Chapter 264, All That's Left

"Alright, that's all for today. Everyone, please be sure to do your homework." The teacher spoke and dismissed the class.

"Spiro, are you alright?" Hanako-san asked as I was in a daze.

"I'm alright..." Spiro snapped back to reality and slumped down on his desk. "I just still can't believe it's already been a month since Dad disappeared."

"I know, no one can believe it." Hanako patted his shoulder. "Will and the others are going to graduate soon, but according to what I heard, they plan to stay at the school to pursue research and other methods to try and find Arata."

"How long till Uncle Will graduates?" Spiro asked.

"Only two more weeks." Hanako answered.

"If Dad was still here, he'd be really sad." He answered.

"Come on, let's go." May smiled as she tapped Spiro's side. "It's lunch time."

The trio take a trip to the cafeteria where they run into Reinhardt who was being crowded by girls with teary faces.

"Senior, are you really going to graduate?!" They cried. "Don't you still have a year left? Why are you graduating already?"

"Ahahaha... Yeah I still have a year left but I'll also graduate along with William and the others." He answered them. "I have my reasons for graduating. Besides... with Arata gone... there's nothing left for me here."

"Uncle Reinhardt, wanna have lunch with us?" Spiro tugged at Reinhardt's shirt as he noticed the change in Reinhardt's expression.

"Oh Spiro, yeah sure." Reinhardt smiled and sat down with them.

"Where are Uncle Alexis and Uncle Alistar?" Spiro asked.

"The twins are with Moyu in the research lab, I heard they were researching something. Liam was with me till he got called to help with the Graduation Committee's work." Reinhardt answered. "Andrew's also with him, last I saw Zhen he was with Theo planning something. Will... I haven't seen him all day."

"Uncle Will was preparing for his Graduation Speech." Spiro answered

"Ah that's right, Will was the top student." Reinhardt answered. "I think Ethan was helping Monica and the Zodiacs in mapping possible areas for portals and tears in the borders between worlds."

"I heard Dino and the other Crests have begun searching for Arata across the worlds." Diana stated as she down with the group of Braves. "The Ancients have also begun trying to search for him across time and space."

"I wish Dad would stop dawdling and come home already." Spiro gripped the tray and Reinhardt patted his head.

"Arata has always been like that. Always taking his time." Reinhard smiled.

Reinhardt's words do little to restore the smile to Spiro's face. As days passed, the day of the graduation of the Braves was drawing ever closer but hope of Arata's return was growing farther and farther away. Till funally, the day before the Graduation of the Braves had arrived. It was nearing dusk, as the Braves were gathered in the great hall for a small party before they would all turn in.

"Everyone, I know it's been a rough month for all of us." Mayumi took the stage and spoke. "Tomorrow, a majority of us will be graduating from this place. But I know many are reluctant, hesitant to leave as we all have the same thing in our mind."

The Braves are silent, all listening to Mayumi's words. Hands united, some with silent years dripping down their faces.

"But, Arata would want us to continue on. To keep going forward, for his sake as well." She continues. "So, let's all do what he would've wnated us to do. To go towards the dawn and start a new chapter of our lives, with or without him."

As Mayumi finishes, tears drip down her face. She leaves the stage, her tears silently dripping down her face. She just wipes away the tears and sits back down. They all eat but no one is truly happy. The party is solemn and a tad melancholic as the Braves try to treasure the last of their time at Wings Academy.

As the Braves speak with each other trying to maintain a happy facade when Growth suddenly drops his glass.

"Growth? Is something wrong?" May asked and just then Spiro drops his glass and a lone tear drops from his face. "Spiro?"

Soon, William and the other Sacred Braves drop whatever they were holding as atear dripped down from their faces. Everyone stares unsure what has happened, till Ophelia slumps to the ground as tears drip down form her face. The glasses held by Theo and other Vassal Braves soon shatter to the ground. Then an alarm goes off.

"That's the Temperance alarm!" Moyu exclaimed. "Why is it going off?"

"Arata!!" William dahsed out of the room followed by the other Sacred Braves.

"The Temperance... is coming from within the School's grounds. At the Perennial Cherry Blossom!" Moyu exclaimed and Spiro and Growth immediately rush out the door along with the Vassal Braves.

Not king after, the Braves have rushed out of the Great Hall, all rushing to the Perennial Cherry Blossom in the scarlet rays of the setting sun. Above the Braves, Felicia and the Ancients have gathered.

"Arata!!" William shouted as the Perennial Cherry Blossom glowed so bright, illuminating it's surroundings.

Underneath the tree's leaves, there stood a lone figure. Almost instantly, the Braves face are filled with tears of joy as the familiar silhouette comes to view.

The Braves all stop a few meters from him. He stood there, like the day they first met him, his hair dancing in the wind as he gazed at the Perennial Cherry Blossom that was in full bloom. As if sensing the people behind him, he turned around and with an awkward smile spoke.

"Hey everyone... Sorry I took so long. I'm home." Arata spoke.

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"Arata!!" I'm embraced by Will the moment I turn to face them.

"Dad!!" Spiro hugs me so tightly.

"Arata!!" Everyone runs and gives me a hug that I can't even see their faces for a while.

"Everyone... I'm home." I cried silently as I felt the warm of everyone hugging me.