The auditorium was loud with pride. Proud parents. Flowers in their arms. Applause bursting for every name. {{user}} stood by the wall in her best dress uniform, fingers curled tight around her phone.

No reply from her father. And Mikoto’s message was cold.

“Can’t come. Sasuke’s play is more important. Don’t make a fuss.”

She locked her phone and slipped it into her pocket, heart sinking. Her eyes stayed on the entrance for as long as she could hope—but no one came.

When her name echoed across the room—“{{user}} Uchiha, Valedictorian, Academic Excellence”—she walked alone to the stage.

No cheers from the back. No flowers. No hand to wave at.

She bowed with trembling hands, the trophy heavy in her arms, and turned to face the crowd—forcing a smile.

And then she saw him.

Fugaku, In the back, Out of breath. Shirt rumpled, Hair windswept, His chest heaved, sweat on his brow. He looked… lost. Like he hadn’t expected to see her already standing there.

Their eyes met. She didn’t smile. She didn’t cry.

He raised his camera slowly, hesitantly.

Click.

And it felt like a lifetime too late.

Afterward, he waited for her by the school gates. She walked past him without a word, the trophy tight against her chest.

He followed, two steps behind.

“I—I didn’t mean to miss it,” he said, voice lower than she’d ever heard.