"Hey, Mako! We're going to be late! Hurry up already!" Ren's booming voice sent the pigeons calmly watching the street flying at light speed. I could not believe that I overslept on such an important day in my life. I rushed out of the house, quickly tying my lucky golden coin onto my wrist.
"Oh, Makoto… Sleeping in on the day of your graduation. How unlike you. Here's a slice of toast. Should be enough to give you energy for your speech." My mom said with a sigh. She stuffed the slice of toast in my mouth before patting my head.
"Oh, my boy has grown up so much! End your last day of high school with a bang!"
I nodded in approval and leapt out of the door. Ren and Yuki stood in front with looks of disapproval painted across their faces. Ignoring their reactions, I smoothly walked past them, ready for the incoming onslaught of complaints. The death glares they were giving me were slowly melting my spine.
"Where do you think you are going, Mister…" Yuki questioned in an ominous tone.
"Right… Aren't you forgetting something, young man?" Ren added to the charade.
"Uhm. Unfortunately, there is no excuse I can give for my great blunder. I deeply apologise o' great friends of mine…"
As punishment, Ren whacked my back with the force of a speeding truck. The centre of my back was flaming in pain but I tried to hide it from the two of them. I was not going to give them the satisfaction of seeing me suffer.
The three of us walked slowly towards our school, talking about our memories over the past year. Our nostalgic memories made us grateful to have experienced such a wonderful school life. I will never forget the time I have spent with these two, who have helped me so much throughout my life.
Once we reached the school gates, a familiar face appeared before my eyes, waiting near the entrance. Among the flood of students entering the premises, she stood out the most with her silky jet-black hair that fluttered in the wind. The lass' onyx-coloured eyes were looking down with anticipation. Her slender body caught the attention of both boys and girls. That woman was Mitsuha, my girlfriend.
"Mitsuha!" Yuki childishly called out before squeezing Mitsuha in her arms. Mitsuha succumbed to Yuki's antics and reciprocated the hug, enjoying it nonetheless.
"Hey, Yuki! You're going to make a certain young man extremely jealous if you hold on to her for too long." Ren commented while snickering like a little rat.
After some slight banter, Yuki and Ren went on ahead into their classrooms to give us some privacy. I stared into her glowing eyes. They emanated innocent happiness. We only knew each other for a few months but, after all, that we have been through, it was as though we have been together for a millennium.
"So, the plan is still on?" Mitsuha asked innocently as she held my hand.
"Of course, we'll meet at the tunnel right after school."
"Great!" she said as she beamed a warm smile at me, "All the best for your speech! I know you'll do well."
"Thanks for the assurance. Honestly, I'm absolutely terrified about it. Why did I have to get the top score in the exams.."
"Don't think like that! Have some confidence in yourself!" Mitsuha lightly shouted while tightening the grip on my hands.
"Owww. Yeah, you're right. I can do this," I said while looking at the watch on my wrist," Crap, we're getting late. Let's run!"
The eyes of all the students and faculty of Yakushima Public School gazed at me with anticipation. My entire body was shivering even though it was incredibly hot. The pressure of expectations and excitement from everyone in the hall was pushing me further and further into the ground. Sweat dripped from every single pore in my body. My throat was parched and not even a sound escaped from it, no matter how hard I tried. I desperately searched for support from the tsunami of students, anyone that could help me overcome my fear.
That was when I saw the smiles of the three people I cared about the most. The trust they had in me broke the chains that were holding me back. I should not care about the rest of them. I'm speaking from my heart for these people that brought me here and supported me for the most important parts of my life.
"Good morning teachers and peers. My name is Makoto Fujimaru, a student in class 3-B. As the student representative of the third-year students, I have been honoured with the opportunity to speak a few words." I took a small breath before I continued on.
"I would like to first thank every one of my friends for supporting me along my journey as well as the teachers and faculty for teaching me not just about the curriculum but how to live life as a responsible member of society. My goal in this speech is to advise everyone to enjoy every minute of our lives. Even if we face difficulty along the way, we must be strong enough. Only then can we get true satisfaction for all of our efforts. So don't give up, my friends. We can all get through life together!"
A standing ovation was the last thing I expected.
Several hours of congratulations passed before Mitsuha and I were able to leave the school. We walked side by side along the abandoned path, the afternoon sun rays lighting up the path before us. The chippering of birds was the only sound in the area.
"That speech was incredible! I got goosebumps just listening to it!" the girl beside me chipperly commented.
"Phew. I'm glad it was a success. If it weren't for you, I probably would not have been able to even speak."
"I did not even do anything though."
"Your smile was enough to give me confidence."
The blush on her face was priceless. She tried her best to hide it but the beautiful image would never leave my mind. To lighten the mood, I decided to laugh. Her blushing face then turned into an even more adorable pout.
"Please don't tease me anymore.."
"Sorry. Sorry. Couldn't help it."
We then finally made it to the mouth of the tunnel. It had recently been renovated thanks to the mayor's opinion. The cracks that used to be smeared all over its wall are now clear and have been painted a radiant blue. It was as though it had been revived from the dead. Some of the weeds have been removed but the beautiful flowers gave remained and have been properly taken care of.
"This place is nothing like it was before," I spoke my mind out loud.
"Well, its purpose has been fulfilled. It lost all of its magical powers once we left."
"So much happened in just this one tunnel… It's an experience I'll never forget."
"Do you regret any of your choices?" Mitsuha asked with a serious voice.
"Not at all. This is where I learned to live without any regrets and move on with life. If it weren't for this tunnel, I would have never come to terms with my Dad's death. My mom and I could finally go to his grave together after so long. He taught me to live as a human and to finally learn to love my home."
"That's wonderful to hear."
"It's only because of a certain girl that infiltrated my life that this could all come to be…"
Mitsuha playfully punched my side, not liking my comment one bit. But it was true, and I was eternally grateful for it. The day I met Mitsuha was the day my whole life was turned upside down. I might have given the credit to the tunnel for changing me but I should honestly be thanking her instead.
"So are you really going to Tokyo?" Mitsuha questioned, her voice changing to a sombre tone," I thought you accepted the island?"
"That is the exact reason why I'm going to study in Tokyo. If I can study hard enough, I can help develop my home so that more people can experience its beauty. What about you Mitsuha?"
"Going around the town and seeing the sights made me so happy so I think I want to be a photographer! I want more people to see the world from my eyes so that they can fall in love with the world like I did when I was first born. But will we be able to see each other again?"
"For sure. I'll make sure to come back as often as possible so that I can see you. If you can, please visit me in Tokyo too." I replied as I wrapped her in my arms as gently as possible. Though I was sad to be away from her so soon, this was necessary for both of our dreams to come true.
"Definitely. We will always be connected, no matter what." Mitsuha reassured me as she pulled me tighter.
After a few minutes of sharing our warmth, we walked away from the tunnel hand in hand. Our journeys had just begun and we will continue to move forward. It does not matter if some thorns or obstacles may block our path, we will grow and overcome whatever stands in our path.
Because there is always light at the end of the tunnel.