"Alright, let`s see how good I am studying on my own," said Ishigami as he walked up to the final exam results. "Hm, not bad, you finished in the top half with your efforts," said Kaguya as she looked at the results. "I`m happy with the result, just glad it`s over, let me guess Ms. Smarty Pants scored top of the class?" said Ishigami seeming satisfied with himself. "Course I did, there`s no other freshman that can beat me in tests," said Miko as she tossed her hair aside.

"Good work Ishigami, everyone please meet at the Student Council room now, we need to discuss preparations for the upcoming graduation," said Miyuki as he approached the group. "Alright, let`s get going then," said Ishigami as the group walked over to the Student Council room.

Lunchtime

"Alright, graduation is this week, me and Kaguya will be on the stage as the Student Council representatives, Chika, you`ll be leading the school song, Miko and Ishigami, we need you two to be ushers making sure everyone is correctly seated," said Miyuki as the Student Council was having a meeting regarding the upcoming graduation. "Understood," said Ishigami and Miko. "Leave the chorus to me," said Chika. "All right, any questions?" Miyuki asked to which no one had any objections. "No? Meeting dismissed then" said Miyuki as he ended the meeting.

"You`re going for it?" Miyuki asked Ishigami as Ishigami put his laptop away. "Of course, I`ve gone too far to chicken out now," said Ishigami as he grabbed his bag. "I see, regardless of what happens, you`re a brave guy," said Miyuki as he gave Ishigami a pat on the shoulder. "Thanks," said Ishigami as he walked out of the room. "He really has grown," said Kaguya as she stood next to Miyuki. "Yeah, he`s nothing like that boy I rescued two years ago," said Miyuki as he smiled.

Day of Graduation

"Man, it`s that time of year," said Ishigami as he yawned while walking to school. "Hey, look alive, today is graduation for the seniors," said Miko as she walked up to Ishigami. "Yeah, yeah," said Ishigami as they entered the school. "Good morning you two," said Kaguya as the two walked into the Student Council room. "Morning," said Ishigami as he put his bag down. "Everyone knows where they need to be?" Miyuki asked as he got up from his desk. "Yep," said Ishigami, putting his Student Council sash on. "Alright, positions everyone," said Miyuki as the Student Council dispersed to their roles.

"To think we`ll be in this position in 2 years," Ishigami thought as the seniors entered the auditorium. "Hey, are you going to drool over Tsubame-senpai all day? Pay attention" said Miko as she tapped Ishigami on his shoulder. "Who said I was?" said Ishigami as the principal approached the podium as everyone sat down.

"To the graduating seniors, congratulations for making it this far, the path you went through during Shuchi`in was one filled with hardship and success, but you persevered in the end, the road ahead is more challenging, however, if you put your mind and heart into it, success will follow," said Adolphe as he addressed the graduating class. "With that said, I would like to hand the mic over to the Student Council President Miyuki Shirogane," said Adolphe as Miyuki stood up and walked to the podium.

"Thank you, Principal Pescarolo, the cherry blossoms are blooming which signifies the start of a new beginning, to the graduating seniors, congratulations on graduating," said Miyuki as he started his speech. "You have helped to guide us through Shuchi`in with your wisdom and kind advice through your few years here, we all wish you the best of luck in your future," said Miyuki as he bowed before ending his speech.

"Please rise for the school song," said Miyuki as Chika got up ready to lead the song. "Thank god for Chika teaching me to sing," Miyuki thought as his singing was at least average compared to the past.

After the Ceremony

"Tsubame said she was going to wait for me around the yard," Ishigami thought as he walked through the crowd of students celebrating their graduation."Congrats on graduating," said Ishigami as he walked up to Kazeno chatting with his friends. "Thanks man," said Kazeno as he high-fived Ishigami.

"I should be thanking you for embracing me despite my past," said Ishigami. "It wasn`t only me, your preservance helped you overcome your past, you should be proud of that, although I wish I could have done more to help you out," said Kazeno as he rubbed the back of his head. "No, you helped me out more than I could ever ask for" Ishigami replied.

"Let`s meet up again sometime," said Kazeno as he prepared to leave. "Yeah, take care," said Ishigami as he bowed back to Kazeno before walking away. "It`s Judgment Day," Ishigami thought as he saw Tsubame waiting for him in the yard. "Thanks for waiting, were you waiting long?" Ishigami asked as he walked up to Tsubame. "No, just a couple of minutes," said Tsubame.

"It`s now or never," Ishigami thought as it was time for Round 2. "Tsubame, I love you, please go out with me, I`ll make you happy," said Ishigami knowing Tsubame`s answer would decide their relationship. "Ishigami, I`m sorry, I like you, but I can`t return your feelings romantically," said Tsubame as Ishigami felt his heart sink.

Love is Gone by Slander starts to play

"When I first met you, I was told that you were someone I needed to be careful around, but being around you, I could tell that the rumors were false. As we hung out together more, I realized that you`re a great guy and any girl would be lucky to have you, that`s why when you confessed to me at the Winter Festival, I was shocked and happy at the same time, that`s why I couldn`t give you an answer" said Tsubame.

"Are you sure? It doesn`t matter what`s in our way, I can push through it if it means making you happy, I want to be the man to stand by your side no matter what" Ishigami pleaded as Tsubame could feel her heart pierce hearing her underclassman keep fighting for what he loved.

"If I was two years younger, we could have made things work but sometimes things aren`t fair. I`m sorry for making you fight for something so hard because of my selfishness" said Tsubame as she started to tear up."I see, if this is your decision, I`ll accept it," said Ishigami as he knew that the war was lost.

"Thank you for understanding, I hope that we can still be good friends, I don`t want to lose the connection we once had" said Tsubame as she clasped Ishigami`s hand. "You were one of the few people who accepted me for who I was despite my past, so it`s the least I can do," said Ishigami as he accepted Tsubame`s proposition. "Thank you for understanding," said Tsubame.

"Oh that reminds me, this is for you. Congratulations on graduating," said Ishigami as he handed Tsubame a bouquet. "Thank you so much, Yu, take care of yourself," said Tsubame as she hugged Ishigami before leaving Ishigami alone as the cherry blossoms blew past him.

"Well, I guess I failed in the end," said Ishigami as he leaned on a nearby tree. "So this is what it feels like to get rejected by someone you love. At least I managed not to cry in front of her," said Ishigami as he could feel tears falling. "Ishigami, I`ve been looking for you oh..." said Miko as she saw Ishigami crying. "What do you want? Can`t a guy cry in private?" said Ishigami as he tried to wipe away his tears to which Miko approached him.

"There, there, let it out," said Miko as she hugged Ishigami. "Just this once, I`ll allow it," said Miko as she let Ishigami lean on her shoulder as he cried. "I guess Tsubame-senpai made her decision," Miko thought as she and Ishigami remained where they were for the time being.

Later

"There you two are, we`ve been looking for you," said Kaguya as Miko and Iino approached them. "Sorry, we had something to take care of," said Miko to which Miyuki turned to Ishigami. "It`s alright, you did your very best," said Miyuki as he gave Ishigami a pat on the shoulder. "Why don`t we all get something to eat, we can stop by the arcade afterward," said Chika who seemed to cheer Ishigami up. "Yeah, that would be nice," said Ishigami as he forced a smile on his face as the Student Council left the school.

A few days later during the weekend

"Well, that went about as well as I expected," said Ishigami as he lay on his bed as his phone rang. "Hello?" said Ishigami as he picked up his phone. "Hey Ishigami, how are you holding up?" said Kazeno. "I`m fine," said Ishigami as he sat up. "I heard what happened between you and Tsubame, I was hoping you would be the one to mend her rough love life, I`m sorry things didn`t work out," said Kazeno.

"It`s alright, at the end of the day, the best thing I can do is respect her decision" Ishigami replied. "You`re the first guy that took a rejection by Tsubame well, most guys just stop talking to her after she rejected them," said Kazeno. "Really? It does make sense as not everyone takes rejection too well" said Ishigami surprised.

"If you need anything, just let me know, if you wanna work out together, just let me know. It might help you get over it" said Kazeno. "Thanks, take care," said Ishigami as he ended the call. "This is gonna take some time to get over, it might be time for a change," said Ishigami as rejection was never easy for a young teenager to get over.

Meanwhile

"There`s nothing to do, guess I`ll give Koba-chan a call," said Miko as she picked up her phone."Hey Miko, what`s up?" said Kobachi as Miko gave her a call. "Nothing much, just needed to talk to someone since it`s Spring Break," said Miko. "I heard what happened with Ishigami and Tsubame, it must have been tough on Ishigami in particular," said Kobachi. "Yeah, I know how it feels to work hard for something and not get it in the end," said Miko as she could relate to Ishigami.

"So what do you plan to do now?" Kobachi asked. "What do you mean?" Miko asked. "Tsubame-senpai is out of the picture, this is your chance to strike," said Kobachi. "I know, but shouldn`t I wait before I make a move? He just got his heart broken by his crush" Miko said in concern. "True, but this is a perfect time to strike first, if you wait too long, Ishigami might get taken by someone else," said Kobachi.

"I guess you`re right, but how do I approach him given everything that`s happened?" said Miko. "Well for starters, let`s get you a makeover. Spring Break is coming up, why don`t we go shopping and I`ll take you to my usual salon," said Kobachi. "Okay, you weren`t one of the Impossible Girls for nothing," said Miko to which Kobachi chuckled. "Okay, we`ll talk soon," said Kobachi as Miko ended the call.

"Maybe it`s time for a change," Miko thought as she looked at a dating and a fashion magazine on her desk.

When one door closes another one opens up.

Results of Battle: Ishigami loses

Hope you all enjoyed the chapter. With Tsubame bowing out of Ishigami`s heart, what will Miko plan to win Ishigami over?

As always feel free to leave a review on what you thought of the chapter. See you in the next chapter.