Hirano pov:-
Soon after grade 3 students come out of the celebration party of gratitude
and thanks.
In short, I was in a state of waiting for them.
Be it grade 1 or grade 2 students, it seems like they become tense when
the time is getting closer.
Some of the third grade students today, immediately after the graduation
ceremony there will be those who leave school to start a new journey.
In it there may be students who want to convey a variety of feelings that have not been able to say until now.
How many people are there...? There are at least a hundred people that can
be seen by my eyes.
"I knew you would be here too." I heard a voice call out to me.
"Soga? You here to say goodbye to the third years aswell?"
Soga looked at me with a cheeky smile and replied "Naturally, I have got alot of senpais that I need to say goodbye to. What about you? I don't remember you being close with any third years."
"Horikita senpai and Tachibana senpai. They have helped me alot since I joined the council. Naturally I want to say goodbye to them."
"I see. That makes sense."
As we were talking, The 'Celebration of Gratitude and Thanks' was over, the door finally opened.
Looks like the graduation ceremony is completely over.
Now this is the only chance for graduates and students to interact with one last time in this place.
Grade 3 students appear one after another, after disbanding. Many of them look radiant, but some don't smile at all.
Is that because you feel lonely leaving school? Or because you can't
graduate as a class A student?
If it belongs to the latter, then most students are not surprised to show a
sad expression.
Although I caught a glimpse of the facial expressions of students who are
not class A looks cheerful.
"What do you think...?"
I asked Soga about the situation.
"Even though a shortcut to your dream is not achieved, you can still make
the path yourself. Whether it's going to university or finding a job, if you have the ability, without any privileges, I think you will work to make it happen. But then again, you can't help but be a little sad. After all, there are only a few that would actually like to work hard. Sadly, I am not one of them." Soga answered me with a grin.
Although that may be us someday, we still plan to do everything it takes to reach class A. And I know Soga feels the same.
The journey of life will continue without stopping.
Most students will face reality and from now on they will continue to decide what path in the future to take.
In other words, it's not strange to spend this magnificent event in an impressive way.
Some students return directly to the dormitory without getting involved
with others, but most of them stop their footsteps.
The marks they left in 3 years should be said to be visible here.
The remaining graduates, Horikita Manabu who was once the student
council president was also there.
Around Horikita senpai, 2nd grade students hurried to call him.
"Will I even get a chance to talk to him?"
As the Student Council President, and also the man who continues to be a
Class A Student.
Of course he will definitely be popular. I guess there is little to be able to interact with grade 1 students, but I didn't expect there are also many grade 1 students who greet him too.
A small circle finally forms around the graduates.
Senpai was gentle to the juniors of his, sometimes he also showed a small smile towards them.
A little different face from the last time I saw. I could see him free from the atmosphere of things like heavy pressure.
And... A male student appeared before Horikita senpai.
The current Student Council President. Nagumo Miyabi from class 2 A.
Immediately afterward, Kiriyama senpai, Secretary Mizowaki and Tonokawa, Asahina also appeared.
This does not mean that the atmosphere in the place turned heavy, just that somehow it turned into something unique.
As for me, I was well aware of his arrival since he had asked me to come with him. I politely declined and said that I will be saying goodbye to a few third year students with my friends.
Oddly, enough he dropped the topic almost immediately. I guess he never wanted to invite me in the first place and just asked me out of courtesy.
"Congratulations on graduating Horikita-senpai."
Nagumo approached Horikita senpai with a smile, while giving him words of praise.
Nagumo who was like that, welcomed by Horikita senpai without hesitation.
"Really extraordinary, Horikita-senpai. In the end, I haven't been able to
threaten you."
"Not really. To be honest, until the last moment I did not know what will happen in the end. If you must say why you failed, then the cause of your defeat was because you was not in the same grade as me. No matter how deep you try to interfere, it is beyond your reach."
No matter how much you fight, you cannot skip the school year itself.
Because you cannot take the exam directly, there are definitely limitations to being able to do something.
If he really wants to defeat him seriously..., he should follow the way
Ryuuen uses, fight outside of the rules themselves.
However, I don't think Nagumo would take such an action. It's too risky for him.
"Yeah.., you're right. Why is that I have to be born one year younger?..."
He had no objections about that. Even feel sorry for the fact that he was
not a student of the same grade.
"Even though I'm like this. Will you shake hands with me...?"
"Of course... There is no reason to refuse it."
Horikita's senpai gladly accepted it. They both shook hands together.
Spent a brief and pleasant silence.
Both of them were the Student Council President, they might have understood each other without having to exchange words.
"After this, there is still a long year will await you. Live a fulfilling life in
this school."
Advice from a senior. That does not include a statement to stop Nagumo
from running wild.
Instead, he told him to do what he liked. Which personally isn't a good thing to approve!
"Yes... I will do my best in a time that is not much after senpai is gone. I will really make this school, a school based on abilities. For that I was prepared and ready."
Hearing that statement, Horikita senpai nodded to accept it.
"You said you were upset because you are one year younger than me, maybe I also feel the same as you. Very disappointing because I cannot see the school that you will try to make. If I can see it closer, maybe I can understand it better. "
"I don't know if I am compatible with my senpai at this point."
People who try to protect the traditions and rules of the school, And then
the people who try to destroy it.
Since their respective ideas are completely opposite, Then the conflict
cannot be avoided.
"It's okay, after all. Isn't there any juniors in the younger class that
Horikita-senpai left...?"
While saying that, Nagumo's eyes drifted towards a certain direction. Looking over, I saw the figures of both
Horikita Suzune and Ayanokouji Kiyotaka.
"As long as there is your sister, then that's enough... I can let her pass it on
for me."
After graduation, the siblings will sooner or later meet again. 'When that
happens, you can ask what will happen to him' that was what his words
meant.
"Yes, that's possible."
Affirmed, Horikita senpai and Nagumo released a firm grip when shaking hands and began to move slightly away.
"Thank you very much..."
"You're welcome..."
Former student council president Horikita Manabu, then current student
council president Nagumo Miyabi.
After a moment of silence, I saw Nagumo senpai and the other members of the student council walk away from Horikita senpai.
Taking that chance, I steppes forward to give my final goodbye aswell.
"Horikita senpai. Congratulations on graduating through class A." I called out to him in a gentle and nervous tone.
"Thank you, Hirano. I hope you continue to do well in the future as you have done till now."
"Ofcourse senpai. You know me! Hehe..." I was still a bit nervous talking to him.
I raised my hand for a handshake. However, Horikita senpai only looked at my hand seemingly in deep thought.
Due to the sudden awkwardness I was about lower my hand when Horikita senpai finally decided to grab and shake it.
"Good luck Vice-president. I hope you work hard in the council."
"Hehe~ Thanks senpa-"
Suddenly to me surprise, Horikita senpai gave me a light hug and a pat on the back while whispering a few words in my ear.
After that he gave me a slight smile before turning around and walking away. Seemingly to talk to other students.
I decided to think about his words later and decided to approach someone from amongst the girls of class 3A.
"Congratulations. Tachibana senpai!" I called out to her.
"So? You finally came huh?" It looked like she wasn't pleased with my arrival.
"Did I do something wrong senpai?" I asked in an awkward tone.
"Besides not finishing your duties on time, giving lame excuses and the source of 80% of my frustrations this year. No. Nothing at all." She spoke in an obviously sarcastic tone.
"Hehe~ Well you know me! Your clumsy Kohai!"
"Sigh. Please be more careful from now on. I won't be there to cover up for your mistakes anymore."
"I know. I know."
"Also just... take care of yourself. Okay?" She spoke in a tone that I never heard before.
"Senpai... are you actually worrying about me?"
"Hmph! Well you are my junior! It's natural for me to be worried about a lazy person like you!" She said as she turned her face away from me.
However, she whispered something under her breath that I managed to hear.
"...but you aren't as useless of a person as I thought you to be..."
Hearing that brought a smile to my face. She may be annoying and sometimes even irritating. But she was my favorite female senpai in this school.
"I hope you live a happy life from now on senpai."
Listening to my words, she sighed deeply and spoke to me.
"Well this may be the last time I see you. So you make sure to take care of yourself too okay?"
Nodding at her words, I turned around and walked away.
Suddenly the words Horikita-senpai said came to my mind.
"Use the time you have left in this school to gain a purpose in life. A goal that you want to reach."
A goal that I want to reach? I only came to this school to get a new start and make my parents proud.
But now that I have guaranteed class A for myself. What am I supposed to do now?
"A goal that I want to reach... a purpose in life..."
D-Did... I ever have something like that? No. I never thought that far.
I looked back at the third year students who will soon be moving forward with their lives.
"Perhaps it's time that I start thinking about my future..."
A way to move forward with my life and a way to protect my own happiness...
I should start thinking about these things.
Maybe it's time I take care of the ones who endanger my life at this school.
Both of you idiots who think you can expel me... I will make you my pawns first.