Volume 33 Chapter 6 (1/2)

”The formal reply”

The vice-principal announced

”The graduating students' representative, third year pine class, Ogasawara Sachiko”

When her name was called, Sachiko responded with, 'Here,' and stood up from her chair

The sound of people inhaling could be heard fro areas So, howthe formal reply? That's probably what the intake of breath meant

Since the farewell address had been given by three people, they probably assuiven by three people But after Sachiko's name had been called and it became apparent that no other na

Sorry to disappoint you, but there's only one person giving the formal reply

The graduating student's representative reads the for her way towards the stage That alone was enough for Sachiko

The farewell address had been very good The accident in the ave everyone an opportunity to see the true face of the student council It was a ht about by an unexpected set of circuh it was a tad unfortunate for Yoshi+no-chan

There was a world of difference when compared to last year's farewell address Naturally, last year had cast a shadow over this year Breaking down in tears and co on your friends was out of the question

Sachiko took to the stage

The Sachiko that read the farewell address last year, and the Sachiko that was to read the forh Sachiko was still the sah they were two completely different people

For now, Sachiko swept her gaze fro area Rei would be with the graduating students, Noriko-chan and Touko-chan with the first years, and shi+st the second years

Yumi

Sachiko didn't allow her gaze to linger on her petit soeur, instead adjusting the angle of the microphone

Sachiko had e that had been sent to her

Yumi didn't say it in words, but her posture clearly co out for Sachiko

So it'll be alright She wasn't about to crumble

(Well then)

Sachiko unfolded the paper that had been used in place of an envelope and quietly rele sheet of paper that was her script had been folded into many layers

(Oh)

The insect that had disappeared when the three girls had stepped down fro the farewell address had reappeared to read the formal reply

Lifting her head slightly, Sachiko watched the flying figure

(It was a bee after all)

She had expected as ht But it really wasn't very big Just a honey bee

It was said that honey bees can only use their stingers once, and then they die So it was unlikely to attack her unless she threatened it But, still Even though it was only flying around the general area, it was still annoying

(What to do about that?)

The bee circled around, about one and a half meters above Sachiko's head

(The only thing I can do is to deliver the formal reply as is)

There had been no guidance about how to deal with such a situation if it were to arise It was probably so that the teachers had never even considered They could halt the graduation cerey that would take

(For one thing, hoould you even chase the bee out?)

As she cal her script

Just then

The bee glided down in front of Sachiko's eyes, and landed on the script for the forht for it

Sachiko's hand moved of its own accord before she had a chance to think about it Her actions drew everyone's attention

The script had a crease about a third of the way down from where it had been folded The bee had coh it was just another letter Like watching a video being rewound, Sachiko sinal shape

That was all

Alas, the bee was imprisoned within the paper

”Even the bees have co a bit carried away, so I thought we should give it some time to rest”

Sachiko adjusted thethen, just to be sure, put the speech back in its paper envelope

”I'll set it free outside afterward”

After placing the envelope back on the table, Sachiko looked ahead once more

”To everyone who is celebrating our commencement of a new journey”

The forun

”I want to give the formal reply”

That was how Sachiko began the conversation

A day in January

From memory, it was just before the student council elections

”Oh?”

Yah Sachiko had said souous She didn't come out and say, 'Pardon?' but it ritten all over her face

”Like I said, I want to give the formal reply When I asked the vice-principal, I was told to speak to you, Yamamura-sensei”

Sachiko omitted the irrelevant detail that she had been directed from her homeroom teacher to the seniors' head teacher and then to the vice-principal

”Letyou correctly”

Yamamura-sensei lowered her voice

”You're talking about the forraduation ceremony”

”Yes”

There were other things she could havebath or housekeeper Since they were measures of tiive soive the winter solstice,' and as Yamamura-sensei wasn't about to pass away it would be rude to say 'I want to give your funeral address'

”I see I didn't think the Ogasawara-san who had been accepted into Lillian's Girls University would be interested in learning how to brew japanese rice wine from scratch”

”Are you a rice wine brewer?”

”I've just started recently Although that's irrelevant to our discussion”

Yarumpy as she continued

”Why volunteer? Every year, the formal reply … and the farewell address, come to think of it, are jobs that no-one ever volunteers for - soto learn about brewing rice wine So, traditionally, the teachers have to decide who they want to give the address and then ask them sweetly, 'Won't you please do this?'”

That was true, last year she had been suuidance rooive the farewell address Although not by Yamamura-sensei

”… So does that ive the speech this year too?”

”Usually we may have, but unfortunately we haven't narrowed it down just yet The third year homeroom teachers have their heads full with career advice at the moment”

”Is that so? No, I thought that ht be the case This was only a declaration of intent, but I thought it better to put it out there”

If they had already decided, then it would have been too late That hy Sachiko had co theabout the graduation ceremony

”Then I acknowledge that you have expressed your desire to deliver the forht now So for today, you should go home I'll have to consult with the other teachers”

So for today -Sachiko nodded She hadn't expected it to be decided on the spot

Since they usually don't get any volunteers, then surely they would give it to the person who volunteered this year Thinking about this, Sachiko pictured scissors-paper-rock being used to decide which of the candidates would be selected, but then corrected herself The farewell address and foriven to representatives of the student body

”Thank-you for your time”

Sachiko bowed her head and washer way towards the door when Yamamura-sensei called to her

”Why do you want to do it?”

”I won't stay beaten”

”Beaten Are you talking about last year's farewell address?”

”Is there anything else?”

There were plenty of people who had praised and congratulated her on last year's farewell address, but to Sachiko it was nothing race

The only one who deserved praise was Rei

There was no way she could redo last year's farewell address, but she didn't want that unsightly impression to remain as she left this place

The fore that defeat

Sachiko didn't hear anything more about this for some time

It wasn't until the middle of February that Ya for a month

During that time, the next school council had been chosen and the Valentine's Day events had taken place

Yamamura-sensei escorted her to the Educational Guidance Roo Sachiko and said:

”The idea has been put forth that two people should deliver the speech”

”Two people?”

”I won't say who, but there is another candidate”

At first Sachiko was relieved, since Yamamura-sensei had mentioned another candidate - which must mean she was one of the two However

”Having two people give the speech doesn't feel right to me”

Sachiko was still s to rely on Rei to complete the farewell address, which she had intended to deliver solo She wouldn't be able to avenge that memory if someone else accompanied her from the start

”I thought you'd say that”

Sachiko smiled Yamamura-sensei was the only one hom she had been completely upfront about her intentions

So the other teachers held a different opinion, did they?