{Our Graduation (2)}

I believed that I could do anything for Satou-san.

It was because she herself said so. She said that I had things she didn’t and could do things she couldn’t.

I believed those words.

They were said by the person I liked, so why would I doubt them?

I still believed it.

So,

“I’m sorry,”

I said.

“I just… I really like you, Satou-san.”

I shouted.

“I like you! More than I could even explain!”

Gripping the swing’s chains, I leaned forward, staring into her face beside me. Even the creaking of the swing felt distant.

“I’ve liked you for a long time! I said this before, but now I like you even more than then!”

She looked dumbfounded at this point.

But I liked everything about her, including those silly parts. That’s who Satou-san was. I had known that for a long time!

“So, I absolutely refuse!”

I shouted with all my might.

There was no shame or pretense.

“I don’t want to just be friends!”

I was probably more honest than I had ever been.

“Just that isn’t enough for me!”

“—Yamaguchi-kun,”

Her voice interrupted, drowning out my shout.

She stared back at me from the swing next to me. Her expression was stiff. Her cheeks, the tip of her nose, and even her earlobes were all bright red.

“I like you too, Yamaguchi-kun.”

Her trembling lips said this.

Then, she smiled just a little and continued.

“Well, maybe you misunderstood what I said?”

There was no way to misunderstand.

If anything, it was Satou-san who often misunderstood. She never seemed to understand what I was saying, she was insensitive, slow, and oblivious. I liked all those things about her. I liked every part of her that seemed like a flaw no matter how hard she tried.

It was then that I heard an out-of-place laugh.

“I probably didn’t mean it in the way you’re thinking when I said we should stay friends.”

Her stiff expression relaxed, and Satou-san wore a relieved smile.

She spoke to me in a gentle, instructive tone.

“You see, it’s not about just being friends in the same class… I like you, so no matter what class or future we have, I want to be with you forever. When I say ‘friends,’ do you understand now?”

I didn’t understand.

Because, ‘friends.’ Normally, wouldn’t you not use that term for such things?

It felt like she was saying it was like before.

“So, um… I want to be your girlfriend. Do you understand now?”

I understood.

But it was shocking.

Satou-san, the one I always thought was so dull, had to break it down and explain it to me.

“Was my way of saying it unclear…?”

“Well… it was somewhat unclear.”

I thought I wasn’t as dull as Satou-san.

“I’m sorry, Yamaguchi-kun.”

“No, it’s not something you need to apologize for.”

“But I’m glad. I’m happy that you told me you liked me.”

Satou-san, blushing and shy, fidgeted with the swing. I watched her slightly downturned face from beside her.

I wondered if I would still be able to be next to her from now on. Something was gradually welling up inside me.

“I like you too. Very much.”

Satou-san said.

“You know, I was wondering when to tell you. I thought maybe I shouldn’t say it while you’re busy with exams.”

She spoke without looking at me.

“Actually, I wanted to tell you on Valentine’s Day. And Christmas too.”

Come to think of it, I had received chocolates. And a Christmas present.

“I also hesitated about saying it during the cultural festival. But… I decided to wait until you were settled after your exams.”

It was very much like Satou-san to be considerate like that. Because of that, I was confused during the cultural festival, Christmas, and Valentine’s Day.

“But, you see, I couldn’t wait until the graduation ceremony.”

Satou-san glanced at me.

“As I said earlier, I might cry.”

She whispered shyly.

“Since I’ve been sitting next to you, I’ve really enjoyed everything. Coming to school, meeting you, talking with you. So, all the good memories are with you. I’ll probably cry at the graduation ceremony because I’ll be looking back at those memories.”

I wondered if I had done something for Satou-san.

At first, I was cold. I think I lacked kindness. I wasn’t honest. But still, Satou-san says this.

My vision started to blur.

Why was I crying? I wasn’t rejected. I hadn’t experienced heartbreak. I understood her feelings, and she understood mine; it was a happy ending. I could still be next to her. There was nothing to cry about.

And yet, my nose tingled.

It was foolish. Who cries over something like this? Over something so ordinary and happy. Even with graduation and exam results still ahead.

“Yamaguchi-kun?”

Satou-san called out to me, sounding puzzled.

So I quickly wiped my eyes and got off the swing.

After taking a deep breath, I turned around. Satou-san was still on the swing. Her expression was clearly visible.

She was smiling.

“Thank you.”

I smiled naturally too.

“I had a great time too. I’m really glad I got to sit next to you, Satou-san!”

And I said it from the heart.

Sitting next to Satou-san, having the chance to talk, and falling in love— I was really glad.

The park was deserted.

I approached and offered one hand. On the palm of my hand was the White Day return gift.

“This is for White Day.”

I wasn’t trying to bribe her.

It was the same cookies as last year. When I told her, Satou-san, with a shy smile, thanked me and took my hand. Not the cookies, but the empty hand.

It was a warm hand.

As she got off the swing, I hugged her tightly. I pushed the cookie package into her hand, left my other hand empty, and gently touched her tied-up hair.

Satou-san didn’t resist.

In fact, she smiled brightly and laughed.

“…Why are you laughing, Satou-san?”

“Because, when I thought that it wasn’t the first time you hugged me.”

Was it?

But that didn’t matter.

“It’s the first time since we started dating.”

I said.

Since it would be too uncool if I was the only one nervous, I wanted to make sure she was aware. Things couldn’t be the same as before.

Maybe because of that, Satou-san became awkward. On closer inspection, she was standing stiffly in my arms.

Our eyes met. She gave a clumsy smile.

“Yeah, that’s right.”

I looked at her with my lips pressed together.

She wasn’t beautiful, but I loved her. I thought I needed Satou-san and no one else. There should be room for one odd person like that. One was enough.

I loved everything about Satou-san.

While silently gazing at her, a cold wind blew three times. It wasn’t cold, but it was the limit.

Resolutely, I opened my mouth.

“So… from now on, let’s continue to be together.”

“Yeah.”

Satou-san nodded. Because of that, our first kiss missed the lips and landed on her forehead.

Satou-san was still, as always, hopelessly clumsy.

Before the graduation ceremony, there was the university entrance exam results, and I was able to pass my desired school.

I reported this news first to my ‘girlfriend.’ She celebrated and congratulated me as if it was her own achievement.

On graduation day, Satou-san was crying.

Just as she had predicted.

Satou-san, who wasn’t particularly beautiful, had red eyes and was crying openly. She continued crying even after returning to the classroom after the ceremony.

Other girls, like Yukawa-san and Saiki-san, were also crying. According to Nishima, someone suddenly started crying during the ceremony, and it led to a chain reaction. Tears spread like a chain reaction, with about half of the girls in the class sniffling. Even those who hadn’t been crying ended up crying as they consoled those who were.

I couldn’t approach the group of sobbing girls.

I wanted to call out to Satou-san.

Even after graduation, it wasn’t the end, I would say.

It was the most comforting thing I could think of.

It shouldn’t have been the end. Even among the class, it wasn’t a final farewell. We could find reasons to meet again, just as I used the digital audio I gave Satou-san as an excuse for the future.

Perhaps, we might not even need such excuses anymore.

Just wanting to be next to each other might be enough to meet.

I thought Satou-san would be willing to stay by my side as much as I wanted.

“Y-Yamaguchi-kun!”

I snapped back to reality upon hearing her tearful shout.

Suddenly, Satou-san’s tearful face covered my vision.

“Let’s go, Yamaguchi-kun, take her!”

And I saw the girls with crying-laughing faces pushing her back.

In the next moment, a soft weight was placed on me, almost making me fall backward. But I managed to catch her with both arms.

“So, you finally started dating, huh? You two look great together!”

“It’s about time! Come on, get closer!”

Voices of teasing from classmates flew around. Whistles and jeers came from everywhere.

Although I thought they shouldn’t press it, I decided to be honest today. I hugged Satou-san, taking advantage of the situation. Satou-san clung to me, still crying.

As everyone urged me to comfort her, I whispered in her ear.

“It’s not the end.”

It came out colder than I intended, surprising myself.

But I felt like I used to speak this way often. From now on, I hope I can be kind and honest. Even if not suddenly, at least gradually.

Satou-san nodded slightly.

“Yeah.”

I think she probably understood what I wanted to say. Even if I spoke in my usual way, Satou-san would understand. She might not completely get it, but she must have understood at least half of it.

I’ll handle the remaining half in the future.

Because I can do anything for Satou-san.

Becoming more honest from now on shouldn’t be a big deal.

End of Extras