Green plums cannot become lovers.

"It's like that kind of thing—'Plop, plop, twice as delicious!' or 'May this dessert be filled with the blessing of love and magic!'"

Marina gestured, mimicking exaggerated poses often seen in manga, her eyes sparkling as she looked at him, "Wouldn't the food taste better this way?"

An and Asuka looked at her expectant expression, paused for a second, then raised their hands, bent their fingers, and tapped her smooth forehead lightly.

“I’ll curse you my foot.” His tone was flat, yet carried a hint of barely perceptible indulgence. “The milk is getting cold, and the cookies won’t get any sweeter because of the curse. Hurry up and eat.”

"Ouch!" Marina clutched her forehead and cried out dramatically, then giggled. Shizuka Kuze covered her mouth and chuckled, while Ai Hoshino elegantly picked up her milk glass, took a sip, and watched this familiar interaction with a smile in her eyes.

The small corner was filled with a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere because of their arrival. An and Asuka greeted the other guests while occasionally responding to their teasing remarks, and their tense nerves, which had been strained all morning, were somewhat relieved.

However, in this harmonious atmosphere, An and Asuka suddenly felt a subtle, almost intuitive, strange sensation on the back of their necks—a gaze was cast from outside the window.

It wasn't the curious or admiring gaze of the guests in the classroom, nor was it the warm attention from Xingcai and the others; it was more... focused, more serene, even carrying a sense of scrutiny. He suddenly turned his head, his sharp gaze sweeping across the corridor outside the window.

The afternoon sun was a bit dazzling. People came and went in the corridor, students laughing and chatting as they walked by, taking pictures with their phones or carrying snacks bought from other stalls. Everything seemed normal and bustling. That peculiar gaze from earlier seemed to be just his imagination, instantly swallowed up by the crowd and the light and shadow.

"What's wrong, Asuka?" Hoshino Ai keenly noticed his momentary pause and turn of his head.

“…It’s nothing.” An and Asuka looked away and shook their heads.

Were they curious students from other classes? Or...?

Before he could figure it out, Hoshino Ai checked the time and reminded him, "We should probably go soon. We all have class performances or club shows to prepare for later."

"Hey—let's sit a little longer!" Marina said, a little reluctantly.

"Don't cause trouble for Asuka, he's busy too." Shizuka Kuze gently pulled Marina up.

The three girls quickly finished their milk tea, packed up their cookies, said goodbye to An and Asuka, and disappeared into the surging crowd outside.

An and Asuka watched them leave, then plunged back into the even more organized yet still busy "traffic control" service that afternoon.

Time slipped away quietly amidst the hustle and bustle. As the afternoon performance drew near, An and Asuka were finally able to temporarily escape their roles as "butlers."

After handing over his shift to his classmates, he rushed to the light music club's activity room, changed out of his sharp but restrictive suit, put on the band's regular clothes, and then ran non-stop to the school gymnasium, which served as the performance venue.

The gymnasium was already packed with people, and the atmosphere was lively. The stage lights were already in place, and the other three girls from the light music club—Anna Hachimi, Karen Himemiya, and Ai Hoshino—were ready, their instruments tuned, and waiting for his arrival.

"Oh, so the busy man has finally decided to come out of his honeymoon phase?" As soon as Anza saw him, Banai raised an eyebrow and teased, "I thought you were so infatuated with the upperclassmen and underclassmen that you forgot about your business."

"Do you think I want to?" An and Asuka sighed helplessly, took the drumsticks she handed them, and skillfully checked their drum kit. "Dealing with guests is much more tiring than practicing."

"Asuka, are you alright? Do you still have the energy to play the drums?" Himegami Karen looked over with concern, her eyes filled with genuine worry. She knew that An and Asuka had barely rested today.

"Don't worry, it's fine." An and Asuka gave her a reassuring look and flexed their wrists. The system's stamina boost kept him in good condition.

"Alright, everyone's ready, let's go on stage!" Hoshino Ai clapped her hands as the lead vocalist, drawing everyone's attention back. She wore her signature calming smile, her purple eyes sparkling with anticipation for the stage.

The four men exchanged nods, a silent understanding flowing between them. They picked up their instruments and walked to the center of the stage, which was illuminated by the lights.

The audience immediately erupted in enthusiastic applause and cheers, with many shouts of "Anwa-kun" and "Light Music Club" clearly audible.

The bustling scene at the coffee shop today clearly served as a warm-up for their performance.

Volume 1: Chapter 148 Akane Akasaka [5k words]

The performance begins.

The first song is "Hotaru no Hikari," a beautiful and slightly melancholic melody. Hoshino Ai's voice is ethereal and clear, Himemiya Karen's guitar is plaintive, Hanami Anna's bass lays a deep emotional foundation, and Anwa Asuka's drumbeats precisely control the rhythm, sometimes like a drizzle, sometimes like a heartbeat, perfectly interpreting the song's cherishing and reminiscence of fleeting beauty.

The audience was completely absorbed.

The second song is "I'm Sorry for Being So Cute," which has a brisk rhythm and a playful, slightly narcissistic touch.

The sudden change in musical style instantly ignited the atmosphere. Hoshino Ai displayed a cute, slightly arrogant side on stage, unlike her usual self. Anja and Karen's performance was also more unrestrained, and An and Asuka's drumbeats were dense and impactful, stirring everyone's emotions.

Two original songs, stylistically distinct yet both exceptionally well-executed, completely captivated the audience. Applause, cheers, and even whistles erupted throughout the venue, creating a vibrant and exciting atmosphere.

Just as An and Asuka struck the last resounding cymbal to the rhythm, looked up at the boisterous audience, and prepared to bow and take their bows with their teammates—that familiar feeling of being watched returned without warning.

It was clearer and more... impossible to ignore than it was in the coffee shop that afternoon.

His eyes flashed like lightning, quickly pinpointing the source of his senses—a figure stood silently in the shadows near the exit on the side and back of the stadium.

That's a woman.

She appeared to be around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, with long, wine-red hair, a tall figure, and wearing a well-tailored beige trench coat. Her long hair was loosely tied up, revealing a section of her fair and graceful neck. Her appearance was exceptionally striking, and her demeanor was mature and intellectual, making her stand out from the vibrant students around her.

At this moment, she was staring intently at the stage, or more precisely, at An and Asuka on the stage.

Her eyes were extremely complex, as deep as an ancient well, containing scrutiny, inquiry, a kind of incomprehensible nostalgia, and even... a very faint trace of a dazed look, as if she were looking through him at someone else.

The woman seemed to pause slightly when An and Asuka's gaze met.

Immediately, as if startled, she quickly and naturally averted her gaze, as if she were merely an ordinary audience member glancing at the stage unintentionally. Then, she turned and silently disappeared into the shadows of the stadium's side entrance.

The whole process was so fast it only took a few seconds.

The bowing and farewell on stage continued, accompanied by deafening applause. Hana excitedly nudged his arm, while Karen Himegami cast an inquiring glance.

Noticing the girls' confusion, An and Asuka quickly recovered and picked up the microphone to thank the audience.

Noticing the questioning glances from Anna and Karen, An and Asuka quickly concealed the fleeting look of surprise in their eyes, as if their momentary lapse in concentration was merely an illusion under the lights. He picked up the microphone, his face regaining the perfect, performer's smile, and his voice, clear and steady, resonated throughout the stadium through the speakers:

"Thank you so much for your support! We are—the Light Music Club!"

"oh--!!"

The cheers from the audience surged up again like a tidal wave, the sound almost lifting the roof off. The excited blush on the faces of the boys and girls, and the sparkle in their eyes, were the most direct affirmation of their performance.

An and Asuka bowed again with their teammates, temporarily suppressing the subtle unease brought on by that mysterious gaze. There was no threat, no malice; perhaps it was just an outsider with a unique aesthetic who happened to stop and admire them.

He categorized her as "a somewhat strange but not worth paying attention to" and returned his attention to the bustling scene before him and his companions.

The second day of the school anniversary celebration.

The original plan was to have a good rest today and replenish the energy consumed yesterday. However, as soon as An and Asuka arrived at school in the early morning, they were surrounded by a group of classmates from Class 2-A, whose faces were full of pitiful expressions that said "Please" and "We can't do without you".

"Anhe, please! Today is the last day!"

"Yes, yes, without you at the door, I feel like the customer traffic would drop by more than half!"

Please! Don't go! We really need you!

"Anhe is our class's treasure!"

Everyone chimed in, their eyes pleading. An and Asuka looked at their classmates, who had been working hard together just yesterday but now seemed like abandoned little animals. The words of cold rejection swirled on their tongues, but they were ultimately swallowed back down.

“…Alright.” He sighed softly, “But it’s agreed that it will only last until noon.”

"No problem! Thank you, Anhe!" The crowd instantly brightened and cheered.

Perhaps it was a pang of conscience, or perhaps it was a realization of his hard work yesterday, but the task assigned to An and Asuka today was much easier—he only needed to wear his striking butler uniform, stand at the classroom door as a "signboard boy" and "greeter," and use his good looks and polite words to attract customers, without having to go inside the shop to provide service.

This was exactly what An and Asuka wanted. He stood tall and handsome in the doorway decorated with ribbons and flowers, possessing a unique charm that was somewhere between youthful naiveté and butler's composure. He quickly became a striking figure in the corridor.

"Welcome to the Class 2-A Butler's Cafe."

"Today's special recommendation: handmade cookies and a special blend of black tea. Why not come in and try it?"

"There are still seats inside, please follow me."

With a smile on his face, a clear voice, and a polite yet not overly enthusiastic demeanor, he attracted wave after wave of passing students and visitors from outside the school. Under his "blessing," the class café indeed maintained a considerable level of customer traffic.

The corridor was bustling with people, noisy and full of energy. Anhe and Asuka nodded slightly, watching the two girls leave satisfied, their gazes casually sweeping over the surging crowd.

Just then, the crowd seemed to be gently parted by an invisible force.

An elegant and mature figure, out of place with the youthful atmosphere around him, walked up to him unhurriedly and stopped.

Anwa Asuka instinctively flashed a professional smile and smoothly began, "Hello, welcome to the 2nd Year A Class Butler Cafe..."

His voice paused almost imperceptibly when he saw the person's face, but he quickly returned to normal, though a very faint look of surprise flashed deep in his eyes.

"...coffee shop."

is her.

The woman who watched him with that complex and indescribable gaze from the shadows of the stadium yesterday, and then quietly left.

Today she changed her outfit, wearing a light apricot-colored knit sweater with off-white trousers, topped with a high-quality khaki trench coat. Her long hair flowed smoothly over her shoulders, and her makeup was delicate and elegant. Compared to yesterday, she had lost some of her mystery and gained more intellect and gentleness, but her mature charm and outstanding appearance, which transcended her age, still made her stand out from the crowd.

The woman tilted her head slightly, narrowed her beautiful eyes which seemed to see through people's hearts, and smiled kindly and playfully: "Little one, aren't you going to invite me in?"

Her voice was deep and pleasant, with a magnetic quality unique to mature women.

“Ah,” An and Asuka quickly composed themselves, turned to the side and gestured for them to go in, their tone returning to its usual composure, “You can go in by yourself, there are classmates inside to help you.”

"Is that so?" The woman nodded, her gaze lingering on his face for a brief moment. Her eyes still held a hint of inquiry, but the dazedness and profundity of yesterday were gone. She said nothing more, and gracefully strode into the noisy classroom.

An and Asuka's gaze unconsciously followed her back for a moment before turning back to the corridor.

She is such a...exceptionally beautiful woman.

He objectively assessed her in his mind. It wasn't just her refined appearance, but also a cultivated and sophisticated air, refined through years of experience. Her physique was impeccable, and her voice was mature, steady, and captivating.

It is indeed quite rare to see such a woman at a middle school anniversary celebration.

Sure enough, a low gasp and commotion soon came from inside the classroom. Clearly, the arrival of this special guest had attracted considerable attention. An and Asuka could even hear the slightly nervous and stuttering greetings from several boys.

However, none of that mattered to him anymore. His task was to attract customers at the door; the service inside was naturally handled by other students. He collected his thoughts, put on a polite smile again, and prepared to greet the next customer.

"Um... Anhe, can I take a picture with you?" A girl wearing the uniform of the school next door blushed and mustered up her courage to step forward with encouragement from her friend.

“Of course.” An and Asuka readily agreed, adjusting their stance accordingly.

Inside the classroom, Akane Akane's gaze casually swept over the temporary café, which had been carefully decorated by the students and was full of youthful ingenuity. She finally chose to sit down at a relatively quiet, unused table by the window.

Soon, a somewhat nervous-looking young man in a waiter's vest walked over quickly, trying to keep his voice steady: "P-what would you like to order? This is our menu."

He handed over a simple menu with hand-drawn illustrations and cute handwriting.

Akane Kousaka took the menu but didn't look at it; she simply placed it gently on the table. She looked up at the slightly immature boy in front of her, her kind smile deepening slightly, yet carrying an undeniable air of authority.

"Thank you." Her voice was pleasant and melodious, but her request surprised the boy. "However, I'm not very interested in the menu. If possible... I would like to have the young man standing at the door serve me, is that alright?"

"Huh? This..." The boy was completely taken aback by such a request and immediately became flustered.

Anhe, the "signboard boy" at the entrance, was specifically assigned no in-store service today, so he could have a slightly easier time. Furthermore, specifically requesting service from a particular "butler" seemed a bit...unreasonable within their own simple set of rules.

"Is it difficult?" Akane blinked, her tone still gentle, yet carrying an invisible pressure. "I just think that boy seems very professional and trustworthy. Perhaps you could ask him if he's willing? Of course, if it's inconvenient, that's fine too."

Her words were measured and tactful, expressing a strong suspicion that Ling Qiqi resembled Wu Liu, yet without being overly aggressive, cleverly pushing the decision back to her.

The boy was in an even more difficult position.

It would be impolite to refuse such an extraordinary guest, but breaking the arrangement would also... He glanced back at the doorway. An and Asuka had just finished taking a photo with a girl from outside the school and were smiling as they watched her leave. The lines of their profiles were clear and serene in the light of the corridor.

"I...I'll go ask!" The boy finally couldn't resist the pressure of Akane Akasaka's smiling gaze, and deep down he also felt that it might be more appropriate for Anwa to deal with such an "important person," so he turned around and ran towards the door.

"Anhe! Anhe!" The boy ran to Anhe Asuka's side, lowered his voice, and quickly explained the situation, "...That guest, the really beautiful lady who just went in, she...she said she wants you to serve her. What do we do? She seems quite insistent..."

Upon hearing this, An and Asuka's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly. His gaze passed over the boy's shoulder and landed inside the classroom. Through the glass window and the swaying shadows, he could see Ms. Akane Akasaka sitting calmly by the window. As if sensing his gaze, she smiled again, but this smile had become somewhat enigmatic.

Did you specifically request his service?

Yesterday's meaningful gaze, today's special visit, and now this somewhat abrupt request... there are too many coincidences, making it seem deliberate.

This older sister seems to have come for more than just a school anniversary visit.

An and Asuka felt a slight alarm bell ringing in their hearts, but their expressions remained calm. They didn't sense any malice, but they keenly felt that they might be being 'targeted'.

"I understand." He nodded calmly to the anxiously waiting boy. "I'll go. Can you handle the door for now? Just a quick greeting will suffice."

"Huh? Me? Yes, okay!" the boy quickly agreed, while also letting out a sigh of relief.

An and Asuka straightened their already meticulously crafted bow ties and cuffs, and stepped into the classroom where they had "worked" all day.

The noise, the aroma of food, and the busy figures of teenagers rushed towards him, but he seemed to automatically filter out these backgrounds, his gaze falling directly on the figure by the window who stood apart from this youthful clamor.

He walked to the table, bowed slightly—his posture was impeccable—and said in a steady, clear voice, "Good afternoon, ma'am. I am Anhe Asuka, it is my pleasure to serve you. How can I help you?"

Akane Akane put down her teacup and looked up. This time, her gaze was no longer a distant look through the crowd or glass, but a real, undisguised close look at his face and body. The scrutiny was more direct than yesterday, yet strangely mixed with a hint of...satisfaction.

"Peace and...flying birds."

She slowly uttered his name, the syllables flowing between her lips as if savoring something. "It's a very nice name. Please sit down, it's not convenient to talk standing up."

An and Asuka did not sit down immediately, but remained standing, and said gently, "Thank you for your compliment. However, I am currently working, so it is more appropriate for me to serve you while standing. Have you decided what you would like to order? Or is there anything else you need?"

His response was impeccable, polite yet clearly distinguishing between "waiter" and "guest," while steer the conversation back on track.

Akane Akasaka chuckled softly, a genuine joy seemingly tinged with her laughter this time. "What a cautious and well-behaved little one."

She stopped insisting, leaned back slightly, and looked him over in a more relaxed manner. "Then, just give me a cup of your most ordinary black tea. As for snacks... what would you recommend?"

“Our handmade cookies are our specialty today. They have a good reputation, are moderately sweet, and go very well with black tea,” Anhe Asuka replied smoothly.