Chapter 18

"Kaori-san, how is Shuchiin Academy?" Shiori asked.

"The school building is really big and in a very noble-like style. Unfortunately, we didn't go inside the building, so I can't tell you anything about the inside," Kaori answered.

"If you want to know the inside of the school building, you should ask Shinomiya-san, she has been attending the same academy since elementary school after all," I said.

"How do you know about that?" Kaguya asked.

"I know it from Hayasaka-san," I answered while looking at Ai. Actually we didn't tell Kaguya that we've become a friend or should I accurately say, lover-like friend. It is a request from Ai to not tell her yet, she said it's to not make her jealous we already become an intimate friend. Because of this, I called her Hayasaka-san when Kaguya is nearby.

"S-Since when you two know each other?" Kaguya asked.

"I just meet him when he went on a walk, Kaguya-sama. He greeted me because he knew I was your maid, after that we become a friend," Ai explained to Kaguya

"Yes, that's how it is, Shinomiya-san. It's actually happened right after we become a friend." I said.

*Jiiii* Kaguya looks at me suspiciously

"Anyway, can you tell us about how the building looks from inside? I wanted to know about that too." I asked.

Kaguya sighed then started telling us about how the building looked at the inside. After that, because of Kaori's cheerfulness, the conversation keeps continuing to the point Kaguya even smiles a bit. I think Kaguya needs a friend like Kaori who has a bright personality like Chika of course without a screw loose in her head. That's why I invited her to come here, so they can become a friend.

Besides chatting, we also play some games like Baba-Nuki and Life Game. Obviously I am the sole winner at any game that requires luck to win, Kaori and Shiori, of course, know about this but Kaguya and Ai look amazed by my luck.

When the sun begins to set, we decided to go back home. I bought some sweets, kissed Kaori on the lips, saying goodbye to Kaori's parents then we headed home. On the way home, I asked Shiori why she suddenly is asking about Shuuchiin Academy. She said she just wanted to know the school that I would spend 3 years of my life there. Suspicious! But because she just answered calmly I didn't ask anymore.

That night, as usual, I called Nanaka and Chisa just to talk randomly then I called Ai to meet me at the ryokan's garden for a bit.

"So, what time you two are going back tomorrow?" I asked Ai who was sitting beside me.

"At nine in the morning. Because Kaguya-sama's father called her an hour ago telling her to go back to the main house tomorrow."She answered.

"I see... how is your trip here by the way, did you have fun?" I asked Ai who looking at the moon.

"It's pretty fun, even though the town isn't that big there are many popular spots here, there is also a delicious bakery, and the most important is... I got someone whom I can depend on..." She said while she looks at me.

"Hehe... I wonder who is that guy." I asked while I rub the back of my head.

"I wonder who..." She said looking at me with a beautiful smile that made me mesmerized.

"... Right, because you're going back tomorrow. Here... I saw you always used that black hair tie, so the other day I bought you a new one." I said subsequently I handed her a lovely blue hair tie.

"..." Ai just looking at the present and me without saying anything.

"You don't like it?" I asked her with an anxious tone.

"No.. I like it." She grabs the hair tie quickly and changes her hair tie with the new one.

"So.. how is it?" She asked while looking at me with an affectionate smile.

"It's beautiful," I replied with a smile. Then we just silently look at the moon while enjoying each other presence until we went back to our room.

---

The next day because they have an important thing to do, Kaguya and Ai said their greeting and then hurriedly left for home.

Days passed, right now I am sitting in the school's hall waiting for my name to be called to the stage, this time as the third-year representative. The one who was chosen for the representative always a student who got the highest score on the final exam so I who got a perfect mark am the one who got chosen.

"Now, let us welcome a speech from the third-year representative. Kitahara Izumi"

"Hai," I said then I walked slowly to the podium.

"Good Morning, Principal, Teachers, and every student in our Sumiya Junior High..."

---

After my speech every student singing the graduation songs. Many students, especially our kouhai were singing while crying probably reminiscing the time they spent with their senpai from their club. Naturally, our club also has 4 kouhai who will continue our step and making our club last for many years.

Actually many people wanted to join the club because of me. But because we can't train our kouhai effectively if there are too many people joined. So we decided to approve four people who seriously wanted to be a pianist or violinist. Because there are me and Kousei who can teach anything about the piano, and Kaori who can teach about Violin.

Maybe Kaori never won any competition, because her playstyle isn't suited for competition. But she got invited many times to perform with me, so she also has a fair share of popularity in this classical music world.

The ceremony ended, and we went to our class to get our last homeroom. Our homeroom talked about our memories in this school, then he also told us some motivational words to confront the future. After that, he said heartfelt goodbye and told us to not forget about the times we spent in this school and good luck in our dreams while crying.

After that, Kaori, Tsubaki, Kousei, Watari, and I walk outside the school building to meet our Kouhai from the club. I, Kaori, and Kousei went to the classical music club while Tsubaki to the softball club, and Ryouta to the soccer club.

"Congratulation, Kitahara-senpai, Miyazono-senpai, and Arima-senpai," Kouhai A said.

"*hiks* Now we can't have you teach for us anymore, senpai," Kouhai B said while crying.

"One day, I will perform on the same stage as you, Kaori-senpai!" Kouhai C said.

"Oh, I will be waiting for that time to arrive," Kaori said with a smile.

"Even if I can't beat Kitahara-senpai, I will defeat you someday Arima-senpai!" Kouhai D said.

"Hahaha, he said it Kousei." I laughed at Kousei.

"Ahaha... Well, do your best," Kousei said while smiling wryly.

""""Senpai, Thanks for these 2 years""""

After that, our kouhai walk away to give us space to talk as Ryouta and Tsubaki came. 3 years have passed since the first time I meet Kousei, Tsubaki, and Ryouta.

Initially, it was only just to recruit Kousei to our club, then Tsubaki joined, even though she only there for Kousei, she has become one of my best friends in this middle school. Not too long after, Ryouta also becomes one of my best friends.

"So we will get separated huh..." Ryouta said.

"Yeah, me and Kaori will go to Shuchiin Academy. Tsubaki is going to follow Kousei to a highschool that well-known for its classical music, and then Ryouta going to Shizuoka Academy to pursue his lifelong dream to be a popular soccer player..." I said.

"3 years passed too fast right..." Kaori said with a nostalgic tone.

"Mm, I still can't believe we become best friends in just a year, though," Tsubaki said while laughing a bit.

"Yeah but now we're going to get separated to pursue our dreams. As Mozart said,'Go Adventure!' we're going to walk our own ways to reach our last destination." Kousei wisely said.

"Pff, since when you become so poetic, Kousei," I said then we laughed merrily together while Kousei just wryly smiling.

"It's not like this is the end, this is the beginning instead and I am sure we can always meet everywhere we want after this," Kaori said with a smile.

"Indeed. Also right now I swear I will become a popular soccer player. And at that time, I hope you guys can watch my match wearing the blue jersey of Japan." Ryouta said.

"At that time, we surely watched it together," I said.

After that, Kaori and I walk away heading back home. We walk leisurely under the sakura tree as I chat with Kaori while looking at the newly bloomed Sakura.

"Hey Izu, I guess I'm going back first," Kaori said with a smirk.

"Why? Our home is in the same way, though?" I asked her curiously.

"Look, there is a new challenger." She said pointing at someone who was waiting with her back leaning on the Sakura tree while being rained by the falling sakura petals. She is someone who always failed to ask me out every time, Igawa Emi.