Chapter 62: The Next Chapter

Graduation day is supposed to be a beautiful conclusion. The problem is, my life is far too stubborn to simply stop at the word "End."

The spring sky was radiant. Cherry blossom petals drifted across the campus grounds like farewell letters written by the wind. I stood there in my graduation gown, which felt significantly heavier than it should have. Perhaps because it wasn't just made of fabric, but of memories.

Beside me, Kurumi adjusted her graduation ribbon while giving me a flat look. "You're spacey again." "I was busy looking cool." "You looked empty." "Thank you for the support of a loving wife."

She offered a small smile—the same one I fell for the first time. The difference was, now that smile came home with me every single day.

Touma arrived, weeping with his usual lack of restraint. "We graduated! Our youth is over!" Yukari whacked his shoulder with her diploma folder. "The only thing that’s over is your ability to arrive on time." Asahi stared at the sky with profound gravity. "This is merely the beginning of a new struggle." "You even talk like a movie trailer," I remarked.

Nozomi stood not far from us. The breeze played with her purple hair like the night learning how to smile in the sunlight. She looked at us all and offered a gentle expression. "It’s strange, isn't it?" "What is?" Kurumi asked. "We used to be people who didn't know which way to go." Touma raised his hand. "I still don't know which way I'm going." "No one is surprised," we answered in unison.

Laughter erupted—light, warm, the kind of laughter that is only born after many storms have passed.

After the ceremony ended, my footsteps led me to the one place that had served as our headquarters of madness. The Heartbreak Society clubroom. The wooden door was the same. The paint on the corners was still peeling. And for some reason, that old room always felt like a second home.

I opened the door slowly. Afternoon light poured through the windows. Dust danced in the air like memories that refused to sit still. Touma immediately threw himself onto the sofa. "Ah... my favorite chair of suffering." "It's a sofa," Yukari said. "And you are the suffering."

Kurumi stood by the bookshelf. Her hand grazed the old table where we had spent countless hours debating. Nozomi smiled softly. Asahi gave a respectful nod to the empty chalkboard for reasons known only to him.

I stared at the room for a long time. So this is what it feels like to leave a place that helped raise you. The Heartbreak Society—an absurd club that started as a joke. Yet, this was the place where many people learned to stand up again. Learned to be rejected. Learned to accept. Learned to laugh even when their hearts were a mess.

And now... we were graduating. Which meant this club would be empty. Or so I thought.

Noisy footsteps echoed from outside. The door swung open abruptly. "Oi, Nii-san!"

Shouta entered first. My little brother was taller now, his hair a mess, and his expression far too confident for a normal human being. Behind him, Kanon walked in, waving cheerfully. "Happy graduation, Kengo-nii!"

Then, one more figure stepped in calmly. Kirishima Karin—a sweet-faced girl with a sharp gaze that convinced me she was the type to smile while winning an argument.

Touma sat up straight. "Eh? Regeneration?" Yukari narrowed her eyes. "More like a new threat." Shouta pointed at the club's nameplate. "We’ve come to take over."

I blinked. "Excuse me?" Kanon raised her hand enthusiastically. "Starting today, the Heartbreak Society is not allowed to dissolve!" Karin crossed her arms. "The name of this club is too famous. It would be a waste to let it die."

I looked at the three of them. Then, I let out a soft laugh. So this is what it feels like to see the future walk in without knocking. I stepped toward the club table. Shouta, Kanon, and Karin stood before me. Three young faces. Three different energies. Three potential disasters.

I cleared my throat. "Shouta." "Yeah!" "Guard the reputation of this club." He straightened his back. "I promise." "Kanon." "Ready!" "Reduce your volume by five percent." "That’s impossible." "At least you're honest."

Everyone laughed. "Karin." She arched an eyebrow. "Yes?" "If they start being idiots, please stop them." "I’ve been ready for that since I walked in." Shouta protested, "Why am I already assumed to be the idiot?!" "Because you’re my family," I replied. "That’s a biological insult!"

Kurumi covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. Then, she took a step forward. Her gentle gaze fell upon the three of them. "May I speak as well?" They immediately went silent. Kurumi had that aura—soft, yet it made people sit up straight.

"This club isn't about heartbreak," she said quietly. "This club is about how people who have been hurt... still choose to be kind." The room fell into a hush. "If a member comes in crying, listen. If someone is angry, understand. If someone is lost, don't laugh at them just yet." Touma raised his hand. "Why do I feel targeted?" "Because you are," Kurumi answered.

I was almost proud. She continued. "And one more thing. Never consider someone else’s pain small just because it isn't your own."

Karin bowed respectfully. Shouta nodded seriously. Even Kanon was quiet. I leaned back against the table. There was one last thing I wanted to say. "Your lives are going to be a mess." Shouta blinked. "What kind of motivation is that?" "An honest one."

I pointed at them one by one. "You will fail. You will be rejected. You will be betrayed. You will be confused about which path to take. Sometimes, you’ll even feel like you’re losing to everyone else." Silence descended. "But listen closely." I offered a thin smile. "Failure isn't the end. Being rejected doesn't mean you're worthless. Being lost doesn't mean it’s over. And being late doesn't mean you’ve lost the race."

Kanon gripped her hands tight. "As long as you’re still willing to stand up... your story isn't finished."

Asahi was the first to clap. "A speech worthy of remembrance." Touma joined in, weeping again. "Why do I always get emotional at these free events?!" Yukari massaged her temples. Nozomi offered a tender smile. Kurumi looked at me from the side—a gaze that said more than words ever could.

Shouta walked to the main desk. He picked up the old club stamp and placed it down with care. "We will continue this." Kanon stood on the left. "We’ll make it even louder!" Karin stood on the right. "I’ll make it more sane." "That’s the most important part," I muttered.

The three of them looked at each other, then bowed in unison toward us. "Leave it to us!"

Cherry blossom petals drifted through the open window like applause from the spring itself. I looked at the room one last time. The Heartbreak Society didn't end today. It was just turning the page.

I took Kurumi’s hand. She squeezed back tightly. "So?" she asked. "So what?" "Are you sad to leave all this behind?"

I thought for a moment, then smiled. "No." "Why?" "Because something that is truly alive... is never finished just because we leave."

We walked out together. Behind us, the noisy chaos of the new generation had already begun. Shouta was shouting. Kanon was laughing. Karin was scolding them both. And for the first time, I didn't need to intervene.

I closed the door slowly. On the other side, the future was incredibly loud. And for some reason—it sounded beautiful.