Chapter 275: The End of the Journey at Shuchiin

Chapter 275: The End of the Journey at Shuchiin

Caught red-handed while "sneakily taking photos."

Yet Yukima Azuma didn't flinch at all.

On the contrary, he even waved to call the main character over.

Then he placed the photo on his own phone side by side with the one on Suou Yuki's phone.

"Kaguya has changed a lot, right?"

Hearing that, Shinomiya Kaguya also found herself drawn to the photo.

Indeed, there had been many changes—changes not easily noticed by the person themselves.

Looking at the two photos, although the faces were identical,

The feeling they gave off was completely different.

Shinomiya Kaguya's eyes widened slightly.

So I've changed that much?

(•̪ o •̪)

She was surprised inside.

Right after, Shinomiya Kaguya quickly reined in her expression.

Her eyes held a teasing smile as she looked at Yukima Azuma.

"Seems like I've changed quite a bit. I wonder which version Azuma-kun likes more?"

No matter which version he picked, it would mean Yukima Azuma liked her.

Shinomiya Kaguya held onto such a small thought.

"I like both, because Kaguya is really cute."

"But if I had to choose, the current Kaguya is a little better."

Yukima Azuma boldly shot an arrow straight into the girl's heart.

Shinomiya Kaguya was shot.

(੭ ˊ^ˋ)੭ ♡ જ⁀➴ (˃͈ ˂͈ )♡

Her cheeks flushed slightly.

Yukima Azuma's directness left her momentarily speechless.

Was that... a confession?

If Yukima Azuma admitted it, then what?

Should she go along and start dating?

Shinomiya Kaguya felt that if Yukima Azuma was the one confessing—

Then she... wouldn't mind being in a relationship.

But the Shinomiya family probably wouldn't see it that way.

Shinomiya Kaguya's mind was already drifting to scenarios of what would happen after marriage.

"Let's go, we're heading to the student council room."

Yukima Azuma spoke up then, breaking her train of thought.

Hearing they were going to the student council room,

Shinomiya Kaguya's wine-red eyes dimmed slightly.

The student exchange program had ended.

Yukima Azuma was about to return to Toyogasaki.

Which meant, their chances to meet would almost instantly vanish.

Her mood instantly sank.

(っ- ‸ - ς)

"Kuso, the precious time we had studying together is already over in a flash!"

(ᗒᗣᗕ)՞

Suou Yuki bluntly voiced her complaint.

As Imouto-chan, Suou Yuki understood very well that emotions could be openly expressed.

That way, she'd get more affection.

And she was right.

Yukima Azuma reached out and gently patted Suou Yuki's black hair.

"It's not like we won't see each other again. Come visit me whenever you're free."

( ´･･)ﾉ(._.`)

Suou Yuki basked in Yukima Azuma's affectionate head pat.

Hearing that, she immediately nodded vigorously.

In truth, even if Yukima Azuma hadn't said it—

During her upcoming free days, she would be running over to Yukima's place often anyway.

After all, she'd already waited three years.

Seeing the interaction between the two, Shinomiya Kaguya felt a twinge of envy.

(˶˃⤙˂˶)

Of course, she had thought about secretly visiting Yukima Azuma after they no longer saw each other at school.

But on second thought, Shinomiya Kaguya realized that the possibility was terribly slim.

As the eldest daughter of the Shinomiya family,

Her spring break and weekends were always packed with scheduled plans.

Even if she rarely had a day off—

If she ran off to see some boy,

The Shinomiya family wouldn't take it lightly.

At that moment, after finishing patting Suou Yuki's head,

Yukima Azuma turned to Shinomiya Kaguya.

"Don't look so down. I'll come find you."

Hearing that, Shinomiya Kaguya gently nodded.

At first, she didn't think too much of it.

But right after, Shinomiya Kaguya noticed a subtle difference in the way Yukima Azuma spoke the two times.

To her, Yukima Azuma said he would come find her.

Did that boy... really mean that?

That he would try to overcome the abyss-like barrier that was the Shinomiya family to come see her?

As if saying—even if he had to set foot on the moon, he would still find a way to see Hime Kaguya.

She lifted her head to look at Yukima Azuma.

Their eyes met.

Shinomiya Kaguya saw determination in Yukima Azuma's gaze.

So it was true—he meant exactly that.

Shinomiya Kaguya's heart began to pound wildly.

(∩˃o˂∩)♡

In Japan, there is a very famous folktale.

The legend of Hime Kaguya.

At the end of the story, Hime Kaguya leaves her husband a pill of immortality.

Then she returns to the moon.

Her husband, devastated by the loss of Hime Kaguya,

Refuses to drink the pill, and instead chooses to burn the elixir of immortality along with himself.

At first glance, it sounds like a satirical fable.

But everyone has their own interpretation.

Hime Kaguya, who was forced to return to the moon, had tried her very best.

Leaving the pill behind for her husband—

Perhaps hoping that one day, she might return from the moon to Earth.

And then, she could meet her husband once more.

Or maybe, if he took the pill of immortality,

He could find a way to reach the moon.

A matter like that requires effort from both sides.

Yukima Azuma is someone who always follows his desires and absolutely never gives up.

Even if the goal is the moon—even if he has to start from zero and build aerospace technology from scratch—

Yukima Azuma would never stop walking into that blaze like a moth to the flame.

...

Student Council Room.

Yukima Azuma was signing his name to complete the paperwork.

Fujiwara Chika was crying her eyes out beside him.

"Nooo! Azuma-kun, don't gooo!"

.·°՞(¯□¯)՞°·.

One could only say, no one would've expected—

That when Yukima Azuma was about to leave,

In the student council of Shuchiin Academy,

The one who reacted the most intensely was Fujiwara Chika.

Compared to the reserved Suou Yuki and Shinomiya Kaguya—

Our secretary, Fujiwara, was far more straightforward.

Her relationship with Yukima Azuma was incredibly close, they'd been calling each other by name for a long time, and their mutual fondness was sky-high.

At this point, they were practically kindred spirits.

Fujiwara Chika almost lunged at Yukima Azuma, trying to cling to his leg and not let him leave.

Yukima Azuma just felt an incoming headache.

Only Fujiwara Chika would make such a fuss, and he didn't know how to properly calm her down.

Truly worthy of her title: "Cancer of Earth."

A total embodiment of chaos!

Seeing Yukima Azuma's troubled expression—

Shinomiya Kaguya and Suou Yuki couldn't help but raise their hands to stifle a soft laugh.

It was the first time either of them had seen Yukima Azuma so flustered.

After that whole uproar by Fujiwara Chika—

The somewhat gloomy farewell atmosphere was instantly swept away.

"Anyway, it's almost spring break. We weren't gonna be at Shuchiin much longer either!"

"(ノ _ <,, )

Yukima Azuma raised a hand to his forehead, trying to reason with Fujiwara Chika.

Hearing that, Fujiwara Chika paused for a moment.

Now that he mentioned it... he kind of had a point.

But still, after spring break, she wouldn't get to see Yukima Azuma at Shuchiin anymore!

"If we have time, let's all go hang out as a student council group."

Yukima Azuma sweetened the deal with a little bait.

At that, Fujiwara's expression finally softened.

"That's a promise then!"

As she spoke, Fujiwara Chika extended her pinky finger—

Wanting to pinky swear with Yukima Azuma.

Yukima Azuma nodded and linked pinkies with Fujiwara Chika.

In any case, Fujiwara Chika definitely wouldn't be free during spring break.

As far as Yukima Azuma knew—

Every holiday, Fujiwara Chika would go traveling with her parents, older sister, and younger sister.

One summer, she even went all the way to the Arctic.

He'd dodged that bullet for now.

Once spring break came around—

Fujiwara Chika would definitely vanish off somewhere again.

...

At last, the pile of paperwork was signed, officially wrapping up the exchange program.

Shinomiya Kaguya gathered the documents.

She turned to look at Yukima Azuma.

"Did you enjoy your time at Shuchiin?"

Hearing that, Yukima Azuma gave a sincere nod.

At first, he had come to Shuchiin because of Suou Yuki.

But, this semester at Shuchiin—even though he didn't study much or participate much in school life—

It was truly a valuable period of time.

Even with a few small incidents and minor hiccups—

None of it could taint the overall memory of this experience.

Seeing Yukima Azuma nod—

Shinomiya Kaguya smiled softly.

"In that case, you should come back for the second semester next year."

(≖⩊≖)

Yukima Azuma gave a small cough.

"Ahem... I'll think about it when the time comes."

(¬_¬")

"What do you mean 'think about it'?!" Fujiwara Chika instantly started acting up again. "Just do the exchange again!"

༼;´༎ຶ ۝ ༎ຶ༽