Graduation

He had always been an enigmatic character.

And I never knew what he was thinking.

Perhaps that was when I started to get interested in his antics?

It was Graduation Day at St Rudolph Gakuen. looked across a few seats, catching a glimpse of a certain boy. A certain boy called Mizuki Hajime…

+++

“Class, this is Mizuki Hajime-kun. He just transferred to Saint Rudolph. Please take good care of him and get along!”

had remembered the teacher introducing Mizuki two years ago and his charming appearance.

Looking at him now, he was still the same old him.

+++

“Mizuki-kun, this is for you!” recalled the times when she gave him his Valentines’ chocolates.

She didn’t just give chocolates to him though; she gave one to everyone in class. But, it just seemed different when she offered hers to Mizuki.

“Why! Thank you so much!” Mizuki had said enthusiastically, grinning. He bowed like a proper gentleman and gave a handshake.

had blushed at the touch.

Thinking back, it all seemed fine now. They were both leaving school, and she would never see him again. She was rather upset that their three years together had ended just like that. But there were so many precious memories… that she would always treasure…

+++

Mizuki had always been very diligent in his duty to poach talents from other schools to join the St Rudolph’s tennis club.

Mizuki had introduced them to her one by one, using his computer.

“…And this is Kisarazu Atsushi. He has a twin brother in Rokkaku and I mistook him for him… So I gave him gloves and a red ribbon to wear…” Mizuki had babbled on and on. had nodded in response.

She was just happy that Mizuki was willing to tell her things. She was just happy that Mizuki was sharing his thoughts with her. She was just happy that Mizuki was there with her…

+++

A note was passed to . She unfolded it.

-chan, may I’ve the honor of speaking to you after the ceremony?”

It was signed off as,

“Love, Mizuki Hajime.”

blushed, looking over at the ebony-haired boy. The boy was twirling his hair, he was always so confident. did not dare to look too much into it though.

Perhaps, he wants to tell me about the tennis club again…!

Mizuki then looked at her, smiling and tilting his head a little. nodded in response.

+++

Mizuki had been waiting for by the fountain, sitting down on a bench. rushed over, and then greeted the boy.

He put a hand out and gestured her to sit.

“So…? What’s up with the tennis club again?” asked with curiosity. That was the only thing that Mizuki talked to her about… other than homework.

“I…” Mizuki started, and stopped.

-chan, have you ever heard of the second button tradition?”

“Ah, that! If a girl bites off the second button of a uniform wore by the person she likes. She would be blessed and perhaps get the love of the boy!” She answered as a matter-of-factly.

“Nfu, you’re right!” Mizuki said excitedly.

“Why are you asking me if you know?” asked, “Don’t tell me…” she continued. “Someone asked you for your second button?” she winked teasingly.

“Well… I can’t say there weren’t any... But…” Mizuki smirked, “I wanted to ask, if you wanted my second button.”

“I...” couldn’t deny… couldn’t deny that she had feelings for the unfathomable boy. She wanted to know more about him, she wanted to unlock his heart, and she wanted to learn his secrets.

hesitated, and Mizuki continued to give her that smile, that fleeting smile. It caught her heart; it always had.

She knelt down. Mizuki held her hand, giving her some support. felt her cheeks burning. She moved her mouth to the second button, and nibbled softly on the button, then plucking it out.

Mizuki bent down and kissed the top of her head with utmost gentleness. “Thank you… thank you for always being there…”

Mizuki had known of ’s feelings and he had known his as well. He could never cope well with being alone. Dormitory life suited him; it meant that there would always be people around him. But had always been there, always ready to listen.

+++

April.

Beginning of a new school term.

“Ah! Mizuki-san! You’re here!” Fuji Yuuta greeted, glancing at the girl beside his senior at the same time. “…. -senpai?!” Yuuta stuttered, wondering why she was here. Mizuki-san had introduced to him once.

“Nfu, thank you, Yuuta.” Mizuki smiled warmly at his junior, then glanced shortly at . smiled back and nodded at Yuuta’s direction. “How are you doing Yuuta?” Yuuta bowed slightly. He had never seen his senior smiled like that. It was different from that cold, distant smile from before. Had that girl changed him?

“What a cute girl dane! Oh, it’s dane!” Yanagisawa Shinya’s voice could be heard from afar.

“A gathering? This is actually pretty interesting,” Akazawa Yoshirou said.

Soon, most of the ex-regular players had arrived.

! Go out with me dane! You’re so cute dane! Onegai dane!” Yanagisawa was now flirting away with .

just smiled, “Heh…” She was a little hesitant; she didn’t know what to say.

“Don’t get yourself into trouble.” Kisarazu warned. Kisarazu had noticed Mizuki glaring at Yanagisawa.

“Yanagisawa, please get away from .” Mizuki frowned.

“Why dane?”

“Because… she’s… she’s…”

grinned meekly. Hajime had been like that for a while already.

“…MY GIRLFRIEND!” Mizuki managed to let out from his throat and pulled towards him. snuggled against him. Mizuki’s cheeks turned light pink.

“WA!!!” Everyone in the tennis club room exclaimed.

“I didn’t know Mizuki-san could blush like that, wasu wasu.” Kisarazu taunted.

Mizuki regained his composure. “Whatever you wanna say!”

The whole room was soon engulfed in laughter and the couple laughed as heartily as the rest.

Graduations don’t always signal the end…

//Summer. 11^th Nov ’04.