10
Graduation
A couple of months passed by after the first date between Tetsuya and Yuki in which their relationship had grown in strength. However, their time at the academy was almost ending since the graduation ceremony was only four days away. "So what are you going to do after graduation, Tetsuya?" Yuki asked out of curiosity. Tetsuya then proceeded to tell Yuki in a calm tone by saying, "Well I am planning on staying in this area and help around in the bakery if your father is still looking for anyone to work. It's because I want to stay closer to you, Yuki and that is why I made this decision. But there is some very important business that I have to take care of once the graduation ceremony is over." It was then Yuki had a smile on her face to hear the response that Tetsuya gave to her while they were sitting on the bench outside of Sakagami bakery. "What is the very important business that you are talking about Tetsuya?" Yuki asked with a wondrous look on her face. With a sigh under his breath Tetsuya responded with a bold look on his face, "I have been thinking a lot in particular to that time when we discussed about bonds. Well, I think it is time that I reconcile with my sister and brother-in-law. So, I am going to be out of town for a few days after the graduation ceremony. However, I won't be leaving for the town where they are living at until the day after graduation. If your father needs my help for the bakery tell him I can start once I get back from my trip."
"Wow you are serious with this, Tetsuya. I am very proud of you for making that decision. Do not worry I will tell my dad that you will help with the bakery. He is going to be happy with this. Well, I better head on home before Shia starts to get suspicious of us being out here. See you later and I love you, Tetsuya." Yuki said before giving Tetsuya a goodbye kiss and headed back to the bakery. Then Tetsuya headed back to his apartment and looked for a duffle bag so he could start packing for the trip. After pulling the duffle bag out of his closet and placing it on the chair is when Tetsuya was feeling happy that Yuki supports his post-graduation plans. "If I am planning on reconciling with Kushina and Minato. Then I better call Professor to notify him about me heading in their direction. Other than that, I am not holding back on this plan and gives me something to do to get my mind off graduation ceremony jitters." Tetsuya thought to himself before picking up his cell phone.
Then Tetsuya proceeded to dial the number of the Sarutobi residence and the phone call went through. "Oh hello, Tetsuya and it has been a while. How are you doing?" Hiruzen said on the phone. "I am doing really great. There is a reason why I wanted to call you other than catching up." Tetsuya responded back with clarity in his voice. Hiruzen then realized that this was not going to be an ordinary phone call. "So Tetsuya what is your real purpose in this phone call?" Hiruzen asked out of curiosity. Then Tetsuya responded to Hiruzen as briefly as he could by saying, "I was planning on stopping by the area and planning on spending a few days over there as well. You are probably wondering what my motive for visiting the area is well it's that I am going to reconcile with Kushina and Minato while I'm there. Do you and Lady Biwako have any room for me to stay in while I am in town?".
Hiruzen on his end of the phone call had a smile on his face and responded by saying, "I see and everyone here will be excited to see you, Tetsuya. When will you be heading this way so Biwako and I can make some space for your arrival?". "Five days from now is when I will be there. One of you guys has to meet me at the train station stop which I have my train ticket and the arrival time won't be until midday." Tetsuya answered briefly. "That sounds perfect with me. So, I will see you five days from now, Tetsuya." Hiruzen proceeded to tell Tetsuya before the phone call ended. After the phone call is when Tetsuya started to pack clothes he needed to last him a few days.
Once Tetsuya got done packing his clothes is when his mindset was back on preparing for the graduation ceremony. It started to dawn on Tetsuya that once graduation passes by that most of his classmates will go their separate ways. However, since Tetsuya chose to stay around the area nearby Yuki then this thought did not worry him significantly. After all, Tetsuya helped clean the gym area of the academy in time for graduation ceremony preparations. Then it came time for the day of the graduation ceremony and Tetsuya got dressed up for the ceremony before leaving his apartment.
Upon arriving at the entrance gate of the academy is when Tetsuya noticed Yuki, Yuki's family, Ryou, and Kyou all standing there waiting for him to show up. "Aren't we going to be late if you guys stood here to wait for me?" Tetsuya asked out of curiosity. "Not really, Tetsuya. We chose to wait on the person who in the last three years has impacted our lives with generosity, kindness, and more recently his love towards the people around him." Kyou stated with a stern look on her face. Tetsuya started to smile with a tear in his eye proceeded to thank Kyou for making that statement. It was in that moment when they decided to head up towards the gym area where the ceremony was to take place.
After hearing the commencement speech given by the academy's headmaster is when the graduation ceremony began. Then Tetsuya and his classmates started to proceed in a single file line getting ready to get their certificates handed to them by the headmaster. Once Tetsuya had gotten his certificate is when he shook the headmaster and thanked him for everything that happened at his time within the academy. Within that moment a chapter within Tetsuya's days as an academy student had officially ended. "Congratulations, Tetsuya." Yuki greeted Tetsuya once he made it outside of the gym. "Thank you, Yuki. Same goes to you." Tetsuya greeted Yuki back with a smile on his face.
Upon joining up with everyone else after the ceremony was over is when Tetsuya started to ask with his phone out in hand, "Ok who wants to take some pictures with me?". "We certainly will Tetsuya." Yuki, Yuki's family, and the Fujibayashi sisters said in unison. So, they took around 30 pictures on Tetsuya's phone. "So what are you going to do now, Tetsuya?" Kyou had asked out of curiosity. Then Tetsuya proceeded to tell both Fujibayashi sisters his plans and they wished him the best of luck on everything.
"Mom, Dad is it alright if I spend a little more time with Tetsuya?" Yuki asked both Yosaki and Shiznae once they stepped off the academy grounds. Tetsuya intervened before Yosaki could answer by saying, "Yuki, do you mind if we have a little talk right now? Sorry to be rude Yosaki". Yosaki responded back by saying, "It's alright Tetsuya." Then Tetsuya took Yuki a few feet away from where Shia and Yuki's parents were standing. "I know you want to spend some time with me, Yuki. It would be best if you spend the rest of this day with your family. Sorry if I hurt your feelings by saying this. Since I am heading out for my trip in the morning and it is a long walk from my apartment to the train station. Would it make you feel better if you accompany me to the train station to send me off first thing in the morning?" Tetsuya told Yuki who started to get a little sad halfway through his statement. Yuki then responded back with a smile coming back into her face by saying, "It's ok, Tetsuya. I will accompany you in the morning and accept your apology. Well I better let you get back to your apartment so you can finish your packing." It was in that moment when Tetsuya waved goodbye to Yuki and her family after he walked in the direction towards his apartment complex.