A reluctant goodbye

Our last day was bittersweet. It was another regular day in Akashi College by then, our classes finished before I could have noticed. I was more focused on taking group pictures with as much people as I can to cherish the moment. But it was the farewell party that I treasured the most. Like our 2nd day in NITAC, the teachers and students had organised a party for us exchange students and our teachers; in the same cafeteria with an identical set up from last time. I had invited my buddy and a couple of close friends so that I could make our last moments in Akashi more memorable. The games was a burst of fun that I had almost forgot that I had not prepared our closing speech. When time was over and we, the speakers, were standing in front, the speech came naturally. I didn’t feel the usual stage fright and nervousness that I always had in speaking in front; instead I felt as comfortable as talking to a friend - and I can only credit this to everyone that had been involved, contributed, or, even in the slightest bit, helped in our program.

My classmates had given me a gift that I would never forget. Two figurines from an anime that we had watched, which may have costed them around quadruple digits worth of yen but to me, is priceless. Admittedly, my emotions got the best of me and the train ride home was nothing short of tiring. The whole day was both physically and emotionally taxing. But I would do it all over again to spend more time in Akashi College.