Green plums cannot become lovers.

As the last note faded, Anwa and Asuka looked up at Anwa and Subaru: "How was it?"

Anhe Mao then snapped out of her daze, her face instantly turning red. She hurriedly nodded, "It's...it's really beautiful! Absolutely beautiful!"

An and Asuka put down their guitars and stood up: "That's settled then, I have to go to my meeting."

"Wait!" Anhe Mao called out to him, hesitated for a moment, and took out a small box from his bag. "This... is for you."

An and Asuka took it, opened it, and found it was a box of high-end chocolates.

"Thank you for your performance today." Anhe Mao's face turned even redder. "I... I'll be going now!"

After saying that, she practically ran out of the rehearsal room.

An and Asuka stood there, holding the box of chocolates, their expressions complex. They looked down at the beautifully packaged box, then looked up at the doorway where An and Subaru had disappeared, and finally sighed softly.

Some things seem to be developing in a direction beyond his control.

An and Subaru ran out of the agency, and even after getting into the car home, their hearts were still pounding. She leaned back in her seat, closed her eyes, and the scene replayed in her mind: the boy's flowing hair as he played the drums, his gentle smile as he played the guitar, and his eyes that seemed to glow when he was focused on his performance.

Her hand instinctively reached into her pocket and touched a soft piece of fabric—the handkerchief that An and Asuka had used to bandage her ankle at the amusement park last year. She had kept it with her ever since, never returning it to him.

Perhaps, from the very beginning, she never intended to pay it back.

The fifth and last day in Tokyo.

In the afternoon, An and Asuka finished finalizing the data organization and work arrangements at the office. They will take the Shinkansen back to Aichi Prefecture early tomorrow morning.

An and Subaru also came, saying they were there to see them off.

Akane Akane thoughtfully left the space to the young people and went to her office to handle some documents. In the break room, Marina, Shizuka, and Ai were packing their luggage, while Anwa Asuka and Anwa Subaru stood by the window, gazing at the bustling street scene of Shibuya outside.

"I'm leaving tomorrow," Anhe Mao said softly, his voice full of reluctance.

“Yes.” An and Asuka nodded. “After all, our home is there.”

"So... will you come to Tokyo again?"

"Yes, Sister Zhu Yin has arranged some training sessions, and she might come over during the winter break."

“Well…” An and Subaru bit their lip, mustering their courage, “When you come, can you tell me? I can… I can show you around Tokyo! I know lots of fun places!”

Looking into her expectant eyes, An and Asuka remained silent for a moment before finally nodding: "Okay."

This simple response immediately brightened Anwa Subaru's eyes. She smiled happily, a smile as bright as the sun, which softened Anwa Asuka's heart.

He recalled An and Subaru's behavior over the past few days—coming to the office every day, bringing all sorts of snacks, watching him work attentively, listening quietly to his explanations of music, never disturbing him, simply wanting to stay by his side.

This girl, despite being a pampered young lady, restrained all her willfulness in front of him, leaving only the purest kindness and affection.

A complex mix of emotions welled up within Anwa Asuka. He knew he should keep his distance, knew this blood relation would bring too much trouble, and knew that getting too deeply involved with the Anwa family might disrupt his current peaceful life.

But when facing An and Subaru, he found it difficult to completely ignore them.

“Subaru,” he suddenly said, “there’s something I want to give you.”

Anwa Subaru was taken aback for a moment: "Huh?"

An and Asuka took out a pair of drumsticks from their backpack. These weren't new; they were a pair he'd used for a long time, the wooden surface worn smooth by countless hands, bearing the subtle marks of his practice.

"Here, take this." He handed the drumsticks to An and Subaru. "They're not anything valuable, but... they're my go-to."

Anwa Subaru took the drumsticks in a daze. They were warm to the touch, as if they still retained the warmth of Anwa Asuka's palms. She looked down at the unremarkable drumsticks, then looked up at Anwa Asuka, her eyes shining.

"This, this is..."

"A parting gift," An and Asuka said softly, "thank you for your company these past few days."

An and Subaru gripped the drumsticks tightly, their fingers trembling slightly.

Her other hand was still in her pocket, clutching the handkerchief tightly. She had originally planned to return the handkerchief to An and Asuka today as a farewell ritual, but now... she changed her mind.

She wanted to keep the handkerchief, and she wanted to keep the drumsticks. She wanted to cherish all these things related to her childhood.

“Asuka-kun…” After a long while, Anwa Subaru finally found his voice and forced a smile. “Thank you. I will cherish this gift forever.”

An and Asuka looked at her gently: "Practice the piano well. I'd like to hear you play next time you come to Tokyo."

"Yes!" Anhe Subaru nodded vigorously, his smile still bright. "I'll practice hard! I'll definitely play it for you!"

Outside the window, the sun was setting, and the lights of Tokyo began to illuminate the city one by one. Another night was about to begin in this vast city, and two young people stood by the window, bidding a simple yet profound farewell.

Something was quietly sprouting in the girl's heart. It wasn't simple admiration, nor was it simple gratitude, but a more complex and profound emotion—a mixture of admiration, dependence, longing, and a kind of stirring that she herself hadn't fully understood yet.

She looked at An and Asuka's calm profile, at his slightly hazy outline in the afterglow of the setting sun, which was quite handsome and made her unconsciously want to get closer.

As An and Asuka gazed at the deepening scenery outside the window, their minds were also filled with countless thoughts. The pair of drumsticks he had given them were not merely a gift, but a silent response—a response to An and Subaru's kindness, a limited acceptance of this unexpected blood relation, and also an openness to the possible future.

He didn't know where this relationship would lead, how things would ultimately develop in Anhe's family, or how long he could keep his identity a secret.

But at least for this moment, in this Tokyo twilight, he chooses to believe—to believe in kindness, to believe in the power of music, and to believe that time will provide the best answer.

"It's time to go," An and Asuka said softly.

“Yes.” Anwa Subaru nodded, wiping away his tears. “Have a safe trip, Asuka-kun. You must… come to Tokyo again.”

"must."

The two exchanged a smile, then turned and walked towards their waiting companions. Marina, Shizuka, and Ai had already packed their luggage, and Akane Kousaka also came out of the office to take them back to the hotel.

My five days in Tokyo came to an end as the sun set.

But the emotions that sprouted in the music, the tokens exchanged at parting, and the quietly changing feelings will all become seeds, buried in the soil of time, waiting for a future moment to sprout and bloom into fruits that may be beautiful or complex.

An and Asuka slung their backpacks over their shoulders and took one last look at Tokyo outside the window. The city lights shone like a sea of ​​stars, dazzling yet distant.

On the morning I left Tokyo, the platform was sparsely populated. The chill of early autumn had already seeped into the air, and the edges of the ginkgo trees beside the platform were beginning to turn yellow.

Akane Akasaka came to see them off alone. She had originally planned to return to Aichi Prefecture with them to continue following up on the children's early works, but the Tokyo headquarters suddenly received an urgent project, and as the core producer, she had to stay.

“Really, there’s no need to see me off, Akane-nee.” Anwa Asuka looked at Akane Akasaka, who was clearly sleep-deprived, and said with a hint of concern, “You look like you need to rest.”

Akane Akasaka rubbed her temples, forcing herself to stay alert: "What are you talking about? There's still time to see you off." She turned to the three girls and gave them instructions one by one, "Marina, Shizuka, Ai, be careful on the road. Remember to message me when you get home."

"Understood, Akane-neechan!" Marina nodded vigorously, her golden ponytail swaying with the movement.

Shizuka Kuze smiled gently: "You should also take care of your health and not overwork yourself."

Hoshino Ayane said softly, "Next time you come to Aichi, I'll make you some tea."

Akane Akane felt a warmth in her heart; these children always managed to touch the softest part of her soul without her noticing. Looking at these four boys and girls who depended on each other for survival, watching them gradually open up to her help and care from their initial wariness and distance, a sense of responsibility akin to that of a mother quietly took root within her.

She really cares about these little ones who huddle together for warmth.

"Alright, the train is about to pull into the station." Akane Kousaka checked the time and then said to An and Asuka, "Asuka, you're their pillar of strength. Take good care of everyone. If anything happens, feel free to call me anytime."

An and Asuka nodded, their eyes serious: "Yes, I will. You should also take care to get some rest and not stay up too late."

His concern startled Akane Akasaka slightly, but she quickly smiled gently and said, "I understand, young master."

The Shinkansen train slowly pulled into the station, and the doors opened. The four boarded one by one and sat down by the window. Through the glass, they waved to Akane Akasaka on the platform.

Akane Akasaka waved back until the train started moving, gradually accelerating, and finally disappearing at the end of the tracks.

She was the only one left on the platform. The cool morning breeze of early autumn blew by, and she stood there, gazing in the direction the train had disappeared, motionless for a long time.

"They've left." 11?务弃镹鹨迩

A familiar voice suddenly came from behind. Akane Akasaka turned around and saw Anwa Tendo standing on the other side of the platform. The old man was dressed in a simple dark kimono with a thin coat draped over his shoulders, standing there like a silent ancient tree.

Akane Akasaka walked over quickly: "Grandma Tendo, what brings you here?"

"I want to see how that child looks when he leaves." Anhe Tiantong's gaze was fixed on the distant tracks, his voice carrying a calm that came from having experienced many hardships.

Akane Akane was silent for a moment, then said, "Why didn't you say goodbye in person just now? You clearly wanted to see him so much."

Anhe Tiantong was silent for a moment, then slowly shook his head: "That's enough. Watching him get into the car from afar, watching him leave, knowing he's safe... that's enough."

Her tone revealed an undisguised loneliness, but even more so, a restrained and profound love.

“I don’t want to put pressure on him,” the old man added softly. “That child is already tired enough. If I suddenly show up, he might think, ‘Am I going to persuade him to acknowledge his ancestors? Am I going to interfere in his life?’ I don’t want to burden him with that.”

Akane Akane was deeply moved. She looked at the elderly woman in front of her, a highly respected figure in the entertainment industry who should have been enjoying her retirement, but at this moment she was like an ordinary grandmother who loved her grandson with utmost care. She clearly missed him terribly, but chose to watch over him from afar out of respect for his choice.

“He will understand,” Akane Kousaka said softly. “Someday.”

"I hope so." Anwa Tendo withdrew his gaze and turned to Akane Akasaka, his eyes filled with earnestness. "Akane, that child... I'm entrusting her to you."

"I will take good care of him," Akane Kousaka solemnly promised.

Anhe Tiantong nodded and turned to leave. Her figure appeared somewhat hunched in the morning light, but her steps remained steady, carrying the pride and dignity that belonged to Anhe Tiantong.

Akane Akane stood there, watching the old man's receding figure, a complex mix of emotions welling up inside her.

The bond of blood is ultimately the hardest thing to sever in this world. Even with a fourteen-year gap and irreparable wounds, that connection still operates quietly, linking people who should have been strangers together.

Time flows like water, slipping silently through our fingers.

The lingering warmth of summer gradually dissipated, and the autumn winds turned the ginkgo trees lining the streets of Aichi Prefecture yellow. In the blink of an eye, the ginkgo leaves had all fallen, and the cold winter winds swept through the city.

Over the past few months, An and Asuka's lives and those of the three girls have undergone significant changes.

The most obvious example is Shizuka Kuze, who, under the editorial guidance arranged by Akane Akasaka, published her first novel after signing a contract, "Little One's Summer," at an astonishing speed.

The story tells of a girl who closed herself off due to family misfortune, but gradually regained the courage to live after meeting a boy who was willing to give everything for her and help her out of the shadows.

“Actually, there are many reflections of ourselves in it.” One autumn afternoon, Shizuka whispered to An and Asuka while revising the manuscript, “The loneliness of that girl and the gentleness of that boy... are partly real.”

An and Asuka were helping Marina revise the manga panels when they heard this, and looked up: "But the ending is beautiful, and that's enough."

Shizuka nodded, a gentle smile appearing on her face beneath her black bob haircut: "Yes, the ending is beautiful."

"Little Summer" was officially published in early November. The cover features an illustration by Marina: a rainbow spans the sky on a street after the rain, and a girl stands under the rainbow, looking back at the camera with tears in her eyes, but also with hope.

Marina herself not only drew the complete set of illustrations for Shizuka's novel, but also started her own manga series, "The Oath Under the Starry Night," with the encouragement of Akane Kousaka.

The story is based on her own experiences and tells the story of a once happy family of three that is broken up by the father's infidelity, and the girl who is saved by the boy next door when she is in despair.

"This male lead looks just like a bird no matter how you look at him."

At the beginning, after the first sketch was completed, Hoshino Ai looked at the drawing and gave her feedback.

Marina blushed and protested, "N-no, that's not true! I only referenced a little bit!"

The boy in the painting has neat black hair, gentle eyes, and a posture of extending a helping hand without hesitation in times of crisis.

The two works were released almost simultaneously and quickly gained attention through Rouge en Rouge's promotional channels. "Little One's Summer" received a recommendation for new literary books for its delicate emotions and beautiful writing, while "The Vow Under the Starry Night" gained considerable popularity on comic platforms thanks to its exquisite art style and touching story.

Although it wasn't an overnight sensation or a bestseller, it was still a remarkable achievement for the two middle school students. More importantly, through their creative work, they found a way to express themselves and heal their inner selves.

Ai Hoshino's development path is slightly different. After a professional evaluation by Akane Kousaka, it was determined that she was very suitable for developing into an idol, considering her appearance, vocal qualities, and stage presence.

However, Akane Akasaka also made it clear that she did not want Akane to become a mass-produced idol, but rather to be a "performer with soul".

Therefore, Xiao Ai began systematic vocal, dance, and acting training. Akane Akasaka arranged top-notch teachers for her, gradually improving her professional skills through a combination of online courses and intensive holiday training.

"It's hard work, isn't it?"

The girl was very hardworking. An and Asuka could often see her practicing a dance move repeatedly in the living room, her forehead covered in sweat.

However, the girl didn't seem to care. When faced with the concern of the boy and her friends, she casually wiped away her sweat, her purple eyes shining brightly under the light. In a hopeful voice, she said to everyone, "But I'm very happy. Every time I stand in front of the mirror and see myself improving little by little, I feel... one step closer to my dream."

She should have been an orphan with nothing, but now she has the opportunity and courage to chase tomorrow and the sunshine.

In contrast to the three girls' busy creative work and training, An and Asuka seemed much more "leisurely" during this period. He did not rush to release new works or participate in commercial activities, but instead focused his main energy on the school's light music club.

But this leisurely lifestyle is only superficial.

In Akane Akasaka's plan, An and Asuka's primary task at this stage is to accumulate experience and refine their skills.

He receives professional course materials from Akane Akasaka every week—advanced music theory, arrangement techniques, music production software operation, and even some basic business and legal knowledge. He completes these courses on his own in his spare time and passes the online tests.

At the same time, he also began to systematically organize his compositions. From his earliest works, "Hotaru no Hikari" and "I'm Sorry for Being So Cute," to later works such as "Summer" and "Rain," as well as several unreleased songs he wrote recently, he is preparing his first mini-album under the guidance of Akane Akasaka.

The activities of the Light Music Club served as his stage for practice and demonstration.

On December 24th, the first snow covered Aichi Prefecture.

An and Asuka stood by the window of the light music club's activity room, watching the snowflakes fall outside. In their hands was a newly completed draft of sheet music with a new song title written on it.

Behind them, Marina and Shizuka were discussing ideas for a new piece, Ai was practicing new dance moves, and Anja and Karen were tuning their instruments.

The room was filled with a warm atmosphere—the passion for creation, the warmth of dreams, and the strength to support each other on the journey.

An and Asuka lowered their heads, looking at the sheet music in their hands. The notes seemed to dance on the paper, as if they had come to life.

He knew that the road ahead was still long, and the challenges would only increase. But he was no longer alone, nor was he lost.

He has music, companions, and people willing to support him.