Welcome to Yotsubazaka Post Office.
You're sending a letter, correct? Will regular mail be fine?
Let's see, the envelope is within standard size, but it's a bit thick, so it will need non-standard postage.
Since it's a neat amount, one stamp would cover it, but would you mind if I used this stamp along with another? It's a stamp with a picture of a ball. It's cute—oh, yes, exactly. Because the recipient is "Mari-san."
---Ah, I'm glad you found that amusing.
I wonder if Mari-san will find it funny too.
It would make me happy if Mari-san were to chuckle every time she revisited this letter and every time she did a little laugh would escape her lips.
---Sister, how are you?
It's been seven months since I came out to Hibarigahara. Time flies. It must be starting to cool down where you are, but here, autumn is still in full swing. The autumn leaves are incredibly beautiful.
As for the work everyone was so worried about, it's finally starting to take shape. I still get scolded by Mr. Rokuro all the time, but even so, the number of times I get scolded in a day has decreased from twenty to about ten, so I'd say that's quite an improvement, wouldn't you?
Sister, I'll do my best at work. I'll earn lots of money and buy some lovely stationery. I'll send you so many letters that you'll be exasperated and say, "Enough already."
Because you know, if I'm going to communicate with just fifty yen, I much prefer sending postcards over stacking up ten-yen coins and chatting in a phone booth.
Please indulge me in my excitement, Sister. I'll write again soon.
□ ■ □ ■
"---Kasuga Kasugaura Haru."
There was a voice calling out to me.
"Kasugaura Haru!"
No, it's not a misunderstanding. Nor is it just my ears playing tricks on me. I'm definitely being called.
But usually, people just call me by my first name, "Haru".
It's much easier to call someone "Haru" than a long, unfamiliar surname like Kasugaura. Be it in the countryside or now that I live here, I actively encourage people to call me by my first name.
So, no one ever just calls me "Kasugaura Haru" like that.
"Kasugaura Haru! Answer me!"
Most of the time anyway, only he calls out to me without abbreviating it with clear intent.
Right now is exactly one of those times. He- Mr. Teshima Rokuro, my senior is wandering around the office, shouting my name at the top of his lungs with a sharp and piercing voice.
"Ugh..."
I've been aware of my senior's vocie, but without making a peep, I've been crouching under the lobby counter this whole time.
When he calls out like that, it always means there's a serious issue that requires a stern lecture. Well, I know I must have messed up something, and while I've resigned myself from being shocked about it, I'm more so trying to figure out the cause before being reprimanded.
I'm not hiding or running away. Absolutely not.
After nodding to myself once, I cautiously peeked my head out from under the counter, observing the back of my senior, who resembled a disgruntled watchdog.
No, it's not like I'm always captivated by the sight of his chrome green uniform, even if it suits him so well... Usually, I could stare at his back for five or even ten minutes without realizing it, but today doesn't seem like the time for such leisurely activities. Judging by the tension in his shoulders, it's not the kind of situation where we're discussing something as trivial as "not cleaning properly" or "not organizing the drawers correctly."
"What mistake could I have possibly made this time?"