Ch.246Epilogue. Hello (7)

Time passes quickly.

In my memory and heart, it feels like New Year’s was just yesterday, but when I come to my senses, the end of the semester is already approaching.

Still, the pace of time during student years is relatively manageable. After getting a job, without tension-filled events like exams, time truly flies by before you even realize it.

Winter has long since passed.

The winter break ended quickly, and naturally, we started attending school again.

I barely saw Izumi and Kaoru after that.

Both of them seemed busy with various matters besides exams. They probably had to fill out college applications and take various tests beyond the “Center Exam,” which is Japan’s equivalent of the college entrance exam.

They had interviews to attend as well.

Still, when I finally saw them, they looked quite cheerful. It seemed their efforts hadn’t been in vain, as both greeted us with bright smiles.

By the way, Hagiwara was also graduating this year and had been studying hard for various things.

I did see Souta a few times, but we rarely met up. To be honest, I think he might have been avoiding me a little. After all, there were many complicated matters between the church and me.

He seemed to have studied properly in his own way, as he didn’t look gloomy the last time we met.

Seeing such busy seniors made us feel a bit tense too, with only a few days left of our second year. We’d be college exam candidates starting this year.

Actually, I’ve been studying hard, unable to resist Yuka’s persistent urging. It’s good to be surrounded by academically strong students. Especially when that academically strong student is your close friend or your sister.

Even during club activities, I studied while receiving advice from the others. Sometimes I helped other students, which in turn expanded my own knowledge.

Seeing Koko and me study, Kagami also seemed to have started studying at home for some reason, but I’ll just assume that’s because she’s a mother.

She did seem like the type who would be sad if she couldn’t answer when her daughter asked her something.

I had no reason to say anything about it, so our home just naturally became an environment where everyone studied together.

As time passed like this, spring finally arrived.

The season of cherry blossoms, around the time we would become third-years.

Japanese high schools have slightly different graduation ceremony periods. I heard some hold them in early March, but Hanakawa High School’s was at the end of March.

Since many students go on to university, it seemed they had pushed it back to avoid interfering with university entrance exams.

The graduation ceremony was held when the cherry blossoms were in full bloom, around the time university admission announcements were wrapping up.

It was the beginning of spring break, and with the semester ending, the students’ feelings were mixed. We had people to send off.

“Wow~ I wasn’t sure how the exams would turn out.”

“It was a bit close because I played around too much in my third year…”

I couldn’t help but smile at Kaoru and Izumi’s words. Indeed, the two of them had participated in many activities and had fun, despite being third-years.

Well, I’ll probably do the same throughout my third year.

Honestly, I’d hate to miss participating in the cultural festival, at the very least.

“But somehow I got in.”

“My department changed… but that couldn’t be helped.”

It was probably because they had different aspirations rather than due to their grades.

Izumi went into literature, while Kaoru, surprisingly, chose education. She wanted to become a physical education teacher.

Still, since they’re at the same school, it would be good for them to meet up. I hope their friendship continues. It would be nice if we could all gather and hang out together in the future.

Both Kaoru and Izumi were holding black cylindrical objects containing their diplomas.

Around us were many students in uniforms holding their diplomas. In the background, pink cherry blossoms bloomed brilliantly. The sight of them dancing in the wind was beautiful.

But the students looked even more beautiful than the fluttering cherry blossoms.

“S-senior…”

Tsuneda couldn’t hold back her tears, though it wasn’t clear who she was crying for.

“Oh my, this year’s club president is so tearful.”

Kaoru said that as she placed her hand on Tsuneda’s shoulder.

But Kaoru’s eyes were already brimming with tears as she spoke.

After giving Tsuneda a tight hug, Kaoru and Izumi looked in my direction.

“…”

After staring at each other for a while, without anyone taking the lead, we embraced. Actually, it wasn’t so much an embrace as the two of them hugging me at the same time, making it look like the three of us were facing each other with our arms around each other’s shoulders. You know, like when sports players huddle together to discuss strategy.

“Thanks to you, I was able to enjoy my school life.”

“Yes. We were able to protect the literature club because of you, Kotone. It was really fun. Without you, we wouldn’t have made these memories.”

“…”

Hearing their words made my nose tingle. My vision became blurry for no reason.

It’s not like we’ll never meet again. We’ll definitely see each other again. Especially since both of them live close to this school.

But when we meet again, it won’t be as seniors from the same school.

They’ll be outsiders, people who became adults first. And we’ll still be students.

The bond will remain as a trace, but the sense of belonging to the same group will disappear.

That fact is regrettable.

Even this feeling will gradually fade with time.

“I hope you can make happy memories until your graduation day. I wish for that.”

Izumi said.

“Stay healthy. You look much healthier these days, which is good to see. I guess I don’t need to give you bread anymore.”

It wasn’t giving, it was setting a trap.

But I couldn’t retort.

Because I felt like I might burst into tears.

Was I always this emotional?

After we separated, all the other literature club members rushed over to them.

Even Shii and Nanami were there—though Souta was nowhere to be seen.

I briefly made eye contact with Nanami, who gave me a bitter smile and a slight nod.

At the edge of her gaze, Souta and Hagiwara were standing face to face.

…Is it okay to leave them like that?

The atmosphere seems a bit, well, you know?

I looked at Nanami again, but she just shrugged with that bitter smile.

Ah.

So, she’s saying that since she’s in an overwhelmingly advantageous position, she’ll let it slide for a day.

After all, she’s learned over time that Souta isn’t easily swayed.

I don’t know what conversation passed between Souta and Hagiwara. I probably never will.

Whether Hagiwara confessed, or they promised to meet again in the future.

Or if they promised unchanging friendship.

I didn’t feel like asking deliberately.

However, both of them were smiling. Comfortably.

Despite Hagiwara barely seeing Souta for a year, there was no awkwardness as they conversed.

After chatting amicably for a while, Souta turned toward us.

Hagiwara didn’t come over to us.

Her gaze met mine.

“…”

After hesitating for a moment, I approached Hagiwara.

“…I’m sorry for everything.”

That was the first thing I heard.

“Isn’t that contrary to God’s will?”

I joked, but Hagiwara’s face turned genuinely pale, causing me to frantically wave my hands.

“In the end, nothing really happened, so it’s fine. I don’t mind.”

“…”

Hagiwara stared at me silently for a while.

“Next time we meet, I hope… we can meet as people with no connection to such things.”

She’ll probably come to see Souta anyway.

She was busy studying in her third year, but… wait, is she planning to offer tutoring or something?

Various rom-com scenarios crossed my mind, but I had enough discretion not to voice them.

“I don’t think we’ll get entangled in that direction anymore anyway.”

“That’s true.”

When I answered lightly, Hagiwara finally smiled.

After contemplating what to say, Hagiwara suddenly extended her hand to me.

I also reached out and grasped her hand.

We shook hands lightly.

“I feel like we’ve known each other for quite some time, but we still don’t know anything about each other.”

“I guess we’ll learn one thing at a time as we meet over time.”

Two years is both a long and short time. Even people who have known each other for 5 or 10 years are often surprised to learn new facts about each other every time they meet.

“Yes, over time, as we meet. That’s a good way to put it.”

Hagiwara smiled softly.

“Congratulations on your graduation, senior.”

At my words, Hagiwara looked blank for a moment, then nodded firmly.

“Thank you. I hope your third year is meaningful too.”

I nodded with a smile.

*

“Well… goodbye.”

Kaoru said.

Standing in front of the school gate, she waved at us. Behind her were people who appeared to be her parents.

Kaoru and Izumi had expressions that were hard to tell whether they were crying or laughing.

I don’t think I was like that at my graduation.

…Or maybe I will be in this world. Well, there’s probably a big difference between having juniors to leave behind at school and not having any.

“Goodbye. See you next time.”

Izumi also said that as she waved.

“Congratulations on your graduation.”

As I said that, both of them beamed at me.

We parted ways, waving.

The two of them walked out through the school gate.

The fluttering cherry blossom petals seemed to celebrate their future.

From next year… even if I go to the literature club room, I won’t see them.

That fact made me feel a little sad.