April 5, 2026. Sunday evening. Sora's house.
Her parents were out—dinner with friends. The house was quiet except for the scratch of pencils and the occasional page turn.
Sora's room: books piled on the floor, notes taped to the wall, fairy lights strung above the desk.
They sat side by side on the floor—backs against the bed, textbooks open.
Sora chewed her pen. "I hate math."
Akira glanced over. "You're doing fine."
"I'm doing okay. You're doing perfect."
Akira closed his book. "Stop comparing."
Sora sighed. "Hard not to. You're Tokyo U material. I'm… local U at best."
Akira turned to face her. "You're more than a university name."
Sora looked down. "I turned down Tokyo because I didn't want to be second again. But now… I wonder if I should have tried."
Akira took her hand. "You chose what was right for you. Not for me. Not for rankings. For you."
Sora met his eyes. "And if we end up in different cities?"
Akira's thumb traced circles on her palm. "Then we call every day. Text constantly. Visit on weekends. Make it work."
Sora laughed softly. "You sound so sure."
"I'm sure about you."
Sora leaned against him—head on his shoulder.
Akira wrapped an arm around her.
They sat like that—books forgotten.
Sora spoke quietly. "My parents asked about you yesterday. They want to meet you. Officially."
Akira tensed slightly. "Mine already met you. It didn't go well."
Sora squeezed his hand. "Mine will love you. You're polite. Smart. You make me happy."
Akira's voice was soft. "I want to make you happy."
Sora tilted her head up. "You do."
She kissed him—slow, sweet.
Akira kissed her back—deeper.
Hands slid to waists.
Breath quickened.
They pulled back—foreheads touching.
Sora whispered, "We're going to be okay. Right?"
Akira nodded. "We're going to be more than okay."
They kissed again—gentle, lingering.
Then Sora laughed against his lips. "We're supposed to be studying."
Akira smiled—rare, full. "We are. This is… advanced interpersonal dynamics."
Sora laughed harder—pushed him playfully.
He caught her wrists—pulled her closer.
They ended up lying on the floor—books scattered, her head on his chest, his fingers in her hair.
Sora spoke softly. "No matter where we end up… we stay us."
Akira kissed the top of her head. "Always us."
They stayed like that until her parents' car pulled into the driveway.
Akira stood. "I should go."
Sora walked him to the door.
At the genkan she kissed him—quick, sweet.
"Text me when you get home."
Akira nodded. "Always."
He left.
Sora watched him go.
Then she went back to her room.
Opened her university application packet.
Stared at the local U form.
Then at the blank Tokyo U re-application she'd secretly downloaded.
She closed both.
And smiled.
She'd decide soon.
But not tonight.
Tonight, she was just happy.