Elysian's Monogatari

Chapter 116: Start of Graduation

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗼𝗳 𝗘𝗦'𝘀 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, 𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵. 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘂𝗺 𝗮𝘁 𝗬𝘂𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗼𝘀𝗮𝗸𝗶 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆, 𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗮𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹, 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗵 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘀 "𝗪𝗵𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗖𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗙𝗲𝘀"

"To everyone in Trickstar, congratulations on your graduation!" Tomoya said on stage wearing his unit default outfit. "Congratulations!" Hajime and Mitsuru said with Mitsuru adding "da-ze!" after that. "Haha. Yotur still as energetic as ever, even on my graduation day Tenma." Hokuto said with a chuckle.

Trickstar is also wearing their unit outfit on stage. "But remember to show proper respect to your seniors and superiors. Not everyone in this world is as flexible as I am after all." He then said. "Man I wanna make a comment so bad! But I'll hold my tongue, today's a day for celebration!" Makoto said.

"Haha try your best Ukki-senpai! Ah and Nii-san, Ito-senpai! Congratulations on your graduation!" Ren said as he is also wearing his unit outfit on stage. "...Yeah. Thanks Ren." Shiro said. "T-Thank you..." Ito said. The two are also wearing their unit outfit. "Well back to what Ukki was saying last year's Repayment Festival was just as busy and intense as SS, if not more." Subaru said.

"This year feels much more relaxed." He then said. "Hai. Haha. Though the Repayment Festival was once again entrusted to Onee-chan(Anzu) this year." Hajime said. "Really?" Ren asked. "Hai." Hajime replied. "We weren't here last year so we don't know anything about it but Producer sure has it tough." Shiro said.

"Maybe it's because of ES's orders, the name has been changed from 'Repayment Festival' to 'White Chocolate Fes'. Now it's a more casual event compared to last year." Hajime said. "She isn't the type to push herself into the spotlight too much after all." Subaru said.

"She's always kept a low key profile anyways." Makoto said. "Haha sounds like Producer-san all right." Ren said. "I see. She's also graduating and she wouldn't want a big, flashy or self-centered send-off anyway." Shiro said. "Hai. The Chocolate Fes is Valentine's themed. And this White Chocolate Fes is White Day themed. So this year's event really matches the season." Hajime said.

"I would say last year was the odd one out. It was fine for our unit since we're all in the same grade. But for units with graduating members like UNDEAD, RYUSEITAI and Knights, I remember there were some heated arguments." Hokuto said with a sigh.

"Haha. Nii-chan graduated last year too. We didn't have any major conflict. Saying goodbye was tough and we ended up crying a lot because it felt so sad though." Hajime said. "Yep! Our eyes were so red making us look like real bunnies!" Mitsuru said.

"All of you Rabits are such great kids. And with Nito-senpai being so reliable you guys sure wouldn't let things get messy before graduation." Hokuto said. "Hai. In fact this year felt more concerning for us. For example Hajime might be too heartbroken to say goodbye to Akehoshi-senpai." Tomoya said.

"And we thought Ren-chan would be sad and cry too since after this he'll be the only member of Elysian left who has not graduated yet!" Mitsuru said. "Wai-?! Don't just change the subject to me! I mean I am sad about Nii-san and Ito-senpai's graduation but not to the point I'll cry over it!" Ren said.

"B-Besides if anything, I'm more worried about you Tomoya-kun! You might be the one saying, 'I can't bear to say goodbye to my Hokuto-senpai!' or something." Hajime said. "D-Don't just turn the conversation back to me! In the end it was Mitsuru who cried the most while preparing for the White Chocolate Fes because he didn't want to part with the seniors in the Track and Field Club!" Tomoya said.

"I can't help ir~! Time flies too fast! It's like Mikejima-senpai's graduation was just yesterday and now Ado-senpai is graduating too!" Mitsuru said. "Haha true we only started a few months ago and yet graduation is already here." Ren said. "But instead of crying and being sad, we should send our seniors off with heartfelt blessings, composure and smiles." Hajime said.

"You've grown so strong Shinonon! Papa's so proud of you! Good boy good boy!" Subaru said. "...Since when did you become his legal guardian?" Shiro asked. "Ehehe...Even though you are graduating from Yumenosaki we can still see you anytime at ES. So it doesn't feel like goodbye at all. I'm not even a little bit sad." Hajime said.

"Ah...N-Now that you mentioned it...ES....is not school...we can still...meet..." Ito said. "Yep! I'm only upset because my seniors probably won't be joining the club activities anymore!" Mitsuru said. "Speaking of Clubs, Nii-san you have the Archery Club and Ito-senpai you have the Theatre Club right?" Ren asked.

"...Before the graduation? Yep. Ren, you're still in the Game Research Club right?" Shiro asked. "Yep! Since I've not graduated yet!" Ren said.  "Well Occhan and the others are kind and gentle. I feel like they'll still show up sometimes so you won't feel lonely." Subaru said.

"You say that but Mikejima-senpai already set a bad precedent. He completely quit track and field after he graduated." Mitsuru said with a pout. "It's like he won and then ran off so he wouldn't lose! It's so frustrating! I'm so worried that Ado-senpai and the others might do the same!" He then said.

"Fufu. I see. So you weren't crying hev you felt lonely. You were crying because you felt frustrated?" Hokuto asked. "Yep! I might not be able to beat Mikejima-senpai on the track but I'll surpass him in other fields!" Mitsuru said. "I'll outshine my seniors as an idol and make them cry out of frustration!" He added.

"That's the spirit. As long as none of us quit as idols the rivalry will continue, forever and always. We'll stay in the same world, having fun and living our best lives forever. So there's really no reason to feel sad or lonely at all." Hokuto said.

"I agree with you Hokke, but it looks like someone here isn't convinced." Subaru said, looking at Mao who has been really quiet. "....I noticed it too. Oi what's wrong Isara? What's with that glommy face?" Shiro asked. "A-Are you okay...? F-Feeling sick...?" Ito asked, concerned.

"As the Student Council President he worked tirelessly all year. Maybe he feels deflated now that his term's over?" Hokuto asked. "Ahhh...No..Sorry." Mao said. "I must be worrying you guys huh? I didn't want to bring this up at such a happy moment so I've been keeping quiet." He then said.

"....?" "Actually there's a bit of an issue right now." He added. "What is it? Don't keep it to yourself just tell us what's wrong!" Subaru said. "What he said. We'll help whatever we can Isara." Hokuto said. "Haha. Are you worried that telling us might make things more complicated?" Makoto asked.

"Not really. But this is something none of you can really help with..." Mao said. "Eeeeeh? Are we that unreliable?" Subaru said. "...You idiot. Let Isara finish." Shiro said. "..Haha thanks Hanagaki. Actually after this academic year, Yumenosaki Academy will close down." Mao said.

"....?" Subaru tilted his head in confusion. "Eh what? Close down? What are you talking about?" Makoto asked. The rest also have the same confused expression.  "Haha I know it's a lot to take in even just hearing it. It's just hard to believe. But unfortunately this is no joke." Mao said.