Seeing them wave to greet.

It's Kohinata Motoyo.

They naturally gathered together.

"Mister Hikaru, Xiao Ai, hello."

Komori Ai: "Hi, older sister."

Kagura Hikaru: "Didn't you go to the graduation ceremony?"

Kagura Hikaru noticed she wasn't wearing her school uniform or carrying a backpack.

But Suse shook her head: "I did go, just left earlier than others."

The two entered the station together.

The train just pulled into the platform.

On the train, Suse said to Kagura Hikaru:

"I'm going to study in Oxford. It's closer and convenient for the theater work.

If you have time, come visit. I'll send you tickets."

"Sure."

They chatted idly about various topics.

They didn't seem like a couple who had broken up a year ago at all.

But in reality, it was a result of both trying to accommodate each other.

Neither wanted the relationship to become too awkward.

It wouldn't be graceful and wasn't their style.

The breakup back then could be considered amicable.

Even setting aside their past romantic relationship, they were still good friends.

They got off the train and arrived at the doorstep.

A little over a year ago, Hina bought the house next to the Kagura Family.

During their relationship, Kagura Hikaru often stayed there.

But after that, Kagura Hikaru stopped going.

Suse hadn't returned since either.

"Here, this is for you."

Suse handed over a set of keys.

Kagura Hikaru recognized them as the keys to the house they once lived in together.

"Consider it a graduation gift."

Suse said with a smile.

Kagura Hikaru hesitated to accept: "That's too valuable, I can't take it."

"It's just sitting with me unused, if you don't take it, it'll just go to waste.

But I don't want that."

Suse smiled bitterly.

Since they broke up, the house had been half-abandoned.

She couldn't bring herself to sleep there anymore; there were too many memories she couldn't face.

Under Suse's pleading gaze, Kagura Hikaru reached out and took the keys.

"...I'll pay you for the house at market price."

"Uh, okay."

Suse didn't insist.

Kagura Hikaru pocketed the keys.

They looked at each other, speechless.

Graduating, they were going their separate ways.

At such a time, as friends, all that's needed is a blessing.

But as ex-lovers, it's much more complex.

"...Chiyoko said she'd arrange a trip for everyone during the summer, you'd go too, right?" Kagura Hikaru asked.

"Yes."

"Then... see you then?"

"Alright..."

They looked into each other's eyes.

Kagura Hikaru was the first to look away, nodded, and walked towards his own home.

Suse's face darkened, her eyes reddening instantly.

But in a moment, she lifted her head again.

"Wait, Mister Hikaru."

Kagura Hikaru paused and turned around.

"I've always missed the days spent with you.

Back then, I pushed you towards Ai Cheng, thinking it would be enough if you were happy.

But, but, the days without you are harder than I imagined..."

She walked over slowly.

Carefully reached out to touch Kagura Hikaru's palm.

Her voice trembling.

"I don't want to go study abroad, I want to always be with you, even as lovers, it doesn't matter.

I, I've always..."

Kagura Hikaru embraced the girl in front of him in silence.

Suse's warm tears quickly soaked his clothes.

Listening to the sobs in his arms, Kagura Hikaru had many thoughts.

Although Suse seemed the most mature, she was the one who couldn't let go the most among them.

Whether it was Chiyoko or Hina.

They had already decided to move forward.

Only Suse hadn't yet moved on.

Perhaps, it was indeed his fault.

Kagura Hikaru whispered something in her ear.

Suse was stunned for a moment.

Then she broke into a smile through her tears.

"Then, it's a promise."

She pushed Kagura Hikaru away, blushed, and ran off.

Kagura Hikaru watched her leave, shook his head, glared at Komori Ai who was secretly laughing beside him, and then turned to enter his home.

He returned to his room.

Placing down his backpack and graduation certificate.

He lay down on the bed.

Comfortable.

"Yahoo~~"

As a result, Komori Ai excitedly fell down too, her head knocking against Kagura Hikaru's stomach.

He frowned.

No longer comfortable.

Sighing, Kagura Hikaru sat up, taking out his phone.

He selected a number labeled 'Ai Cheng' from his contacts and dialed it.

The busy tone lasted for two seconds before it connected.

"Hello, Ai Cheng, are you busy?"

"No, no, I'm in the studio recording a song."

It was a bit noisy on the other end.

There were other girls talking.

Was it the Red Pepper Band members?

Kagura Hikaru couldn't help but smile.

"Well, today, I graduated."

"Ah! Is it today?"

The voice on the other end was flustered, "Why didn't you tell me earlier, I could have picked you up!"

"Dummy, you said you had to work."

"Ah... right, hehehe."

"Is everything okay over there?"

"Yes, today—"