It was the first ti the shop clerk had seen soone plan to write 11 letters in one go. He muttered silently to himself, then obediently brought over 11 sheets of stationery and envelopes. "We have a room specifically for letter writing. Let show you the way."
"Thank you," Kotomi nodded.
After leading her to the designated letter-writing room, the clerk closed the door and left.
Kotomi arranged the stationery on the desk and noticed they were single-sided sheets. She called the clerk back and asked for a few more.
The clerk couldn't quite understand why she needed so many. He rummaged through drawers and eventually found a stack to give her.
These days, with phones and computers, it's so easy and convenient to contact soone—handwritten letters had beco a thing of the past. The shop still stocked envelopes and paper purely for sentintality.
Kotomi had already used up more than half of their supply in one visit. Though not expensive, the fact that soone would write 11 letters at once was still quite shocking.
Once the clerk left, Kotomi paused for a mont in thought before slowly beginning to write.
Thankfully, she had a background in calligraphy. Otherwise, soone so used to typing might've found herself forgetting how to write certain characters by hand.
...
First Letter
To gumi Kato:
As I write this letter, I've already arrived in Kyoto. No wonder the Green Car seats on the Shinkansen are so pricey—they're incredibly comfortable. And knowing the round-trip ticket was covered by the art contest organizers made the soft seats feel even cozier.
It's a little embarrassing to admit, but when I was younger and traveled long-distance by train or bus, I'd always feel fine during the ride. But the mont I got off, I'd feel motion sick. It was like my whole body had been in delayed reaction mode, and only once I stepped off did the nausea hit.
But this ti, I didn't feel sick after getting off the train. Still, the thought of not seeing you for three days made lose my appetite. I couldn't enjoy lunch at all.
Wandering aimlessly through Kyoto, I was reminded that despite this art event being co-hosted by the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University, the two prestigious schools don't get along well.
All the selected students are already here, yet the first exhibition hall isn't fully constructed. Apparently, conflicts in the beginning caused delays, and now it won't be finished until tomorrow. That's why I didn't go to the museum today, but instead wandered around the city.
Back to the point—while strolling, I happened to pass a shop that made and sold Kiyomizu ware. When I saw a particular piece, the design instantly made think of you.
Its pattern looked like a river of stars, and I bought it on the spot. It reminded of a line from a poem:
The sky touches cloud waves that join the morning mist; the galaxy turns as a thousand sails dance.
This piece is called "River of Stars." I'm giving it to you—I hope you like it~
...
Second Letter
To Yukino Yukinoshita:
The night is long, and I'm unable to sleep, tossing and turning restlessly. As I write this letter, it's my first night in Kyoto. The bed is comfortable, yet I just can't fall asleep.
So I got up and looked out the window. The vibrant, glimring nightlife is a beauty of its own—a treasure cradled in the palm of the world. Yet the quiet, empty night also holds a different kind of beauty.
I looked up at the star-filled sky and rembered what you told after reading a certain sci-fi novel:
The stars in the night sky look plentiful and close, but do they have a language to communicate with one another? If not, then each star must be a lonely existence in the vast night, unable to speak to any other.
Today, I happened to co across a Kiyomizu ware piece called "River of Stars." In that instant, your words echoed in my ears once more. Unlike before, when I didn't know how to respond, now I just want to say sothing that might sound a bit naive.
Among the endless stars in deep space, many exist in solitude, unable to communicate with each other. But I believe that within that multitude, miracles exist. Perhaps there are two stars that can speak a language only they understand, whispering words only the two of them can hear.
I've given nas to those two stars—one is Yukino Star, the other is Kotomi Star.
After finishing the letter to Yukino, Kotomi flexed her wrist and glanced out at the early afternoon sky.
Then, without a word, she began the third letter.
...
Third Letter
To Yui Yuigahama:
Dango, I've arrived in Kyoto. People say Kyoto is most famous for its sweets, but maybe my taste has been spoiled by you—none of the desserts here seem as delicious as yours.
Or maybe, out of all the sweets in the world, only the ones you make are truly to my liking.
Oh, and you're probably surprised to be getting a letter from , right? I'm currently in a Kiyomizu ware shop that offers a place to write letters. It felt charming and novel, so I imdiately asked for paper and envelopes. I couldn't wait to write you a letter and include it with the Kiyomizu piece I picked out just for you.
Why didn't I just pack it in my suitcase and give it to you in person when I return in three days?
Because I want you to see it sooner—the piece I chose especially for you.
Didn't you recently read a romance manga where the main character confesses under a starry sky, and the two lovers end up together? I read it too—it was short, only about a dozen chapters, but the love story was beautifully told.
As expected from a veteran mangaka—the storytelling and art were both amazing. The starry sky in the final scene was just breathtaking.
Do you like patterns that resemble the night sky?
...
Fourth Letter
To Haruno Yukinoshita:
I heard you like drinking coffee while working overti, Haruno-nee. So I'm sending you a tea cup. Stop drinking so much coffee. Try tea once in a while—it's nice too.
This ceramic cup is called Kiyomizu ware here in Kyoto.
Thank you, my dear Haruno-nee, for working so late every night to help with my novel's publication. I hope that every cup of tea you drink from this cup will feel like one I personally poured for you.
Redo of Healer: The Restart of Life volu one is still in progress. Ah... even though it's a harem-style light novel too, the difference in tone makes the writing pace so much slower. I'll try to finish the manuscript before the end of next month~
...
Fifth Letter
To Iroha Isshiki:
Thanks for the invite. Reporting live from Kyoto—just got off the Shinkansen.
After arriving in Kyoto, the first place I went wasn't the National Museum of Modern Art, but a Kiyomizu ware shop—to write you a letter.
Why not wait until after visiting the museum to write to you?
Because I figured I could visit the museum anyti over the next three days. But if I want you to receive this letter and the Kiyomizu ware I picked for you by tomorrow, then I have to send it out as soon as possible today.
I used to have a pretty laid-back personality, but in this case, I strangely didn't want to waste even a second. I just wanted to get this letter to you as quickly as possible.
It's only been a few days apart, but it feels like an eternity. While walking the streets of Kyoto, I was approached by many junior high and high school girls—just this morning, I've already been hit on by dozens (well, more like a dozen) of girls. They were eyeing like wolves looking at juicy at.
Even so, I turned them all down with righteous dignity. It's not that I'm pretending to be noble, but without you by my side, everything in the world feels dull and lifeless.
This trip to Kyoto is only three days, but even that short ti apart feels like an endless stretch. Little devil, I know you miss so much you can't sleep, eagerly counting the monts until we et again. I feel the sa.
When lovesickness overwhelms you and your eyes ache from longing, rember to calm down and trim your nails properly first.
After much thought, I felt a Kiyomizu ware teacup would suit you best. Why one with a starry pattern? Because it reminded of the night view we saw together from the observation deck in Fujisawa.
Kyoto's nightscape is beautiful, but it can't compare to the sky we looked up at together in Enoshima.
Drunk, I forgot the sky was reflected in the water; my boat of dreams floats through the Milky Way.
A scene appeared in my mind—my little devil, made of sugar, spice, and everything nice, gazing blankly at the galaxy above. Your mischievous little tail finally stops teasing , replaced by a pure, radiant smile as you talk about the future with .
Kotomi grinned mischievously after finishing the letter. Iroha had once teased her using a nail-trimming line, which had made her blush bright red on the spot. Now she finally had her chance to use it back—there was no way she was going to pass it up.
She couldn't wait to see the look on that little devil's face when she read the letter.
...
Sixth Letter
To Arisu Sakayanagi:
Did I tell you last ti you visited my place? You won't be seeing at school for a few days.
Don't worry, this isn't one of those emotional afternoon dramas for housewives. The oil painting I submitted was selected for the first round of the National Art Award, and I've been invited to participate in the first exhibition.
The first exhibition is being held at the National Museum of Modern Art in Kyoto.
The third exhibition—the final round—will be at the Mori Art Museum in Tokyo. Only works that receive the National Art Award can be exhibited in the third round. I'm so nervous... I wonder if I'll actually win an award...
Oh? Why didn't I ntion where the second exhibition is being held?
Well, it's a bit strange—the second exhibition is at the Tokyo tropolitan Art Museum, but the accommodation provided is in Musashino.
I checked the map, and the hotel is near Inokashira Park. From there, it takes at least an hour by car to get to the museum. Who arranged this, I wonder~
Well, whatever. The event organizers are providing shuttle buses, so if I want to visit, I can just hop on one.
This letter will be delivered to you along with the Kiyomizu ware I picked out. Isn't the teacup pretty? I bought it especially for you~
...
Seventh Letter
To Utaha Kasumigaoka:
Senpai, I've arrived in Kyoto. It just finished raining here, and the weather is a bit chilly.
Even with a jacket on, you can still feel the bite of autumn rain. The cold and damp air is really sothing else.
The mont I got off the Shinkansen, I thought of you. If I could snuggle into your arms right now, I probably wouldn't feel cold at all.
Hehehe—just kidding. The Kiyomizu ware inside this package is sothing I specifically bought for you after arriving in Kyoto! Now that the weather's gotten colder, make sure to pour yourself a warm cup of tea while you're writing.
I really enjoy drinking hot tea—it's so comforting after a cup~
But still, tea is great, just don't drink too much of it, okay?
Oh, right—you know I'm in Kyoto, but do you know how long we're staying here this ti?
Heh, three days! Every ti there's an art exhibition, I get a three-day break like a mini vacation~
It's just a sha that the National Art Award only has three exhibitions, and I'm not even sure I'll be selected for the next one. But if I do get chosen for all three, I'd get a total of nine days off. Jealous?
I heard that around the middle of next month, they'll start emailing and sending tickets to those selected for the second round. I wonder if I'll make it in again~
If you really are jealous, I'll have to give you a stern talking-to. I heard from Sakurajima-senpai that if your attendance is too low, you might end up having to repeat the year.
Senpai, you have to be a good role model for your adorable underclassman! Study hard and aim high every day, okay?
...
Eighth Letter
To Mai Sakurajima:
Sakurajima-senpai, I think this might be the first letter I've ever written to you. Were you surprised when you received it?
Ever since we left the kendo hall, even though we exchanged contact info, it's been a few days since we last t. It wasn't until I picked up the pen that I realized—going even a day without seeing you feels like an eternity.
On the way here, I rewatched the mystery movie you starred in. You played a brilliant detective—relentlessly pressing a suspect in court while ignoring the disdainful glares from everyone else and even the judge's scolding.
You dismantled the suspect's perfect alibi piece by piece, ultimately revealing the truth and naming the real killer. It was unforgettable.
Every clue you presented was precise and calm. With the fury and despair of the victim and their family, you shouted the truth in court. After the murderer broke down, you turned to the powerful judge and declared:
You shielded a murderer for your own selfish reasons and tried to pin false charges on the real victim. You're unworthy of being a judge—just a despicable accomplice! You'll be forever nailed to the pillar of legal disgrace!
No matter how many tis I watch that scene, it never fails to get my blood boiling with excitent.
This Kiyomizu ware I'm sending you is a teacup. The aning behind the starry pattern?
May your path in the entertainnt world shine as brightly as a river of stars!
Since Kotomi wasn't very close with Mai Sakurajima yet, she kept the letter a bit more formal.
...
Ninth Letter
To Aimi:
Aimi, make sure you eat properly at ho, okay? Stop being picky about green peppers and carrots. Midterms are coming up, so quit staying up late every night playing gal gas.
...That's it, out of ink.
...Hehehe, just kidding~!
Rember when I accidentally broke your teacup, and you got so mad you said you were "breaking up" with for ten minutes?
I'd heard so much about Kyoto's famous Kiyomizu ware, so the mont I got off the train, I rushed straight to a shop and bought you a new teacup. Do you like it?
...
Tenth Letter
The tenth letter was for Mashiro Shiina. Even though she had co to Kyoto with Kotomi, Kotomi still wanted to give her a gift. The only problem was she hadn't known what to give her.
Now she'd decided—Kiyomizu ware.
But what should she write in the letter?
Kotomi couldn't think of what to say. So instead of using words, she drew a picture directly on the letter paper.
In the picture, Mashiro Shiina wore a kimono and sat on the tatami in the living room, gently holding the "River of Stars" Kiyomizu teacup and quietly savoring her tea.
If Aimi or her parents saw this illustration, they would imdiately recognize it:
Wasn't that the Izumi family's living room in the drawing?!
"This is the second piece I've drawn just for Mashiro," Kotomi said to herself with a satisfied smile after finishing.
...
Eleventh Letter
To Shizuka Hiratsuka:
Shizuka-sensei, don't you think I'm such a thoughtful student? Even while traveling in Kyoto, I didn't forget to bring back a gift for you.
I noticed you always drink water out of paper cups, so I bought you a beautiful and practical Kiyomizu teacup.
When you receive the Kiyomizu ware and this letter, don't cry tears of joy just yet. Save it for when I get back—then you can hug and cry all you want. My arms are always open for you, Shizuka-sensei!
Okay, that's enough. If I keep going, I'm afraid you'll punch when I get back.
Goodbye for now, Shizuka-sensei~ I'm counting on you to treat to sothing delicious in Ginza on November 6th!
All eleven letters were complete.
Kotomi carefully slipped each letter into its envelope, then left the writing room and matched each one to its respective gift box.
While Kotomi had been writing, the shop staff had already finished packing the eleven "River of Stars" Kiyomizu teacups securely in their boxes.
After placing the letters inside, Kotomi wrote the delivery addresses on each package and paid the shipping fees. The clerk then contacted the courier.
The delivery depot wasn't far. A mont later, a courier van pulled up.
"That's eleven packages total, right?"
"Yes. Will they go out today?"
"No problem at all. Here—your tracking numbers. Please keep them safe."
With that, the courier took the eleven Kiyomizu wares and eleven letters, and drove off in a flurry.
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