Life As Hikigaya Hachiman

Chapter 555: The Graduation Ceremony in Progress

Experiments often need to be conducted multiple times to achieve accurate results.

With a meticulous scientific mindset, Hachiman naturally decided to conduct repetitive testing.

The next day, he visited Utaha's home.

After some intense effort, Hachiman helped her upgrade her [Writing] module to Level 4.

Once the [Writing] module was upgraded, Utaha experienced a burst of inspiration.

The storyline she had been stuck on suddenly became clear.

Writers have a common flaw: once inspiration strikes, they become completely absorbed.

And so, the girl abruptly abandoned the utterly bewildered Hachiman to begin furiously typing—without a shred of hesitation (or clothing).

Seeing her like this, Hachiman couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

"Can someone really just leave things half-done like that?" he muttered.

Hachiman wasn't about to let this slide, so he grabbed Utaha and pulled her back.

This immediately made her resist. "Let me go! I need to write!"

"Write, my foot. There's something more important than writing right now."

"I won't—mmph…"

Before she could protest further, Hachiman silenced her.

After "feeding" her a few doses of premium milk, he managed to unlock the [Physique] module for her.

This was fantastic news.

For Utaha, physical stamina had always been her weakest point.

Although the current [Physique] module was only Level 1, it still doubled her stamina.

Well, to be fair, that was mainly because her original stamina was embarrassingly low.

Noticing the changes in her body, Utaha was naturally filled with confusion.

But after hearing Hachiman's explanation, she became even more dumbfounded.

"Hero… angel… holy light…"

What kind of nonsense was this? Was she living in a fantasy novel all along?

However, she didn't have time to dwell on those thoughts for long.

That familiar sense of fulfillment once again surged through her body, leaving her utterly preoccupied.

...

Sobu High School, Grand Auditorium.

All the students were gathered once again.

Today marked the graduation ceremony for the third-year students.

As the newly elected student council president and representative of the current students, Iroha Isshiki was delivering her congratulatory speech.

"Finally, as the representative of the current students, I would like to extend my congratulations here."

"I wish all the seniors health and great success in the future."

"On behalf of the current students, Isshiki Iroha."

As the girl concluded her speech, the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.

Iroha, wiping a tear from the corner of her eye, bowed slightly and stepped off the stage.

"Next, we will have the graduation speech from the student representative!"

At the host's announcement, Meguri stepped onto the podium.

She gave a small bow and opened her prepared speech.

"On this warm and sunny day…"

Unfortunately, she barely began before her voice choked up with emotion.

However, being the professional she was, she quickly composed herself and continued.

"During my high school life, the activities with the student council were an irreplaceable experience for me."

"Together, we organized so many enjoyable events."

"What left the deepest impression on me was the cultural festival… Oh, and the sports festival…"

Hearing Meguri's words, the student council members in the audience couldn't help but be drawn into the memories.

Thoughts of the laughter and the touching moments flooded their minds, causing some to tear up at the corners of their eyes.

Others couldn't hold back their emotions, and soon, tears were streaming down their faces as quiet sobs filled the hall.

"Here and now, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to everyone," Meguri said as she bowed deeply once more. "Truly, thank you all. These three years of high school have been the happiest time of my life."

"This place—it's the best!"

Amid the thunderous applause from the audience, Meguri suddenly grabbed the microphone from the podium.

"Everyone, were you at the cultural festival today?"

Seeing her spirited demeanor, the crowd below seemed transported back to the cultural festival itself, and they couldn't help but respond loudly.

"Ohhhhhhh!"

"What are Chiba's famous attractions?" she asked with a bright smile.

Hearing Meguri's question, the audience once again shouted in unison.

"Festivals and dancing!"

"That's right! Since we're all fools—"

"If we don't dance—"

"Sing a song!"

Under Meguri's passionate lead, the previously formal and subdued atmosphere of the grand hall came alive, filled with energy and joy.

Now this is what you call true professionalism!

...

Student Council Activity Room

After the graduation ceremony, Meguri came to the activity room to bid farewell to everyone.

"I never thought this day would come, the day I actually graduate."

Seeing the members of the student council, along with Hachiman, Yukino, and Yui—those who had once helped her—the corners of Meguri's eyes welled up with tears again.

They were all about to part ways.

Struggling to control her emotions, Meguri spoke with a slightly choked voice.

"Keep doing things that make you happy, okay?"

"Even though I've graduated, you still have time."

"Continue to create wonderful memories together!"

Hearing her words, everyone nodded in agreement.

"Well then, my farewells are complete."

Meguri smiled, adorably patted her cheeks to lighten the mood, and waved at everyone.

"See you all at the dance later!"

With that, she walked out of the activity room.

Watching her leave, the group couldn't help feeling a tinge of sadness. But they quickly pulled themselves together.

After all, now wasn't the time for melancholy.

They still had important work to finish.

The graduation ball, which had been in preparation for so long, was finally about to begin.

Reorganizing her emotions, Iroha, as the student council president, smiled brightly and spoke.

"Everyone, for our graduating seniors, let's give it our all!"

"Yes!"

The group nodded firmly before getting back to work.

They soon moved to the gymnasium.

Compared to before, the gym was now completely decorated. The areas were well-divided, and all necessary supplies for each section were ready.

"Alright, let's assign tasks next."

Holding a clipboard, Iroha began giving instructions. "Yukino-senpai will oversee everything as the general manager. I'll be in charge of hosting and sound. Vice President will handle lighting, the secretary will manage food distribution, and Yui-senpai will take care of reception at the entrance. The rest of the miscellaneous work will be handled by volunteers from other clubs."

Everyone nodded in understanding and started taking their positions, ready to make the evening unforgettable.

"As for you, Senpai..."

Iroha paused mid-sentence, uncertain about where to assign Hachiman.

After all, from the beginning, Hachiman had only been providing suggestions and external support, without being directly involved in any specific tasks.

"Um... how about you help me with sound control? Sometimes I'll need to step out, and someone has to keep an eye on things."

After some thought, Iroha decided to keep Hachiman by her side.

Hachiman naturally had no objections and nodded in agreement. "I'm fine with that."

"Great, that settles it then."

Seeing his response, Iroha beamed with happiness.

"Oh, right," she suddenly added, "that grumpy senpai will be helping with costumes."

Hearing this, Hachiman couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth.

"Grumpy senpai"... that's probably Saki, right?

From Hachiman's perspective, Saki's temperament wasn't all that bad. However, she definitely didn't get along with Yumiko.

Whenever the two met, it always ended in an argument.

Still, considering that Saki had come to help, wasn't it a bit rude to talk about her like this behind her back?

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