It's graduation season once again, in the month of March.
Over the past year, the only major change to the school was the new academic building.
In the school auditorium, the seats are filled with parents. Even the usually busy Nishimiya Yaeko is here. She has witnessed the changes in her two daughters over the past year. Shoko is much more confident and cheerful than before. She has friends and smiles from the heart. Yuzuru now goes to a regular school and doesn't get into fights anymore.
The things she had tried so hard to do for years were accomplished by the boy who had once seemed so "arrogant" in her office. Although Nishimiya Yaeko's expression remains serious, in her heart, she feels genuine gratitude for Hiratsuka Ryosuke. He is the one who allowed her two daughters to live like normal girls. She deliberately canceled all her part-time jobs today to make it to Shoko's graduation chorus.
"Next, we invite Class 6-2 to perform the song, 'The Day We Depart.'" the host announces from the stage.
The students begin to walk onto the stage, but Nishimiya Shoko stands still. She remembers her old school, and the class chorus there. Every time she opened her mouth, she would be met with strange looks. Sometimes, before she even started singing, her classmates would prank her, telling her the song had already begun. She would start singing, and the other students would laugh. The stage was so close, but it felt so, so far away.
Suddenly, she feels a warm hand take hers. She looks up and sees Ryosuke looking at her gently.
"Come on, Shoko. You can do it."
Nishimiya Shoko nods firmly, summoning her courage. Step by step, she walks onto the stage and stands with her classmates. She looks at the boy holding the conductor's baton, her eyes soft and resolute.
That's right, it's different now.
Ryosuke, as long as you're by my side, I can do anything.
As Hiratsuka Ryosuke waves his baton, the students begin to sing in unison.
Hearing the children's voices, two lines of clear tears stream down Nishimiya Yaeko's face. This time, she doesn't try to hide them. She watches her daughter on the stage, the daughter who was once so shy and always wore a nervous, trying-to-please smile. Shoko's voice has a subtle, grainy hoarseness, but it also has an ethereal quality. Even among so many other voices, Yaeko can pick it out. The Nishimiya Shoko of today is no longer the ugly duckling she once was, but a reborn angel.
When the song ends, the students walk off the stage.
In the wings, Nishimiya Shoko looks at the boy on the conductor's podium, her eyes shining with an unprecedented light.
I did it. I really did it! Did you hear my voice?
When Ryosuke walks backstage, Nishimiya Shoko rushes to him and wraps her arms around him. Tears are in her eyes, but she holds them back. Her voice is disjointed but no longer unclear. "Thank you, Ryosuke. Really... thank you so much."
Ryosuke reaches out and pats her head. "It's okay, Shoko. I told you before, crying doesn't mean you're weak. If you want to cry, cry your heart out."
Nishimiya Shoko buries her face in his chest, clutching his shirt tightly as her tears soak the fabric. All the grievances she has held for years melt away in that moment. To believe in yourself is the first step toward living for yourself. Music is poetry in sound, and Nishimiya Shoko has turned the page on her own poem in the auditorium of her elementary school graduation.
The graduation chorus continues.
Nishimiya Shoko has stopped crying and is now sitting with Ryosuke in the audience.
The host stands on the stage and announces in a clear voice, "Next, we invite Class 6-1 to perform the classic folk song, 'Nada Sou Sou'!" It's a song of quiet longing, a fitting choice for students facing farewell.
Hiratsuka Ryosuke's brow furrows as he sees the back of the person on the conductor's podium. The figure looks familiar. He then remembers that Class 6-1 is Shinka's class, and the conductor is none other than Nibutani Shinka. She's wearing a veil and some of the accessories her friends gave her for her birthday.
Ryosuke's eyes narrow. Shinka, you're not going to cause a scene now, are you?
Ryosuke's guess is right, but not completely. Shinka's outfit is strange, but her behavior is normal. It's everyone else who's acting strangely.
"Waaah! Mori-sama, take me with you!"
"Mori-sama, your holy light of salvation is my unwavering faith for life!"
"I can't accept the cruel reality of graduation! I will create a new world with Mori-sama!"
The students on the stage, both male and female, are screaming. Their raw emotions scare the host. He's been hosting for years and has seen it all, but an entire class going insane during their graduation chorus is a new one for him.
"Shinka, she... she's really popular," Nishimiya Shoko says, trying to defend her friend.
Hiratsuka Ryosuke clenches his fists and watches the farce unfold with a dark expression. No one knows what he's thinking.
Nibutani Shinka, on the other hand, looks perfectly calm. The baton in her hand seems to be a magic wand. With a simple wave, the chaotic chorus of screams instantly falls silent. Shinka closes her eyes, completely lost in her world of music. She waves the baton lightly at times, and heavily at others. Under her guidance, the students' voices are sometimes slow and gentle, other times lively and full of emotion. Her conducting is better than anyone else's who took the stage before. The students' cooperation is so perfect that no other word can describe it.
When the song ends, Nibutani Shinka opens her eyes. Her classmates on stage are in tears, and the audience bursts into a thunderous applause. Even Nishimiya Yaeko is clapping, giving the performance her most heartfelt applause.
"Ahem..." Nibutani Shinka clears her throat. Everyone expects her to give a thank-you speech. She turns her back to the audience and faces her classmates. Only Hiratsuka Ryosuke is still fuming, having already guessed what she's about to say.
"The spirits are whispering to me again. If you keep the light in your heart, you can break through any darkness."
"Thank you all for six years of company. After I leave, you will be me. The light will protect all of you."
At her words, the applause from the audience grows louder. Some people are clapping because they don't understand what she's saying but assume it must be something nice. Most people are clapping just because everyone else is. For Japanese people, who are naturally skilled at "reading the air," blending in has become a habit.
With that, the graduation chorus comes to an end. After the principal gives a long-winded speech and the graduation certificates are handed out, the students and parents leave the auditorium. The students gather in small groups on the school field, saying their goodbyes or talking about the future.
Ryosuke's class took second place in the graduation chorus. As for the first place class... Hiratsuka Ryosuke looks over at the group of people in the corner. Nibutani Shinka is holding the first-place trophy, walking through the crowd like a saint who has descended to earth, blessing her followers along the way.
"Let's go, Shoko. Those people have completely lost their minds. Don't get too involved with them, or you'll be mistaken for a weirdo too." Ryosuke suppresses the urge to call the police and turns to leave.
Nishimiya Shoko steals a glance at the worshiped Nibutani Shinka and sees that Shinka isn't looking their way. She gathers all her courage and grabs the hem of Ryosuke's shirt. "Wait, Ryosuke. I have something for you."
Ryosuke feels the tug from behind and turns, looking at Nishimiya Shoko with a puzzled expression. Shoko doesn't make him wait. She quickly pulls a red scarf from her bag. Blushing, she holds out the handmade scarf to him.
"My hands are clumsy, so it took me a long time to learn. It's a little late, but I hope you like it."
Nishimiya Shoko feels a sense of pure joy as she watches Ryosuke put on the scarf she made. It's sweeter than any honey.
This way, whenever he wears this scarf, he'll think of me. It'll be as if... I'm always by his side.
"Thank you, Shoko. I love your gift," Ryosuke says with a smile.
"Um... Ryosuke, can you give me a gift in return?" Nishimiya Shoko's true intentions are revealed. Her voice is as small as a mosquito's buzz, as if she's a child doing something naughty and is afraid of being caught. She bites her lip and points to the second button on Ryosuke's chest.
"You want this?" Ryosuke asks, curious.
Nishimiya Shoko doesn't say a word, just blushes and nods, clutching the hem of her clothes.
Ryosuke doesn't know why Shoko wants this, but it seems like a much smaller gift than the handmade scarf. Without hesitation, he gently pulls the button off his shirt. Nishimiya Shoko holds the button in both hands as if it's a priceless treasure. She carefully wraps it in a small handkerchief and places it in her pocket.
"Heh... so you're a sly one, too, Sho-chan."
A teasing voice comes from behind Nishimiya Shoko, startling her. She looks up, her eyes wide.