【 errand boy 】

               【 № 21 】 —--                                      "Happy birthday,                                            Mamori-neechan!"

               【 № 21 】 ——                                     "H-huh? Ah--that train...goes across                                     town." But how could this stranger not                                     know that? Perhaps he wasn't from this                                     part of town...? Was he a foreigner...?

               【 № 21 】 ——                                      "Ah--! Y...yes!"                                      How rare it was, to encounter his rival on                                      this particular route! Usually, Shin-san was                                      the sort of person who strictly dedicated                                      himself to a single route, day by day. Still,                                      strange though it was to find him on his                                      own route, he was still grateful for the                                      meeting. Straightening his spine in order                                      to take the pressure from his knees, he                                      caught his breath, wiping the sweat from                                      his brow, soaking his thick sleeve.                                      "I jog every morning--ah, I guess you                                      must, too, huh? Of course you do. Hey,                                      I thought your route was across town!"                                      Not that he was complaining. With every                                      sight of his rival, Sena became more and                                      more invigorated, more motivated to work                                      hard, and defeat him fair and square.

               【 № 21 】 ——                                     "O-oh...well, thank you anyway."                                      Hiruma-san would positively, without                                      a doubt implement a punishment game                                      if he were late to yet another practice.

               【 № 21 】 ——                                     "----!!"                                     Not a moment was spared on the                                     command. The sharp spikes of his                                     cleats were soon striking the turf                                     in syncopated rhythm, toe-heel,                                     toe-heel, and quickly gaining speed.

               【 № 21 】 ——                                     "U-uhm...excuse me, but...d-do you                                      know when the next train leaves...?"