Chapter 9: Graduation and Entrance Ceremony

Graduation and Entrance Ceremony

Today is finally the day of our junior high graduation ceremony.

Starting in April, I’ll be attending the prefectural high school four stations away—together with Kouta-kun and Hitomi-chan.

That’s right. Thanks to all my hard work, I managed to get into the same high school as Kouta-kun and the others!

When I saw the acceptance letter, all the struggle and stress just vanished. I was overwhelmed with joy at the thought of going to the same school as Kouta-kun, and I collapsed in tears right then and there.

My mom gently rubbed my back as I cried, and that kindness made me even happier.

“It feels kind of sad, doesn’t it? Thinking this is the last day we’ll be coming to this school.”

“Yeah. I mean, I’m lucky since I’ll still be with Yayoi and Koutarou-kun, but for Satoshi-kun, it’s probably a lot harder, right?”

“Ugh, shut up! Well, I kinda knew from the start I’d be going to a different school. I’m gonna dive headfirst into club activities once high school starts.”

“When you’ve got a day off from club stuff, let’s hang out like we used to, okay?”

“Yeah, totally! It’s not like today’s the last time we’ll ever see each other. We’ll still find chances to get together!”

“I feel the same. Let’s all stay close, no matter what.”

“Ugh… You guys are seriously too nice…”

“Whoa! Are you crying? Wait—dude, you’ve got snot coming out! Here, take a tissue already and wipe it up!”

“Thanks, Koutarou… Honkkkkk—”

Satoshi-kun blew his nose with a loud honk, tears streaming down his face. For some reason, it was just so ridiculous we all burst out laughing. But then, as I realized that this everyday moment was coming to an end, a few tears slipped down my own cheeks, too.

After that, we went to a nearby park and spent time reminiscing about our junior high days. Then we said our goodbyes to Satoshi-kun and Kouta-kun.

Since it was the last day, Kouta-kun decided to walk home with Satoshi-kun—his best friend since elementary school.

I mean, after spending nine years together at the same school, it’s only natural they’d want to have this moment.

It wouldn’t feel right to get in the way of that, even just for today.

And so now, it’s just Hitomi-chan and me walking home together.

“It’s going to be lonely not seeing Satoshi-kun anymore.”

“Yeah, it will. But we can still meet up when he doesn’t have club stuff going on. And hey, once he starts playing in matches, let’s go cheer him on together!”

“Mhm! That’d be great. I bet Satoshi-kun would be totally surprised if we showed up to support him.”

Out of all of us, the one who looked the saddest about parting with Satoshi-kun was definitely Hitomi-chan.

She once told me she’d liked someone since our first year… Maybe it was Satoshi-kun all along.

If she’d told me, I would’ve helped however I could.

“Hey, Hitomi-chan… Were you in love with Satoshi-kun?”

“Huh? No! That’s not it at all. The person I like is someone else.”

“Oh… really? It’s just, you looked so down when we were saying goodbye to him…”

“Ah, well… Satoshi-kun’s helped me through a lot of stuff. He’s more like… a comrade-in-arms, I guess.”

“A comrade-in-arms? Hmm… I don’t really get it. —But, I wish you’d talked to me about it too. I want to be someone you can rely on, Hitomi-chan.”

“Thanks. Next time, I’ll come to you, Yayoi. So, you’d better give me some great advice, okay?”

“Ahaha, of course! You can count on Yayoi-chan!”

“Oh—looks like we’re home already. —Well then, Yayoi, let’s keep being close even in high school, okay?”

“Yeah. Definitely. Let’s stay best friends forever, Hitomi-chan.”

“We will. See you later. Bye-bye!”

Hmm…

So it wasn’t Satoshi-kun that Hitomi-chan liked.

Then… who could it be?

I mean, the only boys she was ever close to in junior high were Satoshi-kun and Kouta-kun…

Maybe it was one of those distant, admiration-from-afar kinds of things—watching someone quietly from the shadows all this time.

Yeah. That would make sense.

After all, Hitomi-chan’s beautiful and cool, but she’s not the kind of girl who throws herself at people.

Which is why, when she finally does come to me for advice, I have to give her the best guidance I can.

I want her to find a truly wonderful boy to be with—she deserves that much!

Spring break flew by in a whirlwind of hanging out with Kouta-kun, and before I knew it, the entrance ceremony was here.

Time really does pass in the blink of an eye when you’re having fun.

For the ceremony, it was going to be me, my mom, Hitomi-chan, and Hitomi-chan’s mom attending together.

We planned to meet up with Kouta-kun at the station gate.

I couldn’t wait to show Kouta-kun how I looked in my uniform—I was practically bursting with anticipation.

And I really wanted to see him in his uniform too and feel that little jolt in my heart.

When we arrived at the station and started looking around, we spotted Kouta-kun at the far end of the gate, waiting with his mom.

He noticed me too, and started waving both hands energetically.

“Good morning! So, Kouta-kun—what do you think of our uniforms?”

“You both look amazing! It’s kinda wild—like, suddenly you seem so grown up.”

“Thank you! You look super handsome too, Kouta-kun! Right, Hitomi-chan?”

“Fufu. Definitely. Your uniform really suits you, Koutarou-kun.”

Laughing and complimenting each other, we passed through the gate and boarded the train.

Commuting by train just makes me feel so… adult, you know?

I’m really becoming a high school student.

Just thinking about it makes my heart race.

As we swayed along with the train, we talked about all the things high school life might have in store.

Apparently, Hitomi-chan isn’t planning on joining any clubs—she’s going straight to cram school.

I think it’s amazing how she’s already focused on college entrance exams.

I really respect that.

Kouta-kun said he wants to start working part-time to help out his mom.

It makes me a little sad we’ll have less time together, but I understand what his family is going through.

If I complained about it, I’d just be making things harder for him.

So instead, we made a promise—to make the most of the days he doesn’t have work, and spend those days being all lovey-dovey.

As for me… I don’t really have anything I’m set on doing.

I don’t feel like joining a club, and I don’t think I need to go to cram school just yet either.

So I guess that makes me part of the “go-home club,” huh?

Because really, if I joined a club, I wouldn’t have any time left to spend with Kouta-kun.

I want to keep my schedule free, so I can see him whenever I want.

When I glanced over at the parents, I saw our moms chatting happily with Kouta-kun’s mom.

Yep, yep.

Looks like they’re really hitting it off.

That’s definitely a good sign… especially when I think about me and Kouta-kun’s future.