Green plums cannot become lovers.

perfect.

An and Asuka watched the last few bubbles burst on the river's surface, then turned and calmly left the bridge.

The commotion behind him continued, and the sirens grew louder as they approached, but he could no longer hear them.

He walked back the way he came, snowflakes landing on his face, bringing a cool touch. His steps were steady, his expression calm, as if what he had just witnessed was merely an accident unrelated to him.

But deep down, he knew what he had done.

He killed someone.

A guy who deserved it.

An and the birds stopped, looked up at the gray sky. Snowflakes drifted down from the endless heights, gently covering the world, and covering all sin and redemption.

He has no regrets.

If he could do it all over again, he would still do it.

That man threatened Ms. Matsue's safety and her future. Ms. Matsue was the one who reached out to him when he needed help the most, the one who believed in his talent and supported his dreams.

He was willing to get his hands dirty to protect the people he cared about.

This is his choice.

An and Asuka took a deep breath, the cold air entering their lungs bringing a sharp, invigorating sensation. Then they continued walking, towards home.

The past cannot be changed; what matters is the future.

In the future, many people are waiting for him, and many dreams need to be realized by him.

He quickened his pace.

The next day was New Year's Day.

Aichi Prefecture welcomed a bright and sunny morning.

The snow from last night has stopped, and the sky is a rare azure blue. Sunlight shines through the clouds, reflecting a dazzling light on the snow. The streets are filled with a festive atmosphere—every household has shimenawa (sacred rope) and kadomatsu (pine decorations) hanging in front of their doors, children in new clothes are playing in the snow, and the sound of temple bells can be heard in the distance.

Anhe Asuka's home was also filled with a festive atmosphere.

Marina got up early to clean, Shizuka prepared ingredients for the New Year's Eve dinner in the kitchen, and Ai practiced the song she would perform that night in front of the mirror—this was the second New Year that the four of them had spent together, and the first New Year after Akane Kousaka joined them.

Yes, Akane Akasaka has arrived.

She suddenly called last night, saying that her work in Tokyo had temporarily come to an end and she wanted to come to Aichi to spend the New Year with them. It was already past nine o'clock at night, and An and Asuka thought she was joking, but an hour later, the doorbell rang.

Standing outside the door was Akane Akasaka, looking travel-worn, carrying two large suitcases. One contained her change of clothes and toiletries, while the other was filled with gifts for the children.

"Akane-nee, you really came?" Marina was so surprised that she couldn't close her mouth.

"What, you're not welcoming me?" Akane Akasaka raised an eyebrow, but her eyes were full of laughter.

"Of course you're welcome!" Shizuka said quickly. "Come in quickly, it's cold outside."

So, this New Year, there was one more person in the family.

At this moment, Akane Akasaka was sitting on the kotatsu in the living room, holding a can of beer, watching the three girls bustling between the kitchen and the living room. A rare look of relaxation graced her face; although her dark circles were still there, her eyes were much brighter.

"Sister Zhu Yin, are you busy over there? Are you tired?" Xiao Ai came over with a plate of sliced ​​fruit and asked with concern.

"I'm exhausted." Akane Akasaka took a swig of beer and said without any attempt to hide her feelings, "Year-end summary meetings, New Year's planning meetings, artist schedules... I've been so busy that I haven't even had time to sleep. So I came here to slack off."

She made it sound so easy, but An and Asuka knew it wasn't true. As the core producer of Rouge en Rouge, Akane Kousaka was at her busiest at the end of the year. The fact that she could squeeze in time for Aichi meant she must have stayed up several nights in a row to finish her work ahead of schedule.

They all understood this sentiment.

"Then you should rest well, Akane-nee," said Shizuka Kuze with a smile. "You don't have to think about anything here, just relax for a few days."

"Mm." Akane Kousaka nodded, looking around her small but exceptionally warm home. "Although this place is in a remote location, far from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, it miraculously allows me to calm down. Every time I come here, it feels like coming home..."

As evening approached, the New Year's Eve dinner was ready.

A traditional Japanese New Year's Eve dinner is very lavish—simmered dishes, grilled fish, rice cake soup, and various side dishes fill the table. Akane Akasaka even brought some high-end ingredients from Tokyo to make the meal even more abundant.

The five people sat around the table, hands clasped together: "Let's begin!"

Dinner proceeded in a pleasant atmosphere. Everyone ate and chatted, sharing their achievements and insights from the past year. Marina mentioned the steadily rising popularity of her manga series, Shizuka spoke of the positive reviews her novel had received, and Ai recounted the smooth progress of her idol training.

Meanwhile, Anhe, Liu? Si Liuqi, and Ba Fei Niao talked about the mini-album he was preparing.

"I believe you can do it," Akane Akasaka said earnestly. "Your talent, combined with professional production, will definitely create a wonderful work."

"Yes." An and Asuka nodded, their eyes sparkling with confidence.

Halfway through dinner, Akane Akasaka suddenly put down her chopsticks and looked at An and Asuka: "Asuka, play a tune for us. It's New Year's Day, let's make it a little more festive."

The suggestion was immediately met with a positive response from the three girls.

"Alright, alright! Let Asuka play a song!"

"Something cheerful and upbeat, suitable for the New Year!"

"I want to hear new music!"

Looking at the four pairs of expectant eyes, An and Asuka thought for a moment and did not refuse: "Okay, then let's play a guitar piece."

"I'll go get it!" Marina immediately jumped up and ran to the room to get Anwa Asuka's wooden guitar.

An and Asuka took the guitar, tuned the strings, and then sat down in the chair. He closed his eyes, pondered for a moment, and seemed to be composing a melody.

The living room quieted down, with only the bubbling of the hot pot and the faint sound of firecrackers coming from outside the window.

Then, his fingers landed on the strings.

Akane Akasaka's eyes lit up when the first note sounded.

It was an extremely cheerful melody, lively, vibrant, and full of life. It began with a few crisp notes, like the footsteps of children running in the snow, and then the melody unfolded, carrying a festive joy and liveliness.

An and Asuka's fingers moved nimbly across the strings, sometimes strumming quickly, sometimes plucking gently, and sometimes adding subtle percussion. His body swayed gently to the rhythm, a faint smile on his lips, as if he were one with the music.

This piece is very special. It's neither like traditional Japanese New Year music nor like Western Christmas songs. It's a unique style belonging to Anwa Asuka herself—it has both Eastern charm and modern vitality; it has both festive liveliness and warm emotion.

Akane Akane could vividly picture a scene just by listening to the music.

The bustling market was filled with stalls and throngs of people. An old man selling roasted rice cakes beamed with joy, children crowded around a goldfish scooping stall, and the owner of a ring toss game loudly hawked his wares.

Children ran around with cotton candy and candied apples in hand, couples strolled hand in hand through the stalls, and the distant sounds of drums and flutes from a shrine festival drifted in. Brilliant fireworks lit up the sky, painting the night with vibrant colors. Smiles radiated from everyone's faces, and the air was filled with the aroma of food and the scent of happiness.

It was a lively, warm scene, full of the warmth and humanity of everyday life.

This is how the New Year should be.

As the last note faded, its lingering sound echoed in the warm living room, and everyone was still immersed in the atmosphere created by the music.

After a long while, Akane Akasaka took a deep breath and exclaimed sincerely, "That's really good... What's the name of this piece?"

An and Asuka put down their guitars, thought for a moment, and said, "The market."

“Market…” Akane Akasaka repeated the name, nodding. “A good name, very fitting. Listening to this piece really feels like strolling through a bustling New Year market. It seems you’ve observed the New Year’s scenery quite well.”

An and Asuka shook their heads: "No, I haven't observed that."

Akane Akane was taken aback.

“These are all my fantasies,” An and Asuka said calmly, their voices devoid of emotion. “From childhood to adulthood, I have never gone out during the Lunar New Year. Because my parents are always arguing, and we don’t have any money at home. For me, the New Year is just a day on the calendar, without any special meaning.”

The living room suddenly fell silent.

Marina, Shizuka, and Ai all stopped what they were doing and looked at An and Asuka. They knew about his past and his unhappy childhood, but hearing him talk about it so calmly still made them feel a pang of sadness.

Akane Akane was stunned. Looking at the talented, mature, and composed young man before her, and at the calmness on his face that was beyond his years, she suddenly felt a strong pang of heartache.

How much suffering must this child have endured to be able to speak such sorrowful words in such a calm tone?

"I'm sorry..." Akane's voice choked with emotion, "I didn't mean to, I shouldn't have asked..."

"It's alright." An and Asuka smiled, a smile that was somewhat lonely yet warm. "That's all in the past. And now, don't I have you all?"

He looked at the three girls, then at Akane Akasaka: "The New Year is so lively and warm now. I feel so happy to have you all by my side."

These words brought tears to everyone's eyes.

Akane Akane felt a surge of intense emotion. Looking at the boy and the barely perceptible loneliness in his eyes, she suddenly felt a strong urge to do something for him.

Just then, An and Asuka seemed to suddenly remember something, raised the corners of their mouths, and said in a slightly expectant tone, "It would be great if someone could take us out for a day, to go to a real market and experience the lively New Year atmosphere."

His voice was soft, as if he were speaking casually, but the light shining in his eyes was impossible to ignore.

Akane Akane's heart skipped a beat.

She checked the time—it was already past 8 p.m., and there was definitely nothing to see if she went out now. Besides, she had to return to Tokyo the next morning for a meeting.

But... looking at the boy's expectant eyes, and seeing the three girls' eyes light up as well, she suddenly felt that all those jobs, those meetings, and those responsibilities could be temporarily put aside.

At least today, at least for now, all she wants is for these children to be happy.

“Okay.” Akane Akasaka took a deep breath, as if she had made up her mind. “I promise you. Tomorrow I’ll take you out to play, to the market, to see the shrine festival, and to experience all the activities that are part of the New Year.”

"Really?" Marina's eyes widened in surprise.

"Isn't Akane-nee going back to Tokyo tomorrow?" Shizuka asked with concern.

“The meeting is rescheduled,” Akane Akasaka said decisively, taking out her phone to send emails. “Work is never-ending, but this may be the only chance to spend the New Year with you all, and I don’t want to miss it.”

Looking at her profile as she intently edited the email, An and Asuka couldn't help but smile.

"Yay!" the three girls cheered happily, filling the living room with a joyful atmosphere.

After sending the email, Akane Akasaka looked up at the children's smiling faces, and any hesitation or worry she had felt vanished. In its place was a long-lost, pure joy.

"Then it's settled," she said with a smile. "We'll leave at nine tomorrow morning, and I'll take you to the city's biggest New Year's market. You can eat whatever you want, do whatever you want—it's on me today."

"Long live Sister Zhu Yin!"

Cheers erupted once again.

As Anwa Asuka watched this scene unfold, a warm feeling welled up inside him. He looked at Akane Akasaka and whispered, "Thank you, Akane-nee."

Akane Akasaka shook her head, her eyes shining with gentle light: "I'm the one who should be saying thank you. Thank you all for making me feel the warmth of home."

At that moment, the lights in the living room seemed to become warmer.

the next day.

Akane Akasaka kept her promise and set off early in the morning with her four children. She rented a seven-seater car and drove them herself to the prefecture's most famous New Year's festival venue.

The place was indeed bustling with activity.

The long market street was lined with stalls selling all sorts of New Year's special foods and toys. Takoyaki, yakisoba, grilled squid, cotton candy, candied apples... the air was filled with various aromas. Children dressed in kimonos and New Year's costumes, carrying balloons and toys, weaved through the crowd. Adults strolled in small groups, chatting as they walked, their faces beaming with festive smiles.

Further away stands the largest shrine in the area. A New Year's festival is underway there, with priests in traditional attire performing Kagura dances in front of the Kagura Hall. Long queues of worshippers wait to enter the shrine to pray for blessings. The melodious tolling of bells and the resounding beat of drums create a solemn yet festive atmosphere.

"Wow, there are so many people!" Marina exclaimed excitedly as soon as she got out of the car, looking around excitedly. "I had no idea the New Year's market was this lively!"

"I...I'm a little nervous..." Xiao Ai said softly, looking at the dense crowd, and subconsciously moved closer to An and Feibiao.

"It's okay." Shizuka gently patted her shoulder. "We're together."

Akane Akane locked the car and walked over to the children: "Come on, play whatever you want today, eat whatever you want. Don't be shy."

And so, their New Year's adventure began.

The first stop was a food stall. Akane bought each child a giant skewer of cotton candy, along with takoyaki and yakisoba to share. Marina's eyes lit up when she saw the grilled mochi, and Akane bought her two skewers without hesitation. Ai had a particular fondness for candied apples, while Shizuka preferred lighter simmered dishes.

An and Asuka ordered a little of everything, tasting each one and savoring it carefully. This was his first real experience at a New Year's market, and every flavor was new to him.

"How is it? Is it delicious?" Akane Akasaka asked him.

"Mmm." An and Asuka nodded, a little takoyaki sauce on the corner of their mouths. "It's delicious. It tastes a little different from what I imagined, but it's even better."

Akane Kousaka smiled and took out a handkerchief to wipe the sauce off him: "Eat slowly, there's plenty more."

After finishing their meal, they started browsing the game booths. Marina was particularly obsessed with goldfish scooping, spending 500 yen on three paper nets, but failed to catch a single fish, stomping her feet in frustration. Shizuka, on the other hand, was interested in shooting games; surprisingly, despite her quiet appearance, she was quite skilled with a gun, winning several prizes.

Ai was drawn to the ring toss game, and An and Asuka played with her. They spent 9 yen and finally won a small panda plush toy. Ai's eyes crinkled into crescent moons with joy, and she hugged the toy tightly to her chest.

Akane Akasaka followed behind the children the whole time, a smile constantly on her face as she watched their happy expressions. She frequently took out her phone to take pictures, capturing these precious moments.

Around noon, they went to the shrine to pray.

The queue was long, but no one was in a hurry. Everyone waited quietly, occasionally exchanging hushed conversations. The air was filled with the scent of incense, and music from the Kagura Temple could be heard in the distance.

When it was their turn, the five of them stepped forward together. Akane Akasaka taught them the correct way to worship—insert a coin, ring the bell, bow twice, clap twice, bow once more, and then silently make a wish in your heart.

An and Asuka closed their eyes and clasped their hands together.

He thought for a long time, unsure what to wish for. He had so many things he wanted, so many people he wanted to protect, and so many dreams he wanted to realize.