pertwk Page 122
Page 122
"Good morning, Kasumigaoka-san."
It must be because of the graduation ceremony that the third-year students all arrived very early today.
"Good morning."
Preparations for the third-grade graduation ceremony began last week.
It's 7:40 in the morning, and there are only a little over two hours left until the graduation ceremony at 10:00.
"I'm really looking forward to the graduation speech, Kasumigaoka-kun."
Passersby spoke to Kasumigaoka Utaha with great anticipation.
No matter what kind of school gathering it was, it was always Kasumigaoka Utaha who took the stage, except for the graduation ceremony last semester.
As a highly popular and talented girl in the entire Toyonosaki Academy, Kasumigaoka Utaha's popularity exploded on graduation day, after all, she was about to graduate.
Therefore, the only thing Kasumigaoka Utaha can be thankful for is that no idiot confessed to her today.
The sentiments before graduation, and the sighs of impending separation.
Kasumigaoka Utaha doesn't have many friends at Toyonosaki Academy. She's a loner, like a flower on a high mountain, unattainable and admired from afar.
However, she did make friends, or rather, partners.
"I wish I could get his buttons."
Kasumigaoka Utaha suddenly overheard a girl talking about buttons.
If a girl can get the second button off a boy's uniform on graduation day, she will win his heart...
The second button represents sincerity; this custom is often mentioned at graduation ceremonies, and some people even do it.
I dated quite a few people during high school, and around graduation time, confessions of love were common.
Especially on graduation day, accidents were frequent...
"Still putting on the second button, still believing in that kind of thing..."
Kasumigaoka Utaha gently shook her head, thinking that such a custom was nothing more than a consolation.
Who can guarantee that they'll always be together?
All students have arrived at school. It's the last day of the third semester, and the third-year graduation ceremony is on.
In the second grade, Aki Tomoya had already left the classroom with his classmates and headed to the gymnasium to prepare for today's graduation ceremony for the third graders.
Eriri and her classmates were right behind Aki Tomoya and his group. At the start of the school year, although their relationship was made public, it caused quite a stir in the school. However, the storm soon subsided because neither of them paid any attention to it.
No one questioned Eriri and Aki Tomoya's relationship anymore, since there was nothing more to discuss.
"Rinya, give me your second button!"
A voice rang out in front of her, causing Eriri to stumble and look in surprise in the direction from which the voice came.
Eriri knew the number of buttons, but what caught her attention wasn't that someone wanted Aki Tomoya's buttons, but rather that the voice she heard earlier was male.
"Are you looking for a fight?"
Aki Tomoya, who was in front of him, glared at Uego Yoshihiko with annoyance.
Because of his joke, a lot of people turned to look.
Chapter 147: The End is Also the Beginning (2/4)
Aki Tomoya had absolutely no interest in the tradition of men buttoning their second button at graduation ceremonies.
However, many people really dislike this thing.
"If anyone actually comes up to me asking for my buttons, you're dead meat!"
Because of Yoshihiko Uesugi, Tomoya Aki's buttons might not be saved.
What do you mean by a second button? That's childish, nobody should even consider it!
"Hey, don't be like that! I'll take good care of your buttons, General!"
"Shut up!"
Aki Tomoya glared fiercely at Uego Yoshihiko again.
Let's leave this topic here.
Under Aki Tomoya's warning, Uego Yoshihiko obediently shut his mouth.
The group entered the gymnasium, preparing for the graduation ceremony at ten o'clock.
The third-year students, being the main focus of the graduation ceremony, arrived a little later.
"Rinya, what are you going to say in your speech?"
Sitting next to Aki Tomoya, Kamigo Yoshihiko couldn't help but ask.
What will Aki Tomoya, the student representative, say to his graduating seniors and those entering their third year today?
Yoshihiko Uego was very curious about this.
The gymnasium gradually filled up; the graduation ceremony at Toyonosaki Academy was about to begin.
As graduation approaches, most people are still paying attention to the third-year students' group, especially Kasumigaoka Utaha among them.
The unattainable beauty of Toyonosaki Academy will be leaving the school.
"bless."
Aki Tomoya turned and replied.
What else could he say besides offering his blessings?
Yoshihiko Uego looked disappointed after being given a disapproving look by his friend.
The graduation ceremony started promptly at 10:00 AM, and the principal's long speech didn't sound so dry and boring this time.
Finally, the moment has arrived. At the end of the graduation season, the third-year students bid farewell to the campus and step into a new world.
The third-year students' family and friends sat at the very back of the gymnasium, witnessing their final moment in their three years of high school with everyone else.
"Next, a student representative will speak. Student representative, Class 2-B, Aki Tomoya."
After hearing the announcement in the gymnasium, Aki Tomoya, as a representative of the current students, was about to offer his blessings to the graduating seniors.
Standing on the solemn stage, Aki Tomoya held his speech and looked towards the third-year students.
"After the harsh winter, spring arrives with the sprouting of new buds. Congratulations to all the seniors who are about to graduate from Toyonosaki Academy!"
On stage, Aki Tomoya became the focus of everyone's attention.
Three years have passed in the blink of an eye; an end also means a beginning.
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked up at him, thinking to herself.
"The years we spent with our predecessors will become unforgettable memories..."
remember……
Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed softly. Her high school memories were indeed unforgettable, with both beautiful and painful ones.
Just like when the classmates were talking about the boy's second button, at graduation, that boy's button didn't belong to her.
Looking back now, the first year was uneventful, the second year was wonderful, and the third year was regrettable.
But this is not the end, but a new beginning.
Gazing at the boy on the stage, as he gave his speech, Kasumigaoka Utaha's resentment dissipated with that perfectly normal blessing.
As time goes by, some things will eventually become memories, leaving only regrets in our hearts, or a sense of resentment like that of a loser, dragging those around us down with them.
"I'm already very lucky."
Kasumigaoka Utaha murmured to herself.
Putting aside what happened last year, being able to collaborate with Eri Kashiwagi, receiving full support from the editor, and having her new work sell well, it's almost as if she's on the verge of a meteoric rise in the industry.
We lost some things in the past three years, but we also gained a lot.
"Graduate representative, Kasumigaoka Utaha from Class 3-C."
Before anyone knew it, Aki Tomoya's speech as a representative of the students had ended, and he slowly walked down from the stage.
Kasumigaoka Utaha stood up from the third-year students' formation and walked towards the stage.
Aki Tomoya walked towards them as he stepped off the stage, while Kasumigaoka Utaha walked confidently forward.
The two passed each other, nodding in acknowledgment.
This is where they finish their three years of high school, and this is also where they begin anew. Kasumigaoka Utaha wants to convey this message to them.
……
The graduation ceremony passed in the blink of an eye, and the third-year graduates, who had received their diplomas from the principal, gathered in the courtyard, enveloped in the blessings and reluctance of their juniors.
Starting in late March, cherry blossoms gradually bloom throughout Japan.
Although it's still early for the cherry blossoms to bloom and they haven't fully blossomed yet, graduation season would feel incomplete without them.