Hajime, dressed in his graduation uniform, stood among the other seniors, arms crossed and eyes half-lidded as he sighed. "Tch, can't believe it's already here… Time went by too fast."
Daka smirked, adjusting his collar. "You say that like you’re actually gonna miss this place."
Hajime scoffed. "Not the school, just… some parts of it."
Rizra chuckled. "Like the Music Club, right?"
Hajime looked away, scratching his cheek. "I guess."
Sockoo smiled warmly at Hajime. "It's okay to admit it, you know. You've made a lot of memories here."
Before Hajime could respond, the principal stepped onto the stage, beginning the ceremony. The speeches were long and somewhat boring, but everyone held in their excitement for the moment when they would finally receive their diplomas.
When Hajime’s name was called, he walked up to the stage with his usual confident yet lazy demeanor. As he accepted his diploma, he could hear Ray whistling loudly from the crowd, while Daka, Rizra, and Sockoo clapped proudly.
As he walked back down, Sockoo whispered with a teasing grin, "Hajime, you should smile more. It’s your big day, after all!"
Hajime groaned. "Tch, not happening."
Rizra smirked. "C'mon, at least look happy for the pictures."
Hajime sighed dramatically. "Fine, but only if I get some cookies after this."
Daka laughed. "Man, even on graduation day, you’re still all about food."
With the ceremony coming to an end, the students tossed their graduation caps into the air, cheers and shouts filling the school grounds.
Hajime stood there, watching his cap soar into the sky, feeling a strange mix of nostalgia and relief.
"Guess this is it, huh?"
As the graduation ceremony came to an end, Makoto, Yosuke, Yu, Emily, Amy, and Bondo
Makoto smirked, arms crossed. "Heh, I knew that guy would make it through. Still, kinda weird seeing Hajime graduate. Feels like just yesterday he was causing chaos at school."
Yosuke nodded. "Yeah, and now he’s gonna be out in the real world. Wonder what kind of trouble he’ll get into next?"
Yu chuckled. "Knowing Hajime? Something insane."
Emily and Amy were smiling, happy for their friend. Amy looked over at Emily. "It’s gonna be weird not seeing Hajime at school anymore, huh?"
Emily nodded. "Yeah, but I know he’ll do fine. He’s Hajime, after all."
Bondo, standing a little away from the group, had his fists clenched. He stared at Hajime intensely, his usual rival energy flaring up inside. "Tch… This isn’t the end, Hajime. Just because you’re graduating doesn’t mean I’ll stop chasing after you. Our rivalry isn’t over!"
Makoto glanced at Bondo and smirked. "Still obsessed with beating him, huh?"
Bondo turned to Makoto, fire in his eyes. "Of course! Hajime’s the only one worthy of being my true rival!"
As Hajime walked towards them, noticing the group, he raised an eyebrow. "Oh, you guys actually came to see me off?"
Yosuke grinned. "Of course! We had to see the legendary Hajime graduate."
Bondo took a step forward, pointing at Hajime. "Remember this, Hajime! Just because you’re leaving doesn’t mean I’ll let you get ahead of me forever! Next time we fight, I surpass you!"
Hajime sighed. "Yeah, yeah, keep dreaming, man."
Makoto snickered. "Well, whatever happens next, I think we can all agree—you’re gonna keep making things interesting, Hajime."
Hajime smirked slightly, his usual confidence showing. "You already know it."
As the sun set on their graduation day, the future felt uncertain—but one thing was clear. Hajime's journey was far from over.
As the group was talking, a strong presence filled the air. The atmosphere shifted as Ray and his wife, Seline
- Sworda
- Gondo
- Hanamoto
- Gondo
Their Grand Entrance
Ray smirked, hands in his pockets. "Well, well, looks like the brat finally graduated."
Seline smiled warmly. "Congratulations, Hajime. You’ve come a long way."
Hajime sighed. "You guys didn’t have to show up and make a scene."
Gondo laughed heartily, slapping Bondo on the back. "What are you saying, Hajime? This is a big day! You’re stepping into the real world now! We had to see it!"
Sworda crossed his arms, his cold eyes analyzing Hajime. "Graduation is merely a checkpoint. The real test of strength comes after."
Hanamoto grinned wildly, cracking his knuckles. "Heh! If he’s done with school, that just means he has more time to fight! Hajime, when are we throwing down?"
Makoto groaned. "Gramps, chill. We’re at a graduation, not a fight club."
Ray smirked. "I say let him fight. It’s good training."
Seline rolled her eyes. "Ray, don’t encourage him."
Daka looked at his grandfather. "Sworda, why are you here? You’re usually too busy training."
Sworda glanced at him. "Because I wanted to see if Hajime is truly growing or if he’s still just running his mouth."
Hajime felt a vein pop. "Oi, you wanna test that theory, old man?"
Gondo laughed. "See? This is why I love this generation. Always so lively!"
Bondo was still fired up from earlier. "Grandpa, tell Hajime that I’m gonna surpass him one day!"
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Gondo rubbed his chin. "Hmm… Hajime’s still ahead, but if you work hard enough, maybe you’ll reach him in… 20 years?"
Bondo fell to the ground. "TWENTY YEARS?!"
Everyone laughed, and despite the crazy energy in the air, it was clear—this was a moment to remember.
Hajime sighed, rubbing his temples. "Man, I just wanted a chill graduation, but of course, it turns into this..."
Ray grinned. "You’re my grandson. There’s no such thing as ‘chill’ in your life."
Hajime muttered, "Rage on desu…"
The chaotic gathering of generations continued, as the night of Hajime’s graduation turned into one big, unpredictable event.
Graduation Celebration at the Diner
After the ceremony, the group decided to head to a well-known 24-hour diner
Hajime sat in the booth, arms crossed, still slightly annoyed at the whole "grandparents showing up unannounced" situation. "Tch… I feel like I didn’t even graduate. It was more like a tournament."
Sockoo laughed. "Well, that’s kinda expected when you have a battle freak like Hanamoto around."
Hanamoto, sitting across from them, took a giant bite of his burger and smirked. "Kid, if you don’t fight on your big day, was it even worth it?"
Gondo was sipping a milkshake, "Relax, Hajime! This is a celebration! Enjoy it!"
Ray leaned back, arms behind his head. "Yeah, be grateful. You made it through school. That’s more than I can say for some people."
Daka raised an eyebrow. "Wait… Ray, did you even graduate?"
Ray grinned. "Nope."
Sockoo, Rizra, and even Hajime all collectively facepalmed. "Of course you didn’t…"
The Food Arrives
As the conversation continued, the waiters started placing huge plates of food
- Hajime ordered a double steak meal with fries
- Sockoo got a huge bowl of ramen
- Daka went with a spicy curry challenge
- Ray, being extra as usual, got the most expensive dish on the menu
- Bondo had a triple-layer burger with extra sauce
- Rizra went for pancakes and eggs, even though it was nighttime
- The grandfathers? They ordered everything
- Sockoo got a huge bowl of ramen
Hajime looked at Ray’s plate, raising an eyebrow. "Bro, why do you always pick the most expensive thing? Are you flexing?"
Ray smirked. "It’s not flexing if you actually have the money."
Daka rolled his eyes. "That doesn’t even make sense…"
A Lighthearted Moment
As everyone dug in, Sockoo was staring at Hajime.
Hajime noticed. "What?"
Sockoo hesitated. "I was just thinking… It’s kinda crazy that we’re at this point now."
Hajime blinked. "Huh?"
Sockoo smiled softly. "You’re graduating. You’re moving forward. It just feels… nice, y’know?"
Hajime scratched the back of his head, looking away. "Tch… don’t get all sentimental now. We’ve still got stuff to do."
Rizra smirked. "Aww, Hajime getting shy? That’s rare."
Hajime threw a fry at her. "Shut it."
Ray chuckled. "Heh, don’t worry, Sockoo. Hajime will stick around. Right, Hajime?"
Hajime paused for a moment before nodding. "Yeah. I’ll be here."
And just like that, the night went on, filled with laughter, food, and memories
A Reunion at the Diner
As the celebration continued, Makoto, Emily, Amy, Yosuke, Yu, and Angel
- Makoto
- Emily
- Amy
- Yosuke and Yu
- Angel
- Emily
While they were chatting, SelineHajimepulled him into a tight hug
"It’s so good to see you again, Hajime."
Hajime tensed up for a second, his mind racing. They thought I was dead?
Seline pulled away, looking at him with a gentle but concerned expression. "Where have you been all this time? We searched for you, but… you just vanished."
Hajime’s expression darkenedmemories had finally returnedexactlyWhat he had gone through.
But instead of answering, he stayed silent.
Ray, noticing the shift in Hajime’s mood, intervened smoothly"C’mon, Seline, don’t push the guy. He’s here now, that’s what matters."
Seline glanced at Hajime again but didn’t push further. She trusted him.
Daka, sensing the tension, changed the topic"Anyway! Let’s focus on the food before it gets cold! We’re here to celebrate, not mope around!"
Hajime, still deep in thought, picked up his fork and started eating again. For now, he would stay quiet.
But deep down, he knew—sooner or later, the truth would have to come out.slammed openBANG!
"Oi, where the hell is that brat Hajime?!"
A tiny figure stomped inside—the legendary Lila Hanamotofoul-mouthed, short-tempered grandmother
Despite being oldyoung as hellshort heightsilver hair
The moment she spotted Hajime
"Hah! Look at you, brat. You still ain’t grown an inch! Last time I saw you, you were a shrimp, and guess what? YOU’RE STILL A SHRIMP!"
Hajime’s eye twitched violently
Everyone at the table sighed, knowing exactly what was about to happen.
Hajime slowly put down his fork, cracked his knuckles, and glared at Lila.
"Ohhh, I see how it is, you damn hobbit. You still running your mouth even though people need a damn magnifying glass to find you?"
Lila’s eye twitched nowjumped up onto a chair to get some height on him.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY, YOU GREASY-HAIRED BASTARD?! SAY THAT AGAIN, I DARE YOU!"
Hajime stood up"I SAID, YOU’RE A DAMN HOBBIT! YOU NEED A LADDER TO LOOK ME IN THE EYE!"
Lila stomped her foot on the chair"LISTEN HERE, YOU STUPID EMO TEENAGER—YOU WANNA TALK ABOUT HEIGHT WHEN YOU’RE STILL A BABY-CHESTED WEAKLING?! I COULD FOLD YOU IN HALF!"
Hajime grinned wildly"OH YEAH? THEN TRY IT, GRANDMA GREMLIN!"
Ray, Makoto, and the others just continued eating, completely unfazed
Makoto sighed. "Some things never change."
Daka laughed. "They’re like a cat and a chihuahua fighting."
Rizra nodded. "This is exactly how they were back in the day."
Sockoo, who had never seen this side of Hajime before, was trying her best not to laugh"You guys weren’t kidding… this is insane."
Meanwhile, Hajime and Lila were still arguing.
"I BET YOU SLEEP IN A BABY CRIB, LILA!"
"AT LEAST I DON’T LOOK LIKE A DAMN EXTRAS REJECT FROM A SHONEN ANIME!"
Their voices echoed through the entire dinercontinue their heated argument
"But… Hajime isn’t even small?"
Rizra chuckled, leaning back in her seat. "Yeah, I get why you’d be confused. Hajime’s medium height now, but back in the day, he was considered the smallest among us. Lila never let him live it down."
Daka nodded. "Yup. When we were kids, Hajime was the shortest in the group. Even though he grew taller, Lila never stopped treating him like he was still that tiny brat from back then."
Sockoo raised an eyebrow. "So she’s just bullying him out of habit?"
Ray smirked, sipping his drink. "Pretty much. And Hajime, being Hajime, refuses to back down. That’s why they argue every time they see each other."
Meanwhile, Hajime and Lila were still going at it.
"AT LEAST I DON’T NEED A BOOSTER SEAT TO DRIVE!"
Hajime shouted.
"LISTEN HERE, YOU SPAGHETTI-LEGGED PUNK, I’LL DROP-KICK YOU INTO THE NEXT DIMENSION!"
Makoto sighed, rubbing his temples. "They’re gonna keep this up for hours, aren’t they?"
Emily chuckled. "Oh definitely."
Bondo, who had been watching silently, finally spoke. "…This is the greatest rivalry I’ve ever seen."
After the party, the Music Club
"Man, I can't believe it's over,""Feels like just yesterday we were first-years, causing trouble in the club."
"Yeah… it's kinda sad,""But at least we had fun, right?"
Rizra smirked. "Of course. We had the best time. And besides, Hajime might still be sticking around if Ray works his magic with the principal."
Hajime, who had been walking silently with his hands in his pockets, finally spoke. "Yeah, but even if I don't get special access… I'll still visit. You guys aren’t getting rid of me that easily."
Daka gave him a smug look. "Hah! You’d miss us too much."
Hajime rolled his eyes. "Shut up, Daka."
They all laughed, continuing to talk about old memories—like when Hajime accidentally set off the fire alarm while cookingRizra fell off the stage trying to do a backflipSockoo got caught sneaking snacks into practice
As they neared their homes, the atmosphere grew quieter. It was the last time they would walk home like this as students.
Sockoo smiled softly, looking up at the night sky. "No matter what happens, let’s promise to meet up like this again, okay?"
"Yeah, definitely,"
Daka smirked. "And next time, Hajime's cooking for us again."
Hajime sighed but smirked. "Fine. But don’t get used to it."
They all laughed again, walking forward into the night, knowing that even though things were changing, their bond would always stay the same