Aiko’s Dream (111)

The sun had barely set, leaving behind streaks of gold and lavender across the sky. Aiko and Haruto sat on the grassy hill near their school, the same spot they had always gone to whenever they wanted to talk about things they couldn't say anywhere else. The warm spring breeze carried the scent of cherry blossoms, their petals occasionally drifting past them like whispers of the past and the future.

Aiko hugged her knees to her chest, staring at the distant city lights that had just begun to flicker to life. "Haruto," she said after a long moment, her voice quiet but firm.

Haruto glanced at her, noticing the pensive expression on her face. "Yeah?"

She hesitated for a moment, biting her lower lip. Then she finally spoke. "I want to go to an art school in Tokyo."

Haruto blinked, the words settling in. He had been expecting her to say something important, but hearing this still caught him off guard. "Tokyo?" he repeated, his voice tinged with surprise.

Aiko nodded. "I've been thinking about it for a long time… ever since I started painting seriously." She turned her head slightly, her eyes meeting his. "I love art, Haruto. It's the one thing that truly feels like a part of me, something that I can pour my heart into. And there's a university in Tokyo with one of the best fine arts programs in the country. If I get accepted, I want to go."

Haruto processed her words, his chest tightening for reasons he couldn't quite explain. He should have been ecstatic for her—Aiko was talented beyond words, and this was exactly the kind of opportunity she deserved. But the thought of her being so far away from him sent an ache through his heart.

"You've already looked into it?" he asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

Aiko nodded again, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yeah. I've checked the admission requirements, the portfolio submission, everything. It won't be easy, but… I want to try."

Haruto let out a slow breath and leaned back on his hands, gazing up at the darkening sky. "Wow… so we'd both be in Tokyo, then."

Aiko tilted her head. "Yeah… if you get into your astronomy program, we might not be too far from each other."

The thought was comforting, yet Haruto couldn't ignore the uncertainty hanging between them. He turned back to Aiko, watching the way her fingers fiddled with a loose thread on her sleeve—her telltale sign of nervousness.

"Are you scared?" he asked gently.

Aiko exhaled a small laugh. "Terrified," she admitted. "What if I'm not good enough? What if I can't make it?"

Haruto shook his head. "That's not going to happen. You're one of the most talented people I know, Aiko. If anyone deserves to get in, it's you."

Aiko's heart warmed at his words. "You always believe in me, don't you?"

Haruto gave her a lopsided smile. "Always."

Aiko rested her chin on her knees, a contemplative look crossing her face. "I know it won't be easy. Moving to Tokyo, living on my own, handling art school… But I feel like I have to do this, Haruto. I want to create something meaningful. I want my paintings to reach people, to tell stories that words can't."

Haruto listened intently, absorbing every word. He had always admired the way Aiko spoke about her passion—as if art wasn't just something she did, but something she was.

"I think that's amazing," he said sincerely. "You should chase your dream, Aiko. No matter what it takes."

She turned to him fully now, searching his face. "But… what about us?"

Haruto's breath hitched. There it was—the unspoken worry lingering in both their hearts.

He swallowed hard before answering. "We'll figure it out."

Aiko studied him carefully. "You really think so?"

Haruto reached out, gently tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear. "I know so," he murmured. "Just because we might be busy chasing our dreams doesn't mean we'll forget about each other. If anything, it makes me want to support you even more."

Aiko felt a lump form in her throat. "Haruto…"

He smiled at her reassuringly. "Besides, imagine it—me studying the stars, you painting them. We'd both be in Tokyo, doing what we love. It doesn't have to be a bad thing."

Aiko let out a small laugh, wiping at her eyes before any tears could fall. "You always know how to make things sound better."

Haruto chuckled. "It's my special skill."

She reached for his hand, squeezing it tightly. "Then… let's promise each other something."

He raised an eyebrow. "A promise?"

Aiko nodded, her grip firm. "No matter what happens, no matter how busy we get, we won't let go of what we have. Even if things get hard, even if we struggle… we'll find a way."

Haruto's heart pounded at the sheer determination in her voice. He squeezed her hand back, sealing the unspoken vow between them.

"Promise," he said softly.

They sat there in silence for a while, their hands intertwined, watching as the stars slowly emerged in the sky.

And in that moment, despite the uncertainty of the future, they knew one thing for sure—no matter where their dreams took them, they would always find their way back to each other.