WHILE SUPPRESSING A faint feeling of excitement,I headed to school a little earlier than usual.
Then, climbing the stairs that I hadn't yet grown used to, I reached the floor where the third-year classrooms were located.
Before long, I was looking at a nameplate, in which the name 'CLASS 3A' was embedded —my classroom.
I stopped and stared intently at the nearly polished plaque. "I've finally made it here..."
Although the reality still feels somewhat distant, I know the situation before me isn't a dream.
From Class 1-D to Class 3-A.
There's been many fun and happy moments, but I must not forget the painful experiences.
The journey here was by no means smooth.
Yamauchi-kun, Sakura-san and Maezono-san.
What exists here now is built upon the sacrifices of those who had to leave our class.
I must not forget that.
Come to think of it, when I entered the school, I didn't have any clear goals.
I was here simply to follow after my older brother.
However,my brother continued to keep his distance and coldly pushed me away.
Despite this, as I continued my school life, I came to realize my brother's true feelings.
I was made to learn that it wasn't sufficient to just chase after him, denying my own potential.
Now, I'm a member of the student council, and I even read a congratulatory speech at the entrance ceremony.
I'm walking an unbelievable path.
I must not forget that behind me in this path, Ayanokouji-kun's presence has been significant.
If he hadn't been in the same class, I certainly wouldn't be who I am today.
I would've been more immature and clumsy, and I wouldn't have been able to close the distance with anyone.
Though his inscrutable demeanor sometimes troubles me, that is part of his charm.
Anyway, since that day, I truly decided to set my sights on graduating from Class A.
Not just for my brother or myself....
But to share the joy with everyone in the class, starting with Ayanokouji-kun.
This is what this place,Class A, is about.
A place I could never have reached alone.
— I must not be complacent.
Now, the path to the summit has only just been cleared. There is still one more year of school life left.
Ryuen-kun's class is quickly catching up right behind us.
Even though they're a bit far away, I can't underestimate Ichinose-san's class or the former Sakayanagi-san's class either.
They'll try to overtake us by any means necessary in the future.
Conversely, we must fight to escape and prevent them from catching up.
I took a deep breath and turned away from the nameplate.
For now, the celebration ends here.
I decided to tighten my resolve a new.
With that thought in mind, I opened the classroom door.
Inside the classroom. A large monitor, serving as a blackboard, displayed the pre-assigned seats.
"My seat is—"
Second row from the corridor side, fourth from the front.
That was my seat on the first day in Class 3-A.
And next to that seat, first row, fourth seat, was Ayanokouji-kun's name.
"To think I'd be next to him again huh...?"
Although our seating arrangement has been quite different, we also sat next to each other two years ago.
Even if there were to be a seating change soon, I don't dislike such coincidence.
Feeling a sense of amusement at the overlap in this arrangement,I sat down in my seat. It was still early for school, so Ayanokouji-kun hadn't shown up yet. I wanted to share my thoughts on this seating with him as soon as possible.
I gazed out at the scenery.
The view looked slightly different from both my first and second years. One more year.
In just one more year, my time at the school will come to an end.
At thattime—with this class, this companions — I want to graduate from ClassA.
I wouldn't let it end as just a dream.
No matter what, I have to make it happen.
Illustration1
Illustration2