CHAPTER 1
Miki Hiiragi felt her eyes burn from the tears that flowed freely from them. The tears she shed however weren't from any forms of sadness or anguish, but rather from the immense pride she was feeling for her twin daughters as she held her digital camera up towards them and took their picture with the shining Ryoo High School in the background as the cherry blossom trees continued to show off their vibrant colors. She lowered her camera when she snapped the photo and looked at her two gems standing before her. Dressed in their graduation uniforms with mortar boards sitting atop their heads and diplomas firmly in their grasp with smiles that added more brightness to the spring day, the Hiiragi housewife strolled over and hugged her two high school graduate daughters.
She always knew this day would come, but she still balled with endless joy and pride. Her twin daughters in Kagami and Tsukasa Hiiragi had worked so hard to get to where they were but now one important chapter in their lives had finally closed. As a mother, Miki knew that this was only the beginning for Kagami and Tsukasa. She had such high hopes for her twins and could already envision their adventures in college, as well as crying for them again one day when they would claim the men that would complete their lives. Maybe even give her grandchildren one day.
"I'm so proud of you two…and I promised myself I wouldn't cry." Miki whimpered while backing away and blushing as she took a tear away.
"Oh mom, stop it you're embarrassing us. Just imagine how you'll look when we graduate college." Kagami Hiiragi laughed as she tucked her high school diploma under her armpit.
"Or when we get married." Tsukasa giggled with a slight blush.
Miki giggled as her husband in Tadao, as well as her oldest daughters joined her with Kagami and Tsukasa. "You're right, dear. I'm just so happy for you two. You two are in the driver's seat right now and you have life by the horns. You're going to have so much fun in college and you'll make all these new friends and…oh no here I go again!"
Miki turned away and started her waterworks once again as the rest of her family giggled at her while Tadao hugged her and kissed her on the head. Inori swept down and hugged Tsukasa gently while Matsuri on the other hand reared her tomboyish side by giving Kagami a light punch on the shoulder. Kagami was annoyed by her show of affection but knew her older sister meant well and took it with stride.
"So anyway, weren't you guys going to show us around and introduce us to some of your friends?" Tadao asked as he held Miki close around her shoulder.
"Oh yeah, I want you guys to meet our friends and I think Kona-chan is around here somewhere, too!" Tsukasa happily exclaimed.
Tsukasa took charge and led her family through the open gate of their former high school, where the rest of the post-ceremonial festivities were happening. The Hiiragi family dove into the seas of graduating seniors and crying parents, only deepening Miki and Tadao's euphoria. They remembered the days when Inori first graduated this school, followed by Matsuri and now, all their daughters were still on the paths to becoming exceptional young women. Words couldn't even begin to describe the immense pride Miki and Tadao felt and they could see they weren't alone in that respect as they scanned the crying faces of other parents as they watched their children graduate.
Still leading her family with deep emotional happiness, Tsukasa finally spotted a familiar face in Miyuki Takara, also dressed head to toe in her graduation gown with her mortar board also sitting above her head with the tassel dangling off to the side. A new addition to Miyuki's physical appearance was the sparkling earrings hanging off her lobes for this special occasion as she talked to her mother.
"Yuki-chan!" Tsukasa called happily, catching the pink-haired girl's attention.
Miyuki looked and smiled deeply when she saw her friend dashing towards her with open arms. The two friends hugged each other tightly in a physical display of congratulating the other. As the Hiiragi family approached, Miyuki and Tsukasa pulled away from each other while still holding each other's hands.
"Tsukasa-san…I'm so proud of you and your sister." Miyuki whimpered with an affectionate smile. "You've accomplished so much and your experiences are only just beginning."
Keeping her smile deep, Tsukasa nodded. "My mom said that too. Please promise me you'll stay in touch with me and sis."
Miyuki nodded. "I promise, and please make sure you do the same for me."
"So what's next, Miyuki?" Kagami asked as she stepped forward while Inori and Matsuri began to look around their old high school and their parents began talking to Miyuki's mother.
"Well, I was accepted into a college to start my pre-med classes." Miyuki said with a modest smile.
"That's great! Where at?" Kagami quickly replied as her interest in furthering academic abilities continued to flourish around Miyuki.
"Well…it's actually abroad…in France." Miyuki said and averted her eyes.
Tsukasa looked up. "Wait…you're leaving us, Miyuki?"
Miyuki nodded slowly and replied with some guilt at first but finished with passionate enthusiasm. "I'm sorry if this makes you upset, Tsukasa-san, but I will keep my promise to stay in contact with you. You're still my friend and I love you!"
It broke Miyuki's heart to see Tsukasa begin to tear up but when the youngest Hiiragi twin returned her smile after hearing the last sentence, it made the pink-haired girl feel better. Tsukasa said, "That's great, Yuki-chan. What's the university called?"
"University of Franche-Comte." She said with happiness for her accomplishment.
"Congratulations again, Miyuki." Kagami said again. "You're going to be a great doctor someday."
"And you'll be a great lawyer one day, Kagami-san." Miyuki replied sincerely.
Kagami looked away. "Well, to be honest Miyuki, I don't know if I want to be a lawyer. I was thinking of just taking a few general classes and seeing what sticks. I mean, I'm still young so I figured I should just take my time and make sure I get it all right the first time. I don't know if that makes sense or anything but that's what I plan."
Miyuki nodded. "That's a great plan. Enjoy your life and youth, Kagami-san. There's no need to rush into the real world and make rash decisions before you have to. You too, Tsukasa-san."
Tsukasa nodded with a happy squeal. "Okay I will."
"By the way, Miyuki, have you seen any of our other friends?" Kagami asked.
Miyuki placed her index finger under her chin as she thought. "Well, I believe that your friends Kusakabe-san and Minegishi-san are looking for you but I haven't seen Konata-san since the ceremony an hour ago."
Kagami rolled her eyes. "That Konata I swear. She's probably off pulling a senior prank or something and if I know her, she's probably going to pull it on Ms. Kuroi."
Tsukasa and Miyuki giggled lightly.
"Anyway I guess we should go look for them." Kagami said and began to part through the crowd as Miki and Tadao conversed with Yukari Takara. Tsukasa followed her sister and Kagami turned back to Miyuki. "Are you coming, Miyuki?"
"I wish I could, Kagami-san, but my cousins from the countryside are coming to visit and my mother and I should be getting back to our home to meet them." Miyuki replied. "But please, let's still see eachother before I leave for France."
The Hiiragi twins promised to stay in touch before she would begin her trek into both the unknown and nonstop adventure. Kagami and Tsukasa excused themselves from the rest of their family as Inori and Matsuri themselves wanted to take a trip down memory lane at their old high school. Their parents followed them with happy nostalgia as the Hiiragi twins continued to bask in the ongoing festivities at what was now their former school.
Swimming through the seas of colorful graduation gowns, Kagami could already feel a growing bubble of emotional uncertainty. She was a girl of routine and academic integrity, two traits that Ryoo High School bestowed onto her and now they were going to be retired. The twin-tailed girl was smart enough to know that her intelligence and commitment to education wasn't going to simply disappear with the end of her high school career, but it was the safety net of the school that always gave her confidence. Now that that was going to depart, she was going to have to build and mold her own path in the more liberal atmospheres that was college.
To her surprise, Kagami gulped as she continued to walk and think about these new unknowns. Her whole life so far was built around structure whether it involved her habits or even her committee work at school, however, they all had one thing in common. It was all formally established for her and it was all she knew. She had to admit that the idea of starting her own life and being on her own was beginning to scare the twin-tailed tsundere.
As Kagami and Tsukasa continued to search for the rest of their friends, an arm suddenly constricted Kagami's neck and pulled her close, catching her by surprise. It was followed by a voice that squealed, "Tell me you're jealous, Hiiragi! Go on, say it!"
Kagami jumped by the sudden grip and her ears recognized the voice to belong to Misao Kusakabe. Before she could look at her, the sun in the sky brightened a piece of metal wrapped around her wrist that was near Kagami's face. Kagami shifted her eyes again and saw a brand new and shining silver watch wrapped around Misao's wrist. It was a piece of pure silver jewelry with Ryoo High School's coat of arms in the center and her graduating class year embedded in it.
"It…it's very nice, Kusakabe." Kagami giggled at her friend's vibrant energy as she looked at her for the first time and saw Ayano Minegishi standing with her.
Misao took a step back and unfastened the watch. "Yeah, isn't it?! My parents bought it for me as a graduation gift and look at the message engraved on the back!"
The brown-haired ball of enthusiasm that was Misao held the back of the watch up to Kagami's face so fast, it nearly smacked her in the nose as Kagami read the message out loud. "To our daughter, Misao. With endless love and pride, your parents."
Misao reattached the jewelry to her wrist with the biggest smile Kagami had ever seen on her face. The twin-tailed girl could see how happy that graduation present made her and she smiled for her. Though Misao wasn't at the same academic level as Kagami was, the oldest Hiiragi twin still had to admit to herself that she was always glad she was around and that they were friends. Misao reminded Kagami of a wild and careless streak that she didn't possess yet at the same time craved to experiment with.
"Hiiragi-chan, congratulations on graduating." Ayano said with her usual charming smile.
"Thank you and to you, too. And Kusakabe." Kagami said and it finally happened. Her eyes swelled with moisture and she quickly turned and shut her eyes. "I'm…I'm going to miss you guys so much. You were the best friends I ever had."
Kagami was expecting to be mocked and have her emotional moment poked at by Misao. It wouldn't be the first time she would do something like that. The memories of her cheerleading routine with her friends and training for it were still very fresh, especially when she got mad at her and another certain blue-haired girl who made fun of her for her nostalgia. However, it wasn't a playful harassment that Kagami received, but a sincere pat on her shoulders.
She turned and saw Misao with her hand on her shoulder and an unconventional heartfelt smile on her face. Kagami returned the smile as she quickly wiped a tear out of her eyes. Though Misao was known for being a dimwit at times, one of the things that nobody could fault her for was the fact that she was loyal to Kagami and, unlike a certain blue-haired girl, knew when to push her and when not to.
"So if those guys were your best friends…then I guess that makes us lovers!" A familiar flamboyant voice exclaimed and Kagami once again jumped when a new pair of arms wrapped themselves around her flat stomach.
"Kona-chan!" Tsukasa happily proclaimed.
Kagami looked behind her and saw her closest friend in Konata Izumi hug her tighter while also wearing the same cap and gown with a shoulder bag resting at her feet. Though Kagami was annoyed by this outlandish show of affection, she instantly saw something unique about Konata's wardrobe that suddenly made her begin laughing hysterically as Konata backed off with confusion. The blue-haired girl's graduation gown didn't fit her completely because of her short stature and it looked as if Konata was wearing a very oversized t-shirt as the gown dragged around her feet on the ground. Her sleeves also dangled far off her petite arms.
"That…that's the funniest damn thing I've ever seen!" Kagami exclaimed as Tsukasa giggled uncomfortably. "You're too short to fit in your own graduation gown! Let's hope the wind doesn't start blowing or that gown will turn into a parasail and take you for a ride!"
Because Konata was the girl that she was, she instantly turned the tables on the taunting Kagami by saying, "Well I'd still prefer to be in this undersized gown than to be filling it out everywhere like you, Kagamin!"
Kagami instantly ceased her laughing and her face burned red in embarrassment and anger. "Are you calling me fat?!"
"I don't know, does two plus two equal fat—I mean four?" Konata asked with her grin.
"Shut up you!" Kagami's infamous rage suddenly returned as she reared a clutched fist and a vein her head. "You don't need to go there you jerk! I hate wearing loose-fitting clothes because of my figure!"
Konata could see that her remark really angered Kagami this time and for good reason. This was the biggest accomplishment of the tsundere's life so far with so much promise still on the horizon and she wanted this day to be perfect. It was certain that her parents and two older sisters were around nearby and Kagami wanted this day to be perfect for them. Her and Tsukasa were the last of their children to graduate Ryoo High School and begin their trek onward so naturally, they wanted to make this day for their parents extra special.
"Oh come on, Kagamin. Even after all these years at Ryoo and you still think you look fat?" Konata huffed as she rolled her eyes. "You know you're gonna be out in the real world soon and I think the last thing you should be worrying about is your weight…especially since you shouldn't be worrying about it at all. I know other girls in our graduating class that would give an arm and a leg to look even a third as good as you do now."
Kagami blushed again. "Is…is that the truth, Konata?"
The blue-haired girl nodded. "Of course! Now I have a graduation present for you so I hope you enjoy it, slim!"
Kagami's face lit up and she put it together when she saw the shoulder bag at Konata's feet and, like a kid in a toy store, she trembled in anticipation as Konata reached into the bag. However, Kagami saw the cruel irony of Konata's practical though sincere present when she retracted six boxes of her favorite pocky.
Her face went from excited to placid when she saw the gift and Konata's satisfied smirk. "You're pretty proud of yourself right now, aren't you?" Kagami groaned.
Konata giggled. "Who wouldn't be, Kagamin? Who wouldn't be?"
Kagami sighed with an honest giggle in her breath and took the gift with stride. Though she would never admit it because of the nature of her personality, but Kagami also always appreciated having Konata around like she had Misao around. Both of those girls acted as a counterweight that would balance her tough and serious personality. They would always show her the lighter side of life and prove to her that not every day had to be an endless work ethic and it was okay to let your guard down every now and then. Though Miyuki was going abroad and they wouldn't see each other anymore, Kagami was still upset inside mostly over the fact that Misao and especially Konata were more than likely going to go in other directions of her.
"Hey Hiiragi!" Misao's voice bluntly exclaimed, catching everyone's attention and making Kagami turn to her. The brown-haired girl was staring at her cell phone screen and had just completed reading a text message. "Another friend of mine is throwing a big graduation party at their house tonight and invited me and said to bring a friend! What do you say?! Wanna come?!"
Kagami had to admit that she was intrigued by the offer. She had never been to a real party before let alone a graduation one, which was bound to be much bigger and vibrant than the average one. However, her safeguarding principles her parents instilled onto her were beginning to tell her to be wary. She had heard of stories about these kinds of parties before where there were a lot of inappropriate activities and a lot of regret would come the next day. Despite that, she trusted herself enough to conclude that she was old and mature enough to make the right decisions. Still, she was hesitant as she stuttered in her response to Misao.
"Don't worry, Hiiragi. There's going to be parental supervision and everything so no need to fret." Misao said bluntly.
Kagami gave an internal sigh of relief and decided that if it was okay with her parents then she would go. She turned to Tsukasa and asked, "What do you think, Tsukasa? Wanna go to a party?"
Tsukasa still didn't have the mental maturity that her twin did so she was still unsure about it. "I don't know, sis. That sounds a little too extreme for me. I think I'd rather stay home with mom and our other sisters."
Kagami shrugged and turned to Konata. "What about you?"
Konata shook her head. "Sorry, Kagami, but my dad, Yuu-chan, and I are going out to dinner tonight to celebrate. Rain check?"
Before Kagami could respond, her group of friends was approached by the rest of her and Tsukasa's family. Inori and Matsuri had their fill of nostalgia and rejoined their little sisters along with their parents and Kagami only had one thing on her mind as they approached.
"Mom, dad, would it be okay if I went to a party tonight with some friends?" Kagami asked.
The Hiiragi parents were still reveling in the fact that the last of their children had graduated high school and were both blindsided by the question. They looked at each other with confusion and back at Kagami while Miki took the lead first in the response.
"I don't know, dear. Who's going to be at this party?" She asked with concern.
"Just a few friends from class and Kusakabe here says that there will be parents at the party." Kagami quickly replied as she already knew her parents' primary concern even before they vocalized it.
Miki turned back to her husband. "Well…if there are going to be parents I say she can go. What do you think, honey?"
Tadao smiled. "I believe Kagami has earned a little bit of freedom after all her hard work, don't you think so?"
Miki smiled, nodded, and turned back to Kagami. "Okay, you can go, dear. Just make sure you're home by eleven."
"Thanks guys!" Kagami exclaimed.
"Aren't you going too, Tsukasa?" Miki asked.
Tsukasa quickly cast her eyes downward at the ground and shuffled her feet while trying to avoid eye contact with Kagami. The youngest Hiiragi daughter didn't want to go even though she would be with her sister but at the same time didn't want to hurt her feelings. That was Tsukasa's personality though. She was always thinking about other people's feelings, Kagami's especially and it would be her worst nightmare to hurt someone. Even though Kagami didn't and wouldn't take offense to her sister not wanting to go, Tsukasa couldn't help but get the feeling that her older twin may be in danger if she wasn't there with her.
"That…that's okay, mom. I'm not really a party animal or anything like that." She said, her eyes still looking away.
Kagami couldn't help but giggle and pat her sister on the shoulder. "Oh don't worry, Tsukasa. I won't be doing any partying or anything like that so it'll be fine. I just want to see and hang out with a few friends."
"Who knows…you might find that special someone at that party!" Konata exclaimed happily.
"Konata! If I'm going to get a boyfriend it won't be at a graduation party!" Kagami retorted with embarrassment.
Forming her cat-like grin, Konata furthered her torment of the twin-tailed girl in front of her friends and family. "Whoever said that special someone had to be a boy? You're going to college soon, you know so it's time to open your mind in more ways than one!"
Misao and Konata found the joke quite humorous while Tsukasa blushed at the concept of her blue-haired friend's promiscuous joke while Ayano giggled uncomfortably. The rest of Kagami's family however wasn't too fond of it as their disgruntled expressions showed. Miki and Tadao showed their discontent the most at the idea of their beloved and ideal Kagami Hiiragi going to a party, only to divulge herself in heavy drinking and accidentally sleeping with another girl. Still, they knew that their daughter was inevitably maturing and they trusted her enough to make the right decisions.
"Not in front of my parents you nutjob!" Kagami exclaimed angrily. "I'm sure they're nervous enough as it is without you adding fuel to the frantic fire!"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah!" Konata retorted with confidence.
"Onee-chan!" The familiar voice of Yutaka Kobayakawa called over the ocean of graduated students and it caught everyone's attention. Konata looked and saw her younger cousin waving happily at her from across the yard with the blue-haired girl's father standing next to her and waiting for her return.
"There's my dad and Yu-chan so I'll catch you guys later!" Konata exclaimed and dashed off, quickly disappearing in the crowd.
Kagami turned back to her parents. "I do apologize for her. She's…she's a little awkward at times but she still is a good person."
Miki washed away her discomfited face and smiled. "I know, dear, I know. You're only friends with the best people so we trust you and love you. Have fun at your party tonight."
Kagami formed a wider smile as her first response. "You guys are the best! I love you too!"
Misao was ecstatic about Kagami being granted permission to go and she took her hand and led her away from the crowd. As Miki and Tadao watched one of their youngest daughters get dragged away by one of her friends, they couldn't help but sigh in pride for her and Tadao rubbed his wife's shoulder again as she giggled.
"Are you worried about her, dear?" Miki asked.
Tadao sighed. "My thoughts are as still clear as an open book to you as they were from when I first married you."
Miki giggled again. "I'm sure she'll be fine. She was raised and brought up by you, you know."
Tadao chucked and kissed his wife on her head.
Tsukasa watched Kagami disappear in the collage of other graduation gowns from the students and she folded her hands under her chin. "Sis…be safe…okay?"