In the delicate routine of her life at Shizuoka University, Ayaka found a certain rhythm. The lectures, assignments, friendships, and laughter had a predictable cadence that she was growing used to. However, the arrival of Kei's letters always added an unexpected note, sending ripples through her calm existence.
One morning, she woke to find another message from Kei. As she opened the letter on her holopad, a feeling of apprehension unfurled in her heart. The words she read were different from the previous ones. They didn't talk about the wonders of space or the intricate details of his exploration. Instead, they spoke of a grim reality she hadn't fully considered before.
Kei had been in his first space battle. He described the experience in harrowing detail - the chaos, the fear, the disorientation. But the heaviest blow was the loss of Charlie 3, a friend, a fellow comrade. His name was Nobuhiro Yamada, and he had been killed in action.
Ayaka felt the raw pain in Kei's words, the grief that he was grappling with. She could almost touch his despair, his struggle to make sense of what had happened. The reality of the dangers of Kei's mission hit her like a tidal wave, leaving her feeling cold and breathless.
Tears welled up in her eyes as the magnitude of Kei's loss sank in. The gap between them had never felt more profound, more painful. She wished she could reach out to him, hold his hand, and tell him that she was there for him. But all she could do was offer him comfort through her words.
She picked up her stylus and began to write her response, pouring her empathy, concern, and unwavering support into every line, every word. She hoped that when Kei finally received her letter, it would provide him some solace, a beacon of warmth and love in the cold abyss of space.
The year slipped by in the blink of an eye, a fusion of the ordinary and extraordinary. University life came with its fair share of challenges, but Ayaka took comfort in the friendships she made and the knowledge she acquired.
As she greeted the day of her 19th birthday, Ayaka found herself surrounded by her closest friends at the university, Yumi Nakamura and Rina Suzuki. They were in the midst of a lively celebration, sharing stories and laughter over a homemade cake, when the conversation veered towards an unexpected topic.
Ayaka had been casually discussing the digital letters she received from Kei on her holopad, each one a cherished treasure offering a glimpse into his incredible space journey. Up until now, she had kept this part of her life private, a personal world that had somehow found its way into their shared reality.
Yumi, the more curious of the two, caught sight of an open letter on Ayaka's holopad. "Who is this Yamamoto-kun, Ayaka?" she asked, her interest piqued.
Rina joined in, "Yeah, we haven't heard about him before. Are you guys dating?"
A wave of warmth spread over Ayaka's cheeks. "No, we're not dating. We're childhood friends," she clarified. "He's... He's out there, in space, a part of the United Government Space Defense Force. We write to each other."
"That sounds so romantic!" Yumi exclaimed, her eyes shining. "Did you ever go on a date with him?"
The question took Ayaka by surprise. She found herself recalling the numerous times she had fantasized about going on a date with Kei. "No," she admitted softly, "But I always thought we might, here at the university."
Her secret wish, now voiced aloud, lingered in the air. It was a wish that spanned galaxies, a wish that might forever remain a dream, but it was hers, and it was precious. In that moment, Ayaka recognized the depth of her feelings for Kei, and how deeply she cherished their unique bond.
Laughter filled the room as Yumi and Rina teased Ayaka about her feelings for Kei. "You should definitely ask him out when he returns, Ayaka," Yumi suggested, her eyes twinkling with playful mischief.
Rina nodded in agreement, her excitement contagious. "Yes, Ayaka! It's clear that you both care about each other. You should take a chance!"
Ayaka felt a knot forming in her stomach. She was unsure about the prospect of confessing her feelings. "I don't even know when he'll be back," she replied, her gaze dropping to her hands. "I... I can't get my hopes up for a date that might never happen."
The room fell silent for a moment as Yumi and Rina considered Ayaka's words. A smile then played on Yumi's lips, a spark of determination lighting up her eyes. "Well, then it's a good thing I'm majoring in astronomy," she declared. "I'll research about his mission. We still have three years here, Ayaka. We'll figure something out."
Rina joined in, her enthusiasm matching Yumi's. "That's a great idea, Yumi! We can help Ayaka prepare for that date, whenever it happens."
Caught off guard, Ayaka could only blush in response to her friends' support. She had no idea where this new path would lead, but with Yumi and Rina by her side, she felt ready to face the future, however uncertain it might be.
After saying her goodbyes to Yumi and Rina, Ayaka returned to her dorm room, leaving her friends to their research. The laughter and shared anticipation still hummed in her ears, intermingling with the unspoken fear of the uncertainty that awaited Kei in the vastness of space. It felt surreal, like she was living in one of the science fiction novels Kei used to love.
Meanwhile, back in their shared room, Yumi and Rina huddled over their holopad, a new resolve burning in their eyes. The screen filled with a flurry of information as they delved into the heart of their research, typing "UGRS Fuji" into the search bar.
The results were vast and overwhelming, yet they were not deterred. They skimmed through article after article, soaking up all the information they could find about the UGRS Fuji and its mission.
"It's a deep space colonization mission," Rina said, her voice laced with awe. "They're exploring new worlds, looking for places where humanity could live."
Yumi nodded, her focus shifting to another piece of information. "And look here, Rina," she said, pointing at a particular paragraph on the screen. "They're communicating directly with the Yakota Space Center back in Tokyo. That must be where Ayaka's been getting all the letters from Kei."
Excitement mingled with a new-found respect for Kei's mission filled the room. The idea of their friend on such a monumental journey was both thrilling and terrifying, sparking a fervor in Yumi and Rina to support Ayaka and Kei as best they could.
Yumi and Rina were about to wrap up their research for the night when a particular article caught Yumi's attention. Her heart fluttered anxiously as she clicked on the link, the article's headline echoing in her mind: "Space Battle Claims Life of UGRS Fuji Crewmember."
The article painted a chilling picture of the battle, offering up details that Ayaka had not shared with them. The article spoke of the valiant efforts of the United Government Space Defense Force as they engaged with a small alien fleet beyond Pluto. And then, tucked amidst the facts and figures, they found a name that made their hearts sink: Nobuhiro Yamada.
"So, this was why ," Rina whispered, her voice barely audible. Her eyes scanned the article, absorbing every detail about the brave man who had lost his life on a mission that was supposed to bring hope for the future of humanity.
Silence hung heavy in the air as they digested the information, realizing the reality of the danger Kei faced every day. They exchanged a solemn glance, an unspoken agreement passing between them. They had to do something to help Ayaka and Kei, they just weren't quite sure what that could be yet. The gravity of the situation lent a newfound urgency to their resolve. For Ayaka, for Kei, they would keep researching, keep planning.