November 4th, five o'clock in the morning.
The sky over Hakodate was still dark, a single light shining on the hotel sign.
Dubian Che ran continuously to a narrow inlet on the south side, then turned back.
Whenever he ran, he remembered his solitary mornings in Shinjuku Yotsuya, sitting alone in front of the steps of "Suga Shrine", and the taste of summer Ramune soda.
The black characters of "Bamboo Leaf New Leaf Pavilion" in front of the hotel could be seen from afar.
"Good morning, sir." As he walked into the wooden building, a kimono-clad staff member greeted him.
"Good morning." Dubian Che replied.
"I thought you went to see the Morning Market, but you went for a jog instead." A young waitress said with a happy smile.
"First time seeing a guest go for a morning run." Another waitress remarked.
"I had no choice." Dubian Che said.
"What happened? Didn't sleep well?"
