Alvia's POV

The sun cast a warm glow across the college campus as students hurried between classes, laughter and chatter mingling with the autumn breeze. It was during my second week as a freshman that I stumbled into the college café, seeking a momentary escape from the rush. The rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the sweet scent of pastries, creating an inviting atmosphere. I joined the line, my eyes darting around until they landed on a woman a few steps ahead of me. She looked familiar, yet I couldn't place her face.

Our orders were called simultaneously—two strawberry lattes—but only one cup appeared on the counter. The barista seemed flustered, his attention split between multiple orders, and we exchanged amused glances. The moment stretched, then broke as she smiled, breaking the silence between us.

"Strawberry latte, huh? Popular choice," she said with a playful tilt of her head. I chuckled, nodding.

"Yeah, seems so. Especially when it takes this long to make," I replied. Our small talk deepened, turning into an exchange that felt strangely significant. As we spoke, her expression shifted, a shadow crossing her eyes as she shared a memory that stirred something within me.

"There was a time," she began, her voice dipping to a near whisper, "when I thought I'd never get to experience moments like this. I was talking to my best friend on the phone, and we both believed something... unnatural was about to happen. It was as if the air itself had changed. We thought we wouldn’t make it, but somehow, we did. We kept believing in each other, believing that we were safe, and that love could be a barrier against fear."

I stared at her, an unspoken understanding settling between us. She misread my silence as disbelief and looked away, embarrassed. Quickly, I shook my head, the corners of my lips lifting in a soft smile.

"No, it’s not that I don’t believe you," I said gently. "I just realized how often the simplest things are the hardest lessons to learn. We ignore what’s right in front of us, even when it’s what saves us."

Her eyes lit up with recognition, a spark of relief crossing her face. She nodded in agreement, and for a moment, the noise of the café seemed to fade away, leaving only the shared understanding between us. I chose not to tell her that I too had faced something similar—that I had seen horrors that were best left buried. But knowing that she had endured and learned to love and live again was enough for me.

With my latte finally in hand and a few books tucked under my arm, I made my way out of the café, the weight of the past feeling a touch lighter. As I crossed the campus grounds, I spotted Subaru leaning against a lamppost, waiting for me with a patient smile. His dark hair caught the sunlight, giving it a warm sheen, and my heart lifted at the sight of him.

"Hey, took you long enough," Subaru teased, pushing off from his spot to walk beside me. The gentle, easy banter between us was familiar, comforting. He had always been there, since the days when I needed someone the most. When the therapy sessions had become longer and more frequent, even after the others in our friend group had finished theirs, Subaru was always there. He would drive me to my sessions, waiting outside with a mix of concern and quiet encouragement.

I remembered those long drives, how his presence had started to feel more than just reassuring. There was a warmth, a glow about him that made my heart race. And before I knew it, I realized I was in love. The funny feeling in my stomach when he was near, the way he seemed to shine whenever he turned to smile at me—all of it pointed to the truth I could no longer ignore.

I planned to confess to him a couple of months later, only to find myself rendered speechless when, on the day of my planned proposal, Subaru and I ended up speaking at the same time.

"I like you," we said in unison, surprise and joy blooming on both our faces. The laughter that followed was sweet and cathartic, and from that moment on, we were inseparable.

Our friends weren't far behind in finding their own versions of happiness. Jetto, who had been silently pining for Emo for what felt like forever, finally worked up the courage to ask her out, thanks to some nudging from Rested. Emo’s eyes had sparkled with surprise before softening into a look of acceptance, and just like that, another pair was formed.

Sora, ever the bold one, chose a more dramatic path. During the music club's eighth concert celebration, the air buzzing with excitement and the room pulsing with energy, he cornered Rested, pulling him aside. Without hesitation, he kissed him under the strobing lights. The room fell silent for a heartbeat before erupting into cheers and gasps. It was the kind of audacious move that only Sora could pull off, and it worked. Rested blushed furiously, but there was no mistaking the smile tugging at his lips. They were together from that night onward.

Zen and Erano, on the other hand, took a more cautious route. Their feelings were obvious to everyone but themselves. We watched them tiptoe around each other, hesitating at every chance to confess. It became a running joke among us to tease them, nudging them to take the plunge. Their shy smiles and stolen glances were proof enough that, sooner or later, they too would find their way to each other.

Shane and Himura, our juniors and cherished friends, were an interesting pair. Both boys carried an air of quiet confidence, but when it came to each other, that façade would falter. It was clear to all of us that something more than friendship existed between them—the way Shane’s eyes would light up when Himura spoke or the way Himura’s laughter seemed brighter when Shane was nearby. Yet, despite the obvious sparks, neither dared to confess.

Elicy, ever the voice of reason and wisdom among us, watched their unspoken dance with a knowing smile. One afternoon, as we gathered in the common room, Sora raised an eyebrow and suggested nudging Shane into action, but Elicy shook her head, her expression serene.

“Let them figure it out on their own,” she said, the corner of her mouth quirking up. “They’ll find their way when the time is right.”

And so, we held back, leaving space for them to navigate their feelings. We watched with fond amusement as they shared stolen glances, casual touches, and moments heavy with unspoken words. There were times we’d catch Shane staring at Himura as he read in the library, the soft sunlight framing Himura’s profile, or moments where Himura’s voice would lower into a tender tone when speaking to Shane.

Their journey was theirs to own, and though we held back from intervening, we rooted for them quietly, waiting for the day they would take that leap. And just like that, the chapter of romance opened in all our lives, one thread at a time, weaving new stories that would carry us through the days of college and beyond.

It was a time of discovery, love, and laughter—each connection, whether blossomed or yet to bloom, adding to the tapestry of our shared story.

College was a new chapter, filled with laughter, love, and the unshakeable bond we shared. Despite the darkness we had all once faced, we had found a way to move forward, carrying pieces of our past but not letting them define us. We were living, breathing, loving—and that was the greatest triumph of all.

*The End*