Kai stared at the screen for a long time.
The application form wasn't complicated.
Name.Age.School.Achievements.
Simple boxes. Simple answers.
Yet his cursor hovered over the Submit button like it weighed something.
His door creaked softly behind him.
Velithra stepped inside, holding two drinks. "You left these downstairs."
He glanced back. "Thanks."
She handed one to him, then noticed the screen.
"The program?" she asked gently.
He nodded.
Neither of them spoke for a second.
Velithra didn't move closer right away. She gave him space to exist in the moment first.
"Are you finished?" she asked.
"Yeah."
But he hadn't clicked it.
She noticed.
Kai exhaled slowly. "It feels like once I press it, everything starts changing."
Velithra walked over and sat beside him on the bed.
"Not everything," she said.
He gave a faint smile. "It feels like everything."
She looked at the form, then back at him.
"Do you want to do it?"
He didn't answer immediately.
"Yes," he said finally. "I think I do."
"Then that's your answer."
He searched her face, making sure she meant it.
"You're not going to stop me?"
"No," she said softly. "I'm going to stand next to you."
That steadied him more than anything else could.
Kai looked back at the screen.
His finger rested on the mouse.
Paused.
Velithra gently slipped her hand into his free one.
Not pushing.
Not pulling.
Just there.
Kai tightened his grip around her fingers.
And clicked.
The screen refreshed.
Application Submitted.
That was it.
No dramatic sound. No fireworks.
Just confirmation.
Kai leaned back in his chair, staring at the screen like he expected it to say more.
Velithra squeezed his hand once.
"You did it."
He let out a breath he didn't realize he'd been holding.
"Yeah," he murmured.
A strange mix of excitement and fear settled into his chest.
Velithra rested her head lightly against his shoulder.
"I'm proud of you," she said.
He turned slightly toward her. "Even if it takes me away?"
She met his eyes.
"Even then."
That answer stayed with him.
Not because it made the future less uncertain—
—but because it made him feel less alone inside it.
He leaned forward, pressing a quiet kiss to her forehead.
Whatever happened next…
It had already begun.