The Dreams Between Us

Chapter 1: First Day The college campus was louder than Haruto expected. Voices overlapped in every direction—laughter, greetings, the sound of shoes scraping against pavement, the occasional honk from vehicles outside the gate. Students stood in clusters, already forming circles like they belonged there. Some were taking photos, smiling like this was the beginning of something exciting. Others were introducing themselves, their voices filled with energy. It all felt… easy for them. Not for him. Haruto adjusted the strap of his bag and walked past the crowd without slowing down. His eyes didn’t linger. His steps didn’t hesitate. This is not why I’m here. For most people, college was a new beginning. For him, it was a responsibility. A faint memory crossed his mind—his mother sitting at the table late at night, going through expenses again and again, trying to make things work. His father, quiet as always, pretending everything was fine. It wasn’t. And Haruto knew it. I don’t have time to waste. That thought had followed him for years. While others talked about enjoying life, he had already decided something for himself. He wouldn’t fall behind. He couldn’t afford to. He reached the classroom and stepped inside. It was half full. A few students were chatting loudly, while others sat silently, scrolling through their phones. The atmosphere was lighter than outside, but it still felt unfamiliar. Haruto walked to a seat near the window and placed his bag down carefully. The sunlight streamed in, casting soft shadows across the desk. Outside, the sky was clear. Inside, his mind wasn’t. Fees… books… part-time job… The list didn’t stop. Even here, even now, it didn’t stop. He opened his notebook, flipping to the first page. Blank. For a moment, he just stared at it. A new beginning. That’s what everyone called it. But to him— it felt like a test. “Excuse me, that seat is taken?” The voice was calm, steady. Haruto looked up. For a second, everything around him faded. A girl stood beside his desk. Her posture was straight, her expression composed. There was no hesitation in her eyes, no uncertainty in the way she spoke. She wasn’t asking nervously like the others. She was simply waiting. “…No,” Haruto said, pulling his bag aside. “Thanks.” She sat down next to him without another word. There was nothing dramatic about it. No sudden change. No overwhelming feeling. But something about her presence was… noticeable. Haruto looked away first. Focus. The professor entered a few minutes later, and the room gradually settled into silence. Introductions began. Names, backgrounds, reasons for choosing the course. Some students spoke confidently. Others struggled. Haruto didn’t pay much attention. Until— “Why did you choose this course?” The professor’s voice shifted slightly. Haruto glanced up. The question wasn’t directed at him. It was directed at her. She didn’t hesitate. “To become independent,” she said. Her voice was clear, firm—without the slightest trace of doubt. “I don’t want to depend on anyone.” The room went quiet for a brief moment. Not because it was shocking. But because it was… certain. Haruto watched her. No hesitation… That wasn’t something he saw often. Most people spoke with uncertainty hidden behind confidence. But this— this felt different. The professor nodded, slightly impressed, and moved on. But Haruto didn’t. Same goal… The thought came naturally. Not about her. About what she said. Not fun. Not experience. Not “college life.” Just— moving forward. The class continued, but the atmosphere felt slightly different now. Or maybe it was just him. When the lecture ended, the noise returned instantly. Chairs moved, conversations started, footsteps echoed again. Haruto closed his notebook and stood up. He didn’t plan to stay. “Hey.” He paused. He turned slightly. It was her. “You’re quiet,” she said, looking at him directly. “Are you always like that?” There was no judgment in her tone. Just observation. “…Mostly,” he replied. She studied him for a second. Not long. Just enough. “I’m Aoi.” There was a brief silence. Not awkward. Just… waiting. “Haruto.” She gave a small nod, as if confirming something in her mind. “Good.” He frowned slightly. “…What?” “Let’s see who does better.” It wasn’t said playfully. It wasn’t said aggressively either. It was simple. Direct. Like a fact waiting to happen. Before he could respond, she turned and walked away. Just like that. Haruto stood there for a moment. He wasn’t confused. He wasn’t annoyed. But he wasn’t unaffected either. “…Strange,” he muttered quietly. Around him, the noise continued like nothing had changed. Students laughing. Talking. Living their own stories. But for the first time since morning— something had shifted. Not distraction. Not interest. Something closer to… awareness. Haruto picked up his bag and walked out of the classroom. He didn’t look back. But the thought stayed. Let’s see who does better. A simple sentence. Yet somehow— it felt like the beginning of something he hadn’t planned for. The corridor outside was just as crowded. Students moved in different directions, voices blending into a constant noise. Some were already making plans, others were still figuring things out. Haruto walked through them without stopping. His steps were steady, but his thoughts weren’t. Let’s see who does better. The words replayed in his mind more than he expected. It wasn’t the challenge itself. He had faced competition before. Exams, rankings, expectations—it was nothing new. But this felt… different. He stepped down the stairs, gripping the railing lightly. Most people competed to prove something to others. But her— It didn’t feel like that. It felt like she had already decided something for herself. And she was simply moving toward it. Haruto exhaled slowly. “…Doesn’t matter.” He muttered it under his breath, almost like a reminder. Focus on yourself. That was the rule he had always followed. And it had worked. So far. He reached the ground floor and stepped outside. The sunlight felt slightly warmer now, the noise slightly louder. But none of it reached him the same way. For a moment, he stopped. Not because he wanted to. But because his mind refused to move forward. Independent…  Her voice echoed faintly in his memory. Clear. Certain. Haruto clenched his jaw slightly. “I don’t need to think about this.” He adjusted his bag again and started walking toward the gate. But even as he walked away— he knew one thing. This wasn’t over. Not the conversation. Not the feeling. Something had started. Small. Unclear. But enough to leave a mark. And even if he ignored it— it wouldn’t disappear that easily. The road outside the campus stretched longer than he remembered. Students walked past him in groups, their conversations loud and careless. Some were already laughing like nothing mattered. Like everything ahead was simple. Haruto kept walking. Alone. A bike sped past him, the sudden sound breaking his thoughts for a moment. He stepped aside slightly, his grip tightening on the strap of his bag. Stay focused. That was all that mattered. He had spent years building that mindset. Ignoring distractions. Ignoring anything that didn’t help him move forward. It wasn’t easy. But it was necessary. Yet— today felt different. “…Tch.” A quiet sound escaped him before he could stop it. Why am I even thinking about this? It didn’t make sense. A single conversation. A few words. That was all. And yet— it stayed. He slowed down near the bus stop just outside the college gate. A few students were already there, waiting. Some leaned against the railing, others sat scrolling through their phones. No one noticed him. And that was fine. Haruto stood slightly apart, his eyes fixed on the road ahead. Vehicles passed one after another, the noise blending into a steady rhythm. Usually, this kind of environment helped him clear his mind. Today, it didn’t. Let’s see who does better. The words returned again. Clearer this time. He let out a slow breath. “…Fine.” If it was a challenge— then he would treat it like one. Not because of her. Not because of anything she said. But because that was who he was. He wouldn’t fall behind. Not to anyone. Not here. Not now. The bus arrived with a loud screech, pulling him out of his thoughts. People moved quickly, stepping forward, pushing slightly to get in first. Haruto waited. He always did. When the crowd thinned, he stepped inside and took a seat near the window. The engine started again, and the bus slowly pulled away from the stop. The campus began to fade behind him. For a moment, he glanced back. Not intentionally. Just… instinct. And then he looked away. It doesn’t matter.  He leaned his head slightly against the window, watching the city pass by in a blur. Buildings. Roads. People. Everything moving. Everything continuing. Just like it always had. But somewhere in between— something had changed. Not enough to understand. Not enough to matter. Yet. Haruto closed his eyes for a brief second. Tomorrow would be the same. Classes. Work. Focus. Nothing else. That’s how it should be. But deep down— beneath the thoughts he tried to control— one thing remained. A quiet awareness. Of someone who stood in the same place— but walked with a different certainty. And for the first time— Haruto didn’t know if that was something to ignore… or something to face.