"Excuse me, senior. My name is Rey, and I'm a new student. May I request you to help me find the Department of Business Studies?"

"You are new here?"

"Y-Yes, I am." Laughs nervously. 'Did I say something wrong? Why is he staring at me so intensely like that? Or is it my hat? Is it too conspicuous?'

"I like your hat."

'I knew it!' "Ah...!" 'He is rubbing my hat again... Darn it! I hate being short!'

"How old are you?"

"Seventeen...a-and nine months."

"Seventeen and nine months. Hmm... That means you still haven't done your military service yet."

"Y-Yes senior. I'm waiting to grow a little taller..."

"You have plenty of years to grow so don't worry, though I'd wish for you to remain as timid and innocent as you are."

"T-Thank y-you..."

"You can call me Ari. Don't loose the funny hat. I like it."

"R-Really?"

"Definitely. It's quite a sight for for sore eyes."