What The Future Holds For Us

Chapter 30: Into the future

Nagisa's POV

The after school setup for graduation went exactly as planned, if not better. We gained some extra volunteers for helping us out. I had some down time before the ceremony was to begin. I had time to go get changed into the formal wear I had brought with me. I had to go through the cafeteria to get to the locker rooms. I saw a decent amount of students, wearing their formal school uniforms.

I waved to a couple who noticed me, passing the offices for a few staff members. The staff had all gone home by now, preparing to show up for the graduation ceremony tonight. The last one was just outside the cafeteria. The door was open and I peered over and saw something that made me a bit happy. Kano and Shota were making out in there, I didn't want to make things weird, so I hustled past without making a sound.

I got changed for the big night, excited for the new plan Mr. Minato passed. The students were aware of what we had planned, so I'm sure that they would be happy to see their teachers one last time.

I looked at my watch to see the time was 6:03. At 6:30 the ceremony would begin, hoping to finish a little before 8. I decided to go around the main gym area, where everything would be happening. I got there to see that the students and volunteers had gotten it all done right.

The carpets were rolled out, bleachers extended, chairs placed excellently, and the diplomas laid out on the stage. I stood there without movement for a few moments, happy that the night was going to be perfect.

Mr. Minato went around to all the teachers and asked them to take their positions. Some were sitting behind the student sections in the chairs, but home room teachers with 3rd years went to the stage. I sat down with a stack of diplomas on a table behind me. Students would be called up in alphabetical order, and each teacher would stand to give them their reward for graduating high school.

I sat down in my assigned seat, and periodically more teachers would join me. Parents and other family members would come to the chairs and bleachers, here to see their kid graduate.

Once we had all sat down, the students began to walk out in a single file line to their seats. The parents were all recording to get their kid entering their final moments of high school. The lights went down and Principal Teikoku walked up to a podium.

"Welcome friends... family... graduates. We gather here to express our love and admiration for the amazing work that these students have exemplified for 3 years now. Behind me are some of the finest instructors that this school has ever seen, and they have some closing words to give to their students."

The crowd applauded, and I quickly looked to my right and all the teachers were staring at me. I didn't realize that I had to go first. I felt around in my jacket pockets and the paper I had written out was still in the car. I heated up quite quickly, but I can't leave to go and get it. I had no choice but to walk up to the podium to speak my mind in my class.

"Good evening everyone. There isn't much I have to say to you all that you haven't already heard. I'm so proud of you for making it here, and your parents are too. I've passed on the knowledge I have to offer on to you, and I ask that you do the same. Thank you for making both my own, and the experiences of your peers, a great and amazing one."

The audience clapped for me as I stepped down to let other teachers get a chance to speak. I think I did alright for an improvisation. As I spectated all around me, seeing the faces of excited students and parents, it made me happy. I thought about the faces of my parents at graduation from Kunugigaoka. Korosensei got them back together after so long, and it's been that way ever since. It made my high school and university experience better. In every aspect of my life, Korosensei helped me after he died.