NTR Kousuke

Chapter 127: Each One's Closing Ceremony

The ball game tournament was over.

Our class's results were nothing special, good or bad.

The festival-like excitement of yesterday was done, and today was the closing ceremony. Tomorrow is the graduation ceremony.

...It's already been a year since we enrolled...

So much has happened, and it was a year I'll never forget... but I also feel like I've grown a lot.

I managed to become a regular in the basketball club, kept my grades around 10th place in the year, so I'll probably be in the special advanced class next year...! Is that okay?

The class feels a bit restless too.

Even though there's the graduation ceremony tomorrow, some kids are already worrying about the class change for second-year.

I get why people get sentimental with graduation coming up.

Nagase: "Kousuke-kun, Kousuke-kun! Tomorrow's the end of our first year of high school, right?"

Nagase-san says to me, looking a bit smug,

"...Yeah, it feels like I just took the entrance exam for Hokusho, but the first year of high school is already almost over..."

Again, Nagase-san gives me that smug look,

"The end is a new beginning! Let's get along in second year too, okay?"

"...Yeah, let's."

Nagase-san looks like she really can't hold it in anymore,

"So! What are we doing for our spring break trip? The right I earned by winning the finals!"

That's what you wanted to say, huh?

I can't help but smile at how happy and childish Nagase-san looks, puffing out her chest.

"...Aren't you going to be busy until the graduation ceremony tomorrow is over?"

Making a "come on! come on!" gesture with her hands,

Nagase: "That's why! We need something to look forward to! This time... how about leaving it all up to you, Kousuke-kun?"

Hmm, is my manliness being tested?

I think for a moment, then nod.

"Alright! It's all up to me. ...Just tell me what you're not good with, okay?"

Hehe! Okay! I'll message you on LINE tonight, so let's work out the details then?

Nagase Aya is smiling next to me in class today too, and thinking that this familiar scene will soon come to an end makes me a little sad.

...Well, we'll probably be in the same class, though?

And so, we attended the closing ceremony with the whole school, got our report cards from our homeroom teacher, and that was it for today.

Homeroom teacher: "Spring break starts after the graduation ceremony tomorrow, got it? Don't get confused and think it starts tomorrow!"

The class bursts out laughing.

All that's left for this year is the graduation ceremony.

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Declaration side Mishima Satsuki

I attended the closing ceremony with the whole school, then went back to the classroom.

After the homeroom teacher's talk, the report cards are handed out...

My results on the final exams were the best they've ever been.

98th in the year. No failing grades.

With just over 300 students in the year, I made it into the top 30%.

Even the subjects I used to fail were in the 70s, and my strengths, Japanese and Social Studies, were in the 90s—a huge leap!

I'm so happy. It feels so validating to see results after working hard!

Did I ever feel this way before? I'd completely forgotten this feeling of fulfillment and satisfaction.

If only I'd studied properly all along, I wouldn't be in this mess...

No! Just realizing it now is good enough!

...The homeroom teacher's talk ends, and we're dismissed.

Homeroom teacher: "...Hey! ...! ...! ...! Mishima! If I called your name, stop by the staff room before you go home!"

...Here it comes...!

I wait for the teacher to finish talking to the student before me, then go to hear what the homeroom teacher has to say.

The homeroom teacher looks a bit stiff too,

Homeroom teacher: "...Mishima, you had five failing marks in math and English in the first and second semesters. To be precise, three in first semester, two in second. ...But none in third semester."

Hearing it said out loud is... embarrassing...!

"Yes."

Homeroom teacher: "You barely missed any days, and your attitude in class is serious. If I only looked at your third semester grades, there'd be no problem, but your grades from the first and second semesters matter too. ...If you have any failing marks, your case goes to the grade conference after the graduation ceremony. ...That's where they decide if you move up or not."

"Yes."

Homeroom teacher: "You did well in third semester. There's still a chance you'll move up. ...But if you'd failed again here... you'd be repeating the year. Still, we can't be too optimistic. I'll tell them you worked hard."

"Yes, please."

I'm practically begging.

I'm really scared!

"Once the graduation ceremony is over and I've dealt with all the loose ends, it'll start... I'll contact you around March 13th to 15th, so make sure I can reach you then."

"Yes, thank you."

...Apparently Yukari is going to have this meeting too.

While everyone else was happy to go home early after the closing ceremony, Yukari and I trudged home, feeling gloomy.

Honestly, I couldn't care less about the graduation ceremony tomorrow!

Yukari and I are right on the edge of whether we'll make it to second year or not!

The fateful conference is about to begin...!

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