Chapter 22:

Year 2-11: The goodbye

Is it ok?


Graduation day was a bit weirder than last year. They celebrated in Kiyokos house, her mother had invited everyone. Kiyoko was looking much better since having been released from the hospital. Still her mother insisted that she say home as much as possible for the time being, she was worried Kiyoko might collapse again.
“My wounds have healed though.” Kiyoko said while bringing everyone tea.
“She just wants to be on the safe side.” Nozomi said, taking a sip of tea.
“I know, we´re looking into therapists who specialize in… you know.” Kiyoko didn´t like talking about the assaults, nobody could blame her for that. “Anyway enough about me, I worried you guys too much lately. Nozomi-san and Satsuki-san what are your plans now?”
Nozomi smiled. “Guess what: I have a donor in prospect.”
“No way! Really? That´s awesome!” Riku couldn´t help but hug her, she had secretly been waiting for a donor.
“Not only that, I´ll be studying biology soon.”
“Will you live with Sani-san?” Yuki asked.
Nozomi shook her head. “Unfortunately not yet. The commune from his place to the University of Tokyo is too long.”
Riku felt she deliberately said her university’s name just to flex that she got in. Riku turned to Satsuki. “You´ll be going to the Netherlands, right?” He said sadly. She had mentioned that idea here and there but Riku wasn´t sure if she really had the courage to do it.
Satsuki nodded. “I´ll be studying architecture. And I might start hormone therapy once I’m there.”
Riku hugged her. “We have to video chat as often as possible or else I might not survive my final year without you!”
Satsuki laughed. “I was planning on doing that anyways. You won´t be lonely though.” She pointed at everyone around her. “I´ll make you the new club president, so take care of them while I´m away ok?”
Riku just nodded, he was more upset about Satsuki leaving then he had thought. He knew he´d miss her way too much, but this was a great chance for Satsuki. She had a cousin living in the Netherlands, who she would also be staying with, so her safety was almost guaranteed. Riku wasn´t sure why he was concerned about that. He had talked to her cousin once and she seemed nice. Riku shook his head, Satsuki wouldn´t be getting this kind of chance again he had to support her like she always supported him.
Yuusuke cooked some dishes for the celebration, after finishing everyone hugged Satsuki and whished her good luck, her flight was in a few days.

Riku didn´t like airports too much especially now when he had to say goodbye to his girlfriend. Satsukis younger brother Tatsuya was crying while hugging her. Riku could feel with him he would do the same if he hadn´t put it in his head to be strong, it was already hard enough for Satsuki. She was obviously holding back tears.
Riku was the last to say goodbye, he had let her family go first, now they left the couple some time for just the two of them. He handed her a USB drive. “It´s the outline of a new book. Not much but maybe we could work on it over the phone.”
She smiled sadly. “Thanks, I´ll make sure to help as much as I can.” They hugged; Riku could feel his shoulder dampen. Satsuki couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. It took her a few minutes to calm down again. “I´ll call you as soon as I arrive.”
He kissed her. “I´ll be waiting then. Have fun over there, ok?”
“I´ll try. You have fun with the club too. And tell me about the new first years and about how our soon to be second years are doing and…”
“I´ll tell you everything that happens.” He promised. And with those words Satsuki waved her family and boyfriend goodbye, vanishing behind the security line.
Riku took a deep breath, he didn´t want to cry. He wanted to be happy for her. Good, he told himself, one more year. Just the thought felt weird to him, but he was also looking forward to it. His final year in High school surely would be nice; at least he hoped it would.