One of the good points about the graduation ceremony in April is that it’s not cold.
The graduation ceremonies I experienced in my previous life were always held in freezing weather. The wind was incredibly strong. Especially during the graduation ceremony of my university in the countryside, it was so bad that I had to hold onto my graduation cap tightly to keep it from blowing away.
But April in Japan isn’t that cold. In fact, the weather on graduation day is warm and clear, so I thought I could take away some really good last memories of this school.
Another good point is that cherry blossoms bloom during this time.
In short, the photos come out really nicely.
If it’s going to remain a memory, wouldn’t it be better to have it look pretty?
Aside from that… um.
Honestly, I’m not sure if graduation is a good thing or a bad thing.
Well, it is good if it’s good. The fact that I’m “graduating” means I didn’t mess up my school life too badly. It’s not just that I didn’t do well, but that I was in such a mess that I couldn’t even be acknowledged for attending school.
Or maybe I just didn’t have the luxury of it.
Considering that I almost ended up like that, it’s hard to say that it’s ‘not good.’
But it’s not just good either.
I have to leave a place I’m attached to.
And I have to leave behind people I like.
“Well then….”
Suzuki-sensei opened her mouth as she looked around the classroom.
She struggled to continue her next words.
She was the first homeroom teacher when I entered this school. Since then, she has been the homeroom teacher for every grade I advanced to.
I’m not sure if the Japanese teacher system works that way or if she was recognized for her skills and kept her position, but one thing is certain: Suzuki-sensei… no, the person known as ‘Suzuki Sanae’ has been my only high school homeroom teacher.
As the grades advanced, not every student stayed in the same class. Some went to different classes.
But just like in a “Light Novel,” my friends and I have been in the same class since the second year. Some have been in the same class since the first year.
So for most of us, Suzuki Sanae holds a significant position as our ‘teacher.’
“Congratulations on your graduation, everyone.”
Suzuki-sensei said with a gentle smile. She couldn’t completely suppress the tremor in her voice.
“Please… I hope all of you can become the adults you want to be.”
I see.
Just as we have only one homeroom teacher, for Suzuki Sanae, we are the first graduates she’s ever had.
In the coming decades, as she takes on the role of homeroom teacher, she will teach so many students that it will be hard to remember every single one of them.
But can she forget these first graduates?
Can she forget me?
The troubled child who didn’t come to school on the first day.
The troubled child abandoned with an absurd family background.
It might sound a bit odd for me to say this about myself, but honestly, I must be a student she can’t easily forget. Maybe all the kids around me as well.
Our eyes met as Suzuki Sanae was looking around the classroom.
Suzuki Sanae smiled.
It was a bright smile.
Since I successfully graduated – heading to the university and the major I wanted, it’s only natural.
Even if I were the teacher, it would leave a deep impression.
Suzuki Sanae opened her mouth again.
“Today is the last day we’ll be in this student-teacher relationship. From now on, you will stand as equals with me, as members of society. There will certainly be many difficult times, and many things you will experience for the first time. But I can assure you, having watched you all until now, you will excel in everything you do. I believe that. Because you are my proud students.”
There was a sniffle in the classroom.
To be honest, I almost sniffled too.
“Once again, congratulations on your graduation. If you ever need help, please feel free to contact me. If it’s something I can do, I’ll be there to help you as much as you need. Well then…”
Suzuki Sanae hesitated for a moment, closed her eyes, and let out a long breath.
Then, looking like she had collected herself, she nodded and slightly smiled.
“Well then, that’s it for today.”
Mako stood up from her seat.
“Attention.”
All the kids straightened their posture.
Not that there hadn’t been any kids who didn’t take Suzuki Sanae seriously, and some were especially mischievous.
But today, everyone’s expression was serious.
“A salute to the teacher.”
“““Thank you for everything!”””
All the kids, including me, shouted vigorously.
“…….”
Hearing those words made Suzuki Sanae burst into tears.
“I… really, really thank you all.”
With a bow, Sanae said that to us.
*
As we got closer to the school gate, my steps became heavier.
The underclassmen who were already following behind were shedding tears. Of course Tsugumi, and even Shii who I felt I’d see again soon.
I wouldn’t see these kids in school anymore. At least, I probably wouldn’t face them while wearing this school uniform.
We should say goodbye with smiles, but that was easier said than done.
“Literature Club, please take care of it.”
Trying to show a bright smile no matter what, I said that to the kids.
“Yes!”
Tsugumi responded.
“I’ll do my best!”
“You’re an exam student starting this year.”
Watching Tsugumi, who would become a third-year after the holiday, I ended up laughing. In fact, since earlier, Tsugumi had been constantly looking at Sota’s back as we walked together.
That was both sad and honestly a little ticklish and funny.
“But still, I need to do my best like the seniors.”
Well, it’s essential to have time to relieve stress.
“I’ll do my best too.”
Shii, who became a second-year this year, said that as well.
With both of them being so dependable, I really thought the literature club wouldn’t be something to worry about.
Thus, we reached the school gate.
“Well then, shall we take a picture together?”
We did take a group photo in the classroom earlier with the classmates and our homeroom teacher Suzuki Sanae, but I thought graduation pictures should have one in front of the school gates too.
“Yes!”
All the kids replied cutely and lovingly.
Since I thought it was the last moment I could be with my group, it felt even more so.
“Well then, let’s pose like this!”
Harumi shouted as she raised one hand high.
The pose Harumi suggested was to take a pose in front of the school’s nameplate at the gate.
Spread your arms towards the nameplate, as if to say, “We came from this school.”
I couldn’t help but laugh because that idea suited Harumi so well.
So we did that.
The one taking our picture was Fukuda-san. Kagami had made sure to be included in the picture as well. Since every member of the literature club was included, Fukuda had to step back quite a bit, but the photo turned out to be truly wonderful.
Indeed, our last graduation photo was one that was ‘Light Novel’ worthy.
Goodbye, Hanagawa High School.
Goodbye, Literature Club.
During the past time, truly take care—
As I absentmindedly thought about things I couldn’t say to others,
“S-Sasaki-senpai!”
Suddenly, I heard Tsugumi’s shout.
Along with me, Mako, who was crying her eyes out, Yu, who was comforting her, Koko with a slightly dazed expression unlike usual, and Yuka, who was trying her best not to cry, all looked over there. The first-year and second-year literature club members naturally looked over too.
Nanami and Sota stood side by side.
And facing Sota was Tsugumi, making a strong resolve.
“Uh, huh?”
Sota was clearly flustered by Tsugumi’s strong voice, which was something he rarely saw.
Tsugumi shouted.
“Ca-Can you give me the second button of your uniform!?”
“…….”
With my heart racing a little at that sight, I held my head in my hands.
What the heck.
I thought it was a little roundabout for a confession… I mean, I had heard the stories about it happening, but still.
If you’re going to confess to Sota, wouldn’t it be better to be a little more direct?
“……Whaaaaat!?”
Then, a pause of about five seconds later, Nanami gasped in shock.
“I-I can give it to you, but….”
Sota said that, but his expression clearly showed a “Why this?” look.
“Whaaaaaaaaaaat!?”
Nanami was even more shocked than before.
“Brother….”
Shii, whose crush on Sota had notably decreased over the past three years, even put her hand on her forehead.
“……haha.”
Seeing that, I ultimately couldn’t hold back my laughter.
“Hahaha!”
Not just me, everyone else around started to laugh too.
In the midst of an ocean of laughter, only three people glared at each other with serious expressions.
Honestly, that kid is so lucky.
If Hagiwara hadn’t left first due to being busy, there would have definitely been a slapstick comedy happening right here.
So whether Tsugumi got the second button or not, or whether Nanami or Shii snagged it—
—Or perhaps, she tried to take it off to give it and accidentally dropped it, rolling away and slipping down the drain, I won’t make it a point to clarify here.
However, the chaos happening with Sota at the center seems like it will definitely continue on in the ‘University Arc’ of this ‘Light Novel.’
I’m just glad that Sota isn’t in our course.
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.