Dear Miss Ayako,
It is the season of early spring, when cherry blossoms are in full bloom. How are you all doing back home?
It has been over a month since I arrived in Tokyo, and I have lived up to your expectations, successfully entering Tracen Academy for my studies and employment. Although I lack qualifications and experience, thanks to the help of my seniors, I am doing very well at the academy, and I have also made several good friends, so there is no need to worry.
How has my sister been during this time? After being away from home for over a month, to be honest, I miss her very much, but for her sake, I am now working hard to become a brother she can rely on. Also, thanks to the care of my roommate, I have specifically sent some Tokyo specialties home, especially the Central Racecourse special candy recommended by my friend. I'm sure my sister will be delighted, won't she?
As for me, please do not worry too much. I am doing very well in Tokyo, and I have a place to live. Furthermore, by joining the academy, I have successfully received a subsidy and salary as an academy staff member. Regarding money, I have already remitted a sum of money home, so you no longer need to support me. I hope my salary can help with the family's expenses.
I hope my sister and Miss Ayako can come to Tokyo together someday. Everything is well with me here, so please do not worry.
Sincerely, in this season of blooming flowers, I wish you good health.
Asama Kazuo
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"Hmm… this should be fine, right?"
Kazuo looked at the letter he had written, read it once, and then nodded in confirmation.
"Excuse me, these are all the items I need to send. Could I please have a postal form to fill out the information?"
Taking the form handed to him by the staff member at the mailroom, Kazuo leaned against the counter and began to write again.
Next to him was half a box of candy he had gotten from Koji. Imagining his sister excitedly jumping up when she received this gift, the corners of Kazuo's mouth involuntarily curved upwards.
Only after truly leaving home and traveling does one understand what it means to report good news but not bad. What Kazuo saved through frugality was the money earned from his daily part-time jobs.
Prices in Tokyo were high, but so were the hourly wages. Kazuo lived on a tight budget every day, sending most of his savings home.
Although it wasn't much, for his relatively struggling family, it was undoubtedly a sum that could alleviate urgent financial needs.
However, that being said… now that he was an intern at the academy, he didn't have as much time to work part-time. Although accommodation was provided here, food and other living expenses had to be paid out of pocket. Considering the expenses, Kazuo had recently been thinking about finding a temporary job nearby to ease his financial problems.
Seto… After filling in the address, Kazuo handed over all the items he needed to send to the staff member.
"Please send these items out for me tomorrow. Thank you."
Stepping out of the mailroom, the early spring night was rather quiet, with stars dotting the darkness and a full moon hanging from the branches.
Standing in a corner of the academy, Kazuo looked back at everything that had happened over the past month, a sense of emotion washing over him.
"Huh? Asama-kun, why are you here?"
A familiar voice rang out, and Kazuo turned his head in surprise, only to see Hayakawa-san standing there with a flashlight.
"Eh, Hayakawa-san?"
The three-person drinking party had lasted until past eight o'clock. At that time, Hayakawa-san said she still had work to do, thanked them for the hospitality, and left the room. Koji was already a bit tipsy, mumbling something as he lay to the side. As for Kazuo, he took this opportunity to come to the academy's mailroom, wanting to send some things home.
He just hadn't expected to meet Hayakawa-san at this time.
"Oh, I see. Is Hayakawa-san on patrol?"
"Yes, after all, it's almost curfew. I'm just walking around the academy, checking things out."
Although she was the Chairman's secretary, Hayakawa-san seemed to be everywhere.
"You're really amazing, Hayakawa-san..."
"Eh, why are you suddenly saying that?"
An almost omnipotent, kind, intelligent, and reliable female senior, Kazuo couldn't think of anything Hayakawa-san couldn't do.
"I feel like I see Hayakawa-san everywhere. You're truly amazing!"
"Thank you, Asama-kun. I'm happy to hear you say that, but I'm not as amazing as you say. In fact, there are many things I'm not good at."
No sooner had she finished speaking than there was a rustle in the nearby bushes.
"Who's there!?"
One moment, Hayakawa-san's cheeks were flushed, but the next, she was serious, sharply questioning the area.
"Oh no, I've been discovered!"
A single Uma Musume dashed out from one end of the bushes in an instant.
"Student! It's almost curfew. No sneaking out of school!!!"
Before Kazuo could react, he felt a gust of wind in front of him. By the time he came to his senses, Hayakawa-san was already running at an astonishing speed, chasing the Uma Musume in front of her with terrifying, blur-like movements.
In just two or three seconds, both of their figures had vanished.
Hayakawa-san... how is she so incredible? That speed just now... it must be at the Uma Musume level, right? Sometimes, I really wonder... just who is Hayakawa-san?
Walking on the academy's sloped path, everything was quiet due to the night, giving a sense of peaceful tranquility.
Considering Koji was still drunk and lying in the room, Kazuo wasn't in a hurry to return to his dorm to rest.
Instead, he wandered around the campus alone, and before he knew it, he found himself at the academy's Horse Racing track, the field as large as several football fields.
At this moment, only a few scattered lights were on along the track, and the surroundings were so quiet that only the rustling sound of the night breeze gently brushing his cheeks could be heard.
Feeling this tranquility, it was as if everything had relaxed.
Da da da —
A certain sound,
Da da da —
Hmm?
It seemed like something was there.
Kazuo initially thought he had misheard, but standing on the observation deck, he clearly saw it the next second: a small figure, shimmering between the lights, galloping across the track at an unparalleled sprint speed.
Like an elf in the dark night dancing in the gaps of starlight, mysterious yet only to be admired.