“Ah, well… It looks like I’m rooming in the Honors District.”

What a shocker, Emilija comments in her mind.

Akari almost sighs in relief. “There will still be plenty of opportunities to become strong,” she explains. “And well,” she adds hesitantly, “you’ll still be on-campus.” Especially with Central—the intersection between the districts, where all classes take place. Even if you live in the Honors District, you have to be proactive in avoiding conflict at Central. I suppose he’d want to hear that he won’t exactly be sheltered just by dorming in a safer area…

Akira walks over timidly, saying, “I’m mainly concerned about what my parents will think. But it is what it is…”

“Akari Hirose! Emilija Mazur!” The interviewer summons them forth.

Akari and Emilija both stand up, ready to go.

“Ah, yeah, I was gonna say you two were right after me,” Akira comments. “Though you guys can really go at the same time?”

“Of course,” Emilija remarks. “We're planning to room together. Plus, our circumstances are similar.”

“I see,” Akira replies with a smile. “Remember to communicate with each other!”

“Y-Yeah,” Akari murmurs as they walk across the lobby. “Thank you, Akira.”

“Certainly,” Akira replies, warm as always.

As the two girls walk through the door, Emilija turns to face Akira. “Sit tight, okay? Akari and I are getting coffee after this. Why not join us?”

Akari nearly jumps. I forgot! He could leave now that his interview is done!

“That sounds lovely!” Akira exclaims. “I’ll be waiting here.”

Emilija winks at Akari, knowing she’s saved her friend once again.

But Akari turns around. “Ah, but can you wait here alone?” she asks Akira. “Should someone stay with you?”

Akira shakes his head. “I’m okay!” he says with confidence.

Akari just nods reluctantly. “Th-Then, I’ll see you soon.” And she closes the door.

Now alone, Akira sits back down.

He reckons with the obvious truth.

That he’s defenseless, and can’t survive without others.

He tenses up, remembering what his father has told him…

“One day, you’ll be the ideal man, and you’ll wed the ideal woman. She will support you as a housewife and a mother to your children while you lead our company. Never forget what your life’s purpose is.”

What is an ideal woman? Akira’s mind goes to the handsome, strong, and towering Akari. Shut up, Father! Who gave men the right to decide how women should be?! How can you expect me to scorn a woman like her? You’re right about only one thing: about how men should be. But…

He imagines himself standing right before Akari. He fantasizes about her, such a tall, charismatic woman, looking down at him with a loving smile and bold eyes. He bears glorious witness to her potent strength and beauty.

Already, he’s in an awestruck trance, swooned helplessly.

Yet he awakens with a gulp, and immediately tries to clear his mind. Stop it, Akira. My father is wrong about her, but right about you.

Don’t let your feelings get out of hand.

Don’t let this admiration become love!

—

Akari and Emilija’s interview went about as expected. Delinquents with honorable souls, aspiring to join the Blizzards… They explicitly requested the Honors District for housing so they aren’t always drowning in violence, so they have a safe haven of sorts. They can better protect people if they have higher morale, after all. The interviewer seemed to get it.

As they planned, Akari, Emilija, and Akira enjoy spending time post-interview in a local coffee shop.

With all three gathered at a table, Emilija shows off what she purchased. “Boom!”

Akira gawks at her giant latte, topped with whipped cream and chocolate swirls. “Wow, that looks really good!”

Emilija, with a cartoonish level of pride, declares, “Mocha lattes reign supreme.”

“It must’ve cost an arm and a leg though,” Akari speculates. Right in front of her lies a hot coffee with milk and vanilla syrup, a four dollar purchase.

“This was only eight dollars,” Emilija remarks.

“Eight dollars?!” Akari and Akira both exclaim.

“It’s worth it, I swear.” Emilija nods.

“Oh!” Akira utters. “I completely forgot to ask. What are you two studying?”

“Math,” Emilija answers. “Only thing about school I didn’t despise.”

Meanwhile, Akari says, “I’m majoring in English, and in the spring I plan to start a minor studying the violin.”

Akira beams. “That all sounds wonderful! Violin, hm? How beautiful! I’m studying business, though I’m also minoring in English myself.”

“Oh?” Akari replies with a smile. “What English class are you taking this semester?”

“201,” Akira says.

Akari gasps. “Me too!”

Akira claps. “Awesome! I’ll be seeing you around.”

Akari nods, genuinely overjoyed that she’ll have a class with this adorable man.

“Heh, nerds,” Emilija quips. “Enjoy writing your essays.”

“Shush,” Akari talks back. “You’ll be drowning in numbers.”

“Come now,” Akira says, “we’ll all be drowning in work either way.”

They all laugh, Akari blushing further at Akira’s gentle, lighthearted demeanor.

“Oh, I should mention,” Akira starts, “that I won’t really be able to text that much until I actually move to campus. My home is pretty busy, heh heh…”

This is fishy, Akari thinks. Even so, she replies, “That’s fine. You can reach out at any time.”

“I’ll be sure to at least text you two when we get our room assignments!”

“Of course,” Akari remarks.

“You got it,” Emilija says.

After about an hour, they leave the shop.

“Then, I’ll see you all in two weeks,” Akira says, as soft as ever.

“Two weeks?!” Akari spouts. “I forgot our interview was so late.”

“Competent scheduling, hm?” Emilija snarks.

Akira, facing his departure, shows a hesitant smile, yet he cannot disguise those melancholy eyes. “Well, thank you two for everything. I feel like I can look forward to the year now. You guys have a good rest of the break!”

They say their goodbyes, and Akari nervously watches as Akira walks away.

Akira, you can look forward to the year now?

Then, all this time, you’ve been…