First part: Is it wrong to cry in front of your students?
- I remember each of your faces when you came to class. April looked so scary to many of us, yet here we are, facing three years of experience with such renowed teachers and collegues we made. As the head of the Student's Council I am profundly grateful for all that we received!
So many applauses, he sure is the top student; perhaps he will become a politician one day. I would smoke a cig and observe the sky if my job allowed it, this will make me cry.
59 students, 3 different classes, so many days... yeah... I will cry this one later in the bathtub.
It's that time of the year, the last goodbye for the third year's schoolers huh? I wish they all became so famous they would carry my name to the stars! ... as if... Anyone would love to leave this small prefecture forever and would be lucky if it worked out.
The other teachers are crying already, heh, I guess I'm a bit colder?
- Hey, Noriyuki-sensei..., what's up with the face?
- Hideki-kun is such a nice speaker, right?
- ah... you think so? Anyways, never thought about you as the type who misses the studs.
- Never thought about you as the type who meddles people's business.
- How cold! That's Nori-sen for you.
- Nori-sen? No respect anymore Himejima-san?
- Hehe, I'm missing you too.
Do I deserve to see such a cute thing? Himejima is the head of the kendo and judo clubs, perhaps the first name to ever carry our city's name with such a proud smile.
Damn, I'm crying, too old for this kind of thing man.
- And to finish the disclosure of our last year as Shinsei Kōkō Students, we would like to invite the third year's advisor to give his final words. Noriyuki-sensei, would you kindly join me up here?
Whaaat? Do you think I have any idea what to say? What are the teachers gonna say about me?
Huuh, look they're laughing already, damn you guys, it was your idea right?
Shouganai na?
Crying faces and tidy uniforms, such pretty day it is. Okay I will collect every inch of my knowledge, a final act of love! (geez I feel cringe, not the time!)
-I...
The mic dances in my sweaty hands as the students drop some laughs at my performance.
- I chose to teach. I knew there would be tough times.
Okay, I decided what to say.
- There are times where giving up is not going to be a possibility. I remember the tests. - I glance at some students that now turn their faces. - I remember the love interests.
- Hey teach that's not fair!
- Hooo, so you admit it Take-kun?
Ok, the mood is lighter! Nice Takemichi!
- But none of you ever given up, I would never give up any of you; specially to the extra classes teachers!
Another pair of laughs, great!
- In these 3 years I loved teaching each of you. Seeing as you became independent, made friends and even started persuing new dreams.
- Students, I have my deepest and most honest regards towards you all. You made my days enjoyable and I hope to have been capable of the same.
- Every of you will now persue a different way in life. But remember the friends, the names and the smiles! The world sometimes is very dark and very solitary, however the friends we made along these years feel the same way! Share experiences, make new friends, join them together. Enjoy life!
A very warm hand picks the mic as some few applauses merge into a full house of it.
- Nori-sen is crying! How cute.
- Hey. Come on! - No use, the mic's gone, no one will hear me anymore. Geez, those kiddos!
Second part: The aftermath of the ceremony
We are certainly failing these kids... So many suicides, how come nothing changes?
I am deeply worried with these guys, I mean, both parents work in almost every case! They are alone from the day they graduate up to the time they join an asylum...
I need a coffee, this is getting me all angry.
Matsumoto Noriyuki, as "the strong follower of rules". Perhaps it's just hatred against my name heh. Teachers are just bothersome beings trying to somehow keep the system going while hiding how rusty those gears are getting nowadays.
- Nori-sen! Here!
Huh, nothing scares me more than hearing that in the street!
Blonde Blue eyes? Karin, sure... and that mature woman would be?...
K) - Hey! Long time no see, was it 3 years ago? This was our favorite teacher back in the day. We even got him scolded for letting us have barbecue in the rooftop!
N) - Such the presentation... Who's your friend, Karin-san?
I remember your name hah, impressive right?
K) - Karin? Heh.
Smurk face? Kimoi.
K) - Kumori desuyo!
THAT INTROVERT READER??
N) - No way, what? You're blond now?
K) - Hehe, did you like it?
N) - Yeah... Wow, you've changed.
K) - Indeed! This is my Tokyo U friend, Anna, she's from America!
N)- Impressive! Visiting this remote land?
A)- Looks like home Noriyuki-san! I'm from Alaska you know?
N)- You know?
K)- Glad you taught us English huh, hahah.
Never expected her to smile so much, such a relief...
A)- We were headed to the coffee shop down road, would you like to hang out a bit?
N)- Wow I feel old, having an ex student's friend call me out as an equal.
A)- Hahaha, you're not even 30 are you?
K)- I remember when he started fresh from the Uni, he was scared of us hehe.
A)- Knowing you I would as well!
They are looking very close... such a great thing huh.
N)- Well, if you don't mind me!
N)- One espresso please, will you girls order anything?
A simple coffee will do.
K)- I'm not making you pay this one oldman.
A)- I would like an Ice matcha and that cute Panda cupcake please.
K)- Make it two, please!
Two Gyarus and a ton of manner, way to go huh, I feel proud.
A)- So, Nori-sen, do you ever get to see your old students?
N)- Not really, Japan's countryside is a beauty hard to appreaciate, many leave.
A)- Really? I really like the breeze, sounds like home sometimes.
N)- Isn't Alaska much colder?
A)- Quite, but I mean, there's trees around, lively people and insects making noise, I studied in New York during first year, hated the place.
K)- That's where I got my new hairstyle as well hehe.
N)- You've been abroad? Wow, I'll the story for my future generations.
A)- So you're married then?
K)- hahahahah
N)- Why you laughing almostgyaru.
A)- Gyaru?
K)- Forget it. He is scared of women.
N)- Who gave you the intimacy huh?
K)- You definitely not, "almost gyaru".
A)- Stop, morons... ruining the mood.
I missed this feeling, the vacations sure mess with me, being alone is tough. But she's a college student, I shouldn't ruin my career here.
A)- We are leaving! Kumori will present me all her old classmates!
A reunion? Hmmm, Karin is looking very embarrased. Well, pretty sure she would, talk about change...
K)- We will take our leave then... see ya around sensei.
N)- Take care, send my regards to everyone.
She noded, picking her phone and leaving at a fast pace.
I take my phone and leave. I love the sky, you know, pretty no matter the climate. I personally dislike hot temps but nothing is better than wearing light clothing huh.
Some sounds start to bother me, something is moving in this corner.
Third part: The sakura blooms
- What the hell is happening here?
There's a girl laying in the ground, a grown man holding her down and two others are watching this scene.
That's her... clothing?
Some pretty dress hangs on a trash bin, stained and teared.
This pattern?! Kumori?
They noticed me, of course... I screamed. I can take one of them, two is too much. What should I do?
- Oh, so there's a hero amoung us?
- No, you see, my cat just entered this corner and...
One of the man suddenly approach me. I can feel a somewhat strong punch in my stomach. I can take this much. Using the impact to hide it I punch the guy's throat once.
He falls unable to breath, I kick his groin as he agonizes.
- Man...
The second guy stares me as if he has seen a ghost.
What?
A warm sensation bothers me.
I throw a bin on the second guy, he feels scared but draws a knife, not fast enough!
A kick to the knee, I can feel the bone turning the other way around, this one won't walk for a while.
I feel so tired... I hope Kumori saw this impressive performance heh
Heh, he... *caugh*.
- Oh... it was blood huh?
- Oh my God, you've killed this one boys, boys??
My vision is getting blurried...
A)- They are here, please do something officers!
A)- Nori-sen! Oh no, call an ambulance!
- You're under arrest, don't resist! - The officers got them heh. It's hard to stand, I think i need to sit down a bit...
K) Sen...sei...? - Kumori seems to be okay - Oh no... sensei!
I can't move much.
N)- Kumori, you're fine? Have they done...?
K)- No... you came just in time... but... Oh no...
N) I am dying huh?
She closes her eyes strongly, taking my hand. I feel cold, she's so warm...
Well God, I am sorry... I was no good right? I beg you... protect those little ones.
Dying doesn't make me sad, nothing good ever happened, I just wish I could watch over them...
A strong pain crosses my heart. Silence follows.
Final part:
- It's a pleasure to meet you Noriyuki-san.
The clothing... the aureola... is he...
- Jesus.
A strong and calm sensation aliviates me in such a strong way I fall to my knees out of instinct.
- My Lord and God.
- Huh, such a decided heart. Glad to see you recognize me, son.
He is... astonishing, am I dreaming?
- No, this is pretty much real. You and I were never close right son? Would like to chat more... but I will ask you a big favor, and sometime soon I will explain. Are you willing to be faithful to the end?
Why everysingle cell on my body is saying yes? I don't even kn-
- That's good, Here - He draws a cross on my forehead. - I count you as one of mine now!
- You're going to a pretty far place, but fear not, I will be with you to the end of times.
He smiled, as if I was looking at the sun. Suddenly it was the sun, a calm breeze and a beautiful landscape... and A FLYING ISLAND?
... Continues