Despite her small body, her sprinting figure was like a star in the dark night.
Under the silent night sky, there was only the wind and the girl on the track, accelerating continuously, sprinting, her body stretching out, as if embracing everything, vigorously waving her arms.
Although only one figure could be clearly seen speeding across the track, this sense of shock —
"So amazing..."
Kazuo's eyes unconsciously followed that figure, faster, faster —
She could still,
As if time had stopped, her foot, suspended in mid-air, instantly stomped down, and then time flowed again.
"Boom —"
Secondary acceleration was not uncommon, but what was unimaginable was that what the girl displayed at this moment could no longer be described as astonishing footwork.
This was something completely beyond common sense... as if slicing through time —
What?
Kazuo was so shocked he almost cried out. What happened in that instant, he couldn't react at all, but it was as if some instinct in his heart had awakened, his blood boiling, as if in resonance. Although it was she who was sprinting on the track, he felt as if he was completely immersed in it.
There was only her on the track, yet she seemed to be fighting against some unseen force.
What could be the reason for this? She sprinted, finally crossing the finish line.
However, Kazuo's expression grew serious. He didn't quite understand the slightly troubled feeling in his heart, but watching the girl leave, he remained speechless for a long time.
It was a very uncomfortable feeling. Even though he wasn't running, for some reason, he felt a heavy and indescribable emotion emanating from that figure.
She was sprinting with all her might, running freely... but why—
Why couldn't he sense any happiness from her at all?
"Ugh... you're back?"
Koji slurred, clutching a beer can, hiccuping as he leaned back against the bed.
"Mm... I'm back."
"Didn't you, *hiccup*, say you were going to mail something...? Why did it take you so long to get back?"
"Nothing, I just saw some things on the way and stopped for a bit..."
"Ugh..." Koji mumbled in response, then suddenly remembered something and shouted, "Oh! The hot water is on downstairs, aren't you going to take a bath? It's really comfortable!"
"Uh... Koji, what about you?"
Looking at him, he didn't seem capable of walking normally or going to the first-floor bathhouse by himself.
"I... I'm not going. You'd better hurry, there's only about twenty-something minutes left..."
"Is that so? Then I'm going."
"Wait, wait a minute!"
Kazuo also felt he probably needed a shower to clear his head. He was about to leave when Koji suddenly called out to him.
"What is it?"
Kazuo thought he had something important to say—
"The men's bathhouse is on the right!"
"I wouldn't make that mistake!"
This guy is truly hopeless.
Ritto Dormitory
The dormitory room door slowly opened with a 'drip' sound, and a small girl walked straight in, carrying a bag of luggage.
She had light, flowing chestnut-colored short hair, and her soft eyelids were slightly lowered, as if nothing could rouse her interest. Her clear, sky-blue eyes were so beautiful, yet she would furrow her brows slightly, responding to others with a sharp gaze.
It seemed she was dissatisfied with everything, rejecting and resisting everything.
She was like a little hedgehog, covered in thorns.
Disguising herself, protecting herself, she was so cute, but also very formidable.
Her skin, delicate and smooth like a doll's, was pure white. Her tiny frame, slender limbs, and shoulders—everything about her made one want to cherish her.
But—
She faced everything with a resolute attitude.
She walked into the room, looking down at her phone.
Student dormitories were also double rooms, but unlike the staff dorms, they weren't bunk beds; instead, there was a bed against each side wall.
At this time, the room was clearly already occupied by someone.
"Oh! I was worried that my roommate might have had some trouble... I didn't expect my roommate to be Daijin!"
Xiao Hai Wan, who had already finished washing, didn't tie up her long hair as she had that morning. Now in light blue pajamas, her hair was spread out, radiating a maternal glow.
She gently stroked her cheek, speaking kindly to the small girl.
The little one named Daijin ignored her, silently tossing her luggage onto the other bed.
"Where did you go so late? If you missed curfew, Daijin, you would have had to stay outside..."
Xiao Hai Wan didn't seem to mind Daijin's attitude and patiently continued to talk to her.
Daijin kept staring at her phone screen, not even showing any intention of looking at Xiao Hai Wan.
"Huh? Did Daijin go for a run? Then why don't you go wash up now? There are still twenty minutes before the washing time ends!"
"Although I've already washed, if Daijin doesn't mind, I can help Daijin-chan wash!"
Xiao Hai Wan naturally had an unconscious desire to care for those around her.
Especially someone so small, like a little animal.
"... (sigh),"
Silently putting down her phone, Daijin suddenly stood up. But at this moment, she still wore a blank expression, clearly not intending to bother with her roommate. She took a towel from the closet, put her toiletries in a basin, and walked straight out with them. When she reached the doorway, she slowly stopped.
"...Don't mind me."
Her words were cold, devoid of any emotion, but the iciness and the meaning of pushing others away were fully displayed.
Leaving that sentence, Daijin walked out of the room without looking back.
Watching Daijin leave the room, Xiao Hai Wan couldn't help but show a hint of a troubled expression.
However, she wasn't displeased by Daijin's attitude. On the contrary, Daijin, who was like a rebellious teenager, seemed to awaken something within her.
"Oh... what's wrong with Daijin-chan? Did something happen?"
She murmured to herself, slightly troubled.
Xiao Hai Wan, who grew up taking care of all the orphanage's affairs, was clearly more inclined to look after her worrisome roommate.
Xiao Hai Wan, who grew up taking care of all the orphanage's affairs, was clearly more inclined to look after her worrisome roommate.