One Week Before Tokyo
With just one week left before they began their new lives at Meiyo University in Tokyo, Aoi and Ren found themselves not on a train or in front of a laptop — but sitting nervously across from their parents in their respective living rooms.
Aoi had insisted.
"If we're serious about living together," she said with determination, "we have to be honest. And besides… I want to do things properly. Because this—" she pointed to herself and then to Ren, "—this is the real deal."
Ren agreed, though a bit red in the face. He wasn't used to declarations like that. But she made everything feel more possible.
Confessions at Home
First was Aoi's family.
Her mom, ever energetic and fashionable, blinked twice when Aoi said, "I'm dating Ren. And… we want to live together in Tokyo."
"You're dating… him?" Her mom raised a brow, glancing at Ren who was seated stiffly, trying not to look like he was malfunctioning.
"Yes," Aoi replied firmly. "He's the one. I'm serious about him, and we've already arranged a place to stay near the university."
Her mom looked at her daughter, then at Ren. And then, unexpectedly, she smiled.
"As long as he doesn't make you cry — and I get to visit sometimes — I'm happy."
Aoi gasped. "Mom! Don't say that in front of him!"
Ren chuckled nervously. "I'll do my best to keep her smiling."
Later that day, it was Ren's turn.
His parents, far more reserved, listened quietly as he explained everything.
"I like her. I've liked her for a long time. And we've decided we want to stay together — not just for college, but… for the future."
There was silence.
Then his father spoke, "She seems like a bright girl. But are you sure you're ready to live together? That's a big step."
"I'm sure," Ren replied without hesitation, glancing at Aoi beside him, who was already making herself at home, sipping tea in his mom's favorite cup.
His mother gave a soft smile. "You've grown up, Ren. If this is what makes you happy — we support you."
Their New Home in Tokyo
They arrived in Tokyo the next evening, dragging their luggage up a quiet street near Meiyo University. Their new home wasn't a luxury apartment, but it was cozy — a small 2DK with a sunlit balcony, compact kitchen, and enough room for the two of them to make memories.
The moment they unlocked the door and stepped in, Aoi let out a little squeal.
"It's so cute! And it smells like possibility!"
Ren set down his bag and looked around. "We'll have to keep it clean."
"Ugh, you sound like a husband already."
He paused. "…Is that a bad thing?"
Aoi blushed slightly before spinning around and throwing her arms around him. "No. It's perfect."
They spent the evening unpacking, laughing as they tried to figure out where to put everything. Aoi insisted on choosing curtains. Ren took control of the kitchen.
At some point, she flopped onto the futon and pulled him down beside her.
"This is our new beginning, Ren."
He looked into her eyes, his voice gentle. "Yeah. And I'm glad it's with you."
Lovey Dovey Days
The next few days passed in a blissful blur.
They cooked together — Aoi burning eggs while Ren tried not to laugh. She insisted on feeding him bites of curry, and he always gave her the best pieces of meat in return.
At night, they lay on their futon, hands intertwined as they talked about dreams — hers of starting a tech-fashion brand, his of building revolutionary server AI.
Sometimes they kissed softly under the blanket, whispers of "I love you" shared in the dark.
Other times, they danced around the living room with music playing from Aoi's phone, laughing until they collapsed on the couch.
Once, when Ren finished cleaning the dishes and walked into the living room, Aoi was waiting for him with a freshly brewed mug of tea — and a kiss on the cheek.
"You're my favorite part of this home," she said.
Ren blushed so hard he nearly dropped the mug.
Looking Ahead
On the final night before college began, they sat on the balcony under the Tokyo sky. The stars were dimmer than back home in Hokkaido, but the view held a different kind of sparkle — the promise of the future.
"Hey," Aoi said, resting her head on Ren's shoulder. "Do you think it'll be weird? Living together, going to the same college, keeping our relationship quiet from everyone?"
Ren smiled softly. "We'll figure it out. We always do."
She tilted her head up to look at him. "Just promise me one thing."
"Anything."
"No matter how crazy things get… you'll always come home to me."
Ren turned toward her, brushing her bangs away gently. "Always."
They kissed, slow and sweet — not as high schoolers or students anymore, but as two people choosing to build a life together.
And when they pulled apart, Aoi giggled. "You know… living with you might be the best part of university."
Ren nodded. "Let's make this place our first happy chapter."
They stood hand in hand, Tokyo's quiet glow all around them, ready to step into their future — together.