My Story of Falling for the Class President

Chapter 8: From Behind to Beside

In the blink of an eye, the day of Acchan's transfer approached. I played with all my might every day to have no regrets, but I was emotionally unstable. I laughed, then felt down, over and over.

And then that day came.

Usually, on the day of the closing ceremony, I'd worry about my report card or get excited about what to do during the long break, but this year, I didn't want the closing ceremony to come at all.

It felt like a lie that last year we were having fun at the Christmas party.

After the closing ceremony, there was homeroom where we received our report cards. Once that was over, the homeroom teacher announced again that Atsuki Kanzaki would be transferring and this was his last day at school. Acchan went up to the podium with a smile and greeted everyone.

'Everyone, thank you for everything! I'll never forget the time I spent at this school! Really, thank you!'

After homeroom, everyone rushed to Acchan at the podium.

There had been kids who transferred before, and it was sad then too. But since Acchan was the center of the class, there were a lot of kids crying. Some of Kashii-san's friends, who had wanted to get closer to Acchan, were sobbing uncontrollably.

Everyone was saying their own words—thank you, I won't forget you, contact us when things settle down, okay? A crowd had formed.

But I couldn't move.

Gradually, the farewells were finishing, and the crowd that had gathered in front of the blackboard at the podium started to thin out.

What should I say? What could I say? I couldn't go up to the podium.

Before I knew it, Kashii-san was beside me.

'Is this okay?'

'It's not okay! Thanks, Kashii-san!'

I headed toward the podium where Acchan was.

'Sho...'

'I'm so grateful to you, Acchan! I thought of a lot of things to say, but I've forgotten them all!'

'Is that so? Then tell me when you remember, okay?'

With all my feelings poured into it, I said the words we exchanged every day, just like always.

'I don't know when it'll be, but "See you tomorrow!"'

'Yeah! "See you tomorrow!"'

We bumped fists and said goodbye.

Acchan's mom came to pick him up, and they left by car.

We all saw him off, and one by one, people left until I was the only one remaining.

Or so I thought, but Kousuke was there. I was glad he stayed without saying anything.

'I was always just following behind Acchan. But the next time we meet, I want to be a man who can walk beside him.'

'Yeah, that's right.'

Kousuke doesn't say anything unnecessary. He just said, "See ya!" and went home with his stuff from after the closing ceremony.

Even though Acchan is no longer in this town, it's the same usual way home.

I swore to become a man I wouldn't be ashamed of by the time 'See you tomorrow' comes.

I didn't mean to cry on the way home, but tears kept streaming down. When I got home, my little sister saw me, pointed, and laughed.

And so, Acchan left this town.

Acchan didn't leave any new contact info. That's just like him. It could be on purpose or he might have genuinely forgotten—both are possible.

But I'm sure no matter where he goes, he'll do well. My hero is that kind of guy.

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When Sho got home, Nozomi (his little sister, two years younger) had just gotten back too.

"Big brother, are you crying? You're crying!"

'Go ahead and laugh...'

"Really? Mooom! Big brother is crying! He's crying!"

I got laughed at so much. I don't get it.