Song 20

The spring of Meloria’s eighteenth birthday soon approached, which also meant she would be graduating from school. The past seven years had truly been something special for Meloria and her family. Fortunately, there were no new additions to the family. Still, with all the children now attending school, Evelyn was able to delve into her former passion of fashion, using Meloria as her mannequin and model. As Meloria would wear the dresses to her concerts, Evelyn received many requests from the town, some even coming from ladies from the big city. With the extra money, she was able to open a stylish, yet affordable, boutique alongside the farm.

After the surprise concert, the original headmaster of the school stepped down from his position, leaving the position open for those who wanted to take the school in a new direction. With Jonny backing him, Edward took up the mantle, restoring the music library and introducing two new classes: a music class and the history of music class. As well as a choir run by Jonny. The school hallways echoed the beautiful melodies from the choir every day, and they performed at every school assembly. The school's biggest star, their idol, was saved for special occasions.

And today was that day.

Graduation day for all those in their final year, today was a special goodbye assembly. Standing centre stage, Melroia wore a long cream dress, decorated with an intricate pattern of sunflowers. Another, yet one of a kind, design by Evelyn. Her hair was braided and tied into a bun on the back of her head, two bangs falling on either side of her face. “This is a special song I wrote for everyone moving onwards from school,” Meloria spoke with grace and maturity, a stark contrast from the first time she had stepped up on this stage.

And now that we are moving forward

I hope you’ll remember the journey we all share

Maersen started to sniffle as he watched Meloria performing the graduation song. He felt like a mama bird getting ready to bid their hatchling goodbye into the big, wide world. He had watched her grow into the beautiful young lady she was today, barely moving from his seat in front of his television screen, not wanting to miss a single moment of her journey. However, he could have just pressed the pause button, but it wouldn’t have felt the same as watching it live.

The shrine behind him that was once dedicated to Akemi was now also adorned with pictures of Meloria, from her first concert all the way to today. Meloria in various outfits and poses, an authentic tribute to her journey so far. “You are such a creep,” Tampsen sighed heavily, sat in a beanbag beside Maersen, sipping on his soda.

“I believe the term is idol otaku,” Maersen corrected, sitting back in his chair, his smile never fading as he kept his gaze on Meloria.

Tampsen shrugged, slurping away at his drink as he watched the screen. This Meloria was a world apart from the first time she performed in a crowd. She carried herself with confidence and had an aura that drew people towards her. “So is this it?” he asked, looking up to Maersen in the corner of his eyes. “Is Meloria an idol now?”

Maersen smirked, shaking his head. “This is just the beginning,” he proclaimed. “She had much more to give this world, and her hometown was just the beginning.”

Our journey together is something I’ll always remember

When I’m sad, I will think of you

Your voice, your face, your smile

Meloria’s song came to a soft end, and everyone in the assembly hall moved to tears as they gave a standing ovation. Meloria bowed, waving to everyone. This was the place she grew, the place she learnt, and the place she took her first steps towards becoming this world’s idol. “I truly thank everyone in this school for being a part of my journey,” she spoke softly and clearly. She looked over to the side of the stage, seeing Edward look at her with a prideful look. “So that’s why I want to use this moment to say goodbye. As tomorrow, I’m adventuring off to the capital.”

While the crowd applauded, the same couldn’t be said for Edward, frozen with his mouth hanging loose as his oldest child broke the news for the first time. Meloria looked back at him, mouthing ‘sorry’ before turning back to the assembly. “I wish everyone the best of luck on your new adventures, and maybe one day, we shall meet again.”

Waving to the assembly as she left the stage, Meloria laughed nervously, seeing Edward’s state. She used the tips of her fingers to push Edward’s jaw back into place gently. “Surprise,” she laughed.

Edward tried his best to speak up, yet no words seemed to want to leave his mouth. His brain short-circuited as he tried to convey how he was feeling. After a while, he had managed to utter a single word, “L-leave?”

“Yeah,” Meloria played with the back of her neck. “Sorry you found out this way, but every time I tried to mention it, it didn’t seem the right time and next thing you knew, I was on stage.”

Lucan laughed, coming up through the backstage entrance, his physique more of a young man now rather than a boy. “How about we get Dad home, and we can have a nice long discussion about this?” He suggested, helping Edward to stand up straight, giving Meloria a knowing look. “After all, we need to tell mom too.”

“I’m hoping your news will make mine seem like nothing in comparison,” Meloria teased, holding onto Edward’s arm and starting to lead him out of the hall.

The house filled with music played on the old music player Meloria had, family, a beautiful buffet spread across the table, the menu designed and carefully prepared by Lucan, and across the beams, a banner reading ‘congratulations’ hung.

The twins and Finn placed themselves beside the dessert section, enjoying having free rein as friends and families focused their attention on Meloria. “Are you sure you’ll be able to handle travelling all on your own?” Evelyn asked worriedly.

“I will be absolutely fine,” Melroia insisted, seeing Evelyn going to speak up again. “I have enough money. I’ve been saving from all the weddings and shows I’ve been performing in.”

“A young woman going out on her own-”

“But I won’t be alone,” Melroia smirked, looking at Lucan. “Right, Lucan?”

“Lucan?” Evelyn turned to him, looking at him, confused.

“Thanks, sis,” Lucan sighed and thanked sarcastically. “I’ve decided I would like to go travelling.” The whole room fell silent at Lucan’s declaration. Lucan had just declared he was going to drop out of school to go travelling. Edward sat on the sofa as Evelyn covered her mouth, trying to hide her gasps. “I can see you're all taking it well.”

“But why?” Edward spoke up, his voice shaky. “Haven’t we always told you how important it is to have an education?”

“Papa,” Meloria smiled, sitting beside Edward, putting a hand on his arm. “Listen to what Lucan has to say.”

Edward nodded, turning to give Lucan his full attention. “I want to pursue a career in cooking, and I think the best way to do that is to go out and explore the different dishes Reybu has to offer.”

“Think of it this way,” Meloria began to speak up again as she stood, draping her arm over Lucan’s shoulders. “Lucan and I will be able to take care of one another. Like I said, I have plenty of money to keep us both for a long time, but we can earn more as we go along the towns.”

“I still don’t know,” Edward sighed, looking up to his eldest children, who looked back at him with doleful eyes and pouty lips. He gripped the bridge of his nose, whining as he finally accepted defeat. “But you both need to call home regularly, got it?”

“Got it,” Lucan and Meloria spoke in unison. Tomorrow would be the start of their new adventures.