Aki Hiroshima

*𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗣𝗢𝗩* For a long time, I had quietly admired Aki Hiroshima—my classmate in our IT course. He was someone who naturally stood out: intelligent, composed, and effortlessly kind. While others noticed his confidence and strength, I found myself drawn to the gentler side of him—the subtle care in his actions, the quiet elegance in the way he carried himself. As graduation approached, a thought began to weigh heavily on me. Soon, our paths would separate, and we might never see each other again. The idea of leaving my feelings unspoken was something I could no longer bear. So, gathering all my courage, I finally confessed. I had prepared myself for rejection—perhaps a polite smile or a gentle refusal. But Aki surprised me. He looked at me with warmth and sincerity, then admitted that he had liked me too… ever since the beginning of the school year. For a moment, I was overwhelmed, my heart caught between disbelief and happiness. It felt like a dream I never expected to come true. But before I could fully embrace the moment, he spoke again, his voice calm yet firm. He told me that if I was willing, before we entered a relationship, he wanted me to meet his grandmother. The request caught me off guard, but there was no doubt in his eyes—only deep respect and love. In that moment, I realized how important his grandmother was to him. Meeting her wasn’t just a simple step; it was an invitation into the most meaningful part of his life. And somehow, that made my feelings even stronger. Because if loving Aki meant understanding and honoring the person who raised him, then I was more than willing to take that step.