Congratulations

The days went by, as Iscodaya’s first year as a Japanese high school student on Earth was coming to an end. He had learned many things about Earth, with its history and science, but most of all, he had learned a lot about himself. He had changed so much as a person in a little under a year; he learned to smile more, to expose himself to people more, and to be a brighter person.

Though the sassy and temperamental Iscodaya was still there, he was less angry and mean than before. “You better hurry up Iscodaya! Yusuke’s about to take the picture,” Kaus yelled out throughout the classroom as Iscodaya stored a broom.

“Yeah yeah, just wait,” he replied as he walked to the front of the class, where the students had all gathered up to take a picture. Iscodaya fitted in with the group, as he touched shoulders with Kei. She turned to him, and gave him a cheery smile, a smile he absolutely loved.

“First time doing this at a Japanese school huh?” She guessed as Iscodaya nodded.

“Yup, first time… doing this in General.”

“Kei, Iscodaya, look at the camera before the teacher comes!” Yusuke yelled throughout the classroom as the two quickly jolted to position, a little embarrassed that they were called out.

Yusuke set both his camera and phone as he quickly ran to his position, and as the class counted down, the two devices flashed, indicating a memory that was made into an object. The class smiled at the picture, as Yusuke began to send it around the class and promised to make more copies of the physical one for later.

Iscodaya looked at the picture Yusuke had sent him, and he couldn’t help but smile as he finally looked like he belonged. The class day went as normal as any other day, but there were a lot more emotions running around. With the seniors graduating, a lot of juniors said farewell to those who came before them.

While at lunch, Iscodaya and Kaus observed a girl crying, saying goodbye to her senior, “The new must replace the old huh?” Iscodaya stated in their language as he looked into the eyes of his servant. “And someday, when my uncles get too old, you’ll have to replace them as one of Phirines’ generals.”

The comment surprised Kaus a little, as a compliment as high as that was one the old Iscodaya barely gave. So while he watched his Prince, someone who used to stay indoors all-day strategizing, said nothing but insults and was overall a very negative person. To someone who sat confidently in his chair, smiled openly, and actively tried to cheer people up, it almost made him cry.

“Your Majesty,” Kaus called, causing Iscodaya’s gaze to turn to him. And with a wide-open smile, he uttered, “Thank you.” The Prince thought this was only for the compliment, so he playfully scoffed as he returned to looking out of the window.

The time went by, as they switched periods to periods. During P.E., Iscodaya’s growth not only emotionally, but also physically was shown, as he hit the shuttlecock with his racket, sending it flying to the other side, “One point for us,” he remarked as his opponents laughed.

“Nice shot,” quickly complimented Kei as they defended. Hearing this, Iscodaya gave a playful grin before scoring again.

“What do you expect from me?” He cheekily replied, causing Kei to chuckle.

“Don’t toot your horn too much your Majesty.” A shuttlecock came barreling towards Iscodaya, but before the boy could hit it, Kei came in, and sent it back to the other side. “You might be good, but I’m still better.”

A sly grin came over Iscodaya’s face as he blocked a shot without even looking, “And who makes more mistakes?” The enemy duo was in awe at the two’s ability to play perfectly while taunting each other. But when P.E. ended, and the students finished changing, all the students went to their last period of the year.

Iscodaya felt a little melancholic as he wrote down on his notebook, and as he turned the page, he only saw the back cover, one that earned him a warm smile. And as the clock began to tick down, the teacher of the classroom asked the students to stop what they were doing.

“Very good year class, I’m proud to be one of your teachers for this year, and I am very proud of every single one of you. Your growth not only academically, but also in your character is something you should be proud of. And as you go to your last year in high school next year, I can only hope for further growth.”

After the entire class helped out with cleaning, the bell rang, signifying the end of the year. Iscodaya took a deep breath as he had finally graduated. As the friend group met up at the entrance of the school, Yusuke, just like always, invited everyone to hang out.

And though Iscodaya used to not like social gatherings, he was now looking forward to them. So as the friend group walked around the city, chatting, laughing, and joking around. Iscodaya actively socialized with them, the boy’s unique personality one his friends adored. But as the group went around their local park, Iscodaya was slightly trailing the group, checking his messages with his brothers.

But just like always, someone came interrupting his alone time, “Heyo number one academic student,” Kei called as she put her arm around his neck. “What’re you smiling about there?”

Iscodaya let out a smiling sigh before putting his phone in his pocket, “Just looking at my brother’s messages, I told them I would be coming home late, and they spam me random stickers.”

Hearing this, Kei could only think of one person, “Senodaya right?” And she was right on as Iscodaya nodded.

“Yup, it’s how he functions, Daranya just sends me pictures of animals in the zoo.”

“And you send black cat stickers, I guess that’s how the three Kousa brothers communicate.” A chuckle came out of Iscodaya’s mouth as he couldn’t deny Kei’s statement. But as she was looking at his face, she couldn’t help but proudly smile, “How’s your first year of Japanese high school?”

Hearing her question, Iscodaya decided to collect his thoughts first, “Well… there was a lot of writing, and knowledge that I really like,” Iscodaya remarked, causing Kei to give him a weirded-out gaze.

“You’re the first person I have ever heard say that.” Iscodaya gave her a cheeky look as he continued.

“Because you do not strive for information as much I do,” he joked, causing Kei to roll her eyes with a smile. “Though, I do get how some people might think it was boring. I did have a few days where I was bored, but I was entertained most days, probably because I have an annoying girl around with me who can’t stop making me angry.” A giggle came from Kei as Iscodaya playfully pinched her chin.

“Ah, you were so fun to tease when you were new, now you don’t get angry easily,” but as Kei said those words, she stopped a bit and just stared into the face of Iscodaya.

A little weirded out, Iscodaya gave her a suspicious look, “What?”

But instead of teasing him more, a genuine smile came from her face, as she rubbed the top of Iscodaya’s head, “Congrats Iscodaya, I’m proud of you.” He didn’t expect that reaction, but as he stared into her beautiful smile, his heart raced.

“Tommorow,” he said to himself, “Tommorow I’ll tell her how I feel about her.”