A letter in the red mail post box

The Ending and the Beginning

Chapter 33: The Letter in the Shoe Locker

The final bell rang.

Students stood up, laughing and talking as they packed their bags. The classroom slowly became noisy.

Aira walked out quietly.

She went down the hallway and stopped in front of the shoe lockers.

She opened her locker.

Inside, next to her shoes, was an envelope.

White.

Clean.

No name.

Her heart skipped.

She picked it up carefully.

On the front, one sentence was written.

Please read this after school.

Aira’s fingers trembled.

“This letter…” she whispered.

She already knew.

This was not from Yoshi.

Yoshi had already spoken with his voice.

This letter felt different.

Quiet.

Careful.

Honest.

Chapter 34: Sitting on the Steps

Aira closed her locker slowly.

She did not put on her shoes yet.

Instead, she walked a few steps away and sat down on the school steps.

The hallway was almost empty now.

Soft sunlight came through the window.

Aira sat with her knees close to her chest.

She held the letter with both hands.

Her heart was beating very fast.

She took a deep breath.

And opened it.

Chapter 35: Words Written With Courage

Inside was a folded piece of paper.

Neat handwriting.

Careful lines.

Aira recognized it at once.

Her breath stopped.

She began to read.

Dear Aira,

I heard your words today.

You said you like someone else.

I did not know if that person was me.

But I realized something.

If I stay silent, I will lose my chance.

I waited too long.

I was afraid of changing our normal days.

But I do not want to hide anymore.

I want to speak with my own voice.

Please meet me behind the school, near the old tree.

After sunset.

Haruto

Aira’s eyes filled with tears.

He wrote his name.

No hiding.

No secrets.

Her hands shook as she folded the letter.

Chapter 36: A Quiet Moment on the Steps

Aira stayed sitting on the steps.

She looked down at the letter in her hands.

Her heart felt full.

And scared.

And warm.

All at once.

“So it was you…” she whispered.

She remembered Yoshi’s courage.

She respected him deeply.

And now, Haruto had found his courage too.

Aira slowly stood up.

She put on her shoes.

Her decision was clear.

Chapter 37: The Place Without Letters

The sun was low when Aira walked behind the school.

The air felt calm.

This place was quiet.

No red post box.

No letters.

Only a large tree and the sound of wind.

Someone was already there.

Haruto stood under the tree.

When he saw Aira, he straightened his back.

“You came,” he said softly.

Aira nodded.

“I did.”

Chapter 38: Words Spoken at Last

They stood facing each other.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then Haruto took a deep breath.

“I should have spoken sooner,” he said.

“I was afraid.”

Aira listened quietly.

“I liked you,” he continued, “even before the letter existed.”

Tears fell from Aira’s eyes.

“I liked you too,” she said.

“But I didn’t know how to say it.”

Haruto smiled gently.

“So we were both scared.”

They laughed softly.

Chapter 39: No More Hiding

Haruto looked at Aira.

“Aira,” he said, “I like you.”

Clear.

Simple.

Honest.

Aira smiled through her tears.

“I like you too.”

Her voice was soft, but strong.

Chapter 40: Respect for the First Letter

As they walked home later, Aira spoke quietly.

“The first letter,” she said, “was very brave.”

Haruto nodded.

“Yoshi was honest,” he said.

“I respect him.”

Aira nodded.

“So do I.”

Chapter 41: Yoshi’s Quiet Strength

The next day at school, Yoshi saw them together.

He paused.

Then smiled.

A real smile.

“So it worked out,” he said loudly.

Aira bowed slightly.

“Thank you,” she said.

Yoshi waved.

“I meant every word in that letter,” he said.

“I don’t regret it.”

Then he walked away.

His heart still hurt.

But it was lighter now.

Chapter 42: A Calm Smile from Fuyutake

Fuyutake noticed too.

He adjusted his glasses.

“I see,” he said calmly.

“I’m glad you chose honesty.”

Aira smiled.

Chapter 43: A New Way Home

After school, Aira walked home.

Haruto walked beside her.

Their shoulders touched.

Not by accident.

But by choice.

Chapter 44: Two Letters, One Heart

That night, Aira placed the letters in a small box.

Yoshi’s letter.

Haruto’s letter.

Two kinds of courage.

She closed the box gently.

Chapter 45: The Red Post Box Still Stands

The red post box still stood by the road.

Bright and quiet.

It reminded Aira of the first courage.

The courage to write.

And the courage to speak.

Final Words

Some feelings are written.

Some are spoken.

Both need courage.

And when courage meets honesty,

A quiet love can finally begin.

THE END