Page 27 of Just Try, Again and Again

I put my backpack on the wooden chair to my left and lean back on my seat. Professor Schulz makes himself comfortable sitting on his swivel chair on the other side of his desk. “It has been amazing. Thank you so much for this opportunity. I always enjoyed your lectures when you were a guest professor at RadTech, and I’m enjoying your lectures and workshops here.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Simmons. You are a great student and you provide very good insights. You’re always eager to learn and I appreciate that quality.” I feel a smile forming on my face, and it’s a genuine one. Unlike other lecturers, this guy actually makes his classes interactive. “Tell me, what are your plans after your bachelor’s program is finished at the Radinger Institute of Technology?”

A nervous laugh bursts out of me. Haruki and I decided to put a pin on future planning until she’s done with her bachelor’s degree. I know my dad expects me to get an MBA before joining his company.But what do I actually want?

“I’m not sure yet. My freshman year is just wrapping up, sir. So I still have three more years to figure it out.”

“One of the research staff at RadTech told me that your father is Arthur Simmons. The Simmons in Ryker and Simmons Capital Group. The company focused on media investment banking. Is that correct?”

I swallow the lump in my throat. Everything that I do in this life is to distance myself from being labeled as my father’s spoiled child. For some reason, this professor’s opinion mattersto me. I don’t want him to put me in a damn box. “That’s correct,” I answer, my voice coming out harsher than I intend it to.

“Hmm.” He puts his arms across his chest and leans back on his chair, his eyes studying me from behind the thick glasses sliding down his nose. “You don’t intend on continuing his legacy?”

“Not really,” I say as my hand rests on the back of my neck. “He wants me to, but I’m not interested in what he does.”

“And what is it that you’re interested in, Mr. Simmons? I know a lot of young people who would kill to have a guaranteed spot working for a company such as Ryker and Simmons.”

“I really liked your lecture on entrepreneurship, Professor Schulz. Less bureaucratic, more nitty-gritty.” He tilts his chin upward and I get the feeling that he’s not satisfied with my answer, so I continue, “Don’t get me wrong.” I shake my head. “I think the landscape is fascinating with how the market is evolving, and I’m definitely interested in the entertainment sector within the media industry. But I’m not interested in looking at everything from an investment banker’s point of view. Like I said, I like the dirty work on the other side.”

A smile breaks out on his face. “I’m starting a new master’s program here at the university. It’s still in its early stages, but it should be up and running by the time you graduate from Radinger. You’re smart, Mr. Simmons. If you do end up not following in your father’s footsteps, you are very welcome to apply for our entrepreneurship program. I think it might be right up your alley.” I match his smile with one of my own. “In the meantime, I would like to introduce you to one of my PhD students, if you are willing. His name is Jakob Ackermann.”

“And why is that, if I may ask?”

“He’s trying to start his own company in the interactive home entertainment sector. E-sports and whatnot. He’s got the nitty-gritty part down, but he needs some insights when it comes to securing funding and the politics surrounding it. I have a feeling you two might be able to learn from one another.”

After shaking my professor’s hand and closing the door behind me, I shoot Haruki a text.

What about Berlin?

24

Haruki - 19 years old

New Year’s Eve Sophomore year for Bryce, and Freshman year for Haruki

Bryce and I sit on the bed in the rented holiday home, our bodies covered with a blanket up to our necks. My eyes take in the entirety of the place one more time. I can’t believe he went all out with the accommodation. Again.This is directly next to the beach. It must have cost him a fortune.

Next to me, he slaps his knees with his palms before standing up, revealing the Christmas sweater Lily got him as a present. It has become a tradition now. Last year it was a red sweater with a stupid slogan, this year it’s an ugly wool sweater with Santa Claus and little elves stitched on it. I know Bryce; he secretly loves his gift. This is his third time wearing it.

“We have to get ready. They’re coming soon,” he says.

I let out a groan. Stuffed from all the food at dinner, coupled with the fact that the weather is horrendous, I would much rather stay seated in this bed the whole night. But Bryce invitedCameron to ring in the new year with us, and Cameron invited Logan and his girlfriend to tag along. A few hours later, there was a group chat dedicated to tonight with twenty people in it. Since most of them are Bryce’s high school friends, we begged Cameron and Logan not to say anything about our little wedding in Hawaii. Too risky.

“Cameron’s taking care of the drinks right?” I ask while taking off the equally ugly sweater Lily gifted me and putting on a black sequin jumpsuit. Bryce nods. “And we have enough snacks?” He nods again. “Maybe we should get more. What if people get hungry later and we have nothing to serve them?” Bryce raises an eyebrow.

He chuckles to himself before kissing the top of my head. “Haruki, relax. It's a house party that starts at ten, not a dinner party.”

“I told you people don’t do parties like these in Japan.” I roll my eyes, but my cheeks are heating up.Not that I have any time to party with my schedule, anyway.“I have no clue how to host these things.”

“You just be you,” he says in a softer tone. After putting on a fancy quarter zip sweater, his arms hug me from behind. “The alcohol will take care of the rest.”

Bryce turns my body around and his lips immediately meet mine. A tingling sensation appears all over my body as his teeth tug on my lower lip.I’m going to miss this. Again.“I can’t believe I have to go back to Osaka the day after tomorrow.”

The longest breath comes out of Bryce before he grabs my face with both hands. “Have you thought about transferring here?” he asks with his eyes closed. “You’re going to be twenty soon. What are you going to do?”

“Nothing. Finish school and then we’ll see, right?” I let go of Bryce’s waist and grab my earrings from the top of the dressing table.

“Or we can just get your green card and you can move here.” By the look on his face, he’s been thinking about this. Hell, I have been thinking about this. “Or…here’s a crazy idea. Just move now while you still have your American passport and we can spare all the paperwork.”

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