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[CH.76] Elementary School Graduation Ceremony

I Reincarnated as a Beautiful Girl and Aim to Become a Top Actress! (WN)

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[CH.76] Elementary School Graduation Ceremony


**TL Notes:

So as not to confuse you all, I made a list of the characters that get mentioned in this chapter that you may have forgotten before.

 

Sumire Matsuda: MC

Yoko Ando (Yoko-san): Sumire's manager.

Azusa Oshima: Sumire's mentor.

Touka Kimura: Sumire's close friend and classmate in Tokyo.

Haruka Sasaki: Sumire's kouhai


Today is the elementary school graduation ceremony. It's the first day of late March, and in the case of public schools, it feels like the Ministry of Education has set the date for the graduation ceremony, and it's generally held on the same day nationwide.


Most schools have students participate in the graduation ceremony wearing their elementary school uniforms. However, the school we attend is a bit different. It has been a long-standing tradition for us to attend wearing the uniform of the junior high school we will be advancing to.


"Sumire, I can't tie the ribbon evenly."


"Oh, I'll tie it for you. Just bend down a bit."


Since there's a height difference making it difficult to tie, Haruka obediently bent her knees so that her collar came right in front of me. The red ribbon tied in a bow looks striking against the brand-new white long-sleeved blouse. With a few adjustments here and there, I lightly tapped her chest, saying, "There, all set. You'll have to practice since you'll have to tie it every day once you start school."


"It's okay. We'll be going to the same school anyway. Sumire can tie it for me!"


I sighed as I smiled at Haruka, who was smiling sweetly and leaning on me. Well, it's fine. However, I did advise her to practice a little at a time, considering that our commuting times might differ or one of us might be absent. In my past life's school uniform, there was a clip-like thing at the back of the ribbon along with the boys' ties, making it convenient to just snap it in place.


Ms. Azusa and Yoko-san will apparently come to today's graduation ceremony. I heard that a few staff members from the office will also help with video recording, and I'm grateful because I want to show the video to my parents, Nao, and Fumika. In the letter I received the other day, it seems that Fumika's father is enthusiastic about buying a new video camera, so I'm sure the footage of their graduation ceremony will be sent to me. I'm really looking forward to seeing how they appear on the video.


Of course, I'm curious about the growth of the other classmates whom I haven't seen in action since the second term of the third year. While I know about their past lives when we graduated from middle school together, I only vaguely remember the appearance of our classmates from our elementary school days, beyond the reach of my memories. In the case of Nao and Fumika, I have thought about them several times, and since they are close friends in this life, I remember them more vividly than the other kids.


The parents are apparently coming later to make it to the ceremony, so Haruka and I head to the school together. Upon entering the classroom, most of the kids seem to be going to the local middle school, so there are only a handful of us wearing uniforms from different middle schools.


Nevertheless, most uniforms have navy or black outerwear, so at first glance, they don't seem that different. Occasionally, you might see combinations like a white sailor uniform or a gray blazer with a red checkered pleated skirt on the train, but they are in the minority.


Speaking of gray, in my past life, there was a school that a friend attended, and they had a gray blazer with a gray skirt or slacks. Furthermore, even the school-designated coat was gray. It was a school that really embraced the color gray. I vaguely recall that students from other schools and neighbors used to mockingly refer to them as the "walking tombstones" or the "night parade of tombstones." I somehow felt sympathy for them.


"It looks like everyone is wearing the same middle school uniform. I'm glad I passed the entrance exam for the same school as Sumire. I won't have to stand out alone."


"Is that a jab at me, the one wearing a different school uniform?"


Haruka said with a relieved sigh, and from behind her, there came a voice, lower than usual, belonging to Touka. As I turned my gaze toward them, Touka's hand reached out firmly from behind and grabbed Haruka's shoulder. Although Haruka was saying, "Ouch, that hurts!" they were both smiling, making it clear that they were just playing around.


We exchanged greetings and shared our impressions. While our uniforms were blazers, Touka's uniform was a sailor suit. Although it wasn't particularly new since our elementary school uniform was also of the sailor type, the white color gave it a clean and cute feel. Even though it was late March and still a bit chilly, the light pink cardigan worn over the sailor suit added to the cuteness.


"Sumire and Haruka, you both chose slightly larger sizes, didn't you? I thought Sumire might end up swimming in hers if she went for a larger size, but it's good that it's just a little bigger."


"... This was the smallest size available for ready-made ones. The next size up was way too baggy and looked awkward."


Of course, I will continue to grow, and I wouldn't mind that. But wearing clothes that are too big and don't fit well just because one expects further growth is really awkward. During elementary school, my mother insisted on it, but this time, I have the decision-making power, and I won't compromise on that. Thanks to the exemption from tuition fees, there is some flexibility in our budget, and I earnestly hope to grow quickly enough to justify buying new uniforms.


When the teacher arrived and gave a brief announcement, we lined up in the hallway and moved to the gymnasium as a group. Fifth-grade students pinned flowers to our chests, and we were welcomed with applause as the graduating students entered. Along the way, I spotted Ms. Azusa and the others, so I waved to them. By the way, among all those cameras lined up, the biggest and clearly professional-looking one stood out. I wonder if Ms. Azusa and the others brought it. Since there was no photographer around, I'm not certain, but I think our office borrowed it from somewhere.


As we grow and become popular actresses, if this footage is rented out to various places, the office can also profit from it. Considering it as an expectation and investment in Haruka and me, naturally, my determination to work hard only strengthens.


As I absentmindedly observed each person receiving their graduation certificate on stage, I realized once again that there were many classmates I didn't know at all. It's been over three years since I started attending this school, but my social circle is narrow. Perhaps it's because of my shyness carried over from my past life. I can handle meeting new people confidently in a work setting, but in school, where the private aspect is strong, my true nature may come out.


"Sumire Matsuda."


"Yes!"


While pondering these thoughts, I was called by the homeroom teacher, so I responded firmly. As I ascended the stage, I could clearly hear the flashes and shutter sounds from many cameras.


I wonder, I'm used to being photographed, but why bother taking pictures of me, who isn't even their child? If I were to compare it to the late Heisei era, it's like when people see a celebrity and instinctively take a photo with their smartphone, maybe? I'm technically a bit of a celebrity now, and my visibility might have increased a bit.


I received the certificate from the principal, followed the rehearsal to bow, and returned to my seat. Once everyone had received their certificates, a mysterious ritual began where all the graduating students recited a graduation message in unison, one verse at a time, in a loud voice.


I remember doing this at my elementary school graduation in my past life, so it seems to be a nationwide tradition. Even when your assigned part is over, there are multiple points where you have to continue reciting, making it quite demanding.


Although there was a slight hiccup when some girls started crying midway through, we managed to complete the presentation of the graduation message. As the graduating students, we exited the venue. Returning to the classroom, I noticed a few girls dabbing their eyes with handkerchiefs, presumably from crying. Having gone through this experience in my past life, I didn't feel particularly emotional, but for my current classmates, it was their first time, so tears were natural.


While graduation can sometimes lead to drifting apart, if individuals want to maintain their connections, those bonds can endure. In reality, Nao and Fumika have been separated for over three years, yet they've managed to stay in touch and maintain their friendship.


"I don't understand why they're crying so much, even though it's not like we'll never see each other again."


Even as Touka approached, throwing spiteful words, her eyes were slightly moist, and there was a hint of redness. I noticed small teardrops at the corners of her eyes, so I reached out and gently wiped them away with my thumb. Toka is my precious friend, and I'll continue to be friends with her until she says otherwise. If she's crying over parting with other classmates, it would feel like I'm doing something embarrassing.


Perhaps my actions touched a chord with Touka, as she suddenly embraced my head against her chest, hugging me tightly. Touka's still-growing chest touched my cheek, conveying a soft and squishy sensation.


Feeling Touka's body trembling, I understood that she was crying. To help her feel a bit more at ease, I wrapped my arms around her back and gently patted her for a while. Eventually, Touka slowly pulled away from me.


Sensing some glances, I looked around and saw some classmates hastily averting their eyes. Feeling embarrassed by the sentimentality we had briefly indulged in and the fact that we were being watched, Touka and I exchanged a quick glance, sharing a shy smile. Strangely, more boys seemed to have been looking at us than girls, which was curious. Perhaps the girls prioritized conversations with friends or farewells, while the boys could have just treated us the same way without concern.


As we were engaged in this, the teacher entered the room. After providing some instructions for the spring break and offering words of encouragement for us graduating, the teacher distributed graduation albums, and the class was dismissed. Making plans to hang out during the spring break with Touka, I was about to leave the classroom with Haruka when Take-kun called out to us from behind.


"Oh, come to think of it, I never thanked you for being so friendly," I thought, and I expressed my gratitude to Take-kun. I wished Mu-kun were here too, but he was already gone from the classroom, apparently having left. I asked Take-kun to convey my thanks to him. Take-kun nodded vaguely and seemed to attempt to say something several times, but he kept stopping himself.


Wondering if there was something difficult for him to express, I waited for his words. Instead, he simply said, "Please wait for me," causing me to involuntarily tilt my head in confusion. I wondered what I was supposed to wait for, as the sentence lacked a subject, making it unclear. Since he had hesitated so much before uttering those words, I figured Take-kun probably didn't intend to provide a detailed explanation. So, not knowing the specifics, I decided to respond with sincerity.


"I don't quite understand what you mean, but I can't make promises based on one-sided conversations. When you feel like talking about it, come and tell me. I'll listen properly," I said. I couldn't give a more conclusive answer without knowing the details, and it might have seemed like I was distancing myself, but I felt it was the best response I could offer. I wasn't rejecting him, and I did promise to listen when he was ready to talk. After all, I was curious about what he wanted to discuss.


Encouraged by Haruka, as I passed through the classroom sliding door, I glanced back at Take-kun once more. He had a somewhat bewildered expression as he looked at me, leaving an impression. Perhaps he had expected me to nod in agreement, but if so, I thought it might be a bit presumptuous. I couldn't irresponsibly agree to something as significant as a promissory note, and I believed it would be more respectful to refrain from casually nodding.


Before anyone could call out to us, Haruka and I exited through the school gate. Ms. Azusa and Yoko-san had taken time out of their work to come, so they had already left. I had properly greeted Toka, and there shouldn't have been any unfinished business or forgotten items.


"Well then, let's head home and maybe do some self-practice."


"Haruka, you need to finish your spring break homework. The entrance ceremony will be here before you know it."


"Ugh, can you teach me the parts I don't understand?"


"Of course, I'll teach you properly, so don't give up. There's probably going to be a proficiency test soon after you start school, I assume."


As I said that, Haruka let out a sad groan and dramatically shook our linked hands several times like a puppet with a string. We exchanged smiles, and with the next lively topic, we continued our cheerful walk home.


Although the graduation ceremony left a small mystery, as I walked happily with Haruka, that matter had completely vanished from my mind.


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