Green plums cannot become lovers.

Marina looked troubled upon hearing this. It was an undeniable fact that their Asuka was incredibly popular, and if so many girls liked her even in elementary school, what would happen when she got to middle school?

So she kept trying to test whether the boy felt the same way about them. But he was just too honest; no matter how she tried to probe, he remained unmoved.

"I don't know either." Shizuka Kuze pursed her lips and shook her head. "Maybe Asuka will like us when we grow up a bit more."

"Huh? Won't he be surrounded by a huge crowd then?"

"..." Kuze Shizuka fell silent. Marina was right. Given the boys' popularity, he would probably have a few more people around him when they grew up.

On the first day of junior high school, both girls were caught in the same predicament.

After they finished washing up and came downstairs, the boy had already prepared breakfast. He was sitting at the table, reading a book and drinking porridge.

An and Asuka quickly noticed the two girls. Seeing them sit down at the table to enjoy breakfast, he reluctantly put down his book, ran to the coffee table to get a comb, and then stood behind the two girls.

"You didn't even comb your hair properly. Do you expect to meet new classmates with a bird's nest-like hairstyle?"

As he spoke, he began combing Shizuka's hair.

After more than a year of care, the girl has completely changed. Her once dry and frizzy hair has grown quite a bit and feels very soft to the touch.

However, the girl didn't seem to like her hair being too long, so she cut it into a bob. This is a hairstyle that really tests one's looks, but the girl pulled it off successfully.

Overall, she has grown into a beautiful young woman, although she is still quite young.

After combing Shizuka's hair, An and Asuka came up behind Marina.

Her hair always felt as smooth as silk, but it was so long that it was a bit of a hassle to manage.

He combed her hair gently, stroke by stroke, while the blonde girl squinted her eyes and enjoyed it.

This has long been a part of their daily routine.

Volume One: Chapter Seventy-Six - A New Beginning

Once everything was ready, the three of them went out.

They had just stepped outside when they ran into Hoshino Ai arriving on her bicycle.

To make it easier for An and Asuka to travel between the orphanage and his home, An gave the girl their bicycles. He had considered having the girl stay at his house to avoid this trouble.

However, things don't seem to be going well at the orphanage, and the girl also said that she doesn't feel comfortable with the headmistress and her younger siblings, so for now, this is the only option.

To be honest, the girl could have gone to school alone, which would have been much more convenient, but she insisted on going to school with them, which left An and Asuka speechless.

But it's actually quite good, because it's the first time the four of them have gone to school together and are taking a new step together.

It's only a ten-minute walk from his home to the nearest bus stop.

Clear dewdrops trembled precariously on the emerald green grass by the roadside, bathed in the warm glow of the early spring morning.

There weren't many cars on the road in the morning, but you could see several girls wearing the same school uniforms walking together toward the station.

It just so happens that An and Asuka recognize them, as they went to the same elementary school. Several girls noticed this and, upon seeing that it was the familiar boy, looked somewhat tempted, but ultimately did nothing.

When they arrived at the station together, they kept stealing glances at each other. An and Asuka felt a little helpless as they watched the intermittent gazes.

Finally, when he felt their gazes again, he simply turned to face them and greeted them with a smile.

Good morning everyone.

"Huh?!"

The three girls were stunned for a moment when the boy greeted them, but their faces lit up with joy as soon as they realized what was happening.

"Good morning, Anhe."

"What a coincidence, we go to the same school. Your school uniforms are very nice."

"An, Anhe is also very handsome!"

An and Asuka's intention was to avoid making the atmosphere at the station too awkward, so they took the initiative to strike up a conversation.

But the three girls beside him couldn't help but puff out their cheeks at the sight. If this guy was so flirtatious in front of them, wouldn't he be even more unrestrained when they weren't around?

Thinking of this, the girls immediately began to actively find topics to talk about, and in an instant, they once again captured An and Asuka's attention.

"Feiniao, what should we do if we're not assigned to the same class?"

"Asuka, how should I introduce myself?"

"Asuka, I'm a little tired from riding my bike, can I lean on you for a bit?"

"Birds...birds..."

The three girls kept bothering An and Asuka, but who would have thought that even in this situation, the boy could still find opportunities to communicate with those three thieves with ease.

In the end, they were the ones who were defeated first.

It's really... a huge disappointment???

"The car is here."

Just then, the bus arrived.

The three girls couldn't wait to pull An and Asuka onto the bus, and went straight to the last row, squeezing him into the innermost seat.

The car engine roared, carrying them to an unknown place.

The 20-minute drive took us right to the entrance of their junior high school.

There were already many students at the school gate, mostly older students, as they seemed quite at ease. Unlike some freshmen who either hesitated or stood there helplessly.

"Alright, let's go in too."

An and Asuka weren't afraid; they had already familiarized themselves with the school's layout. They led the girls to the bulletin board, which was surrounded by a large group of students.

"Ah, I'm from Class 3."

"It's such a pity that we weren't assigned to the same class."

"What should I do? I heard that the homeroom teacher of Class 3 is very strict."

Some are happy, some are sad.

While listening to the complaints or relief of those around them, An and Asuka squinted and tried to find the names of the people, taking advantage of their height.

He quickly found the girls' names.

"Ai, Shizuka, Marina, congratulations! You're all in the same class. I heard the homeroom teacher in Class 2 is very nice."

"really?"

Upon hearing this, the three girls' faces instantly lit up with joy. At the start of the school year, nothing is more exciting than being in the same class as friends.

"Yes."

"Great!"

The girls exchanged glances and cheered happily.

Seeing this, An and Asuka couldn't help but smile, but they complained a little: "It's so nice that you're all in the same class, and I'm all alone."

"Huh?"

The three girls were stunned when they heard this. When they learned that the three of them were in the same class, they subconsciously assumed that the boy was with them as well.

But now it seems, he's not even here?

"Feiniao, which class are you in?"

“Class One,” An and Asuka replied. “I heard the homeroom teacher is very strict.”

"..."

The smiles on their faces instantly vanished, and the three girls couldn't hide their disappointment.

Seeing this, An and Asuka chuckled and said, "Alright, it's just a wall between us, it's not like we can't see each other."

These three guys are really too dependent on him. He thinks this arrangement is pretty good, at least it allows them to make friends on their own initiative instead of having to revolve around him all the time.

Yes, that's right.

The boy is right; they're just separated by a wall, it's no big deal.

"Alright, hurry up and go to class."

As An and Asuka spoke, they strode towards the teaching building, and the three girls quickly followed.

After saying goodbye at the entrance of their respective classrooms, An and Asuka went straight into their classrooms.

Middle school classes are larger than elementary school classes, and the teaching facilities are complete. At this time, many students are already in the class.

Some people formed small groups and chatted with each other, while others sat alone in their seats, quietly reading books.

"number 20."

An and Asuka found their seats according to their student ID numbers. It happened to be the first row by the window, a spot where any small movements during class would be immediately noticed by the teacher.

His elementary school teachers all knew his grades, so no matter what he did in class, they turned a blind eye.

But now it seems he has to behave himself for a while, at least to make a good impression on the teachers during the exams.

An and Asuka also took out an extracurricular book and started reading.

But before he had read more than a few pages, he felt a tap on his shoulder.

Turning his head, he saw the blue-haired girl looking at him with a surprised expression.

"Flying bird!"

"Hanami Anna shouted loudly, drawing the attention of all the other students."

Volume 1: Chapter 77 The Blonde Girl at the Ceremony

"Apricot vegetable, it's been a long time."

When An and Asuka saw that it was Anna Hachimi, they were also delighted, not expecting to meet her here.

However, compared to his happiness, Anna pouted and muttered, "So you know it's been a long time?"

They hadn't seen each other for at least a month; if their relationship had been less close, they might not have even recognized each other.

Are you in Class 1 too?

He had only just seen his name on the bulletin board and hadn't looked any further; he had no idea that the girl was in the same class as him.

"if not."

"What a coincidence."

"..."

The girl looked at him with a deep gaze, but didn't say a word, which made An and Asuka feel a little pressured for a moment.

It's only been a month since we last met, why are you so resentful?

An and Asuka thought for a moment, then took out a piece of fruit candy from their pocket and handed it to the girl.

"Here you go, it's delicious."

The girl's eyes lit up when she saw the fruit candy, and her mood instantly brightened. She took the candy without hesitation, unwrapped it, and ate it in one bite.

Then, she put her schoolbag on the back seat and sat down behind An and Asuka. She then lay on the schoolbag, her cheeks puffed out as she ate candy, continuing to stare intently at the boy's back.

An and Asuka felt uneasy, so they stopped reading and turned to chat with the girl. At that moment, Bana saw Anna finally reveal a sweet smile.

While chatting with this girl, An and Asuka had to be constantly on their guard, otherwise she would always try to instill her strange ideas in them.

Before long, the students had all arrived, and the teacher entered the classroom.

Hearing that the teacher in Class 1 was very strict, An and Feibiao dared not misbehave and obediently turned around and sat down to listen to the teacher speak.

"My name is Tomoyo Takanashi, and I will be your homeroom teacher for the next three years. During these three years, I will strictly manage your school life, so don't even think about doing anything that violates the rules!"

Just as I'd heard, this teacher was indeed very strict, and he intimidated many students right from the start.

"Alright, if you all understand, let's get to know each other before the opening ceremony."

"Kojima-kun, you go first."

"Yes!"

The customary self-introductions began, and An and Asuka listened quietly to everyone's remarks, secretly noting down their respective interests and hobbies.

After going around the lap, it was finally my turn.

Anwa Asuka stood up and said with a serious expression, "My name is Anwa Asuka. My hobby is reading, and my future dream is to become a teacher."