1 year after the Cultural Festival incident, the time of their graduation has finally come...
Sitting at her desk, surrounded by art supplies and sketches, Misaki is working on a new piece, but her mind is elsewhere. Her phone vibrates with a text from her mother reminding her about an upcoming college interview for a prestigious business school. Misaki stares at the message, feeling the growing weight of expectations.
"I should be happy, right? Getting into a top university is what everyone wants… but why doesn't it feel right?"
She looks at her sketchbook, filled with vibrant illustrations and designs for future projects she's dreamed of creating. Art is where her heart is, but it's not what her family considers a "real" career. The pressure to conform to a practical, stable future grows heavier every day.
Later that evening, Misaki's parents sit her down for a conversation about her future.
"We're so proud of everything you've accomplished, Misaki. But now it's time to focus on something more secure. You know how competitive the art world can be."
Misaki nods, trying to keep a composed face, but inside, her heart aches. She knows her parents mean well, but she's torn between fulfilling their expectations and chasing her own dreams. "I understand, but… what if I don't want to give up on art? What if that's what makes me happy?"
Her father sighs, placing a hand on her shoulder. "We just want what's best for you. Think about your future, Misaki. You have so much potential—you don't want to waste it on a gamble."
Misaki remains silent, feeling trapped between her passion and the practical path laid out before her.
Meanwhile, Kaito is lounging at his usual spot on the school rooftop, looking as carefree as ever. He's always been the type to go with the flow, never showing much concern for the future. But as graduation looms closer, even Kaito is starting to feel the weight of reality closing in.
As he stares up at the sky, Kaito pulls out his phone and looks at an email from a prestigious university, offering him a full scholarship based on his academic achievements. On the surface, it's a dream opportunity, but Kaito's expression is unreadable.
"A scholarship, huh? Guess I should be thrilled… but do I really want this?"
Despite his brilliance, Kaito has always resented being labeled a genius. The constant pressure to live up to people's expectations has left him feeling suffocated. He doesn't want to spend the next few years of his life in a rigid academic environment where everyone expects him to be perfect.
As he contemplates his future, Haruto joins him on the rooftop, noticing the unusual tension in Kaito's behavior.
Haruto, teasing, "Thinking about the future, Kaito? That's a first."
Kaito chuckles, but there's no real humor behind it. He shrugs, leaning back on his hands. "Yeah, crazy, right? Who knew being a lazy genius would come back to bite me?"
Haruto gives him a curious look. "What's going on? I thought you had everything figured out with that scholarship offer."
Kaito sighs, running a hand through his hair. "That's the thing. I got the offer, but I don't know if I want to take it. Everyone thinks I should, but… I don't know if it's what I want."
Haruto sits down beside him, his expression softening. "So what do you want?"
Kaito remains silent for a moment, staring at the horizon. "Honestly? I don't know. I just don't want to spend my life living up to other people's expectations. But it feels like that's all anyone wants from me."
Haruto nods, understanding the feeling all too well. He knows the pressure that comes with family expectations, but hearing Kaito voice his own struggles makes it feel more real. "It's tough, man. But whatever you decide, it's your life. Don't let anyone else decide it for you."
At home, Haruto sits across from his parents at the dinner table. His father, a successful businessman, has been subtly pushing Haruto to follow in his footsteps for as long as he can remember. As the eldest son, the expectation is that he will eventually take over the family business—a future Haruto has never wanted.
"Haruto, have you thought more about the company? We could use someone like you to lead the next generation."
Haruto tenses, his stomach churning at the thought. He's always known that this conversation was coming, but he still feels unprepared. "Dad, I appreciate the offer, but… I don't think it's for me."
His father frowns, clearly not pleased with the response. "You've been given an opportunity that most people would dream of. This is your legacy."
Haruto looks down at his plate, feeling the weight of his father's words. He knows how much this means to his family, but he can't ignore the nagging feeling in his chest that tells him this isn't the life he wants. "I know. But I have my own dreams, too. I'm just… not sure what they are yet."
His father's expression softens slightly, but there's still a trace of disappointment. "You don't have to decide right now. Just think about it. We'll support you in whatever path you choose."
Haruto nods, though he still feels the pressure hanging over him. It's a comforting promise, but the unspoken expectation is clear: they want him to take over the business.
The next day, the group gathers at a café after school. They're all together, but the tension of their dilemmas lingers in the air.
Misaki, smiling weakly, "So, anyone else completely lost about what to do after graduation?"
Kaito smirks, raising a hand. "You're looking at the king of indecision right here."
Haruto chuckles, but there's a seriousness in his eyes as he speaks. "I think we're all in the same boat. I thought I knew what I wanted, but now… I'm not so sure."
Aoi, literally speaking to herself, "I am confused. Nothing comes to my mind."
The emotional weight of her father's death and her love for writing has left her conflicted about how to shape her future. She hasn't entirely settled on what comes next but feels that writing is central to her identity, even if she's unsure about making it her career.
While Yuki, "I think that I will go with performing arts, I guess."
Yuki is also uncertain about her future after graduation. Though her confidence has grown since the cultural festival, particularly after overcoming her stage fright, she's now questioning what direction to take. Should she pursue performing arts, something she's started to enjoy and feels more capable of after her performance, or should she stick with academics, where she feels more secure? Like the others, she's struggling to define what her future should look like, balancing newfound interests with familiar comforts.
Mizuki bites her lip, glancing at her friends. Despite their different situations, there's a sense of solidarity in their shared uncertainty. She feels a little less alone knowing they're all facing similar struggles. "It's scary, isn't it? Having to make these huge decisions that'll shape the rest of our lives."
Kaito leans back in his chair, his casual demeanor masking his own internal conflict. "Yeah, but maybe it's okay to not have everything figured out yet. We've got time, right?"
Haruto nods, feeling a small sense of relief. "Yeah, I guess we do. Maybe we just need to take it one step at a time."
As the group shares their thoughts and worries, there's a growing sense of comfort between them. They realize that while the future is uncertain, they don't have to face it alone. They may not have all the answers yet, but they have each other to lean on as they navigate their dreams and dilemmas.
To be continued...