I thought they were all great, but the first one was *really* intriguing, especially given the title. I thought Ryu's absence (and Yankumi's absence?) loomed large over this particular section, because otherwise, we don't really know *why* Hayato's sudden decision to swallow his pride and graduate. Something about the idea of Ryu graduating (without them, maybe) really gets Hayato's goat. I thought there was a subtle emphasis on "the three of us," too, not from Take, but from the narrative and how you arranged the dialog--the three of us, and where is Ryu in that trio? All of the sections were in key with how I see the series, but I thought this first section expanded out of the series in a good way.

lovely and thoughtful writing, as always. :)