Karin and I are finally going to college, and we chose Tokyo University. It is a very high-end university with a very low admission rate, but we managed to get accepted given our history at the school. We also take the same major, so that we're always together in class; that way, we can help each other efficiently if either of us has any struggles regarding lectures.

  Since the distance from the university to our houses is a bit far, we rented a single room in an apartment near the university and stayed together to cut the costs. Our parents did give us an allowance, and they also wanted to pay our rent, but we both declined, not because we're arrogant or anything. We said to our parents that this can be a training for when we're actually married and have to think for ourselves in terms of finances. Our parents were proud and respected our choice.

  We moved to our place about a month before college starts. We plan to familiarize ourselves with the neighborhood as well as our daily lives living together. We also decided not to ask our mover to help us move our boxes full of utensils and furniture intentionally. We wanted to practice that feeling of marriage before we actually get married in the future.

  On the first day of living together, we spent it entirely moving boxes to our room as well as unpacking them. It took 3 entire days until we actually finished unboxing everything. We also cooperate on where our furniture goes to make things easier for both of us.

  It was only on the 4th day that we actually felt like we were living together. I was overly conscious whenever Karin took a bath. I feel like she also feels the same, vice versa. There are also times when I just barged into the toilet and found her inside using the toilet. I apologized and immediately closed the door, but she said she didn't mind it, and that somehow made me happy, but I cannot explain that feeling. Karin also felt conscious whenever she washed our laundry, especially my underwear. At first, she just looked away as she washed it, but eventually, she just got used to it and paid no further attention to it. I know those things felt silly, but those silly moments were also moments of happiness for us both. We genuinely felt we were already married and that we would always go through life together from now on.

  When night fell and we wanted to go to sleep, we bought 4 futons, 2 for each of us, and the other 2 are spares. We prepared our futon on the floor next to each other. We felt really anxious when we started lying down on our futon. My heart beats so fast that I was afraid that Karin could hear it. I said good night to her and faced the other way to go to sleep. But then she crawls over to my side and whispers in my ear, "Goodnight, honey.". That made my heart skip multiple beats. I wanted to scream for the extreme joy I felt at that moment.

  A month passed, and we're finally accustomed to our daily routines. I also talked to Karin about getting part-time jobs. I was going to schedule my lectures with 7 part-time jobs with short shifts to get the most amount of money. Karin was worried that I might overextend myself and get sick, so she suggested that she also get part-time jobs in different places to get the most amount of money combined. After a long back and forth, we finally decided to take 4 part-time jobs each.

  The first day of university began, and no problems or anything interesting occurred. When we get to our first lecture, we begin to introduce ourselves to the whole class before the lecture starts. We want good relationships with all of our colleagues in the same year. There are multiple couples who were already dating from high school, just like us.

  The first day ends with the entire class knowing our academic capabilities. We both asked questions regarding topics we didn't entirely understand. The professors on this campus are also kind and smart. They answered all of us without showing they were bothered by it, and instead encouraged all the other colleagues to also ask questions. I've heard that professors at campuses are always selfish, and they don't care as long as they do the bare minimum and get paid. I am so glad my assumptions were wrong in this case. I forgot that this is THAT Tokyo University after all.

  And so, our daily life at college began. We spent every lecture together, and our performance did not drop whatsoever, given our relationship. We're also still competing in tests and exams, but we no longer tease each other. Instead, we encourage and teach each other on the questions we got wrong. It actually feels great doing this back and forth with someone you love.

  Days, weeks, and months are passing by quickly. We have become more and more accustomed to living together. It already felt like we were an old married couple who'd been together for tens of years. We also have a new ritual. Whoever gets up earlier in the morning is also the one who has to wake up the other with a kiss on the cheek. And then, during bedtime, the other person in turn has to kiss the other person on the cheek before going to bed. That ritual has further strengthened our love and bond with each other. We're both still pure, and we're saving it for our marriage.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  Our college life has also been great. We've also deepened our friendship with colleagues from the same year. When they asked us to go to karaoke, we joined them. When they invited us to a barbecue party, we joined them. When they invited us on a trip, we gladly joined them. But we set boundaries for them because when they asked us to go to parties and sleepovers, we humbly declined. I heard pretty bad stuff about those kinds of parties in colleges, and I do not want any of that in my life, and Karin agreed with me.

  Right in the middle of the semester, I was informed of the devastating news of my parents' passing. They were caught in a car accident and died on the spot. This event broke my heart, and I was pushed into depression. However, Karin was supporting me the whole time I was feeling down.

  Every time I sulked, she would always cheer me up. She said to me that I should take my time with my sorrow and that I should cry my eyes out. I did exactly that in her hug. She kept me in her arms the whole night, and I was crying. It took me an entire month to move on from the grief and sorrow. During the funeral, strangely, my big brother didn't show up even when Karin's parents did. I tried to contact him, but his phone was unreachable. I didn't know what was happening to him.

  In the 2nd month of my parents' passing, I have regained my smile and my normal composure on campus. Previously, I was always a bit sad and depressed, even when I was surrounded by people I love and call friends. The pain of losing your parents was unlike any other, but the fact that I went through it means it wasn't the type of pain that I couldn't handle. I was glad that I was able to learn something through my grief. It's the fact that Karin is always going to be on my side no matter what happens. I found a blessing in the middle of my great sorrow. I am glad to be back, and now I'll look forward to my life knowing I have someone I can always count on.

  Fast forward to now, we are now in our second year on campus. Our grades have been great, and we are consistently improving throughout the year. Our friendship is also going great; they understand our boundaries and respect them. Life's been going great for the two of us.

  One day, Karin said she's going back to her family for a few days. Of course, I have no objection. It was also during the holiday, so we had no lectures. She asked me to come with her, but I declined and said to her that this holiday is a chance to do my best in my part-time job. I'll get the maximum number of shifts as well. I told her not to worry about me so she could enjoy her family reunion.

  A week later, she finally comes back on the last day of the holiday. I was worried because she said she was only going to be gone for 4 days, plus the fact that she didn't notify me about her extended stay at her family's home. When she arrived, her face was so exhausted, and she just said good night and immediately fell asleep in no time. I didn't wonder any further and just ended the day for good.

  The next day, we went to lectures together, but on the way there, Karin said she had somewhere to be and told me to go on alone. I was confused, but I didn't think anything of it, so I just agreed to it. She went the opposite direction and left, so I just went on my way towards campus.

  After the lectures for the day finished, I left the campus. I was so worried because Karin never showed up to any of the lectures for the whole day. I messaged her, but she never even read my messages. She is acting weird, but I didn't really think anything of it at the time.

  Outside the campus, I finally met Karin. I was about to ask why, but I felt something was off. When I looked at her face, she just smiled there emptily while looking at me. It was a bit creepy, but I finally asked her a question.

  "Karin? What's wrong? Your face looks weird. Did something happen?"

  ". . .Neo."

  "Uh, yeah?"

  "I'm cheating on you."

  . . . . . . .

  What?

  ". . .Huh?"

  "I've been having sex behind your back. Sorry, Neo! Let's break up!"

  And then she just turned around and walked casually away from me. I was too confused by her confession. Like, how could she just say that and walk away? Why did she treat me like this all of a sudden? I don't get it.

  I obviously grab her hand and demand an explanation.

  "W-What did you just say, Karin?"

  "I said I've been cheating on you! So, let's break up! I don't want to be with you anymore!"

  "W-W. . .WHAT?"

  My heart stings when I hear what she said. Sex? Like genuine sex? Behind my back? What is this? I don't understand any of this. What is going on all of a sudden? She was never this type of girl. From the moment I met her back in high school, she was never this type of girl. We even promised one another to keep our purity until marriage. She broke our. . . She broke our precious promise.

  I. . .I don't understand this.

  Tears started falling from my eyes. When she noticed that, she immediately turned around and ran away from me.

  I tried to call her, but it was in vain. My voice didn't come out. I was too dumbfounded by all of this. What is this? What is going on? Why did she betray me? What did she get out of this? I don't get it. I just stood there, seeing her leave me alone until she was no longer visible and disappeared in the distance.

  I went to the apartment and found out all of her belongings were completely gone. She spent her entire day moving her stuff out. Seeing this, I fell on my knees, and I started crying, frustratedly. This means those days when she said she left to see her parents, that was all a lie. She just wants to have sex with whoever is with her. I cried my heart and lungs out. My voice was shaking, and I groveled on the floor as I cried. I felt so hurt; it felt like my heart was literally torn forcefully out of my chest. I have no room to fight back, nor do I have room to even respond. Everything happened so suddenly and quickly.