Mail Delivery - Chapter 1

Location: Practice Room

Nazuna: Before we start today’s lesson, I’m gonna check your homework~!

Hajime: You mean Nii~chan’s homework assignment, “Come up with a signature”, right...♪

Tomoya: Mitsuru, did you properly do your homework?

Mitsuru: How rude, of course I did!

Nazuna: Ohh, well done. I’ll review all of them, so let’s start with Hajime-chin.

Hajime: Uu~, now I’m nervous. But this is something we need for our idol activities…

Nazuna: Yup. Your singing and dancing skills are important, but so are your signatures.

Come on, lemme see it.

...Oh, Hajime-chin’s signature is cute. I think it’s great. Yup, you passed!

Hajime: Do you mean it? Uwah, that’s such a relief!

I wanted to have a cute signature like Nii~chan’s, so I practiced mine over and over.

Ehehe, so this is going to be my signature*. I’m so happy~♪

Nazuna: Alright, it’s Tomo-chin’s turn next. ...Hmm, so you chose to write it in kanji, like Hajime-chin.

Tomoya: Yes. I practiced together with Hajime, so they kind of naturally turned out as kanji… But maybe that’s too normal?

Nazuna: Nah, you don’t have to come up with an eccentric design just because it’s your signature. I think it suits you well, so it’s fine as it is, Tomo-chin.

Tomoya: You really think so~…? Well, I should probably be happy that you said it’s fine, but I still think it’s too normal, so I’m not entirely satisfied with it.

Nii~chan, is it okay if I think about it a little longer?

Nazuna: Sure thing. In the end, it’s most important that your signature is to your own liking.

Umm, last but not least, Mitsuru-chin. Now let’s have a look-see~.

Mitsuru: Ehem, I’m super confident in my signature! Let the rave reviews roll in, Nii~chan!

Nazuna: …………

Mitsuru: H-huh? Nii~chan, why so quiet all of a sudden! I want you to tell me “I’d expect nothing less from Mitsuru-chin!”...

Nazuna: Aah, I’m sorry. Well, as you say, it really is what I’d expect of Mitsuru-chin... I can’t read any of this.

Mitsuru: Eh~? Being praised like that doesn’t make me happy at all!

I properly wrote Tenma Mitsuru (天満光), see! This is the Ten (天), this is the ma (満), and this part here is Mitsuru (光)~♪

Nazuna: Uu~, it’s actually amazing how I still can’t tell even after you showed me. Umm, can you two tell what this says?

Hajime: N-not really… I’m so sorry! But, maybe Tomoya-kun can read it!

Tomoya: Nope, it’s completely beyond me. So this is what people call “chicken scratch”~. I’m kind of impressed, really.

Mitsuru: As I said~, being praised like that doesn’t make me happy in the least!

Nazuna: Ten (天) and Mitsuru (光) aside, maybe ma (満) has too many strokes for you. How about you use hiragana instead of kanji, Mitsuru-chin?**

Mitsuru: Eh~, but hiragana aren’t as cool. Kanji are way cooler, no matter what!

Tomoya: Don’t be such a baby… Seriously, what are you gonna do about this? This signature won’t earn you an OK from Nii~chan, you know.

Nazuna: Hmm, well. Since it’s a signature, I guess it doesn’t matter if it’s illegible. But if you want a cool-looking signature, it might be for the best if you keep practicing a little longer.

Mitsuru: Hrm~m, you’re right. After looking at Hajime-chan’s and Tomo-chan’s signatures, I kinda lost confidence in mine.

I’m no good at kanji, so I don’t usually use them… But I’ll try my best to practice writing kanji!

Nii~chan, start the lesson with the others in the meantime! Hm~hmhm~m♪

Tomoya: Who put you in charge...

Hajime: Fufu. But it’s fine like this, Nii~chan agrees too, doesn’t he?

Nazuna: Yup. Hajime-chin, Tomo-chin, let’s keep it down during our lesson so we won’t bother Mitsuru-chin~♪

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* This is Hajime’s signature:



** This is Mitsuru’s Name in kanji: 天満光
This is the same name in hiragana (syllables): てんまみつる

Mail Delivery - Chapter 2

Location: Practice Room

Nazuna: Alright, let’s take a break.

Hajime: Mitsuru-kun, how is it going? Did you write a good signature?

Mitsuru: Hrm~m. I wrote it over and over, but I can’t tell if it’s gotten any better…

Hey hey, which one of these looks coolest to you?

Tomoya: ...Your handwriting really sucks.

Mitsuru: Mph~! Don’t say that with such a serious expression! I really put my heart into writing these! You’re so mean!

Tomoya: Sorry, sorry. Well, the one who’s going to make the judgment is Nii~chan anyway. Nii~chan, what do you think?

Nazuna: Yeah, well. Your enthusiasm shows, but it hasn’t changed much.

Mitsuru: ………..

Hajime: Umm, Mitsuru-kun. Please don’t be dejected, okay?

If you keep writing it over and over, I’m sure you’ll improve eventually… If it’s okay with you, I’d like to help you out.

Mitsuru: I’d be grateful, but are you sure? Won’t I be a nuisance to you, Hajime-chan?

Hajime: Not at all~! In that case, how about we start exchanging letters starting tomorrow?

Mitsuru: Hmm? Letters?

Hajime: Actually, that’s how I taught my little brother and sister how to write. With letters, you can learn how to write well without stressing out over it.

Mitsuru: Hajime-chan, what am I supposed to write about in the letters?

Hajime: Anything is fine. Things you did that were fun, or what you ate for dinner last night… Anything goes in a letter ♪

Mitsuru: Sounds like even I’d be able to write that!

Yahoo, I’ll be Hajime-chin’s pen pal! I can’t wait~♪

Location: 1-B Classroom

- The next day, during lunch break -

Mitsuru: Ooh, when I opened the envelope, a nice smell came out! Sniff, sniff… What scent is this?

Aah, it’s what Hajime-chan always smells like. Umm, I think it’s called lavender?

Ahaha, makes me feel drowsy~.

Whoops, this isn’t the time for a nap. I wonder what Hajime-chan wrote? How exciting~♪

“Mitsuru-kun, thank you for your letter.”

“So you had curry for dinner last night? My dinner last night was also curry. Ehehe, what a coincidence~♪”

“Since you drew a picture for me, I tried drawing one as well. There’s 5 people in it, so it’s quite lively~. Speaking of which, there are also 5 people in Mitsuru-kun’s family, right?”

“I only have a little brother and sister, that’s why I long to have older siblings like you do.”

“Tell more about your older sister and brother next time… Ah, I mean please write about them.”

“I look forward to your next letter, Mitsuru-kun ♪”

“P.S.: You’re already really good at writing hiragana, so please try using more kanji in your next letter.”



Mitsuru: Ooh… His handwriting is so beautiful and easy to read! I want to learn how to write like this, too!

No, I will learn to write as beautifully as Hajime-chan...☆

Hajime: E-excuse me~.

Uu, entering the classroom next to mine makes me nervous.

...Ah, Mitsuru-kun! Did you read my letter?

Mitsuru: Yep! Hajime-chan, you could be a teacher!

Hajime: Eh, a teacher? Did I write anything about that subject...?

Mitsuru: Nope. Hajime-chan’s handwriting was just so pretty and easy to read that you could be a teacher! That’s what I meant!

Hajime: Thank you very much~. But I’m actually aiming to be an idol, not a teacher…

Fufu, Mitsuru-kun. You’re already practicing again.

Mitsuru: Of course, my kanji look terrible and I only ever use hiragana. And sure, I want to improve my kanji, but this is still funny!

Hey hey, Hajime-chan, what do you think this says? Take a guess!

Hajime: Okay~. This is kind of like a game, huh.

Hm~... Ah, I’ve got it! It’s the kanji for Kushi (串), right?

Mitsuru: Bzzzt~! It’s not Kushi (串), it’s Ten (天). If it were Kushi (串), that’d make me Kushima Mitsuru (串満光)!

Hajime: Ah, right. So you were practicing your signature again… I-I’m so sorry!

Mitsuru: Nono, it’s not your fault, Hajime-chan. It’s my fault for having such messy handwriting.

I still need a lot more practice. So will you stick with me until I improve?

Hajime: Of course! Let’s work hard together, Mitsuru-kun ♪

Mail Delivery - Chapter 3

Location: 1-A Classroom

- A few days later - 

Mitsuru: Hajime-cha~n!

...Huh, it’s just Tomo-chan here? Where’s Hajime-chan?

Tomoya: He told me he’s at his school part-time job. Since he’s only bringing in the laundry today, it shouldn’t take too long, though.

Mitsuru: I see~... Then I’ll wait for Hajime-chan to get back. Is that okay, Tomo-chan?

Tomoya: Why are you asking me for permission? Well, it’s fine by me.

...Uu~. I just remembered that I have club activities today. Maybe I should play hooky… Or even better, quit entirely.

Mitsuru: Ahaha. Whenever club activities come up, you talk about how you wanna quit, Tomo-chan.

I like the track club! My seniors there are nice, too, so I’m real glad I joined~♪

Tomoya: You have it so good there.

As for me, I’d be fine if Buchou was a decent person… If only he was a decent human being, I could go to my club activities without a worry in the world!

Hajime: Huff, huff… Tomoya-kun, did I keep you waiting?

Tomoya: Nah, you’re good. But actually, Mitsuru is here waiting for you. He says he’s got some business with you.

Hajime: Huuh? Aah, is it about you-know-what? Fufu, it’s already become a habit, huh.

Mitsuru: Tada~h! Today, I actually put my letter in an envelope!

Hajime-chan always uses cute envelopes for his letters while I just hand mine over as-is, and it’s been bugging me a little.

Hajime: Wah, thank you so much~♪ You used a bread-shaped sticker as a seal, huh? It’s so cute, I feel like it’d be a waste to break it by opening the envelope…

Mitsuru: It’s not real, edible bread, so it’s not a waste! But I’ve brought real bread too, wanna eat some?

Hajime: Eh, I’m not feeling hungry, so I’m fine, really~. You really love your bread, don’t you? Somehow I feel like you’re constantly eating it, Mitsuru-kun.

Mitsuru: Yep! I like it lots, but I’m in a fix because I bought way too much again today. That’s why you’d actually be doing me a favor by eating some of it~.

Hajime: In that case I’ll have some.

Tomoya-kun, do you want to go halfsies on this cream roll? It looks absolutely delicious~♪

Tomoya: Yeah, I guess I’ll fill up before club activities start. ...Munch, munch.

Actually, we’ve gotten off track here. You two have been exchanging lots of letters recently~. How’s it going? Any progress?

Hajime: Yes. Mitsuru-kun is really giving it his all. If he keeps this up, I’m sure Nii~chan will give him his approval soon.

Tomoya: Hmm, if you say so I guess he really did improve a bit. Hey, Mitsuru. Let me have a look at your handwriting, will you?

Mitsuru: Sure thing. Fufun, I am actually practicing my signature as we speak~!

Tomoya: …?

Mitsuru: Tomo-chan, why are you tilting your head? Is it because you can’t read it?

Tomoya: Hrm~m, it’s not entirely illegible… I think. If I squint real hard, it’s like I can somewhat make out what it says, but that’s all.

Hmm, but Hajime can read it like normal, huh?

Hajime: Um, yes. Hm~m, I wonder why?

Tomoya: This is just my theory, but could it be that you simply got used to Mitsuru’s handwriting while exchanging letters with him?

Hajime: Ah, that could be it.

Uu~, now I’m at a loss. I never expected this to happen, so I didn’t come up with a counter-measure or anything!

Tomoya: Well, it’s not like you didn’t make any progress whatsoever.

The results of your letter exchange are showing little by little. There’s no hurry, so just keep at it, yeah?

I’m sure that’s why Nii~chan didn’t give you a deadline either.

...Oops. It’s about time, so I’d better head over to my club now.

What about you two?

I’m on day duty, so I’d like to lock up the room when I leave. But if you wanna stay, I’ll give you the key and you can return it to the staff room when you’re done.

Hajime: That’d be great, thanks~! Tomoya-kun, please do your best at your club activities.

Tomoya: Yeah, I will.

I wonder if Hokuto-senpai is coming today? Uu, I’d hate to be all alone with the Masked Pervert…

Mitsuru: ………..

Hajime: Mitsuru-kun, please cheer up. Tomoya-kun said that our letter exchange is showing results little by little, didn’t he?

I’ll keep helping you out, so let’s keep at it together ♪

Mitsuru: Hajime-chan… Yeah, I’ll do my best!

I’m a strong kid who can weather any storm*, it’ll take more than this to get me all down in the dumps!

Hey, Hajime-chan. While I was reading your letters, I started wondering… Could it be that you like Suba-chan-senpai?

Hajime: Yes! I respect him so much~!

Akehoshi-senpai was so cool during “SakuraFes” the other day, I even ended up buying some of his merchandise. They’re my treasures~♪

Mitsuru: Yeah, I figured you felt that way, since your talking of him takes up like half of your letters.

Speaking of which, do you think Suba-chan-senpai knows that we did that marching band?

Hajime: Hm~m, I’d say he does know about it, no?

Mitsuru: We did that to advertise for “SakuraFes”, right?

I heard that you asked Nii~chan for advice on how to help out Suba-chan-senpai back then.

Hajime-chan, why don’t you tell Suba-chan-senpai about all that? I’m sure he’ll be grateful~♪

Hajime: Oh no, I could never! I have no intentions whatsoever to tell him about that~!

Besides, the marching band was also intended to bring Ra*bits into the limelight. And the reason why “SakuraFes” was such a great success is entirely thanks to our seniors’ competence.

Mitsuru: If I were you, I’d write tons! Like about how I did my best playing the drums for them, and how I was totally cheering for Suba-chan-senpai!

Hajime: I guess you’re right. I do want to tell him that I was cheering him on… No, I think what I really want to tell Akehoshi-senpai is how cool I thought he was back then.

Mitsuru: Yep yep! So write Suba-chan-senpai a letter!

Hajime: That might be nice, kind of like fan mail… It kind of makes my heart pound, though...

Mitsuru: Yeah, it really is fan mail! Alright, I’ll help you with it!

Hajime: Thank you so much~. I ran out of stationery though, so how about we go to the school store first?

Ehehe, I don’t even know where to start, there are just so many things I want to write to him about~♪

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* Mitsuru uses a turn of phrase that literally means “not losing to the rain, not losing to the wind” which is originally from a poem by Miyazawa Kenji. I doubt Mitsuru knows the actual poem, but it’s a nice one so I wanted to link it.