The Graduation Ceremony

The soft March sunlight illuminated the grounds of Aozora Academy on graduation day. Cherry blossoms were beginning to bud, their sweet fragrance carried by the wind, stirring deep emotions in the students' hearts.

Sora stood by the classroom window, gazing absently at the underclassmen gathering in the courtyard. Her eyes reflected the scene from last spring when she first came to this school. In those new surroundings, everything had felt fresh, and now, strangely nostalgic. Those precious memories formed during days that passed all too quickly.

"Sora! Write something in ours too!"

Ume's cheerful voice rang out from the bustling classroom. Despite her red, tear-swollen eyes, she maintained her smile as she held out her uniform. It was already covered with numerous farewell messages.

"Yes! May I write in yours too?"

Sora displayed her innocent smile, offering her own uniform. Classmates began writing their messages, each character heavy with the weight of farewell.

"Sora, let's keep in touch." "We'll see each other at university, right?" "Let's hang out again!"

Sora responded to her classmates with her usual bright smile. "Yes! We'll always be friends!"

However, deep in her eyes, an unspoken feeling was slowly beginning to emerge. Even Sora herself didn't seem to fully understand what it was.

---

In a corner of the classroom, Takashi was busy taking commemorative photos with the members of the Guard Squad.

"Sora-chan, one last photo! Give us a proper smile!"

His hands holding the camera trembled slightly.

"Takashi-kun, are you crying?"

"N-No! My glasses just... fogged up!"

Takashi hastily removed his glasses, wiping them with his sleeve. Those around him let out amused chuckles at the sight. Sora joined in the laughter, putting on a bright smile for the camera.

Ren leaned against the window, arms crossed, observing the classroom scene.

"It's not like I'm going to miss this or anything. I'm—"

His words trailed off mid-sentence as he unnaturally turned away. Ume gently patted his back.

"You're not being honest."

Ren continued staring out the window without responding to her words.

---

Yuta stood quietly in the center of the classroom, watching Sora. While other classmates were absorbed in writing messages and taking photos, his gaze remained fixed on her. His eyes held unspoken feelings.

"Sora."

She turned at his quiet call.

"What is it, Yuta?"

"Well... um... we'll see each other again, right?"

There was an uncertainty in Yuta's words, and Sora tilted her head slightly while smiling.

"Of course! I'll come visit Asuka-chan again too!"

---

Yuta nodded slightly at Sora's innocent response. However, his heart harbored an bittersweet sadness of farewell.

Just before the ceremony began, Sora stood alone by the window, gazing quietly at the cherry blossom buds in the courtyard. Between the swaying branches, she could see Ten's small figure. The kitten stood there as if watching over her, its eyes softly gleaming in the evening sun's reflection.

"Somehow... my chest feels tight..."

Sora whispered softly. Perhaps this was the moment she first began to understand the emotion of "farewell."

"Sora! The ceremony's about to start!"

Ume's cheerful voice rang out. Sora turned at the sound, responding with her usual smile.

"Yes, let's go!"

After the final homeroom ended and students began leaving the classroom one by one, Sora stood for a while with her hands on her desk. Two years—a brief time. For her, it had been deeply meaningful, filled with human emotions she was experiencing for the first time.

---

The entire class gathered at the school gate for one final commemorative photo. Ten's small figure was there too, sitting quietly at Sora's feet like a class member. Everyone hid hidden tears behind their smiles.

"Come closer, everyone!" "Sora-chan, a little more this way!" "Ume, don't stand so far forward!" "What's that supposed to mean, Ren? This is why you're not popular! Yuta, say something to him!"

Yuta smiled somewhat awkwardly as he carefully chose his words.

"We'll never forget these memories with everyone. They're not just in photos, but forever etched in our hearts."

His words brought a moment of silence as everyone felt their weight. As voices echoed and the shutter clicked, Ten looked up at Sora while gently swaying his tail. Sora nodded at those words, continuing with a small smile.

"The time I spent with everyone was truly wonderful. Even when we're apart, I'll never forget these feelings."

As Sora looked up, a single cherry blossom had quietly begun to bloom in the gentle breeze.

As if announcing the beginning of a new season to come. And as if quietly watching over the end of a precious time.