Touka POV
"So, how about it? Let's go together, just the two of us," Haruka suggested.
I paused briefly, then nodded gently. "Alright… Haru-nee. I'll go with you."
"That's the spirit!" she said with a relieved grin. "We'll take things one step at a time."
…
My mind felt unexpectedly at ease when Haruka said she wanted to take me away from this place. But, could I really bear it? Leaving Himeya…
"Haru-nee…"
"What is it?" She looked at me with a gentle smile.
"I want to tell Himeya myself. Is that okay?"
"Oh, you want to tell him?"
"Yes…"
She closed her eyes, smiling as usual, and said, "It'll be worth it, I can feel it."
What did she mean by that?
"Alright, make sure to let my little brother know, okay?"
I nodded and smiled.
Himeya POV
After school, I was wandering around when I ran into Hiro and some others, including Uguisu-senpai and members of the literature club.
Hiro grabbed me by the shoulder, and the other senpais lifted me up, carrying me to the library.
"H-Hey… What's going on?!"
"Just wait and see."
"Uwahh…"
We arrived at the library, and they finally set me down. I looked around to find them all smiling at me. Completely lost, I scanned the room, spotting a large poster with my name and photo on it.
There was some writing on the right side of my name.
…
"…President of the literature club…" I murmured.
I looked at Uguisu-senpai and the others.
"Wait… are you all saying that…?"
They just nodded before I could finish my sentence.
"Congratulations, dude!" Hiro said, coming over and patting me on the shoulder.
…
This feels surreal…
"Senpai…?"
"Yes?"
"Are you really sure about this?"
"Well, everyone is in agreement now." She smiled warmly, adding, "With this, I can finally rest easy, leaving the club to my dear kouhai."
"Wh-…"
Somehow, her words hit me deeply, and I found myself blushing.
The clamor of congratulations echoed around the library, laughter and cheers filling the space as Hiro and the others celebrated. I managed a smile, trying to soak in the moment, but it still felt surreal. President? Was I really ready for this?
Just then, Uguisu-senpai tapped me on the shoulder. "Come with me for a second, Himeya."
I followed her, leaving the others to their excitement, and we slipped out into the quiet hallway. She led me outside to the empty courtyard, the afternoon sunlight casting a soft glow over everything.
I turned to her, but before I could say anything, she wrapped her arms around me in a warm, gentle hug. I froze for a moment, taken aback, but then slowly relaxed, letting her embrace me. I knew it would be the last time she'd do this, and somehow, that made it mean so much more.
She pulled me closer, her voice soft as she murmured, "You're going to be amazing, Himeya. I know you don't believe it yet, but you have it in you. You've always noticed the little things, the things others miss, and that's exactly why you're the right person for this."
I felt my face flush, but I stayed silent, letting her words sink in, feeling the sincerity in her voice.
After a moment, she pulled back slightly, just enough to look me in the eye. Her usual cheerful smile softened. "Remember, you're not alone. The others are with you, and I'll always be cheering for you, even if it's from a distance now."
My throat tightened, and I managed to give her a small nod. "Thank you, senpai… for everything. I'll… I'll do my best. I promise."
She smiled, a mixture of pride and nostalgia in her expression, and gave me one last squeeze before stepping back.
After our quiet talk outside, Uguisu-senpai gave me one last, lingering smile. "Come on," she said, nudging me gently. "Let's go back. They'll want to hear from you now."
We walked together through the empty hallways, the quietness making everything feel almost surreal. My mind was still reeling from her words, the warmth of her hug still lingering. I knew this was it—the last time she'd walk these halls as the club president. But somehow, with her by my side, I felt just a little bit stronger.
When we reentered the library, the others looked up, their chatter dying down as they noticed us coming back in. Hiro gave me an encouraging grin, and a few of the members started clapping, pulling me toward the center of the room.
I looked around, meeting the eyes of each member of the literature club, and I suddenly felt the weight of their expectations and trust. The same people I had spent so many hours with, talking about books and ideas, were now looking to me.
Taking a deep breath, I faced them. "Um… thank you, everyone," I began, my voice a little shaky at first, but it grew steadier as I went on. "I never thought I'd be in this position. Honestly, I still can't believe it. But… I want you all to know that I'm honored, and I'm going to give everything I've got to make sure our club stays strong."
I glanced at Uguisu-senpai, who gave me a subtle nod, her eyes warm with encouragement.
"I know I have big shoes to fill," I continued, smiling slightly, "and I know I'm probably not as outgoing or as lively as some of you… but I want to make this club a place where everyone feels like they belong, the same way you all made me feel."
Hiro let out a little cheer, and the others chuckled, their faces full of support and pride. The warmth in the room made me feel lighter, more certain.
"So," I finished, standing up a little straighter, "if you'll bear with me, let's make some memories together. Let's keep the club's spirit alive."
The room filled with applause, and Hiro threw his arm around my shoulder, laughing. "You're gonna be just fine, Himeya. You're one of us."
Uguisu-senpai took a step forward, glancing around the room at each of us with that familiar warmth in her eyes. The room fell silent, everyone knowing this was her moment, a moment we'd all been waiting for but dreading just the same.
She cleared her throat softly, her expression shifting to something almost bittersweet. "As most of you know, this is my last year here. And to be honest, I've been thinking about this moment for a long time. It's strange, standing here now, looking at all of you and realizing that our time together in the literature club is about to become a memory."
She paused, a gentle smile touching her lips. "This club… it's been my second home. And each of you has become like family to me. I remember when I first joined, how uncertain I was, and how much I learned just by being here. The countless hours spent discussing books, debating ideas, sharing stories… those are moments I'll carry with me for the rest of my life."
She glanced at me, her smile growing a little wider. "And I'm proud—no, honored—to leave this club in the hands of someone I know will cherish it just as much as I have. Himeya," she said, her voice steady, "you're going to be an amazing leader. I know that this place, and the people in it, will be safe with you."
The third years around her shared soft smiles, some of them looking down with a touch of nostalgia in their eyes.
"For all the third years who are also leaving soon," Uguisu-senpai continued, her gaze sweeping across her fellow seniors, "I want to say thank you. Thank you for all the memories, the laughter, and the moments that made this place feel like home. Even though we're moving on, we're leaving behind something important—a part of ourselves, woven into the fabric of this club."
Her voice softened, and there was a glimmer of emotion in her eyes. "The truth is, goodbye doesn't mean the end. It just means that our journey together will look a little different from now on. But no matter where life takes us, I hope we can carry the spirit of this club with us—its openness, its warmth, its love for stories and people."
The room was quiet, filled with a mixture of emotions—pride, sadness, gratitude. Her words resonated, settling into the hearts of everyone present.
"So," she finished, taking a deep breath, "to everyone here, thank you. Thank you for being part of this journey, for making it unforgettable. And to the new members, to those who'll carry this club forward, remember that you're part of something special. Make the most of it."
A hush followed her words, and then, as if on cue, applause broke out. Some of us cheered, some of us clapped, and a few brushed away the beginnings of tears. Uguisu-senpai simply smiled, her gaze filled with pride and gratitude, and perhaps a bit of relief, knowing she was leaving this place in good hands.
I felt the weight of her words settle into me, solidifying my resolve. I knew, then and there, that I'd make sure to honor everything she'd built, everything she'd left behind, and that, like her, I'd help this club become a second home for everyone who needed it.