Bits of Love, Lines of Code
Chapter 27 - 23.2: Different Paths, Same Future

Chapter 27 - 23.2: Different Paths, Same Future

The morning sun peeked through the curtains of their Tokyo apartment. Aoi was curled beside Ren on their small couch, her head nestled into his shoulder, scrolling through the student portal on her tablet.

Her sudden gasp broke the silence. "Ren! Look!"

He blinked the sleep from his eyes. "Hm?"

The screen showed it clearly — two names listed under Tensei Futureworks' Final Selections:

Minase Ren — Tensei Kansai Branch

Yamamoto Aoi — Tensei Tokyo HQ

Aoi's hands trembled slightly.

"We got in," she whispered. "We actually got in..."

Ren sat up, heart pounding. "We did."

They looked at each other, relief washing over their faces. A dream they'd fought for since high school had come true. But just as quickly, that joy gave way to something more complicated.

"...Different branches," Aoi said, her voice soft. "Kansai and Tokyo."

Ren stared at the listing again, then back at Aoi. "It's... not that far."

"But it's not here either," she said quietly, tapping her chest. "Not where you are."

He looked away, silent.

A Moment of Silence

The weight of reality settled between them like a third presence in the room.

Aoi pulled her knees to her chest. "They must've seen our skills and matched us based on department needs. I got UX development. You're on embedded systems."

Ren nodded. "Makes sense."

"I should've chosen a different specialty," Aoi muttered. "Something to stay with you."

"Don't say that." Ren shifted closer, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. "You earned that spot. We both did."

She leaned against him, eyes glassy. "But Ren... we just got here. Together. A new life, our place, everything we dreamed about. And now they want to separate us?"

His hand tightened around hers. "It won't be forever."

Promises Between Two Hearts

That evening, the sunset cast golden light across their small kitchen table. Aoi made curry — the spicy kind Ren always said he couldn't handle but secretly loved. They ate in quiet companionship, the silence no longer tense, just thoughtful.

After dinner, Ren pulled out a small envelope and slid it across the table.

"What's this?" Aoi blinked.

"I was saving it for after we got our offers."

Inside was a printed design — blueprints of a future home. Simple. Clean. With a large garden and attached workshop.

"It's the design I've been working on for our countryside house," he said. "After we've worked a while. Saved enough. Maybe... a year or two."

Aoi's lips parted in surprise. "You were serious?"

He nodded. "Always was."

She touched the paper gently. "Even if we're apart for a while?"

"We'll still be working toward the same goal," he said softly. "A future together."

Aoi stared at him for a long time, then leaned across the table and kissed him — not passionately, but with conviction. With hope. With love that could stretch across prefectures.

That Night

As they lay together in bed, neither one slept quickly.

"Promise me something," Aoi whispered, tracing circles on Ren's chest.

"Anything."

"No matter how busy we get... we always talk. Call. Message. Visit."

"I promise," he said.

"And," she added, voice smaller now, "no matter how far apart we are, I'm still your girl."

He pulled her close. "You always will be."

She smiled into his shirt. "Next year... let's build that house."

He kissed the top of her head. "Together."