That’s How My High School Life Ended

A period of heightened tension and emotions, exam season was a crucial time for high school students in their final year. Students would occupy the library, making it a sanctuary of studious concentration. Study groups would meet and provide each other with support on different subjects. In the midst of this academic term, emotions varied—hope, anxiety, determination.

Karou and I would sit in my bedroom and revise together. Finding ourselves consumed by the rigorous routine, we would burn through our energy in a flash. Early mornings were filled with a sense of tiredness from yesterday’s hard work, and this would continue into the evening when fatigue would devour us. Nevertheless, we could not procrastinate. We both planned to go to the same university, so we were determined to pass the exams. We would encourage one another to do our best, ignoring the clock’s effort to mock us. Even Yoshi was hard at work, preparing for the exams. Our late-night discussions shifted from anime and sports to formulas and historical dates. Reika would also do whatever she could to support us during these stressful times.

As the exam days loomed nearer, the atmosphere intensified. Nervous energy surged through our veins, and our minds were ready to explode from overloading them with information and dates. We were feeling more pressure than ever, and at times, I felt like almost giving up. But there was another reason I was working so hard.

Whenever I studied in the school library, Sensei would occasionally bring me snacks, like her homemade onigiri, to help me refill my energy. She would make sure I stayed hydrated and I got enough sleep. Due to the fact that I couldn’t come to our daily coffee breaks, she would bring me a cup, reminding me that I could do anything if I put my mind to it. I appreciated her understanding silence whenever I was concentrating hard and the way she sensed the mood without having to speak a word.

Her support filled me with a new sense of determination; she was like a lighthouse guiding me through a stormy sea. She was a steady beacon during these busy times. During the silent times, we would listen to music together as a way to calm me down. Whenever no one was around, she would hug me from behind, providing me with a sense of comfort and healing me.

I could not let her down. She was waiting for me, and I had to make good on my promise.

And then the exam days finally arrived. The exam halls welcomed the anxious hearts with rows of desks awaiting their occupants. Before we entered, we would all wish each other luck, highlighting the camaraderie that had been built over the past three years. As the exam started, the rustling of paper, the sound of pencils striking the answer sheets, and the sombre silence of the students enveloped the room.

As the last exam concluded, a collective exhale echoed in the hall—a release of tension that signalled the end of the stressful exam season and the beginning of shared anticipation of what lay beyond. Although we were free from the exam hall, our anxiety remained high as we awaited the results. Sensei would assure me that I would pass, but there was a part of me that was worried sick that the opposite would happen.

Results day arrived, and everyone was gathered around to see the results. Karou and I looked for our identification numbers on the bulletin boards, eager to see if we had passed. I searched diligently until I came across my number.

“I got in…” I couldn’t believe I made it into my dream university. Now I had to wait to see if Karou made it. “Did you find it?”

“Not yet.”

My heart began to beat quickly as we continued to scan the board for her number. This was our dream university, and I would feel very guilty if I was the only one who could go to it.

“Sozen… I got in.”

My eyes widen with excitement and happiness for my friend.

“You did?”

“Yeah. I got in. I got in!”

She leaped into my arms and hugged me tightly. We were both overjoyed that we passed and that we would be going to the same university.

The air was tinged with a mixture of excitement and nostalgia. Today was our high school graduation day. The school courtyard buzzed with a vibrant energy as laughter and hugs were shared among the students. Family members arrived to congratulate their children. But there was something bittersweet about this moment, as we all knew this would be the end of a chapter in our lives.

“Look at my little brother. He’s all grown up!”

“Stop it, Onee-san!”

“And our childhood friend as well! Look at you!”

“Reika-chan!”

It was very embarrassing to have Reika play around with us in front of our classmates.

“Yo, Sozen, Karou!”

“Are you leaving already, Yoshi?”

“Yeah. My parents booked something special for me as a graduation gift, so I need to head out now.”

“Will we ever see you again?”

“Of course! We still have a couple of weeks before I go abroad. We’ll hang out every day till then, yeah?”

“Sure.”

“I can’t believe you’re going to study abroad. We’ll miss having you around.”

“I’ll miss you guys too.”

Yoshi grabbed both of us and hugged us like a bear.

One by one, the students left, leaving behind the school they had been at for three years in the past.

“Hey, Sozen. I think someone’s waiting for you.”

I turned around to see Sensei standing there in the distance.

“I’m going to go say goodbye to her. I’ll catch up with you later.”

“Okay. See you.”

I approached Sensei, who was in her usual nurse attire, but she had a graduation flower on her white lab coat as well.

“Who’d you get that from?”

“One of the girls gave it to me.”

“I see. Shall we take a walk?”

“Yes.”

Taking a stroll through the rows of newly bloomed cherry blossom trees, we reminisced about the time we spent together when we were in school. We eventually found ourselves sitting on a bench.

“Tell me, Kurosawa. What do you plan to do in the future?”

“Many things.”

“Tell me the first three things you’ll do now that you’ve graduated from high school.”

“Only the first three? Okay. I want to start learning how to swim again. I think I’m ready to progress to that stage. Next, I think I’m going to get a proper good night’s rest since I haven’t had one in a while.”

“And what is the third one?”

In the quiet haven we had carved for ourselves, our gazes intertwined like a dance of constellations. In her gentle eyes, I could see she was eagerly awaiting my answer; her gaze was practically whispering what her heart wanted to hear.

“I need to keep my promise.”

I stood up and turned to face her.

“Sensei, I—“

“Stop right there.”

I paused and wondered why she asked me to stop talking.

A smile, a subtle curve of the lips that spoke volumes, graced Sensei’s face, an intimate acknowledgement of the bond that had grown between us. She stood up as well.

“I want you to know that I’m not good at relationships.”

“Well, neither am I.”

“I’m older than you.”

“That’s fine with me.”

“I may be selfish sometimes.”

“I know.”

“Hey! You’re supposed to say you’re okay with that.”

“But you already know I’m okay with everything about you, even your flaws.”

“I may give up on myself sometimes.”

“I’ll be there to pick you up whenever you fall.”

“Hey, Kurosawa. Do you know what you just did right now?”

“No?”

“You encouraged me. You have been doing so since the very beginning. Your optimistic view of life is one of the main reasons I fell in love with you. So, will you keep encouraging me from now on?”

I took her by the hand and pulled her towards me. Our bodies were now closer than ever. I could feel her body release itself from the tension she was carrying. I pulled her away a bit so I could see her face. Our eyes met once again.

“So, does that mean we’re dating now?”

“I would say so.”

Sensei leaned in and kissed me on the cheek.

“What was that for?”

“That was for making me wait so long.”

She kissed me on the other cheek.

“That was for all the nice things you said to me just now.”

She grabbed my face and pulled it closer to hers.

“And this is to show you how much I love you.”

In a hushed moment, the world around us slowed down. An unspoken force pulled us closer together, our hearts converging at the same time. The space between us closed as our lips met in a tender collision. Our fingers brushed against each other’s checks, a sign of care and comfort. Time lost all meaning, seconds stretching into eternity as we passionately kissed, our bond deepening through this exchange of love and happiness—a promise was formed.

We pulled away from each other and chuckled.

“Can we do it again?”

She placed her index finger on my lips, hushing me. “Maybe another time.”

“Awh, but I want to do it again.”

“We’ll have many opportunities to do it again.”

Today marked the beginning of a new chapter in our lives. Despite the challenges we were about to face, I knew that I could get through them all if I had her by my side.