Page 210
Page 210
One of the reasons why Banami disappeared just now was that she went to Shiina's house and took out Maki's school uniform.
Although Nurse Furumura didn't know why the two had changed into school uniforms, Maki's rather sentimental expression suggested she understood something.
She said very understandingly, "In that case, Mr. Banami, why don't you come along too? I'll teach you how to change the patient's clothes, so it will be easier for you to take care of him at home."
"Huh?!" Hanami exclaimed in surprise.
Maki, however, feigned concern and said, "It's...it's alright, Ms. Komura. Although it's a bit difficult, I can change my clothes by myself."
Why are you saying that in such a teasy way?
"Mr. Hanami?" Ms. Komura gave him a terrifying smile, as if to say, "You don't really intend to let the patient change clothes by himself, do you?"
Banami realized he had fallen for Maki again, and was in a bit of a bind, since he hadn't been able to deny that he was her boyfriend.
"Excuse me, could you please teach me how to change Maki's clothes?" In the end, the man chose to follow his heart.
By the time she left the hospital, Maki had transformed into a beautiful high school girl in uniform. The Shiina family had excellent genes; even Mrs. Shiina from the previous generation was a very pretty woman in her youth.
For beautiful women, age can be ignored to some extent. For example, Maki doesn't look out of place wearing a uniform now.
However, her hearty laughter now shattered the first impression of her being dignified and elegant; after all, the way Banami looked just now was really too funny.
"You changed my clothes just yesterday, so why are your hands shaking like you have Parkinson's in front of Miss Furumura? Miss Furumura thinks you're deliberately taking advantage of me."
It was all because that nurse had been whispering in his ear that Maki's breasts were particularly large, and that he should be paying attention to changing his bra type at this time, explaining bra styles to him, which made his eyes unconsciously dart towards her full breasts, and his mind wander.
"However, even though you've wavered like this, you haven't revealed any more of your ugly side. Should I say that you have good self-control, or that I have absolutely no charm?"
I should thank your sister for her foresight in squeezing me dry first.
Banami thought to herself, "I'm complaining."
He couldn't help but feel a little annoyed, saying, "Is teasing me really that fun?"
Maki said, "After all, if I didn't say that, I might have cried right now. It would be embarrassing, but I still have to maintain my dignity as an older sister."
Banami paused slightly, looking at Maki whose expression seemed calm, and then realized that her fingers were trembling slightly.
"Thank you so much for finding this uniform for me. I never thought I'd have the chance to wear it again," Maki said, slightly sadly.
This uniform holds special significance for her imperfect high school experience.
Banami clenched her fists tightly, then pushed the woman's wheelchair forward.
Soon after, the two arrived at Haneoka Girls' High School. As a graduate, Hanami easily led Maki, who was also a dropout from Haneoka, inside.
Since arriving at Haneoka, Maki's eyes have been constantly looking around.
"I never expected that the grape trellis would still be growing here. I once caught a couple secretly kissing here."
"But I saw that the guy was blocking his girlfriend, so I quietly let them go, hehe."
"Isn't this the place where you and that girl named... Chihaya... held your wedding back then?"
"I miss it so much. I didn't expect the library to still look the same as before, but the multimedia building has changed a lot."
For Maki, perhaps she was still studying here a few days ago, but after taking a nap, the school has become like this. It's hard to say whether she had any concept of time during her sleep.
Banami smiled as she looked at Maki, who seemed somewhat excited. Although she herself did not realize it, her spirit seemed to be instantly replenished after stepping into Haneoka.
"Where do we go next?" Maki asked.
“Hmm, how about going to the auditorium?” Banami said.
"The auditorium, huh? I even stood up there and gave a speech once. I thought I'd be giving a speech as a graduate representative. I remember I even secretly prepared a speech back then. What a fool I was," Maki said with a light laugh.
Perhaps it was the auditorium that stirred up Maki's regret, but Banami seemed unaware of it and said, "The year I graduated, it was Shoko who was the student representative, and MYGO even performed at the graduation party. It was so lively! We even recorded a video. If you want to see it, I'll find it and show it to you when I get back."
"Oh, that's really nice," Maki said softly.
Unfortunately, she never experienced such a graduation ceremony.
Looking at the woman with her head down, Banami did not offer any words of comfort, but continued to gently push the wheelchair forward until... they entered the supposedly empty auditorium.
It's the weekend, and this place should be deserted, but Maki, with her head down, noticed that it was quite noisy.
When she looked up, she saw a sight that surprised her.
"Shiina-senpai... It's been a long time."
Not far away, a woman of about the same age as her called out.
"You are, Momoka!" This was her former junior from the Disciplinary Committee.
She used to be a cute junior schoolgirl, but now she looks quite like a mature woman. However, her innocent smile still made Maki recognize her.
“Maki, you haven’t forgotten me, have you?” Then, another, slightly taller woman said.
"Yako!" This was her former classmate and partner in the brass band, Arimuro Yako. Although she looked like a working adult now, she recognized her at a glance.
"Maki-senpai."
"Shiina!"
"Maki!"
Inside the bustling auditorium, countless faces, some unfamiliar yet somehow familiar, called out her name.
Ayako, Yuuno, Shion, Misako... one familiar name after another floated into her mind.
These people were her former classmates, her juniors in the disciplinary committee, and her companions in the brass band.
"Why would you..." Maki's eyes widened, but she quickly realized something and turned to look at the man behind her.
But then he revealed a triumphant smile: "I just asked Senior Sister Yako to spread the news of your awakening in your old class group. The reason so many people are gathered here is entirely because of your popularity and reputation, Sister Maki."
"However, the fact that you insisted on making this old man come all the way from his hometown is all thanks to you, Banami."
Suddenly, an old but kind voice rang out. Maki turned around and said in surprise, "Headmaster!?"
"She's already the former principal, Maki."
The kind-faced old lady in front of me corrected me in a gentle voice.
But Maki was completely bewildered and didn't know what to say.
The old lady didn't seem to care. She glanced at Banami and said with a smile, "Isn't it about time to begin?"
Banami nodded slightly and said, "Thank you."
"Start, what?" Maki didn't know what was going to happen next, but she was subconsciously nervous. After all, the people in front of her meant her past and memories.
"Silly boy, of course it's your graduation ceremony."
The old lady principal said with a smile, and then the curtain on the auditorium stage was slowly drawn back.
"Next, the 52nd Haneoka Girls' High School Graduation Ceremony will officially begin. Please welcome student representative, Maki Shiina, to the stage to deliver a speech on behalf of the entire school."
When the old lady finished speaking, Maki couldn't help but choke up.
She finally understood why the man behind her insisted on making her wear her old uniform.
He is trying his best to help her piece together the life she is gradually losing in her sleep, and then, like a precious treasure, to present it to her.
Chapter Seventy: Just Like Young Students
Maki looked at her relatives, friends, and juniors below the stage, then at the teachers and principals who were once familiar to her, who were smiling at her, and the man who was supporting her from behind.
She knew that this graduation ceremony was prepared especially for her, so even though her fingers trembled slightly, she still gripped the microphone tightly, not wanting to disappoint the others.
It's been a long time since I've been the center of attention like this.
Maki picked up the microphone, a warm smile on her face, and said in a voice as gentle as a spring breeze: "Dear Principal, teachers, and most importantly, my dear friends, today is the day when we, the 52nd graduating class of Haneoka Girls' High School, bid farewell to our alma mater. As the fragrance of cherry blossoms wafts from the collar of our uniforms once again, please allow me to express my overflowing gratitude and memories in words..."
As the graduation ceremony began and graduate Shiina Maki took the stage to give a speech as a student representative, the elites standing below the auditorium, who had already left Haneoka and entered the workforce, couldn't help but feel a little dazed.
In particular, seeing Shiina-senpai's familiar yet unforgettable gentle voice made them feel as if they had truly returned to their youthful days.
The noise in the classroom, the sweat shed on the sports field, the budding feelings, and the feigned indifference when facing the one you love.
This small auditorium seemed to isolate everyone from the outside world, taking them back to their youthful days that can never be relived.
Maki Shiina is an outstanding woman. Her excellent grades, superb trumpet skills, and kind personality make her seem like a kind senior that everyone encounters during their school years.
Her existence has become one of the symbols of her youth.
That's why when Shiina Maki was in a car accident, it shocked everyone present so much that they still remember it vividly. As soon as Meiko called for help in the class group, countless graduates put aside their work and families, or even took leave, to come and hold a graduation ceremony for the girl in front of them.
"Starting tomorrow, we will each paint the world with our own unique colors on our own paths. Please don't worry, no matter how far apart we are, as long as we look up at the clock tower of the school building, we will believe that the same breeze will brush against each other's cheeks."
Finally, please allow me to conclude by quoting the principal: Youth is a letter written to the future.
So, when we see this letter in the future, whether with regret or pride, I hope we can smile knowingly.
Hearing Maki's "outdated" message, many of the graduates, who had already entered the workforce, had tears in their eyes.
They never imagined that attending Maki-senpai's graduation ceremony would become a memory of their own youth.
Suddenly, a girl shouted, "Shiina-senpai, I like you, I've always liked you, and I want to confess to you like this at graduation ceremony."
Everyone was surprised, but when they saw that the girl who was sobbing was no longer a high school girl, they couldn't help but show an expression that was both crying and laughing.
"Thank you, Yuki-chan. You are a kind girl. You will definitely meet someone you can entrust your life to in the future."
Maki gently closed her eyes and easily uttered the name of the junior who had confessed to her, or rather, she remembered the names of everyone present.
"Tell me, have you found your future self?" Maki said softly.
The woman named Yuki nodded vigorously and said in a sorrowful voice, "Yes, it's all... thanks to your teachings, senior."
"Silly girl, that's because you've worked really hard." Maki smiled knowingly.
Even the former teachers and principals were moved by the scene.
Banami placed her hand on Maki's shoulder; even after so many years, she still possessed such charismatic leadership qualities.
Next, everyone looked sincerely at the old principal and presented Shiina-senpai with his belated graduation certificate.
But the graduation ceremony prepared by Hanami was not just that. Next, the former members of the brass band, led by Meiko, would perform at the graduation ceremony.
Looking at Shiina Maki who was already in the audience, Yako said, "Maki, our brass band was supposed to disband after the National Competition, but after learning about your accident, it became a reason for everyone to continue getting together."
Now, we are a professional wind instrument ensemble, and we are even quite famous in the country.
Everyone is waiting for you to come back. So get well soon!
This senior, Meiko, who was acquainted with Maki, began conducting the brass band.
Perhaps even Maki herself didn't expect that her car accident would change not only the Shiina family and Hanami's life, but also the fate of many people connected to her.
And it's not just bad things.
With tears in her eyes, Maki looked at the place where she had once displayed her talent and poured out her sweat.
For her, the wind band was just a tool to increase her chances, but unknowingly, it also fostered many bonds of friendship.
The melodious chorus reached Maki's ears, but it no longer referred to the club members who needed her guidance.
Their current level has far surpassed that of the "geniuses" they were eight years ago.
As if sensing something, Banami gently placed her hand on her shoulder, seemingly to comfort her.
As the melody slowly faded, Maki, the protagonist, clapped softly, but the applause contained more than just praise.
The former principal quickly stood on the stage, holding a microphone and smiling as he said, "Although it's not evening now, since it's a graduation ceremony, wouldn't it be incomplete without a graduation party?"
As they said this, the band's playing style instantly shifted to a mellow jazz style.
That is the melody used for ballroom dancing in the tradition of Haneoka.
Maki paused slightly, as if realizing something, but then saw the others slowly back away, as if to make room for her in the center.
Then, the man who had painstakingly planned everything walked up to her and said softly, "Shiina Maki-senpai, may I invite you to dance?"
He placed one hand behind his back and extended the other to her in front of the wheelchair, making Maki feel somewhat dazed, as if she had truly arrived at the graduation bonfire party she had never been to.
The boy, who was still a high school student, stood in front of her and nervously invited her to dance.
After all, if she wasn't invited soon, she would have to leave the school and never have another chance.
Maki slowly opened her eyes and asked, "If I had been there that night, would you have come... and invited me to dance?"
Maki's eyes seemed to be yearning for something. Banami was surprised that she would ask such a question. After a moment of silence, she decided to follow her heart.
"Will do."
The woman's eyes seemed to shine with light as she gently... extended her hand to the other person.
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