164 Chapter Thirty: Graduation Day

If one didn't own a calendar, it still would've been easy enough for them to figure out what time of year it was. Through January and February, junior high and high school students alike were so stressed and worn down that they were practically like zombies as they trudged through the halls of Iwanai High. For some, they were worried about if they got into their dream school. For others, they simply hoped they got into any school at all. Now, with it finally being close to the middle of March, that mood was beginning to change.

Students who were once stressed now seemed relieved as letters of acceptance began coming in. For another group, the relief was only superficial, as they were just accepting their fate, whatever it may be. And as for a certain group of girls, it appeared that somehow, it was all going to work out for them.

"I can't believe I got in!" Itsuki exclaimed. "I can't believe you actually had to take a test even though you had a sports recommendation," Jasmine commented. "I'm happy for you, Itsuki-chan," Mayu added. At the moment, those three and the others were gathered just outside the gymnasium as the students prepared to go in for their graduation ceremony.

It had come so fast that many could hardly believe it, but their high school days were finally coming to an end. "It's a little sad, don't you think?" Kanako asked Haruna. "I don't know," the other girl said with a shrug. "I guess I'm not as attached to this place." "Remember that without this place, we might not have ended up together," Kanako pointed out. "Thank you for all you've done," Haruna said, immediately bowing to the school.

Soon enough, an announcement was being made for the students to enter. In an orderly fashion, the boys and girls of Iwanai Municipal High School filed in, taking their seats. "Hey, Mi-chan," Chiyo whispered as they sat down. "Ya look a little pale. Ya nervous?" "O-Of course I'm nervous!" Michi whispered back harshly. "Like I want to actually give this dumb speech!"

By some stroke of luck (or perhaps a curse from Michi's perspective), Michi Fukuhara had managed to finish first in her whole grade, winning it by the margin of a single point. She was happy at first. That is, until Chiyo reminded her of what came with such an honor. Since the final grades had come out, Michi had been spending days trying to write up a good speech, but even now, she still wasn't satisfied with it.

Once all the students were seated, along with the friends and family members that had come to watch, the principal of the school made his way up to the podium. "Good afternoon everyone," he began. "And thank you for coming to such a spectacular event. I truly look forward to this ceremony every year, because as a school, and as myself an individual, it's our chance as a collective whole to send these bright young minds off into the world, in hopes that they one day be able to achieve great things."

"In my time here, I've seen quite a lot. I've seen students with promise leave here and accomplish very little, and I've also seen students who didn't stand out at all go on to write their names in the history books. Students, today is your starting line. Before you is a chance to go out and experience the world of your own volition. Gone will be the days of ever-present parenting, hand-holding through life, and a structured school schedule. But in place of those things, you have freedom. Freedom to do what you believe is right, and what you believe are the things you should do. Do not waste this opportunity, for the choices you make in these early beginnings may very well set the tone for the rest of your life."

"This is by no means meant to put pressure on any of you. Rather, it is simply a reminder. A reminder that while these times may have been hard for some of you, the road ahead is unmarked, and untraveled by your own feet. The future can and will be what you wish for it to be, so long as you put in the effort to make it so. If your days have been dark to this point, then I urge you to start making them brighter starting today. And if your days have always been light, then prepare yourself and make use of that joy you've found, because you'll need it for the days ahead."

"I hope that in your time here, you've all learned something. As an educator, that is my greatest hope. That you'll take the knowledge you have gained and put it to use in your own lives. But, if you feel you've learned nothing, or if you feel that your time has been wasted, then I offer you this: No matter what your feelings have been these past three years, these past three years you have been here. You've walked these halls, sat in the seats you're sitting in now, and created memories, good or bad, that will last a lifetime. These memories will be important, because one day you'll look back on them and realize just what they meant to you. So hold them close to your heart, and don't ever forget them."

"Students of Iwanai Municipal High School, please stand." At the command of the principal, the student body stood in unison. "Your time has now come. Make the most of it." And with that, the principal's speech concluded.

Next announced was an alumni, who went on to give a speech about their own life and how their high school life was, along with potential career prospects. Following them was the student council president. Considering the size of the school, the student council hadn't carried much in terms of responsibilities, but it was still a notable post nonetheless, so a speech was required from their leader. As usual, it came across as more standardized than anything else, with not a single word they said being memorable in the slightest.

Once they concluded, they announced the next person to the stage. "Finishing first overall for her year, third-year and soon-to-be graduate Michi Fukuhara." The crowd got quiet as they all looked around for the announced individual. Slowly, a small girl stood. Naturally, she wore the uniform of the school, her white, long-sleeve top with its sailor ribbon and a purple bow to indicate her year, along with a navy blue, pleated skirt and simple, brown indoor shoes. Her hair, blonde as always, was tied into two distinct buns, though a strand from each hung down far past her shoulders, as if they were in rebellion. She tried to keep her expression neutral, but it was definitely showing that she was nervous.

Then suddenly, Michi felt a hand grab her own. Looking down, she spotted Chiyo, smiling at her. "Ya got this," she whispered. It was such a small statement, and yet it filled Michi with so much courage. Taking a deep breath in and then out, she finally began to make her way to the stage.

Walking up the small set of stairs, she soon reached the podium… and was just too short to see completely over it. Quickly, a person off to the side on the stage grabbed something for her to stand on, getting a few laughs out of the audience. Ordinarily, something like that would've annoyed Michi, but in this case, it actually helped to relax her. Once she was situated, she looked out into the crowd.

There were plenty of faces she didn't know, but within that crowd, there were faces she was very familiar with. Taking a quick look at all of them, she finally felt ready.

"Students, teachers, administration, friends, and parents. On behalf of Iwanai Municipal High School, I, Michi Fukuhara, ranked one in academia at this establishment, welcome you here for this very special day. I would say it felt like only yesterday that we third-years were first-years, but… That's not really true at all, is it? To get to this point, it has been a long, winding, up and down time for many of us. And if you'll be gracious enough to allow me, I'd like to talk about my own journey that's taken place both within these walls and outside of them."

"There are some of you that know this, but I'm not originally from here. When I first came to Iwanai, I was without friends, family or guidance. I was alone. When my first day of school came to be a middle school student here, I dreaded it. I thought that that was how my life would be from now on. Quiet, and alone."

"But fortunately, it didn't take long for me to make my first friend, Kanako Nakatomi. Some of you may know her, whether that's due to her relationship with another girl here or because of her cooking skills. However, I know her as something else. I know her as a girl who loves."

"When I first met Nakatomi-san, she was held over heels in love with someone. I have to admit, that was something I never really understood back then. But, even though I didn't understand it, I still wanted to support her. I could tell it was something she cared deeply about and wished for, so as her friend, I wanted to see that happen for her."

"Thanks to Nakatomi-san, I made other friends too. Mayu Kawaguchi, a girl who's so kind and gentle and composed I find it inspiring, and Itsuki Yukimura, a girl who enjoys every day and has shown me I should try to do the same. The four of us became quite close, and against what I had expected, I was able to enjoy my time in middle school with friends. The good times even carried through our first year here, at Iwanai High."

"But, when our second year came, things began to change. My friends began to pursue different things, while all I wanted was to sit still. However, as I've learned the hard way, refusing to change, while an option, will only bring you pain and suffering. It was because of my stubbornness that for a brief time, I actually lost those friends."

"But it was also in that time that thanks to the stubbornness of another girl, I wasn't entirely alone. At first, I thought she only existed to torment me. It felt like no matter where I went in this building, she'd show up, and soon enough, that applied to outside of this building too."

"I tried so many times to get rid of her, but she just never left. And before I knew it, having her around felt more normal than her not being there. When I met Nakatomi-san, she taught me about love, but… when I met Chiyo Wakabayashi, I learned what it meant to love."

"She taught me how to love with all your heart, how to be passionate, and how to change. Little by little, I gained all of these things, and it's because of her that that was possible. I had no idea that someone could have so much of an impact on another person."

"If it wasn't for Chiyo, I wouldn't be standing up here today. I wouldn't have finished first in our year, I wouldn't have figured out what I want to do, I probably wouldn't have even gotten to this day due to some personal circumstances that she helped me with."

"Now, some of you may be wondering, why tell you all of this? My reason is simple: these are all things I gained while I was here, at this school. I gained friends, ones that I really enjoy being with. I gained memories, ones that I'll never forget. And…"

Pausing, Michi looked out into the audience, making sure her eyes met Chiyo's. The gal, still sitting in her seat, was crying as she stared back at Michi. "And… I gained a best friend… a partner… a girlfriend. One that means the whole world to me. So yes, perhaps sometimes there were days or weeks or even months that you hated this place. Perhaps there were times that you wished you had never come here. But remember, for all of the bad, you each have at least one thing you're able to take away from here. One thing that no other school could've given you. For each person, that'll be unique to them. It may be that you've found a calling or that you figured out there's something you absolutely don't want to do. Maybe it was just that you never want to go to school again."

"For me, I found something precious. While it may sound dramatic and maybe unbelievable coming from the mouth of a mere high school girl… I found love. Someone who I believe will be with me for the rest of my life. And for that, Iwanai Municipal High School, I am truly grateful."

"Thank you for giving me the opportunity to perform at my best in academia. Thank you for giving me the chance to make new friends. Thank you for the sheer coincidence of ending up in the same school as a certain gyaru."

"Lastly, I simply wish to say I'm glad to have come here, and I hope at least some of you can feel the same. And for those of you that will still be here, I hope you find something or someone special, so you can look back on this time with a smile. Thank you."

With Michi's speech concluded, she went to start leaving the stage, but as she did, she saw someone running toward through the crowd and up the pathway. With her golden high-side ponytail with auburn-colored highlights swaying with her motions, and her uniform being more fashionable than standard, a certain gyaru was making a beeline for Michi.

"C-C-Chiyo?!" Michi exclaimed as she saw the gal dash up the steps and toward her. "W-What are you doing up here? Get down before you get us both in troub- mmph!"

With no hesitation, Chiyo clasped both her hands on Michi's cheeks, pulled her in, and gave her a kiss right on the lips for all to see. She held them together for several seconds, long enough that Michi's eyes were just fluttering shut. Then, gently, she separated herself from Michi and smiled, though the girl was still in too shocked a state to say or do anything. So, being up there anyways, Chiyo decided to add her own feelings to Michi's speech.

"Good luck to all of ya in the future! Now if ya don't mind, me and my girlfriend are gonna go have a little fun~!" And with that, Chiyo ran off with Michi in tow, who had recovered enough to exclaim, "D-Don't just go saying something like that into a mic!" Following them were several teachers, who were quite displeased about Chiyo's sudden stage-crashing.

Unsure of how to move on, the MC of the event did their best to get back on track. "Um, well, that was certainly… exciting…" they said. "Ahem, anyways, with the speech of our first-place third-year complete, we will now be moving into the school song. Students, please stand."

The crowd was still abuzz with what had just happened, but the students still did their best to sing the song of the institution that they had called home for the past three years (and longer for many). Once it was finished, it was then time to give out the diplomas, handed out by the principal."

…

"Kanako Nakatomi."

"Yes."

"Good work. I wish you the best, both in your career and your relationship."

"T-Thank you."

…

"Haruna Endo."

"Yes."

"Good work. I told that girlfriend of yours the same, but I do wish you luck for the future."

"Thank you, sir."

…

"Mayu Kawaguchi."

"Yes."

"Good work. I hope you'll continue to be the pillar of kindness that people seek."

"I will try my best."

…

"Itsuki Yukimura."

"Yes!"

"Good work. Make Iwanai High proud with that sports recommendation."

"I will, sir!"

…

"Hinami Yamane."

"Y-Yes!"

"Good work. You've really come a long way since I first met you. I'm glad to see you've made so many friends."

"I-I'm happy about that too. Thank you."

…

"Jasmine Hiraoka"

"Yeah."

"Good work. You're going to some sort of beauty school, aren't you? Maybe you'll be able to give this old man some tips."

"It's kinda like, a little late for that, don't'cha think? I mean, you're already balding."

…

"Chiyo Wakabayashi."

"Heeeeere!"

"Good work. You know, you gave me no end of trouble in the three years you were here. I had to fend off a lot of teachers because of all your style choices."

"Oh, you were why they started leavin' me alone? Thanks a lot!"

…

"Michi Fukuhara."

"Yes."

"Good work. Congratulations on being ranked one. Oh, and good luck managing that girlfriend of yours."

"R-Right. Thank you."

…

"Students, please rise once more." At the command of the MC, the student body stood again. What played next was the song of the alumni, a sort of send-off for the soon-to-bes. Once it finished, the principal took the stage once more.

"Third year students of Iwanai Municipal High School. Congratulations on graduating. May you find success in all of your future endeavors."

And with that, the ceremony concluded.

*****

As the crowd filed out, the conversations within the mass multiplied and broke off, leading to people being scattered all over the grounds outside of the gymnasium. Everywhere one looked, they could see small groups here and there, excitedly talking about future plans, crying that their high school days were over and they wouldn't see certain friends anymore, and of course, taking plenty of pictures.

"C'mon Mi-chan, smile!" Chitose grinned as she held up her phone. She had quickly found Michi and Chiyo, who had been in the middle of what seemed like a one-sided, heated discussion. "I told you already, I don't want pictures!" Michi shouted back. "Will another kiss make you smile?" Chiyo asked wryly. "S-Shut up, you!" Michi exclaimed. "It's your fault I'm this upset in the first place! Who even thinks it's a good idea to have their first kiss like that?!" "Well ya gotta admit, Mi-chan," Chiyo said, her voice lowering. "It was definitely totes unforgettable." "UGH!"

"Here, give me your hand," Chiyo said, holding out her own. Michi tried to look like she didn't want to, but in the end, she begrudgingly gave in. "There," the gal said, satisfied. "Isn't this better?" "...w-whatever…" Michi muttered, blushing slightly. Seeing that expression on her face, Chitose immediately took the picture.

Watching from a distance were Itsuki, Hinami, Kanako and Haruna. "It's still kinda weird to see Mi-chan look like that," Itsuki commented. "S-She seems happy," Hinami added. Itsuki opened her mouth to say something else, but as soon as she did, several members from the track and field club called for her. "Oh, guess I gotta say goodbye to my underclassmen huh?" Itsuki said with pride. "Hopefully they don't cry too much, haha!"

As Itsuki dashed off, Hinami turned to Haruna. "E-Endo-san," she said, getting the girl's attention. Once Haruna was looking at her, Hinami bowed. "T-Thank you very much f-for allowing me to be y-your fan!" "Uh, you're welcome?" Haruna said back. "But I think we're kinda past that stage, don't you?" "H-Huh?" Hinami let out. "Shouldn't it be, 'I'm glad we became friends?'" Haruna corrected. Hearing that, tears began to well up in Hinami's eyes. "Y-Yes!"

"Hey, where did Mayu-chan and Hiraoka-san go?" Kanako suddenly asked, noticing the two seemed to be missing even among the large crowd. "Did they leave?" "Who knows?" Haruna said. "Maybe they-" But before Haruna could finish her sentence, she spotted a set of parents coming their way. Two, in fact.

"Kanakoooo!" the girl's mother cried as she practically leapt at her. "G-Gah!" Kanako exclaimed, unable to dodge and nearly getting tackled to the ground. "Congrats!" her father added. "T-Thanks," she said with a shy smile.

Next to them were the Endo parents, who were a little more stoic in their delivery. "Well done," Haruna's father said. "Thanks, I guess," Haruna said back. "We're proud of you, dear," her mother added. "Honestly, I wasn't sure if you'd have much of a plan after high school, but I'm looking forward to seeing this business plan of yours come to fruition."

"And speaking of those plans," Haruna's father said. "Kanako Nakatomi." "Y-Yes?" Kanako said, turning around to see the semi-imposing man staring at her. "As I understand it, you plan on continuing the relationship you have with my daughter, along with opening a business of some sort. Is that right?" "Yes, that's correct," Kanako said, doing her best to speak with confidence. Then, the man bowed slightly. "Then I ask you to continue to make Haruna happy. Nothing more and nothing less." "I will," Kanako said, bowing back.

Haruna's father still didn't give his full approval, and both Haruna and Kanako knew that. However, having such a display shown to them was enough to tell them that at the very least, he wasn't as strictly against the idea as he once was. Both noticing that, the two girls looked at each other and smiled.

*****

"Jasmine-chan, why did you bring me out here?" Mayu asked. Currently, the two of them were out on the far side of the gym, away from everyone. "I just wanted some quiet time with you," Jasmine said simply. "After all, this is our last day to be like this, so I thought it'd be nice if we could just enjoy each other's company without all of the commotion."

They had ended up standing somewhat in the shade, and with it still being March in Hokkaido, it was certainly still somewhat chilly. "It's cold out here," Mayu said. "Yeah, I'm freezing," Jasmine complained. "Why didn't you dress warmer?" Mayu asked. "I tried," Jasmine said. "But stupid Itsuki kept rushing me, so I didn't have time to put on more layers." Hearing that, Mayu laughed.

"That does sound like her," she said. "Speaking of which, what are your plans with Itsuki-chan? Will you continue to live with the Yukimuras?" "Um," Jasmine let out. "I… dunno? Probably? Maybe?" "That's a very uncertain answer," Mayu giggled. "I mean, I guess the answer right now would be yes, because it's not like I've got anywhere else to live," Jasmine said.

For a moment, it was quiet, the two girls simply standing next to each other and staring ahead. Finally, Mayu spoke. "Um, Jasmine-chan, I-" But just as she spoke, a louder voice drowned her out. "Mayu!" Ai called from the front of the building. She had moved over just enough to spot the two girls, but was still some distance away.

"Get away from that girl and come over here," Ai demanded. "We need to take some pictures!" "Be right there, mother!" Mayu called back. Then she looked back at Jasmine. "Close your eyes," she said suddenly. "Why? You gonna give me a nice surprise?" Jasmine teased. "Just close them please," Mayu insisted, so the gal did as she was told.

Then, she felt a slight wetness on her cheek, followed by a familiar sound. "What was that?" Jasmine asked in a whisper. "A… kiss…" Mayu said back just as quietly. "But hopefully not a goodbye one." And then, Mayu began to walk away.

"Hey, Mayu-chi," Jasmine said. "That's not a kiss." Then, in two strides, Jasmine stood in front of Mayu and angled the girl's face up with a curled finger. "This is."

The gal's lips came down and met Mayu's, causing her to go wide-eyed for a moment before relaxing. They held together for several long seconds before finally separating an inch or two. "See ya around," Jasmine said smoothly, going to walk away before looking up and noticing something.

Ai had been standing there waiting the whole time, and now her jaw was practically on the floor. Smirking, Jasmine put up a peace sign to her and stuck out her tongue. It felt like the perfect wrap-up for her high school career, but as it turned out, there was one more surprise left for the gal.

Heading toward the front of the school, Jasmine froze. Standing by the gates was a woman she hadn't seen in a while. When the woman spotted her, she waved. Mentally preparing herself, Jasmine walked over to her.

"Hey… mom…" she said uncertainly. "I… didn't think I'd see you here." "I actually forgot today was graduation day," the woman admitted. "I came back to Iwanai to pick something up, but then I saw everybody coming down to the school, so I thought I'd check things out. Good thing I did."

An awkward silence fell between the two of them. "So, uh… thanks for coming, I guess," Jasmine said, going to leave. "Hang on," her mother said. "Look Jasmine, I know I haven't exactly been mom of the year… or really even the past decade, but I just want ya to know… I am workin' on things. Goin' back home has done a lot of good so far. Maybe… one day, I can take ya there. I'll show ya all the states I know."

What exactly was their relationship anymore? It was impossible for Jasmine to say, but one thing was certain. To her surprise, things all around her had been changing for the better. Whether it was her personal life, her home life or her relationships, it had all been steadily improving. Sure, her current relationship dynamic with her mother was undefinable at the moment, but it made Jasmine happy to know that she at least knew there was hope for her future when not too long ago, there was hardly any.

"Yeah, I think I'd like that," Jasmine responded. "I'm gonna go find my other friends now, if that's alright." "Go ahead," her mother said. "Be sure to get some good pics." "I'll try," Jasmine said, then went looking for her friends.

*****

"It's really over…" Kanako said as she watched the last few people get their final photos in. While everyone else had left, Haruna and Kanako had stayed behind, taking in every moment of their final high school day. "Yeah, it really is over," Haruna repeated.

"So much has happened here," Kanako said. "It really makes me sad to know that this is it." "I'm grateful," Haruna said. "Grateful?" Kanako repeated. Haruna nodded. "It's true that a lot has happened here. Really, I think only the specific set of circumstances that occurred here could've happened here. The ones that brought us back together as friends, and then brought us even closer. It's because of this place that I have you, good friends, and a future to look forward to. Without this place, who knows what would've happened?"

Kanako thought for a moment, then nodded her head. "I agree. Gratitude is what I should be feeling more than sadness." "It's not like you can't feel sad too," Haruna said, but Kanako shook her head. "I've been feeling that way for the last several weeks. It's time to stop feeling sad all the time and time to look ahead. I've got so many plans, and I can't wait to go after them all. So, instead of looking back, I'll look forward, with gratitude in my heart for this place and hope for what comes next."

Then, Kanako looked up at Haruna. "Thank you," she said. "Huh? For what?" Haruna asked. "Two years ago," Kanako explained. "If you hadn't had the same idea I did to go confess, and if you hadn't also agreed to a ridiculous request, none of this would've happened. So thank you."

"I'll thank you too then," Haruna said. "What for?" Kanako asked curiously. "For taking my feelings seriously," Haruna explained. "And for never giving up on me, even though I kept running away." "Well, in the end, you finally ran in the right direction," Kanako said. "Oh yeah?" Haruna said. "And what direction was that?"

Closer and closer they got, until finally, they were holding each other. "Right into my arms," Kanako said softly. Then, reaching toward one another, they kissed, the bright sun above highlighting a faded-white school building behind them.

As they separated, they both smiled at each other.

"I love you, Haruna."

"I love you, Kanako."

End of Chapter Thirty.

Author's Note: One chapter left. You don't want to miss it.