Karen smiled with her hands behind her back.

"Your goal is Kyoto University, right?" Kiryu Hina said, "With your grades, it shouldn't be a problem."

"Yeah, thank you!"

"Good luck."

"Yeah!"

"..."

The atmosphere gradually turned silent.

The three of them felt at a loss for words.

After a long while, it was Karen who first broke the silence in the air.

"I wonder what Kagura is doing now."

She spoke with a tone of concern, "I hope his illness can be cured."

"It's a mental illness; it's not that easy."

Ayakoji Chiyoko replied instinctively.

Then silence fell again.

Kiryu Hina snorted softly, crossed her arms, and looked away without speaking.

Her exposed profile was heartbreaking.

Everyone remembered what happened that day.

Christmas Eve.

They stopped Kagura Hikaru.

Karen confessed her feelings to him.

There was no response, because after that, Kagura Hikaru fell ill and was taken to the hospital.

Later, his parents came to the school to arrange for his leave of absence.

They tried to contact Kagura Hikaru but received no reply.

Only later did they learn from his family that he was no longer in Tokyo but had returned to his hometown in Wakayama to recuperate.

Karen walked, reflecting on that day's events.

Her fingers unconsciously twirled her long hair.

In the past few months, her hair had grown slightly longer.

Her hairstyle had changed from long straight hair to a low ponytail.

Karen gathered the hair behind her to her chest.

Her demeanor instantly seemed more mature.

She had already said goodbye to the two presidents and was planning to go home.

Zhen Chun had something come up and was not going the same way with her.

She walked alone on the verdant courtyard path.

The sound of graduates laughing and playing reached her ears.

She couldn't help but smile.

Halfway, Karen happened to see Kohinata Motoyo.

The latter was talking with a few Drama Club students by the path.

When he saw Karen, he even gave a smile.

She quickly nodded in response.

Hurriedly quickening her steps.

She didn't know how to face him.

On Christmas Eve, Little Hinata and Kagura Hikaru had essentially broken up.

If one must say, it was still the other side who broke up with Kagura Hikaru.

Right after that, Kagura Hikaru went home to recover.

Little Hinata's personality became somewhat withdrawn.

No longer interested in socializing, often daydreaming alone, concerned with nothing but Drama Club matters.

Karen always felt a sense of guilt towards the two of them.

She often wondered if she hadn't confessed that day, maybe things wouldn't have turned out this way.

Kagura Hikaru would still be at school, witnessing her graduation.

Little Hinata would also be the same as before, smiling and playing with them.

She walked out of the school.

The cherry blossom trees at the entrance were in full bloom with pink and white flowers.

The branches swayed with the wind.

Cherry blossoms fell profusely.

Karen looked up, reaching out to catch a petal.

Her bright pupils reflected the sunlight.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew.

Sweeping up a shower of flowers.

Karen instinctively raised her hand to shield her eyes.

Cherry blossoms covered her head.

The wind gradually weakened.

Karen suddenly felt a sense of anticipation.

If she opened her eyes and the person she was thinking of appeared before her amidst the cherry blossom rain, it would be so romantic.

Thinking this.

She slowly opened her eyes.

As expected, there was no one in front of her.

She smiled wryly.

Really, grown-up as she was, how could such ideal things be possible.....

"Ai Cheng."

A familiar voice came from behind.

She was stunned.

Quickly turned and looked back.

A boy in a school uniform stood there with one hand in his pocket.

His face was handsome, with an extraordinary demeanor.

His eyes shone with a gentle light.

Sunshine passed through the branches, leaving light spots on his face.

Radiant and dazzling.

"Ka....gura?"

"Ai Cheng, long time no see."

Kagura Hikaru greeted as usual.

Karen's expression was both surprised and delighted.

"You, your illness is better?"

"Actually, not yet."

Kagura Hikaru said, "I only rushed back knowing you were graduating today."

"Eh?"

Such a statement, as if he came back to Tokyo just for her.

A hint of shyness crossed Karen's heart.

She nervously pinched the straps of her school bag and adjusted her skirt.

"This time back, will you leave again?"

"No, I won't."

"That's good..... President Ayakoji and the others, have you seen them yet?"

"I only just arrived, and ran into you at the gate."

"Hmm....."

The two stood beneath the cherry blossom tree.

One with her head down, the other looking at her.

Falling petals landed on their shoulders.

Time seemed to slow down.

After a long while.

"By the way, Ai Cheng, will you be moving onto university?"

Kagura Hikaru suddenly asked.

Karen lifted her head with some confusion, "Yeah, I've decided."

"Which university is it?"

Kagura Hikaru smiled and said, "If it's not too hard, I'll come find you."

Karen stood frozen in shock.

The spring breeze blew her hair.

Covering her blushing face.

The future development of Kagura Hikaru and Karen's relationship won't be elaborated on.

Surely, no one wants to waste precious time, right?

After all.....

A completed love story really isn't much of a tale worth telling.

(The End)