It was a gorgeous day outside; warm, sunny, and bright. They couldn't have asked for nicer weather as Tohru, Kyo, and Yuki headed out of the house, bags slung over their shoulders, for one final walk together to school.
As they walked, Tohru couldn't help but think of how many times they'd taken this route: herself and Yuki, herself and Kyo. The three of them together.
Tohru herself had almost never walked alone. Sometimes Yuki would head out early, especially during his tenure as Student Council president; sometimes it would be Kyo, hurrying on ahead. During periods of raised tension between the boys it had practically been a guarantee that one of them would be gone by the time Tohru herself was ready to go, but one of them would always, always wait for her.
Had it been intentional, them waiting for her?
Or had it just been something they did without thinking?
Tohru couldn't help but smile as she glanced over at her hand, held securely in Kyo's. For so long, all she'd wanted was this: to be by his side, and hold his hand. They had been nervous at first, and a little timid; that hadn't stopped them from holding hands, but there had almost been a little defiance in the act, especially around Yuki. But those days were long gone, now, even if they did, as ever, try to avoid most types of PDA.
She'd never regret holding his hand, not for one second.
As they made their way down the stairs, Tohru looked from her and Kyo's linked hands to Yuki, and her smile softened. Yuki caught her eye, and he smiled as well, asking her, "Happy thoughts, Miss Honda?"
She blushed slightly to have been caught, but her smile never faltered as she said, "I was just thinking of the very first day we walked to school together, Yuki. That morning when I first found the house, and I met Shigure, and you were there...and you asked me to walk to school together," she said, beaming.
Yuki smiled back, then sighed. "The first time I caused you trouble at school...I'm still sorry about that. If there was one thing I could change-"
"Don't be sorry, it was never your fault," Tohru said, shaking her head. "And even if that part was...unpleasant," she admitted, ducking her head, "It still made me happy, you offering."
"And I'm so glad you accepted," Yuki said, his voice affectionate.
"Not that it was the most comfortable walk," Tohru continued, giggling. "I was so flustered that I barely said anything the entire time!"
"Too nervous in the presence of the Prince?" Kyo asked, his voice teasing, and Tohru immediately protested.
"It wasn't like that, you know I never-" she broke off, then laughed. "You're teasing me!"
"Sure am," Kyo agreed, squeezing her hand. "It's kinda easy," he admitted, grinning at her.
She smiled, then said "Though even though it wasn't like...a crush," she said, blushing, "you're not exactly wrong. You were always so cool, Yuki," she said, looking back over at him. "Cool, and smart, and good at sports, and kind-"
"Are you really gonna make me listen to this?" Kyo questioned, and Yuki smirked over at him.
"Feeling a little insecure, are we?" Yuki asked, and Kyo snorted.
"She's only holding one guy's hand here, and it sure as hell isn't yours."
"No, it's not," Yuki agreed, smiling at Tohru. "Just the way it should be."
Tohru squeezed Kyo's hand, knowing that in spite of his protestations, he was just teasing. He knew very well where her heart lay, and that whatever he had once feared, Yuki had never been a threat to him, even before Kyo himself was actually on the scene.
"So yes, I was intimidated," she said, continuing her story. "But you were so nice on that walk, and tried so hard to set me at ease...it was so very special to me," she said, looking over at Yuki with pinpricks of tears in her eyes. "And it's always been very special to me."
Yuki reached over and patted her shoulder. "It's always been very special to me too, Miss Honda. And as happy as I am, for all of us," he said, glancing past her to Kyo, "I am going to miss this."
"Me too," Tohru said softly, and for a little while the three of them walked in silence as Tohru took a few deep breaths and collected herself. She had always known that today was going to be hard; it was inevitable that she was going to cry, and she had tissues ready to tuck into her uniform sleeve before the ceremony itself. But she didn't want to start the day with tears, and she did her best to rein them in now.
Fortunately, the boys both understood.
"It bugs me you've got a better 'first walk with Tohru' than I do," Kyo commented, looking over Tohru at Yuki, and Yuki chuckled.
"Considering what you used to act like, does that actually surprise you? I'm pretty sure I recall you yelling at her, the very day you met her."
Kyo blushed and rubbed the back of his head with his free hand. "Yeah, well, I yelled at a lot of stuff that day."
"'That day?' Try 'in general.'"
"Shut up, ok? It's not like I do that much, anymore."
"That's true," Yuki agreed, looking over at him. "Keeping your temper suits you."
Kyo gave him a sideways look. "Why does that sound so damn patronizing?"
Yuki shrugged, and he was about to respond when he and Kyo were both distracted by Tohru's giggling. "What is it, Miss Honda?"
Tohru continued to giggle. "I was just thinking about the first time you and I walked together alone, Kyo. Wasn't that when I hit you with my bag?"
"When you thought I was a pervert, yeah," Kyo agreed, smiling ruefully, then his eyes flashed at the wide-eyed, then amused expression that crossed Yuki's face. "Can it, Ratboy, she didn't know it was me. It was when I went to meet her on her way home from work, she just heard me walking in the woods and she got freaked out 'cause of that shit Shigure had said about perverts running around here."
"Still," Yuki said, chuckling himself. "I wish I'd been there to see it!"
"Well, if you'd walked her home to begin with, then I never would've had to go out in the first place!"
"I'm glad you did, though," Tohru said, beaming up at Kyo. "That was when you told me to just call you 'Kyo,' for the very first time."
Kyo blushed, but the smile he gave her in return was one of pure love. And for a moment, the two of them had eyes only for each other, meaning neither of them actually noticed the way Yuki's brow twitched, or the way he exhaled slightly as he looked away. But he'd collected himself by the time their moment was over, and he was smiling in his natural way as Tohru looked back over at him.
"Both first walks were special, in their own way. But I'm glad today...now...that we're all walking together, this last time," she said, tears once more shining in her eyes.
Yuki looked at her for a moment, then shook his head. "Don't worry, Miss Honda. It might be our last walk together as high schoolers, but," he said, smiling as he offered her his hand, "I know it won't be our last walk."
And Tohru was beaming as she took it, holding it almost as tightly as Kyo's.
Their last homeroom felt almost surreal. Looking around the room, seeing all of their classmates sitting in their desks, it could almost have been any other school day. Yes, everyone looked especially neat and tidy, but they were all in the same places, going through the same motions.
Sensei Shiraki in a kimono was a little bit jarring, however.
But even with the kimono and more formally arranged hair, she was still the same Sensei Shiraki, still standing with crossed arms as she stood and looked out over the class of excited faces. As she told them all how proud she was of them and their hard work, of their positive attitudes over the years. Of all they'd accomplished, as a class and as individuals.
"All of you have worked hard, and you all deserve every success and opportunity that comes your way. Whether you're going on to university, straight into the workforce, or taking a little extra time to find your new path, you should all be very proud of yourselves. Graduating high school is an accomplishment you've all earned."
As she listened to Sensei, Tohru was once again dabbing at her eyes. As kind as Sensei's words were, Tohru didn't need anyone else to tell her what an accomplishment graduation was; she also knew better than to give herself as much credit as Sensei's little speech implied.
Tohru herself never would have made it to this point, if she'd had to do it on her own.
Tohru wanted to look around the room, but she couldn't just then; she couldn't even continue to look up at Sensei Shiraki. All she could do was look down at her desk, trying to keep her tears under control as she thought about high school, and the people who'd helped see her through it.
She smiled as she remembered the day she, Saki, and Arisa had anxiously met up, each of them carrying the sealed envelopes with the results of their high school entrance applications. They'd all applied for the same schools, and they'd all agreed to wait and check their results together.
When they all learned they'd gotten into Kaibara High, there had never been a question of where they'd go. Saki and Arisa had gotten into another school closer to Saki's house that would have saved her the train trip, but Tohru hadn't gotten into that one, and Saki and Arisa had both torn up their acceptance letters before Tohru's very eyes.
'We're not going to split up, not unless they actually force us. And even then, we're going to fight to stay together!'
Tohru sniffled, remembering the look on her mother's face when she told her they'd gotten in. Kyoko had been so excited, squealing and tackling Tohru in a giant hug and rubbing her face against Tohru's in that strong, endearing way she'd always had.
'Tohruuuuuu, Mama's so proud of you! I knew you could do it!'
Kyoko had surprised the three of them with a cake the very next time Arisa and Saki had come over for dinner, and they'd all been so happy, and excited. Tohru had been admittedly nervous; school and academics had never been her forte, and just getting into high school had been a nerve-wracking experience. But with her friends beside her and her mother's eager, excited support, she'd done it.
And she was determined to do her best to justify their faith in her.
She thought about those first adrenaline-filled days of school. Her excitement and delight at finding she, Arisa, and Saki were all in the same homeroom. Learning her way around a new school. Meeting classmates, getting used to new teachers, settling into the stress of high school lessons...all of it was a little intimidating, but she'd had people there, to support her.
Tohru's eyes clouded over and her hands clenched as she thought about that horrible day, barely over a month into her high school career, when life as she knew it had died with Kyoko. When everything had become dark, and black, and hopeless.
She couldn't do it by herself. She'd barely been able to do it with support; how was she supposed to carry on now, without Kyoko's love and encouragement to keep her going?
Why should she keep going, when the one who'd always wanted that life for her was gone?
Tohru sniffled again, thinking about that horrible period. If it hadn't been for Arisa and Saki, she didn't know how she would have managed. Arisa and Saki, Sensei Shiraki. Her grandpa. Her other teachers. So many people, all working hard to support her, and keep her going...
And in the end, she had. She had kept going, kept walking. She had resolved to finish what she'd started, for her mother's sake as much as her own. Kyoko had wanted her to finish high school...and now, she had.
Tohru wiped her eyes with her sleeve, thinking about her promise to her mom. She had sworn she would do this, sworn she could do this.
Was Kyoko happy, today? Happy, watching her, and seeing her graduate? Happy, knowing how many people loved her, and had helped her get here, taking her hands when she needed their help, carrying her when she couldn't walk on her own?
She thought of all those nights, sitting with Yuki as he explained their homework or helped her study. Arisa and Saki, bringing her books to the hospital. Sensei, giving her extensions and extra tutoring when she needed it. Kyo, sitting with her when Yuki was busy, patiently going over review questions for what felt like the millionth time.
In spite of her tears, Tohru felt herself smiling as she thought of all the little things. Her grandpa, calling Shigure and offering to pay for her entire class trip when she couldn't make the deposit. Shigure, stepping up to attend parent-teacher conferences when her grandpa was sick. Yuki, taking notes for her when she was incapacitated. Kyo, helping her study for makeup exams.
There were so many memories tied up in this school, good ones and bad. Moments that brought her joy, and pain. She thought of three years of Sports Fests, when she'd always been determined to do her best even when that best was admittedly pitiful. Three years of Culture Fests.
She smiled as she thought of that first Culture Fest, when she'd met Momiji and Hatori for the very first time. She'd been so stunned to see Momiji that day, after her confusing encounter with him at his father's building. And he'd turned out to be a Sohma, and a member of the Zodiac, too. She'd had no idea, then, how dear he'd become.
Hatori had been so handsome, and so intimidating. It was almost unreal now to look back and think of how badly he'd frightened her, after Yuki had told her not to be alone with him. And he'd turned out to be one of the kindest of them all...
She thought about their second year Culture Fest, a warm feeling spreading through her as she thought about the play. She and Kyo had both known then; known that what they each felt then was love. It was so painfully awkward to reflect on...but the memories were still sweet, even if they were embarrassing. She had meant every word she'd blurted out on stage; for him to be locked up...it would truly be terrible.
He hadn't known then that she knew. But he had seen the way she looked at him, and he had allowed himself to wonder. A desperate dream, that at the time only served to taunt him...but a dream, all the same.
Their third year Culture Fest had been so different from either of the previous two, when she and Kyo had been dating and everyone knew. She had had so much fun, working with him on their committee for the fest, and working with him during the actual event. Even though he'd been wildly embarrassed by their photo booth concept, he'd been a good sport, and she'd loved seeing him in costume.
She still had one of their class's promotional posters safely tucked away in her room, a poster featuring herself dressed as a princess and Kyo as a prince, him on one knee in front of her with one of her hands clasped in his. And slightly less purely, she also still had the saloon girl costume she'd pilfered after the event was over.
She thought about all the special moments she'd had at school over the years with her friends. Of meeting Hatsuharu for the very first time during their first-year marathon and the extreme mental whiplash she'd gone through first thinking he was an old man, then realizing he was soft-spoken boy, then seeing him Black...and then an Ox.
It still made her blush, even now, thinking how easily and casually he'd hugged her.
Of Momiji and Haru's first day of school, when she'd been so excited and happy to have them there, only to have that day compromised by ex-president Takei's overzealous belief in the school dress code.
And if she'd blushed thinking about the first time Hatsuharu had hugged her, it made her downright crimson thinking about how nonchalantly he'd dragged President Takei into the restroom to prove his natural hair color.
And how Tohru had so innocently asked the boys what he'd done.
It had taken until this very school year for her to learn the answer to that question, and even though a year and a half had passed since the incident, she still couldn't think of that occasion without blushing on everyone's behalf but especially her own.
All those times she'd sat with her friends, out in the courtyard eating lunch. All those times, later on, when she'd happily joined them up on the roof.
Hanging out together after school. Talking with their classmates when they were cleaning at the end of the school day. Taking a break from the summer heat in the school pool, wearing the swimsuit her friends had all bought for her. Fetching and carrying for the teachers. Sitting and talking during breaks between classes.
She smiled as she thought about those wonderful days after the Curse had broken, when she and Kyo were finally together. Of Kyo's expression when his friends had come up to the two of them and asked if they were dating, and he said yes, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.
Because it was the most natural thing in the world.
Watching Kyo play basketball with his friends during lunch, or after school. Seeing the way he smiled and laughed with them all, even when he was being teased. Holding his hand as the two of them walked down the hall together, even in a crowd. Kyo carrying her bag for her.
She thought of her nerves and insecurities when she realized just how popular Kyo was with other girls after they'd started dating, how his more pronounced softer side had suddenly made him more approachable. She'd never doubted him, but she'd definitely doubted herself. And he had always shut those other girls down, reminding her every time that she was the only one for him and always would be.
Tohru smiled again as she thought about Valentine's Day, only a month prior, when she'd stood in the hallway and watched another girl give Kyo chocolate while he was waiting for Tohru to join him. How Kyo had seen her and called her over, only to kiss her in the middle of the crowded hallway and remind everyone that they were both taken.
When had so many of her favorite school memories come to involve Kyo? When had so many of her favorite memories, period, come to involve Kyo?
She didn't know, and she didn't care. And as she sat there, smiling as she thought about those many, many moments with Kyo, she realized with a jolt that at least for now, she wasn't crying. Because even if she wouldn't have those moments any more...she would still have him.
And they would never have to say goodbye.
"Alright, everyone!"
At Sensei Shiraki's call, Tohru's head snapped up, and she looked guiltily towards the front of the room.
"It's time to go line up for the ceremony. Remember, you'll be following 3-C, just like we practiced. However you feel like ordering yourselves is fine, as long as I can see your faces," Sensei continued, her voice teasing before she glanced at Yuki. "Do you have any last questions about what you need to do, Yuki?"
Yuki shook his head. "No, Sensei. My speech will be at the podium?"
"That's right, right where the practice speech was yesterday."
Although Yuki had gotten to write his own speech, it had been copied out onto a specially folded paper for him to read from during the actual ceremony. During their rehearsal the day before, Yuki and the second-year giving the underclassmen's speech had both been provided with 'practice' speeches so they could make sure they knew how unfold said papers, and to Yuki's amusement each of the 'practice' speeches had been blank, other than having the word 'speech' written inside.
Today's speech would be less simplistic, but if anyone was going to deliver it with grace, it would be Yuki.
"Alright, then," Sensei repeated, looking around the room. "Pay attention to where you're going, be respectful and attentive during all the speeches. No talking or whispering once you're in the auditorium. Make sure you stand up straight, everyone is supposed to sing," she said, fixing a couple students in her sharp stare, "and I'll see you all back here after the ceremony."
At Sensei's gesture the class all stood up, pushing in their chairs, and Tohru took a deep breath.
It was time to graduate.
