Plum Blossons & Snowflakes [Plum Blossoms 4]

[anakidd]

[After the Radio Show]

Aira: … R-repeating a year!?

Tatsumi: Mayoi-san. Is that true?

Mayoi: Yes. I do have enough school credits, but it seems my attendance at in-campus events is insufficient.

 

I was disturbed when I was warned I’m on the verge of repeating a year, but I changed my mind and realized it’s not so bad.

 

Now I feel at peace with that.

Aira: Eh…. How can you be in such a good mood?

I don’t think repeating a year is such a huge issue, but…?

Hiiro: .............

Aira: Hiro-kun? Don’t be quiet like that! C’mon, say something!

Hiiro: Hm. What does it mean “to repeat a year”?

Aira: Ah… right. Since Hiro-kun has been improving on this aspect since the day we met, I forgot you don’t have common sense.

Hiiro: Ah! Aira, I’m happy you remember my personal characteristics!

Aira: Don’t talk like a lack of common sense is a personality trait!

Tatsumi: “Repeating a year” means that you won’t move forward to the next academic year and need to retake the same school grade.

In Mayoi-san’s case, he would not be able to graduate and would need to retake the third year of high school.

But… Since the credits are enough, it’s an atypical situation. Would it not be the case of focusing exclusively on event participation?

Hiiro: Hm…… so you aren’t expelled if you drop out and still get to go to school for one more year? Sounds like a good bargain, right?

Aira: Where is it a good bargain? There are many things to consider, so you can’t just give a one-size-fits-all statement like that!

It’s hard to say in front of Tattsun-senpai, but repeating a year isn’t a reason to be praised, ok?

Hiiro: Why? Since I was enrolled directly in the second year and didn’t take the first year, repeating once wouldn’t be a problem, right?

It would be good to be in the same class as you, Mayoi-senpai.

Aira: It’s useless, he doesn't understand how serious this situation is…

 

Tattsun-senpai, what do you think?

Tatsumi: About Mayoi-san repeating a year? Well…

Since I don’t know how Yumenosaki’s grading system works, I would like to respect Mayoi-san’s decision.

However, I’m concerned about the way he accepted it so easily. It's a situation that usually would cause a bit more trouble.

But if the time when you need support comes, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We’ll help as much as possible. 

Aira: Hm… Tattsun-senpai also feels this way?

So I won’t say anything too, since Mayo-san already decided everything by himself.

(... But, is it really ok to leave it be?)

(There's still time, so you didn’t have to give up so fast, right?)

(Is it selfish to want you to put effort into graduating…?)

 

[The next day, after school at Yumenosaki]

Aira: (Aaah, so cooooold! It’s so cold my hands turned red)

 

(A lot of snow piled up…)

(It’s cold, but I’m glad I was able to watch the senpais playing snowball war. A sight for sore eyes ~ ♪)

(Harukawa-senpai invited me to make snowmen based on [Branco] members and of course I didn’t waste the chance of taking a picture of us together.)

(It was worth going outside….. ~ ♪)

(Hm? There is someone at the landing of the staircase…)

Shinobu: ..........

Aira: (What could have happened… he’s looking out the window with a blank stare…)

Sengoku-senpai, good morning ~

Shinobu: Hm? A-ah, Aira-kun…

Aira: What’s up? You look down, you know?

Shinobu: Really de gozaru?

Aira: Yes. There’s something kinda off.

Shinobu: Please tell me if something is bothering you. I’ll support you.

Well… even though I can’t do much.

But I can hear anything you have to say! Please feel free to rant about pretty much anything!

Shinobu: ...........

… it’s true de gozaru. Since Aira-kun is also part of ALKALOID, I can be open about it de gozaru.

Aira: Since I’m also part of ALKALOID…?

Shinobu: Yes. To be honest, I’m worried about Mayoi-dono de gozaru.

Aira-kun, are you aware of the issue concerning Mayoi-dono repeating a year de gozaru?

Aira: Y-yeah… I’m aware.

He said it’s not so bad and he's weirdly optimistic about it, right?

Shinobu: …. it’s my fault he’s so optimistic on the matter de gozaru.

Aira: Sengoku-senpai’s fault?

Shinobu: Mayoi-dono told me de gozaru… if he graduates, I’ll be lonely—

Since he doesn’t want me to feel alone, he’ll repeat a year for the Ninja Association’ sake…

But… I don’t like that, I want him to graduate de gozaru.

I don’t want Mayoi-dono to sacrifice a precious year for my sake de gozaru.

That’s what I wanted to tell him de gozaru, but I failed when I had the chance to say….

And while I hesitate, his resolve gets stronger. I’m puzzled about what to do de gozaru.

At this rate, it’s gonna be my fault if he repeats a year de gozaru. I don’t want something like this to happen de gozaru.

Aira: So that’s what happened… really, it’s hard to say anything when he looks brimming with excitement for repeating a year.

Mayoi: (Aah….. aaaaaaa….)

(I was curious about their talk, pricked up my ears and ended up finding out how Chief really feels.)

(Chief, you didn’t do anything wrong! It’s all my fault….!)

(All because of this cowardice of mine… I’m so sorry, Chief…)