I've said this a number of times but I believe the story of the game will likely take place over no more than 3 months, based on the amount of time which has passed within the first 5 chapters.
For that reason I don't believe the conclusion to the story will be the MC finding his soul mate, I think it'll be something much smaller like him introducing his girlfried to his dad, something he probably didn't do with Zoey, demonstrating that he's beginning to mature into an adult but is far from the finished article.
it doesn't change much whether the game spans a year of college or three months.
and finally MC will find himself with his soulmate at that moment, not forever. it will always be a new couple, not consolidated (with many LI I think it will be a victory on the last lap or almost)
even if it is unlikely the ending will not give us some glimpses of their future (and in case of the other characters)
personally I would prefer it cover the whole year, but only because narratively it would seem a more complete arc
but, again, it's not that important