As for the second button on a boy's uniform during the graduation ceremony, Aki Tomoya had no interest in that custom whatsoever.
However, many people were really into this kind of thing.
"If someone actually comes over and asks me for a button, you're dead!"
Because of Kamigō Yoshihiko, Aki Tomoya's button might not be safe.
What second button? Childish! Nobody gets it!
"Hey, don't be like that, I'll protect your button! Commander!"
"You shut up!"
Aki Tomoya glared fiercely at Kamigō Yoshihiko again.
Let's stop this topic here.
Under Aki Tomoya's warning, Kamigō Yoshihiko obediently shut his mouth.
The group walked into the gymnasium, preparing for the graduation ceremony at ten o'clock.
The third-year Seniors were the main characters of the graduation ceremony, so they arrived a bit later.
"Aki Tomoya, what are you going to say in your speech?"
Kamigō Yoshihiko, sitting next to Aki Tomoya, couldn't help but ask.
As the student representative, what would Aki Tomoya say today to the graduating Seniors and to them, who were entering their third year?
Kamigō Yoshihiko was very curious about this.
The gymnasium gradually filled up, and Toyosaki Academy's graduation ceremony was about to begin.
At this moment of impending graduation, more people were still focused on the third-year formation, especially Kasumigaoka Utaha within it.
Their lofty flower of Toyosaki Academy was about to leave this school.
"Blessings."
Aki Tomoya turned his head and replied.
What else could he say besides blessings?
Kamigō Yoshihiko, who had been given a look by his friend, wore a disappointed expression.
The graduation ceremony started promptly at ten o'clock. The principal's long speech didn't sound as dry and boring this time.
Finally, this moment had arrived, the end of the graduation season, where the third-years bid farewell to the campus and stepped into a new world.
The family and friends of the third-years sat at the back of the gymnasium, witnessing their last moment of three years of high school with everyone else.
"Next, the student representative will give a speech. Student representative, Second Year Class B, Aki Tomoya."
Hearing the announcement in the gymnasium, Aki Tomoya, as the student representative, was about to offer blessings to the graduating Seniors.
Standing on the solemn stage, Aki Tomoya held his speech manuscript and looked towards the third-year section.
"After the harsh winter, we welcome the spring when new buds sprout. To all the Seniors who are graduating and departing from Toyosaki Academy, congratulations on your graduation!"
Aki Tomoya on the stage became the focal point of everyone's gaze.
Three years have passed in a blink. The end also signifies a beginning.
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked up at him, thinking in her heart.
"The time spent with the Seniors will become our unforgettable memories..."
Memories...
Kasumigaoka Utaha sighed softly in her heart. High school memories were indeed unforgettable, with both beautiful and painful moments.
Just like when the people in her class were discussing the boy's second button earlier, at the time of graduation, that boy's button did not belong to her.
Thinking back now, the first year was uneventful, the second year was beautiful, and the third year was filled with regret.
But it was not an end, but a new beginning.
Gazing at the boy on the stage, as he delivered his speech, the resentment in Kasumigaoka Utaha's heart dissipated along with that perfectly normal blessing.
Time changes everything. Some things will eventually become memories, leaving only regret in one's heart, or a sense of unwillingness like a loser, even implicating those around them.
"I'm already very lucky."
Kasumigaoka Utaha murmured in her heart.
Apart from what happened last year, being able to collaborate with Kashiwagi Eri, being fully supported by her editor, and her new work selling well, she was practically on the fast track in the industry.
There were things lost in the three years, but also many things gained.
"Graduate representative, Third Year Class C, Kasumigaoka Utaha."
Unbeknownst to her, Aki Tomoya's speech as the student representative had already ended, and he was slowly walking down from the stage.
Kasumigaoka Utaha rose from the third-year formation and walked towards the stage.
Aki Tomoya, coming down from the stage, walked towards her. Kasumigaoka Utaha walked forward with confidence.
They passed each other, merely nodding in acknowledgement.
Ending three years of high school here, and also starting anew here, Kasumigaoka Utaha wanted to convey this message to them.
...
The graduation ceremony passed in a flash. The third-year graduates, who had received their diplomas from the principal, gathered in the courtyard, surrounded by the blessings and reluctance of their Juniors.
From late March, cherry blossoms gradually began to bloom across Japan.
Although it was still early for full bloom and they weren't completely beautiful, something would always feel missing during the graduation season if it wasn't accompanied by cherry blossoms.
Kasumigaoka Utaha strolled through the school courtyard, looking at the cherry blossom tree that hadn't fully bloomed yet, and said regretfully, "It would have been great if they had bloomed earlier this year."
How beautiful it would be to graduate when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
"Kasumigaoka Utaha!"
A delicate voice rang out behind Kasumigaoka Utaha. Kasumigaoka Utaha instinctively turned her head to look at the person.
"Take this!"
"What?"
Kasumigaoka Utaha instinctively caught the object thrown at her with both hands, without seeing clearly what it was.
Under Kasumigaoka Utaha's puzzled gaze, Eriri replied with a feigned deep voice, "Aki Tomoya's uniform button!"
"Huh?!"
Kasumigaoka Utaha looked startled and quickly opened her hands. As a result, she found that it was just a strawberry-flavored candy.
Seeing the candy in her hand, Kasumigaoka Utaha secretly resented herself for not noticing the wrong texture earlier. How could something wrapped in paper feel like a button?!
"Heh heh, if I had actually gotten Aki Tomoya's button, would I give it to you?"
Eriri laughed slyly, not expecting that she could actually fool Kasumigaoka Utaha.
The second button of the uniform, at this graduation ceremony, was not something she should ask for. That belonged exclusively to the girls graduating today.
And even if she could get it, she would never kindly give it to someone else.
"You really are..." Kasumigaoka Utaha looked at Eriri, somewhat grinding her teeth.
But just as she was about to flare up, Eriri still smiled and said, "Congratulations on your graduation."
Hearing her say "Congratulations on your graduation," the resentment in Kasumigaoka Utaha's heart vanished, and at this moment, she couldn't help but reply, "Thank you!"
Many people had congratulated her along the way, but Eriri's blessing somehow touched her.
The end is also the beginning. Kasumigaoka Utaha believed in this phrase.
At least the Eriri in front of her, even after her graduation, they would maintain a relationship as companions because of their work.
"Aren't you going to ask for a button?"
Suddenly, Eriri asked again.
At this graduation ceremony, wouldn't something be missing if you didn't ask for the button of the boy you liked?
However, Kasumigaoka Utaha now didn't know what expression to make.
She looked at Eriri somewhat troubled and said, "I won't!"
"But quite a few third-years went over to joke with Aki Tomoya about getting his button. He might just give it away casually. Instead of letting someone else benefit, how about you ask for it and I'll take it? I'll owe you a favor!"
"No need!"
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