The End of the Exchange Meeting and Celebration Banquet

"The exchange meeting concludes here. Thank you for your participation..."

As the host concluded, everyone gathered in the hall, preparing to lead their teams back to their respective schools.

Before that, there was time for the students to bid farewell to each other.

They dispersed one by one to talk to their new friends. Some agreed on future meet-ups, while others discussed unfinished topics. The atmosphere was much more harmonious than before the tea party. The school disparities were no longer as apparent.

This was reflected in the words and actions of both boys and girls before they left. The teachers quickly noticed it, though not surprisingly, as they were holding a meeting in the room next to the tea party, observing every move of the students through monitors.

"Hahaha, those little ones are truly interesting," Hiratsuka grinned, holding a lollipop in her mouth and patting Mafuyu's shoulder.

"Especially the team you led. After this exchange meeting, the entire Kanto High School community will remember the name Shuchi'in Academy. You really outdid me, Mafuyu-chan."

Mafuyu appeared calm and responded to Hiratsuka's praise.

"It has nothing to do with that. My duty is to guide them and let them exert their own strength and achieve the results they deserve. Whether I'm here or not won't change this fact."

"Well, don't underestimate yourself too much! Anyway, as a leading teacher, your contribution is no less than the previous year." Hiratsuka said with interest.

"Let's go for dinner and ride sports cars on payday! When you're single, you have to have fun so you can spend time without a man."

"Hiratsuka Sensei, you really haven't changed at all..." Mafuyu looked away and agreed with someone else's suggestion.

There, a crowd gathered around four people.

She focused her gaze on the man in the middle and unconsciously smiled.

(In terms of achievements, compared to him, I really haven't done anything...)

Nevertheless, she wouldn't be disappointed because, as a teacher, Mafuyu had entrusted her trust, and Shinichi had rewarded her with good results. Besides being proud, she didn't think she would have any other mood.

Of course, the efforts and contributions of others were all noted by Mafuyu, and there was no preference for any.

She would report the results to the school when she returned. Although she couldn't be jealous, in terms of results alone, they could get better rewards than expected.

(First, for the celebration party, take them to a high-end restaurant.)

Mafuyu swept her long hair and left with a thin smile on her face.

Hiratsuka watched her back and smiled.

"Hey, I haven't met you in a few years, and your whole self has really changed..."

Feeling that everything and everyone was different now, Hiratsuka frowned.

"Why did the scent of a new love just waft in? Is it just my imagination?"

Looking at Mafuyu, she saw a group of teenagers. Nothing interesting at all, right?

"Well, forget it."

Hiratsuka followed to get ready to leave.

△

"Are you willing to come to our school for an exchange? Of course! I'll ask when I get back. I'll contact you via LINE if there's a result."

Maya held Ichika's hand with a smile.

"I can't wait to meet you on stage, Nakano Ichika-san."

"Me too, Tendo-san."

After Ichika shook hands, she quickly let go, besides, Claudina next to her was staring at them hugging with an unhappy expression.

At the beginning of the tea party, to prevent Seisho Music Academy students from asking Shinichi to talk about acting, Ichika spoke with the three of them, quickly getting to know each other by using their similarities as performers and using herself to hold them back.

While chatting, she found that everything was really different from what she had imagined.

The first and second-ranked students at Seisho Music Academy were rivals and friends, and their relationship was so deep that it went beyond friendship.

"As for me? My innocence is still learning hard at school, so don't worry~"

Ichika genuinely wanted to be friends with them.

The idea of being exchange students in the past was also becoming firmer, but the specific implementation still required long-term planning.

After all, she had a lot to choose from...

"Yotsuba-san, come to Itomori Academy for fun when you have time!"

"Yes, I'll go! If Mitsuha-san has free time, you can also come to the Shuchi'in Academy field to run. The quality of the soil is excellent!"

"I'm looking forward to it! Next time, let's ask the club advisor to allow us to go to Shuchi'in Academy for a friendship competition!"

Yotsuba also said goodbye to her new friends, but secretly she shifted her gaze; it seemed she couldn't be at ease.

If the person she was talking to now, Mitsuha, wasn't a typical boring girl, otherwise, her restless behavior would be easily recognized by others.

Itsuki also chatted with her new friends. Culinary enthusiasts gathered, and she got many private restaurant recommendations. She was very satisfied until she almost forgot what she was doing at the exchange meeting.

There were hidden shops without information on the Internet and basically not found by locals, and there were also popular restaurants followed by Totsuki Academy graduates. After getting this information, Itsuki couldn't wait to go back and start her culinary tour.

As for Shinichi, the farewell with the guys was more straightforward, and there wasn't much to talk about.

Comparing the mostly ordinary acquaintances, Shinichi was surprised to find out that he had the best relationship with a lonely dead-eyed fish... It was terrifying how birds of a feather flocked together.

"Are you Yukinoshita Yukino, who naturally slanders others?" Hachiman complained and, of course, slandered others.

"Also, who are you looking for? There's no one similar between us except for gender, okay?"

"Yes." Shinichi smiled and patted his shoulder, "Hair color, and the total duration of conversation with women longer than with men."

Hachiman's face wrinkled, and he wanted to retort. After opening his mouth, he covered his face with his hand.

"...Can't deny that."

In this way, the students bid farewell to this exchange meeting.

△

"To a toast!"

Night arrived at the famous barbecue restaurant in Tokyo.

Four students and one teacher from Shuchi'in Academy toasted.

"Sensei, do you want to give the opening speech as usual?" Shinichi sipped his apple juice and asked Mafuyu.

Mafuyu shook her head, put down her green tea cup, and calmly said.

"The banquet is held just to show appreciation for your hard work. It doesn't have to be too formal. Eat and drink as needed, and don't be too formal."

"Is that so..." Shinichi looked around and said, "It's not cheap to eat as much as you want here. Does the school have a budget to subsidize this?"

Mafuyu tilted her head in confusion. "Yes..."

However, it's not much; the excess is covered by herself, but Mafuyu has no intention of mentioning it.

"That's good." Shinichi didn't realize that Mafuyu had doubts. Knowing that his teacher wouldn't lose money, he nodded with a smile on his face.

"Everyone, you can spend the school money. Just eat as much as you can!"

"Yes~"

He raised his hand and waved, and the three other girls cheered, creating a lively atmosphere.

Itsuki was very excited. Smelling the barbecue aroma, she couldn't wait.

"Everyone, please grill the beef tongue and lean meat slices first, and I'll prepare the special sauce!"

Before she could turn and run, Shinichi stopped her.

"Wait, there's one more thing to do before that."

"What's happening?" Everyone looked at him confused.

With a mysterious smile, Shinichi walked between the three girls and whispered a few words.

"?"

Mafuyu was drinking green tea, watching the whispering scene with somewhat empty eyes. She didn't understand why they were smiling at her.

Before she could react, she saw the four students standing in a row.

"One, two..."

As Shinichi gave the command, they all bowed to Mafuyu and spoke in unison.

"During this period, I am very grateful to Kirisu Sensei for her guidance!"

"You..."

Mafuyu was holding a tea cup, her mouth slightly open in surprise and unable to close.

This reaction was expected; Shinichi spoke with emotion.

"It's September, and the refreshing breeze..."

Ichika clapped her hands in front of her chest and then felt very emotional.

"In facing new challenges, Sensei's wise decisions and caution are like a lighthouse illuminating the sea on a dark night..."

Yotsuba looked down at the phone screen handed by Shinichi and read word by word, "Lead us to the end of victory and continue to believe in us until the end..."

Itsuki looked at Mafuyu with a bright smile.

"Although the exchange meeting will end today, the assistance Kirisu Sensei has given us, the memories accompanying our growth, and the memories we create together will be our belongings and accompany us throughout the future."

"Until we graduate from high school, we immature students still need your guidance, Kirisu Sensei!"

Shinichi moved away from his awkward posture, looking tense, and said seriously.

"Above, all members of the Shuchi'in Academy Talent Exchange Meeting have completed their speeches!"