17 I Like You! A Gift from a Young Girl

The remainder of the school days passed without incident, and graduation soon arrived.

The gymnasium had been decorated for the ceremony. Parents sat toward the back, while empty chairs in front awaited the graduates to take their seats after the proceedings.

Kyosuke Hojo wore a black stand-collar uniform with a white flower pinned to his chest, lining up behind his homeroom teacher, Takeuchi, who wore a plain kimono. This attire was not the usual school uniform but was worn on special occasions, much like gym clothes.

To be honest, Kyosuke felt a bit nervous. Though his soul was that of an adult, the ceremony’s formality was overwhelming—with the national anthem and guest speeches. Because he had been admitted to East City Middle School as the top student, the principal wanted him to give a speech as the graduation representative, but he declined.

His sister, Mikiko Hojo, scolded him for a while over this, saying she had intended to invite all their relatives to watch. Kyosuke broke out in a cold sweat but was glad he refused.

Still, amidst the ceremony, Kyosuke couldn’t help but become serious.

First was Class 6-1, which was Sakura Yamauchi’s class.

“Sakura Yamauchi.”

As usual, Sakura was carefree. While some classmates were so nervous they stumbled, she bounded forward cheerfully. After receiving her diploma from the principal, she waved it toward her mother, then turned to Kyosuke with a big smile.

That foolish girl—seeing Sakura’s lively smile, Kyosuke’s tension immediately vanished.

Next came Class 6-2. Takeuchi stepped onto the stage first, joining the principal to call the names from the roster.

“Shoko Nishinomiya.”

The little girl in the black uniform walked up with precise, robotic steps, her serious expression making Kyosuke smile.

Among the parents, Yaeko Nishinomiya couldn’t hold back tears as she watched her daughter accept her diploma. Mikiko Hojo quickly embraced her in consolation.

Shoko had graduated from a regular school! Yaeko was overjoyed. If this hadn’t worked out, she would have considered transferring Shoko to a special education school, as previously suggested.

Luckily, they met Kyosuke Hojo.

“Naoka Ueno.”

This little girl was much more normal and simply smiled at Kyosuke as she stepped down.

“Kyosuke Hojo.”

Taking a deep breath, Kyosuke walked onto the stage.

“Congratulations on your graduation, Hojo-kun,” the principal said. Kyosuke received special treatment, not only the principal’s blessing but also a relieved smile from Takeuchi.

“...Thank you.”

Kyosuke bowed and took his diploma before stepping down.

After the formalities, it was time for free photo-taking.

Some posed with their homeroom teachers, others with classmates; every corner of the gym was filled with people taking pictures.

The first to find Kyosuke was Naoka Ueno.

“Kyosuke!”

At the loud call, Kyosuke turned around and immediately felt a small hand grab his clothes. Before he could react, a strong pull nearly dragged him to the ground.

“Damn it, why are these buttons sewn so tightly?”

After the failed sneak attack, Naoka complained, pulling out a small pair of scissors from her pocket.

“Hey, what are you doing, Ueno?”

“Huh? Taking your buttons.”

“I know what you’re doing—I’m asking why.”

“You don’t know? You’re not still that old-fashioned, are you?”

Without further explanation, Naoka snipped off the second button on Kyosuke’s jacket.

“Hey! Ueno, you’re sneaky! Running off ahead!”

Sakura’s voice came from nearby. As the class favorite, she was surrounded by many taking photos. Struggling to break free, she still arrived a moment too late.

“Damn it! I want the shirt button—it’s closer to Kyosuke’s heart!”

With that, Sakura grabbed Kyosuke’s shirt. Her strength was far greater than Naoka’s, and she easily tore off the second shirt button.

“Um, I’ll just take the third one,” said Shoko Nishinomiya timidly. Though she smiled shyly, she quickly pulled out scissors and neatly cut off the third button on Kyosuke’s jacket.

“Hey, hey! Enough already! How am I supposed to take pictures like this?”

By now, Kyosuke’s jacket hung wide open, his shirt collar undone, revealing part of his well-defined chest.

The three little girls all looked at him and burst into clear, melodious laughter.

“Oh, Kyosuke, did you save the button for your mom properly?”

Suddenly, Mikiko Hojo, who had been watching from nearby, teased him.

“Mom, stop making things worse. I’m still totally confused.”

Kyosuke straightened his clothes as best he could.

“My silly son.”

Mikiko looked at the three shy girls approaching and pulled Kyosuke aside to explain the story behind the graduation ceremony and the buttons.

“Huh? Are all these girls Sakura’s fans? Do they really believe that the button closest to the heart symbolizes love?”

“Well, that’s how it is. Come on, let’s go.”

“Hey!”

Kyosuke struggled in vain as his mother pushed him toward the chaos.

Now understanding why Naoka wanted a button, he felt a bit at a loss. Unlike Sakura, they all knew they would eventually become family, and until then, he had never realized Naoka’s feelings for him.

With Mikiko no longer present, the girls returned to their normal selves.

“Kyosuke-kun, do you remember the day of the choir competition when you walked me home?” Naoka spoke first. Sakura quietly pulled Shoko aside to join Kyoko Takimoto and others for photos. This girl never put Kyosuke in difficult situations, always thinking of him wholeheartedly.

“I remember.”

“That night, what I wanted to tell you was this: I’ve liked you for three years.”

“Ueno…”

“Why won’t you call me Naoka yet?”

“It’s not like that, Naoka…”

“Let me finish, okay?”

“Okay.”

“That night, when you fought Kenichi Yamamoto and the others, I saw everything. I thought, Kyosuke-kun really is like a superhero, just like my parents. They were police officers who died heroically.”

“Naoka, you…”

“I’m fine; just listen. Over the past three years, I’ve watched your every move. How you protect Shoko, how you discipline Ishida—I became more certain that you are the hero I’ve been looking for.

But sadly, that hero was protecting someone else.”

There was a hint of regret in Naoka’s voice, but her eyes shone with infinite tenderness as she looked at Kyosuke. The burning passion within almost set him aflame.

“I won’t give up! Whether it’s Sakura or Shoko, I won’t let you go to them! That’s my resolve, Ueno Naoka.”

With a dramatic flourish, Naoka stepped forward, tiptoed, and gently kissed Kyosuke’s cheek.

“See you later, Kyosuke~”

Before he could react, Naoka dashed away.

Kyosuke stood stunned—not only by the girl’s innocent kiss but by the fireworks exploding in his mind.

Colorful sparks danced wildly, forming a large phrase:

“Received gift from ‘Ueno Naoka’—Kendo Talent.”

Kyosuke was about to open the gift details when a soft voice came from behind him.

“Are you really that happy just because Naoka kissed you? Need to savor it so long?”

Startled, Kyosuke turned to see Sakura Yamauchi standing behind him, holding Shoko Nishinomiya’s hand.

“I was just surprised, not savoring anything.”

He absentmindedly touched the spot Naoka had kissed.

“Don’t say that! You clearly enjoyed it!”

Sakura pouted, hands on hips, feigning jealousy.

“Um, Sakura, don’t be mad. I also have something to say to Kyosuke-kun,” Shoko tugged at Sakura’s sleeve in a soft voice.

“Hm?”

Then, much to Sakura’s astonishment, Shoko tiptoed and kissed the other cheek of Kyosuke’s face—one that had not yet been kissed.

“Thank you, Kyosuke. See you later.”

With that, Shoko ran off.

“I was here first, and now this…”

Even Sakura couldn’t bear the injustice, her small mouth puckering, almost in tears.

“Alright, alright. Later, come to my house for a big meal! I’ve got yam ice cream ready.”

Enduring her feelings, with fireworks still exploding in his mind after Shoko’s kiss, Kyosuke stepped forward and pulled Sakura into his arms, gently kissing her forehead.

“That’s better! Come on, let’s go take photos with everyone.”

Sakura was always like this—quick to get upset, quick to recover, endlessly energetic, as if nothing in the world could keep her sad for even a second.

“Received gift from ‘Nishinomiya Shoko’—Science Talent.”

And so, Kyosuke’s elementary school years ended, surrounded by these young girls.