Chapter 78: Echoes Before Goodbye
The sun filtered gently through the windows of the classroom, casting golden light across the quiet desks. It was one of the final days before graduation. The laughter had grown softer, the corridors quieter, and every conversation seemed to carry the weight of unspoken goodbyes. Yet among those whispers, there was a subtle strength in the way Naoto's eyes now met the world—with clarity, even if bittersweet.
Naoto sat at his desk, gazing out the window as cherry blossoms began to bloom early, a rare sight. Himari stood by the doorway, her silhouette bathed in sunlight. She was talking quietly with one of their teachers, a small smile on her lips. The sight warmed him, but also reminded him of everything they were about to leave behind.
Rika walked in with Souta trailing behind her, both holding snacks they had bought from the canteen. Their eyes met Naoto's, and for a moment, there was just silence between them—so much had changed, yet something still connected them in that silence.
"You're not spacing out again, are you?" Rika teased, setting a drink down on his desk.
Naoto gave her a quiet smile. "No… just thinking."
Souta joined them, tossing a pack of chips onto Naoto's table. "About the future? Or about what you'll do once we're out of here?"
Naoto hesitated. "Both."
Rika sat on the desk beside his, swinging her legs gently. "Feels weird, doesn't it? Knowing there won't be another term. No more late projects. No more walks home together."
"No more hiding things either," Naoto added. The words lingered, heavier than he meant them to.
Himari walked over then, her eyes meeting Naoto's with a quiet understanding. She slipped into the seat beside him, resting her chin on her hand. "Or maybe… it's just a beginning. One where we choose what to carry with us."
Naoto's eyes flickered to Rika, then to Souta. Souta had become Rika's quiet guardian in the past weeks, always watching, always there, and never asking for anything in return.
Rika, though still carrying shadows in her smile, seemed lighter with Souta nearby. Her laughs, though occasional, were real again. It was as if the pain hadn't disappeared, but had simply learned how to breathe beside her.
A soft breeze drifted through the window, lifting Himari's hair and stirring Naoto's thoughts. "I've made peace with what I can't change," he said finally. "And what I can… I'll protect it. That includes my future. Our futures."
The group fell into a reflective quiet.
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That afternoon, they gathered on the rooftop for one last time. It had always been their spot—the place where secrets had spilled, laughter had echoed, and friendships had rooted themselves deep in shared silence.
The sun was beginning to set, casting a soft orange glow across the sky.
"Remember when we tried to cook yakisoba during the festival prep and nearly set off the fire alarm?" Aiko laughed, tears welling up as she clutched Mei's arm.
"Or when Souta tried to confess to that senpai and tripped down the stairs?" Takumi added with a smirk.
Souta rolled his eyes. "And yet, here I am—more mature, less of a klutz. Maybe."
Naoto stood at the edge, looking down at the city they had grown up in. So much had been forgiven here. So much had been learned. The weight of his mother's illness, the hidden truths about his father's role in everything—it no longer dragged him down. He had mourned, he had cried, and now… he was walking forward.
Himari moved beside him, her fingers brushing his gently. "Whatever comes next," she whispered, "we won't forget this."
Naoto nodded. "We can't. These are the moments that shaped us."
---
As they descended the rooftop stairs, Rika paused, looking back once. Her fingers brushed the railing, her heart quieter now.
Souta noticed. "You okay?"
She nodded. "Just… saying goodbye."
He didn't say anything more, but his presence beside her was steady, grounding.
And in that quiet, they began walking—forward, not forgetting, but no longer held back either.
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End of Chapter 78