The emergency meeting about the Spain program had been both exhilarating and overwhelming. Professor Martinez had announced that due to Aiko's exceptional performance and the international recognition from her magazine feature, she was being fast-tracked for consideration—an unprecedented opportunity for a first-year student. But the accelerated timeline meant her application would be due in just six weeks, requiring an intensity of preparation that made her already demanding schedule seem almost leisurely by comparison.
"I still can't believe they're considering you for early admission," Yuki said as they settled into their favorite study corner in the academy library. "Do you realize what this means? If you get accepted, you'll be studying in Spain while Kenta and I are still grinding through second-year coursework here."
Kenta looked up from the color theory homework he'd been struggling with, his expression a mixture of pride and concern. "It's incredible, but are you sure you're ready for that level of intensity? International programs are notorious for their academic rigor."
Aiko appreciated their honesty. Over the past year, Yuki and Kenta had become more than just classmates or study partners—they had evolved into the kind of friends who could voice concerns without fear of causing offense, who celebrated successes without jealousy, and who offered support without being asked.
"I'm terrified," she admitted, setting down the Spanish language textbook she'd been reviewing. "But I think if I don't try, I'll always wonder what might have been possible."
"That's the right attitude," Yuki said, then paused thoughtfully. "Although I have to ask—what's going on with this Ryo situation? You mentioned you're fake-dating someone, but you've been frustratingly vague about the details."
Aiko had shared the basic facts about her arrangement with Ryo, but she could see that her friends were struggling to understand why she'd agreed to such a complicated deception.
"It started as a simple favor," she explained, "but it's actually solving several problems. The magazine feature has attracted more male attention than I'm comfortable with, and having a 'boyfriend' provides useful cover while I focus on academics."
"But doesn't pretending to date someone create its own complications?" Kenta asked. "What happens when people want to meet him, or when you need to attend social events together?"
"We've worked out some basic guidelines. Occasional public appearances, nothing too involved. It's purely practical."
Yuki exchanged a look with Kenta that suggested they weren't entirely convinced by this explanation.
"Just be careful," Yuki said gently. "Fake relationships have a way of developing real feelings, especially when you're spending time with someone who's helping you solve problems."
"That's not going to happen," Aiko said firmly. "Ryo and I both understand that this is temporary and strategic. Besides, I don't have time for actual romantic complications."
"Speaking of time management," Kenta interjected diplomatically, clearly sensing the need to change the subject, "how are you planning to handle everything? Spain application preparation, magazine interview follow-ups, regular coursework, tutoring responsibilities—it seems impossible."
The question touched on Aiko's deepest anxieties about the weeks ahead. The Spain program application required not just academic excellence, but cultural research projects, advanced technique demonstrations, and essay components that would demand creative thinking beyond simple test preparation.
"I've been thinking about that," she said slowly. "I might need to step back from some of my tutoring commitments, which feels terrible because those students are counting on me."
"What if you didn't have to choose?" Yuki suggested. "What if we helped cover some of your tutoring sessions? Kenta and I have both improved dramatically since working with you—maybe we're ready to start helping other students."
"You'd do that?"
"Of course," Kenta said immediately. "You've spent countless hours helping us understand concepts that our professors couldn't explain effectively. It's time we started paying that forward."
The generosity of the offer touched Aiko deeply. In her old life with her aunt's family, help had always come with strings attached, expectations of gratitude that felt more like debt than support. But Yuki and Kenta's assistance felt different—freely given, motivated by genuine friendship rather than obligation or ulterior motives.
"There's something else we've been wanting to discuss," Yuki said, her tone growing more serious. "We've been watching how hard you work, how much pressure you put on yourself to excel at everything. It's impressive, but it's also concerning."
"What do you mean?"
"When was the last time you did something just for fun?" Kenta asked. "Something that wasn't related to academics or career advancement or helping other people achieve their goals?"
Aiko opened her mouth to answer, then realized she couldn't think of a single example. Every activity in her life served some purpose—skill development, relationship building, academic advancement, or professional networking.
"That's what we thought," Yuki said gently. "Which is why we've planned something for this weekend that's purely recreational."
"I don't have time for—"
"You have time," Kenta interrupted firmly. "Because we're going to make sure you take time. There's a street festival in Harajuku this Saturday with live music, food vendors, and absolutely no educational value whatsoever. We're going together, and you're not allowed to bring any study materials."
"But my Spanish vocabulary review—"
"Will still be there on Sunday," Yuki said. "Aiko, you're burning yourself out. Even the most dedicated students need breaks, and you've been going nonstop for over a year."
The concern in their voices made Aiko realize that her friends were seeing something she had been too busy to notice herself. In her determination to prove worthy of every opportunity that came her way, she had eliminated every aspect of life that didn't serve her ambitious goals.
"Maybe you're right," she admitted. "I just feel like if I slow down, even for a day, I might miss something important or disappoint someone who's counting on me."
"Or maybe if you don't slow down occasionally, you'll burn out completely and disappoint everyone who's counting on you," Kenta pointed out. "Including yourself."
They spent the rest of the evening planning their weekend excursion, with Yuki and Kenta taking obvious pleasure in Aiko's gradual enthusiasm for the idea of a completely unproductive day. As they discussed food vendors they wanted to try and musicians they hoped to hear, Aiko felt something loosening in her chest—a tension she hadn't realized she'd been carrying.
"You know," she said as they were packing up their study materials, "I never expected to have friends like you when I started at Stellar Academy."
"What do you mean?" Yuki asked.
"I spent most of my life thinking that relationships were transactions—that people helped you only when they wanted something in return. But you two have supported me without expecting anything back, and you're willing to challenge me when you think I'm making mistakes. That's..." She paused, searching for words. "That's what real friendship looks like, isn't it?"
"Yes," Kenta said simply. "And it goes both ways. You've helped us become better students and better people. That's not a transaction—it's what happens when people genuinely care about each other's success and wellbeing."
As they left the library together, Aiko reflected on how much her understanding of relationships had evolved over the past year. The desperate, grateful girl who had approached Mrs. Sato's salon had expected to earn acceptance through usefulness and perfect behavior. But Yuki and Kenta had shown her that genuine friendship was based on mutual respect, honest communication, and the willingness to support each other through both triumphs and challenges.
The Spain application deadline was still racing toward her with terrifying speed, the magazine interview had opened doors she wasn't sure she was ready to walk through, and the fake relationship with Ryo was adding complications she hadn't fully anticipated.
But having friends who understood her ambitions while also caring about her wellbeing made everything feel more manageable. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she wouldn't be facing them alone.
And sometimes, she was learning, that made all the difference between sustainable success and destructive perfectionism.
The street festival could wait until Saturday, but the peace of mind that came from knowing she had people in her life who truly cared about her—that was something she could carry with her through every demanding day ahead.