The Moon is Split

The Third Spring

This was Cool's third spring in Junior High, meaning her last year of school. First and second grade students have prepared a farewell event for their classmates. Cool doesn't care about that, he's just aloof on the rooftop. Imel, who knows for sure the whereabouts of his close friend, approached Cool there.

"What are you doing, Cool?"

"Thinking of a good way of suicide" he replied.

Imel was annoyed to hear it. He threw a soda can at Cool, and Cool caught it well. He opened the soda and drank it.

"You're not going to the hall?"

"Make what?"

"Preparation of our farewell"

"It doesn't matter"

"Some of the underclassmen are helping with the decorations for tomorrow's event. You're not interested in going there?"

"No"

In Japan spring is the best season to take a walk in Japan. But, in addition, spring is also a moment to celebrate graduation for final-level students.

Lay people usually think that spring in Japan is related to something new, such as the start of a new school year. But actually, spring can also be said to be the season that ends something. This is because at the beginning of spring in Japan, there is a graduation ceremony for final-level students who have studied at their school.

The graduation ceremony, which in Japanese is called sotsugyou shiki ( ⁇ ), is generally held in the third week of March. The ceremony also allows parents of students as well as students from the younger generation to attend. However, most parents and families choose not to come.

They consider that this Graduation Ceremony is a moment of celebration of students with their friends and teachers.

For Keren it makes no difference the days he goes through all this time. Graduating or not her Mama would not care.

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All third-graders who will receive a graduation certificate gather in the School Hall. At first, all the disciples gathered in the hall. Then, they would go up to the stage when their names were called by the headmaster. They will bow as a sign of respect then receive a certificate with both hands. Then they bowed again and sat back down. This stage is the traditional stage. Nowadays, there are also those who shake hands with the principal or the rector. During the graduation ceremony, the students often sang songs related to the separation.

"Omedetouugozaimasu. Atode saikou no kookoo ni ukeire rareru koto o negatte imasu". 1)

The final speech of the principal when giving a title to the farewell event. After the certificate is completed. Students gather in their classes to take pictures. Cool ogah-ogahan when his hand was pulled by Imel into the classroom.

"Ore ga otonaninattara anata ni ai, anata to kekkon shimasu. Saido kyohi suru koto wa dekimasen". 2)

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"Imel chan, Cool chan, Sotsugyou omedetougozaimasu" said a classmate. 3)

"Sotsugyou omedetougouzaimasu" 4)

"Doko de kyoiku o tsudzukemasu ka? Chan, Cool chan 5)

"Wakaranai" 6), replied Cool. That again.

"Bandung no kookoo o tsudzukemasu. Chichi no Nihon de no kinmu kikan ga owattakaradesu". 7)

"aaa... Souka?!". 8)

Imel smile. Cool still be cold. Imel made his choice. He returned home to follow his parents. Cool still hasn't decided anything.

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Translations

1) "Congratulations on your graduation. Hope you guys are accepted to the best High School"

2) "when I grow up I'll meet you and marry you.we won't be able to turn it down again"

3) "Imel, Cool, congratulations on your graduation"

4) "Congratulations on his graduation"

5) "Where will you continue after this, Imel, Cool?"

6) "I don't know"

7) "I will continue my High School in Bandung, because my papa's tenure in Japan is up"

8) "Is that so"