Chapter 178

Waking the morning after the killing, Nagisa pieces together the night before. Once Korosensei was gone, each student had found on their desk a tailored copy of his book of advice, a class yearbook, and a diploma he made himself. The anti-teacher laser had discharged only after his death, and Karasuma stalled the incoming soldiers by claiming authority over the pupils. Exhausted, the class eventually drifted off while trying to finish their advice books.

In the present, Karasuma warns that the press will hound them and asks that certain matters stay hidden. He apologizes ahead of time, but the students insist they will manage and thank him sincerely. At the ceremony, Chairman Asano hands Nagisa his diploma with congratulations, and the boy is stunned to find his mother and father standing together.

Nagisa's father reveals that Korosensei had visited him the previous month to nudge him toward mending the family. Hiromi says the two will try to begin again, and Nagisa breaks into grateful tears. Outside, reporters press Class 3-E for details about the creature at the school, but Class A holds the crowd back and walks the students to their waiting bus. Nagisa cries once more and silently bids farewell to Kunugigaoka Junior High.

Running twenty-two pages, this chapter sits in the twenty-first volume, titled Time to Say Thank You. The Japanese name Namida no jikan translates to Time for Tears. It comes after Graduation Time and precedes Time After Time.