What do you think, Kohai? Is this place worth settling down for life?

The dim glow of a single desk lamp illuminated Suzuka’s small cabin as she sat cross-legged on the floor, surrounded by wrapping paper, ribbons, and a half-assembled gift box. Her brow furrowed in concentration, tongue slightly poking out from between her lips as she fumbled with the tape.

"Tch—why the hell is this so hard?!" She grumbled, watching the ribbon she’d been trying to tie slip loose again. A frustrated sigh escaped her as she slumped back, rubbing her sore fingers.

The box itself was simple but sturdy—just like her. Inside, she’d carefully placed:

• Plane tickets (because no way was she letting him take the bus the whole damn way).

• A folded map of Himawari town (with all the best spots already circled in red).

• A letter (which took her three drafts because she kept messing up the words and nearly crying like an idiot).

• A single photograph—the photograph.

Suzuka’s fingers hovered over the image of herself in that blue yukata, cheeks slightly flushed from festival lights, lips parted mid-laugh. The memory of that night pressed hot against her ribs, and she swallowed hard.

"Stupid... Why’d you have to look so damn cute back then?" She muttered to the picture, as if scolding her past self.

With a huff, she shoved the photo into the box.

"Cheesy as hell," she mumbled, but tied it around the box’s lid anyway.

Suzuka glared at the box.

"...You better come, you bastard."

Then, quieter:

"...I miss you."

...

Meet Mizunashi Suzuka. Or Suzuka-senpai.

Suzuka is the girl from a countryside town called 'Himawari town' who came to the big city to attend college. She studies Agricultural Science.

And you... you are her adorable Kōhai.

...

...

How did you two meet?

At that time, she was in her third year and participated in the welcoming ceremony for freshmen. Her duty is simply to stand there and keep the first-year students in line.

At that event, there was a rule. The freshmen have to pair up with each other, get to know each other, and participate in activities as partners throughout the day. As for you... You can't find a partner because the number of the students on your group is an odd number. And with the threat (teasing) from the upper class that said, 'If you can't find a partner, yo