Green plums cannot become lovers.

The three girls looked at each other, and finally Marina Kirasaka spoke, her voice lower than before: "We're not related. We... are similar to Asuka."

"About the same?" Akane Kousaka asked, puzzled.

An and Asuka picked up the conversation, their voices as calm as if they were giving a weather forecast: "We have some similar experiences that brought us together and have accompanied each other on our journey."

A single sentence succinctly summarizes the four children's years of mutual dependence.

Akane Akasaka felt a tightness in her throat, and her fingers tightened slightly around the teacup. She looked around at the four boys and girls in front of her. At an age when other children were still being pampered in their parents' arms, they had already begun to huddle together for warmth and survival.

She finally understood why An and Asuka possessed a maturity beyond their years, and why he could speak so calmly about being abandoned by his parents. It was because he wasn't alone in facing all of this; he had companions, "family" who were also struggling in their predicaments but supported each other.

"You..." Akane Kousaka's voice was a little hoarse, "Have you always taken care of yourselves?"

"Mm." Shizuka Kuze nodded, her tone so calm it was heartbreaking. "You'll get used to it."

Get used to it.

These four words pierced Akane Akasaka's heart like needles. She remembered what she was doing when she was thirteen or fourteen—burying herself in her studies in junior high, anxious about an exam, going shopping in Shibuya with friends on weekends, and complaining about how bad her mother's bento boxes were. Meanwhile, these kids were already carefully budgeting for their lives, for the ingredients for their dinners, and for school fees.

“Kusaka-sensei,” Marina Kirasaka suddenly spoke, her eyes sharper than her age, “You said you wanted to sign Asuka, were you serious? No… you weren’t lying to him, were you?”

“Marina,” An and Asuka whispered, trying to stop her.

"I need to know the truth!" Marina looked stubbornly at Akane. "Asuka is amazing, and we all believe he'll become a great person. But... but we've heard a lot of bad things. Some adults take advantage of talented children..."

Her voice trembled slightly, but her eyes were resolute. Kuze Shizuka also watched Akane Akasaka nervously, while Hoshino Ai, though her expression was calm, had an even more pronounced scrutinizing look in her purple eyes.

Akane Akasaka's heart was struck hard. These children not only have to protect themselves in daily life, but also build high walls around their minds to guard against harm from the adult world. Marina's question at this moment seemed more like an instinctive reaction to protect her companion.

She put down her teacup, sat up straight, and her expression became unusually serious.

“On behalf of Akane Akasaka and the reputation of Rouge en Rouge,” she said clearly and firmly, “I am serious about An and Asuka’s musical talent, and I am serious about their development. The contract terms will be completely transparent, all arrangements will respect his wishes, and his studies and life will be given priority. If you are not comfortable with this, you can have an independent lawyer review all the documents when signing the contract.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the four boys and girls: "Furthermore, if Asuka-kun signs a contract, I won't just focus on him alone. You are his family, his support system. If there's anything you need help with—whether it's in your daily lives, your studies, or even your future career paths—I will do my best to help."

These words were spoken sincerely and forcefully, and the expressions of the three girls softened somewhat.

An and Asuka looked at Akane Akasaka silently, their eyes filled with contemplation and assessment. After a long while, they spoke, "Marina, Ms. Akasaka isn't that kind of person."

A simple sentence, yet it carries a certain certainty.

Marina Kirasaka glanced at Anwa Asuka, then at Akane Kousaka, and finally nodded, saying softly, "...I'm sorry, Kousaka-sensei, I was so rude."

“No, you did the right thing.” Akane Akasaka smiled with relief instead. “Protecting yourself and the people you care about is the right thing to do. Asuka-kun is lucky to have a family like yours.”

These words stunned the three girls. Then, Shizuka Kuze's eyes reddened slightly, Marina Kirasaka turned her face away, and Ai Hoshino lowered her head with a faint, genuine smile on her lips.

"Um..." Shizuka Kuze whispered, "Would you like to stay for lunch, Mr. Kousaka? I made curry today, though it's just a simple vegetable curry..."

“If you don’t mind,” Hoshino Ai added.

Akane Akane looked at the cautious expectation in their eyes and felt a warm current surge in her heart, but also a pang of sadness.

She smiled and nodded, "Then I'll have to bother you. I really like curry."

At lunchtime, the small house became unusually lively. Akane Akane insisted on helping to set the table, sitting at the small dining table and watching the four children skillfully divide the tasks—Ai Hoshino served rice, Shizuka Kuze served curry, Marina Kirasaka set the water glasses, and Anwa Asuka was in charge of serving the dishes.

A simple vegetable curry served with white rice and a small dish of pickled radishes. It's not a fancy meal, but it's steaming hot and smells wonderful.

"I'm starting!" the five said in unison.

Akane Akasaka took a bite and found it surprisingly delicious. The curry was rich and flavorful, the vegetables were cooked to the perfect tenderness, and the rice was steamed just right.

"It's delicious," she praised sincerely.

"It's Shizuka's chef!" Marina Kirasaka exclaimed immediately. "Shizuka's cooking is the best!"

“Marina will be in charge of cleaning,” Shizuka Kuze said with a smile.

“Asuka will be in charge of dealing with the adults outside,” Hoshino Ai said softly, “and she'll also be teaching us our lessons.”

They chatted naturally, their conversation carrying the familiarity and tacit understanding of family. Akane listened quietly, observing the unspoken trust and reliance between them, and something deep within her was deeply touched.

This is not a tragic story. Despite the painful beginning, these children built a warm little world in their own way.

They supported each other and illuminated each other's path in adversity.

After lunch, Akane Akasaka did not leave as usual. Perhaps it was the simple yet heartwarming curry rice that kept her there, or perhaps it was this small world built by four children that allowed her to see a long-lost, pure vitality.

She stayed in the living room, saying she wanted to learn more about the boy's living environment.

Afternoon sunlight filtered through the sheer curtains, casting soft dappled patterns on the old but clean wooden floor. The room was quiet, save for the gentle hum of the air conditioner and the scratching of a pen on paper.

After her brief conversation with the boy, Akane's gaze was drawn to the scene around the dining table.

Unlike typical middle school students who spend their holidays watching TV or playing games, Marina Kirisaka and Shizuka Kuze each occupied one end of the dining table, intently working on their "homework."

In front of Marina lay a thick sketchbook and a set of old but well-maintained colored pencils. She bit her lower lip slightly, her long golden hair swaying gently with her focused movements, the pencil in her hand moving quickly and accurately across the paper.

Akane Akane's angle only allows her to see the side of the drawing paper, but she can see that a complex and exquisite scene outline has already been constructed on it—it seems to be a street scene from a fantasy world, with a unique architectural style and rich details.

Meanwhile, Shizuka sat upright on the other side, with a notebook in front of her, her head down, seemingly writing something.

An and Asuka sat on the sofa, flipping through the draft contract brought by Akane Akasaka, occasionally making marks with their pens. Hoshino Ai was washing dishes in the kitchen, the sound of running water soft and rhythmic.

Akane Kousaka quietly rose, not disturbing anyone, and slowly walked behind Marina. When she saw the drawing in the sketchbook, an undisguised look of amazement flashed in her eyes.

That's not your average graffiti or copy. The composition is sophisticated, the perspective precise, and the lines fluid and expressive. It depicts a steampunk-style street, with gears, pipes, suspended lamps, and old brick buildings cleverly combined.

What's even more amazing are the figures in the picture—although they are just sketches, their postures are vivid, their expressions are delicate, and each figure has its own story.

Marina was so focused that she didn't even notice someone behind her. It wasn't until she finished drawing a complex mechanical structure, let out a sigh of relief, and stretched her wrists that she suddenly realized Akane Akasaka was standing right behind her, and she was immediately startled.

"Kurenzaka-sensei!"

"Sorry, I startled you." Akane Akasaka apologized with a smile, but her gaze never left the drawing. "Is this the world you conceived yourself?"

Marina nodded somewhat awkwardly, her fingers unconsciously tracing the edge of her sketchbook: "Um... I was just imagining things..."

“This is not just ‘wild imagination’,” Akane Akasaka said seriously, pointing to a detail in the picture. “The gear transmission structure here is very well designed. Although it is a fantasy style, it has physical logic. And the character’s expression—look, although he is smiling, his eyes are very tired. This kind of detail is handled very professionally.”

Marina was stunned, her cheeks flushing slightly. She had heard many people praise her for "drawing well," but this was the first time she had received such precise feedback on technical details and expressive intent.

What's more, the person giving the review is Akane Akasaka—the same Akane Akasaka who created "The Cardinal of Gotanda".

At that moment, Shizuka was also drawn by the commotion and looked up. Akane Akasaka followed suit and asked, "Shizuka, are you writing?"

"Yes, yes..." Shizuka said somewhat shyly, "I'm writing some stories..."

"May I take a look?" Akane Akasaka asked gently. "Of course, if it's inconvenient..."

“Sure.” Shizuka Kuze handed over her notebook.

Akane Akasaka read quickly, but her expression grew increasingly focused. A few minutes later, she looked up, and the way she looked at Shizuka had completely changed.

"This is your own creation?" Her voice held undisguised surprise.

Shizuka nodded. "Yes, does Mr. Akasaka think there's something wrong?"

“No, quite the opposite.” Akane Akasaka took a deep breath, gently placed the laptop on the table, and pointed to a passage of text on the screen. “Look here— ‘Memories are like faded photographs, curled at the edges, blurred in the center, but you remember the warmth of the moment the flash went off.’”

This metaphor is not only novel but also precisely captures the texture of memory. Furthermore, the dialogue here—each character's tone is consistent with their identity and state of mind, advancing the plot while revealing their personality.

She flipped to the front and looked at the story outline and character settings, becoming increasingly alarmed as she read. This was not a typical practice piece for middle school students at all, but rather the prototype of a mature story with a complete structure, well-developed characters, and profound themes.

Although the writing style is still somewhat immature, the delicate grasp of emotions, the precise control of rhythm, and the literary insight revealed between the lines are all proof of talent.

Akane Akasaka's gaze swept over Marina's sketchbook again, then looked at the beautiful words on Shizuka's computer screen, and an idea quickly formed in her mind.

She sat back on the sofa, and the three girls, along with An and Asuka, all looked at her, waiting for her to speak. Hoshino Ai also dried her hands and came out of the kitchen, sitting quietly to the side.

“Maria, Shizuka,” Akane Akasaka’s voice was particularly clear in the quiet living room, “I just saw your work—and I’m not just being polite, I was genuinely amazed.”

The two girls held their breath.

“Maria’s paintings are not only technically proficient, but also possess a soul. The world you construct is alive and vibrant; I can feel the thoughts and emotions you have poured into it. Shizuka’s novels are delicately written, structurally complete, and most importantly—you are expressing yourself very sincerely through words.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the four boys and girls: "I think you all know about Asuka-kun's musical talent. But only today did I realize that in this small home, there are actually three unpolished gems hidden."

Marina and Shizuka's faces turned red, but their eyes lit up.

“So,” Akane Kousaka leaned forward slightly, her tone becoming serious, “I want to formally ask you—Marina, Shizuka, would you like to consider joining my club?”

"Huh?" The two girls exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

“We’re not signing you as a trainee or an affiliate, but as a promising creator,” Akane Akasaka explained. “Rouge en Rouge is more than just a music production company. We have an independent manga publishing division, a novel publishing and IP development team, and a game development division. What we need are young creators like you with original creative abilities.”

She looked at Marina: "Marina's art style and world-building ability are very suitable for manga or game concept art. We can provide professional drawing guidance, creative environment and publishing platform."

She then looked at Shizuka: "Shizuka's writing skills and narrative ability are more than enough to make her a professional writer. We can arrange for a senior editor to guide you in revising your work, try to secure a publication opportunity, and even explore the possibility of adaptation."

Finally, her gaze fell on An and Asuka: "As for Asuka, we've already discussed the music. But if the three of you—music, painting, and literature—could collaborate in some way, perhaps you could create something even more interesting."

The living room fell silent. Marina and Shizuka were completely stunned. They looked at each other, then at Akane Akasaka, seemingly unable to process this sudden and bombshell proposal.

An and Asuka were the first to break the silence: "Ms. Akasaka is serious?"

“Very serious.” Akane Kousaka nodded. “I’m not giving charity or pitying you. I’m investing—investing in genuine talent. Your work has already proven that you deserve this investment.”

Marina opened her mouth, her voice trembling slightly: "But...we're just middle school students...and we don't have any connections..."

“All I care about is the work itself,” Akane Akasaka interrupted her. “Age is not a problem, nor is background. When I published ‘Cardinal Gotanda,’ I was just an unknown college student. In the end, what matters in this industry is always the quality of the work.”

Shizuka clenched her fists, her knuckles turning white: "But... if we sign the contract, do we have to go to Tokyo? We... we can't leave here, we can't leave each other..."

This is the most practical problem, and also their biggest concern.

Akane Akasaka had clearly considered this: "It's not necessary in the early stages. You can continue to live and study here. Most of the creative work can be done through online communication. If necessary, I can arrange for an editor or mentor to come over, or you can go to Tokyo for short-term training during your winter and summer vacations. After you graduate from high school, we can decide on your future development direction based on the situation."

She paused, then added, "Furthermore, if all three of you sign a contract at the same time, the agency can consider providing you with better housing security—not charity, but as basic living support for contracted creators. After all, a stable environment is very important for creative work."

This addition made An and Asuka raise their heads. They looked at Akane Akasaka with a scrutinizing and thoughtful expression in their eyes.

“Ms. Kousaka,” Hoshino Ai suddenly spoke, her voice calm, but her purple eyes gleaming sharply, “Why are you willing to do so much for us?”

The question was pointed, but Akane Akasaka appreciated the directness. She smiled and said, "Three reasons."

"First, I trust my judgment. I've seen so many works that I can distinguish between true talent and ordinary hobbies. All three of you—including Asuka-kun—have that undeniable brilliance."

"Secondly, Rouge en Rouge has always been committed to discovering and nurturing creators with unique styles. We don't want to make mass-produced products; we want to create art that touches people's hearts and has vitality. And you happen to possess this quality."

“Third…” She paused slightly, her gaze becoming more profound, “Perhaps it’s because I saw a reflection of my past self. Not in terms of talent, but in terms of that stubbornness that persisted in creating despite difficulties. I admire that stubbornness and am willing to provide fertile ground for it to grow.”

The living room fell silent again, but this time the silence was filled with complex emotions—shock, doubt, longing, hesitation, and a sliver of hope that dared not be touched.

Marina lowered her head, looking at her calloused fingers from years of painting. Shizuka gazed out the window at the sky, her eyes unfocused. An and Asuka closed the draft contract, seemingly deep in thought.

After a long silence, An and Asuka spoke: "Maria, Shizuka, this is your own choice. Don't make this decision because of me or because of the pressures of life. Ask yourselves—is this what you want?"

Marina looked up, her brown eyes glistening with tears: "I... I've always dreamed that one day my paintings will be seen by many people... that I can create a world like Akasaka-sensei, immersing readers within it..."

Shizuka's voice was soft but firm: "I want to write down the stories in my heart. Those characters and plots that have lingered in my mind for a long time... I want them to come alive and be remembered by readers."

Akane Akasaka looked at them and said gently, "Dreams have no high or low status, but those who have the courage to pursue their dreams deserve respect and support."

She stood up and took out two business cards from her bag—the same ones she had given to An and Asuka, with her personal email address handwritten on them.

“No need to reply now. Take these and look at them, and discuss them with Asuka-kun and Ai. Carefully read the draft contract I gave Asuka-kun; there are many clauses in it that you can refer to. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me.”

She handed her business cards to Marina and Shizuka respectively. The two accepted them with both hands, their movements as solemn as if they were receiving some kind of sacred contract.

“Whatever your final decision may be,” Akane Kousaka said, looking at the four boys and girls, “it has been a reward for me to get to know you and see your work today.”

As she left Anwa's house, the sun was already setting. Akane Akasaka walked back, her feelings more complex and resolute than when she arrived.

She originally came only to find the bloodline of the Anwa family, but unexpectedly discovered a forest hiding treasures. Anwa Asuka's music, Kirasaka Marina's paintings, Kuze Shizuka's literature, and Hoshino Ai, who sang beautifully—each child was fighting against the hardships that fate had given them in their own way.

And now she has the opportunity to open a door for them.

This is not just a business investment, but a deeper connection—a resonance between creators, and a commitment between guardians and those being protected.

Upon returning to the hotel, the first thing Akane Akasaka did was call their Tokyo office.

"It's me. Could you check the recent new talent development budget for me... Yes, I'd like to reserve three spots. Also, contact our legal team; I need three special contract templates for underage creators, with more flexible terms and a focus on nurturing rather than short-term returns..."

The person on the other end of the phone was clearly surprised, but Akane Akasaka's tone left no room for argument.

After hanging up the phone, she stood by the window, gazing at the small town that was gradually lighting up.

Inside that house, the four children must be discussing her proposal right now. They'll hesitate, they'll doubt, they'll weigh the pros and cons.

But Akane Akasaka had a premonition—that they would accept it.

It's not because of financial constraints, but because true creators cannot refuse an opportunity to have their work seen and recognized.

She was ready to welcome them.

Volume 1: Chapter 152 My Family Is Not My Protection [11,000 words]