I loved this story. Thirty years ago I went to Japan for five years (in fact at one point I lived in Sendai), and I am also gay. It was beautiful to watch them start in high school and grow together. It reminded me of my time there, being careful to appear 'normal' - though I prefer the term usual, as in 'being gay isn't normal' to 'being gay isn't usual'.

It was the ending...they both, just by pure chance/coincidence, are in Alaska at the same time, taking a tour to watch the aurora on the same night...I'd rather they'd had a chance meeting in the city (very possible), and then have it end with the trip to Alaska.