Three weeks after returning to Japan, Aiko and Hiroshi had settled into a routine that felt both new and surprisingly natural. They met every Wednesday evening at a café halfway between Stellar Academy and Hiroshi's university, and spent most weekends together exploring Tokyo or simply enjoying each other's company.
"How was your advanced color theory class?" Hiroshi asked as they walked through Ueno Park, the late spring air warm and pleasant around them.
"Challenging but good," Aiko replied, adjusting the bag containing her latest project samples. "The techniques I learned in Spain are definitely helping me approach problems differently. Isabella would be proud of how I'm applying what she taught me."
"And how are you feeling about being back in the regular academic routine?"
Aiko considered the question as they found a bench overlooking the park's pond. "It's strange. The coursework feels easier somehow, not because it's less demanding, but because I feel more confident in my abilities. Spain taught me that I can handle difficult situations and complex challenges."
"Including complex relationships?" Hiroshi asked with a smile that suggested he was fishing for information about how she viewed their developing romance.
"Especially complex relationships," Aiko replied, taking his hand. "Though what we have doesn't feel complicated. It feels... right."
They had been having these kinds of conversations regularly—gentle check-ins about how they were both adjusting to being a couple, making sure they were on the same page about expectations and boundaries. It was a level of communication that Aiko had never experienced before, and she found it both comforting and exciting.
"Can I ask you something that might be a little serious?" Hiroshi said, his expression growing more thoughtful.
"Sure."
"How do you want to handle talking about your time in Spain? I mean, when people ask about your exchange program, how much do you want to share about... everything that happened?"
It was a question Aiko had been wrestling with herself. Her friends at Stellar Academy knew she had gone to Spain to study, but they didn't know about her search for Javier or the emotional journey that had led to her relationship with Hiroshi.
"I think I want to keep some of it private," she said slowly. "Not because I'm ashamed of anything, but because it feels too personal to share casually. The story about finding Javier... that's not something I want to become gossip or entertainment for other people."
"That makes sense. And what about us? How do you want to present our relationship to your friends and classmates?"
"Honestly," Aiko said. "I want to tell them you're my boyfriend. I'm not going to hide how I feel about you."
Hiroshi's smile was warm. "I like that approach. Simple and honest."
As they continued their walk through the park, Aiko found herself observing how naturally they had fallen into patterns of communication and affection. Hiroshi was attentive without being possessive, supportive without being overwhelming. He asked questions about her studies and goals not because he felt entitled to know everything, but because he was genuinely interested in her thoughts and experiences.
"There's something I want to discuss with you," Aiko said as they stopped to buy ice cream from a vendor. "About our future together."
"That sounds important."
"It is. I've been thinking about what I want from this relationship, what I'm hoping we can build together." She paused, gathering her thoughts. "I want us to be partners who support each other's individual goals, not people who lose themselves in being a couple."
"What does that look like practically?"
"It means I want you to pursue your social work ambitions fully, even if that involves travel or demanding schedules. And I want to compete in international hairstyling competitions, maybe even open my own salon someday, without feeling like I have to choose between my career and our relationship."
Hiroshi nodded enthusiastically. "I love that vision. I never want to be the reason you don't pursue your dreams."
"And I never want you to compromise your goals for my sake either. I think the strongest relationships are between people who make each other better, not people who limit each other."
As they settled on a bench to enjoy their ice cream, Hiroshi took her hand with his free one. "Aiko, can I tell you something?"
"What?"
"Being with you makes me more ambitious, not less. Seeing how dedicated you are to your craft, how you handle challenges, how you solved that situation with Mika through understanding rather than conflict—it inspires me to be more thoughtful in my own work."
"That means a lot," Aiko replied, leaning against his shoulder. "Because you have the same effect on me. Your dedication to your studies, the way you support my goals, your willingness to be patient while I figured out my feelings—it makes me want to be a better stylist and a better person."
As the afternoon turned to evening and they prepared to return to their respective campuses, Aiko felt deeply satisfied with the conversation they had shared. They weren't just dating—they were actively building a relationship based on mutual respect, individual growth, and shared values.
"Same time next week?" Hiroshi asked as they reached the train station where they would part ways.
"Actually," Aiko said, "want to hang out with me and Kenta this weekend? Your sister keeps asking about you."
"I'd love that."
As she rode the train back to Stellar Academy, Aiko found herself thinking about Hiroshi. Things with him felt different than what she'd experienced before. He was there, present, someone she could actually talk to and make plans with. It felt good.
They were building something together, and Aiko couldn't wait to see what it would become.