Part 6: Before the Next Grade
Amaya's laughter cut off mid-breath.
Her eyes drifted from the group—past the desks, past the windows—until they landed on Haruto.
He was hunched over his desk, shoulders shaking ever so slightly.
She slid off the desk she'd been sitting on. "I'll be back," she said casually, already walking away.
No one questioned it.
The conversation at the back of the room continued—voices overlapping, laughter rising and falling—completely uninterrupted.
Amaya reached the front of the class and stopped in front of Haruto's desk.
She hesitated for half a second, then pulled a nearby chair over. The legs scraped softly against the floor as she turned it around and sat down, facing him.
"Hey," she said gently. "How was the exam?"
Haruto didn't look up.
"…Yeah."
Amaya tilted her head slightly. "The written part okay?"
A small nod. "Yeah."
"And the practical?"
"…No."
Her expression softened, but she didn't push.
"Did you finish on time?"
"…Yeah."
Each answer came short. Flat. Barely there.
Haruto's hands stayed clenched on the desk, his head still down, as if lifting it would make everything spill out.
Amaya studied him for a moment.
"…Are you okay?"
Haruto hesitated. Then, quietly, "Yeah."
She frowned. "Then why are you crying?"
"I'm not crying," he said quickly.
Amaya glanced down at the desk. "Then why is there water on the table?"
Haruto stiffened.
He shifted one hand slightly, brushing across the desk as if absentmindedly, wiping away the damp patches. With his sleeve, he quickly rubbed at his eyes, blinking hard until the sting faded.
"I'm fine," he muttered.
Then—
He suddenly jerked upright.
"HEY."
Amaya yelped, letting out a short scream as she nearly fell back with the chair. A few students at the back gasped.
Haruto burst out laughing.
"See?" he said between laughs. "I'm not crying."
Amaya stared at him for half a second—then smacked his arm lightly. "You idiot!"
The noise finally drew attention.
"What happened?" Souta called as the group turned around.
Kaito was already walking forward. "What did you do this time?"
One by one, they gathered around Haruto's desk—Amaya still flustered, Misaki giggling, Yuna watching quietly, Ayame and Izumi close behind.
For a brief moment, the tension eased.
They talked. Joked. Asked about the exam. Teased Haruto like nothing was wrong.
And then—
The classroom door slid shut.
The sound echoed softly through the room.
The door slid shut.
Daigo turned back to the class, a small, familiar smile on his face.
"Alright," he said lightly, clapping his hands once. "Settle down."
Chairs were pulled in, but there was no tension—just curiosity.
"As you all know," Daigo continued, "the principal has given two options for what comes next."
He gestured toward the board.
"One: a temporary vacation.
Two: continue on to the next grade as scheduled."
A few students exchanged looks.
"So," Daigo said, leaning back against the desk, "let's begin voting."
Before he could say another word—
Souta stood up.
"Sensei," he said, scratching the back of his head, "there's no point taking votes from our class."
Daigo raised an eyebrow, amused. "Oh?"
Souta grinned. "Because everyone's coming anyway."
For half a second, the room was silent.
Then—
"Yeah!"
"He's right!"
"Why would we stop now?"
"We didn't come this far to take a break!"
Laughter and cheers broke out across the classroom. Even students at the back joined in, some clapping, others calling out in agreement.
Kaito pumped a fist. "Next grade, obviously!"
Misaki nodded enthusiastically. Ayame smiled faintly. Yuna let out a quiet laugh.
Daigo watched them, arms crossed, a thoughtful expression on his face.
He let the noise settle before speaking again.
"…So," he said slowly, eyes drifting toward Haruto, "is that truly everyone's answer?"
The room quieted—not tense, just curious.
All eyes turned forward.
Haruto finally lifted his head.
"Sensei," he said, voice steady despite the dryness in his throat.
Daigo looked over. "Yeah, Haruto?"
"…What about Class 2?"
The room quieted, waiting.
Daigo nodded. "Their votes are already counted."
He raised one hand slightly. "Five votes to continue."
Then the other. "Four for vacation."
A few murmurs spread, but nothing more.
Haruto exhaled slowly.
"Then either way," he said, standing up, "I'm coming."
Several students looked at him, surprised. Amaya turned fully in her seat.
Daigo studied Haruto for a moment, then smiled faintly. "I figured."
He glanced at the clock. "I'll be back in a minute."