Epilogue

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Sakura petals were gracing the atmosphere with their beauty. It was the day of an important transition in every high schooler's life. Yes, today was the high school graduation day. I was asked to give the graduation speech since, not to brag but, I had the highest score in the final exams, managed to get into a good college, and also won a national-level Esports tournament in January.

These last three high school years were a ride, to say the least. Winning the cultural festival, dealing with kidnappers, helping the student council, joining the Esports team, facing challenges with them, getting new friends, falling in love, and getting into a relationship, a lot has happened. Starting with one fateful encounter, the whole life somehow changed. Scary how the smallest things can have such a big effect.

Anyways, I didn't really think much about the speech I was going to give. I thought I would just say what comes to the mind. When I went up the stage. There were a lot of faces in front of me. Some I knew, some I didn't. Some were talking with each other. Some seemed tired. Some seemed sad and some had a 'thank god' expression on their faces. I realized something. I was not looking at just some students. There were as many stories standing in front of me as there were students. I decided what kind of speech I was going to give and started:

"I will start with congratulations to everyone present here, students and teachers the same. Students for successfully completing another chapter in their small lives and teachers for successfully guiding us towards its completion. The importance of this chapter is unknown to none. These days were probably a whirlwind of experiences for some and just black-and-white days for others. Some might have gotten many joys and some many hardships.

Life is really short. We generally have a tendency to mull over the past or worry about the future, but is it worth it? No! Why not just let the past be past and leave the future to future. There is something much more important going on right now which is called the present. It is definitely a hard thing to do, a really hard one but let's not waste this small time that we've got. 

Some might not even see life as something to have fun in but trust me, no matter how long the storm does end. We just have to go on and never give up. Surely, you will find someone or something that will mark the change in your life. Then you will look back and realize that it was an even smaller period of a small life that had an effect on you greater than anything in the world.

Life is a weird thing. Feels long, but is very short. It started one day and now you are here. Let's carry the lessons of our high school years with us. Let's celebrate the hardships that have molded our resilience, the fun that has ignited our spirits, and the fleeting nature of life that urges us to live passionately. Let's live life to its fullest so that one day we can look back and say 'It was a fulfilling journey'.

Once again, congratulations to everyone, and best of luck in writing the rest of your story. Remember it is never too early and never too late. Everytime is the best time to change your story.

Thank You!" There was a round of applause after this.

***

"That was a good speech there," Jiro said in a teasing tone when I met them outside.

"Come on, I am not used to it and it was embarrassing to say those cheesy lines."

"No, it was actually really good. It was not cheesy at all," Kayo said pitching in the conversation.

"Still, I  can understand how he was feeling. After all, I was somehow feeling second-hand embarrassment from his words too." Yoko also pitched in to tease me.

"Alright, enough with the teasing."

"Joy buster as always. Still, we all managed to get into the same college, huh?" Jiro stated the fact.

"Looks like none of us have our life figured out till now."

"It is hard to do that. I have no idea what will happen."

"Well, no point in thinking much about it anyway. Let's just go on as we always do. So, we all going to the graduation party?" I reminded them of the party.

"Of course we are!" Jiro seemed excited. Other two joined in with his excitement too.

"Alright then, let's go!" I said going ahead with a smile.

*Living life to its best, huh? I will have to try my best too after that speech* I thought to myself as we all moved to the next chapter of our lives.

***