Chapter 148: When i became a second grader

School days were filled with happiness, with Aya by my side. The anxiety had faded, replaced by a fluffy, cloud-like contentment. I wished these days could last forever, but reality, as always, had other plans.

Even though the third semester had a relaxed, spring-like atmosphere, Takamari Academy still had exams. Why did Japanese schools have exams even in the third semester? That wasn’t a thing in Korea!

Despite my complaints, I studied diligently with Aya and Mizuki, but I still ended up scoring lower than Mizuki.

“Heehee, Rina-tan~! Should have studied harder~!”

“Wh-What… Mizuki…!”

Mizuki got 1185 out of 1200. I got 1182. Aya, as always, scored ridiculously high. I’d thought I could beat Mizuki this time, but I’d been spending too much time with Aya and neglecting my studies.

“Just you wait, Mizuki! I won’t go easy on you next time!”
“Bring it on~! Hehehe.”

Mizuki grinned, looking smug, and I chased her around playfully.

Winter was ending, and spring was in the air. The leisurely days of the third semester were coming to a close.

And then… the student council elections.
Since Takamari Academy had an escalator system, even the third-year middle school students could vote. The elections were a big deal, and the candidate selection process was rigorous.

Aya was the only viable candidate for vice president. Arisu had declined, and Mizuki said the school board wouldn’t approve of her candidacy. And my family background wasn’t prestigious enough.

Aya’s public declaration of our relationship at the ball had made her a controversial candidate, but there was no one else to replace her. A few non-student council members had initially considered running, but they quickly withdrew after seeing Aya’s capabilities. Her position was unshakeable.

The election became a simple yes/no vote on Aya’s candidacy. Aya didn’t actively campaign. But her decisive actions and the societal shifts after the ball incident had garnered silent support.

Finally, election day arrived, the day before spring break. The results of the vote, with 300 students participating, were astounding.

Yes: 297 votes
No: 2 votes
Abstentions: 1 vote

Aya won by a landslide.

“Not surprising,” Mizuki shrugged, smiling. Aya smiled faintly, but I was a little surprised. She’d become vice president in the novel too, but it had been a close call, with a rival candidate.

But this wasn’t the novel. Aya liked me, and I wasn’t a boy like the protagonist.

“Aya, I didn’t expect this.”
“Rina, I told you. No one can stop us now.”

Aya said, her voice calm and confident, her eyes filled with conviction. This was why I loved her.

I buried my face in her arm and giggled. What was I going to do with her?

****

After the vice president election, the graduation ceremony was held. The atmosphere was solemn and bittersweet. Aya and I arrived early to help with the preparations. The gymnasium, filled with students in their regular clothes, was unusually quiet, the air thick with the bittersweet feeling of farewell.

“Senpai, are you ready?”

The student council president, whom I rarely saw, stepped onto the stage with a heartfelt expression. Silence fell over the gymnasium as he began to speak.

“Today, we, the third-year students, leave Takamari Academy. Thank you for everything. Although there were difficult times, the precious memories and friendships we’ve made here will always be a source of strength.”

I was surprised by his sincerity, so different from the image I had of him from the spring festival. His voice trembled slightly, and some of the graduating students were already in tears. I felt a pang of sadness as well.

Applause and quiet sobs filled the gymnasium as he finished his speech.

The graduation song played, a melancholic melody filling the air. I blinked back tears and approached Reina-senpai with a bouquet of flowers.

“Reina-senpai, congratulations on your graduation.”
“Rina… Thank you.”

Reina-senpai smiled and accepted the bouquet. I wanted to tell her something I’d been meaning to say.

“Thank you for everything you did for me during the first semester. You were the one who reached out to me when I was lost and confused.”

Reina-senpai patted my shoulder gently and smiled.

“Like I said before, Rina, you’ll do great things. I’ll always be cheering for you.”

Just then, there was a commotion in the back. I turned around and saw a familiar figure in a wheelchair slowly approaching. It was Sena-senpai, the silver-haired, violet-eyed girl we’d met in Okinawa.

She looked frail and pale, her once-beautiful face gaunt and drawn. Seeing her like this made my heart ache. Reina-senpai approached and gently embraced Sena-senpai.

“Sena… thank you for being alive.”

Sena-senpai smiled weakly and nodded silently.

My heart ached even more. I’d heard she’d lost her voice during her treatment. She was still recovering, but she’d had to give up her career.

Aya quietly took my hand. “Rina, don’t be too sad. Sena-senpai will be okay.”

I nodded slowly. Aya and I looked at Reina-senpai and Sena-senpai and said,

“Reina-senpai, I’m sure you’ll do great things at medical school.”

Reina-senpai, who was attending a prestigious medical school in Tokyo thanks to the Yukikawa Foundation, wiped her eyes and smiled brightly.

“Thank you, Rina. Take care of Aya.”

I squeezed Aya’s hand and smiled brightly.

“Yes, senpai!”

The graduation ceremony ended, leaving a bittersweet ache in my heart.

****
The next day was the spring break ceremony. The atmosphere was much lighter than at the graduation ceremony. The absence of the third-year students felt strange, but everyone was excited about spring break and the upcoming new school year.

The bittersweet emotions from yesterday faded as I walked to school, replaced by anticipation and excitement for the new school year… and for seeing Aya.

“Aya, do you think we’ll be in the same class?”
“I hope so.”

Aya’s calm, knowing expression told me she already knew.
Of course, she and Mizuki would have pulled some strings to be in the same class. Still, I felt a flutter of excitement as I approached the bulletin board where the class assignments were posted. The hallway was crowded with students.

“Please let me be in the same class as my friends…!”

“I’m in Class 3! You?”
“Wow, we’re in the same class again!”

Excited chatter filled the air. I cautiously checked the list.

“Let’s see… Yukikawa Aya… Aya, you’re in Class 2-1!”

“…What about Kurosawa Rina?”

As I searched for my name, Aya pointed.

“Kurosawa Rina, Class 2-1. We’re in the same class again, Rina.”

“Aya!”

Overjoyed, I jumped up and hugged Aya. Some of the nearby students chuckled.

“As expected, the Trinity is inseparable.”

“I knew they’d be excited.”

Embarrassed, I clung to Aya’s arm and hid my face. Aya chuckled, covering her mouth with her hand.

After checking the class assignments, we headed to the auditorium for the spring break ceremony.

After a short speech from the principal, the newly elected student council members were introduced.

“Yukikawa Aya, our new vice president, will now share her plans for the upcoming year.”

Applause erupted as Aya stepped onto the stage. She smiled brightly and spoke.

“Hello everyone, I’m Yukikawa Aya, your new vice president. I’ll do my best to ensure everyone has a fun and fulfilling school year. Thank you for your support.”

We received information packets and new textbooks from the student council. The sight of everyone with their new books and class schedules made the new school year feel real.

Back in the student council room, as we packed our things, we talked about our plans for spring break.

“Rina-tan! Aya-ring! We have to go somewhere for spring break!”

“Mizuki, you’re already thinking about having fun?”
“Of course! Aya-ring, you’re coming too, right?”
“Yes, that sounds nice.”

Mizuki was already busy making plans. She was now a second-year, the highest grade in the student council, and she was taking over many responsibilities. As we left the student council room, Aya whispered to me,

“Rina, let’s make lots of memories this spring break, just the two of us.”
“Anything with you is perfect, Aya.”

Spring break had officially begun. And soon, our second year would begin. I felt a warm, fuzzy feeling of anticipation, similar to how I’d felt throughout the third semester.