“I‘m doomed. I‘m absolutely doomed. It‘s over. My peaceful graduation is dead.”
“Senpai? Today is graduation, so why are you so depressed?”
“Ah... Ritsuka....”
You wouldn‘t understand. A cheerful social butterfly from the track team like you wouldn't understand. Why I‘m struggling so much.
“I‘m sad because it‘s graduation.”
“Isn‘t graduation supposed to be fun?”
“Not for me.”
The most recent graduation was... right, the youngest's graduation.
It was an elementary school graduation, yet reporters swarmed the place; it was ridiculous.
I know Wakamo is cute, but is that enough to take photos of? Do I have to suffer because of their twisted beauty standards?
Seeing middle schoolers snooping around made me want to beat them all up.
Crazy horn-dogs. Why did they bring bouquets? It was absurd.
Wakamo is also a problem. She waved and smiled with her eyes because she liked the attention, which only encouraged them.
Sigh.
“Whoa. That was a huge sigh. I feel like I‘m being crushed by your Spiritual Pressure, Senpai...!”
“Stop joking around. You‘re next, you know. Why are you so happy?”
“Because I don‘t know why you hate it so much? It‘s a tearful goodbye with your juniors... Sob! Senpai, you won‘t forget me even after you leave, right? You‘ll give me your second button, right? Please?”
Ugh. I feel like plucking out all that orange hair.
[Students within the school, please listen attentively.]
“Senpai! I think it‘s starting?”
“I suppose so.”
It has finally come.
[Soon, the Homurabara Academy graduation ceremony will proceed, so each student....]
Ritsuka‘s eyes are sparkling. Like a puppy.
“You‘ll find out soon enough. Why I hate graduation ceremonies.”
“Eyy. You‘re exaggerating!”
“Yes. This concludes the congratulatory speech by Lord El-Melloi II, invited from the University of London in the UK. The next proceeding is....”
That Uncle really came.
Judging by that face that screams he doesn‘t want to be here, it‘s 100% certain Big Mother called him.
When threatened with Fairy Magecraft, what could a mere Lord do?
A mere Lord... that sounds ridiculous coming from me.
“Senpai, Senpai. is that person an acquaintance of yours too?”
“That‘s right.”
“And all the people waiting to give speeches behind him...?”
“If they‘re foreigners, probably.”
Behind the balding principal and a few civil servants, a line of exotic-looking people followed.
Why are people who should be dedicating their lives to magic research here?
This is driving me crazy.
“Next, we will have a congratulatory speech from Ms. Rin Tohsaka, a graduate of our school and currently active as a professor in London.”
Ritsuka looks delighted at the word 'graduate'.
“That person isn‘t an acquaintance, right? She‘s a graduate of our school!”
“Nope, wrong. She is an acquaintance.”
Unfortunately.
No matter how much you look in disbelief, that is the reality.
The speech is ordinary. As expected of people who were forced to come, they mostly say cliché things and leave.
Do your best even after graduating, the world isn‘t easy. But it will work out.
If only they weren't making intense eye contact with me, I might feel a bit more at ease.
They all know the situation, so they look at me with pity.
Then don't come out. Even though they probably received something from my dad or moms to be here...!
“Next is....”
It‘s not ending. Everyone looks like they‘re dying of boredom.
“Another speech? How long is this going to go on? Yawn~.”
“At least the chairs are soft, so it‘s bearable to sit.”
“Where are these chairs from? I‘ve never seen them in the 3 years I attended here.”
Don‘t mention the Fairy-Britain logo engraved on the chair.
“What do these people do anyway? Leaving aside the graduates, who are the foreigners?”
“I searched them on the wiki and they barely show up in English? Why did people who aren‘t even famous come?”
To those who don‘t know the secrets of the Clock Tower, they are nobodies.
To people in the Magic World, mouths would drop at this dazzling lineup.
“Next is Olga Marie Asmleit Animusphere....”
Marie-chan came too. Look at that face full of irritation.
“Fuck.”
“Ah! I know that swear word. It‘s Korean, right?”
“Shut up.”
“Ehhh...?”
When we exited the auditorium, the giant track and field... was gone.
Instead, there was a concert venue plastered in gold.
Heating (magecraft) that perfectly blocked out the cold, and mechanical equipment that looked like the Budokan had been moved here intact.
’They really prepared with determination.‘
Ah~ to this extent? Okay.
I‘m starting to feel confident that I won't be surprised anymore.
Of course, that wouldn't be the case for ordinary students.
“It‘s a concert hall...?”
“Look at this! It‘s Babylonia stuff! One of these speakers is more expensive than my family‘s car!”
“T-Then won‘t we be in trouble if we touch it?”
“Wait, people are getting out of that Mercedes over there... Huh?”
Boring graduation shows continuing from the auditorium are strictly prohibited.
“Hello everyone! Ah, since it‘s Japan... Ohayo Gozaimasu!”
I declare that from now on, VTS will purge this rotten graduation ceremony and rule over it.
“Is that... Is that really VTS? Really?”
“Kook-jung Oppa! I‘m a fan! What do I do?! I‘m so happy!”
“Haha. Tell me your name at the autograph session after the song. I‘ll sign it with extra care for our student.”
“Kyaaaah!”
Ritsuka, who had only been following me around, had eyes wide as saucers.
“Senpai, can‘t we have a graduation ceremony every day?”
“No.”
It would be sad if we only took care of the female students, right?
Naturally, a female idol group for the male students is here too.
“Ohayo~ Hello!”
“He-Hello!”
“Japanese male students are really energetic! I might fall for you...?”
“W-Wooooaaah?!”
They‘re dying of happiness.
They don‘t look that pretty to my eyes though.
“That‘s because you are too pretty, Senpai. Foul play, cheat-level looks. Boo.”
“Me? I don‘t think so.”
My mothers are much prettier.
Would they know my feelings? That no matter how much makeup I put on, I can‘t beat my mom when she just woke up.
While I was watching the students split by gender and swarming the idols, a male student approached me.
“Um... Maria-senpai!”
“Hm? Were you Ritsuka‘s friend?”
“Yes! I think you are much more beautiful than the idols, Senpai!”
Suddenly...?
Why did Ritsuka‘s eyes turn into those wide, crazy Usami-chan eyes again?
“Senpai. Let‘s just go watch the concert.”
“Let‘s. You there, thanks for the compliment. Take care.”
“Ah, Senpai....”
It was certainly worth watching. How much money did they pour into this? Each artist sang about 3 songs, and the entertainment didn't stop.
“It‘s the famous overseas rapper, Kanno!”
“HEY~ kon ni chi wa~!”
“British singer-songwriter Edgar Sheeran came too?”
“Hello!”
“Yo-Yonezu Kenichi is at our school?!”
“How good would it be if this were a dream~”
...Really, how much money did they spend?
When one singer finishes three songs and leaves, everyone feels disappointed, but then another singer appears, and even louder cheers erupt.
World-class after world-class. And then world-class.
Top-tier sound equipment and colorful stage sets shine. A concert worth hundreds of dollars is happening at a local Japanese school.
Not only the parents who came for their kids' graduation, but even neighborhood residents are mixed in, enjoying the concert.
Now, no one is surprised even if a new singer appears.
Rather, they are guessing who will appear next.
“Is the next one Beyancé?”
“Isn‘t it Taylor Sweet? With this momentum, she might actually come!”
“But why is our graduation ceremony the only one this flashy?”
“I don‘t know, you idiot! Just enjoy it!”
Wise. And I envy them.
“Oh right! Ms. Maria! Congratulations on your graduation!”
While I feel like dying of embarrassment.
Every time a performance ends, the singers give a congratulatory message.
Because of this, I feel like dying of shame.
“HEY, Maria! Congraturation!”
“And... Maria? Have a nice day.”
“Maria! Graduation, Omedeto!”
Aaaaaaagh!!!!
“Who is Maria?”
“You don‘t know Maria-sama? You bastard, are you a spy from the neighboring school?”
“How did you... No, more importantly, who is Maria?”
“The Goddess of Class 3, the One True God of Homurabara School. Worship quietly. Just shut up and do it.”
You stop it too.
“Do you have a picture?”
“Look here. It‘s my wallpaper.”
“Th... This is?”
“Worship her. Simply the GOAT.”
What GOAT. Stop acting like a goat.
This really sucks. It‘s embarrassing. I feel like I‘m going to die of shame.
“Maria-sama is watching! Let‘s raise the excitement! The next song is Iris In!”
“Kyaa! Maria-senpai, happy graduation! Please do this for 3 years straight!”
Feeling like I would die at this rate, I left Ritsuka alone and slipped away.
If it were just the school students, maybe, but there are neighborhood residents too.
I... can't get married now.
I bought two coffees from a food truck and waited, and Ritsuka came out.
“Se-Senpai. Is it okay for me to be this happy? An autograph... I have Yonezu Kenichi‘s autograph in my hand!”
“Yeah. ...We have three of those at my house. Want one?”
“Then please give me two!”
“You‘ve adapted too much. Refuse a little.”
The concert was wrapped up by a Japanese national singer who parachuted in.
After singing a few standard Japanese graduation songs, the heat of the concert cooled down appropriately, and it seemed to return to a normal graduation atmosphere...
Did you think it would?
“Everyone, you‘re hungry, right?! Since we danced and sang, shall we eat now?!”
“Yes!”
“France, Italy, Spain, USA, UK, China, Korea, Japan...! We have prepared a buffet with 100 colors from 100 Michelin chefs invited from all over the world! Shall we continue the party?!”
“YES!!!”
As soon as the concert ended, workers rushed in and immediately began dismantling the stage.
It was dismantled in less than 5 minutes.
And immediately, hundreds of white tables and chairs were set up.
Food carried in the full hands of servers was laid out on the tables. As delicacies prepared with care by chefs who would be second to none were displayed, saliva dripped from people's eyes.
Hey. Is this a graduation ceremony? Not a party?
“Let‘s eat and die!!!” (Let's stuff ourselves to death!)
“Waaa!!!”
I don‘t know when he arrived, but a Japanese national MC took over as the host. The teacher who was originally conducting the graduation ceremony is busy enjoying the buffet.
“Th-This is Godon Ramsay‘s Beef Wellington! The meat melts in my mouth!”
“Marco Piero Black‘s pasta noodles are like dragons dancing!”
“I think it could compete well with these hand-pulled noodles. Hahaha!”
What‘s with their way of speaking?
“Damn it! I shouldn‘t have gone to the food truck! Who knew there would be such delicious food!”
“Don‘t worry, student. The food trucks were also cooked by Michelin chefs!”
“N-No wonder it tasted good!”
There's the placebo effect too. (Lit: Skull water)
“Senpai! Do you want some Tiramisu? Tiramisu Cake~ Tiramisu Cake~.”
“That trend has passed.”
“Ehh? My friend said it‘s the latest meme... Anyway, the cake is delicious.”
“I bet it is.”
Ritsuka wouldn't know, but this buffet is not a simple party.
If you look closely, there are tables enjoyed by students and parents, and tables enjoyed by other adults separately.
You can tell by observing the servers carrying the food.
There is a party enjoyed on the playground and a party held in the vacant rooms on the first floor.
I probably have to go over there.
“Senpai, where are you going?”
“Just going to say hello briefly.”
“I‘ll stay here and eat. Have a safe trip-hyung. Yum yum.”
I didn‘t even do this, so why am I nervous?
The stairs I climbed for 3 years feel strangely heavy.
Walking along the scent of savory food, I saw a room with windows covered by a film.
You can‘t just walk in either. They were filtering out uninvited guests at the entrance.
“Are you Maria-sama?”
“Yes.”
“You may enter.”
Inside, a party reminiscent of medieval nobility was taking place.
Everyone in suits. Everyone in dresses.
Why am I the only one in a school uniform? It‘s embarrassing.
Attention focuses on me as soon as I enter. I don‘t know what everyone is thinking, but their faces are smiling.
“The protagonist of the day has arrived.”
“Lady Maria. Congratulations on your graduation!”
Mostly, they are all Clock Tower magi.
Because of Big Mother‘s famous love for Britain, there are almost no people from the Wandering Sea or Atlas Institute.
Most are kind to me, but I find these people uncomfortable.
Because they hate me inside? No.
“Your appearance is truly bright. Haha. It would be an honor if I got the chance to teach you at the Clock Tower.”
“My, my. Professor. What are you saying? Miss Maria has been with our Mineralogy Department from the start....”
“No, no. Professor. Our....”
Because they fight over me.
If this makes me a tragic heroine, I‘d rather just be an extra.
“Ahaha... I‘m still thinking about my career path. I think it‘s too early to decide already.”
“In that case, try taking our department‘s class first....”
“No, look here. Miss Maria must come to our department! Must she waste time on such Gem-nut magecraft?!”
“Gem-nut? You son of a...!”
I‘ll remember these two and tell Big Mother.
“Student Maria? Come here for a moment.”
“Uncle?”
“That title ’Uncle‘ is... Haa. Never mind.”
Fortunately, Uncle El-Melloi saved me. As expected of the Great Big Ben London Star!
It‘s long, so maybe I should shorten it.
“Uncle G.B.L.S. (Geu-Big-Lon-Seu). Thanks for saving me.”
“...Hey, what is the meaning of that title? It reminds me of a nickname I truly detest.”
“I don‘t really know either.”
A person of common sense doesn‘t pry further. He just pinches the bridge of his nose and lets out a big sigh.
“I came here at your father‘s request. I came thinking I‘d just enjoy a moderate vacation, but I never imagined it would be a place gathering only big shots like this.”
“Dad did? Not Big Mother?”
“Miss Morgan remained silent. It seems her stance is that there's no need for her to step in personally, but that‘s not important.”
The wrinkles on G.B.L.S.‘s forehead deepen. How many more wrinkles will he get?
“To use me as a means to manage big shots. Your father is truly unbelievable.”
“My dad is a bit weird.”
“Weird? I don‘t know your family environment, but your father must be quite kind.”
“Rather than kind, he‘s a bit... foolish.”
G.B.L.S. let out a hollow laugh.
At the same time, the quiet chatter from the party disappeared.
“...What is it? This atmosphere?”
“Everyone was guessing how a monster of the Holy Church raised a child... They just realized that he pulled off the acting perfectly. It‘s nothing special.”
“Monster? What is that?”
I‘ve never heard of that.
What is this? Everyone is being hush-hush. It feels unpleasant.
Click, click. The sound of heels was heard.
“Anything more than that seems to be a rude remark. Mr. El-Melloi.”
She came.
My comfort doll.
“I am not El-Melloi. Just like how you are not a Lord. Miss Animusphere.”
G.B.L.S. That‘s enough nerve warfare.
Even if you‘re my uncle, I can‘t hand over Marie-chan.
“Marie-chan. Did your boobs get bigger?”
This feeling. It‘s the same. Is she still in her growth period?
Still soft... I‘m healed.
“Don‘t call me Marie-chan! And, stop sexually harassing me so naturally!”
“Marie-chan pretending to be full of dignity is cute too. Like a small animal. Cute. I want to bite you.”
Is it okay to bite her ear? It should be okay, right?
“Ahhn....”
“Your ears are still your weak point.”
“Yo-You!”
Marie-chan screaming shriek.
She seems to have forgotten that Clock Tower magi are gathered here.
Marie-chan‘s face heats up at the gathering gazes. Cute.
“Really, Marie-chan. You must maintain your dignity.”
“It‘s because of you! What is it? Why do I turn into a different person only when I see you?!”
“Marie-chan is the one who makes me like this. Because you keep showing such cute reactions...!”
It‘s exciting.
Her butt, so plump, I want to touch it forever.
“Eek! N-No!”
“Let‘s live together at my house. Hmm? I‘ll buy a cage for Marie-chan too. You‘ll be happier living as a pet. Shall we start with training you to give your hand (paw)?”
“Dad...!”
“So the rumor that the monster‘s eldest daughter lusts after women was true. Seeing Animusphere helpless like that. Don‘t you think so? El-Melloi?”
“It‘s II (The Second). And, that is not a light emotion that can be treated as simple homosexuality.”
The Mineralogy professor listened carefully to El-Melloi II‘s following explanation.
“It is a desire for domination rather than love. She treats the individual as a possession and tries to rule over them. If she doesn‘t like the person, she can interact normally, but when the person is her type, she reveals her high-handed inner side like that.”
“That... is quite scary.”
“...I agree.”
Is it that blood cannot be denied?
El-Melloi II rummaged through his pockets looking for cigarettes but couldn't find anything.
School is a non-smoking area.
His pack of cigarettes had been confiscated just like that.
“...In a place where they party with champagne and wine, they adhere to only that rule?”
“Did you say something?”
“It was nothing.”
El-Melloi closed his eyes.
The graduation ceremony wasn't over yet.