Chapter 6: The Ever-Diverging Path

That morning, Ryo woke up earlier than usual. The morning sunlight crept through the curtains, and though he still felt tired, his mind was clouded with worries he had never experienced before. The university entrance exams were approaching fast, and Ryo knew that every second he spent not studying could hurt his chances of achieving his dreams. Yet, lately, his heart felt heavy. The three girls—Mika, Ayumi, and Haruka—were getting closer to him, and Ryo felt as if he was caught between two worlds: the one he had built through hard work and ambition, and the social world that had suddenly filled his life with tension and unfamiliar emotions.

At school, Ryo sat at his desk with a vacant expression, staring at the board without truly absorbing what the teacher was saying. Mika sat in the front row, and once again, Ryo found his gaze meeting hers—her eyes seemed deeper than usual. Mika, who was always cheerful and full of energy, was now showing more attention toward him. Every time she spoke, Ryo's anxiety grew. Ayumi constantly invited him to join social activities, regardless of whether they interfered with his studies. Haruka, on the other hand, with her calm demeanor, often reminded him to stay focused, but her words only made him more aware of the emotions he wished he didn't have.

When the lesson ended, Ryo retreated to the quiet garden behind the school. It was the only place where he could somewhat ease the turmoil inside him. But as he sat on his usual bench, Mika suddenly appeared beside him, holding a cup of tea and wearing a softer smile than before.

"Ryo," she said, her voice gentle yet filled with concern. "You always look so serious. Don't you want to relax a little with me?"

Ryo was caught off guard by the invitation. "Mika, I… I'm trying to finish my assignments," he replied quietly. "I need to stay focused."

But Mika didn't back down. "I know. But sometimes, you need a little break. I think you're too hard on yourself." She sat beside him, her smile warm and reassuring. "We can study together later, right? I'm sure you'll do great. I just don't want you to stress yourself out too much."

Ryo felt awkward, yet at the same time, his heart warmed at Mika's concern. He had always seen her as the energetic and popular girl, but now, he was beginning to notice a softer, more caring side of her. A part of him wanted to open up, but every time he thought about his goal of passing the entrance exams, that feeling was quickly replaced by anxiety.

Before he could respond, Ayumi appeared, striding toward them with her usual bright smile and excited energy. "Ryo! Let's go to the café after school! Everyone's planning a big event! It's the perfect chance for you to have some fun!"

Ryo felt even more trapped. He knew Ayumi was always full of enthusiasm, but right now, her invitation only made him feel more torn between his dreams and his desire to socialize. "Ayumi, I… I have to study," Ryo hesitated. "There's a lot I need to prepare for."

Ayumi pouted slightly but didn't give up. "You're too serious, Ryo! You need a break! If you keep pushing yourself like this, you'll burn out, and that's not good for you." Her smile widened as if nothing could stop her from trying to get him to join.

As Ayumi left, Haruka, who had been quietly watching from a distance, finally approached. "Ryo," she said in a calm but firm voice, "you need to make a clear decision now. Do you want to keep chasing your dream, or will you let all these distractions pull you away? Time is running out, and you know it."

Ryo lowered his head, feeling even more anxious. Haruka always knew how to voice the harsh reality he tried to ignore. Every word she spoke felt like a push toward making a definite choice, but that choice was becoming increasingly difficult. Mika wanted to be with him, Ayumi wanted him to enjoy life, and Haruka kept reminding him to stay on track. All of this attention was only making things more confusing.

"Haruka, I want to stay focused," Ryo said softly, "but I feel like… like something is missing." He looked at Haruka, who met his gaze with understanding eyes.

"Don't let yourself get lost in this confusion," Haruka said gently. "You can make the right choice. But you have to know what truly matters to you."

Ryo slowly nodded, but the anxiety still weighed on him. What did he really want to choose? The path toward his dream, or the relationships that were beginning to take root in his heart?