Finally, the day we'd been waiting for had arrived. Graduation. The air in our household felt heavy, weighed down by an unshakable sadness. It was as if the walls themselves shared in our quiet despair. None of us spoke at first; the only sound was the faint ticking of the clock.
"Finally, the graduation, huh?" Tachibana said, her voice soft as she chuckled, though it lacked her usual cheer.
"Yeah," I replied, my throat tightening. "It's finally here. The day you graduate..."
The room fell into silence again, the kind that spoke volumes without a word. Everyone avoided each other's gaze, afraid that making eye contact would unleash the emotions we were all holding back.
Then Tachibana stood, brushing off her skirt and forcing a weak smile. Her eyes shimmered, betraying the tears she was trying to hold back. "Geez, you all. If we sit around like this, we're going to be late, you know? Let's go...?"
Her voice cracked slightly at the end, and she quickly looked away, pretending to check her bag.
"No," Shiori said abruptly, her tone tinged with both sadness and frustration. "If we go to school... you're going to graduate, and then... we won't see you again."
Her words hung in the air, heavy and unyielding. Shiori's hands clenched into fists as she fought back tears, her usual composed demeanor slipping.
"Shiori..." Tachibana whispered, taking a step closer.
"It's not fair," Shiori continued, her voice trembling. "Why does it have to end like this? Why can't things just stay the same?"
Hikari, usually the one to diffuse tense moments, stayed quiet this time, her head bowed as she clung to the edge of the table. Kaori silently wiped her eyes, though she tried to hide it behind her long hair.
Tachibana knelt in front of Shiori, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "Hey," she said softly, her voice steady despite her own tears threatening to fall. "I know it's hard, but... this isn't the end. We'll still see each other. Maybe not every day, but I promise... I'm not disappearing. None of you are losing me."
Shiori sniffled, her defiance wavering. "But it won't be the same..."
Tachibana pulled her into a hug, her voice soothing. "No, it won't. But that doesn't mean it has to be worse. Change is scary, I know, but it's also how we grow. And no matter where I go, you all will always be my family."
The room remained silent, but it wasn't the same as before. The weight had shifted, becoming something bittersweet rather than purely sorrowful. One by one, we stood, gathering our things as Tachibana's words began to settle in.
As we stepped outside, the morning sun greeted us, warm and bright, as if reminding us that endings are also beginnings.
At school, we made our way to the grand hall where the graduation ceremony was set to begin. The air was filled with a mixture of excitement and melancholy, the kind that only comes with farewells. The large hall, adorned with banners and flowers, hummed with the quiet chatter of students and families.
A few moments later, the third-year seniors began to file into the hall, their uniforms adorned with flower badges that symbolized their accomplishment. They walked in with pride and grace, their steps measured, yet the bittersweet undertone in the air was unmistakable.
We sat together in the audience, watching as the ceremony began with speeches from the teachers, each one filled with words of encouragement and fond memories of their graduating students. Then came the principal, whose speech was equal parts formal and heartfelt, emphasizing the bright futures awaiting the graduates.
After the principal finished, the host announced the next segment: a speech from the representative of the third years. I wasn't paying much attention at first, still lost in my own thoughts, but then the name caught me off guard.
"Please welcome our representative, Tachibana Isami."
My breath hitched, and I immediately turned to the stage. Tachibana stepped forward with calm confidence, her flower badge catching the light as she approached the podium. The entire hall seemed to hold its breath as she began to speak.
Tachibana took a deep breath, her gaze sweeping over the room before she began.
"Students and teachers, my name is Tachibana Isami, and I'm honored to speak as the representative for the third years."
She paused for a moment, collecting herself, then continued. "Graduation is a time for many emotions. We're celebrating what we've achieved, but it's also a time to say goodbye, and that's hard."
She smiled softly, her eyes glancing out at the audience, before continuing. "When I first came to this school, I never thought I'd be standing here today. But all of you—my friends, my teachers—have made this experience something unforgettable. The challenges, the laughter, the moments we shared... they've all shaped me into who I am now."
Her voice grew more genuine, her words coming straight from the heart. "To my friends, thank you for always being there. You made me feel like I belonged, and I will never forget that. Even when things were tough, I knew I wasn't alone."
Tachibana paused, her eyes meeting ours for just a second. The girls, sitting quietly next to me, were watching her closely—Shiori had her hand over her mouth, trying to hold back tears, while Kaori's eyes were glossy, her head slightly lowered as if to shield the emotion building up. Hikari's expression was the softest I'd ever seen, a tender smile mixed with a quiet sadness.
"We've all been through a lot together," Tachibana continued, her voice steady, but I could hear the emotion in it. "And even though we're all going separate ways, I know these bonds we've made won't break. I'll carry these memories with me wherever I go."
A heavy silence filled the room before the soft sound of applause began, the room erupting into a mixture of cheers and emotional sighs. Tachibana stepped back from the podium, a faint blush coloring her cheeks as she bowed deeply.
The girls beside me were already wiping away their tears, trying to smile through the sadness. I could see how much Tachibana's words meant to them, how deeply they resonated.
Tachibana sat back down, her expression softening, but she didn't meet our eyes. We all knew, without needing to say it, that this moment was just as hard for her as it was for us.
After the ceremony, the principal handed out certificates to each of the third years, one by one, as the crowd cheered for their achievements. It was a proud moment for all of us, but the air still felt heavy with the bittersweetness of the day.
Later, we gathered behind the grand hall, standing quietly beneath the gazebo where we'd often met for casual conversations. The usual lively chatter between the girls was gone now, replaced by a deep, shared silence. Everyone was lost in their thoughts, and even Tachibana didn't say a word, her gaze distant.
I looked around at the girls, hoping to break the silence, but just as I was about to speak up, Hikari beat me to it.
"Hey, Tachibana," Hikari said, her voice soft but full of warmth. "I know this day is tough... but we're so proud of you. You've come so far, and we're lucky to have been part of this journey with you."
Her words were simple but sincere, and they broke the stillness like a gentle wave. Kaori smiled faintly, wiping away a tear, and Shiori's expression softened, her hand gently resting on her chest as if trying to keep her emotions steady.
Tachibana's eyes glistened as she met Hikari's gaze. Slowly, a small, grateful smile tugged at her lips. "Thanks, Hikari... really. I don't know what I would've done without all of you."
I stood there, watching the girls as they closed in on her, surrounding her in a comforting circle.
"You're not alone, Tachibana," Shiori whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "We'll always be here for you, no matter what."
"Yeah," Kaori added, her voice strong despite the tears. "We may be going our separate ways, but that doesn't mean this is the end."
We all gathered around, and for a moment, it felt like time had slowed. There was no need for grand speeches or more words. Just being there together was enough.
Tachibana looked at each of us, her smile growing warmer. "You guys... I'm really going to miss you all."
"We'll make sure you're never far," I said quietly, though my heart felt a little heavier with each word.
The girls nodded, and as we stood there, the warmth of the moment wrapped around us like a shared promise: no matter what the future held, we would always be there for each other.
I smile softly while watching them for a far. Then, Tachibana look at me and approched me. She caressing my face with gentle face in front of the girls. The girls didnt say anything and just let us be.
"And thanks, Toru, for inviting me into your household," Tachibana said, her voice soft and sincere. "I know I'm probably the newest family member, but remember, my love for you has never decreased, not even a bit, okay? Just like I promised."
"Yeah, just like you promised," I replied with a gentle smile.
"Hold on a second!" Shiori suddenly jumped between us, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What are you both talking about? A promise?!" she demanded, glancing back and forth between us with a confused look.