The cold had settled in for good, crisping the edges of their breath as they walked to school that morning.
It had been months since the group project that sparked everything—the whisper campaigns, the hallway confessions, the slow-burn glances. And though the seasons had changed, some things hadn't.
Ren Sakamoto still walked beside Yuuji Aikawa, their fingers brushing occasionally, never quite intertwining in public, but always close enough to know they could.
Ian Moore still sat beside Rio Wilson, their relationship quieter now, but more settled. Comfortable.
And somehow, the world hadn't ended.
But the semester was.
---
"Ninety-eight out of a hundred?!" Kenji Suguru stared at the graded group project with wide eyes.
Yuuji calmly flipped to the feedback page. "Strong analysis, excellent collaboration, top-tier presentation. 'Best in class.'"
Will Ethan whistled. "Perfectionist group strikes again."
"We earned that," Ren said with a small smile. "Remember the nights we stayed up editing the presentation for the fourth time?"
"I remember someone threatening to throw the laptop into the river," Rio muttered.
"I stand by that," Ian said without looking up.
The class buzzed around them as other groups compared grades, whispered, and moaned about their scores. But in the middle of it all, the six of them just shared quiet grins.
It had been hard.
But they did it—together.
---
That afternoon, the mood soured slightly.
"Exam timetables are out," Erika Minami announced grimly. "And guess what? We have four exams in one week."
Groans echoed around the classroom. Ren flipped through the notice board. "Math, English, Biology, and Social Studies in four days."
"Someone kill me," Will mumbled.
"No time," Kenji replied. "We still have to fill college forms."
Yuuji glanced up at that. "Already?"
"Deadlines are creeping up," Rio said, dropping into the seat beside him. "Guidance counselors are hounding people."
Ian leaned over. "You decided on your major?"
"Music," Rio said instantly.
Ian nodded like he already knew.
Will glanced at Ren. "What about you?"
Ren shrugged. "Fine arts. Or literature. I haven't decided."
Yuuji added quietly, "Law. Probably."
Kenji looked up. "I thought you were into business."
Yuuji hesitated. "I… changed my mind."
Ren smiled a little. "You'd be a terrifyingly good lawyer."
Yuuji looked at him with something unspoken in his eyes. "I want to protect things. People."
Rio raised a brow. "That's… romantic. In a tragic courtroom drama sort of way."
Will leaned forward. "So are we all just… growing up now?"
Ian answered for them all. "Seems like it."
---
Later that evening, the group spread out in the school library—books, flashcards, and highlighted notes everywhere. It was chaotic, but warm.
Ren sat across from Yuuji, chewing on his pen as he flipped through history notes.
Ian and Rio argued gently over math formulas.
Will was doodling in the corner of his notebook while Kenji poked him with an eraser.
Despite the stress, despite the exhaustion—none of them would've traded that moment.
Because even with college creeping in and exams threatening their sleep—this was theirs.
Their moment. Their group. Their memories.
---
As the library emptied and dusk rolled in, Yuuji caught Ren staring quietly at the darkening sky outside the window.
"What's on your mind?" he asked softly.
Ren turned to him. "This year… it changed everything."
Yuuji nodded. "I know."
"I don't want to forget it."
"You won't," Yuuji said, reaching under the table to gently squeeze his hand. "Not as long as I'm here."
Ren smiled.
And Yuuji thought: I want to be here for all the years after, too.