Ch.252Epilogue. Hello (13)

One of the good things about having a graduation ceremony in April is that it’s not cold.

All the graduation ceremonies I experienced in my past life were held in cold weather. The wind was also incredibly strong. Especially during my university graduation in the countryside, it was so bad that I had to hold onto my graduation cap tightly to prevent it from flying away.

But April in Japan isn’t that cold. Rather, the graduation day was warm and clear, making it seem like I could take away very good final memories of this school.

Another good thing is that cherry blossoms bloom during this time.

In short, the photos turn out very pretty.

If something is going to remain as a memory rather than just passing by, wouldn’t it be better if it remains beautifully?

Other than that… hmm.

Actually, I’m not sure if graduation is a good thing or a bad thing.

No, it is good if it’s good. In fact, “not being able to graduate” means you didn’t properly complete your school life. And not just improperly, but that you messed up so badly that your time at school wasn’t even recognized.

Or that you didn’t have enough leeway.

Considering I almost ended up like that, it was difficult to think of it as “not good.”

But it’s not entirely good either.

Because you have to leave a place you’ve grown attached to.

And you have to leave behind people you care about.

“Well then…”

Ms. Suzuki began, standing at the podium and looking around at us.

She couldn’t easily continue with her next words.

She was the person who first became my homeroom teacher the year I entered this school. After that, as we moved up a grade each year, the class she was in charge of also moved up.

I’m not sure if that’s how the Japanese teacher system works, or if she was recognized for her abilities and could continue as our homeroom teacher.

But one thing is certain: Suzuki Sanae was my only high school homeroom teacher.

Not all students stayed in the same class as they moved up grades. Some went to different classes.

But just like a “light novel,” my friends and I have been in the same class since second year. Some of us have even been in the same class since first year.

So for most of us, the position that Suzuki Sanae holds as a “teacher” is quite significant.

“Everyone, congratulations on your graduation.”

Ms. Suzuki said with a gentle smile. She couldn’t completely suppress the trembling in her voice.

“I hope… all of you can become the adults you want to be.”

I see.

Just as we only had Suzuki Sanae as our homeroom teacher, for Suzuki Sanae, we were the first graduating class she taught.

If she continues to be a homeroom teacher for decades, she’ll teach so many children that it will be hard to remember them all.

But could she forget these first graduating students?

Could she forget me?

A problem child who didn’t come to school from the first day of admission.

A problem child who was abandoned with an unbelievable family environment.

It might not be right for me to say this about myself, but honestly, I would be a student hard to forget. Perhaps all the children around me, too.

My eyes met with Suzuki Sanae’s as she looked around the classroom.

Suzuki Sanae smiled.

It was a bright smile.

Perhaps it was natural, since I had safely graduated—and could go to the university and department I wanted.

Even if I were a teacher, I would feel quite emotional.

Suzuki Sanae opened her mouth again.

“Today is the last day that you and I will be in a teacher-student relationship. From now on, you will stand in an equal position with me, living as members of society. There will certainly be many difficult things, and many things you’ll experience for the first time. But, I guarantee, having watched you all until now, that you can all do wonderfully. I believe that. Because you are my proud students whom I’ve been with.”

Sniffling sounds could be heard in the classroom.

To be honest, I almost sniffled too.

“Once again, congratulations on your graduation. If you ever need help, please contact me anytime. If there’s anything I can do, I’ll be happy to help. So…”

Suzuki Sanae hesitated for a moment, closed her eyes, and took a long breath.

Then, as if she had composed herself, she nodded and wore a slight smile.

“Well, that’s all for today.”

Mako stood up from her seat.

“Attention.”

All the students straightened their posture.

It’s not that there weren’t students who took Suzuki Sanae lightly, and there were some who were particularly mischievous.

But today, everyone’s expression was serious.

“Bow to the teacher.”

“””Thank you for everything!”””

All the students, including myself, shouted energetically.

“…”

In the end, Suzuki Sanae burst into tears upon hearing those words.

“I, too, truly, truly thank you all.”

Sanae said, bowing to us.

*

The closer we got to the school gate, the heavier our steps became.

The juniors following us were already in tears. Of course Tsugumi, and even Shii, whom we would soon meet again.

I won’t see these children at school anymore. At least, I probably won’t face them wearing this uniform again.

We should part with smiles, but that wasn’t easy.

“I’m counting on you for the Literature Club.”

Wanting to show a bright smile somehow, I said that to the children.

“Yes!”

Tsugumi said.

“I’ll do my best!”

“You’ll be a college exam student from this year.”

I finally burst into laughter looking at Tsugumi, who would become a third-year after the break. Actually, Tsugumi had been staring at Souta’s back as he walked with us.

It was both pitiful and honestly a bit ticklish and funny.

“Still, I should do my best like my seniors.”

Well, you need time to relieve stress too.

“I’ll work hard too.”

Shii, who would be a second-year this year, said that as well.

The two of them were so reliable that I really felt there was no need to worry about the Literature Club.

And so, we came to the front of the school gate.

“Shall we take a picture together then?”

We had already taken a group photo in the classroom with all the classmates and our homeroom teacher, Suzuki Sanae, but a graduation photo should be taken in front of the school gate.

“Yes!”

The children answering together were so cute and lovely.

Thinking that this was the last moment we could be together as members of the same group made me feel that way even more.

“Then, let’s pose like this!”

Harumi raised one hand high and shouted.

The pose Harumi suggested was to strike a pose in front of the school nameplate at the gate.

Spreading our hands toward the nameplate, as if to say, we all graduated from this school.

Harumi’s idea suited her so well that I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

We did just that.

The person who took the photo was Mr. Fukuda. He was being considerate so that Kagami could be in the photo too. Since all the Literature Club members were in the photo, Mr. Fukuda had to step quite far back, but the photo turned out really great.

Indeed, our last graduation photo was a “light novel”-worthy photo.

Goodbye, Hanakawa High School.

Goodbye, Literature Club.

It’s been really good for the past time—

As I was thinking these thoughts that I couldn’t say to others,

“S-Sasaki senpai!”

Suddenly, I heard Tsugumi’s cry.

Everyone, including me, Mako who was crying her eyes out, Harumi and Yuu who were comforting her, Koko with an unusually dazed expression, and Yuka who was trying her best not to cry, all looked in that direction. The first and second-year Literature Club members naturally looked that way too.

Nanami and Souta standing side by side.

And Tsugumi, standing face to face with Souta, with an expression that seemed to have made a firm decision.

“Huh, what?”

When Souta was very confused by Tsugumi’s powerful voice, rarely heard usually.

Tsugumi shouted.

“C-can I have the second button of your uniform!?”

“…”

As I was watching with a slightly pounding heart, I ended up clutching my head.

What the heck.

I think it’s a roundabout way of confessing… I’ve heard it leads to something, but still.

If you’re going to confess to Souta, wouldn’t it be better to be more direct?

“…Whaaaat!?”

And after about a five-second gap, Nanami was shocked.

“Uh, well, I can give it to you.”

Even while saying that, Souta’s face clearly showed the expression ‘Why this?’

“Whaaaaaaaat!?”

Nanami was even more shocked than before.

“Brother…”

Shii, whose infatuation with Souta had diminished just a tiny bit over the past three years, put her hand on her forehead.

“…Haha.”

Seeing that scene, I couldn’t hold back my laughter in the end.

“Hahaha!”

Not just me, but everyone else around too.

In the midst of the sea of laughter, only three people were staring at each other with incredibly serious expressions.

He’s really a blessed kid.

If Hagiwara hadn’t left early because she was busy, there would definitely have been a brawl here.

So in the end, did Tsugumi receive that second button or not, or did Nanami or Shii snatch it away—

—or did he try to take it off to give it, but accidentally drop it, and it rolled into a drain hole, I won’t reveal that here.

However, the chaos surrounding Souta seemed like it would continue in the “college arc” in light novel terms.

I’m really glad Souta isn’t in our department.