Epilogue

The days stretched on for Yasushi and his friends, the calendar pages turning inexorably towards July. The bustling energy of the school reached a fever pitch as teachers and students hurried about, setting up for the final mid-term exam of the year. The campus thrummed with activity, a frenetic ballet of preparation and anticipation. In just a few days, the first and second years would face their final hurdle before summer break would offer a reprieve from their academic labors.

With the exam looming, Yasushi's group had reconvened for their intense study sessions. The room was strewn with textbooks, notes, and empty coffee cups, evidence of their marathon cramming. Their faces, illuminated by the harsh glow of fluorescent lights, were etched with concentration and fatigue.

As the clock struck seven, a loud alarm blared, signaling the end of their study period. Furuya, overwhelmed and drained from hours of relentless studying, collapsed onto his back with a dramatic flourish.

"Freedom!" he bellowed, his voice muffled by the carpet as he stretched out, savoring the moment of respite.

Xinyi peered down at him with a wry smile. "You've improved," she said, her tone tinged with approval. "I'll give you that."

"Hah! I've improved more than you can imagine. I'm telling you this now, I'll be in the top twenty!" Furuya declared, his voice brimming with a newfound confidence that echoed around the room.

Xinyi's lips curled into a smirk as she retorted, "Just the top twenty and not top ten?" Her tone carried a playful challenge, her eyes twinkling with mischief.

Their exchange grew more animated, the room filling with the sound of their lively banter. Amid the spirited bickering, Yinhaie entered, accompanied by other staff members, their arms laden with an assortment of snacks and drinks. The clinking of bottles and rustling of snack bags momentarily paused the friendly argument.

"Good work, everyone. I hope the exams go well for all of you," Yinhaie said warmly, placing the refreshments on the table. Her colleagues quietly exited the room, leaving her to continue the conversation. She picked up a teapot and began pouring tea into cups, her movements measured and precise. "What time will all of you be going home starting tomorrow?" she inquired, glancing up from her task.

Yasushi leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples as he responded. "It's the same as the last one, but seeing our timetable right now, we'll have Math one, then Geography, History, and Math two, all in the same day." His voice held a note of resignation, reflecting the grueling schedule they faced.

"Ugh, math," Furuya mumbled, slumping forward in his chair, eyes half-lidded with exhaustion and resignation.

"It'll be fine, Furuya. You've improved a lot in that aspect. We all saw it in the mini quiz a few weeks back," Reina said, her voice full of encouragement as she pumped her fists in a show of support, her enthusiasm a beacon in the otherwise dreary atmosphere.

"With that said, all of you guys will be gone for the summer break, right? Where in China will you go?" Laura asked, her gaze sweeping across the group — Yasushi, Jingliu, Furuya, Layena, Catherine, and Yinhaie — each one already mentally halfway to their summer destinations.

"Yasushi, Layena, Yinhaie, and I will be in my hometown of Mengyinhu," Jingliu explained, her voice carrying a note of anticipation as she leaned comfortably against Yasushi, the familiarity of their plans providing a momentary escape from the pressure of exams. "As for Furuya, Xinyi, and Catherine, they'll be going to her home which isn't too far from mine, just two towns over. She usually took the train to the school we used to go to," she continued, her words painting a picture of summer plans filled with visits to familiar places and the comfort of home.

"What can you expect there if, let's say, I visit it one day?" Laura asked, her curiosity piqued as she sought more information about Jingliu's hometown.

Their group continued their conversation for an additional hour, delving into details about Jingliu's and Xinyi's homes in China. By the time they wrapped up for the night, both Laura and Reina were intrigued by the descriptions and expressed a desire to visit those places someday.

+-+

The exam week crept towards its end, and with it, the promise of summer break loomed tantalizingly close. The atmosphere buzzed with a mix of tension and anticipation, a symphony of rustling papers and scribbling pens. Students could almost taste the freedom awaiting them beyond the school gates.

On the final day of exams, the entire student body was scattered across various classrooms, each immersed in their last test of the week. Some had already finished, their relieved expressions hinting at the relaxation to come. Others were still hunched over their desks, lost in the labyrinth of questions and answers. A few, already mentally checked out, daydreamed about the adventures that summer would bring.

Yasushi sat at his desk, eyes scanning his work meticulously. Each line of text and figure was scrutinized as he ensured no errors slipped past him. Confidence built within him as he reviewed his answers. The weeks of studying, those long nights spent pouring over notes and quizzing each other, had paid off. His friends had worked just as hard, and he felt a collective sense of accomplishment for all of them.

He sat back in his chair, feeling a sense of contentment settle over him. The exams were behind him, and thoughts of the summer ahead began to fill his mind. He started to wonder about the adventures and challenges waiting for him in China.

Yasushi was aware of the historical tensions between the Chinese and Japanese. The past had been marked by conflict, but he hoped that the youth of today would focus on the future rather than the past. If anyone did bring it up, he was ready to deflect or ignore, avoiding unnecessary conflict in a foreign land.

Lost in his thoughts, he barely noticed the familiar ding signaling the end of the exam. The noise snapped him back to the present, and he glanced around the room. Some classmates were hurriedly scribbling last-minute answers onto their sheets, while others seemed visibly excited, their faces alight with the prospect of freedom.

"Staple your papers together then pass them forward until they reach me. Please do this so we can all go and have our summer, alright?" The bored science teacher's voice carried a note of finality as he stood at the front of the room, beginning to collect the growing stacks of papers.

After a minute of sifting through the stack of papers, the teacher let out a deep sigh, nodding to himself with a sense of satisfaction. His gaze swept over the classroom, taking in the faces of his students one last time. "Good work, and go enjoy your summer. Class dismissed," he announced, his voice carrying a finality that set the room abuzz.

The moment the words left his lips, the classroom, and indeed the entire school, erupted in a wave of cheers and excitement. Students surged from their desks, their joy palpable as they dashed out of the room and into the corridors, eager to embrace the summer break that awaited them.

Yasushi remained seated for a few seconds longer, allowing the frenzy of students to subside before he gathered his belongings. He stood, slinging his bag over his shoulder and making his way to the door with a more measured pace. His friends followed suit, taking their time to leave the classroom as the final remnants of their classmates streamed out.

As they prepared to exit, Reina, Xinyi, and Catherine appeared at the doorway, their faces reflecting the same excitement that had swept through the school. Yasushi offered a wistful smile and said, "We're done. I guess this is the last day we'll see each other until next year."

"You guys are leaving tonight, right?" Furuya asked, his curiosity evident as he looked toward Yasushi and Jingliu.

They both nodded in unison. "Yeah, we want to reach China later tonight and kick off our vacation the next day," Yasushi replied, his tone reflecting a mixture of anticipation and relief. "You'll be there in three days, right?" he asked, directing his question toward Xinyi.

Xinyi gave a confirming nod. "Yeah, since Mr. Slowass over there," she said, pointing at Furuya with a playful smirk, "panicked and hasn't packed yet, we'll be delaying our flight a bit. But I plan on bringing back some souvenirs from Japan, so I'll use the extra time to check out Tokyo or something. Do you guys want anything?" Her eyes flickered between her friends, eager to take on the task.

A flurry of requests followed as everyone chimed in with their wishes — trinkets, snacks, and other mementos from Tokyo. Xinyi took note of each request, a proud grin spreading across her face as she jotted down the items.

As the day continued, they left the school grounds and walked through the familiar school gate, stepping back into the city where they lived. With the remaining hours of daylight, they decided to enjoy a few hours together. They wandered through their favorite shops and hangout spots, savoring the time spent in each other's company before they had to part ways. The afternoon was filled with laughter and camaraderie, a fitting close to their shared experiences before their summer adventures began.

+-+

With only an hour left before their departure to the airport, Yasushi stood on his room's balcony, his gaze fixed on the sun dipping slowly toward the horizon. This was the final sunset he'd witness in Japan for a while, and he wanted to fully appreciate its fleeting beauty.

He had spent many years living in this new world, and over time, had formed a deep connection with it. The past year, in particular, had woven itself into his life in ways he hadn't anticipated. As he watched the sky transform into shades of orange and pink, he marveled at how he had grown attached to this place. The changes in his life had been numerous and positive, and though he hadn't expected to feel so rooted, he understood why he did now.

His attention shifted to his hand, clenched tightly as if to hold onto the moment. "I guess… it was worth it," he murmured to himself, the words barely audible. As he stood there, a series of memories from his previous life flickered through his mind.

Each recollection carried its own weight, a harsh lesson wrapped in difficulty and pain. Despite the challenges they brought, those experiences had shaped him into who he had become. In retrospect, he found a sense of gratitude for those trials, recognizing that they had forged a path to this very moment.

His reverie was broken by the sound of the door to his shared bedroom creaking open. Yasushi turned to see Jingliu standing in the doorway, her smile warm and inviting.

"Yasushi, let's get ready and head to the car," she said, her voice carrying a hint of urgency. "Yinhaie mentioned there might be some traffic, so we should get going now."

"Yeah… let's go," Yasushi replied, his tone reflecting a mix of readiness and anticipation. He moved toward her, feeling the weight of the moment shift as they prepared to leave.

With their summer break on the horizon, the promise of adventure lay ahead, just waiting for them to step into it.