Green plums cannot become lovers.

"It's a deal!" The young woman was so excited she almost jumped out from behind the bar, turning around and shouting inside, "Boss, Feiniao's here! He's going to sing on stage—"

A series of clanging and banging sounds came from inside, as if something had been knocked over.

Then a man in his forties rushed out from backstage, his hair disheveled and his clothes stained with some kind of sauce.

"Asuka!" He rushed over, hugged An and Asuka tightly, and patted him on the back. "You little rascal, how long have you been gone?"

This guy is his cash cow; the livehouse is a completely different world with him here and with him not.

"It's been over a year." Anhe Feibiao smiled and patted him on the shoulder. "How's business?"

"Not bad, not bad." The owner released him, looked him up and down, and clicked his tongue. "You've lost weight. Is the food in Tokyo not good?"

"Delicious, but busy."

"Even when you're busy, you should eat well." The boss said, glancing past him to the three people behind him. "Friends?"

"Yes, bring them here to see."

"Alright, alright." The boss rubbed his hands together. "Please make yourself at home, help yourself to whatever you want to drink, don't be shy. By the way, when are you going to go on stage?"

"Let's wait until this show is over," An and Asuka said, glancing at the band on stage. "Don't interrupt their performance."

"Okay, I'll go arrange it." The boss turned and took a couple of steps, then turned back. "By the way, which song are you going to sing?"

We'll see when the time comes.

The boss smiled, shook his head, and went backstage.

Ayano Mitsuki and Asagumo Chihaya were both stunned by what they saw.

They knew An and Asuka were celebrities, but seeing how he interacted with these people was still somewhat unbelievable. He was approachable and down-to-earth, making them feel right at home.

Salted Lemon wasn't too surprised; she was used to the way this boy made people feel comfortable wherever he went. It wasn't the kind of comfort that came from deliberately trying to please, but the kind of comfort that came from knowing "that's just who he is."

They found a spot near the stage, where the band was playing their last song. The lead singer's voice was powerful, and the drumbeats were as dense as raindrops. Ayano Mitsuki and Asagumo Chihaya listened intently, while Yashio Lemon also looked at the stage, but her gaze was unfocused, as if she were looking, yet also as if she wasn't looking at anything at all.

As the song ended, applause erupted from the audience. The band members bowed to the audience and walked off the stage one by one. The lights dimmed for a moment, then came back on.

The boss walked onto the stage with the microphone and cleared his throat.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have a special guest today."

He paused deliberately, waiting for the audience to quiet down, "Our former superstar is back! That's right! Asuka is at our store today."

The audience erupted in excitement, with some exclaiming, some whispering, and some shouting out loud.

The boss waved towards the backstage area, and An and Asuka walked out from the side of the stage and took the microphone. The lights shone on him, illuminating his silhouette clearly. He wasn't wearing a costume, had no makeup, and his hair wasn't even styled, but standing there, he was simply captivating.

"Hello everyone, I'm Feiniao." He smiled. "It's been a long time since I've been back. I brought some friends over today, and the boss dragged me onto the stage."

Good-natured laughter rang out from the audience.

"Flying bird!"

We like you!

"Waaaa, we missed you so much, you're finally back."

"Sing a song, Flying Bird!"

"Then I'll sing a newly written song."

Listening to the voices from the audience, An and Asuka gradually rediscovered the feeling of performing here back then. He could even see some familiar faces, after all, there were only so many Open University campuses in the entire city.

An and Asuka glanced back at the boss, who then shoved a guitar into his arms before leaving the stage with a smile.

An and Asuka closed their eyes briefly, then spoke.

"I'm already someone else's girlfriend."

He, whom I dated this time

Not like you

Will be with me at the music festival

The type of loud cheering

Without any particularly dramatic opening, the gentle and simple melody and lyrics immediately captivated the listener.

As Shao Yanmeng stood in the audience, listening to the lyrics, her fingers unconsciously tightened around the hem of her skirt.

So I can't see you again, I'm sorry.

So I can't see you again, I'm sorry.

You also need to speed up.

"Hurry up and become someone else's boyfriend!"

Ayano Mitsuki stood beside her, listening quietly. His expression remained unchanged; he merely adjusted his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses fixed on the stage, making it impossible to discern his thoughts. Asagumo Chihaya leaned on his shoulder, her hand resting on his arm, her fingers lightly tapping the rhythm.

"I'm already someone else's girlfriend."

It's not like that time anymore.

Even without makeup

"I can still laugh now."

Burning Salt Lemon's eyes began to burn, and she blinked hard, trying to suppress the heat. But the lyrics drilled into her ears line by line, like a hammer without a handle, striking the softest spot in her heart.

Every little thing I did with that boy from childhood to adulthood: going to and from school together, watching flowers and snow together, splashing barefoot in the puddles together.

She thought those memories would stay with her forever; she thought that as long as she remembered them well enough, they would never fade.

But now, standing in this dimly lit livehouse, listening to the boy on stage sing a song she'd never heard before, she suddenly realized that those memories had been transformed into someone else's colors. In Mitsuki's memories, those scenes were with her; but in Mitsuki's story, she was merely a supporting character.

So I can't see you again, I'm sorry.

So I can't see you again, I'm sorry.

You should find a girlfriend soon too.

"But I'm very cunning."

So I still want to see you, sorry.

So, saying you still want to see me is really cunning.

As the last note faded, An and Asuka put down their microphones and nodded to the audience. Applause and cheers surged forth like a tidal wave; some whistled, others shouted "Encore!"

He smiled, handed the microphone back to the boss, and walked off the stage.

The lights came back on. Salted Lemon, head bowed, quickly wiped her eyes with the back of her hand. She didn't know if anyone saw, and she didn't want anyone to see.

"Lemon?" Chihaya Asagumo's voice came from beside her. "Are you alright?"

She looked up and forced a smile.

"Yeah, it's nothing. It's just... the song is so beautiful." Her voice was a little hoarse, but her tone was relaxed. "Asuka's singing is so beautiful."

Asahi looked at her but didn't ask any further questions.

An and Fei Niao walked back and stood beside the roasted salted lemon. He didn't ask her why her eyes were red, didn't offer her a tissue, and didn't say anything to comfort her. He just stood there, like a tree, not blocking the wind or sheltering her from the rain, but you knew it was there, its roots deep, and it wouldn't fall.

Ayano Mitsuki looked at him, then at the roasted salt lemon, and the corners of her mouth curved slightly.

"Let's go, it's getting dark."

The four of them walked out of the livehouse. The sky outside was already dyed orange-red by the setting sun, and the clouds were thin, spread out in patches like cotton wool blown by the wind. The streetlights gradually turned on, one after another, illuminating the entire road warmly and brightly.

When they parted at the station, Ayano Mitsuki turned around and looked at the roasted salt lemon.

"lemon."

"Hmm?" She looked up.

"I'm very happy today." He said sincerely, "Thank you."

"Her greatest wish is for you to be happy."

Anhe Fei Niao did a billion dances for the girl 9 Liao San Er _ Li Yi's answer.

Ayano Mitsuki paused for a moment before nodding, then took Asahi Chihaya's hand and turned to leave. Their shadows stretched long in the setting sun, so close they seemed to merge.

Burning Salt Lemon stood there, watching that figure recede into the distance. She thought she would cry. But her eyes were hot, her heart was empty, and no tears fell.

"Let's go," An and Asuka's voices came from the side. "I'll take you home."

She nodded and followed beside him.

The two walked back in silence. Sunlight streamed in from behind, casting their shadows in front of them, one tall and one short, close together but not touching.

After walking for a while, the roasted salt lemon suddenly spoke.

"Birds".

"Ok?"

"What's the name of that song?"

An and Asuka thought for a moment.

"I haven't decided yet, you can suggest one."

The roasted salt lemon paused for a moment.

“Then let’s call it…” she paused, “‘Becoming someone else’s girlfriend’.”

An and Asuka glanced at her.

"It's too long."

"Not long." She looked down at her toes. "Just right."

An and Asuka didn't say anything more.

The two continued walking, the streetlights lighting up one by one. As they passed one, their shadows were pulled behind them; as they passed another, their shadows were pulled forward. Salted Lemon looked down, watching the shadows grow longer and shorter, moving forward and backward, as if they were dancing a rhythmic dance.

She suddenly remembered the last line of that song.

"So, it's really cunning of you to say you still want to see me."

She had seen the person she wanted to see, but it should be over by today. She was going to give him back the path, let him and his new partner walk it, and she was going to find her own path.

She didn't know where the road led, but she wanted to keep going.

Even if it's just one step.

She looked up at the road ahead.

The road was long, the sunlight was bright, and the wind was gentle.

Volume 1: Chapter 277 Maid Cafe

The day-long couples' experience came to an end after parting ways at the crossroads.

The streetlights had been on for a long time, their orange glow spreading across the asphalt, illuminating the entire street in a warm and quiet light. In the distance, the rumble of a tram could be heard, quickly carried away by the night breeze.

Ayano Mitsuki and Asagumo Chihaya's figures had long since disappeared at the end of the street, leaving no trace. Yakitori Lemon stood under the streetlamp, gazing in that direction for a long time before slowly turning her gaze to the boy beside her.

"Thank you so much for today, Anhe."

Her voice was much softer than during the day; the "performance" shell in her tone had been removed, revealing her real, slightly tired voice.

The way she addressed him changed back from "Asuka" to "Anwa-kun," as if she were returning borrowed clothes.

"It's nothing." An and Asuka put their hands in their pockets, their tone as calm as usual. "I promised you, so I will do my best."

"Hehe." Salted Lemon laughed a little shyly.

She scratched her cheek, her gaze shifting to the side, landing on the lamppost of a streetlamp. Small advertisements were pasted on the lamppost, one corner curling up in the wind and swaying gently in the night breeze.

No matter how you look at it, she was taking advantage of the boy's feelings. Not only did he not refuse, but he also cooperated so earnestly that she almost believed it was real.

"In any case, I will repay you."

She turned her gaze back to An and Asuka, her tone becoming serious, "I'll give you the couple's allowance this time. Hmm... how about four thousand yen? If you think it's too little, I can add a little more, but not too much, I'm really broke lately."

“I’ve never heard of this fee.” An and Asuka raised an eyebrow.

"I added this." Salted Lemon put his hands on his hips, trying to look fierce. "You can't refuse, or I'll get angry."

Seeing how serious the girl was, An and Asuka had no choice but to agree.

He stretched out his hand, palm facing up.