Bits of Love, Lines of Code
Chapter 23 - 20: Dreams in Bloom, Hearts in Conflict

Chapter 23 - 20: Dreams in Bloom, Hearts in Conflict

The spring sun had begun to warm Tokyo with golden light, but Ren and Aoi's minds were already drifting far beyond the city skyline.

Their internship project complete and their parents returned home with warm blessings, the two now had three months of free time — the perfect opportunity to begin chasing their dream: finding the countryside town where they'd one day settle.

Researching the Rural Life

Aoi had transformed the living room into a mini research lab.

Sticky notes were stuck to every inch of the wall above their desk. Prefectures like Nagano, Gifu, and Yamagata were circled, annotated with average rainfall, access to internet, agricultural conditions, and local festivals.

Ren sat with his laptop on the kotatsu table, sipping cold tea. "Did you know there's a town in Gifu where high schoolers built a self-sustaining drone farm?"

Aoi, in a loose hoodie and shorts, spun her chair around. "You mean where we'd raise our cute little babies?"

He choked on his tea.

"Aoi!"

She laughed, then leaned over and kissed his cheek. "But I'm serious. I want to find a place where we can grow together — not just vegetables."

Their planning was full of heart and silliness, but every hour they spent deepened the sincerity. Ren's love of tech took on a new form: how could AI help farmers in rural Japan? How could they blend human hands with smart machines?

And Aoi, whose heart once lived only in city lights, now found herself dreaming of hanging laundry in a garden, reading under the sun, and waiting for Ren to come home from the workshop.

Campus Days and Lingering Eyes

Despite the calm of their personal world, campus life continued — and with it, the subtle tensions between the trio: Ren, Aoi, and Saki.

Saki hadn't confessed her feelings, not fully. But everyone could sense the shift.

She smiled when Ren explained his countryside ideas during class. She laughed too hard at his jokes. She lingered after meetings.

One afternoon, the three of them were assigned to help with an event booth. Ren was setting up wiring while Aoi decorated the side.

"I'll get the extension cable," Saki offered, brushing her fingers against Ren's as she took it.

Aoi saw it. Her smile didn't break — but her grip on the ribbon she was tying tightened, almost snapping the satin in her hand.

Later, Aoi found herself alone with Saki, behind the booth.

"You like him, don't you?" Aoi asked, her tone light but her eyes dangerously sharp.

Saki flinched. "Is it that obvious?"

"I can smell rivals like how a dog smells fear," Aoi replied with a playful tone, but her aura was... overwhelming.

Saki bit her lip. "Even so... I can't help it. He's kind. Gentle. Brilliant. I admire him."

Aoi's eyes glinted. "I admire him too. Except I plan to marry him."

It wasn't a scream. It wasn't even anger. It was truth — honest and raw.

Saki stood frozen for a moment. Then she smiled sadly.

"Maybe that's why I want to fight... just a little longer."

Late Night Reflection

That night, as rain tapped against their Tokyo apartment windows, Aoi curled beside Ren on the couch.

"She said she's not giving up yet," Aoi mumbled, wrapping her arms around him.

Ren looked down at her. "Do you want me to push her away?"

Aoi was quiet for a moment. Then: "No... I want her to see it herself. That your heart only beats for me."

He stroked her hair. "Then she'll know soon. Because it does."

They lay like that, under a soft blanket, watching rain trail down the glass. Not as two people escaping drama, but as two lovers slowly forging the peaceful future they'd always dreamed of.