Kuchina Hitsujimoto liked the route from the sparsely crowded subway station to the school. Not many people took that route, but it wasn’t as if nobody did. There were also vehicles passing by. However, there was no need for her to sharpen her senses and keep watch in all directions. It was only during this time, when she walked to school alone, that she felt liberated. As long as she wasn’t interrupted by something unusual, that is.
She didn’t encounter anyone until she passed through the school gate. The front entrance had only recently been unlocked, so that was to be expected.
Why do I have to feel relieved about something like that…?
There were no people by the shoe cubbies, either. However, that didn’t mean they weren’t hiding. She couldn’t let her guard down yet.
Why do I even do that?
On edge, Kuchina searched for any signs of another person as she walked forward and finally made it to her shoe box.
Their shoe boxes were split into two shelves. Students usually put their indoor shoes on the top shelf and their outdoor shoes on the bottom. Kuchina reached out toward the pair of shoes on the top shelf.
“…!”
Her breath caught in her throat.
Something had been placed on top of her indoor shoes. It looked like it was made of paper. An envelope?
Kuchina picked up the light blue envelope. It didn’t have a stamp on it. That probably should have been obvious. This wasn’t a mailbox, after all. Only the name of the person it was addressed to was written on it with what looked like a black ballpoint pen.
✦ ✦ ✦
Miss Kuchina Hitsujimoto
✦ ✦ ✦
The penmanship was crisp and neat, if not the pinnacle of skill. However, there were parts that were disproportionate or shaky. Whoever wrote it had likely been nervous.
When she turned it over, she saw the sender’s name on the back.
✦ ✦ ✦
Sousei Takarai
and everyone else concerned
✦ ✦ ✦
“…Everyone else…concerned…?”
She had somewhat expected it to be from Sousei even before confirming his name on the back of the envelope, but the little addendum had taken her by surprise.
Kuchina hesitated for about five seconds before finally putting the envelope in her bag and changing her shoes. As she headed to her classroom, she kept wondering what the letter inside her bag could be about.
It appears to be a letter addressed to me, so normally, people would just open it and read it… I should read it…right? The letter? But what’s it about? I don’t think…I’ve ever received a letter before. Could this possibly be the first letter I’ve ever gotten…? In my life? My first letter… I can’t remember ever getting one… I feel like I haven’t, and this is my first. And of all things…“and everyone else concerned”? What’s that mean? Shiramori and Shigee maybe? Mr. Takarai wrote a letter on behalf of everyone—is that what it means? Why a letter? Hardly anybody writes letters anymore… They don’t know my contact details. Is that why…they wrote a letter? Is this a joke…? Wouldn’t people normally just give up? I can’t believe they wrote a letter…
While she had been lost in thought, Kuchina arrived at the classroom. Nobody else was inside. She was the first to get there. But just as she was about to step through the doorway, Kuchina turned around.
Next thing she knew, she was holed up in a toilet stall.
What am I doing…?
Sitting on the toilet lid, she buried the bottom half of her face in the scarf around her neck and hugged her bag as she thought things through.
Huh…?
She took the envelope out of her bag and wondered what to do.
Should I read it…? Why?
Kuchina sighed.
Fine. I probably should. I should read it…
The envelope was sealed with a round flower sticker.
What is this?
What kind of flower was it?
It had a bunch of small, light purple petals.
…A lilac?
It didn’t matter.
However, the plain light blue envelope was one thing, but flower stickers and lilacs just didn’t seem like Sousei Takarai’s thing at all. Someone else must have provided those.
Kuchina went about to peel off the sticker, but it would be difficult with her gloves on. She let out a breath and took her gloves off, then peeled off the sticker and opened the envelope. Inside was a single sheet of letter paper, which, naturally, was also light blue.
After putting her gloves back on, Kuchina unfolded the letter.
✦ ✦ ✦
Humblest of greetings.
We trust that you have been well.
✦ ✦ ✦
…Humblest of greetings?
Kuchina frowned and continued reading.
✦ ✦ ✦
Thank you very much for making time in your busy schedule to participate in our potato chip party the other day. Seeing as it was our first time holding such an event, we believe there may have been some shortcomings on our part, and we sincerely hope that you can kindly forgive any inconveniences. Nevertheless, it turned out to be an extremely enjoyable gathering thanks to your presence, and we are all truly delighted you decided to attend.
✦ ✦ ✦
This is stupidly formal… Still…
Some of the expressions in parts were unrefined or unnatural, and the writing was even stiffer than the name on the envelope. Sousei must have been quite tense when he wrote it.
✦ ✦ ✦
I have been given the honor of composing this letter as we have something we wish to inquire of you: Are you in possession of a smartphone, Miss Hitsujimoto?
Using a social media application called LINE, we have formed a group chat for the purpose of planning and implementing potato chip parties. We would like to invite you to this group chat as well, Miss Hitsujimoto. Please note that we came to this decision as a consensus.
It would be most splendid if we were able to receive your response.
I sincerely apologize for the poor quality of my handwriting.
We humbly ask for your continued affiliation and cooperation with us.
✦ ✦ ✦
Yours sincerely,