Chapter 380 - Graduation
(1)
"Toya-san, sorry to keep you waiting."
Airi appears in the living room.
We had come to Airi's parents' house for Airi's dressing.
She is wearing a green hakama over a white background with green and red patterns.
"You're beautiful."
"Thank you."
"U-Umu..."
Airi's papa also seems deeply moved.
He is pressing the corners of his eyes.
"Toya-san, we have to go soon."
"That's right, shall we go soon?"
I put Airi in the car and head to the venue.
When we head to the venue, everyone is waiting.
"Is this everyone gathered now?"
When Watanabe-kun says that, everyone enters the hall.
There are various speeches like the president's congratulatory address, and while Airi was listening to them seriously, I was sleeping.
When the ceremony ends, everyone is taking commemorative photos and such at the entrance of the hall.
We also took a photo.
"Well then, at 18:00 at the usual party hall."
When Watanabe-kun said that, everyone dispersed.
"Airi, what do you want to do?"
"I want to go home and change too."
"Then, shall we go home?"
"Yes."
When Airi says so, we return to Airi's parents' house and wait for Airi to change.
When Airi finishes changing, we go back to our house.
I also take off my suit and change into casual clothes.
"Is something simple fine for lunch?"
"You don't have to make anything too elaborate."
"Yes."
After eating lunch, while Airi is washing the dishes, I kill time watching TV in the living room.
When Airi finishes washing the dishes, she sits next to me and watches TV.
Honestly, I have no interest in daytime programs.
Airi seems to be interested and talks to me about various things.
I keep Airi company.
When it becomes afternoon, a Korean drama starts playing.
Airi is watching it intently.
"Toya-san, what kind of TV do you like?"
Airi asked.
"Hmm, I guess I'm not very interested in TV."
"That's true, since I've rarely seen Toya-san absorbed in TV."
She asks, "If you're free, do you want to play a game or something?"
"If we do that, Airi will be bored, right? I'm watching it with you, so it's fine."
"Yes."
That being said, boring things are boring.
But we have to spend days like this from now on.
Around the time the detective drama ends, Airi goes to the bedroom.
She is probably preparing to go out.
When the preparations are finished, Airi comes out of the bedroom.
"Sorry to keep you waiting."
"Well, shall we go?"
"Yes."
Saying so, I go out with Airi.
We head to the bus stop, get on the bus, and go down to the station.
After that, we walk to the hotel where the party hall is located.
It seems it was still a little early.
While we are killing time at the convenience store, people arrive one after another.
When we leave the convenience store and talk with everyone, the hall opens.
We went inside and waited for everyone.
(2)
When I returned home after finishing the graduation ceremony, no one was there.
Kanna is probably going to return her rented hakama.
I waited for Kanna to return.
When Kanna returns, we head to Ozai Station.
"A working adult starting next week, huh."
"Yeah. Makoto, you're joining the team starting next week too, right?"
"Yeah, I think I'll be away from home a lot, but..."
"It can't be helped, that's what it means to become a professional."
That must be why Toya hated the idea of becoming a professional.
"Ah, it's Kanna! Oi!"
It seems the Kiritani couple also intended to get on the same train.
"Is student life finally over?"
Ai-san said.
"Yeah, I heard Eita only has half a year left?"
"Yeah, apparently he can graduate in a single term. If he can get the credits, that is."
"Then, is Eita also job hunting?"
"Who knows, he doesn't seem to be thinking about anything."
Kanna and Ai-san are talking.
The train came.
When we went to the local station, Mizushima-kun and the others were there.
Once the train group is gathered, we head to the party venue.
Several people were already gathered.
When the party venue is opened, everyone goes inside.
We were waiting for the people who hadn't arrived yet.
(3)
That day, we had been summoned to USE.
A person who seemed slightly older than us was the representative director and president, and his wife seemed to be the actual manager.
"Nakamura-san, can you get that kind of work?"
The wife was asking Nakamura-san.
"It would probably be difficult to have them take auditions right away. First, we have to give them lessons in acting and such."
"That's true too... Nozomi, what do you want to do? We can hire a coach, though."
"You have the motivation, right?"
The president, who was called Nozomi, asked.
Rieko and I answered, "We do!"
"It might be fine to create that kind of department too. Of course, I'll also respect Emi's wishes."
The president says.
"Yes, expanding into the entertainment industry might not be bad. But having our base in the local area would cause various inconveniences."
"Why don't we test the motivation of those two first? Like having them do chores while taking lessons?"
"Since Nozomi is the president, I will follow Nozomi's intentions."
"Then, let's go in that direction. I'll leave the rest to Nakamura-san. I'll have acting instruction prepared."
It seems we were hired.
The two of us look at each other's faces.
"Then, I'll have them do chores until we find an acting instructor. Let's set a trial period."
Nakamura-san says.
"Thank you very much. We look forward to working with you."
We said.
"Do your best."
The president said.
When we were told we could go home for the day and that work would start from the beginning of next month, we left the office.
"We did it, Naoki."
Rieko says.
"Yeah, first is the first step."
But I had heard that things would be difficult from here on.
We have only just stood at the starting line.
I don't know what kind of difficulties lie ahead.
But we will show that we can overcome them together.
The two of us swore so to each other.
(4)
"It seems we're going to be a little late."
Aoi-san said so.
It's exactly the commuting rush hour. It can't be helped.
Should we have headed there by train?
But there was no way I could put Arisu on a crowded train.
Arisu is calling Watanabe-kun to inform him that she will be late.
They prepared a place for the debut of ALICE's new song.
She wrote the lyrics for the graduation song.
A song dedicated to the Watanabe group.
Her appearance in a commercial has already been decided.
Even though it's a commercial, it's just for a local company.
Her name recognition in the local area did not fit within the status of an underground idol.
Just as Katagiri-senpai says, she is spreading dreams and hope in the local area.
The results of her efforts to atone for her sins in her own way are bearing fruit.
"The Watanabe group is a mysterious group, isn't it?"
Arisu suddenly muttered.
"That's right. A mysterious group that brings happiness even to enemies."
"Am I living well? Am I atoning for my sins?"
"No matter what anyone says, what Arisu feels is the truth."
"Thank you."
Arisu said so and was laughing.
"The Watanabe group will probably continue to spread happiness from now on as well, right?"
"It's the same for Arisu. ALICE will make everyone happy."
"I hope so."
We arrived at the party venue.
"Well then, if you call me, I will come to pick you up."
Aoi-san says. Sui-san will handle the security.
"Yes, please do."
When I say so, the car drove away.
"Well, shall we go?"
"Yes."
When we entered the venue, the party had already started.
Arisu entered the changing room and began to prepare.
(4)
"Well then, we will begin. First, a word from Watanabe-senpai."
Nishimatsu-kun volunteered to act as the facilitator.
Watanabe-kun holds a beer mug in one hand and grips the microphone with the other.
"Good work for the past four years, everyone. I think a new life is waiting for us from now on, but our bond will never be broken. Everyone, to each other..."
"Masashi, you always say that! The introduction is fine, so start already!"
When Mika-san says that, everyone is laughing.
"Then, wishing for everyone's success in the future, cheers."
When Watanabe-kun says that, the banquet begins.
Now, to get some food.
"I will get Toya-san's portion, so..."
"No, I'll eat what I like, so Airi should also get what she likes..."
"I will get it, so..."
"...Thank you."
While we were eating and drinking, the party was progressing.
Words of farewell from Nishimatsu-kun and Saki-san, and so on.
Presenting a bouquet of flowers to Watanabe-kun, and so on.
"Hey, hey, it's not like we're retiring."
Watanabe-kun was smiling wryly.
Even after that, the juniors performed various programs.
And then, ALICE's message to us is spoken, and the graduation song is sung.
It seems to be lyrics she wrote herself.
I was listening intently, captivated by that song.
The female guests are crying.
A single tear also runs down Airi's cheek.
When the song ended, there was a round of applause.
"Senpais, thank you very much indeed!"
The juniors say all together.
"We also have to say a word. Toya, say something."
An unreasonable demand from Watanabe-kun.
I panic.
Airi also says "Off you go" to me while dabbing the corners of her eyes with a handkerchief.
I stand on the stage and hold the microphone.
Everyone looks at me.
A large group that seems to number up to fifty people.
"Thank you, juniors. Various things happened during these four years, but I think we did well to make it this far. That's not just my power or Watanabe-kun's power. I think it's the result of everyone's efforts."
Tomorrow will be more wonderful than today.
The days everyone gave me piled up, a trajectory of walking through the days that have passed.
What if our meeting was a coincidence? What if it was fate? That doesn't matter. It must be a miracle that we were able to meet.
Because even on days when things don't go well, if I'm with everyone, it will become sunny
Because I can forget my bluffing and loneliness.
Even if I seem to lose sight of tomorrow,
Tomorrow, I can smile more than today. Because just being with everyone makes me think so.
That won't change even if decades, centuries, or millennia pass.
"We won't change in the future either. We are forever immortal."
When I finished saying so, I received cheers and applause.
"Toya-kun, thank you for everything up until now!"
Saki-san asks for a handshake.
"Toya-senpai, I'm deeply moved!"
Haruto cries and asks for a handshake.
"Ah, Katagiri says that the Watanabe group continued thanks to Watanabe and everyone, but the one who supported it this far is unmistakably you, Katagiri."
When Tange-san says that, there is applause again.
While receiving the applause, I descend from the stage and return to my seat.
"Good work."
Airi smiles warmly.
"Thank you."
Saying so, I drank my beverage.
There really were various things.
There were dangerous times too. Though I never thought I would end up playing basketball.
If everything is called fate, that might be a trajectory, and it might have connected to a miracle.
(5)
"Alright, we're going to the afterparty! The usual karaoke is fine, right!"
"We will excuse ourselves now. Well then, congratulations everyone."
"Congratulations, please do your best in the future too."
Kosei and Naru went home.
"We're going to make noise until morning today too! You bastards, are you prepared?!"
When Mika-san says that, everyone shouts "Ohh!".
When we arrive at the karaoke, everyone is drinking, eating, and singing.
A strategy meeting with me and Airi, Watanabe-kun and Ai-san, Saki-san and Nishimatsu-kun.
"How is the securing of new recruits for the next fiscal year?"
Ai-san was asking.
"I think we'll look for them once the first semester starts."
"I intend to do so too."
Saki-san and Nishimatsu-kun say.
"There's no need to rush. The guided ones will gather."
"From Katagiri-kun's perspective, what kind of person do you hope for?"
Ai-san asked.
"I won't interfere. You left the university to Nishimatsu-kun and Saki-san, right?"
The two of them can just think about it and go.
"That's true, it might not be a matter for us to say this or that about."
Watanabe-kun says that they can rely on us when they are in trouble, though.
"If that's the case, we will do our best."
"Is it fine to leave our successors to Haruto and Shiratori-san?"
Saki-san and Nishimatsu-kun said.
"Well, that's probably how it will be."
Watanabe-kun answers.
If the days we walked are a path, the destiny we will walk from now on is a miracle.
That will probably continue from now on too.
Tomorrow, I will probably meet you.
Relying on the faint starlight.
I will recognize you, I know I will.
I was looking forward to you, whom I have not yet seen.
"Why are you making such a gloomy face again! We're still active, aren't we?! Let's get excited!"
"It's just as Kanna says! Don't just huddle up by yourselves, mix in with everyone!!"
When Kanna and Mika-san say that, we mix in with everyone and make noise.
When I look casually, the three of them, Makoto and the others, are gathered.
"Toya, come here for a bit."
I am called by the three.
"What are you doing after this?"
Makoto asks.
"As usual, karaoke until morning, right?"
What is he saying at this late stage?
"Is that really fine for your student life?! If you get married just like this, you'll end up only knowing Tosaka-san, you know."
That kind of topic again...
"I'm fine because Airi alone is enough."
Saying so, I try to walk away.
"Wait! Toya! First, we need to educate you as a man!"
"That's right! First, we decided to make you a man!"
When Makoto says that, Kiritani-kun says.
"We're not telling you to go all the way. There is such a thing as 'light' in this world, you see."
"Heh, what kind of thing is that?"
That's why I hated it.
They are surrounded by Kanna, Ai-san, Honoka-san, and Airi.
"Makoto-kun, don't blow weird things into Toya-san's head! Don't make me say the same thing over and over!"
"Eita! You, again, without ever learning!"
"Ryuji-kun, cut it out!"
"Makoto... you really are something."
The three are frightened.
"Toya-san, shall we go over there?"
Airi pulls my arm.
"Wait, Toya, it's unfair for only you to escape!"
"Shut up, in the first place, isn't it because you blew unnecessary things into Toya's head?!"
While Makoto and Kanna are arguing, we were brought next to Watanabe-kun.
"Watanabe-kun! Watch Toya-san! Because he drifts away immediately!"
"Toya, you have bad luck too."
Watanabe-kun is laughing.
"But I also have to watch Mika, because if I leave her alone, she'll drink too much right away."
"It's fine to drink at a celebratory occasion!"
"Then, I have no choice but to keep an eye on him. What a troublesome husband..."
It seems the three of them, Makoto and the others, were continuously lectured and weren't even given a chance to slip away.
The banquet continued until morning.
(6)
When the banquet ended, everyone went home.
When we also return home, I take a shower and lie down on the sofa in the living room.
I am spotted by Airi, who came out of the shower.
"If you sleep in a place like that, you'll catch a cold. Please sleep properly in bed."
"I was waiting for Airi."
"Thank you."
Airi sits next to me.
"Good work. But I think it will be even harder from now on, so let's do our best together."
"Yeah, for now, I'll spend my time leisurely."
"That's true."
"Shall we go to the bedroom for now?"
"Yes."
When I head to the bedroom with Airi, I turn on the TV and boot up the PC.
"Aren't you sleeping yet?"
"Wait a bit, let me just check my email and the news."
"It can't be helped, then."
Airi was slightly dissatisfied.
When I finish quickly, I lie down next to where Airi is sleeping.
Airi smiles and clings to me.
I also hold Airi.
Satisfied with that, Airi soon began to breathe softly in her sleep.
Good grief.
I stroke Airi's head.
"Hey, Toya-san."
Were you still awake?
"It's just a little longer, isn't it?"
"What is?"
"Geez! Did you forget the promise?"
Ah, that matter.
"There's still a year left, right?"
"It's one more year. I've been waiting ever since elementary school."
"I'll properly keep the promise."
"Yes."
It has finally arrived.
A milestone year for us.
I don't know what is waiting for us.
I will live the same time with you forever.
Even if God does not permit it.
What we sought was grace, affection, happiness, the future.
Born in the same era, meeting Airi, unable to stop our feelings of being drawn to each other.
The miracle of being able to meet in this dazzling era where you are smiling now.