Daijin, having finished washing, walked into her room, only to find a paper bag on her bed.
She picked it up with some confusion, wiping her hair with a bath towel.
"What is this…?"
This was clearly directed at Xiao Hai Wan, who was sitting on the bed reading a book.
In fact, Xiao Hai Wan was the only person Daijin was willing to speak to now.
After all, not everyone could be as patient as Xiao Hai Wan, trying to communicate with Daijin every day. Plus, the two were roommates, constantly seeing each other. Over time, Daijin even sometimes had the illusion that Xiao Hai Wan was her mother.
So, at least when it was just the two of them, she clearly didn't have the usual sense of resistance and defensiveness.
Xiao Hai Wan was wearing a light yellow nightgown. Unlike her usual style, her beautiful hair was tied up, cascading down her back like a waterfall.
Holding a book and wearing glasses, she looked up, as if just realizing something, and softly said, "Ah!"
"Oh, right! This is a package the Trainer asked me to give you. It seems like someone sent you something. Since you weren't in the dorm, I put it on your bed."
As she spoke, Xiao Hai Wan also stood up from the bed.
"Daijin, do you want some hot milk? I'll make you a cup."
"No need."
Daijin instinctively refused. However, when she turned her head, she saw Xiao Hai Wan pressing her hand to her chest, looking as if she was about to cry:
"Oh… I was presumptuous. I'll just…"
Daijin's head ached from Xiao Hai Wan's expression. Unable to cope, she could only sigh and murmur in an almost inaudible voice:
"Alright… just a small cup."
"Daijin-chan! Okay!"
The intoxicating blush on Xiao Hai Wan's face and her sudden improved mood both showed the girl's excitement.
"Do you want sugar?"
"…Sigh… just a little."
"Okay! Hmm hmm~~"
Xiao Hai Wan, in such a good mood that she even hummed a tune, got up, put on her shoes, and left the dorm.
Taking advantage of this moment, Daijin, with some confusion, opened the paper bag. Inside were two gift boxes: one flat, square cardboard box tied with a ribbon, and another long, rectangular box.
"What are these…?"
There was no name or anything written, just the academy's address and "Narita Daijin" as the recipient… "Could it be some kind of prank?"
Daijin couldn't imagine who would send her these things. Skeptical, she slowly opened the long gift box, only to see two bouquets of flowers neatly tied with ribbons inside.
One was a small white flower, like tiny snowflakes, with delicate, cute leaves, and the other was a pure, translucent white daisy.
Next to them were two cards. One had elegant handwriting that read, "Small perseverance will eventually be rewarded." The other seemed to be written by a different person, as the strokes were more connected; this card was attached next to the daisy.
"Strong as ever, you remain."
This is… Daijin quickly opened the other gift box, only to find a single letter inside. The handwriting was slightly different from the previous two.
It was neat, like penmanship in a formal letter, with a strictness that also conveyed the unique steadiness of an adult.
"Narita Daijin, I am your loyal fan. Everything you showed in the Middle School regional competition made people want to cheer you on. I can't forget the exhilarating feeling when you accelerated from the back in the middle section and ultimately won. At that time, I watched all your races. Your unyielding spirit deeply inspired me and gave me strength. It's just a pity that your aspirations will not be confined to this small plot of land."
"But, at the same time, I also hope to see you sprint on a higher stage. You are the pride of our regional competition, so I sincerely look forward to seeing your name on television screens in the future. Narita Daijin, I wish you to meet your Trainer at Tracen Academy and, through her, reach even greater heights. I will always be your fan, supporting you from behind."
Signed, "Your eternal supporter."
After silently reading it all, she held the letter and buried her head deep in her hair.
But
Plop—
Strange... why were there water droplets on the letter paper, why did her chest feel heavy—yet at the same time, her mood became lighter.
Why... she had clearly resolved not to cry again... Why... Suddenly, a gentle presence slowly embraced her.
Xiao Hai Wan had appeared by her side at some point, gently wrapping her arms around Daijin as if protecting her.
"We're all here, always here..."
Xiao Hai Wan closed her eyes and murmured softly, like a mother, soothing Daijin's emotions.
Kazuo, walking along the road, couldn't help but sneeze. His body trembled slightly as he mused thoughtfully:
"By now... Daijin should have seen that, right? I hope this can somewhat alleviate her emotional knot..."
"Miss Yuriko, if possible, I hope you can support your daughter as a mother, in any way you can."
Watching Kazuo speak, Yuriko pondered for a moment, then revealed the resolute expression of a single mother who had endured half a lifetime of hardship.
"I understand... If possible, I also hope Asama Sensei can choose a flower."
"...Eh? Choose... a flower?"
As the acting manager of a flower shop, Yuriko chose a flower for her daughter whose flower language was "effort will eventually be rewarded."
It also represented "small but strong," "watching over you," and "familial love"—multiple messages from a mother to her daughter.
However, when she saw Kazuo choose a large, blooming white daisy from the shop, she felt a small flutter, as if touching her cheek and exclaiming, "Oh my, oh my!"
The reason was simple: the daisy's flower language was—"love hidden deep in the heart" and "unspeakable affection."
Kazuo's choice of such a flower, combined with his identity as a teacher, and his actions in still choosing to stand by Daijin's side in this situation, instantly added a "mother-in-law looking at her son-in-law" filter.
Not to mention, she instantly liked him more and more, and felt he was increasingly suited for her daughter.
Kazuo, completely unaware, had already gained the approval of Yuriko, the mother.
Heaven knows, he only remembered that daisies meant strength and quiet effort.
But what he didn't know was that referred to yellow daisies—
The cause of the other letter, however, originated that day in the cafe.
"Yamaji Sensei, if I'm not mistaken, you actually pay a lot of attention to Daijin, don't you?"
"...Yes, because I am also a huge fan of Horse Racing. And the video in this paper bag is something I personally kept as a treasure..."
"Because I really enjoy watching Daijin run on the Racecourse. I've watched every one of her races, so..."
Before he could finish speaking, Kazuo had already stood up and grasped Yamaji Sensei's hand directly.
"Please, you absolutely must help me with something in a moment!! This matter can only be done by you!!"
"...Huh..."
Faced with such an agitated Kazuo, Yamaji Sensei could only nod blankly... That's right, Daijin, you are always loved.
Kazuo stood on the slope, gazing at the Racecourse track from there, in the quiet night—
Silently watching alone.
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