Interlude Chapter 3 | Near Graduation

Interlude Chapter 3 | Near Graduation

The months passed quickly and it was the day before the exam. Yuuri and I are studying in my room for final confirmation. According to the mock test results, both of us were within the passing range, but we never let our guard down.

“I’m getting kind of nervous.”

“Well, we’ve worked hard this far, so I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

“Yes, that’s right. I’m sure we’ll be fine.”

Just hearing Yuuri says that gives me courage like nothing else. I have been studying really hard, but I was able to do my best because Yuuri was there with me. Tomorrow, I will show the results of my efforts without regret. And if we both pass the exam together peacefully, we will go to school together again.

Imagining the high school life that would come in the near future, my motivation went up with a bang.

‘Hey, hey, it’s good to get into it, but don’t take it too hard, okay?’

Yuuri laughed and patted my head.

I squinted my eyes as I said, Yuuri and felt Yuuri’s tenderness on my head.

(Yuuri has found out what I’m thinking again.)

I felt a little embarrassed thinking about that, but I felt very happy.

———

Hazuki! Yuu nii-chan! Congratulations on passing to high school!!!”

Pan-pan-pan!

Yuuri’s younger sister, Hanaka-chan, said this, and the sound of crackers rang out from all sides.

“You’re so lucky to be going to the same school as Hazuki-chan again!”

Yumiko-san, Yuuri’s mom, clapped Yuuri on the back and gave him a gentle blessing. Yumiko-san is a very sweet person who loves me like a real daughter, so I tend to be overly indulgent.

So. Yuuri and I successfully passed the high school of our first choice. I am very happy because besides us, another childhood friend, Kanade, is also with us.

———

After the party was over, Yuuri and I decided to go for a walk to Hanasaki Park. It was fun to be with everyone, but I felt that the time alone with Yuuri was more important than anything else.

I said, “That was a fun party. I can go to the same high school as Yuuri, and today was a special day for me.

“I agree. I’m sure it’s a special day for me too. Because it’s the day that Hazuki and I are going to go to the same school again.

“Yes, it really is. I’m so happy to think that I can spend another three years with Yuuri, and I’m really looking forward to my high school life.”

“Me too.”

Saying that Yuuri kisses me gently. I hope this kind of happiness will continue forever.

———

Another month passes quickly, and there are only two weeks left until the graduation ceremony. I was sitting on my bed, looking back on the memories of junior high school.

(I guess I’m almost at the end of junior high school.)

I felt a little sad thinking about it, but now I was more excited about high school life.

(The bath is almost ready, I think it’s time to go in.)

As I was about to get up, I received a notification on my phone from RINE.

Was it Yuuri? I opened my phone and saw that it was a RINE from Kouki.

Thinking that it was unusual, I opened it and found a message saying, “I have something I want to discuss with Hazuki. Can you give me some time tomorrow after school?” was the content of the message.

“I owe Kouki a debt of gratitude for helping me fall in love with him, and I was planning to go home alone tomorrow. Then, can we go to the same park tomorrow?” I replied.

“Seriously? Thank you! That’s great! But I don’t want Yuuri to know yet, so please don’t tell him.”

Is it something I can’t even tell Yuuri about?

I hope it’s not too much trouble. I started walking toward the bathroom, wondering about the content of Kouki’s consultation.

———

When school ended and I went to Hanasaki Park in my school uniform, Kouki was already sitting on a bench waiting for me.

Sorry to keep you waiting.”

I ran towards him and apologized to him, saying, “I’m sorry.”

“I’m fine, so don’t worry about it. It’s unusual for Kouki-kun to ask me for advice, isn’t it? What’s going on?”

“Ah, that’s right. This may come as a bit of a surprise, but I’m actually moving out of the prefecture after I graduate from junior high school.

“Is that so? What about Yuuri? Does Yuuri know about that?”

“No, he doesn’t know about it yet.”

“Why are you telling me first and not Yuuri? Yuuri will miss you, so I want you to tell him as soon as possible.”

“I’ll tell him at the graduation ceremony. More importantly, I wanted to let Hazuki know how I really feel before I move out.”

“…… Eh?”

“Hazuki. I like you. I’ve been in love with you for a long time. I couldn’t tell you for a long time because you had Yuuri, but I’ve only been looking at you for a long time.”

“That’s …… a lie, isn’t it? I’ll be surprised if you joke like that.”

“I’m serious.”

“Why are you saying such a thing? Because Kouki encouraged me, didn’t he? You told me to go for it. And also there was even a girl that you have been dating since the first year.”

“Hazuki had Yuuri for a long time. I thought it would be all right if I got a girlfriend. But when I told you to go for it, I felt a pain in my chest and thought it would be no good after all.”

Kouki looked me straight in the eye as he continued his story.

“After you guys got together, I kept seeing her too to cover up my feelings, but that finally got too hard and we broke up last summer.”

“Even if you say that, I can’t do anything about it. Because I have Yuuri, whom I love.”

“I know. I’ve been with you guys for a long time. I know how you feel. But please. I’m moving out and I’m going away. That’s why I really want to have memories with you, Hazuki.”

“No… such a thing is…”

“Please. Just once. Give me one last memory of this town, or rather, one last memory with you.”

Kouki said and kissed me.

I was so surprised that I jumped away and said, “No!” But then I saw Kouki’s sad face and it caught my attention.

—

Kouki was always very confident.

Even when Yuuri did something a little silly, he always looked after him from a step behind in a mature way. I wonder how he could be so calm even though we are the same age. I talked with Yuuri more than once or twice.

But he was also a little different from cool. He had the ability to enliven the atmosphere and was the center of attention in class.

Such a mature and confident Kouki looked at me weakly, as if he was about to cry.

I felt that it would be very cruel to reject him.

So I just said.

“Yes. I understand.”

---

TLN: Too tired from classes and dealing with fever symptoms, but now I’m back.