The first tuition bill arrived on a rainy Thursday in mid-May. It came via email from the university finance office—subject line: "Payment Due Notice – Spring Semester 2026." The amount stared back at Akira in bold numbers: ¥450,000. Due in 30 days.
He sat on the edge of his dorm bed, laptop open, rain tapping against the window. The room felt smaller than usual—books stacked on the desk, laundry basket overflowing, the faint smell of instant coffee lingering from last night's study session.
His phone buzzed. Mother.
He answered on the third ring.
"Akira."
"Yes."
A pause—her voice cool, measured.
"The first bill has been sent. We will not be paying it."
Akira closed his eyes. "I know."
"You were warned. If you continue this relationship, you do it alone. No more support."
Akira's grip tightened on the phone. "I'm not ending it."
"Then you pay it. And the next one. And the one after that."
Silence stretched—long, heavy.
Mother continued. "We only want what's best for you. Focus on your studies. University is not the time for distractions."
"She's not a distraction."
"She is. And you will see that soon enough."
The call ended.
Akira stared at the screen—rain streaking the window, blurring the city lights outside.
He texted Sora.
Bill came. They're not paying.
Her reply was instant.
I'm coming over.
Twenty minutes later she knocked—hair damp from the rain, hoodie soaked, eyes worried.
Akira opened the door.
She stepped inside without speaking—dropped her bag, wrapped her arms around him.
He held her—tight, like she was the only solid thing in the room.
They stood like that for a long time—rain drumming against the glass.
Sora pulled back first. "How much?"
"¥450,000. Due end of next month."
Sora exhaled. "Okay. We can handle that."
Akira laughed—short, tired. "We can?"
"We can." She took his hand, led him to the bed. They sat side by side.
Sora continued. "I've been looking at part-time jobs. Café near the station pays ¥1,200 an hour. Library assistant is ¥1,100. Tutoring pays more if we do it together."
Akira nodded slowly. "I can tutor math and physics. You can do literature and language."
Sora smiled—small, determined. "We'll split rent, food, everything. Save every yen."
Akira looked at her. "You're really okay with this?"
Sora cupped his face. "I'm okay with anything as long as it's with you."
Akira leaned into her touch. "I love you."
Sora's eyes filled. "I love you too."
They kissed—slow, certain.
Rain kept falling outside.
But inside, they had a plan.
And each other.