"Next, Azuma Eichi will come to the stage to speak as the class representative."
After Masamichi finished his long principal's speech, Eichi walked up to the stage as the graduate representative.
Tokyo Jujutsu High didn't officially hold graduation ceremonies due to the small number of students each year.
So when Eichi said he wanted to organize one, Masamichi took it seriously.
That included the several-page-long graduation speech Eichi held in his hand.
Eichi stepped up to the podium, glanced at the script, then looked over at Satoru, Suguru, Shoko, and Artoria.
"Ahem."
"We've graduated. That's all!"
With that, and to Masamichi's pained expression, Eichi threw the speech into the air.
A dozen A4 pages fluttered down.
"Oh, oh!"
Satoru was the first to react.
He threw all the books on the table into the air.
Suguru and the others also popped party poppers.
"I can't believe four years went by so fast."
"Yeah. It didn't feel fast when we were living through it, but now it feels like it's over in a flash."
The three of them—Eichi, Satoru, and Suguru—put their arms around each other's shoulders.
Artoria and Shoko also stood nearby, quietly sharing the sentiment.
Clang.
The sound of a door slamming open echoed through the room.
Haibara, Nanami, Ieiri Kiyotaka, Choso, and the others who had been waiting outside walked in.
"Congratulations on your graduation, Senpai!"
Haibara gave them a thumbs-up.
"Congratulations on your graduation."
Nanami nodded calmly.
"Con-congratulations on your graduation, Ieiri-senpai."
Ieiri Kiyotaka blushed slightly as he addressed Shoko.
Looking at the lively classroom scene, Masamichi sighed.
'Forget it. Haven't they always been like this? Maybe this is youth.'
Thinking that this might be the last time everyone would be together like this before going their separate ways, he couldn't help but feel a little melancholic.
Although this year's students were all talented troublemakers who had given him quite a few headaches,
They were also, undeniably, his pride.
"Gojo-senpai is usually so busy. I wonder how long it'll be before we see him again after this."
Haibara crossed his arms, looking a little down.
"Ah, don't worry. We'll see each other again in a few days."
Satoru leaned back in his chair and waved at him.
"Huh? Gojo-senpai is coming back for something?"
Haibara looked surprised.
"Yeah. I need to complete the teacher onboarding process."
"Nani?!"
The classroom exploded in shock.
Even Masamichi's mouth fell open from the unexpected news.
Then he reacted.
"Wait a second, Satoru."
"What is it?"
Satoru turned to look at him.
"Why didn't you tell me you were coming to Tokyo Jujutsu High to be a teacher?!"
Masamichi raised his hand, clearly unsettled.
"Ah. I didn't say?"
Satoru scratched his head.
"You didn't say anything."
Originally, after Suguru's defection in his past life, Satoru realized that strength alone wasn't enough.
So he decided to become a teacher, to train more people who could support the Jujutsu world.
But in this life, since Suguru never defected, that sense of urgency never came.
So he didn't—or rather, forgot—to tell Masamichi.
As for why he still wanted to teach even though Suguru hadn't defected?
Because it sounded fun~
Being the strongest badass teacher Satoru just sounded cool.
"That guy's staying at the school too."
Shoko kept her usual faint smile, maintaining a bit of distance from everyone else.
"U-um, Ieiri-senpai, what are your plans after graduation?"
'Ah, I asked it. Is she going to think I'm weird for asking something so direct?'
Ieiri Kiyotaka immediately regretted speaking.
"Me? I'm staying at Tokyo Jujutsu High. But I need to get my physician's license first..."
Shoko's thoughts drifted toward the upcoming exam.
"The cake is here."
Emiya pushed a giant cream cake into the classroom.
Everyone immediately pushed their desks together. Emiya transferred the cake from the cart to the table.
"Why are we eating cake at a graduation ceremony?"
"I don't know either. I just went along with it."
While they chatted, Satoru silently picked up a slice of cake and walked behind Eichi.
"Ria, eat as much as you want. There's more in the kitchen."
Eichi sat beside Artoria, enjoying his slice of cake.
Slap.
A large chunk of cake landed directly on Eichi's head, dyeing his black hair white.
"I remember you said you liked white hair. So I dyed it for you. No need to thank me."
Eichi touched the cream on his hair, stayed silent for two seconds, then slapped a piece of cake into Satoru's face.
"Heh. I dodge, I dodge. You can't hit me. Nyah nyah nyah."
Slap.
"Are you alright? How dare that guy do this to Papa!"
Nanako and Mimiko saw Suguru get smacked with a cake and pouted, ready to go after Satoru and Eichi in retaliation.
"It's fine, Nanako, Mimiko."
Suguru gently stroked the girls' heads.
Then he led them to where Shoko and Nanami were hiding in the distance.
"Please help me look after Nanako and Mimiko."
"OK."
Shoko nodded, then quietly retreated to a safe spot to spectate.
Nanami also gave Suguru a nod.
Suguru turned back, eyes opening sharply.
The hunt begins.
Haibara, Choso, and the others were quickly dragged into the chaotic battle.
Artoria, who had been elegantly enjoying her cake, reached out for another piece—only for it to be swiped away by a flash of white.
She reached again.
Whoosh.
Gone.
Her ahoge stood on end.
"You guys, treat your food properly!"
King of Knights Artoria officially joined the cake war.
By the time the war ended, the room was a wreck. Their planned karaoke session had to be postponed.
Because...
Masamichi ordered the civil engineering and home economics group—who just so happened to be the main culprits and had studied here for four years—not to leave until the classroom was restored to its original state.
"Four years passed in a blink."
The next afternoon, Eichi opened the curtains after waking up.
Outside, younger students were sweating on the training field.
"Another eight years. No, nine."
Suguru hadn't turned evil, so the Night Parade of a Hundred Demons wouldn't happen eight years from now.
All that remained was the threat of Ryomen Sukuna, nine years away.
But that was fine. There was still time.
"Not just now. But nine years from now, we'll all still be here. Every single one of us."
(To be continued.)
◇◇◇
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)