"G-graduate? Probably not until next year," Mitaraishi Anko stammered. Ever since she had watched Sōkyū Hatake's graduation assessment last time, she had lacked confidence in herself.
"You'll have to work hard. Last time, they only made Mr. Minamikawa Ōzora my opponent because they were targeting me. Yours shouldn't be too difficult." Sōkyū Hatake smiled faintly. He knew what Mitaraishi Anko was worried about.
"Really?" Mitaraishi Anko looked earnestly at Sōkyū Hatake. If she did not have to face the same absurd assessment standards as him, she would feel much more confident.
"Of course. My circumstances were rather complicated back then. Yours are different." Sōkyū Hatake picked up a piece of braised fish and began munching away.
"Mm-hmm," Mitaraishi Anko replied, her thoughts unknown.
Soon, once the moon had fully risen and shone over the land, dinner at Sōkyū Hatake's place had ended. The two girls cleared away the dishes and utensils without being asked, while Sōkyū Hatake sat alone on the swing in the courtyard, gazing at the moon as he thought about something.
"What are you thinking about, Sōkyū?" Suddenly, a hand appeared behind Sōkyū Hatake and gently pushed him.
Sōkyū Hatake swayed back and forth on the swing.
"Nothing much. Just thinking about the front lines," Sōkyū Hatake said casually.
"When are you going back?" Mitaraishi Anko walked around in front of Sōkyū Hatake and asked somewhat hesitantly.
"Probably in another ten days or so. They said it was half a month's leave, but it isn't really half a month. Travel time both ways counts too," Sōkyū Hatake said casually.
"Ten days..." Mitaraishi Anko looked up at the moon. Didn't that mean they only had ten days left to spend together in person?
"Yes, ten days," Sōkyū Hatake said as he swayed back and forth.
"Then