“One more thing — I’m told Nagase-san is supposed to join me onstage as a guest emcee! Where are you, Nagase-san?”
“Here I am! Coming!”
“What made you want to do a bingo tournament of all things, anyway? What are we, 80?”
“Hey! Don’t talk smack about bingo!”
The end of the party was fast approaching, but everyone was chatting and laughing louder than ever, as if to stave off the final farewell. From an outsider’s perspective, all this racket was probably annoying, but to me, it was sweeter than any music.
My high school career was coming to an end, and my three years with my best buds at Yamaboshi were nearly up. There was still a little time, but I knew the days would fly by in a flash. Next spring was the season of new beginnings, but those beginnings couldn’t start unless we ended what we had. Still, just because it was ending didn’t mean it was over.
I debated whether I should make my rounds and talk to people as the party started to wind down, but then thought better of it. The room was still so full of laughter and joy. None of us wanted it to end, because once it did, we’d all go right back to studying. Back to the rest of our lives. Back to our dreams.
Take the members of the CRC, for example.
In order to save the Earth, Yaegashi Taichi wanted to study world hunger, the energy crisis, infectious diseases, genetic diversity, and more, all through the lens of biology. It was a big dream for sure. He seemed to be keeping a pretty level head about it — “No clue if I’ll actually get a job in the field, but I’d like to.” — but as for me, I was sure he’d go on to make the greatest discovery of the century.
Inaba Himeko wanted to study the central core of modern electronics and information technology in order to help develop the latest advancements. “I’ve always wanted to try my hand at creating my own system. Besides, we live in the Information Age, and I’d like to future-proof my career.” (Evidently she was looking at it from both a practical and personal standpoint.) Personally, I was just glad she wasn’t planning to abandon her ambitions to be “Taichi’s wifey” or something!
Kiriyama Yui wanted to have a job with worldwide impact. She wanted to travel. “Then after I get married, hopefully I can start teaching foreign languages to kids.” She had a vision of a fulfilling future, and I could easily see it happening for real.
Aoki Yoshifumi had what was perhaps the most childish dream of all: “I wanna run my own company!” But fortunately he’d put a bit more thought into it than your average grade-schooler. “Big or small, I wanna make sure my company can look after its employees and their families.” And I could tell he was serious. He never seemed like the kind of guy who would climb the ranks at someone else’s company, so maybe he was destined to be a leader instead of a follower.
And of course, I was working toward my dreams, too. Along the way, I was sure to meet dozens of new people, some of whom would impact my life forever. I would make connections with people who would go on to connect with more people, and on and on until the whole world was linked. Then, at long last, I would find the one person who could walk this path alongside me.
I never found that special someone during high school, but I would find them eventually. I was by no means a love expert, but I figured once I met someone who I couldn’t possibly live without, I’d finally have my first real relationship. Then we’d jump straight to marriage... Okay, I know I’m getting ahead of myself, but I feel like it might actually end up happening.
My life had only just begun. There was still so much more I wanted to do. And the more I thought about my future, the more my heart raced. Going forward, my life would be full of brand-new experiences, the likes of which I couldn’t possibly imagine. The possibilities were endless.
Over the past three years, I had learned so much — not just from the people at Yamaboshi, but everyone in my life. There were highs and lows, but in the end, it all helped make me who I was today. I couldn’t change the past, and I couldn’t know the future, but I could make each moment the very best it could be.
It was my friends who gave me this perspective on life, and right now, there was one thing I wanted to say to them:
Without you, I wouldn’t have had such an amazing time at high school, and I can’t imagine the rest of my life without you, either.
With all my love and gratitude, from the very bottom of my heart—
“Hey guys! Let’s take a group photo!” Katori called across the rowdy room.
“You’re a real stand-up guy, Prez! I appreciate that you’re willing to be left out of the shot!” Miyagami joked.
“He uses his hot-guy privileges for good instead of evil!” Sone chimed in.
“Now hold on a minute. I never said I wasn’t going to be in the shot. Someone else... Gossan, take it for us!”
“Gossan, what are you still doing here? I thought you left!” Misaki remarked. Yeah, no kidding.
“Well, I got hungry, and I remembered you had all this extra food here...”
“Then you better make up for the food costs by being our photographer!” Kaoru declared. Apparently she was dead-set on putting him to work.
“Let’s both promise neither of us will turn out like Gossan when we grow up, alright? C’mon, Nakayama-chan, let’s get in the middle!”
“Right you are, Yukina-chan! We belong in the middle!”
“Okay, everybody ready?”
“W-Wait! Not yet!”
“Maiko, how do you wanna take this picture?”
“Good question. How about I ride you like a horse?”
“Perfect!”
“...Seriously, Watase?”
“Don’t judge me, Ishikawa! I’ll do anything for love!”
“Yui! Let’s stand next to each other!”
“We don’t have to be glued together for every single moment, you know.”
“I’m crushed... Wait! Maybe she means ‘We’ll have a billion opportunities to take pictures together over the course of our lives, so we can afford not to stand next to each other this one time’! Whaddya think, Taichi?!”
“As long as you keep up that unfailing optimism, I’m sure you’ll be fine.”
“Taichi, I want you standing next to me for sure. And Iori! Quit smirking at us from the sidelines, and get your ass over here!”
“Whoopsie! Sorry! Comin’ right over!”
“Ugh, there’s no way I can fit all of you kids in one shot. I’m just gonna take a bunch at random, and then you guys can make ’em into a photo album or something. Sorry if I miss anyone.”
“Don’t you dare miss anyone! This is the most important job of your life!”
“I think you might be exaggerating, Himeko...”
“Iori, hurry! Run, run, run!”
“Okay, here I am! I’m not too late, am I?!”
“For real, folks, here we go! Say cheese!”
With all my love and gratitude...