Chapter 1: The Ceremony

Author's Notes: Heyo! Okay, so it's been a long time since I've updated this, but that's because I've been really busy with school, music, and with my gaming channel. But I have a lot of inspiration to do this now, so expect more updates!

"The efforts of the students standing before you is a true testament to the person that they can become in the future." A masculine voice said from the podium. "Going through hardships and overcoming odds with their fellow man, they have proven that they indeed are ready to face what lies on in the dark world ahead."

Sigh... Kouichi leaned back in this chair as he listened to the speaker continue. This had been going on for the past two hours, and he was ready for it to end. His short brown hair danced in the gentle breeze, and his round, brown eyes were glancing at the other students sitting with him. He knew several of them from his class, though the majority of them he had never seen before. His eyes eventually rested on the short, black-haired girl sitting next to him. Her left eye was covered by an eye patch, and her right eye, which was reddish-brown, was intently watching the speaker. The two of them were dressed in black gowns that nearly reached down to their ankles, as well as a square cap on their heads. The other students were wearing the same uniform, and Kouichi sat back as the realization of the event came to him once more.

We're finally graduating...

He closed his eyes as he recalled in his mind the events of what happened three years before, when he first joined Yomiyama North Middle School when he was fifteen. Now here he was, eighteen years of age, finally graduating from the school that had been the grave of many of his friends and fellow students the first year he was there. Only a few people remembered what happened during the Calamity that had caused the death of over a dozen students that one year.

His eyes opened as the sound of applause reached his ears, and he noticed that the speaker had finished. He glanced over at the girl sitting next to him, who was still staring at the speaker; though he could see that she had started to lose interest, and that she was also relieved that he had finally finished his speech.

"And now, we will call each of the graduates forward to receive their diplomas. And once again, congratulations to all of you. You have all worked long and hard to get here." The speaker, a tall, elderly man with white hair and spectacles, said. He cleared his throat and looked at the piece of paper in his hand. "Naoya Teshigawara."

Hearing his name, a young man stood up and walked toward the stage. He was the same age as Kouichi, and stood at 5'7". He had light-brown hair that reached down to his neck, and round, light-brown eyes. His smile spread from ear to ear as he approached the podium, and Kouichi couldn't help but smile as his friend cheerfully received his diploma.

"Yuuya Mochizuki". The speaker called out the next name as Naoya walked back to his seat. The young man called began walking toward the podium, though unlike Naoya, he was shaking slightly. He stood at 5'3", and had brown hair. His round, green eyes showed both pride and awkwardness as he approached the podium and received his diploma. "Good job." The older man said kindly. After Yuuya began walking back, he called the next person. "Mei Misaki".

The girl sitting next to Kouichi stood up and calmly began to walk toward the podium. Out of all of the students graduating this year, she was the shortest; being 4'9" in height. She solemnly received her diploma and sat back down in her seat.

"Good job, Misaki." Kouichi whispered to her as the older man called out another name. Mei nodded gratefully, but she didn't say anything, though Kouichi couldn't blame her. He had butterflies in his stomach, though she very likely wasn't as nervous about graduating as he was.

"Kouichi Sakakibara". As he heard his name, he immediately stiffened up, but with an effort, he relaxed as he stood to his feet.

"Go get them, tiger!" Naoya grinned as Kouichi walked toward the podium. Even though he was happy that he had finally graduated, he couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. After all, there were several other students who had attended the school, and because of the Calamity, they would never have the opportunity too. Everybody lost someone during the last outbreak, though almost nobody remembered it. The only students who were graduating that did remember was Kouichi, Mei, Naoya, and Yuuya. They were the survivors who were caught in the midst of it when hell broke loose. They had lost friends, family, loved ones; and all four of them were relieved that they were finally leaving the school where it had happened. They would miss it, of course. They had made countless good memories, and many lifelong friends; but the pain of those who had died there weighed heavily on Kouichi. Though he wouldn't admit it to anyone, not even Mei, many nights he would dream of the blood-stained faces of those who died, the bone-chilling screams of those approaching death; and the memories woke him from his sleep in a cold sweat.

"Congratulations, son." The older man, who was the President of the school, said as he handed Kouichi the coveted diploma. "You deserve it." Kouichi bowed respectfully, and then walked back to his seat and sat down. "Now then," the President concluded. "Let us give a big round of applause to this year's graduates from Yomiyama North Middle School!" Kouichi joined in with the hundreds of other students, teachers, and parents as the sound of applause could be heard even inside of the school. "And in conclusion", the President said. "This is a time to rejoice for our fellow students. We have food and drinks inside, so go knock yourselves out!"

Several minutes later, Kouichi found himself sitting at a table with Mei, Naoya, and Yuuya as they enjoyed the food and drink that had been set out.

"Man, this semester's been insane!" Naoya exclaimed as he took a bite of a chicken leg that had been placed very strategically on his plate (in order to put even more food around it). "But we made it through, thank goodness."

"Now we can relax for awhile before college, if we all decide to go." Yuuya said, finished a drink of water.

"That reminds me," Naoya looked at his friend sitting next to him. "Yuuya, what do you plan to do now that we've graduated?"

"Hmm, I don't know." Yuuya put his hand on his chin thoughtfully. "I'll probably stay and help around the house for awhile before applying for a college. I've been thinking about studying in Tokyo, though that's pretty expensive."

"How about you, Misaki?"

"Mother wants me to stay home and help at the shop." Mei said quietly, as if she despised the fact. Kouichi completely understood. He knew that Mei and her mother didn't get along well for numerous reasons. He felt bad for her, as he felt like she was a talented artist, and if she wanted too, she could easily get into a prestigious art school.

"That sucks." Naoya pointed out as he finished his chicken leg. "Hmm...what to eat next..." Answering his own question, he targeted the large pile of rice on his plate. After taking a bite, he looked over at Kouichi. "And how about you? What are you going to do?"

"You really shouldn't speak with your mouth full." Kouichi shook his head. He leaned back and looked up at the ceiling. "Honestly, I have no idea. I've been looking at different colleges and universities, and I've found a few that I'm interested in, so I'll probably enroll in one of them next semester."

"Whoa, not taking any break from school, then?"

"Not necessarily." Yuuya mentioned. "The next semester doesn't start for another two months, so he'll have a bit of time off. But I am curious as to what you want to study."

Kouichi shrugged. "Don't know," he admitted. "I haven't really given that much thought."

"Well, you have two months to figure that out." Naoya grinned as he leaned across the table and gently punched his friend in the arm. "Now then, since school's finished; let's party!"

Kouichi nodded and smiled at his friend's enthusiasm. It may have been a tough road getting here. He thought to himself. But it was worth it. Being here with my friends, seeing them happy...and now we won't have that curse haunting us. No more.

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To be continued...