Chapter 1:The assignment
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Chapter 1: The Assignment
The classroom fell silent as the final bell echoed through the halls.
Outside, spring sunlight filtered through the windows, carrying a gentle breeze that sent pale pink sakura petals drifting across the school grounds. It was the beginning of April—the season of new classes, new friendships, and graduation preparations.
At the front of the room, their homeroom teacher adjusted his glasses.
"The placement results have been posted," Sensei announced. "Also... we need two students to organize this year's Graduation Festival."
A collective silence answered him.
Everyone suddenly became fascinated with their desks.
Sensei sighed before letting his gaze travel across the room.
"Hirata Yosuki."
A boy near the window looked up.
"...Momosa Misuki."
A girl sitting two rows away froze.
"You two."
A few classmates whispered while others let out quiet chuckles.
"Good luck."
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The old Clubroom 3B was quiet after school.
Dust floated through beams of golden sunlight pouring in from the cracked-open window. Empty desks lined the room, and the whiteboard still carried faded writing from months ago.
Another breeze drifted in.
Sakura petals danced across the floor.
Misuki was already waiting.
Her arms were folded as she stared at the festival planning sheet lying on the desk, as though it had personally insulted her.
The door slid open.
Yosuki stepped inside carrying two bottles of iced tea.
"...Um, hi."
Misuki blinked.
"...Hi."
Silence.
Yosuki awkwardly placed one bottle in front of her.
"I thought you might be thirsty."
"...Thanks."
Another silence.
Neither knew what to say.
Trying to break the awkwardness, they both reached for the whiteboard marker at exactly the same time.
Bonk.
Their foreheads collided.
"Ow!"
"Ah!"
Misuki stumbled backward.
Before she could lose her balance, Yosuki instinctively grabbed her arm.
For a brief moment, time seemed to stop.
The breeze carried the faint scent of cherry blossoms... and her cherry shampoo.
Yosuki's other hand still held his bottle of tea.
Misuki quickly pulled herself free, cheeks turning pink.
"I-I'm okay!"
"R-right... sorry."
A single sakura petal floated between them before landing softly on the planning sheet.
The silence somehow became even more awkward.
Misuki cleared her throat.
"We have eight weeks."
Yosuki looked down at the paper.
"...Then let's make those eight weeks count."
Outside, the bell announcing cleaning time rang through the school.
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Yosuki uncapped the marker and wrote neatly across the whiteboard.
Normal Graduation Festival
Misuki frowned immediately.
Without saying a word, she grabbed another marker.
With several dramatic strokes, she drew stars around his words before writing in huge letters beneath them.
FUNKY GRADUATION FESTIVAL!!!
Yosuki stared.
"...Funky?"
Misuki's eyes sparkled for the first time all afternoon.
"Of course! It's our last year! It can't just be speeches and bowing."
She began counting on her fingers.
"Games."
"Lights."
"Food stalls."
"Music."
"Maybe even a DJ!"
Her excitement filled the empty classroom.
Yosuki folded his arms.
"But... it's graduation."
"It should be respectful."
"Something people won't regret."
The smile on Misuki's face faded.
The room became quiet again.
Eight weeks together...
...and they couldn't even agree during the first five minutes.
Misuki sighed.
"Fine."
She tapped the marker against her chin.
"What if..."
She glanced toward him.
"...we do both?"
Yosuki tilted his head.
"...Go on."
Misuki hurried to the board.
One by one, she listed ideas.
1. Graduation Ceremony
2. Festival Feast
3. Outdoor Games
4. Test of Courage
5. Sunset Closing Ceremony
Yosuki studied the list.
It looked chaotic.
It looked exhausting.
...
It also didn't look bad.
"...Okay."
Misuki looked up.
"We'll make it a proper ceremony..."
"...and a fun festival."
Her face immediately lit up.
"Yes!"
She threw a small fist into the air.
"Teamwork!"
Yosuki couldn't help smiling.
Just a little.
---
BANG!
The classroom door flew open.
"Misuki-chan!"
Both of them turned.
Standing in the doorway was Koske Mahabi.
Captain of the soccer team.
Popular.
Confident.
His hair somehow still looked perfect after practice.
He leaned casually against the doorframe and smiled directly at Misuki.
"I heard you got picked for the committee."
He held up a sports drink.
"Need any help? I'm free almost every day."
Misuki smiled politely.
"Ah... thanks, Koske-kun, but I think we're okay."
Koske's smile barely changed.
His eyes briefly shifted toward Yosuki.
Then back to Misuki.
"If you change your mind..."
He placed the sports drink on her desk.
"...it's for energy."
With one last grin, he turned and walked away.
The room fell silent once more.
The unopened sports drink sat between Yosuki and Misuki.
Yosuki quietly picked up the marker.
"So..."
He faced the whiteboard.
"Who's handling the Test of Courage?"
Misuki didn't answer immediately.
She was still staring at the doorway.
Yosuki tightened his grip on the marker.
Eight weeks.
A rival.
And one unforgettable graduation festival to plan.
Outside, another sakura petal drifted past the window.
Spring had only just begun.
End of Chapter 1
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