts and ruffles. The lighting on the mannequins accentuated the delicate sheen of the fabrics.

As soon as Hanami entered, she headed straight for the men's clothing section, with Himegami Karen following behind her. An and Asuka were sandwiched between the two, with no chance of escape.

"How about this one?" Yana asked, pulling a pair of dark blue swim trunks off the shelf and holding them up to him.

"Whatever," An and Asuka replied.

"How can I just wear this casually! I'm going to be seen in public like this!" She picked up the black one next to her, looked at it from left to right, and couldn't make up her mind. "Isn't black too plain? Dark blue seems about the same..."

Himegami Karen stood to the side, holding a dark gray garment in her hand. She looked at it quietly for a moment, then put it back.

"What do you think, Karen?" Hanami asked, turning to her while holding up two pairs of swim trunks.

Himegami Karen looked at it carefully and pointed to the dark blue one on the left.

"This color is more suitable for birds in flight."

"This one!" Yana exclaimed, shoving the swim trunks into Anwa and Asuka's hands. "Go try it on!"

"No need to try it on..." An and Asuka looked down at the fabric in their hands and felt that it was no different from the shorts they usually wore. It seemed that there was no difference whether they tried it on or not.

"No! What if it doesn't fit!" Yana saw Anzu pushing him toward the fitting room. "Hurry up, hurry up!"

An and Asuka sighed and took their swim trunks into the fitting room.

The fitting room mirror was spotless, and the lights illuminated the entire space. He looked at the dark blue fabric in his hand, then at his own helpless expression in the mirror, and suddenly found the scene somewhat amusing.

When she came out after changing, Bana saw that Anna was already waiting outside the door. She looked her up and down, tilted her head and thought for a moment, then walked around her once.

"Is it alright?" An and Asuka asked.

"Hmm..." Bana saw Anja touching her chin, her expression serious as if she were appreciating a work of art, "It seems a bit too plain."

"What kind of swim trunks do you want?" An and Asuka asked, somewhat exasperated.

“You can’t say that! Swim trunks are part of fashion too!” She pulled another one off the rack, this time with thin stripes. “Try this one!”

An and Asuka tried on a second, a third, and a fourth garment. Each time, Anna found something wrong with it—the color was too dark, the pattern too messy, the waist too tight, the legs too loose. Karen Himegami stood to the side, occasionally handing over a garment, but mostly watching quietly with a faint smile on her lips.

Even the shop assistants couldn't help but glance at them a few more times.

"Let's go with the first one," An and Asuka decided.

"But—Yue/?Yi·Yilin??Yi?(?Seven?)俬五氿?四??韭巴?"

“The first one is quite good.” Himegami Karen rarely spoke up to help. “Dark blue, simple, suitable for birds.”

Bana saw Anza glance at her, then at An and Asuka, and finally nodded.

"Okay, okay, then let's start with the first one."

An and Asuka went to the cashier to pay, and came out carrying paper bags, thinking their mission was complete.

Then he realized that the two girls had no intention of leaving.

And you?

“We want to buy some too,” Anna said matter-of-factly. “We can’t go swimming in our clothes.”

She pushed An and Feiniao toward the door.

"You wait for us outside! Don't peek!"

"Who's trying to peek?" An and Asuka were pushed out of the store.

The glass door closed behind him, shutting out the store's air conditioning. He stood in the doorway, the sunlight streaming down his head, softening the asphalt. He shifted to the side, hiding in the shade under the eaves, and switched the paper bag in his hand.

Through the glass window, he could see two young women browsing inside. Anna Hachimi wandered around the women's clothing section, pulled a bright-colored garment from the shelf, held it up to the light, examined it, then shook her head and put it back. Karen Himegami stood beside her, holding a simpler style garment. The two huddled together, whispering something. Suddenly, Anna Hachimi laughed and nudged Karen, whose face flushed slightly.

An and Asuka turned their gaze back to the street.

The midday sun bathed the entire commercial street in a white light. There weren't many pedestrians, and only the occasional passing car, its tires churning on the asphalt, sounded muffled in the heat. Under the eaves of the building opposite, a tabby cat crouched, dozing with its eyes half-closed, its tail occasionally twitching to shoo away a small insect that flew in from somewhere.

He was looking around when his gaze suddenly stopped on something not far away.

Outside another swimwear store, a familiar figure stood. Wearing a bright yellow T-shirt and with tanned skin, he was staring blankly at the mannequin in the glass window, his head slightly tilted, as if he were muttering something to himself.

Salted lemon.

An and the flying bird walked over.

"Shao Shio-kun?"

The roasted salt lemon suddenly turned its head, its eyes wide open, as if it had been startled.

"H-Asuka-kun?!"

She clutched the strap of a shopping bag in her hand; the bag was empty. Her face had a faint reddish-brown tinge in the sunlight, whether from sun exposure or something else, it was hard to tell.

"What are you doing here?" An and Asuka asked.

"I...I'm here to buy something..." Shao Yanzi's voice was much lower than usual, and his gaze was unfocused, unlike his usual outgoing self.

Anhe Asuka glanced at the empty bag in her hand, then at the swimsuit shop in front of her.

"Here to buy a swimsuit?"

The woman with the salted lemon blushed instantly. She opened her mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back. In the end, she just nodded slightly.

"Then why don't you go in?"

There was a moment of silence.

"I don't dare to go in..." Her voice was so soft it was like a mosquito's hum, completely different from the energetic and loud-voiced Salt Lemon she usually was.

An and Asuka were taken aback.

The salted lemon bowed its head, its fingers twisting the strap of the shopping bag, its ear tips so red they looked like they were about to bleed.

"I'm all alone... I don't know which one to choose..." Her voice trailed off, "I stood at the door for so long, but I just didn't dare to go in..."

An and Asuka looked at her and suddenly found it somewhat amusing. The confident and fearless girl they had heard so much about was actually afraid to go into a swimsuit store alone.