The auditorium buzzed with a hum of anticipation as the graduates filed into their seats, the air thick with the scent of fresh flowers and polished wood. Rows of proud parents and family members filled the seats, cameras poised and eyes sparkling with a mix of pride and sentiment. The graduates, dressed in their cap and gown regalia, shifted nervously, their faces a blend of excitement and relief.
The stage, adorned with garlands and banners proclaiming congratulations to the class served as the focal point for the ceremony. The principal, draped in ceremonial robes, took her place behind the podium, ready to deliver the customary words of encouragement and reflection. Behind her, a backdrop of the school's crest symbolized years of hard work and achievement.
As the ceremony began, the echoes of past memories seemed to reverberate through the hall—whispers of late-night study sessions, the laughter shared with friends, and the bittersweet moments of growth that had led them to this day. Each name called out during the presentation of diplomas was met with cheers and applause, marking not just an end, but a new beginning for the students who had gathered here one last time as a class.
Amid the sea of graduates, one figure stood slightly apart, blending into the crowd with an almost deliberate subtlety. He was a young man with black hair and eyes, easily lost in the uniformity of his peers. Unlike the others, who chatted animatedly or posed for pictures, he maintained a quiet presence, his gaze fixed forward but distant, as if observing rather than participating.
His demeanor was one of calm detachment, neither overjoyed nor sad on his graduation day. His gaze watches the stage where graduating learners climb with smiles on their faces, receiving their papers as they go.
After a while, someone sat next to him carrying a bunch of snacks in his arms.
"Hey Kai, buddy. What you day dreaming about when it's already evening! Liven up a bit, would you." Said the brown haired boy as he sat.
Kai shrugged, then said evenly.
"Seriously, dude. Did you really have to take so much?"
"What can I do, it's free! You know what they say, opportunities are hard to come by, so take as much as you can." Said Aron without a hint of shame on his cheerful face.
"Correction, it's not free. The stingy organizers made us pay for the snacks beforehand. And you just made that saying just now. By the way, good job on making out money's worth." Kai said, while taking portions of Aron piles of snacks.
"Hey, that's mine!"
"I'm your friend, what's yours are mine. Besides, just take some more later."
"Huh? Do you have any idea how humiliating it was to be stared at by everyone as if I'm a pig?"
"The heck, when did you discover shame?"
Aron fell silent, thinking if he really was ashamed.
At that moment, someone's hand grabbed both Kai mad Aron heads. Making a mess of their hair as Paul vigorously laughed.
"So this is where you two had been! Haha, it's really hard to find you people in this crowd." He looked around, and added wistfully. "But damn, this day had finally come. It feels like it was only yesterday when I started high school. Time sure flies."
Paul then tapped on the student occupying the seat situated on Kai's other side. Dark red hair, tall figure and brown skin armed with bulging muscles outlining through his graduation attire. The student flinched, and proceeded to leave his set available.
With that, the band of three delinquents was complete. Aron, a shameless joker of the class that enjoyed snacking all the time and a vigorous student boosting a body builder physic that instills dread on others despite being a highschool student himself. In their middle was Kai, emotionless at most times and wasn't much of a talker. However, the two had known him long enough to see his crazy side.
"Hey Aron, since the snacks are free, why don't we throw a party at our dorm tonight!? Graduation only happens once, we're going to party all night long!"
Kai listened as they planned their night, which only stopped when the surrounding applause got noticeably louder and cheering rose up a notch.
All of this was because of the entry of a particular student. As he climbed the stage, praises rang all around, especially coming from girls that shouted their admiration to the handsome guy with bright blonde hair and an enchanting smile that seemed to befriend everyone. It was Gail, a rich and talented young man everyone admired and served as the student council president.
Paul clicked his tongue. "Handsome bastard, not only did god give him that... That damned face, but what's with the riches and sharp mind?! Where's justice in that?"
Kai sighed calmly.
"And here's us, the average son of society."
"I don't get this people, I'm more charming than him though? Above that, I can make you laugh harder! Watch me Kai, I'll show you my ultimate stripping technique!" Said Aron, tears of envy dropping from his eyes.
"Please don't do that, you might leave all of us traumatized."
However, their bitterness soon disappeared as a goddess descended on the stage to claim her honor. The cheer was louder and claps were wilder because this time. It was the boys that sang praises. Hazie's silky pink hair flutters softly as she walks with elegance under the blinding spotlights. Each step made the male students hearts beat faster, their cheers of admiration got louder. Even more when her mesmerizing eyes dyed in lovely pink gaze warmly at the sea of students, coupled with a perfect smile.
Such lively reaction for the school's most beautiful learner that represented their pride in numerous events is expected from the crowd. Furthermore, she's by far the most perfect lady they ever seen. A great figure and charm that naturally suited all proportions, hailed from an elite family holding unimaginable wealth. She's known to excel at every subject, sports included while maintaining a reputation of a delicate lady serving as class A president.
All these traits allowed her to achieve the highest honor that seemed impossible to attain for most - Flawless badge, awarded only to students that made zero mistakes and earned the highest mark in every task.
Therefore, earning another thunderous praise from everyone. So loud that it's deafening.
"She's so cute I can die! Ahh, please let me die in her embrace!" Heart was pumping in Paul's eye, expressing his exaggerated admiration. Just like other male students, some even perform wild tricks as if they had lost their mind.
They're just so happy though, to finally graduate and for their goddess hard earned achievement. Which is everyone's pride, because their batch mate had accomplished the impossible.
Aron was saying nonesense beside him.
"For your information, I'm Hazie's ex-boyfriend, she confessed to me once in elementary. No! In highschool!..."
But it fell in deaf's ear, for Kai was in a trance right now as he gazed at the joyous celebration before him. He was smiling, but halfheartedly.
Because his thoughts were preoccupied by a realization. The first in line to the stage was class A, the grandest section responsible for teaching elite students such as Gail and Hazie and many more outstanding learners.
The ranking counts down, ending up with class F, Kai's section. The lowest class there is, where delinquents were discarded with little hope of passing the school year.
Yet here they are - albeit, remnants, they still graduated after pushing through the trials of academic studies. Still, compared to the shining stars, his like a small meteor in the galaxy. Tiny and lightless, so did his talent.
Noticing his friends gloominess amidst the celebration, Aron asked.
"What's the matter Kai? Running out of energy? Here, grab some soda, it's the best fuel we have right now." Aron offered Kai a soda he previously shook, failing to hide his anticipation for a funny outcome.
Kai accepted and nonchalantly opened it in Aron's direction, spraying it at the prankster instead. As he did, Kai said wistfully in a calm tone that could barely be heard in all the laughter and Aron cursing.
"Nothing, I was just thinking about what comes after this."
But Paul heard him, Paul leaned to ask.
"Okay genius, so what comes after this in your mathematical calculation? Do we become nation presidents or something?"
Kai chuckled.
"Maybe, not sure. However, for me, I'm more likely to begin working Instead of entering college."
Truth be told, he had long lost his parents, so did their support. Kai was only relying on pension to continue studying, lacking financial support was also the reason why his stuck in Class F, where tuition and budget requirements to graduate are way lower than other sections.
"Huh! Why is that?"
Kai gazed at the stage, feeling melancholic at the sight of the professional professors and exalted students being congratulated by their teachers and affluent parents.
Honestly, he felt envy of everyone. Not only do they have what he longed for, and didn't have his worries. They're also blessed with talents, even the shameless Aron possesses outstanding traits such as brimming confidence and socializing skill. Paul, although lacking a bit of intelligence, he was really good at combat coupled with a warrior strength and determination.
While Kai... Had none.
A grin twisted on his lips.
"Why, cause it's the same at the end of it all. We study, then study some more before working in offices until death caught us. A boring and peaceful life devoid of danger, wouldn't you agree?"
"Then why not apply in a training camp with me, there's lots of excitement there! cool guns, loud gun fires and war! I think you have the potential to be a tough soldier Kai! I'm still considering it, but are you in or wh-"
All of a sudden, Kai's world turns black.