1. Ren Sakamoto – Tama Art University – Bachelor of Fine Arts (Illustration Major)
Ren stepped into the sun-drenched courtyard of Tama Art University, sketchpad clutched tightly against his chest. The scent of paint, ink, and slightly burnt coffee followed him as he headed to his favorite corner of the studio building. Tokyo pulsed outside the windows—fast, noisy, and overwhelming—but within the white-walled comfort of the university, Ren felt like he belonged.
He shared a dorm room with a quiet sculpture student who rarely spoke, which suited Ren perfectly. His days were full of figure drawing classes, digital illustration workshops, and long afternoons spent curled in a studio chair, drawing from memory.
Yuuji's voice often lingered in his head when he sketched—his laughter, his teasing, his warmth. Sometimes Ren would pull out his phone and look at their texts, then draw something new just for him.
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2. Yuuji Aikawa – Keio University – Bachelor of Law
Yuuji adjusted his tie in the mirror of his sleek Tokyo dorm. His classes were rigorous—heavy on reading, debate, and courtroom simulations—but he liked the challenge. There was something about law that thrilled him: the battle of words, the precision, the subtle manipulation of truth.
But even with the rush of competition, nothing excited him more than Ren's nightly messages.
He'd fall into bed at 1 a.m., eyes bleary, only to open a drawing Ren had sent—usually a sketch of them together, or of Yuuji dressed like a smug lawyer, grinning. Sometimes he'd record a voice note in return, saying, "I miss your face," or "I'll be your defense attorney anytime."
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3. Ian Moore – Kyoto University – Bachelor of Science in Psychology
Ian stared down at his textbook, highlighter in hand, earbuds in as classical music played. Kyoto was calmer than Tokyo, its quiet temples and ancient streets matching his internal rhythm. Psychology fit him—it gave him language for all the feelings he had once buried.
He was excelling in class, but at night, he ached. Especially when he saw Rio's Instagram posts—sunlight streaked selfies, captions full of chaos and warmth. He'd comment something sarcastic, then save the photo anyway.
His dormmate was a theater major who never stopped humming, and it drove Ian up the wall—until he realized the humming reminded him of Rio.
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4. Rio Wilson – Musashino University – Bachelor of Film and Media Arts
Rio tossed his jacket on a chair and flopped onto his dorm bed, limbs everywhere. Film school was everything he hoped—dramatic, messy, creative, and full of too much caffeine. He spent his days filming, editing, acting in weird shorts, and laughing until his stomach hurt.
He often included a character named "Ian" in his scripts. Sometimes quiet, sometimes grumpy, always unforgettable.
His walls were plastered with polaroids—his new friends, his short films, and in the center: a photo of the six of them, taken on graduation day, smiles blurry with emotion.
Whenever he felt lost, he looked at that photo. And every time Ian liked one of his stories, he smiled like a fool.
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5. Kenji Suguru – Tohoku University – Bachelor of Architecture
Kenji sat cross-legged at his drafting table, pencil in hand, precision in every stroke. He was thriving in Tohoku's competitive architecture program—measured, deliberate, just like him.
The late-night dorm talks with Will were his favorite part of the day. Sometimes they shared music, sometimes they argued about design theory. Sometimes, when the stress got too much, Will would climb onto his bed and hold him until the world stilled.
He rarely said it out loud, but he loved Will deeply. In his own way—silent, enduring, constant.
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6. Will Ethan – Tohoku University – Bachelor of Performing Arts (Theatre Focus)
Will stretched his legs over Kenji's lap, humming a line from the musical they were rehearsing. Theater life was chaotic, full of rehearsals, egos, and adrenaline—and Will ate it up.
He was loud, dramatic, and wildly alive, but every time Kenji placed a thermos of tea beside him during an all-nighter, his heart melted.
They'd started calling each other "partner" in class.
It wasn't official-official, but everyone knew.
Will loved it.
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The Group Chat – "LoFi Chaos Club"
Yuuji:
[photo attachment]
> Look who passed moot court with the top score.
Ren:
> 😍 My ace lawyer.
Ian:
> Gross. But also, congrats.
Rio:
> Top score? Did you flirt with the judge?
Will:
> That's exactly what I said.
Kenji:
> I support it if it worked.
Yuuji:
> I'd flirt with the universe if it got me back to Ren sooner.
Ren:
> Blushing. Stop. (don't stop.)
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Even miles apart, with different majors, campuses, and dreams—they were still them.
Growing.
Changing.
But not apart.
Never apart.