In the end, Aki Tomoya's second button was not lost.
Some graduating Seniors came up to him and joked, but he managed to deflect them all.
It is said that the second button represents a boy's heart, his true feelings. Aki Tomoya decided he needed to protect his heart well.
After the graduation ceremony, there would be a two-week spring break.
After school starts, they would no longer be second-years, but third-years!
Aki Tomoya reminded himself of this in his heart.
"The second week of spring break, looks like I'll be resting..."
Putting down a set of math and science practice problems, Aki Tomoya looked up at the schedule he had made on the wall.
It was already April 1st. Time seemed to be moving faster and faster.
The mock exam was in two months. He said he wanted to rest, but in the end, he was still buried in books.
Sunday morning quietly passed. To relax his mind, Aki Tomoya didn't force himself to do problems in the afternoon.
Leaning by the window, facing the gentle breeze, his mind gradually cleared up. A figure walked on the clean and quiet street, and that person made Aki Tomoya's eyes gradually widen.
"Michiru..."
Aki Tomoya looked at the figure somewhat blankly.
If he wasn't mistaken, that person should be his cousin, Hyodo Michiru.
Hyodo Michiru on the street probably spotted Aki Tomoya. She waved at him and shouted loudly, "Aki!"
Aki Tomoya slowly retreated into his room. About two minutes later, there was an extra person in the living room downstairs.
"Big star, you have time to come here."
"I'm going for rehearsal this afternoon, isn't that awesome!"
She didn't refute the words 'big star' at all.
Hyodo Michiru stood with her hands on her hips, proudly.
Before rehearsal, she couldn't find a place, so she ran here. Aki Tomoya was getting used to her way of thinking.
"After all, you're still an underground idol..."
"It's an underground band, and my band already has fans!"
Having fans was indeed something to be happy about.
Although it wasn't a formal debut with an agency, Hyodo Michiru and her friends, with the help of different people, had attracted a group of otaku fans in Akihabara.
Compared to typical underground bands, Hyodo Michiru and her band were quite lucky.
"It's great that you don't have to work part-time everywhere."
Being in an underground band is very tough. No gigs means no money, no money means working part-time. Pursuing dreams is that harsh.
But at least Hyodo Michiru and her band had someone who recognized their talent.
"I say, you and Hashima Iori are really good friends, right?"
"We were best friends in middle school. What's up? Suddenly curious about my relationship with him?"
Aki Tomoya leaned back on the sofa in a more comfortable position.
Having someone to chat with while relaxing his mind in the afternoon wasn't so boring.
Moreover, he was also quite concerned about how his cousin Hyodo Michiru's music dream was progressing. A while ago, his parents at home had hinted about Hyodo Michiru. In the eyes of adults, what Hyodo Michiru was doing seemed more like fooling around.
However, on the other hand, Hyodo Michiru doesn't graduate until next year, so messing around for a few more years isn't out of the question. This should also be the reason why Hyodo Michiru has faced less resistance at home recently.
"That guy's sister often mentions you. So you're someone who would make a move on a friend's sister?"
"What are you making up in your head?"
Hashima Iori's sister, Izumi Hashima, is also Aki Tomoya's junior.
Aki Tomoya has a protective heart towards Izumi Hashima, but it's completely different from what Hyodo Michiru said.
"Are you shy?"
"I think you've been too successful lately and are getting arrogant?"
"Don't say that! If you're interested in Izumi, I can help you gather information!"
"I might have to consider prohibiting you from entering my house."
"Just kidding! Just kidding!"
After being warned, Hyodo Michiru quieted down.
She didn't stay here for long; she still had to meet up with the rest of the band later. She just came to say hello today and chat with Aki Tomoya.
Hyodo Michiru was just one microcosm of the people chasing their dreams and working hard in Tokyo. As she left, Aki Tomoya advised her to think things through carefully and not get ripped off by others.
Spring break was only two weeks, fleeting in an instant.
Time came to April 8th, the start of the school year at Toyosaki Academy. New students entered the school, and Aki Tomoya saw many slightly immature faces.
"Third Year Class A, we're in the same class, Yoshihiko."
The class assignments for the final year were already posted on the notice board in the courtyard. In front of it, Aki Tomoya confirmed who was in his class this year.
Among the people he knew, Kato Megumi and Kamigō Yoshihiko's names were the first he saw.
Many of the people who were in the same class last year were in different classes after the reassignments this year.
"I can't believe we're still assigned to the same class this year, what a relief!"
Kamigō Yoshihiko's tense expression relaxed.
If he was still in the same class as Aki Tomoya, he would work doubly hard in this last remaining year.
"Aki-kun, I learned a lot last year. Please take care of me again this year."
Kato Megumi walked over and politely said to Aki Tomoya.
They studied together in the same class last year and were in the same class again this year, so Kato Megumi came over to greet him.
"It's me who should say that. Let's work hard together again this year."
Starting school in April and entering the third year, the people around Aki Tomoya hadn't changed much; they were all familiar faces.
Before the opening ceremony, they first gathered in the third-year classroom and were assigned seats by the new homeroom Teacher.
"Everyone, please take care of me this year. It's the final year, so let's all cheer up!"
"Yes, Kanoko!"
Someone jeered, the reason being that this year's homeroom Teacher for Third Year Class A was Hasumi Kanoko, a very popular Teacher within the school.
"It's Teacher! I'm your homeroom Teacher now!"
Hasumi Kanoko reminded them, pretending to be angry.
She carefully looked at each student, then knocked on the blackboard, and then said with a serious expression, "Next week is the career path survey. Think carefully, all of you. I will talk to each of you individually!"
As a Teacher, Hasumi Kanoko still possessed authority.
In the final year, Teachers also have a responsibility to guide students on how to choose their future.
"I can't believe the homeroom Teacher this year is Kanoko, nice!"
Kamigō Yoshihiko happily muttered to himself. Hasumi Kanoko was arguably the most easy-going Teacher in the entire school and was deeply loved by students.
However, at this moment, Aki Tomoya wasn't focused on the new homeroom Teacher but was looking at the blonde twin-tailed girl in front of him.
"We're in the same class in the final year of high school..."
Aki Tomoya said with considerable emotion.
"Do you have a problem with that?!"
The blonde twin-tailed girl in front twitched her ears, then turned back to look at Aki Tomoya.
"You two over there, please don't chat while the Teacher is speaking, okay? The opening ceremony is at ten, please get ready."
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