Akari and Emilija's first voyage to higher education has commenced... and it feels rather anticlimactic, given they made this exact drive just two weeks before.

Emilija is behind the wheel; it's her car, after all. Akira and Emilija both bring their own cars with them to college, but Akari does not; her aunt needs the sole car the Hirose family has.

And then it appears: Northern Peak University. As they approach the college, they approach Akira Aoki. His quiet sadness... Akari clenches her fist. I am going to protect him!

Though they shall dorm in the Honors District, Akari and Emilija first drive through the Troubled District. The Troubled District, or more formally, the "Southern District," appears about as expected. Its dorm buildings are blatantly rundown; overgrown fauna and cracks adorn the exteriors, along with quite a lot of smashed windows. Both the sidewalks and roadways are bumpy and rough—clearly in need of work. Furthermore, some parts of the ground have a reddish tint...

And already there are students out and about in the district.

Smoking.

Fighting.

Collapsed on the pavement.

Stern faces staring at a certain passing vehicle, making note of the women inside.

"Nice place, yeah?" Emilija remarks.

But Akari is too stuck in her head to reply.

She can only think about him.

Akira never belonged among the delinquents. What kind of strings are his parents trying to pull? It's a blessing he's going to be in the hall neighboring us in the Honors District. Even so, Central will be a problem.

She remembers a conversation they had at the coffee shop.

"It's not like I'm going to look for people to fight," Akira explained. "It's more like, I'm going to try to exist in this environment, whatever it takes. Combine that with training under Akari, and I'm... cautiously optimistic about growing stronger."

Emilija replied, "There are a few things to keep in mind if you want to avoid fights."

"Hm?"

"To be blunt, you'll absolutely be a target. If you aren't with a strong, protective person like me or Akari, your best bet is to travel within crowds. Blend in. You can also take solace in the fact that, in September, most organizations aren't yet set up for the semester. Many clubs engage in fighting culture, even academic and recreational ones. So, people will be more hesitant to attack when the clubs are inactive, when they don't have backing."

"Then, I should be fine in Central if I frequent it during busy times?"

"I can't make guarantees, but that's your best bet when you're alone. My advice is to avoid passing through Central as much as possible, though it is where all classes take place. So study in your dorm, don't frequent the Central dining hall, such and such."

Akira gave Emilija a meek nod. He wants to avoid fights if he can. Even so, he knows he'll endure violence anyway; he can only hope the pain will make him stronger. Still, advice on avoiding fights is valuable knowledge to him... He can only suffer so much.

Akari then said, "Let me know when you're all settled in. I can show you the ropes of the gym."

"Alright." Akira smiled.

—

For the evening of move-in day, Akari and Akira made plans.

"Hello!" Akira stands right at Akari's door.

Akari holds the door, looming shyly over the tiny man. "Hi... Come in," she murmurs.

The two are dressed rather casually. Akira wears a plain navy shirt and black shorts, and Akari sports a white shirt and gray sweatpants.

Classes require more formal wear, and even the delinquents adhere to the dress code.

Akari's room is not unlike the average dorm on move-in day; it is somewhat cramped, with massive beds and a whole bunch of bags on the floor.

Akira follows Akari through the door, struggling to take his eyes off her charismatic form. When he notices that Akari's head is only inches away from the ceiling, he blushes even further.

She's so tall. So strong. So elegant. And... she smells fresh. What the heck? She's too handsome!

"Excuse the mess," Akari says meekly, turning around to face the man behind her.

"No, not at all!" Akira insists, perhaps too loudly.

Akari can't help but smile at him.

She bestows upon him a modest, earnest, timid smile...

This gentle giant of a girl is too cute! Akira is in heaven.

The two approach the window at the end of the room, looking down at the nearby field: an orientation party, where many Honors freshmen gather.

"Emilija is out?" Akira asks.

"Yeah," Akari answers softly. "To be honest, I'm not a people person like her."

"Neither am I," Akira replies. "It's been a stressful day, so I've been trying to relax."

"Oh, should I not have...?"

"It's okay," Akira says warmly. "I'm glad you invited me over here."

Akira then realizes he is standing right next to the tall girl. He turns away so his reddening face is out of her view.

Gosh, why do I find myself so attracted to her?

Akira looks around for distractions, and he finds one. "Oh! Is that a Bii?!"

The Bii is a gaming console from about twenty years ago. Its expansive library of casual games has provided fond childhood memories for many kids, including Akira and Akari.

Akari chuckles. "Mhm! You want to play?"

They sit down and play their first gaming session together. Akira hasn't touched a video game in years, but he does not mention this to her. Instead, he simply enjoys how he can finally return to his childhood hobby, with a beautiful, strong girl right by him.

Akira laughs as he loses a game. These games... They're so fun. And she's so good at them! I don't even mind losing. As long as I can experience her grace. Ah, why is she perfect in every way?! Get yourself together, Akira!

Then, Akira remembers, and his smile disappears. We won't just be playing games together. This campus is dangerous. And I need to become stronger. That's far more important than enjoying games. I should...

After finishing another match, Akira says meekly, "By the way, there's a question I'd like to ask."

"Hm?" Akari looks at him curiously.

Akira frowns. "Y-You said I wasn't hopeless. What do you think? Can I... Can I truly become strong? Do you really see potential in me?"

Akari's face turns somber at his question. She wants to help him with his goal, and yet...

Power is a frightening thing. As far as Akari is concerned, it's just a burden. Yet, with this frail man before her, and the Blizzards awaiting her... perhaps she shall finally find meaning behind it.

But what about him? How can she answer his question, when she doesn't even want him to change?

As they face each other, Akari looking down and Akira looking up, their faces blush. It is more than just the difficulty of the question. Their hearts race as they analyze each other's features. Akari's sharp eyes are full of passion. Her well-kept bob style complements her gorgeous dark hair.

Akira's large, emotional eyes gaze at her like a puppy. He has such soft cheeks. His adorable, bushy hair nearly covers one of his eyes.

And for a second, both of them gaze at each other's lips.

You don't need to know someone for long to find them attractive. Yet, to mention it aloud is a completely different matter.

Especially when such is mutual attraction between a short, frail man and a tall, strong woman.

However, it is only a matter of time... until the blizzard embraces her flurry.

Akari Hirose and Akira Aoki's fated journey has begun, right here at Northern Peak University, August 2026.