“Stories will always come to an end someday.”

▪ ▪ ▪

March 19, 2018.

The day the assertion of graduates of junior high school in Blue Ink High School will commence.

The time of the ceremonies is around 1 o’clock, and it is currently eight in the morning. I literally just woke up and here I found a girl resting her chin on my coffee table, watching morning news.

Rin has a duplicate key, alright.

“Yawn~

Morning, Rin.”

“Hey, Gin…" she spoke, somehow exhausted. "Tell me why you’re not part of the ceremonies. Please, please, please…”

“I told you already- yawn~

It is to hide my identity as an Exile because I can’t remove the bandages yet. If I do, my arms will probably fall off on the floor together with my certification.”

“I know you’re joking, but you make it sound very serious…”

“Had breakfast?”

“Not yet.”

“Be glad I asked.”

~ ~ ~

“Gin…? This omelette is kind of different from your usual…”

“Huh… You’re probably imagining it. It’s maybe because you’re going to graduate later.”

“Ugh… we’re back at that topic again. Seriously… are you even going to graduate, Gin?”

“I made the omelette this way since it's a special day.”

“I shouldn’t have asked…” she facepalmed.

“Do you have a program with you, Rin?”

“Yes. Here.”

…

“No fixed time as expected. When are you going at the venue?”

“Uhh… probably around 12.”

“…

Another school year has passed, huh…

You know, I’m not really that reminiscent over the past years but this year is kind of different if I do say so.”

“Yeah… Just last July, we moved here from the neighboring sector, settled in a house in White Street, and then I transferred at Blue Ink.

Hahh… time sure flies fast.”

“And then after more than two months, we will be entering senior high school.”

“With all of the eight months, I didn’t really think I will have this much fun being in school. At the first week, I got interested in the Art Club so I decided to take a peek just around the door of the clubroom.”

“Yeah, Rin. You were a great stalker at that time.”

“Please don’t add more salt to the wound… Just remembering it makes me embarrassed.

…

Well… I experienced a lot of unexpected things ever since then, but I guess I wasn’t the one who had it all rough, huh.”

“I guess… too. Talk about being hit by a truck and flew for a couple of meters and land my back on a wall. Then I had gone insane three times and almost bit the dust by stabbing myself.

The hardest part was being away from the people close to me for two years. And what’s dumb of me is it took me two years just to realize my own feelings to my certain someone now.”

…

“But it immediately became a train wreck since I suddenly turned into a punching bag of my certain someone-

GAHK!”

The fighter from the red corner won the match with a knockout punch and so, the bell quickly rang just in the very first round.

“I give…”

…

“Hey… It’s already ten. Shouldn’t you be getting ready now?”

“Oh, I lost track of time…”

“Well, you lost track of time because you’re so busy getting mad at me and savoring your victory with one punch.

Sometimes I wonder how I fell in love with this girl…”

“How about you, Gin? You’re not part of the ceremony, right? Are you going to be just home?”

“About that…

Actually, just come here again once you’re already prepared. I can also do your hair if you want.”

“Please do. I’ll be off!”

“Love you!”

“Don’t shout it!”

“Sometimes, Gin is really assertive…”

▪ ▪ ▪

An hour after.

“Gin~! I’m coming in.

Oh?”

There is a person who is unknown to Rin, sitting in the living room of Gin. He has a rich black hair which is perhaps naturally groomed while keeping it parted and stayed down. In addition, the person is wearing a circular-framed pair of glasses.

“I didn’t know Gin has a visitor…

Umm… good morning.”

“Good morning to you too. Are you perhaps looking for Gin?”

“Ah- Y-Yes… Is he upstairs?”

“Hmm… Probably.”

“Probably…?”

“Umm… Are you by any chance Gin’s relative?”

“Oh? No, not at all.

But to tell you the truth, I am your cousin for-“

“Eh? EH?!?!?!?!?!?!?!”

“…for now.”

“Wait a second! Do I even have a cousin that looks like him?! I know that I have some cousin but- Ah, I’ll just count!”

“Is she panicking…?”

“My male cousins are Nicolai… Glenn… Ira… Francis… uhh… I think that’s it…

HMMMMMMM…”

“Pfft… Ahahahahahahahahahahahaha…!

Seriously… What was that about, Rin! Hahahahahahahaha!”

“This guy is so busy laughing that he almost kicked Haku…

Wait, did he just call me by…”

“…

…

G-G-G-Gin…?”

“Yep, that’s me!

But this will be my disguise for later.”

“W-W-Why… are you…”

“Well, I never said that I can’t attend the ceremonies, right? I only told you that I am not part of it and that’s all.”

“S… S… S…

STUPID! You could have just told me from the start that you’re Gin! I almost had a heart attack because of that!”

…

I asked Rin to sit in front of a mirror so I can see her well and her hair.

“So… How do you want me to do your hair?”

“Hmm… Since I got my hair this long now, I’ve been a bit uncomfortable around the right side of my hair. The temperature is also increasing so I think I want some space for my head otherwise I might get a heat stroke.

Anyways, since when did you become a hair dresser?”

“I actually did my hair for today and the hair style I had last Tuesday when I was wearing the mask.

It’s all thanks to Onee-san that taught me how to fix or modify my hair in a bliss.”

“…?

Are you talking about my sister?”

“Ah, not Sis. I’m talking about Kei’s girlfriend.”

“I heard he has, but I haven’t seen her.”

“She’s the one that gave me the pair I’m wearing right now.”

“By the way, are you not planning to cut your hair anytime soon? It’s has gotten longer than your usual hair, you know?”

“Meh. I’m purposely growing out my hair even though it’s almost summer. Besides, I always let my hair grow every vacation but this is by far the longest it has gotten excluding my time inside the Void.”

“I wonder what’s up about that…”

“You’ll probably know soon, and I think Sis will also be happy for us.”

“…?”

“Anyways, here is a hairpin going on your hair.”

“Thanks. It’s pretty.”

“That’s a gift from yours truly.”

“Thank you, Gin.”

“Well, that white blazer suits you well. You look so beautiful.

Did you pick it yourself?”

And here comes the famous beet red blush we all know about.

“Y-Yes…”

“I just noticed… Not wearing any makeup?”

“Sis suggested that I should just leave it as is, since makeup doesn’t look good on me at all.”

“Good point, I guess.” bluntly, I said.

“By the way, what’s the ‘cousin’ stuff earlier about?”

“That… I’ll be disguising as your cousin. I bet the others won’t even notice that it’s me since you too didn’t recognize me.

Aside from that, when it comes to the usual family picture on stage, us Sakatos will be joining you. Also, can I trust you on holding on to my diploma? I won’t be announced but it’ll be there.”

“…

Of course, I will. Wait, so you really are going to graduate?”

“Hmm… While we still have time, want me to make some tea?”

“What’s the menu for today’s tea?”

“Strawberries.”

“I’ll have a cup!”

▪ ▪ ▪

At last, we marched in to the venue of the commencement exercises. Inside the hall bursts out the colors of either black, gray, white or any color that has light or dark shade. In our school, we don’t wear an extra outfit or uniforms but the required dress code should be a clothing that has a long sleeve and an appropriate formal wear is required.

Alas, we are the latest out of our group.

This is probably the point I realize that the others have a precise sense of fashion.

Nagi pretty much looks like a bodyguard with a black suit, a white long sleeve under it, a black bottoms and black necktie. I wonder where his comms are.

Jean, on the other hand is rolling with a white suit with accents of black on the collar.

“A CCG investigator…”

Akira is wearing a very simple navy blue top and bottom and it seems that he is only one who had a corsage pinned on at this point in time.

Meanwhile, Shiro is dressed with a brown blazer that is really similar to Rin’s and since they are both uncomfortable with wearing a skirt, slacks it is.

“Hey~ Ringo, here.” Shiro called out from the distance.

“Coming!”

“Huh? I can see his family… but he’s nowhere to be seen. Aren’t you with Gin, Ringo?”

“Are you looking for Gin, Nacchi? I guess it’s expected that you don’t know, but Gin won’t be around today.”

“Actually, he’s just beside me.”

“What? How come? Is he going to graduate?”

"Why is his family here, then?"

“Well, the principal asked him not to be part of the ceremonies since his arms will be an exploit to his identity.”

“Hmm… I guess that makes sense.”

“Oh, yeah… I think I heard Dad talking to Gin last night when he got home. By the way, Dad had a hangover this morning. I think he drank last night.”

“Huh… Can he even get drunk?” Nagi joked.

“He’s fine when he came back last night, but he was suddenly attacked by a headache when he woke up.

Actually, I’ll introduce you to my mother later.”

“Sure, Akira.”

“Hmm… Ringo?”

“What is it, Jean?”

“I’ve been wondering about the person beside you. He’s been listening to us for a while now.”

“Ah, I forgot to introduce him to you. He’s my cousin.”

“Lol.”

“Hi, my name is Seijirou Akanami. Nice to meet you all.”

“Lol.”

“Nice to meet you too.”

“Hmm… Those glasses kind of reminds me of Gin…”

“Oh, now that you pointed it out, it definitely is, Nagi.”

“Huh? Nacchi? Shiro?” asked Jean.

“Well, Jean… It’s because he sometimes wear the similar pair of glasses when he goes out.”

“I actually met him earlier and I was so surprised that my cousin now has a boyfriend. I almost fainted when I heard it.”

“Yeah… I’m just thinking things. He’s way of talking is different from Gin’s.”

“Pfft…”

“Pfft…”

“Ringo…?”

“Ah, n-n-nothing…”

…

“Kirishima-san~!”

Our group was found out by the people of Anew. Thus, Kaizo called out.

“Ryuuya-san?”

“Is Gin already here? I have something to talk about with him today.”

“Uhh… According to Ringo, he won’t be around today because of muscle spasms around his back.”

“Nagi can really come up with an excuse, huh… But that's lame!”

“I see… It’s too bad that he’s not here…”

“Ringo, I’ll just answer a text and I’ll come back, okay?”

“Alright, Seijirou. Take your time.”

Just after Gin’s exit, Kaizo received a message from him.

“Ah, message…”

“I’m the guy with Rin who just left. Please tell Yugare and the others but don’t tell my friends please.

P.s. Rin knows that I’m disguising.”

“Nani?!

Hey, Ryou! Please read this.”

“What’s that? A message?

Pfft…”

…

“I’m back, Ringo.”

“That was fast… Hey, come here…

How come they haven’t recognized you?”

“Hahaha…

Anyways, the program is about to start. I’ll be with my parents and yours.”

“Okay. We’ll take our seats now.”

▪ ▪ ▪

The program finally started, the introductory parts are done, and so is Tenth’s welcome speech.

It was said that this is the first time that Tenth has ever attended the graduation ceremony physically.

“Now, may we call on Mr. Kiiro Kobayakawa, the head teacher of Class 4A.”

“Good day, everyone. I am pleased to announce the 28 students of Class 4A as candidates for graduation.

May the said students all rise for the receiving of your diplomas.”

…

“Ms. Ringo Akanami;

Mr. Jean Ando;

…

Ms. Hina Itori;

Mr. Akira Juushiro;

Mr. Nagi Kajima;

Mr. Ayato Kaminari;

Ms. Shiro Kirishima;

Ms. Ichika Mitsumi;

…

Mr. Kaizo Ryuuya;

And lastly, Mr. Ryou Yugare.

Congratulations, Class 4A.”

~ ~ ~

“It is now the time for the annual speech of the top student of the fourth years. May we call on Mr. Murasaki Seo for his delivering of speech.”

Without any delay, the speech immediately began.

“Sound check…

…

I am honored that I’m here, on the stage delivering my speech to my fellow students, parents and guests. Honestly, being the top student is just a number or position. I did not dream of this.

Irregardless, a certain event in this school made me strive for this. I will ask every one of you to please have a moment of silence for our late class representative, and as a friend—Akaji Mashido.

…

Last year, I was enraged and agitated of the thought that he suddenly died. But with the help of my classmate in the name of Gin Sakato, I managed to throw away the negative emotions I was wearing. Thus, keeping Akaji’s existence in my mind, he became an encouragement for me to take on the reality and accepted that he is not around anymore and I moved on.

Originally, our class consisted of 30 students in total. And then it went up to 34 because of a sudden transfer of four students from the North. But we lost three more students under some circumstances, and then Ken Ichikawa left us because of a disease. This school year… is actually the saddest for me. But I realized that it does not matter because this is part of our life. It’s not always being happy every time. There will always be a time when we will feel such agony, sadness and pain.

Whenever I think of it, I always remember that there is always hope. And I had clung to that belief up until this time.

I don’t deserve to be the top student, but I will use this opportunity to tell everyone, not only the students…

We shall continue to move forward amidst of every obstacle that is in front of us.

Thank you, and have a good day.”

The whole place was immediately reverberated with applauses from every corner of the venue.

~ ~ ~

“With this, the graduation ceremonies of the Blue Ink High have now come to an end.

Congratulations graduates!”

▪ ▪ ▪

“Umm… The family of Ms. Akanami and Mr. Sakato are next!”

It is now the time for the family picture taking on the stage. This time is now free for us to chat or do whatever we want. And after the pictures are taken, we can now go home.

“It’s Ringo’s turn for the pictures.”

“Uhh… What’s going on?”

“What do you mean, Jean?”

“W-Why is Gin’s family also going up on stage?!”

“Woah, you’re right. But it’s so mysterious that Gin isn’t even here.”

“Something definitely is fi- W-W-Wait a minute!

Why is Ringo holding two diplomas?!”

“It’s probably Gin’s…?”

“Maybe that’s the reason why Gin’s family is also up there…”

“Hey, Shiro. I don’t see Ringo’s cousin.”

“Yeah, me too. Wait, who’s the guy beside Gin’s father…?” still confused, Jean pointed out towards the stage.

“Oh, was he here earlier? I think that’s Ringo’s cousin seeing that he’s wearing glasses but the hair is kind… of… different…”

“GIN?!?!?!?!”

“Huh?! What do you mean, Nacchi! He said that he’s not present, right? So there no way he’s he-

WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT CHAMELEON DOING UP ON THE STAGE?!”

“Hey, Akira. Lower you voice, will you?”

~ ~ ~

“Ahahahaha…! Sorry about that. I still want to attend even there’s no need for me to be here. Anyways, it’s still hard for me to be recognized, right?”

“How come your face kind of changed just by a few tweaks…? That’s why I am suspecting your glasses! Why did I not remember that you also changed your hair last Tuesday?!”

“Why aren’t you part of the graduation, anyways?”

“About that… I graduated yesterday.”

…

“Are you drunk, Gin? You don’t drink, right?”

“Of course I didn’t drink, Akira. There’s no way your dad will ever get me to drink last night.”

“Wait… You’re with the principal last night?”

“That’s right, Jean. We just had a bit of a chat last night together with my father and Rin’s.”

“Oh, so that’s why he went out yesterday when we weren't out with your mom and Anna yet.”

“They took me to the plateau last night. I guess I’ll take you there some time, Rin. There’s a restaurant with great food there and the view is amazing.”

“Wah~ Now I really want to go there.”

“And there goes the own world of that couple again.”

“Yo!”

“Hey, Kaizo. Haven’t seen in a while. But it’s true that I have body pains, okay?

Woah!”

In unison with Kaizo in front, he, and the employees of Anew bowed in front of us.

“Gin, thank you very much for this year. Once I get back to Japan and start as a new leaf, I will always keep your words in mind.”

“Hey, hey… Should you really be saying that right now…?

Wait, you’re already going back? When?”

“We’ll depart on Friday.”

“Oh, I see. Anyways, can you all please raise your heads now?

…

Thank you.”

“We would also like to thank you for always being a support of Ryuuya-san. Because of that, this year has become a successful experience not just for him, but for the four of us too.

This may be the last time we will see each other so it is just right that we show our gratitude to you.”

“Yugare…”

“With that, we should head out now. Even though we already graduated, we still have a lot of things to take care of.”

“Is that so… Then have a safe trip.

Also… Kaminari-san!”

“What?”

“Always take care of Itori-san, alright?”

“So you knew all along! I thought I hid it well!”

“Sayonara, Sakato-san~!”

“You too, Mitsumi-san!”

"New leaf… Spring has probably come in the North then, huh…"

…

“Hahh… They caught me off guard…”

“What do you mean about Kaminari-san and Itori-san, Gin?”

“Since last year, I already knew that they’re going out, you know.”

“Whaaat… I didn’t know that.”

“Anyways, what are your plans after this?”

“I’m free.”

“Me too.”

“Three.”

“Four.”

“I see…

Then why don’t we celebrate in my house, just like usual?”

“Sounds good.”

“I’m okay with that.”

“I’m hungry!”

“You’re always hungry, Akira…”

“Meat…”

“Even Nacchi?!”

“Hahahaha… Alright, let’s go…!”

…

A day ends, a week ends, a month, a year… they all have their ends. Nothing is infinite, just like our lives. But even so, we still live and enjoy ourselves.

All the times I spent with them are just like treasures. My experiences will always remain to me. My memories will remain engraved to my mind.

All of this happened because I did not choose neither the color of white nor black. I chose to be on the middle, where it is gray. That color showed me the balance. I did not always think of despair, and I did not think only of happiness.

This world is not always full of happiness, but there is always hope. We do not need to rush things. We live not only with emotions. We have our mind that maintains the balance together with them.

There is always a time where we will find friends, be part of a family, and eventually found someone we love the most.

We were once children, but we will grow. Just like this day, we once again took another step forward for a better future.

Indeed, we took a step forward. But sadly… our story has finally come to an end.

…

“Hey~ Gin. You finally decided to come out.”

“Hiro? Sean?”

“We’re here to tell you that this will be the last day the restaurant will be open.”

“Oh, the renovations?”

“Technically, it’s already closed since we’re not accepting any more customers. Right now, it’s under reservation to all of you.”

“What? Who reserved it?”

“Well, you have the restaurant by yourselves today so we could at least have fun before we leave.”

“Sean…? What do you mean about ‘leave?’”

“I’ll let Hiro explain.”

“We didn’t tell you about this but we’re actually opening a new branch.”

“New branch? Where will it be?”

“The opening will happen whilst the main branch is under renovations. And we already got permission to your family and Ms. Akanami’s family about this matter.”

“Rin…? What about her?”

“I suppose this is where it will be interesting.”

“Let us tell you a great thing…”

“Gin, Ringo… In two weeks, April 1st, exactly…”

“This is not an April fools, okay?”

“In two weeks’ time…

Together with you two, we’re going to open a branch of Giotto’s Restaurant in Japan.”

“Wow! That’s a really good… news…

…

WE’RE GOING TO JAPAN?!”

Normal in Parenthesis ~ END