Kai almost didn't see it.
It was buried between school notifications and advertisements, just another subject line in a crowded inbox.
Training Program — Application Update
His heart stopped.
For a second, he just stared at it.
He didn't open it.
Not yet.
Instead, he locked his phone and shoved it into his pocket like ignoring it could slow time down.
All day, it followed him.
Every class. Every conversation. Every quiet moment.
He found Velithra after school near the front gates, exactly where she always waited.
"You're quiet," she said immediately.
He gave a small, nervous laugh. "I got the email."
Her expression shifted—not fear, not excitement. Just focus.
"Did you open it?"
He shook his head.
She blinked. "You waited?"
"I didn't want to open it alone."
That made her chest tighten.
"Do you want to now?" she asked softly.
He nodded.
They walked to their usual bench, the one that had witnessed so many almost-confessions, silences, and truths.
Kai sat down, pulling out his phone.
His hands weren't steady.
Velithra didn't rush him. She just rested her shoulder against his.
"I'm here," she said.
He unlocked the screen.
Opened his email.
Found it.
For a moment, he couldn't breathe.
Then he tapped.
His eyes scanned the words quickly at first—too quickly.
Then slower.
Carefully.
Velithra watched his face, trying to read what he hadn't said yet.
"Kai?" she whispered.
He didn't answer immediately.
He read it again.
Then let out a breath that sounded like it had been trapped inside him for days.
"I got in," he said quietly.
Velithra's hand tightened around his arm. "You did?"
He nodded, still staring at the screen like it might disappear.
"I got in."
This time, it sounded real.
She didn't hesitate.
She wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly.
"I knew you could," she said against his shoulder.
Kai held her back just as tightly—but there was something else mixed into the relief.
Reality.
"It starts in three months," he said.
Three months.
Not tomorrow.
Not forever away.
Just close enough to feel real.
Velithra pulled back, searching his face.
"Are you happy?" she asked.
He nodded slowly.
"Yeah," he said. "I am."
And he was.
But happiness didn't erase the ache of knowing things would change.
Velithra reached up, resting her hand against his cheek.
"Then it was worth it."
Kai leaned into her touch.
"I don't know what happens next," he admitted.
She gave a small, steady smile.
"We live the next three months," she said. "One day at a time."
He nodded.
One day at a time.
Not focusing on the leaving.
Not focusing on the distance.
Just now.
Just them.
He intertwined their fingers, holding on—not out of fear, but out of appreciation.
Because suddenly, every ordinary moment mattered more than ever.