Chapter 9, First Day of Intermission

If asked what kind of person he thinks Edagawa is.

My first reaction should be "excellent".

Yes, excellent.

There are actually many other words that can be used to describe him, but I think there is probably no word that fits him better than "excellent".

I remember the first time I met Edagawa was at a train station in Tokyo.

At that time, Teacher Wutiao asked me to go to the station to pick up the new students.

I asked, "Why is it just me? Why aren't Dog Roll and Panda here?"

Teacher Gojo said that no one can understand what Dog Roll is saying, and Panda might scare the new classmate when he goes to pick them up.

I thought about it and it made sense. So I went to the station.

In early April, Tokyo Station was bustling with people. Amidst all that coming and going, I spotted Edakawa Aru in her high school uniform at a glance.

His hair was a bit short, but not prickly; he probably had it styled at the end of the holiday. Edakawa spotted me immediately; without me saying anything, he recognized me from my matching uniform.

He smiled and said, "Nice to meet you. I am Edakawa Isamu. Please take care of me."

Zhichuan has dimples on both sides of his face, which are fully revealed when he smiles, appearing as two shallow indentations on his cheeks.

It was April, and his smile perfectly complemented the cherry blossoms blooming in clusters on the branches of Tokyo, yet also carried the refreshing scent of lime in the summer of July.

“I am Zenin Maki,” I said. “Nice to meet you.”

Erikawa's personality gradually emerged in his later life, and the more time passed, the more I felt that he and his name were extremely well-matched.

Branch, river, or.

Like tender green buds sprouting in early spring, or clear river water flowing gently.

Soft and gentle.

Edakawa is a very hardworking person.

On this point, I, Goujuan, Panda, Yigu, and the five teachers all deeply feel the same way.

His natural talent wasn't exceptional, a fact determined by his background and something beyond his control. However, the fact that he managed to climb step by step into the ranks of a first-level sorcerer through his own hard work is enough to demonstrate his efforts.

In Panda's words, it was an incredible leaping speed.

Our graduating class had Yi Gu as a Special Grade and Zhi Chuan as a First Grade. It's probably the most talented graduating class in history.

Unfortunately, now, Otsuko is gone, and Edakawa is gone too.

If Yigu's decision to go overseas was fortunate, then Erikawa's decision to drop out of school was undoubtedly unfortunate.

But there's nothing we can do.

Edakawa himself couldn't do anything, Miss Shoko couldn't do anything, Mr. Gojo couldn't do anything, and Inuma couldn't do anything.

There's nothing I can do.

Knowing his concerns made it even harder for me to cope.

Edakawa rarely refuses others, but that doesn't mean he doesn't know how to say no. He's gentle by nature, but by no means weak; on certain matters of principle, he's quite stubborn.

So when he said he wanted to drop out of school, I knew that no one could stop him.

But I had only recently become a Level 1 Spellcaster back then... or.

Not long ago, she smiled and told me, "Maki, I've become a Level 1 Spellcaster."

Later, she still smiled and said, "Maki, I'm leaving."

When Edakawa first dropped out of school, Mr. Gojo always forgot that he had dropped out.

When we gathered, he asked in confusion, "Huh? Or what?"

As they were talking, they realized it on their own without us having to remind them: "Ah, I forgot, or I've already left."

Teacher Gojo always speaks in a light and understated manner, and this was no exception.

There was just a hint of unspeakable loneliness hidden within.

Even the lively panda remained silent. I glanced at Dog Roll, who had his head down and didn't say a word.

I know very well that this is nobody's fault.

But it is precisely this knowledge that makes us even more saddened.

I've always thought that if Edakawa had left earlier, I wouldn't feel so regretful and heartbroken.

As for the reason... to put it poetically, it's that in the early days of the sorcery academy, there was no light in Egawa's eyes.

In other words, it didn't matter to him at that time whether he became a sorcerer or not.

Mr. Nanami once gave Mr. Gojo this evaluation.

Mr. Nanami said, "A sorcerer does not die without regrets, but he exists."

He was referring to Edagawa.

I once asked Edagawa why he wanted to become a sorcerer.

He smiled at my question and started telling me about his past.

Zhichuan said he has two childhood friends who both love playing volleyball. They love it so much that they are willing to dedicate all their passion to volleyball.

"So I thought, I also want to find something that I'm willing to give my heart to." As he said this, his eyes reflected the rising sun, which then gradually spread across the earth.

Upon hearing Mr. Nanami's evaluation, Ms. Gojo smiled as always, her attitude casual: "People always have to grow, right?"

Then Egawa really did grow up to be what he became, embodying the saying, "There is no death without regret for a sorcerer."

At the time, it seemed like a happy thing, but now, looking back, I can't help but think that it was a self-fulfilling prophecy.

"Maki."

I turned my head and saw Panda.

"What's wrong?"

"Someone in the first grade died."