"So," Yuki asked, smiling as he looked around at the five of them, "shall we head back to the classroom? The other classes are almost all out," he commented, looking over at the auditorium doors.
They all realized Yuki was right; the area just outside of the auditorium had rapidly filled up with other excited graduates, and soon the underclassmen and families would be coming out as well. All of the graduates were supposed to head right back to their homerooms; there, they'd be receiving their diplomas, greeting their family members, and saying their goodbyes to their teachers.
But like Tohru and her friends, there were a lot of graduates who couldn't wait that long to stop and celebrate a bit.
"Hey, Yun-Yun! For all your bitching, that was actually a pretty nice little speech! Tell me the truth; I inspired the part about friends, didn't I?"
Yuki sighed as Kakeru appeared, draping his arm around Yuki's shoulders with the familiarity of a very old friend. But he was smiling, even as he shook his head.
"You didn't inspire anything, except maybe the part about high school being unexpectedly painful."
"Ouch! Is that any way to talk to your future favorite brother, Yuki? Granted, I know the Commander is pretty stiff competition, but I figure I can give him a run for his money by virtue of my youthful charm. That, and you'll be so very grateful for the fact you're gonna marry my sister, now that you're a mature and seasoned graduate."
Several female heads in the vicinity whipped around at that remark and Yuki promptly chopped Kakeru across the head.
"Will you ever just learn to think before you talk? No one is marrying anyone anytime soon," Yuki said, his face rosy, "And besides that, you need to learn to keep your voice down and consider where you are."
Kakeru was rubbing his head where Yuki had struck him, but he was unrepentant. "No one? That right, Orange?" he asked, giving Tohru and Kyo a teasing look that made both of them blush, then he grinned around at all of them. "Granted, I can't speak for anyone else, but considering I'm now a high school graduate, I feel like getting married's the next logical step! All I gotta do is tell Komaki."
"Don't you mean ask Komaki?" Yuki said, his voice at an almost Saharan level of dryness.
"Ask, tell, when you're as much in love as we are, they're basically the same thing. Maybe one day you kids'll know the bliss of that kind of love, too," Kakeru said, giving them all a cheeky grin.
Yuki sighed, then looked past Kakeru to the others. "Classroom?"
"Please," Kyo said, already holding Tohru's hand and heading down the hall.
They weren't the last ones to make it back to 3-D, but Sensei Shiraki still gave them a disappointed look as they walked into the classroom. "I know you're graduates now, but for future reference, when someone asks you to go 'straight' somewhere, it means to proceed directly, without stopping along the way."
"We're so sorry, Sensei," Tohru said, immediately contrite.
"Yeah, sorry Sensei," Arisa agreed, echoed by Saki and Kyo.
"It was my fault, Sensei," Yuki said, giving her his best smile. "A friend from another class caught me in the hall, and the others all waited for me."
"Well, you'll all have plenty of time to talk to your friends soon enough," Sensei said, gesturing for them to go to their seats. "Now, did any of you see-"
She broke off, turning her narrowed eyes once more to the doorway as the last small group of stragglers appeared. "Alright, that's everyone, so..."
Everyone was excited as Sensei reached into the large box on her desk and began pulling out their diplomas one by one. Each time, she'd read the student's name and that student would come up, taking their diploma and bowing to Sensei as she gave them a few last words and the whole class applauded. And for all many of them normally disliked being the center of attention...none of them minded at all.
"Good luck, Uotani," Sensei said, smiling as she handed her hers. "You're moving to Fukushima prefecture, is that right?"
"That's right, Sensei," Arisa said, taking her diploma with a smile. "Not sure exactly what I'm gonna be doing there yet, but it ought to be a fun adventure!"
"Well, you've never lacked for intelligence, or drive. Whatever you end up doing, I'm sure you'll excel," Sensei said, giving her a smile.
When it was Saki's turn, Sensei's expression was rueful.
"You did it, Hanajima; I remember your goal was to graduate, and you did. I hope you've learned to set your sights a little higher, when it comes to setting your next goal."
Saki smiled serenely as she accepted her diploma. "Rest assured, Sensei, I have no intentions of underselling either myself or my capabilities, at any time now or in the future."
Sensei was beaming as Yuki approached. "It's been a pleasure, Yuki. You've always been an excellent student, and I'm confident you'll continue to excel in Kyoto. I wish you the best of luck in all of your future studies."
Yuki was smiling as he bowed back. "Thank you, Sensei. You've always been a wonderful teacher, and I'm grateful for all you've done."
Kyo's expression was a little more guarded as he approached, but Sensei was smiling as she handed him his diploma.
"Congratulations, Kyo. There were times I wondered about you, but you've always been a solid and diligent student and you deserve any successes that come your way. You've got a job lined up in a karate dojo, correct?"
"Right, Sensei," Kyo said, looking at her in surprise and wondering how she knew that. "Up in Aomori prefecture."
She nodded. "And you'll be leaving...Monday?"
He was still surprised, but he nodded. "That's right."
"Well, safe travels, and good luck to you. Though from the sound of things, you probably don't need it."
Kyo's face broke out in a grin, and he nodded his head as he bowed. "Thanks, Sensei."
No one was in the least bit surprised that Tohru was teary-eyed as she walked up to accept her diploma, which she took from a kindly smiling Sensei's hand.
"You did well, Honda," Sensei said softly. "High school is challenging in the most optimal of circumstances; what you faced is something no one ever should. But you persevered, and you overcame, and you should be very, very proud of yourself."
"Thank you, Sensei," Tohru said, her voice quivering slightly. "Thank you so much for all you've done; you've been the most wonderful teacher, and I'll always be so incredibly grateful."
"Well, you've been a wonderful student, Honda," Sensei said, then asked. "Are you also leaving on Monday?"
Tohru blushed, and nodded, and Sensei smiled.
"Take care of yourself, Honda, and be happy. You deserve it."
Once all the diplomas were passed out, Sensei Shiraki took a deep breath, then looked around the classroom. "Well, that's everything from me. Thank you for all being a truly excellent class, and I wish you all the best in your future endeavors. I'll be hanging around for a while still, but in the meantime...I believe some other people might like to see you," she said, glancing at the door with a smile.
At that cue, the milling group of family members all crowded in, and soon the class was filled with proud relatives, all hugging or congratulating their graduates.
Some more dramatically than others.
"Ah, my dearly beloved brother, to think that after all this time, you are finally bidding your romantic high school days a final adieu!"
Yuki was crushed in Ayame's arms, his own held rather rigidly at his side and his expression resigned as his brother hugged him, swinging him gently from side to side.
"Listening to your farewell address was a truly moving experience; for all that my own high school days ended a decade ago, I found myself literally choked up with nostalgia and emotion. You truly have a gift for tugging at the heartstrings, dear Yuki."
"It really was a nice speech," Mine agreed, beaming at him. "Great job, little brother!"
"Yes, you certainly delivered, Yuki," Shigure said, grinning. "And as a novelist, I have to say I always appreciate a nice pithy speech."
Kyo was trying not to laugh as Yuki was squashed by Ayame, but his amusement faded when Ayame suddenly looked up and beamed at him and Tohru.
"And you, dear Tohru and sweet Kyonkichi! Blessings and congratulations on you both as well!" Ayame said, letting go of Yuki and swooping towards them.
Kyo promptly sidestepped the attempted hug, pulling Tohru along with him. "Thanks."
Tohru gave him a mildly reproachful look and let go of his hand, allowing herself to be swallowed up in Ayame's near-smothering embrace. "Thank you, Ayame! It's so nice to see you here!"
"Yes, well, I couldn't miss seeing my beloved brother shake off the shackles of youth and stride into adulthood now, could I? To say nothing of witnessing the pure joy of your own leap, right alongside him," Ayame said, looking at her affectionately. "Or rather, right along someone else," he amended, shooting a devilish smile at Kyo.
Tohru was blushing, but beaming, and she hugged Ayame tightly before he finally let her go. "Thank you, Ayame," she repeated, and he smiled, bringing a hand to her cheek as he said,
"You deserve every happiness, Tohru, and I'm happy to see you getting them."
"Indeed," Shigure said, smiling at her as Mine also gave Tohru a hug. "You all managed to pull it off, all three of you," he said, glancing from Tohru to Yuki before his gaze finally landed and lingered on Kyo. "And now, all three of you...are free to truly spread your wings and make what you want of your lives."
Tohru swallowed hard, following Shigure's gaze to look at Kyo. He was staring back at Shigure, his chin lifted slightly in that all-too-familiar look of defiance and pride; it was almost enough to make her cry, seeing him standing there, unafraid and unbowed.
Because he didn't have to, and he'd never have to be again.
"Yeah," he said, staring steadily back at Shigure, "we are. And we're gonna make the most of it," he said, glancing over at Tohru and smiling that smile that always made her heart sing. "Nothing's ever gonna hold us back, ever again."
"I'm happy to hear that."
Kyo pivoted in place, his whole face lighting up at the sight of Kazuma. Tohru's heart had already been full from everything that had already happened that morning, but as she saw the two of them standing there, looking at each other, she almost felt as though she could burst.
At first glance, Kazuma looked the same as he always did. His expression was mild, his smile gentle, and his voice was as steady as ever. But a closer look revealed the tears in his eyes, and the faintest hint of emotion in his voice, and Tohru didn't need to look half that close to know Kyo was looking very similarly.
Kyo's amazed, incredulous smile stretched from ear to ear as he looked at his father. "I did it, Master. I graduated...and nothing's ever gonna hold me back again," he repeated, his voice emotional but fierce. "Nothing. Just you watch!"
Then Kyo was being crushed in Kazuma's arms, and both of them were laughing, neither one of them caring how they looked or who might see.
"Congratulations, Tohru dear."
"Grandpa!"
Tohru practically had to tear herself away from Kyo and Kazuma, but her expression was one of pure delight as she turned to her smiling grandfather. "I'm so glad you came, Grandpa, thank you so much!"
"Of course I came, Tohru dear; you just graduated from high school! I'm sure you don't need me to tell you what an impressive achievement that is," Grandpa said as he hugged her. "And believe me when I say I'm very, very proud of you."
Tohru had tears in her eyes as she beamed at him. "Thank you, Grandpa. I owe so much of it to you, and your support-"
Grandpa was still smiling, but he shook his head. "You don't owe me anything, Tohru dear; if anything, I should perhaps have done more," he said, sighing quietly before smiling as he looked around. Tohru followed his gaze as he looked at Yuki, standing once more with Ayame's arms around him, and at Shigure, standing beside them and smirking as Mine beamed at them all. At Kyo, standing with Kazuma, both of their faces shining as they continued to simply embrace. At Saki and Arisa, standing surrounded by Saki's parents and grandmother...
Then Grandpa looked back at Tohru, and he was smiling. "But then, I think you managed to find everything you truly needed, all on your own, didn't you?"
A few tears dribbled down Tohru's cheeks and she wiped them away with her hand. "Maybe not everything, Grandpa," she said, her voice catching slightly, and they were both quiet for a minute as they thought about the ones who couldn't be there.
Well...
"They're here, you know," Grandpa said, his voice soft. "Maybe not in body, but they were here, and saw it all. And I know," he continued, patting her shoulder, "that they will always be incredibly proud of you, just like I am."
She couldn't hold back the tears anymore, and soon she was being held tightly in her grandfather's arms, her face buried in his shoulder as she cried for the memories she herself had never gotten to make. For high school New Year's', for exam celebrations, for special family dinners; for sitting together at the table and simply talking about her day. She had been so happy, living at the Sohma house, and she'd never regret the future it had brought her. But even with all that joy, it was hard, looking around and seeing so many of her classmates with their parents and knowing that could never be her.
Kyoko had wanted this for her: for her to go to high school, and live a high school life. To have those experiences, while she was young and carefree and still could. Her mom had missed that chance, like she'd missed out on so many other things in her all-too-short life.
At least now, finally, Tohru had delivered on that promise.
I did my very best, Mom...and I hope you're happy.
For a time they all stayed in the classroom, talking. Tohru was happy to be embraced by Kazuma, and Kyo smiled as he accepted Grandpa's congratulations and confirmed their presence for dinner. Tohru hugged all the Hanajimas, and happily introduced them, for the first time, to Kyo. But eventually, the families filtered away, and the classroom started to be overtaken by other students instead: underclassmen, coming to say goodbye to their club seniors or friends, and other graduates, looking for their friends.
Momiji and Haru found them pretty quickly, Momiji latching onto Tohru and Haru likewise draping an arm around Yuki.
"So," Haru said, looking at the five of them, "Momiji and I were thinking we really oughtta get a picture of you all. Especially given that," he said, gesturing at Kyo, who bristled.
"'That?' Really, Haru?"
"Not you, that," Haru repeated, pointing at the tie. "Seriously, anyone else find Kyo in a tie a little freaky, or is it just me?"
"Definitely not just you," Arisa said almost immediately. "I've been wanting to tear that thing off all morning, it gives me the creeps."
Kyo rolled his eyes. "Yeah, well, good thing I never asked your opinions on it, then."
"So, um, where do you think we should take the picture," Tohru asked, looking around at them all. They all considered for a moment, then Yuki smiled.
"What about out in the courtyard, near the wall? It probably shouldn't be too crowded, and I think it's a fitting symbol of the end of our time 'inside,' don't you agree?"
'Inside,' in every respect.
They all did, and soon the group of them was on their way.
"Do you need to wait for Machi, Yuki?" Tohru asked as they started down the hall, and Yuki shook his head.
"Not yet, Miss Honda. She was going to be with Kakeru right away afterwards, but I'll be seeing them soon."
That was right, Tohru remembered; he was going to be getting lunch with Kakeru, Machi, and Komaki, then he and Machi would be having dinner with Ayame and Mine later on.
Right now was all the time she had to see him, for the rest of the day...and almost the last she'd be able to see him, period.
Tohru promptly let out a mighty sniffle that made everyone look at her, and she promptly flushed.
"Don't mind me," she said, wiping her eyes. "I'll be fine, I promise!"
She knew she was telling the truth. She would be fine; all of them would be fine. Partings were a natural part of life; chapters ended, and new ones began. The important thing was that all of them would still be friends, regardless of whether or not they saw each other every day.
She was sure of it.
Making it out to the courtyard was a very slow process, as they, particularly Yuki, were stopped and congratulated by what felt like almost every person they saw. They always graciously accepted the well-wishes, though it made Tohru smile every time Yuki politely but firmly declined every request for 'a goodbye hug, Yuki?' or 'just one quick commemorative picture, Yuki?'
He had struggled so very hard, Yuki; struggled to accept himself for who he was, struggled to see his own value without constant validation from others. Struggled to place and enforce boundaries, struggled to be willing to let people see his 'ugly' and unaccommodating side...but those days were over, and he was confident in being himself and enforcing his own boundaries.
He was still polite, and he was still kind. But while he'd no longer turn into a Rat, the list of women who were allowed to hug him was incredibly short. He was done being a doll for other people to pose and play with...and that knowledge would never fail to make Tohru smile.
Though some other things, she was admittedly less enthusiastic about.
"Kyo!"
They all turned at the sound of Kyo's name being called by an eager female voice, none of them smiling and Kyo already scowling as he surveyed the beaming face of his devoted fan from 3-B.
"Congratulations, Kyo," she said, ignoring the rest of them to smile at him.
"Yeah, same to you," he said, gripping Tohru's hand a little tighter.
"I was wondering," she said breathlessly, "Have you thought at all about what I asked?"
"Seriously, do you not have any shame at all?" Arisa asked, her scowl almost as dark as Kyo's as she looked over the girl. "Or are you just that tacky?"
The girl drew herself up and glared frostily at Arisa. "I'm sorry, was I talking to you?"
"Considering she said what I'm thinking, yeah, you kinda are," Kyo said, scowling her. "And I'm kinda busy," he said, holding up the hand holding Tohru's, "with my girlfriend."
The girl barely even spared Tohru a glance. "Like I said, I'd be happy with-"
"-NO!" Kyo barked, glaring at her. "Have a nice life, but we're done here," he said, turning away. "Done, period."
The others all turned as well and they all continued down the hallway. Behind them, the girl watched them go, her own expression darkening before she called out, "You don't have to be so selfish, you know!"
Kyo didn't even look back. "It's my life, I'll be as selfish as I damn well want to."
His eyes were narrowed and he looked angry as they made their way down the hallway, but after a moment he paused, his eyes dropping anxiously down to Tohru. He'd been so annoyed for his own sake that he hadn't really considered what Tohru might be feeling; she'd obviously never liked his admirers all that much, and he hated that she'd had to deal with that on their graduation day.
But the eyes that met his were bright, and Tohru was smiling as she squeezed his hand.
"That's right, Kyo," she said, looking up at him happily. "You should be selfish, when it comes to your own life!"
The look he gave her in response was one of pure relief. "Yeah, well...I'm always gonna be selfish when it comes to anything involving you."
Yuki was right; there was plenty of room out in the courtyard, and soon they were all standing in front of the wall. Tohru stood in the middle, clutching her diploma tightly in both hands, with Saki standing to her left and Kyo to her right. Yuki stood on Saki's other side, and Arisa took up a position beside Kyo, giving him a teasing grin as she asked him,
"Are you going to freak out at me if I lean on you, Kyon?"
He raised a brow at her, and all of them were ready for the inevitable snort. But the snort never came.
"Know what, go ahead, Uotani. Whatever you want," he said, giving her a little shrug, and at first Arisa could only blink at him in surprise. But after a moment she grinned and moved closer.
"Well thanks, Kyon; and all this time, I only ever thought you were tolerating me."
"Probably 'cause I am only tolerating you," Kyo told her dryly, but he was smiling as Arisa rested her arm on his shoulder and leaned against him.
"I guess we're even then," she said, giving him an agreeable look, and then he finally snorted. But neither one of them stopped smiling as the five of them turned to face Haru.
"Ok you guys, try to look happy, ok? Remember, you all just graduated, so...smile!"
They took more photos after that; each of them individually, a few more as a group. Some with Haru and Momiji, and different and configurations of them all.
And as Tohru looked around at her friends, smiling as she, Arisa, and Saki posed together, she couldn't help but think how lucky she'd been.
High school had been hard. Hard in ways she'd never planned for, and could never have imagined. But at the same time...it had been wonderful.
She'd made it through the darkest days of her life and come out stronger. She'd experienced grief, and loss, and sadness, but also happiness, and love, and indescribable joy. She had made relationships that would last her a lifetime, kept friendships that she knew would always withstand any test of time or distance.
And she had found Kyo.
As they took their pictures, Tohru kept finding her eye drifting back to him. Whether he was in the pictures, or she was, or both of them, or none of them, she kept wanting to look at him; kept wanting to remind herself that this was real.
For Kyo's entire life, he'd been told that graduation had meant an end. For so long he'd fought against that fate, and then, heartbreakingly...he'd started to accept it.
She hadn't known about his confinement for nearly as long, but from the moment she learned about it, she had fought to overturn it. To stop it, to save him, to keep him out of that darkness and away from that life; away from that fate that, for someone like Kyo, was nearly worse than death itself. She had sworn to save him, whatever the cost; failing in that, she would have stayed with him in confinement, even if it meant giving up any hope of an outside life for herself.
All that had mattered, in the end, was him. Him, and being together with him, wherever and however she could.
She had been determined, and she had been willing...and in the end, none of that mattered. She didn't need to go with him into the darkness, and she never would. Rather than a day of mourning, today would always be a day of joy; the day that she and Kyo, together, stepped out of the role of children and into that of adults.
And seeing him standing there, smiling and happy, knowing that he was just as excited to face that future as she was...it was the greatest gift in the world.
Eventually, they had taken all the pictures they could think of...and eventually, it was time for all of them to go. Graduation itself might be over, but all of them had plans, and people that were waiting for them.
People that could wait, for just a few minutes longer.
"We'll see you bright and early Monday, got it, Tohru?" Arisa asked, as she and Saki both held Tohru close. "Don't think you're gonna be sleeping too late, no matter how many hours you've gotta be on that train."
"Don't worry," Tohru said, tears once more streaming down her face. "I'll be awake, I promise, and I'll be looking forward to seeing you both!"
"The feeling is mutual, dear Tohru," Saki said, stroking her hair. "And remember, should you change your mind and need assistance with your endeavors tomorrow-"
"-I'll definitely call you," Tohru said, smiling at them both.
"Good," Arisa said, finally letting her go. "Remember, we'll always be available to help you, no matter what."
"No matter what," Saki agreed.
"You two going to the dojo after this, then?" Haru asked, looking at Kyo, and Kyo nodded.
"Yeah. We'll meet Master there and all go to lunch together."
"Well, have fun," Haru said, patting his shoulder. "I guess the next time I'll see you then is Monday morning, huh?"
"Probably, yeah," Kyo agreed after a moment. "You still think you're gonna make it up that early? The train leaves at nine, remember."
"Don't worry, I'll manage. You really think I'm gonna let you go without one last fight?" Haru asked, a slight smile playing on his lips, and Kyo snorted.
"You really think there's gonna be time?"
"If you're willing to make it, hell yeah. What else are you gonna do the whole time, stand around and cry?" Haru asked, then 'oofed' slightly as Kyo elbowed him with a sharp glance at Tohru. "I mean, Honda's different, of course, but somehow I can't see you wanting to deal with that any more than you have to."
"Yeah, well..." Kyo trailed off, then smiled at Haru. "I guess we'll have to see, won't we?"
"So you truly don't mind if I come over to the dojo early, Tohru?" Momiji asked, hugging Tohru close. "I want to get as much time with you as I can, of course, but I also want you to be sure you get enough sleep! It's a long way to Hibe, I'm told," he said, trying to sound cheerful and almost succeeding.
Tohru's cheer was equally forced, just then. "I promise it'll be fine, Momiji; I'll probably be so excited I'll be waking up early anyway, and I'll take as much time with you as you can give me. Kyo always gets up early anyway," she said, dabbing her eyes, "so maybe I'll just ask him to wake me when he gets up."
Momiji gave her a surprised look. "That early?"
She nodded, then managed a giggle. "You don't think I can do it?"
Momiji's smile was warm and affectionate. "I think you can do anything, Tohru, and it's part of why I shall miss you, so very, very much."
"Well...you have a good time with Sensei, and with your family, Miss Honda," Yuki said, smiling at Tohru and Kyo. Kakeru and Machi were waiting for him at the gate; they'd already said their congratulations to Tohru and Kyo, and now it was time for the three of them to go meet Komaki and her family for lunch.
"We will, Yuki, thank you," Tohru said, smiling up at him. "You have a wonderful time with Kakeru, and with Ayame-"
"-if you can," Kyo muttered under his breath,
"And we'll see you-" Tohru began, then broke off, suddenly uncertain.
When? When would they see Yuki, next?
Yuki was looking at her thoughtfully. "You two are leaving for the dojo tomorrow...when?" he asked, and Tohru glanced at Kyo.
"Early afternoon?"
Kyo nodded. "If possible, I wanna make it for the afternoon classes. But not 'til after lunch, at the earliest. We've got a lot of cleaning to do, and we can't finish it 'til the movers get everything outta our rooms."
The movers, coming to take all of their old furniture back to the Sohma estate. Yuki would be staying at the house until he left for university in about two more weeks, but after that the house would officially be unoccupied.
Somehow, that thought was almost as difficult to process as the thought of leaving the people.
But Yuki was nodding. "I'm hoping to be back at the house sometime around lunchtime tomorrow, I believe. If I can make it back sooner I will, but I'm not entirely sure how the morning will go," he said, and Tohru nodded.
"Did your parents decide on breakfast yet?" She asked him, and he shook his head.
"To quote my mother, 'they currently have a commitment, but it's shaky, so they'll let me know tomorrow morning if something has opened up,'" Yuki said, shrugging his shoulders. "I'm not holding my breath, but...we'll see."
After all, why would his parents want to celebrate him graduating from a 'mediocre high school' and preparing to pursue a major neither one of them approved of? The university itself might be beyond reproach, but his parents had made it very, very clear they didn't agree with his choices.
That was ok, though; he would never need their approval, ever again.
And Tohru understood that, as she looked at Yuki's resigned expression. He might have his parents in body, but Tohru wasn't the only one whose parents couldn't be present the way she actually wanted.
But after a moment Yuki smiled, then opened his arms. And as Tohru hugged him, he held her close, his voice soft as he said "Congratulations, Miss Honda."
"Congratulations, Yuki," Tohru whispered back, hugging him tightly. Then Yuki let her go, looking over and giving Kyo a smile.
"Congratulations, Kyo. I'm glad we both got to do this...and that now, both of us can lead the lives we were truly born to live."
And Kyo was smiling as he nodded. "Yeah...and it feels pretty damn good, doesn't it?"
"It certainly does."
As they watched Yuki leave the courtyard, Tohru took a deep breath, then turned and smiled at Kyo.
"Are you ready to go to the dojo?" she asked, and Kyo started to nod, then stopped.
"Yeah, just about," he said.
Tohru blinked, then giggled as Kyo's hands came up and rapidly undid his tie. "I've been ready to rip this damn thing off all day, I don't get how people can just wear 'em, all the time."
She was still giggling as Kyo stuffed the tie in his bag, then started undoing buttons. She smiled as his collar separated and the t-shirt underneath became visible; for all that he'd looked very polished with his uniform all done up, seeing him the way he'd always worn it, no tie, top two buttons undone...that was the way he was truly meant to look.
Until he changed out of his uniform later that day, for the very last time.
There was suddenly the sharp sound of something ripping, and Tohru snapped out of her reverie to see Kyo standing there with the second button from his uniform shirt in his hand.
"Oh no, how did that happen?" she asked, immediately upset. "I guess it's a good thing it happened now and not earlier, but it's still too bad; did you pull on it too hard when you were unbuttoning it? If you want to just put it in your pocket, or your bag, I can reattach it later-"
"Tohru," Kyo said, grinning as he reached out and took her hand, "it's ok. I did it on purpose."
Tohru blinked, staring at him. "You did? Why?" she asked, looked from him to the button in confusion.
He was still smiling as he pulled her to face him. "So, yesterday, before you got to school? Hiroshi was being an ass, like usual, but he mentioned this...thing. Tradition, I guess," he corrected himself. "I guess when a guy graduates high school, he's supposed to take the second button on from his uniform," he said, gesturing with the hand still holding the button, "and give it to a girl."
Tohru was still confused. "That's a tradition?" She'd had no idea; it wasn't something either her mother or her friends had ever told her about!
Kyo was a little flushed, but he nodded. "I didn't totally believe Hiroshi, so I looked it up later, and he's right. It's the second button 'cause it's the closest one to the heart," he said, smiling at her, "and it's supposed to go to the girl who's also the closest."
Suddenly Tohru had a lump in her throat, and that lump only got bigger as she stared at the button.
"That girl's only ever been you, Tohru," Kyo said, beaming at her. "It's only ever been you, and it's only ever gonna be you, so..." he let out an awkward little laugh and held it out to her. "You want my button?"
Tohru's eyes were shining as she reached out and took it, squeezing it tightly in her fist. "Of course I want it, Kyo; I'll always want it, and everything, always," she said, beaming up at him.
"Always and forever," Kyo said softly, taking her button hand in his. "And someday, it'll be something better than a button, Tohru, you know that right?"
Tohru was smiling as she shook her head. "I know there'll be something different, someday," she said, smiling at him. "But I don't know if I'd say 'better.' I'll always be happy to have this button, and I'll treasure it for the rest of my life."
Kyo was beaming as he pulled her close, letting go of her hands to take her in his arms. "This is it, Tohru," he said, glancing from her up to the school. "We're graduates, now. Now...it's gonna be just us," he continued, stroking her face. "Just you and me."
"I know," Tohru said, her voice soft. "And that makes me so very, very happy," she continued, her eyes filling once more with tears.
"Yeah?" Kyo asked, gently wiping her eyes, and Tohru smiled at the question that was almost a routine.
"Yes," she whispered, looking up at him. "I'll always be happy, as long as I'm with you."
And as his lips covered hers, both of them knew that that wasn't just a statement; it was a promise.
A promise, for both of them.
