April 10, 2026. Tokyo University acceptance results day.
Akira sat at his desk—laptop open, browser on the results page.
His mother stood behind him—silent, expectant.
Father in the doorway—arms crossed.
Akira clicked.
Accepted.
Full marks in every section.
His mother exhaled—relieved, proud.
His father nodded once. "Good. As expected."
Akira stared at the screen.
Tokyo U.
The plan.
The future.
His phone buzzed.
Sora.
He answered—stepped into the hallway.
"Hey."
"Hey." Sora's voice was quiet. "You check yet?"
"Just now. Accepted."
Silence.
Then Sora laughed—soft, proud. "Of course you did. Congrats, genius."
Akira smiled. "Thank you."
Sora's voice turned serious. "I got my results too. Local U. Accepted. Full marks in humanities. Borderline in math."
Akira exhaled. "You did it."
"Yeah." Sora paused. "But… I'm thinking about re-applying to Tokyo U. Last-minute. They have a secondary round for some programs."
Akira went still. "You don't have to."
"I know. But… I want to try. Not to beat you. To be with you."
Akira's throat tightened. "Sora…"
"I know it's risky. I might not get in. I might end up second again. But if I don't try… I'll always wonder."
Akira spoke softly. "Then try. And if you don't get in… we make long-distance work."
Sora laughed—shaky. "You're really okay with that?"
"I'm okay with anything as long as it's with you."
Silence—warm, full.
Sora whispered, "I love you."
Akira's voice cracked. "I love you too."
They stayed on the call—quiet, breathing together.
Until Sora said, "I'm submitting the re-application tonight. Wish me luck."
Akira smiled. "You don't need luck. You have you."
Sora laughed. "Sap."
"Your sap."
They hung up.
Akira went back to his room.
Mother and father waited.
"Accepted," he said.
Mother smiled—genuine. "We're proud."
Akira nodded.
Then he added, "Sora is re-applying to Tokyo U. If she gets in… she'll be there with me."
Father's face hardened.
Mother's smile faded.
Akira met their eyes. "I hope you'll accept that. Because I'm not changing my mind."
Father exhaled—long, slow.
"We'll see."
Akira nodded.
He left the room.
Went to his window.
Looked at the city lights.
And smiled.
The future was uncertain.
But it was theirs.