April 20, 2026. Two days after graduation.
The café near the station—outdoor table, cherry petals drifting.
Sora and Akira sat close—hands on the table, fingers laced.
Sora spoke first. "Acceptance letters are official now. We're both Tokyo U. Dorm applications open next week."
Akira nodded. "Separate dorms. Different buildings."
Sora laughed. "You sound disappointed."
Akira's ears went pink. "I'm… practical."
Sora leaned closer. "We'll visit each other. Study together. Eat together. Be annoying together."
Akira smiled. "I look forward to it."
Sora's expression turned serious. "Your parents… they're still not happy."
Akira exhaled. "They'll come around. Or they won't. But I'm not changing my mind."
Sora squeezed his hand. "I don't want to be the reason you fight with them."
"You're not. Their expectations are the reason."
Sora looked down. "I just… I want them to like me. Eventually."
Akira lifted her chin. "They will. When they see how happy you make me."
Sora smiled—teary. "Sap."
"Your sap."
They kissed—soft, slow.
Petals fell around them.
Sora pulled back. "We have summer. Before university starts. What do you want to do?"
Akira thought. "Travel. Somewhere quiet. Just us."
Sora grinned. "A trip?"
"A trip."
Sora leaned against him. "I'd like that."
Akira kissed her forehead. "Then it's decided."
They sat in silence—watching petals fall.
The future was big.
Scary.
Beautiful.
And theirs.